Five Frugal Things -- My Name's Not Blake!
1. I thrifted this adorable hand knitted Christmas stocking for just $2.99, even though my name is most definitely not "Blake!" Unlike a needlepoint stocking where the stitching can be picked out, this name was imbedded into the structure.
Luckily I have multiple bags of embroidery wool and a lot of free time.
I ended up chain stitching some Christmas trees over the lettering, which accomplished my goal of obscuring the personalization. We've invited our daughter's girlfriend over for Christmas morning, so this extra stocking will be put to good use. I know it turned out lumpy, but I still think it's cute.
2. I woke up to this nice little $75 eBay sale, which is fantastic since I thrifted the backgammon board last week for just $4.50. I'll definitely need to create a Frankenbox, but that's okay since the profit margins on this one are where I like them to be.
What's interesting is that this stone game board was next to an equally lovely chess/checkers stone board, which I didn't consider buying it as it was priced at $19.99. Additionally, backgammon is a more unusual game and it's better to be the seller with the rare item.
3. I baked the second pumpkin from my next door neighbor, which resulted in ten full cups of pumpkin puree for the freezer. Mind you, this is after draining off the extra liquid.
4. My youngest painted a memorial stone for where we buried Zelda in the backyard. They used a stone and art supplies we already owned.
5. I gave $9.99 tins of Trader Joe's Jingle-Jangle mix to both my mail carrier and the local LGBTQ+ health care clinic. I know that many people won't eat homemade food from strangers and I wanted to make sure to thank these people who serve their communities in the very best way.
Now your turn, what frugal things have you been up to?
Katy Wolk-Stanley
"Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without."
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1. I listed a whole bunch of stuff brought back from my son's house. Not only have they recouped a lot of money from stuff I've sold for them, it has also inspired them to do some selling of their own. I love seeing the frugal practices filter down the generations. All 3 of my adult children are pretty frugal. We thoroughly enjoyed our no-gifts-for-the-adults Christmas celebration last week.
2. Celebrated our daughter's promotion last night. Meal at home and a movie.
3. Made sure I listed all the toys that my son's family were passing on. This is the time when families may be looking for toys as gifts. I have 2 buyers lined up to come today. It makes me happy because I only list things in excellent condition and I know someone is getting a bargain and giving their child much joy.
4. Asked for a puzzle board on buy nothing. Waiting to see if anyone replies...
5. Picked up a small bag of new menstrual supplies offered on Buy Nothing. I have no need, but I like to be prepared for anyone visiting.
My husband asked for a particular book in a series for Christmas. He had no idea about the price. Turns out the cheapest I could find it for (used) was $110. No thanks! He's getting a Nook card instead since he can get it for $9.99 that way.
Redeemed my Fetch points for $50 Chewy. Free cat litter and food once again.
I used my Thriftbooks credit and only paid .24 for some Christmas gifts. TB doesn't give as much credit as the big used book store 2 hours away, but I'm sitting on a bunch of credit to that store already because they don't often have the books I want.
This year we gifted my sister a paid off medical bill. The only frugal part of that is we went to the hospital in person and paid it in full, so they gave us 25% off, which was a significant amount of money.
I bought a new garbage disposal for my mom's Christmas gift. It's something she wants so I'm happy to get it. I went across the border to the next state (just a few miles) and got the item for the same price as here but less sales tax. While there I also did my Kroger shopping since there's no sales tax on groceries.
Susan,
You are a gold medal gift giver with a black belt in frugality! Santa has nothing on you! Paying your sister's medical bill will greatly improve her life, as not having to worry about affording that awful hospital bill will no doubt help her health. I'm sure your Mom will thank you every time she uses that disposal. And you saved a lot of money on both, along with the books and Nook card! May God bless you and your DH for your generosity.
What wonderful gifts you give. I can't imagine how grateful your sister is and how wonderful that you saved by paying the hospital in person.
I add my loud cheers to the other commenters' for your paying off your sister's medical bill. I bet a **lot** of folks would be over the moon to get a gift like that instead of the usual holiday junk. Hands across the miles to you!
That stocking redo is as cute as it is clever! From the photo, you can't tell a name was ever on there. The row of Christmas trees are just perfect for the design. The gal pal ought to feel right at home!
Yesterday, I strolled around the new arts & crafts "mall." I didn't buy anything, but saw several good things I can create at home, with items I already have and don't need. My goal is to make gifts for the young couple who invited me to hang out at their place on the 25th. They like vintage items and I have plenty. Leftover from my ill-fated biz venture at being an antique mall vendor. Hope it's not illegal to "shoplift" ideas! (Oh, and I scouted out some holiday earrings that I will look at again, when I go to their After-Christmas sale....)
I have given up on trying to find my lost cell phone. A coworker tells me she buys used/refurbished phones from Schmeff Schmezos on that big website. I may also look at what Wallyworld has to offer. Any advice as to what model to get? Which service provider to use?
1. A friend had mentioned the optometrist's office in town has an AARP discount on lenses and frames, not appointments, and that saved me a couple hundred dollars on my new glasses, (very strong prescription and trifocals, nothing I would ever trust to an online glasses store because they rarely come out right the first time).
2. Continuing my mission to keep USPS in business, I sent out Christmas cards. I have enough left over, (from sales, yard sales, etc.) for next year.
3. Used return address labels with, um, enthusiastic holiday drawings from children at the regional children's hospital. Free to me because I don't know how they got my name and don't donate, but I will advertise for them by using the stickers.
4. Still haven't brought out much for holiday decorating. Have an artificial wreath that I add scrounged greenery to, to fill it out, that I will get outside now that we have a lull in the wet weather.
5. Listening to "Charlie Brown Christmas" soundtrack by the Vince Garaldi trio on YouTube while I check in online. Tried George Winston "December", but that was too somber for today-- the sun is out!
Apologies: The correct spelling is Vince Guaraldi, the jazz pianist for Peanuts. I love what I call "Peanuts Walking Music!".
That stocking looks great. I would have never thought to do that.
1. I sold several things on Ebay including a Christmas stocking with the name DAD stitched into it.
2. I clipped my dogs nails which is a frequent flier frugal win.
3. My car got run over by a deer. The deer walked away, thankfully. I have a couple dents and a nick in the paint. I am having it repaired since it's a new car. The deductible is only $100 since it falls under comprehensive and it won't raise my rates.
4. I borrowed my old car from my son-in-law for the week that I am without. I'll wash it and fill it with gas before I give it back. It's cheaper than a rental.
5. I purchased some nice bath towels at an estate sale for my daughter. She had a need for some. The two items I purchased to flip will more than pay for what I spent.
Also, I love the memorial stone your youngest made for Zelda.
1. We had snow and ice on the ground for much of the week so I didn't run errands/spend money until today. Shoveling and dealing with an icy driveway added to my free exercise this week.
2. I listed some items on Freecycle in hopes others can enjoy some frugal items this holiday season.
3. I made a pot of tortilla soup using the remains of a rotisserie chicken.
4. DH has the day off so we stopped in Grocery Outlet and grabbed some cheap healthy-ish snacks.
5. An older friend needs to gain weight. I asked him if he has a favorite cookie. I will bake him some sugar cookies before I see him on Tuesday.
Love the stocking revamp and the memorial stone.
1. Installed baseboard in a bedroom closet using remnants from a remodeling project.
2. Received 10 Christmas cards from Buy Nothing. Used one as a thank you card and will save the rest for next year.
3. Used a $10 gift card from Red Cross for dog medications from Chewy.
4. Stopped at the consignment shop and received the final payout - 95 cents. I'm rich!
5. Friend treated me to a belated birthday lunch where we talked for four hours (it was a slow day at the restaurant). As we were leaving, the staff offered us free baked goods, as they would not be selling anymore that day. We limited ourselves to one croissant each, knowing that the rest would be given to employees and then charity.
Love the stocking, Katy. It turned out so well.
1. Trying to eat down the fridge before I head to my parents' for the week - means lots of random meals.
2. I participated in a cookie exchange for the first time ever. I made lemon shortbread cookies with ingredients I had on hand (flour and sugar were bought on sale, and butter is from my partner's job at a steep discount), and got a really nice variety to use for the holidays.
3. A friend and I wanted to get together for Christmas. I decided to host her here instead of going out. We finished off a bottle of wine that had been opened over the weekend during a party (and had been gifted to us), and ate Christmas cookies.
4. Adding things to a wish list in my notes app instead of buying them as things come up that I want, or feel like I need (a really nice winter wool coat being one thing - I have a full on parka, but nothing nice to wear to nice events). I review the list every few months and usually end up deleting most of what I added. The things I keep on the list, I work to source used or on sale from a small business.
5. Crocheting Christmas presents for my nieces (a specific request from them!) and using yarn and tools that I have on hand. I do need 2 pairs of safety eyes, which I sourced from my Buy Nothing group. I'm going to pick them up this weekend.