Five Frugal Things -- Calling My Representatives
1. I took a couple minutes from my morning to call my Congresswomen and let them know I appreciate everything they're doing to fight Fascism and to keep it up. They're already on the right side of history, so I didn't have any criticism or suggestions. I'm sure they're both receiving angry calls, so my goal was to tip the scales a little bit.
Essentially "Keep up the good fight!"
Here's the link to find contact information for your senators and congresspeople.
2. My next door neighbor and I got together for tea and a cozy chat. She served Trader Joe's almond croissants and caught up on each others' lives.
I recently took care of their house while they went out of town and they'll bring in our mail when my husband and I head down to New Mexico. Neither of us have pets at the moment, so it's far from an imposition.
Social connection + frugal practices = my love language!
3. I saw an abandoned but like-new flannel shirt in the Goodwill Outlet parking lot, so I brought it home to launder. It's a child's size, so I'll offer it up in my Buy Nothing group.
4. My friend Lise and I carpooled to Trader Joe's and I succeeded in sticking to my shopping list, which I consider to be a yuuuuge accomplishment as that store is 90% impulse items.
Here's what I bought:
- Cabbage
- Frozen sliced peppers
- Bananas
- Foaming hand soap, as my last pump is no longer pumping smoothly. I reuse them for a year or two and refill with diluted dish soap.
- Sparkling white wine, you know . . . for when it happens!
Total cost was $16.47.
5. I kept getting notifications that my iPhone storage was full, so I went into settings and scouted the culprits. I deleted podcast downloads, unsubscribed to a few and then removed a couple of greedy apps. And whattayaknow . . . suddenly my phone is working just fine!
I still need to delete thousands of unnecessary photos, but that's a good task to do while watching dumb TV. (I'm looking at you, Veronica Mars!) I know I'll have to replace my nine-year-old iPhone at some point, but that day is not today!
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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Thanks for encouraging folks to call Congress. The only ice I want is in my freezer.
I was calling weekly since last January via the 5calls app, ever since ICE started taking over our cities and dragging people off streets - i've been calling daily.
Thanks for calling your Reps!
I, too have bubbly set aside. ideally for impeachment or 25th Amendment, but, whatevs.
I just went into my podcasts, turned off auto download and deleted over 500 podcasts. Thank you for the reminder.
1. Went to 2 thrift stores in the path of my errands and bought an expensive sun hat for $4, a blouse and a pair of linen pants. The blouse and linen pants will both be altered or used as fabric. This is a very cheap way to get some lovely fabrics.
2. I sent in a pair of Darn Tough socks under their warranty and received a email with a code for a new free pair of socks. This is pretty awesome in this age of disposable everything.
3. We picked up our new car ( not so frugal but necessary) but we got free coffee and two granola bars. I'll take all the wins I can get.
4. We have a run of days forecast in the high 60's and I already have my thermostat turned off. I'm enjoying the fresh air through the house, and the free warmth. Since we keep off thermostat at 64 in the daytime, anything over 65 outside is warmer. This also means my early seeds should germinate nicely. All of them free.
5. I had a stack of very ugly Christmas cards and yesterday when I was feeling tired but restless. I sat down and made over these cards. I had free to me scrap paper and I covered fronts, insides and backs. They turned out very cute, entirely free and made me happy. Just what I needed instead of watching mindless TV. I do plenty of that, especially since I've been sick, but at that moment I wanted to actually do something.
I like your idea of preparing for "it day." Your wine will be perfect! I was thinking I would want a big ol' cake to celebrate it over here, when that day arrives! Can't decide if I should make it or buy it, and what flavor, etc. I have some planning to do, I guess. 🙂 It's gotta be delicious so as to be the ultimate celebration!!
1. Had a doctor's appointment abutting a work call, so took the call from a cafe nearby to avoid being late. Ordered a small coffee and they were out of the milk I wanted - so instead they compensated me with a latte that definitely was worth more than I paid. What a treat!
2. Stopped into a local yarn shop to pick up some skeins for a project my sister wants me to make. The yarn was not cheap (but it is gorgeous!) but was the same price as ordering online, and the money went into the small business' pocket. Another day not lining Mr. Bezos' pockets accomplished. Worth it!
3. Brought a banana and protein shake to supplement work lunch to welcome a new team member and didn't eat it because the lunch was so satisfying.
4. Wearing my ski mittens with my parka to commute. The stylish gloves ain't cutting it. Very cozy!
5. Using up every type of lotion I have to keep my hands from cracking. I found a tube of lovely lavender lotion in my drawer and have been using it before bed. A great reminder to snoop around my own stuff before picking up something new.
1. The Spectrum guy just left. I called Spectrum and told them I needed my computer wire/modem/hookup relocated from the den to my once-and-future computer room. In phoning, I had to say "human being" about 1,000 times (to the stupid AI bot named Mary) before actually getting one on their 800 #, but LaTisha in Tampa, the CSR, was awesome. She not only scheduled a repairman to come out here the same day (a miracle!), but she also got me on a special plan that lowered my bill. When I mentioned the sad, sad story of my lost Spectrum cell phone, she discontinued the cell service and hooked me up to a special promo offer: a new Motorola cell phone for $48 + free service for one year. I will pay out the $48 at the grand sum of 4 bucks a month....although, given my history of losing things, I also opted for a not-very-frugal extra $10/mo. insurance plan that covers a lost/stolen/broken phone. (Wish I'd opted for it before.) Still, I'm getting internet, WiFi (didn't have it before), landline and cell phone for $20 cheaper than the internet and landline alone.
2. Had my car tires aired up for free at Firestone. (For all you Magnolia/ Fixer Upper fans, this is the same Firestone place where Chip and Joanna Gaines first met. Formerly owned by her dad.)
3. Used 2 AA batteries that were in a battery-operated faux Christmas candle to power up my wall clock. Also discovered, quite by accident, that the remote control that came with a box of Temu faux candles also operates the 2 candles I bought in November. Got the Temus on an after-Xmas clearance sale. (Have I mentioned that before?)
4. Finished off the gallon of milk that had been in the freezer. Thawed it out during our winter storm so I could avoid the grocery store.
5. Salted new gallon of milk so it won't spoil so fast. (Mary Hunt Tiptionary hint: put a few grains of salt in milk; this keeps bacteria from forming and causing the milk to sour. You can't taste the salt. Weird, but it works.)
I've also been calling. Like yours, my federal representatives have been pretty on the ball but my state has been slow to take action so I've also been calling my state and local reps. I've been leaning into frugality to donate more too. Tried a new lentils and rice recipe last night that was extra cheap and delicious.
1) I finally had some time yesterday to replenish my freezer supply of meals to bring in to work for lunch. I made a green curry in the instant pot that had a truly impressive amount of vegetables: 3 bunches of Bok choy, 1 bunch of Swiss chard, 2 carrots, 1 yellow bell pepper, water chestnuts plus a block of tofu. It fills the pot when it’s first put in but cooks down given that greens shrink so much. It is quite soupy so I also always make a grain to go with it. I made quinoa and portioned it out into 4 containers. I also made a loaf of “beer” bread (I make it with sparkling water though so no beer).
2) I bought my daughter’s Easter dress at Costco for $18. She loves the spring dresses they have(they are very lacey and frilly and the one I bought today has little unicorns all over it) and wears them for dress up and for other events so I don’t mind buying new and the price is pretty good compared to dresses I’ve seen elsewhere.
3) I’m the troop leader for my daughter’s Girl Scout troop. Girl Scout cookie season has started, and although it’s not frugal for the people buying the $7(!) boxes of cookies, it’s really helpful for our troop to raise these funds. We are a brand new Daisy troop so have $0 at the moment, this will help us fund our badges and activities.
4) I’m going to attend a conference in New Orleans in a few months which my work will reimburse me for using our training funds. A good way to travel for free (although I’ll be in the conference during the day so not as much sightseeing time as a regular vacation)
5) I added the March 28th No Kings day protest to my calendar. Hoping we won’t need it by then(ever the optimist!)