Five Frugal Things -- Library Books & The "ICE Out" General Strike
1. I logged into the American Red Cross website and scanned through the area where I've earned "points" which can be redeemed for their branded merchandise. I've never been interested in these items, but saw that I had enough points to redeem a $10 gift card. I'll use it for Fred Meyer, which is our regional Kroger grocery store.
It looks like these points expire quickly, so I'll make sure to use them as I earn them in the future. It looks like I've been leaving them on the table.
2. I stopped by the library to pick up my hold copy of The Book of Lost Hours, by Hayley Gelfuso. I don't remember putting it on hold, so it must've had a long wait list. I've fallen out of the daily reading habit, but this book should give me the nudge I need.
3. My friend Lise texted me from Winco this afternoon to ask if I needed anything. I had her pick up a can of the blue cap oven cleaner, as it's apparently the magic solution to clean the baked on crud from my thrifted Wagner Ware pan. (At least that's what all the YouTube dudes claim.) I saw that online prices were all over the place, but Winco seemed cheapest at "four something," which is what Lise paid.
I was able to clean the lid using Barkeeper's Friend, but it didn't work whatsoever for the bottom of the pan.
As a reminder:
4. My husband stopped by with a co-worker and I served a packet of biscotti from my recent Red Cross donation.
Who me, cheap?
5. Today is the national "ICE Out" national strike and I plan on supporting it with no shopping. Not even Goodwill.
However, now that I think about it, I may walk over to spend money at the neighborhood taco truck that's been struggling lately. I read that their core customers aren't taking the risk to be out and about. These are the businesses I care to support.
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) Also called my representatives & they are also similarly aligned, but expressed support.
2) Used a $10 CVS reward to purchase some Valentine's Day cards + treats for the teens.
3) Dug around & found a stamp in our stationery area in the hall closet. Walked to the mailbox to drop off DS18's Valentine's Day card. I have previously done fun treats + a small Starbucks gift card, but given the cost of mailing said treats, I opted for a small check instead, with a note to buy himself dinner.
4) For DS19's birthday gift, wrapped a couple of things in re-used gift boxes that have probably been used 10+ times for various events. They are really nice boxes from "Birch Box", which I received as a gift during COVID.
5) Once again made dinner without a plan, which is not a frugal endeavor & I don't recommend as a standard practice, but this has been a week & I managed to get everyone fed with four freezer meals, plus last night's salmon (freezer) for DH & TJ's ravioli (picked up a couple of days ago) + meatballs (freezer) for myself & DS19. Bonus that we used some of the leftover cheese from the Costco street taco meal on the ravioli.
We are also supporting our local taco truck tonight.
What a good thought -- support businesses that are owned by Latinos (or other targeted ethnic groups). In this horrible climate, they must be struggling mightily.
1. I pulled a package of Italian sausage out of the freezer this morning and I saw by the label that I got it in a BOGO offer. A gift from my past self! I made and cooked some patties and scrambled the rest. I had one patty with my breakfast and the rest will go back in the freezer -- except I will make sausage gravy out of scrambled bits.
2. I was planning on going to the DMV yesterday to sort out my license. I am supposed to have a Real ID but that's not what I got. Anyway, it was too cold and I was too tired, and then I remembered that the DMV is always packed at the end of the month, so the trip is deferred until Monday. So I saved some gas, and, hopefully, a little hassle.
3. I noticed that the top I was wearing yesterday had some flecks of paint on it, and then I noticed there was a hole near the hem. I think that top has seen better days. I decided to save it, however, for future painting and dirty jobs. It is nice and loose and will make a pretty good smock.
4. My sister is moving into her retirement community apartment today. She is many miles away from me, and the weather is horrible, so I can't help. I will send her a monetary gift to help with the transition. Non-frugal, but something I want to do.
5. I don't have anything stashed away to celebrate "it." I do have some pecan pie in the freezer. I have to admit, though, it will probably get eaten before "it" happens.
1. Converted my Prolific survey money to Paypal – over $70 CDN, and I have been picky about the surveys I do. Whoot.
2. The riding lawnmower [that we (mostly Wonder James) also use as a tractor to pull a trailer] has two tires with slow-getting-faster leaks. James took the front wheel off. and I took it to my tire place for a new tube, which they have done. However, when I asked for a quote for the rear tires, the tire folk recommended I go to Princess Auto – since they were going to cost $115 PLUS installation (each !) to replace.
Princess Auto had the entire tire/wheel assemblies on super discount sale for $53 each!! I finally got there, en-route to my Mom's, and wisely also remembered to get windshield wiper fluid.
3. Mom continues to not do well. This included a trip to hospital in ambulance (her choice, so she would be in a stretcher not sitting in a chair in the waiting room). She checked out all clear – her heart in fabulous shape, nothing in her blood tests, lungs x-rayed clear.
She still feels crappy, though. I had a frantic 45 min when the hospital misplaced her. They had parked her in a hallway after her x-ray, and then couldn't locate her when I asked after her. They told me that she probably had left.
I got steadily more frightened, while calling all the cab companies and the people in the building where she lives. Finally I PHONED the hospital (from the parking lot), and got put through to emergency. I asked them what my next step should be, calling the police? Because mom has beginning signs of dementia, and is 95, and it was 4:30 and starting to rain They finally took me seriously enough to REALLY look for her. I carefully described my Mom, and they took another turn through the halls, and voila!!!. GAH!
Deep breaths. Many many deep breaths. I got her home and went back to visit her the next day as a nurse was coming to see her. HE figured out she also has an ear infection (besides being weak from becoming de-conditioned from lying in bed for much of each day this last month). He gently lectured her about walking short distances frequently every day (thanks for backing me up, Nurse Mike!) and they'll keep an eye on her.
She did do some walking for me prior to the nurse visit, although I know she was swearing at me under her breath as she stomped from one end of her apartment to the other for several trips.
The care people and my daughter are on the roster for the next couple of days. Mom is sick of having all this company, and it is clearly necessary. With luck I won't have to go over that foggy highway until next Wednesday.
And thanks to all who are recommending she go into a home – her family doctor is strongly recommending that she stay in her own condo for as long as possible, and he does not feel that it is anywhere near time for her to need to move. It just is time to rally the troops and also hire some help to come in every day, partially to avoid what has just happened. I knew this time was coming, when we needed to have more eyes on her to do wellness checks, and the time has now arrived. Today she turns 96. Happy Birthday Mom!
4. My Daughter came to the rescue on the hospital day, bless her! She did the bit of grocery shopping that was on Mom's list (I had cleverly taken a photo and sent it to DD). She arrived with fast food burgers and fries when we got home from the hospital. Watching mom tuck into the food was wonderful to see.
I was equally famished and so grateful to have the rescue hot food delivery, after a VERY trying afternoon. We are using Mom's bank account to cover things like this, so I got the receipts for DD's shopping and fast food and will reimburse her in the next couple of days.