Thrifting & Grocery Shopping Adventures!
My friend Lise and I engaged in some thrifting/food shopping adventures and while I understand that few would categorize this as an "adventure," I say "to each their own!"
Our first stop was the Goodwill store on S.E. Powell Boulevard. I didn't find anything worth buying, but I took a moment to photograph the packaging on this vintage "Cookie Mold." Seriously adorable graphics! Even the table leg is next level cute! Again, I apologize for the photo quality, but I'm lucky to have a slightly function phone camera after running over it last month!
Lise bought a bag of unused lanyards with name tag clips for the volunteer events that she runs. I believe she spent a full 99¢, minus her 10% senior discount.
Next up was the "Dented Vegetable Store," which was oddly empty, both of customers and merchandise. I did purchase a $3.80 package of salad mix and a 90¢ box of stuffing mix.
Next door was another Goodwill, which also failed to part me from my money. Always interesting to see what people no longer want in their homes, even when it's stuff that fails to tempt me. Neither of us bought anything.
We hadn't planned on stopping at Trader Joe's, but we both agreed it was worth it, as our location is currently closed due to an asbestos issue. Lise picked up lettuce, hummus, chips and a few other things. I grabbed toilet paper and butter. Because I'm exciting that way.
We finally made it to the main event -- Winco Foods! I was too tired to set up a standard "grocery haul" photo, so you'll just have to make do with this blurry conveyer belt image. Not visible in the picture is a 32-ounce tub of Fage yogurt, two jars of gravy from the clearance shelf, a 48-pack of tortillas and three cans of refried beans. The bulk bags contain curry powder, ginger powder, thyme and garbanzo beans.
I spent $73.93 and filled four grocery bags.
Last stop was the low price (HA!) gas station on the way home. I paid $3.99/gallon, which was only this low as I had enough money on hand for the cash discount. I did find a dime and penny on the ground, but that didn't exactly soothe my frugal heart. I think I paid around $3.65/gallon when I last filled the tank. I'm seeing $4.50+ around town.
I want to point out that I was extremely tired yesterday and barely had the energy to get out of bed, let alone run a half-dozen errands! (I blame my first ever melatonin pill the night before.) I really didn't want to stop for gas, but I told both myself and Lise that "I can do hard things."
I came home and took a nap, which I never do as it makes it too hard to later fall asleep. I am happy that I went though, as Lise and I hadn't hung out in ages and both of us filled our larders and our social batteries.
Katy Wolk-Stanley
"Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without."
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Gas is now $3.29 here and I am about to die over it. I really would fall out over 4 something. Gas has been $2.99 and lower it seems like forever so it is a shock to the system on the gas prices.
1. I went to my cost plus 10 percent store and purchased a corned beef, cabbage, onion, carrots and came home and added potatoes and turnips. It is currently cooking in the oven. The cabbage was 59 cents a lb. The bag of carrots was $1.05. The corned beef brisket was $12.97. The potatoes and turnips were from the large 1.00 bag last weekend so I think probably less than 25 cents total. I will portion it out and freeze. I bought vermicelli for 96 cents and tuna for 96 cents. I also bought a large bag of Fuji apples for $2.77 for my lunches.
2. We had storms last night so my back yard looks like I need a flotation device to go out there. That is ok bc we had a drought going on and hopefully this reduced it. I am extremely sleepy though from all the warnings going off last night though.
That is all I can think of at the moment.
Oh eggs were 98 cents for a dozen.
Oh, I do envy those gas prices. $5.19/gal the current lowest near us in the East Bay of CA. Not terrible for us personally as we are retired and drive little but hurting many others.
1. Shopped for just what we need to replenish at CVS and ACE. With sales and coupon saved $8.19 (24.6%) and drove very little to do it.
2. Met my goal for having more meatless/low meat dinners this week. 1) bean tostadas with small amount of chicken as topping 2) baked potatoes, cheese and broccoli 3) Huevos rancheros, spinach. We enjoyed them all.
3. Cancelled the extended warranty for our new car. The refund will go towards paying taxes.
We are nearby, on the peninsula in the Bay Area, and it’s $5.89.
I drive into work 4 days a week but luckily don’t have too long of a commute and my husband has an electric car so we are not terribly impacted. I do think of the people who have long commutes or are already in a tight financial situation, those increases could be devastating.
I've been tired this week. I think it's the time change throwing my natural rhythms off.
1. I have been listing a lot on eBay. I have a loved one who asked me to list a bunch of books for them, and they are giving me a percentage of the sales. I just started listing on Saturday and have already sold two of the books for $50 after taxes and fees. Makes us both a little money and gets the books to people who value them.
2. Yesterday I had a hair appointment. Since I was already in town I made myself pick up groceries and animal feed, so I would waste gas making a second trip later in the week.
3. This is kinda a crazy one. My brother-in-law passed away in July and so friends sent a beautiful flower arrangement. As the flowers died, I would remove them and keep moving what was left to a smaller vase. After many weeks all that was left was some greenery, then I noted that greenery was getting little flowers on it, so I Google lensed it. It is ruscus Israel and 7 months later it's still green. I currently have it in soil instead of water, and I am hoping it takes root. When the weather allows I plan on trying to move it outdoors, then back inside next fall as a true house plant. I know I am being fanciful, but I like to think it has my brother-in-law's spirit in it.
4. Still sticking with the low/no buy. Looking to come in under budget for a 3rd month. Fingers crossed.
5. Taking advantage of free stuff for entertainment. DVD from the library, books from the library, free yoga class, and using exercise equipment at home. If it's free it's for me!
"If it's free it's for me" is a great mantra/inspiration!
I couldn't fall asleep last night -- nor could I stay asleep. I woke up at the usual time however. I was pretty tired all day and didn't try to go out. I read, mostly, and puttered.
I made pizza pockets, using crescent roll dough and the toppings I had already saved. I ate one and froze one.
Yesterday I learned that my sister's house sold after a short time on the market and for more than the asking price. This is such good news, because this will fund her residency in a senior living apartment. She lost her husband last year and a lot of income, and her health is declining, so this was something that needed to happen. This doesn't affect my finances, but just makes me so happy.
I wish I could have walked today, because tomorrow will be very windy and later we will get cold, even snow. With gas prices rising, I don't really want to drive to the community center. I'm thinking I need to go back to public transit as much as I can, because it's free.