Five Frugal Things -- $225 Pillowcases!
I sadly failed to thrift enough Seattle stuff to resell to cover the $225 cost of hotel valet parking, however it was still a frugal trip.
1) Remember how I mentioned that I picked up a $1.99 white pillowcase while at the Central Goodwill with my friend Lisa? It caught my eye as the fabric seemed to be good quality and had pretty green embroidered detailing.
I later looked up the brand and holy crap -- they sell new for $215 per pair! For pillowcases. Pillowcases! The Montouk brand wasn't one I'd heard of, not that surprising as they describe themselves as "The Leading Destination for Luxury Bed & Bath Linens." Not exactly my financial priority.
My husband and I drove through the rain to the same Goodwill on our way out of town as I thought there was a decent chance I'd missed the matching one. Sadly, such was not the case. Montouk don't seem to sell this exact style anymore, but I'll definitely be adding this brand to my BOLO (be on the lookout) thrifting radar!
2. My friend Lisa is just as obsessed with finding the ideal brand of everything as I am, so she was excited to tell me about how she stocked up on seasonal tubes of Trader Joe's guava scented hand lotion. She then gave me an unopened tube of my own, which I know to be a sacrificial gifts as there's a possibility they won't repeat the product.
Thanks, Lisa!
3. I was able to score a pair of library museum tickets to the Portland Museum for later this month. This is a $55 value and only happened because I went on the My Discovery Pass area of the library at precisely midnight on April 1st.
4. I donated $156.15 to the Oregon Food Bank, which is how much profit I earned in March from selling thrifted items for the $100 Goodwill Gift Card Challenge. This brings the total up to $423.15, which is starting to resemble a substantial amount. I still have a couple dozen items up for sale on eBay, as well as $11.30 left on the card.
5. I may be #cheapaf, but I still tip. $10 for the hotel housekeeper, (we only had her clean upon checking out) plus a five dollar bill every time the valet took our car or returned it, which added up to $30.
Forty bucks, which I guess is just the cost of hotel travel.
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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As a former hotel manager, I applaud you for tipping your hotel housekeeper. The Netflix series, MAID, is a very accurate portrayal of how hard housekeepers work, in my experience.
$215 for a pillowcase. Wow.
1.I've been on the look out for a better set of knives. My 32 year old set is looking haggard. I found a set of knives and a knife block at an estate sale for $10. It only had 5 of the 8 knives and missing the scissors but I have scissors and a few other knives I've picked up so I have enough knives now. This set sells for $700 so hopefully they will last me for another 30 years at which point I hope I'm no longer cooking for myself.
2. I also found a beautiful print that I planned to put on my bathroom wall, but when I put it in my car, I found a certificate of authenticity that stated it's value 30 years ago at $1800. It's a limited edition giclee print signed by the artist. I'm not putting it in my bathroom.
3. I sold two more items on Ebay. Sales have been very slow. Last month I made enough to pay my electric bill and my phone bill so I won't complain. Every little bit. I've been listing a little more everyday.
4. I spent part of the day with my mom and sister. We took a trip to Costco so my sister could get her glasses repaired. I put gas in my car and we all had their $1.50 hot dog and soda for lunch. I bought a bag of plums that we'll split between us. We all ate their free samples. We picked up a few things across the street at Trader Joe's.
5. I've been eating at home all week. I cut up a head of romaine that my mom gave me and added quinoa, tofu, roasted sweet potatoes, goat cheese, pita chip crumbs from the bottom of the bag, pepitas, the rest of a bag of dried cranberries, the rest of some tomatoes and so on. I've been eating some version all week for dinner adding whatever needs using up.
5.
Great find on the knives( even with a few absent).
I really enjoyed reading about your recent travel adventure. You have enjoyed several lately and I am so happy you are enjoying these escapades with your loved one. Life is so short and health so fragile.
That's a great donation to the food bank! With the rising prices of gasoline and groceries, I think the need is greater than ever.
1. Strained my lower back yesterday which led to today being a day of laying on the heating pad and popping Tylenol. Not a fun day but it was a no spend day so there's a little positivity there.
2. We've been eating leftovers all week. American Chop Suey and Vegetable Bean homemade soup.
3. I found Smithfield spiral hams on sale at Price Chopper for .99 lb. I'm having 2 to 4 people over for Easter dinner so I picked up an 11 pounder. I see pea soup in our future.
4. While at Price Chopper, I picked up a roasting chicken, also .99 lb. Froze it for the future.
5. I'm making a chocolate cake with almond frosting for dessert for Easter dinner, so I told DH to skip buying me any sweets for Easter. The cake will be more than enough.
1. Keeping up with my schedule of planting seeds for leafy greens every two weeks. Planted some arugula in the ground and kale into large pots. Planted lavender started from seed and transplanted mint (into another pot of course).
2. Called our insurance company to ask for clarification about charges. They were unable to explain themselves, which doesn't inspire confidence. But it has always been worth keeping an eagle eye on all charges. I switched out of autopay so they had to actually send me a bill with explanation. They say they'll call me back with an explanation, and if they do not, I will call them.
3. Found a free pattern for a kids duffle bag. My DIL asked me to make a dance bag for my grandson and I'll use this pattern. She wants repurposed denim which is great as it's free!
4. Dh got another ride to work today and I batched 2 driving errands. I'm curious how far I can make my tank of gas go this month. I know most people aren't that interested in carpooling, though I cannot fathom why since gas is saved PLUS time because carpool lane is so much faster.
5. Curb picked a firepit. About to list it on FB marketplace.
I also really enjoy hearing about your travels. I am also a huge Twin Peaks nerd and this destination is on my bucket list!
1. I had a no spend day (actually, I've had a lot of them lately). I did stop by a thrift store on my way home yesterday from work and scored a set of miniature, new-in-box Funko Rudolph the RN Reindeer (called Bitty Pop Funko). They sell well, but these are for me. I passed on a set of Pop funko Power Puff Girls (full size) and later looked them up on eBay and let's just say I should have grabbed them. Oh well...
2. Still taking lunches and coffee to work. I can't even remember the last time I didn't do this simple frugal act.
3. Turned auto-renewal off on a few things. I am really being selective on subscriptions and streaming services these days.
4. I am visiting family in Pittsburgh later this month. My brother bought me a ticket for Clan of Xymox (old school goth band). My husband used some of his many, many hotel points (work travel) to reserve a hotel room or me and the dog who will be traveling with me. I also always tip. 🙂
5. Patting myself on the back for understanding the crumbs of the patriarchy are not worth my reputation, career, hurting others, and being a clueless pawn. IYKYK.
The pillowcase looks like a set of vintage Wamsutta pillowcases. They had a green scallop border just like that.
Congrats on the museum passes! I love that Portland Public Library is interested in equity. Those passes help people, who couldn’t otherwise afford it, access the arts.
I’m out in the Oregon wine country helping a sick family member. The nearest grocery stores are Safeway, Winco, and something schmancy. Prices seem high. I don’t know if it’s a rural thing or a Safeway thing or if prices have jumped.