Five Frugal Things -- American Girl Dolls & a Slipper Repair
1) My husband and I carved out a couple hours to do some adventuring, which is always very enjoyable. We hit up a taco cart, perused the closest Goodwill and then treated ourselves to donuts.
He got a blueberry fritter and I chose a maple bar.
I picked up this $6.99 American Girl doll, even though her hair is tangled and her forehead was kind of ashy looking. I like a project and should be able to sell her for around $50. Her clothes aren't official American Girl, but I have a branded skirt I picked at the bins plus an A.G. sweater from a free box to create an outfit for her. New dolls cost $175.
It might be a good idea to grab American Girl books when I find them cheaply enough to bolster my listings. I've probably sold a a dozen or so of these dolls through the years.
I also spied this Japanese cast iron tea kettle, which is actually a common find in my local thrift stores. I remember seeing them when I visited Japan in 2012 and thinking these heavy beasts would be a no fun addition to one's luggage.
This vintage Lady Diana Spencer tin caught my eye as well, if only because poor Princess Diana looks so uncomfortable in this famous photo. Hindsight . . . .
I looked up this remote control, as non-TV remotes can sometimes sell for a pretty penny. Alas it was for a "galaxy" night light projector and only sells for around five bucks.
Remember when I took The Frugal Girl to the Goodwill bins and bought this random remote, which sold almost immediately for $75?
For every one thing I buy, I probably look up a dozen items.
2) I repaired my shearling slippers again, which once again took three weeks to procrastinate and fifteen minutes to complete.
Will I ever learn? Unlikely.
3) My daughter's robot litter box was malfunctioning, so I drove over with a small shopvac and a backup analog litterbox. Why a shopvac? The litter box dumped a bunch of litter onto the floor right before she left for work!
When we thought that robots would be the future, this is what we meant.
4) My husband wasn't home for dinner last night, so I assembled a delightfully unhinged collection of foodstuff. I literally grabbed a couple handfuls of meat off my Costco rotisserie chicken, to which I added three carrots and hummus; followed by yogurt topped with granola.
Written down it's not so bad, but keep in mind that everything before the yogurt was eaten standing up in the kitchen while listening to my audiobook.
5) I didn't illegally tear down half of my government owned house, promising that it would be rebuilt using fund from private donors. Then beg for $400 million taxpayer dollars to actually complete the job.
Even Town & Country magazine is calling him out on this!
Now your turn, what frugal things have you been up to?
'Analog litter box' The things we never thought we would say!
I had an American girl doll and it was one of my most beloved toys, I played with it everyday for years and I still have it now (it’s in very very rough shape). I was so excited to get my daughter one. When my mom was cleaning out my grandparents house she found a brand new one in its box (apparently my aunt bought it for my grandma because it was from the time period my grandma was born) so she gave it to me for my daughter. I gifted it to her last year and she does not care about this doll at all, no interest in playing with it! I am so glad I did not pay anything for it, I would have been more upset to spend $150 for it to be ignored (although could have resold it it sounds like).
My cousins have younger kids (ages 2 and under) so I may pass grandmas American girl doll along to them when their kids are older, see if any of them have any interest in it!
Hear, hear on your #5! I hope the Supreme Court grows a spine, makes him tear down that monstrosity and rebuild the East Wing back as it was --and pay for it out of his own funds!!! And also restore the Rose Garden: put it all back like it looked in the Obama administration and before!! I also hope he'll stop yelling at Jimmy Kimmel and clean up his own act. (Nah, it'll never happen, I know.)
1. Just took 2 big bags of soda pop cans across town to recycle. Earned a not-so-whopping total of $2.10.
2. A block from there, I saw another place to recycle glass. It was en route home. (I'd thought I would have to drive across town in the opposite direction for this.) I dumped my box full of soda pop bottles in this new recycling bin and saved on gas! Hooray for grouping errands!
(Sadly, no one pays for glass recycling in our town. But at least I kept it all out of the landfill.)
3. My yard sign about saving Social Security & Medicare got ripped in half. Whether by wind or vandals, I don't know. Repaired it and put it closer to the house.
4. Some books I ordered were delivered. Saved the padded plastic envelope for reuse.
5. Turned off the AC and am making do with ceiling fan.
Your dinner reminds me of “sink meals” skit from Portlandia. Also reminiscent of eating when you’re in the newborn stage , lol!
1. My last thrift trip yielded me not one, but two sets of pottery barn kids organic cotton twin sheet sets with a truck print. They were 6.50 each, and retail for over 160 ! I washed them and vacuum sealed them for when we transition my toddler to a bigger bed. I try to find a balance between overbuying/hoarding for years a head and capitalizing on a good buy. This fit my checklist of great quality, great condition, a definite eventual need , and easy to store.
2. Went to Costco to pick up a prescription, walked around for some free samples and left with only my medication.
3. I’ve slacked on my reselling post surgery but talking with my husband , I realized how even a handful of sales here and there positively impacts my mental health while I’m currently a sahm. I spent the day at the good will outlet where I found arcteryx, Lululemon, Patagonia, tons of Smartwool socks (these sell well in bundles for me), jelly cat, as well as books and green toy trucks for my little one’s upcoming birthday.
4. Was gifted some strawberry starts from our buy nothing group . I don’t think these will produce this season but hopefully next year will have a strong yield!
5. Made some unusable with a sad clearance loaf of bread for my toddler to use on the go. I put the waste aside to make bread crumbs.
6. Frugal fail that I’m making the most of . My idiot self didn’t renew my drivers license in time (I’ve never had to do this, as I’ve moved many times). Then once I realized it was expired, I forgot and then had surgery. So alas, it’s been expired over a year. Which means I get to RETAKE ALL THE TESTS. What a stupid tax. I will be trying my best not to drive much until I can get back to the dmv in a few weeks. Ugh. I guess I’ll save on gas!
Uncrustables* not unusable . Ugh autocorrect.
I wish I had your thrifting skills for reselling! It looks like fun, but.. I also am not great at sifting thorough stuff in stores.I DID however find a PERFECT black handbag (have been looking for 6 months!) at our local Mormon church thrift store.. a Liz Claiborne, in PERFECT condition, good soft leather, not too big not too small..will last me for years..for $3. This church thrift store and our Lutheran church store are the best low prices around!!!
We were on a vacation and I left behind some red potatoes.. I salvaged them when I got home.. and made mashed potatoes today, I just had to remove all those little eyes that grew while we were gone! I also made some stuffed peppers, my bargain bell pepper find from the store yesterday. 2 to eat tonight and 2 into freezer!!
DId not add a new ballroom onto our home,did not buy any gas, as we are retired and not commuting means many days of no driving.
Set up google alerts for a trip Back East to visit relative sin the summer,hoping to snag a decent airfare.
Joined a craft group that meets for FREE at the home of one of our church members. vs. the art group that meets at a studio where they charge $$ to get together.
Took big pantry and freezer inventory,stocking up on some extra basics, as prices bound to be on the rise while someone we know plays war games.
1. I used a Menard's rebate check to buy a surge protector I needed.
2. I used the McDonald's app to get a free McChicken sandwich with my rewards.
3. I've been on an Ebay listing spree. It's paying off. I sold two items today. I'm going through my death pile and listing a few things I forgot about.
4. My mom is watching my dog for me today. I have workers putting in a French drain and she couldn't be outside with all the heavy equipment. She was very unhappy so Grandma came and got her.
5. My mom and sister are returning my pup and bringing homemade chef salads for dinner. I feel like I won the lottery.