Five Frugal Things -- A $6.99 to $60 Miracle!
1) My college friend Lisa was in town, so we made plans to hang out. When asked what she wanted to do, her answer was "lunch and thrifting." Suffice it to say, I was down to clown with this plan!
Our first stop was the main Goodwill on S.E. 6th Avenue, where I picked up a vintage lily pad lamp for $6.99. I was drawn to the heavy bronze finish base, reminiscent of a classic Tiffany lamp. I didn't like the frilly glass shade, but Google Lens showed me it was actually original to the piece.
I was hesitant to buy it as I have zero need for additional table lamps. I believe the way I phrased it to Lisa was "I need another lamp like I need a hole in the head!" I bought it anyway, as I figured I could always sell it.
Which I did! My time between listing it on Facebook Marketplace to handing it over to its new owner was a hair under an hour-and-a-half, which might be a record!
2) Lisa then treated me to lunch, which was a lovely generous act, as you know I love me some free food. In my defense, my husband and I took her to lunch in Seattle last month.
So I'm not a total mooch!
2) Lisa and I then hit a smaller Goodwill on S.E. 52nd, off Woodstock Blvd. (My favorite Goodwill.) I picked up this 99¢ Nemadji Pottery piece, which I might actually keep. (At least until I thrift another one to then sell as a "lot.") 99¢ didn't hit the minimum for a debit card purchase, so Lisa actually paid for it as I was cash poor.
Thank you, Lisa!
3) I found a shiny quarter on the ground next to the registers at Goodwill, which got kerplunked into my Found Change Challenge jar.
4) I woke up to the above eBay sale. I thrifted these Birkenstocks a few days ago at the bins for the $100 Goodwill Gift Card Challenge, and my share after eBay fees is $23.69. Slightly less profit as I underestimated their weight.
Click HERE to see the listing!
For those keeping track, I've sold three items for the Oregon Food Bank in May so far:
- Hooters tank top -- $15
- Purse frame -- $75
- Birkenstocks -- $30
Yes, it's the randomest group of items to ever exist!
5) I decoupaged the thrifted December 30, 1930 New Yorker cover onto my day planner, which completes me amending it to fit my finicky and specific needs.
Note that I sewed the elastic a little tighter, as it had too much slack. Okay . . . now I'm done fiddling with the planner. Please enjoy that the background is my eBay inventory storage area.
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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This blog post includes an eBay referral link.
I LOVE how your customized day planner came out! Fun use of that New Yorker magazine cover you thrifted. You are so creative!
Katy, your decoupaged planner turned out great. I noticed The New Yorker covers in the earlier picture of you and your dad in the kitchen, so the aesthetic continues. My friend gives me her magazines when she's done reading them, and the current price of The New Yorker is $10.99 vs. the 15 cents on your planner cover.
I am a planner person and I love your vintage decoupage that has great memories of your Grandfather. Cool.
I purchased a vintage, stuck closed silver plate jewelry box in a junk sale and got it opened this morning. It had 1968 & 1965 half dollars and a roll of buffalo nickels. Shocked. I paid $2. Is that considered found money?
I also picked up a Boggs tote insert for $1, I scrubbed it up and will list it. I only found out what a Boggs tote was a short time ago. My daughter calls me her 'non trendy analog momma' truer words...yadda yadda.
I bought another club chair for $100, that opens up into a twin bed, just like a sleeper sofa. They had never used it. Now we can comfortably sleep one more without blowing up a mattress.
Picked my mom a bouquet of dutch irises and red and white roses. Baked her a batch of cookies. She requested pizza so I made the dough last night to slow proof in the fridge.
We are expecting a large turnout for dinner...about 40.
I made Texas sheet cakes and ice cream with caramel sauce.
I love that lily lamp. You have such a good eye!
Blue Gate Farmgirl - always intrigued by your large dinners. Do you host in a community that shares meals? Have a lot of friends/family? Tell us more!
1) Went to a free workout class this morning. I have a pack of classes, and it was free on Mother's Day, so saved one of my classes. They are pretty pricey, so I was thrilled for the freebie.
2) DH is making dinner at home for me, and attempting a Persian recipe that he hasn't made before (zereshk polo). We'll see how he does.
3) DS20 is working a double shift at a restaurant, so DH made him breakfast (to go) & I packed him a big lunch.
4) DS19 sent me "proof of life" from his Yosemite backpacking trip, and it was him cliff jumping into water. Gorgeous scenery, although I'm not sure I'll rest easier knowing this guy is such a dare devil.
5) I sent my mom a card for Mother's Day (we all filled it out), as I paid for her checked bag on a flight I was helping with a month or so ago as her Mother's Day gift. We are all quite practical, so she loved this idea.