Five Frugal Things -- Downtown Portland
1) My sister and I took the bus downtown to play "tourist" in our own city. Of course we hit up Powell's Books, as it has the honor of being the world's largest independent bookstore and is always worth a visit.
I learned that Powell's Summer Reading Challenge ends on August 31st, which was unfortunate news to receive as I'm five boxes shy of completing my bingo card! The employee at the "info" desk showed me how that date was front and center on the card. However I double checked my card when I got home and saw that they must have reprinted it at some point, as mine omitted that information.
Either way, it prompted me to finish reading Out on a Limb, by Hannah Bonham Young last night, fulfilling the "Author/main character with a disability" requirement. Now I only have four books to read before the 31st. The employee suggested I read "novellas."
Powell's is the anchor to our great city.
2) The two of us then split an entree at Deschutes Brewing, which as you can see was enough to feed us both. We chose the salmon burger with fries and my sister added a Diet Coke to her order. The server later brought a refill to the table, which became my Diet Coke. We didn't feel guilty about it as it appeared spontaneously.
We declined dessert, but did enjoy free pumpkin bread samples at Williams Sonoma.
3) The main reason we decided to explore downtown Portland was that I wanted to go see the Morgan Walker retrospective at the Augen Gallery. I ever so slightly know the artist and he'd handed me a card about the show the day before.
Museums have entry fees, but galleries are always free. We had a nice long chat with the gallery owner and it was amazing to see Walker's paintings in person.
4) The Augen Gallery is on the same block as the Oregon Jewish Museum, so my sister and I stopped in. The museum was twenty minutes from closing, so the volunteer offered us free admission. It was enjoyable to see the exhibits on Portland's Jewish history, as well as catch some familiar names.
My father was close friends with Libby Solomon, who'd been married to the judge Gus Solomon, who used his role to advocate for civil rights. It was interesting to read about his acitivism, even though we were rushed.
5) My sister and I kept running into the Wildwood crows that are peppered around downtown Portland to publicize the upcoming Laika movie. Sadly it doesn't come out until October 23, which is long after my sister returns to New York.
Here's a crow at newly opened Darcelle XV Plaza.
And here's one at Pioneer Courthouse Square.
You know I scrimp and save as much as possible, but I'll happily support this locally made movie that's being described as a "love letter to Portland."
It wouldn't be a trip to downtown Portland without a photo of the Portlandia statue, who perches on Michael Grave's famous Portland building.
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. I gave my husband a haircut. I tried to convince him to get a professional cut occasionally so his hair doesn't look bad ALL the time. He was not convinced.
2. I found a dime.
3. We walked to a yard sale directly behind our house. This was day 2 so everything was either half price or negotiable. My husband bought a wood rack for $1 and I bought several flower pots and some craft doodads for $3.50.
4. I made Frugal Girl granola and Katy's Tea Towel Salad Dressing. I made iced tea at home as I always do.
5. My garden is so over grown this year that several cucumbers didn't show themselves until they were too big. Cucumbers are masters of disguise. I normally give the dogs steamed vegetables with their dinners. If I peel and seed the giant cucumbers and cook them until soft, the dogs happily gobble them with their dog food.
Cool frugal tour of Portland!
Sprinkling in my corner of Oregon. I begged off working the fair and spent a relaxing morning cleaning stalls, weeding garden beds and planting romaine lettuce and more spinach.
Cooking a roaster full of tomatoes, garlic peppers and onions for a batch of marinara.
The food pantry put out a call for sturdy boxes, like liquor boxes, so I loaded up my car with vodka boxes from the neighborhood store and delivered them yesterday. Super easy way to help out.
The strap on my purse broke while doing that errand. I mended it with a strip cut from a pair of DS's old jeans, as the fabric on the lower legs was in good condition. The denim looks acceptable with the dusty blue floral purse.
Made a big pot of spicy rice & beans with chicken while cleaning the house this morning. Rack dried a load of laundry. Varmints did in my cherry tomato plants, so I picked the green ones and have them ripening in a cookie sheet in the sun room.
I had a nice day with my BFF in our "middle city." We had lunch at a casual restaurant -- mine was a double smash burger, which was on special for the price of a regular burger. I had my handy-dandy doggie bag kit with me, so I brought home one of the burger patties, some pickles, some mayo, and some chopped scallions.
It was my birthday celebration, though the actual day was a couple of weeks ago. She gave me a Victorian shoe ornament, a very cool paperweight, and a big dark chocolate/sea salt bar. She also gave me bag of clothes she couldn't use, to either wear or sell. I haven't looked at them yet, but she always passes along nice things.
I wanted to buy myself a birthday present, but a very practical one. We went to DSW, where I used a birthday coupon and a 50%-off-the-second-pair coupon to buy two pairs of Ryka's which are my favorite shoe. Even with the coupons they were still quite expensive, but I shouldn't have to replace them for quite a while. My current Ryka's are pretty worn, but they held up for years.
We popped into a Goodwill, but I didn't find anything of interest. She bought some books and a scarf.
I took the toll road home, after a terrible experience on the way down -- two crashes that slowed traffic, a convoluted detour through unsavory neighborhoods, and lots of construction, including closed ramps. Awful!
Ryka is my favorite as well! “Made by women for women.” I’ve also ordered from their website when shoes were on sale or not at DSW.
Good to know! I hadn't thought to go straight to their website!
Andy Cohen wore that Ralph Lauren denim shirt with the embroidery to a John Mayer concert in NY the other night. I love what you did to make something similar for yourself, and I love that he wore it again in public with all the photos taken of him!
The most exciting frugal thing I did was to apply for the Reduced Fare Senior MBTA Charlie Card. Half off bus and subway fares. I was able to do it online instead of in person so I was out of excuses. DH applied for his at the same time and the cards came in a week. Taking the Express Bus into Boston sure beats driving and looking for and paying for parking. Once DH recovers from recent surgery we plan to be tourists now that I’m retired.
did you visit the elephants, yet?!
No! But they are on my list for when DH recovers. I worked at Tufts University for 40 years but loved elephants way before that.
My post disappeared when trying to post… sigh.
1. Cost plus grocery store, cabbage head 38 cents a on. No salads for me and I am currently cooking it in cabbage steaks.
Also, a 5 on bag of potatoes for $2.39.
2. Gas is $3.57 gal.
3. Walked an hour while washing clothes at laundromat.
4. Took nap. Three hour round trip commutes at new job and 9 hr works days are kicking my butt.
5. Dollar General paper towels for old dog’s messes since I don’t have a washer. Got coupon for $5 off $25 for Sept.
On is lb for pound… lol
Sounds like a great visit!
1. We spent today walking in a beautiful botanical garden in town that I never knew existed.
2. We then went down to our local coffee shop shop for mocktails which were very nice and a cheap thrill for $8.
3. We spent yesterday taking our kayak/paddle pads to our local provincial park, followed by a picnic and swim at the beach. Free!
4. My son managed to finish all 40 of his volunteer hours. This is a requirement in order to graduate from high school and he finished it the summer BEFORE high school. I told him if he can bang it out this summer I would give him $100, so into his high yield savings account that goes. We have been putting birthday and Christmas money, plus any money he makes selling old toys, Pokemon cards, etc since head little. He has over $10k!!
5. My husband fixed my dad’s serious sink issue while he was out of town and discovered a few other odds and ends that need doing. This maintenance is getting harder for my dad to do know he’s 83 but my husband can do it for free which will keep my dad comfortable in his home. A huge win! (Plus it keeps my husband out of my hair for an afternoon)
1) Sold 3 more items on eBay.
2) Bought two face lotions with sunblock at CVS for $13 total, thanks to rewards, coupons & the like. My dermatologist wants me to increase the SPF I'm using (I take a medicine that makes my fair skin even more sensitive to the sun) and since I'm almost out of my current lotion, it was the perfect time to stock up.
3) Knew we were going to dinner with DH's cousins, so avoided lunch.
4) Downloaded a $5 off of a $25 purchase coupon for the grocery store. Their prices are not great, but I need a few items, so I will go there today to buy a few things.
5) Found a great spot to use some of our DAF (Donor Advised Fund) that we created last year. Very excited about Guardian Scholars, which helps kids entering college after the foster system. I'm going to also be volunteering (letter writing, mentorship, etc), and you can send things like care packages during finals week, etc. College is hard when you have a supportive family. I can't imagine how difficult things like move in day, family weekend, etc is as well as just those regular weeks when the transition is hard. I'm going to poll the college students I know to find out what would be most helpful. So far, I've heard Chipotle gift cards, nice throw blankets, Starbucks gift cards & snacks. We will also just be donating cash as well, so the organization can use as needed.
What a wonderful organization!
I agree! I'm very happy to have found it