Five Frugal Things -- Back to Basic Frugality
1) I started reading a library copy of The Measure, by Nikki Erlick. I'm only 43 pages in, but it seems like a keeper. Like many of my library books, I no longer remember why I put it on hold, but trust that past Katy knew what she was doing.
2) I started listening to Road Trip, by the impeccable Mary Kay Andrews. I'm an hour and a half in and actually looking forward to slotting in a few mindless chores that'll pair well with an audiobook. Raking the backyard, walking the neighborhood, etc.
The library giving free access to the Libby app is exactly how I want my tax dollars to be spent!
3) The weather here in Portland is delightfully cool, (note my flannel pajama pants and cozy slippers!) which is the perfect opportunity to enjoy hearty bowls of oatmeal each and every morning. Which of course is purchased from the Winco bulk bins.
Cheap, healthy, yummy -- the trifecta!
4) I sold the $5 Anthropologie "Icon" drinking glass that I thrifted at Goodwill last week. $5 to $50 is an excellent return on investment and reinforces that I continue to get better with what I thrift to resell.
I almost always check Google Lens to identify the item and then eBay "Completed Listings" to see how much it actually sells for. (How much sellers list an item for is almost useless information.) It only takes a minute and ups my reselling game.
My glass still had the Anthropologie sticker on the bottom, so I was able to sell it as "new."
5) I had my annual physical and left vaccinated against the flu and have booked an appointment for my Covid booster. I tried two different CVS pharmacies last week only to learn that the location that takes walk-ins closes from 1-2 P.M., and the other one I hit that afternoon didn't take walk-ins!
Hoping to never repeat getting Covid, like my husband, sister and I did back in 2023.
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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I'm with
Thank you for the book recommendations, I've put Road Trip on hold. Your oatmeal pictures make me wish I wasn't allergic to oats. And that I had a Winco nearby.
Worked in our garden today, removing some things, and configuring the drip irrigation to cover the space more efficiently. Focusing on maximum beauty and food production, less work and less water.
Sold a snowboard to Play it Again Sports.
Batched some petty errands and felt great about getting them done. Two were returns, so getting the errands done cleared physical space as well as mental space (the endless to-do list in my head).
Taking a hard look at my projects, current and aspirational. Donated some of the aspirational ones that I need to remove from my life. I'm in a season of essentials and I don't need a lot of extra projects that feel like obligations. Thankfully one item was within its return window, so money back on that. Finishing 4 embroideries today which will feel great.
I had foot surgery and several pairs of shoes no longer fit. I had pre-purchased my favorite Birkenstocks and Merrells and was able to return both of these (unworn). So that lifts a bit of the black cloud about shoes. That'll teach me to order ahead of when I actually need them!
I’m clueless about the juice glass and why anyone would pay $50 for one glass
1. Husband washed both of our vehicles in the driveway.
2. Used up the remaining amount of ketchup in the bottle by adding a bit of water, swishing it around, and squirting into some spaghetti sauce.
3. Rescued eight boxes of expired mac 'n' cheese via Buy Nothing. Tossed the orange dust and decanted the noodles into quart mason jars.
4. Received $3 at Half-Price Books for a book that I acquired at no cost. It was on my way home from another errand and took only 10 minutes out of my day.
5. Received menstrual discs on Buy Nothing that no one else wanted. Donated to a free table of zero-waste products as my menstruation days are long past.