- I was able to find a bag of brand new towels at Goodwill for $6.99 today. With two hand towels and two bath towels, it’s exactly what my younger son will need to bring with him to college this fall.
- I passed a house this evening that had put out a large amount of free stuff, and was able to bring home a ream of high quality paper as well as a dish display shelf with cute midcentury styling. I popped it into the back of the Prius and will clean it up to sell.
- I sold my thrifted Sasha doll and then attended a four hour meeting at work yesterday. #collegefund
- I spent the day with my younger son up on Mt. Hood today, which was quite frugal as we hung out at my father’s cabin and didn’t eat in any restaurants.
- A co-worker gave me a pair of almost new Danskos that didn’t fit her quite right. They fit me and will be put to good use.
Now your turn. What frugal things have you been up to?
Katy Wolk-Stanley
{ 75 comments… read them below or add one }
What a lovely way to spend a summer day! The wind has finally changed bringing cooler temperatures, so I hope to spend some time outside over the next few days. Here are my FFT:
1) I have picked up some side work and will be busy for the next 3 days. I have my lunch packed and ready to go. Money for home improvement/repairs. Yippee!
2) I downloaded the free app Librevox — free audio readings of classics. I have been listening to Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility as I do things around the house.
3) It was my turn to hostess my women’s group this month, so I used tomatoes and basil from my garden to make a caprese salad. I also made a nice homemade balsamic dressing.
4) I had a coupon to get $10 off a $50 gas card. This is a savings of 20% and will last me a month.
5) My husband and I took a 30 minute trip to the docks to buy shrimp and clams this past weekend. I think there are few things as wonderful as seafood right off the boat. The cost is much less than at the grocery store and the cooperative supports local fisherman. A win all the way around.
1. In the past ten days I have eaten out once, a bowl of chili for lunch yesterday. It is also forcing me to use up more of what we already have, as grocery shopping has been mainly for produce.
2. I found a store gift card the other day. It had a few dollars on it.
3. My husband refurbished our garage doors, with new rubber on the bottom and new wheels. They work great.
4. I am continuing to buy cantaloupes and watermelons. I cut them up and refrigerate them so they’re ready to eat. You sure can get a lot of fruit from a $1.99 cantaloupe or a $2.99 watermelon, if you’re willing to do the work.
5. We have been walking early in the morning, before the sun comes up and makes the heat and humidity difficult. Getting fresh air and exercise helps keep us healthy, a money saving boost.
* Canceled an Amazon pre-order (dvds), saving 23$
* The garden is starting to produce lots of (organic!) vegetables, saving us money!
* Going to a matinee movie. Hubby’s ticket : 3,50$. Mine: free with coupon.
* Returning an un-used tank top (and possibly a winter coat…) for refund.
* Got 2 free tickets for a magic show ( retailing 30 $ per ticket), promotion offeref by the city.
Have a great frugal day!
How could I forget: I found 30$ on the ground in a public parking lot!!!
Wow. That’s quiet a few quarters!
In my country you hardly ever find money on the ground. People look after their pennies
Here too (Canada), it was just very lucky!
What a pretty day to enjoy together! Last summer with your wonderful kiddo in the nest. Great picture!
1. Taking a 4 day/vacation driving up north. Made last minute reservations but was able to cancel the more expensive hotel for one over $40 cheaper. The cheaper one does not have a pool or free breakfast but I figured we won’t be at the hotel much and my kid is geeked I bought her pop tarts for quick breakfast food (I never buy). Also bought other stuff we can bring in the cooler for lunches/snacks/lunch – yogurt, trail mix, ginger snaps, fruit cups, etc. Bought bottled water and froze it to serve a dual purpose in our cooler. 🙂 Normally would not do that as I hate the plastic bottles. Hotel will have free coffee and air conditioning, all I need.
2.Frugal Win/Fail – Will turn water heater down when we leave, will help since air has been running all week – temps in the 90’s. 🙁 Definitely a frugal fail. Also been running the dryer, some days I just am not feeling frugal.
3. Made what I thought was a delicious oriental chicken, coleslaw, peanut, mandarin orange salad (double batch) so I wouldn’t have to turn the oven on, cooked the chicken on the stove. Daughter picked at one serving and wouldn’t eat it anymore. I took one for the team and ate it everyday this week for lunch and thoroughly enjoyed it. It was nice to just grab a container and munch while I looked at mail etc., at home on my lunch hour.
4. Daughter used to be in to the National Geo kids online game Animal Jam but not the last few months. The game had a automatic renewal which I was not aware of. 🙁 Emailed right away when I got the email notice and they refunded my money. 🙂
5. Went to Aldi’s to pick up our trip food. Did well on some good fairly healthy trip food (bag of mini bagels marked down to 99 cents). Did buy a set of four Anchor glass bowls/with plastic covers and a new fan each for $9.99. Not bad prices and I have been drooling over bowls with lids on Amazon much pricier. Decided the 2-3 boxes of plastic wrap I buy usually each year will cover the expense. Love these because the set of bowls and lids all stack into the largest bowl. I have priced old glass storage containers with lids but my galley kitchen prevents me from buying that type.
Anchor lids crack. Don’t put them in the dishwasher, it will be worse. I hand-wash them and they still all crack. Sticking to Pyrex now, those lids don’t crack.
Holy cow, a four hour meeting? Gross!
This week:
We’ve been a little off our game this week! Still no luck with the house hunt and we’re collectively feeling a little beat down. Soooo…
1. Instead of eating out, we’ve been eating meals at home. I did grab chicken fingers after lunch yesterday (bad Mrs. Picky Pincher!), since my spaghetti squash lo mein did not cook well, and I had no other options. Boo! But overall, considering our laziness/grumpiness, we’re doing pretty well for eating at home.
2. This weekend I’m making a batch of homemade yogurt.
3. I plan to use the leftover whey from the yogurt to make ciabatta bread. I’ve found that whey makes it rise better than just milk or water.
4. This weekend I’m also going to sew a stuffed animal out of fabric scraps for my nephew. Hopefully I can write a blog on it!
5. I also will (hopefully!) sew my own fancy work cardigan this weekend. I bought a fantastic white crepe fabric from Joann’s and I think it’ll look pretty spiffy. It has ruffles, which I’m a fan of! 🙂
A mixed week here! I have decided to believe that my frugal cup is half full.
1. Last evening DH and I attended a baseball game compliments of our realtor. Beautiful evening but…parking was $8 (cheaper lot than $12 closer to stadium) Delicious ball park food was predictably expensive. Husband bought chicken sandwiches for us with a side of raw baby carrots. We were the only folks in our section eating anything that wasn’t fried! Trying not to be too healthy, he also bought hot dogs and chips. Host provided coupons for free drink and we spent far less than family in front of us!
2. It has been extremely hot around here for the last week or so. Decided to forgo standards and bring out the A/C. They didn’t work so splurged on one room A/C for bedroom and it has promptly cooled off.
3. Because of scheduling conflicts, we missed going out of town for an opera thus saving several hundred $$.
4. Going on a vacation up north next week and am in the midst of planning. Freezing water bottles, packing snacks, trying not to forget sunscreen, bug spray etc. so not so many costly purchases in tourist traps. ( Over the years we have kept the sunscreen manufactures in business with our forgetfulness)
5. Continuing habit of packing lunches, menu planning to avoid buying food that spoils, and eating at home.
I’m still in love with my $4.50 thrifted “like-new” Danskos. What a great gift!
My five:
1. I took the boys to the library this past weekend for story time and to grab some more bedtime books. Free books and entertainment is lovely, and I found a new release I had been dying to get my hands on.
2. After we got some dinner last night (not a frugal win, btw) we drove to a local cemetery to go Pokemon hunting with the littles. My youngest and I enjoyed reading all of the headstones, some of which dated back to the 1800’s, and we ran into our neighbors, as well. Exercise, fresh air, entertainment and some history, too, – all free.
Hit submit too fast!
3. Made breakfast for dinner with items we had on hand rather than going to the store, which makes life easier on an weeknight AND prevents unexpected purchases.
4. I helped my husband fill out his financial aid forms. He is starting school in the fall and while we don’t anticipate help, we may as well try! Step one to eventually having a better income!
5. Both children are in need of a couple pieces to fortify their wardrobes with clothes that fit, especially the oldest who doesn’t have the benefit of hand-me-downs. My husband also needs an extra work uniform. Rather than head to the mall, I will be visiting my favorite goodwill during my lunch break to spend a small fraction of the cost.
Oh, the cemetery trip sounds fun! I am a huge “taphophile” (ie cemetery enthusiast) and my sons have discovered Pokémon Go. I think I know what we are doing today! 🙂
What a pretty area, and what a great way to spend time with your son!
1. The heat has been ferocious, so the a/c has stayed on as it always does in summer in Florida, but it’s been running full-tilt this year. We have the thermostats set on 78 and 79 to save some on the electric bill. We run our ceiling fans and it’s decent inside.
2. I looked at two on-line purchases yesterday, then backed out. No money spent.
3. I applied for a better job outside my company. My chances are low, frankly, because these are usually filled from within their organization, but I’ll never know if I don’t try.
4. I need some new herb and spice jars, so I routinely scour Goodwill. I found two nice-sized little jars with very good sealing lids, taped together for 99 cents. They were originally 1.99 each. I found another with a cute ceramic top (not a tacky one) that also has a great seal, that was also marked down to 99 cents. I keep them in a drawer, so I don’t care if they match or not. I’m trying to get away from the plastic containers, so I’m transitioning slowly.
5. The mat I put under the cats’ water dish developed holes on one end when I washed it. I folded the holey part under and I’m still using it. So far, no cat has complained.
I am a Florida native. I don’t ever remember the summer heat being as intense as it has been over the last 3 – 4 weeks. I don’t think using my AC as a frugal fail any longer. It is a matter of survival — really.
I’m in Virginia and I agree! It’s 9:24pm as I write this and 91 degrees!
I’m not a native; I’ve been in Florida since 1977, but this is sure the longest heat wave I can remember. And we haven’t had rain locally in two weeks at least. You’re right, Bee, this is very dangerous heat for people without a/c.
Karen — I feel you!
I’ve never had a cat who didn’t complain about something!
1. I bought two second-hand white dresses from Schoola for my bridal shower and rehearsal dinner. Schoola’s prices are low to start with, plus I had a 30% off coupon code and a $10 credit they gave me when another piece I ordered was damaged.
2. I discovered a new, huge thrift store in my community and happened to wander in on their weekly 50% off day. I got rain boots (I’ve been doing without), two citronella candles to keep the mosquitoes off our balcony, a brand new fly-swatter, cards for the oodles of weddings we’re attending this year, an old sheet to use as a drop-cloth for my upcoming upcycling endeavor, an Agatha Christie novel, and a beautiful Calvin Klein dress for my professional wardrobe, all for a total of $13.83!
3. I’m taking a meal to a friend who just had a baby. I got the recipe from Budget Bytes and bought the ingredients at Aldi. Instead of buying a disposable container for the meal, I picked up a piece of Tupperware at the thrift store that I wouldn’t mind not getting back.
4. We were gifted a rocking chair for our living room that hasn’t been used in years. It is beautiful, and my fiance is so excited about it.
5. I got 30% of my federal student loan cancelled because I taught in a low-income school for two years.
Great to find a Calvin Klein dress for so little!
Congratulations on #5. That must be a huge help for you, and low income students need good teachers in hard-to-fill positions. A win for all.
Great list! #5 is particularly great. I have been a Federal civil servant for almost ten years and I really need to look into the option of loan forgiveness. I keep putting it off. Your list this week gave me a boost to move forward on it. 🙂
1. I have 2 pairs of prescription glasses, one with clear lenses and one pair of tinted sunglasses. I was unable to find my regular glasses (the pair with clear lenses) all last week and had to wear my sunglasses everywhere even though it was cloudy and rainy much of the week. I was just about to give up and order a new pair when I found my glasses. Thank goodness, because glasses are RIDICULOUSLY expensive (in my opinion).
2. The week-long search for my glasses has involved combing through and cleaning out various cupboards and drawers around the house. Found all kinds of things for a garage sale which will take place in September when a neighborhood sale is planned.
3. I have a hotel rewards card since I travel for work occasionally and need to stay overnight from time to time. Apparently, I didn’t use it often enough last year because I got a notice that my points will be expiring this month. However, I could trade my rewards points for various “prizes” or gift cards. I chose a $50 Macy’s gift card which I will probably use to buy something boring like a new bra.
4. My son has had a pretty amazing bit of good luck – he won a new couch! He entered some contest at a furniture store and he actually won. I have not seen it because he lives in CA, but he reports that he’s very pleased with it. He can not afford much in the way of furniture (not even Goodwill) so it’s nice that he was the one who won.
5. As ever, walking for exercise, getting books and videos from the library, driving my 14-year-old car.
Check out EyeBuyDirect when you need new glasses. Fantastic prices.
Costco also have great prices for glasses and you don’t need to be a member to use theses services since it’s health related (same as their pharmacy).
1. Cooking from scratch, using partly food I got for free.
2. Going to the food-saving-give-away (a supermarket hands out the stuff for free that they would otherwise throw in the bin. A lot of bread and bread rolls, fruit that have to be eaten quickly, meat that expires on the day, veggies that don’t look awesome anymore but are still fine to eat….)
3. Found a new-to-me pair of pants at a free pile. Washed it and see if it fits later. Fingers crossed. Found a small bin as well (something I’ve been thinking about getting for a while). Returned the blouse I found as it was stained – I am sure someone else got it now who is removing them and happy about it. Dropped a couple of things off at the free pile as well. (No tax reductions around here for dropping off at Goodwill-like stores as far as I now).
4. Turned the cookpot off early as they are still hot enough to finish cooking the meal.
5. Called my health insurance to learn that they cover part of the costs of a vaccination I need for travelling.
where do you live?
@linda In Germany.
The pants are an awesome fit! So pleased!
Haven’t been as frugal as usual lately, but let’s see if I can come up with 5
1. Bought some gorgeous blueberries and strawberries the other day. My usually ravenous sons are not eating them right now, so I soaked them in vinegar water to prolong their life. I’ll make muffins with the blubs if they’re not eaten in the next couple of days and freeze the strawbs for smoothies.
2. I’m going to my niece’s wedding this weekend and after combing my closet and not finding something suitable, I headed to Goodwill where I scored a fancy black dress for $5.99. Dropped it off at the dry cleaners, so I’ll have a new to me dress for under $15.
3. Wearing my black sandals to the wedding = no cost for new shoes!
4. My son was pining after a new hardcover book a friend recommended but at over $20 we weren’t going to go there. Put it on my wishlist at my local library but then got a BookBub email saying they had an ebook for $3.99 so I scooped it up. I read it and thoroughly enjoyed it – Before the Fall by Noah Hawley – and my son will too.
5. Found a shrinkwrapped FIFA World Cup Soccer game at Goodwill that my soccer-loving sons might like. If they don’t, it goes back to Goodwill for someone else to enjoy!
It’s extremely hot here in Florida, usually a heat index of over 100 each day! So the air conditioner runs! Heat makes me grumpy.
1. My husband still has not put up the clothesline which fell over in a strong wind in the spring. So I am draping laundry over our patio chairs and table. They dry pretty quickly.
2. Have shelled several quarts of peas from my dad’s garden. They go into the freezer in Ziploc bags. Fresh is so much better than what’s in the grocery store.
3. Used my Winn Dixie store rewards card for .15 off each gallon of gas when I filled up Monday.
4. Bought my mother a book by Willie Heist at the Dollar Tree. She watches the Today show and loves him! The book still had a Wal-Mart sticker on it for $18.90.
5. Traveling with my mother next week to visit my daughter and her kids in St. Augustine. We will buy groceries when we get there, stay at my daughter’s house, take the kids to swim at the pool at their dad’s condo which is right across the highway. Also taking my mother to the outlet stores. Will be a very economical getaway. We visited my son in Texas in early June, a much more expensive trip, but we only see them once a year. The credit card is paid off every month.
Unfortunately I have been spending way too much on entertainment. My friends like to eat at a nice restaurant, then see a movie. It adds up. Thinking I will accept the invitation to do either dinner or the movie, but not both.
I agree on the dinner OR a movie. My friends like to go to movies I’m not necessarily dying to see. And we can talk and visit over dinner, but sit silently in the movies, so I usually pick dinner.
Lunch is cheaper with friends. Or coffee!
I’ve been a bit of a spendthrift this week. We brought home a new puppy, which I know is not a frugal choice, but…
1. I had cash saved for the initial outlay.
2. I had been in some very sedentary patterns, and have been moving much more since bringing pup home. Moving more + earlier to bed and earlier to rise = healthier.
3. Husband was able to adapt a lower cupboard in laundry room into a kennel by popping out center panel in doors and putting wire mesh in their place and adding latches. Used only supplies on hand, takes up no floor space, and is visibly pleasing. And pup likes it!
4. Turned down a shopping/lunch outing with friend to stay home with pup. She’s a dog lover, so I invited her to come by here instead.
5. Putting off new flooring for house till house training complete!
1) Broke my one day record for returnables collected yesterday. I walked in a hilly spot near our house and picked up .75 worth of cans/bottles and then got .25 more off the roadside on the way to my folks later.
2) Deposited $4.25 in the family entertainment fund from last week’s bottles (ours and the returnables from our short term rental). It is amazing to me the amount of satisfaction I get from this activity and knowing I can share it with you all!
3) Found a great junk novel to take on vacation next week for .50 at our thrift store. And – thanks to the many people who post about selling books – I investigated whether our new/used bookstore in town will buy. And they do for store credit! I had never been in before since I am such a library fan, but now we can get rid of stuff and support the local economy. I had not been having much luck selling through Powell’s online.
4) Batched errands while DS was a camp and saved more than $12.50 in coupons at hardware and drug store. Also scored 4 containers of organic strawberries for .99 each, as well as hamburger on sale at grocery. Making strawberry jam (for the first time!) today. Some berries went into freezer as well.
5) Really really wanted to go out for dinner last night since it was so hot. But came home and had hot dogs instead. I figured our already paid for hot dog was healthier than the fast food alternative.
Frugal bummer – Our “free exchange” area at our recycling center has been closed since a couple of people abused the drop off and left many boxes of junk that should have gone in the trash. We are so rural I am not sure we can support a decent freecycle group, but I will have to investigate.
1. Avoiding pricey restaurant meal before we attend play at a local theater.Spaghetti and salad at home.
2.Using two free drink coupons AT the theater.
3. Exercised to old Richard Simmons video . No health club membership here!!
4. Swam in our own backyard pool this morning and had home brewed coffee with husband and cat outside: free entertainment and exercise. Free JOY too!!!
5. Planning what to take, homecooked, in a cooler on a short road trip we’re taking next week.
Did not buy a new lear jet, SUV, or any clothing (thrift OR new!!)
1. Turned down a night out for our anniversary, stayed home and grilled local fish and our home grown squash, opened a bottle of wine, and swam in our pool instead. Just the two of us is more romantic!
2. Went to the free outdoor music in the park last week, brought a picnic. Afterwards, went to a local outdoor bar to listen to more music and drank water.
3. Found a tiny apple pie for 1/2 price to give to hubs as a gift. He loves apple pie. Me not so much.
4. Eating out of the fridge and freezer. Lots of dressings stashed in the back! Used the Italian dressing to marinate the fish.
5. Snacking on popcorn cooked in the microwave in paper bags brought home from the store (no plastic bags allowed in our area). Extra yummy with a little garlic salt and cayenne pepper put in the bag before cooking.
1. Looking forward to family fun night at my son’s vans tonight. Free food and games!
2. Only buying reduced for quick sale meat or meat loss leaders.
3. Been taking showers at the gym. Use their hot water and someone is watching the kids, so I can do more productive things when they sleep.
4. Mom gave me large red shirt to wear as I am 8 mos pregnant. I play in a band and we have to wear red shirts for gigs and I didn’t want to buy one just for a couple of jobs!
5. Contacted fruit bar company. I bought a bulk pack that were supposed to be twin wrapped, but some in the pack were singles. They are going to send me free bars!
#1 VBS not vans…autocorrect…
1. We have been hit by crazy, unexpected costs this week. Our dog blew out his knee and needs surgery and our cat recovered from a UTI. That did not get me offtrack though, I remembered to use a coupon for the food. And the vet tech gave me a stack of new ones for future purchases!
2. We will be using bit of our emergency fund to pay for the vet bill(s) as our emergency fund earns less than our credit card interest rate charges, and try not to play around with debt. We will not pay any interest!
3. My husband cancelled his plans to travel with me next week to monitor the dog, and that will save us in pet sitting. We’ll take that budgeted money and also throw it toward the vet bills.
4. Not letting the stress derail our other frugal plans, such as eating at home, sticking to our meal plan to not waste food. This is an easy slip for me, I want to just stuff my face with fancy Japanese food at my local sushi place when I have a bad day 🙂
5. Listening to podcasts, finding joy in gardening and house cleaning. All very low cost or free!
RE: vet bills. I feel your pain – they can get very expensive very fast – we used to joke that we didn’t need our medical coverage – but it would be nice to have had a good doggie and kitty health plan. I understand there are now pet insurance plans around (found out about them on this site).
Admire you for resisting the siren call of Japanese food.
Sorry about your stressful week! Hope your pets are feeling better soon.
Hope your babies are on the mend! I had a Rescued Lab-Mix who had to have knee surgery….that was a pretty penny, esp b/c we had to use a “specialist” in a nearby larger city. Ugh!
My DD and I are taking a long-distance trip next week for a family event. I have tried to reduce costs where I could.
1. I used the airline’s companion fare gained through having their credit card to cut our fares by half – saving about $1,100.
2. Will need to drive a few hours from airport city to where family lives. Booked a motel to sleep off the trip – and to wait for daylight. Will try to get DD out of bed in time to take advantage of the free breakfast.
3. I researched rental car companies in advance, and booked the least expensive one. Then last week I searched again, going through a hotel reward program, and re-booked the same car/company for $55 less.
4. I re-checked the motel website as well. Changing from a “king” room to “two queens” saved $20.
5. Will take snacks onboard, and have library books set aside to take on the trip. I am having a little trouble though, ignoring their siren call “read me now, read me now….”
You saved some real $$ with your research. We rarely recheck prices but need to start this money saving habit.
I wonder why someone would throw out a full ream of paper?
I was about to post when I saw a news item about the sale of David Bowie’s art collection. Made me pause and feel sad. In the end all our stuff is just sold off, no matter who we are.
1. Our friends lost power for two days, so they came over for dinner and to share our light, warmth and phone charger for two nights. It was easy to extend our meals for another couple of people.
2. My husband had had a change in work hours so has been home for three days this week. He’s been doing the cleaning and cooking, and lighting the fireplace so I come home to a warm house and dinner.
3. Got my final mark back for uni and I’ve passed my final course. Officially completed my law degree. I include this in FFT because I started it 16 years ago when pregnant with my first child! I kept going for a while after she was born but then stopped. I’ve had that half finished degree bugging me for ten years, so in 2012 I decided to complete it – I hated the money I’d paid going to waste. Now it’s all done and I don’t feel that the money was thrown away. A half finished degree is like money in the bin.
4. I’ve been trying to quit added sugar. I’ve managed four days, but I did crack at a staff morning tea yesterday. Dark chocolate Tim Tams – I’m not made of stone! I think I will see a lower grocery bill and better health.
5. Still had cash left at the end of our budget period – I’m using it to buy my dad’s birthday gift, which is already late. I don’t know what to buy…
#3 – Huge congratulations – not only on passing, but also for your persistence. It is inspiring!
And dark chocolate should be considered a health food. My MD father in law says so…:)
Thank you! It was a huge slog as I work full time and have two kids. I nearly quit several times but I made myself continue, even through Administrative Law, which was awful!! I do feel so happy that I have something to show for all that investment.
I did manage to refuse the mud cake at yet another staff morning tea today!
I also saw the segment on David Bowie. He had a discerning eye, and his collection was awesome! Although his art will be put on the auction block, I think he spent well. He supported inspiring artists, enjoyed his pursuit, and his estate will probably receive more than he spent for these works. But you are right in the end, it is all just stuff.
I have no problem with him collecting all the art he wanted- he certainly had the money.
I don’t know why it made me feel melancholy. Perhaps because I have been listening to David Sedaris in the car – the one where he buys a skeleton and it haunts him with the refrain ‘You are going to diieeee’
Sorry. It just shocked me that even David Bowie ended up with an estate sale – albeit a very expensive one.
I think there are lyrics in a song that say and I paraphrase — “in the end only kindness matters.”
Congratulations on completing the degree, Mand. And thank you for your thoughtful comment on David Bowie’s art collection. A good reminder for those of us with the collecting bug to keep in mind what happens at the end. (I’m trying to follow the example of an older friend with several collections: She says that she got almost all of her things through auctions and sales, and so she doesn’t feel bad if it goes the same route.)
Win on the Danskos. I never get free Danskos.
1. Dropped off a bag and two boxes at the church rummage barn yesterday. Felt so good to drop it off and drive away.
2. Sold the Coach purse on ebay that I had bought locally, with a profit of just over $40.
3. I had to replace a few bricks on my fireplace. $5.34 for a 60 pound bag of mortar, or $2.50 for each 10 pound bag. Although it was a hassle hauling the big bag home, I used more than half of it.
4. Scheduled to be at a client’s for three full days earlier this week. I got fast food the first day, and brought my own food after that. Bonus that Monday happened to be free coffee day at that McDonalds.
5. Listed 5 new items on ebay this week, and renewed some of my older listings.
1. Oh the usual which is making coffee at home, taking lunches to work and cooking all dinners from scratch
2. A friend who has a nespresso coffee machine (the newer model with the bigger pods) purchased a wrong box of pods. He did not feel like hassling with returning and gifted them to us (we have the smaller nespresso). I think it has like 100 pods in it. This will last us a year since we use a a regular coffee machine a lot to cut on the cost.
3. Got several pounds of peaches for 69 cents a pound.
1. Got a stack of books from the library to take with me on vacation.
2. Buying lots of sale items for groceries to bring for us.
3. Friends came for dinner last night and I grilled a marinated pork tenderloin using all ingredients I had on hand and used up cilantro that was fading quickly.
4. Ate on sale pasta for dinner.
5. Been frugal failing everywhere else……….
1. Sold two more books on Half.com, so banked $15. Mailed them media mail in padded envelopes bought at 2/$1 at the Dollar Tree. Also sold a pair of earrings on my Etsy store, plus got four more local repair jobs, one of which will net me almost $40!!
2. Worked my remaining hours for this school year in time to turn them in before the 7/15 deadline.
3. While still trying to decide what to make for an upcoming church event, I stopped at Aldi and discovered eggs for 59 cents a dozen. Deviled eggs for the win!!
4. Hub and I refinanced the house last week, which cut our monthly bill by a couple of hundred dollars and will mean we can pay it off in three years!!
5. Best frugal win this week – a prescription I’m on went from $5 on our insurance, along with a discount coupon, to $80 (!!) . The CVS pharmacist called and warned me that the coupon had expired and said they’d hold it while I reapplied. When I did, I was turned down. I went to pick it up anyway (gotta have it) and told the pharmacist I’d just pay the $80. She was indignant. “Did anything change since last year?” “No….” “Well, leave it here and I’ll call them!” Results? The RX is back to $5 a month for another year and I think I’m gonna buy her flowers!!
#5 – A determined pharmacist is a great thing! Ours figured out how to get DS’s epipens for $0 copay – otherwise $250. or more a whack and is not covered by our insurance. Hurray for the good pharmacists!
Susie’s Daughter,
Mylan has been running a $0 copay coupon for EpiPens for a couple of years now, ever since they finally had competition from Auvi-Q. Even though Auvi-Q seems to be off the market now (huge recall), Mylan has continued the $0 copay coupon. It’s usually good for 3 prescriptions/year per person (important for us because we have two kids who both need Epis) and includes the two-packs. Check out their website. You can sign up to receive emails and updates.
Thank you for this! Thank God he has not needed to use his pen, but we must have one for every regular location (home, school, grandparents etc). I will check out Mylan.
Epipens expire so quickly too! I know they are cheaper than the alternative, but still! $250 is a lot of money.
They are covered by our public scheme in Australia and cost $38, the rest paid by the Government.
1. A local craft store has been offering free events so the girls got to decorate beach pails one day and make puppets another.
2. took the girls to the library for one of their free events too. This week it was Amazing Animals. We got to see and learn about some neat local animals then checked out some books to read after the event.
3. Used a free redbox code to rent a movie and watched a couple from the library too.
4. I’ve been walking for exercise while listening to podcasts instead of joining a gym. I’ve been losing some weight and was able to get into a pair of shorts that didn’t fit a month ago. Woo Hoo!! I just have to make sure I don’t get run over by all the people driving through playing pokemon because I walk in a cemetary. For the first couple of days I couldn’t figure out why there were so many more people there than usual then I figured out what was going on. I asked a group of kids if that was what they were doing and they said yes. Some people even made the local news because they got locked in and had to call the police to get out.
5. Today, while mulching the perrenials at our family cemetary plot, I threw something in the trash only to discover that someone had tossed some planters of annuals right on top of everything. Several of the flowers were still alive and beautiful so I pulled them out and they now have a new home in my Mother’s yard. I hated to see them left there like that.
#5 – My Nana lived across from a cemetery and walked there daily for more than 40 years. She had a collection of geraniums from exactly the situation you are talking about.
1. No eating out this week has saved us money. We have been cooking at home, eating leftovers, etc.
2. I have stayed home all week, because we are down to one car, so saved gas, and money by not shopping.
3. Hubs car is in the shop, but the guy working on it says no charge. WOW. We will pick it up this weekend. Nice to have a friend give you the truth on things.
4. Spent less than $4 on school supplies for my 2 sons. This should last us most of the year. Other items were found around the home. We homeschool, so we do not need new things each year, but use items from previous years.
5. Free entertainment this weekend at a friends house: Cookout, swimming party, and fireworks all on Saturday. We will bring dessert and some salad as our addition to the cookout.
1. I only found 2 cents this week…not even close to $30!
2. Returned items purchased but never worn, had to take store credit, but at least now I can use the $$ for gifts or something I will use!
3. Making a baby quilt using fabric and batting purchased many years ago, very inexpensive as they were purchased at Goodwill.
4. Husband saved $$ by winterizing our boat and when we put it in the water this week, it worked just fine.
5. Trying hard not to look at the Nordstrom sale site. I really don’t need anything.
Didn’t know what Danskos were! Had to google it!
Had given away all my unsatisfactory shoes so have bought 2 comfortable pair recently! I feel great!
Have the most cash over from this fortnightly budget ever! Amazing! Doubt it will happen again for a while!
Has been very cold and was being careful with AC etc. But then decided to be warm! Have turned everything on and feel improved!
In my area everyone I know gives away things …. Country town and no one even mentions EBay and feels it a positive charity will collect used furniture! Also very rare verge collections! Just the way it is! Also don’t think anyone ever drops small change on the ground or maybe it is the fault of my eye sight! I think you all do marvellously and I am encouraged to continue my more frugal ways! When I write a shopping list, I not only write what I need but what I have so I don’t double up unless things are out much cheaper….. which happens regularly!
1. I worked my tutoring job Monday. $40 more dollars. They cancelled yesterday, which means that my evenings will be free until the week after next. Maybe I can apply to a waitressing job I saw on line.
2. My mom worked her house cleaning job on Tuesday and came home with a huge bag of Snap Peace, a half full bottle of organic honey, half a box of pasta, a full box of au gratin potatoes, half a medium bag of hot Cheetos, a little bit of whole milk, and when she went to the laundromat, her friend that lives close by gifter her a bag of canned goods, a bag of bread, a bottle of orange juice, and a gallon of milk.
3. I stayed half an hour later at work on Tuesday. Will be overtime.
4. I had a tango house party yesterday evening to attend to yesterday. I needed to take a snack, so I bought a cantaloupe and cut it up. Great contribution for just 98¢ plus tax.
5. Haven’t spent money eating out since Tuesday of last week, when my car broke down and I was hungry. I only spent $2.16 on two corn dogs as I waited for the tow truck. I’ve been taking lunch and breakfast to work all days (except for Friday lunch, which the bosses buy).
6. I attended a customer’s 65th (!) anniversary party today and attended with my mom. The husband is a baker, so they had several kinds of cookies and eclairs, as well as bottled water and two slushie machines! I had two cups of fruit punch slushie, two eclairs, and about 4 There were tons left, so I even got to bring a few treats for my family. It was a lovely evening seeing really nice people!
7. I batched errands on the way home from the party. I stopped by my restaurant job to get two big free glasses of Coke. Then stopped by the grocery store to buy allergy medicine on sale. After that stopped at another grocery store to buy sale tomatoes (sold out), but still got a sale bag of potatoes and saw a family friend that works there.
8. Finally had a day off in 3 weeks last Sunday. I consider it a sanity day. 😀
Don’t have time to do my FFT’s but I wanted to tell everyone to download your Kroger FFD. It’s a free 8 pack of can soft drinks this week if you are interested.
1. Turned down a night out for our anniversary, stayed home and grilled local fish and our home grown squash, opened a bottle of wine, and swam in our pool instead. Just the two of us is more romantic!
2. Went to the free outdoor music in the park last week, brought a picnic. Afterwards, went to a local outdoor bar to listen to more music and drank water.
3. Found a tiny apple pie for 1/2 price to give to hubs as a gift. He loves apple pie. Me not so much.
4. Eating out of the fridge and freezer. Lots of dressings stashed in the back! Used the Italian dressing to marinate the fish.
5. Snacking on popcorn cooked in the microwave in paper bags brought home from the store (no plastic bags allowed in our area). Extra yummy with a little garlic salt and cayenne pepper put in the bag before cooking.
(Katie, I tried to submit this on another computer, but I’d forgotten my user name. Its still waiting for your moderation. So I just copied it here under what I usually use.)
1. Was dog sitting over the weekend for a couple that lives on the lake, they allowed us to use their kayaks while they were away. Free date night and good exercise!
2. The couple was going away again (with their dog this time) , so they gave me all the fruit they had in their fridge! New bag of cherries, half a watermelon, and half a bag of grapes.
3. When I was driving home from babysitting late one night to check on the dog, I spotted a huge pile out for trash night. Grabbed a nice wooden table, a few plant stands, and a waste basket. I already sold the table and gave the waste basket away. I will list the plant stands this weekend.
4. Lowered a lot of my prices on poshmark yesterday which resulted in about 4 sales, woo!
5. I have been babysitting the past week straight, so haven’t really been spending money .
Bonus: My body has not been handling alcohol well lately, so I am doing a 21 day ban on drinking. This will help my bank account, as my splurge tends to be craft beer!
We gave up alcohol completely almost five years ago. My husband first and then I followed soon after. I believe that we are healthier and much wealthier for doing so! Looking back, I can’t believe we spent so much money on booze. Mind you, Aussies do drink a lot – we were not unusual, but we are now! The first six weeks or so were hard, and then after that we stopped noticing.
It will be easier this week to just report my frugal fails. It’s been a decidedly non-frugal week. You win/lose some.
1) Property taxes went up by $400! I save all year based on the previous year’s amount. Had to put the extra on credit. Grrrr.
2)A child needed a new retainer. $140.
3) A child who does modeling got called to an audition this week. 5 hours at the Four Seasons. I happily paid the valet who is working for his $$, but it was $20 and there were no self parking options. I did get to sit by the pool and see how the 1% live……a lot of nipped and tucked beautiful people there.
There is no 4 and 5, thankfully! Back to my frugal ways…..
Not a very frugal week here, but a fun one. I paid for my oldest granddaughter’s Soccer Camp and she ended up needing new sneakers and new cleats, because she’d already grown a 1/2 size up in shoes since Spring Soccer ended in the middle of May. LOL! but I found sales!
1) Sneakers on sale at Payless, Cleats on sale at Academy. So hopefully both fit her in the Fall, when she goes back to school and plays in the Fall league.
2) I packed all of her snacks, which we bought at the Dollar tree, so they were frugal finds.
3) Today was the exhibition games for the end of Camp, so I made coffee at home and took it with me.
4) I picked up 3 more audiobooks at the Library and will return a few items back to the Library tomorrow, so I don’t get fined while we’re on vacation.
5) I didn’t buy a Lear Jet.
1. AC off, windows open last couple days. Something about curtains blowing in the breeze is so relaxing.
2. Used up blueberries. Made bb coffeecake. Shared with friends & family because I’d have no self-control with all that cake in the house. 🙂
3. Received our portion of pork, raised by BIL. The whole locally grown thing, it tastes better & it saves money. That led to….
4. Organized the big freezer & made a list of contents. Helps me come up with meals when I feel a decided lack of creativity.
5. DIL is having a garage sale & invited me to bring what I’d like to sell. Searching cupboards & closets for stuff to purge.
Always love reading everyone’s FFTs.
1. Went to see the new Ghostbusters movie (great!). Did the matinee so cheaper tickets, didn’t order any food, and then used a gift card we’ve had for over two years to get dinner. It covered our whole meal and just left cash tip.
2. Every meal this week besides our gift card meal was eaten at home or brought from home.
3. Walked to a doctor’s appointment so I didn’t have to pay for parking.
4. Used some Amazon credits I built up to get some needed household items.
5. Running outside with friends. Free excercise, vitamin D, fresh air, great conversations.