- After writing that I was happy to not spend the night at work due to inclement weather, I did end up spending the night at the hospital due to a forecasted ice storm. This one took me by surprise, so I didn’t have the forethought to pack up toiletries and the like. Luckily, I was able to scrounge for food, beg a $5 food voucher off my charge nurse and sleep in an empty patient room. I gotta say that I was ecstatic to finally leave the hospital after having arrived 36 hours earlier.
- I received another article assignment from Clark Howard, and will start the research for it this afternoon. It’s good to make money in my spare time.
- I called my senators and congressmen just now to encourage them to fight tooth and nail against the appointment of Betsy DeVos, who I consider to be wholly unqualified to lead the department of education. Citizen involvement doesn’t cost a penny, yet can make a big difference for the people of this great country.
- I took blank paper to create large calendar pages for the months of February and March. I know I could buy a desk calendar at Office Depot, but I’d rather make one using what I already have on hand. I saw that March is another five paycheck month for my family, which prompted a loud “whoo-hoo,” and may or may not have startled the cats.
- I cobbled together a yummy dinner of grilled cheese with sautéed onions last night, I continue to use the single $30 silicone menstrual cup that I bought nine years ago, I read a library book while off the clock at work, I didn’t buy a Lear Jet and I didn’t buy a vulgar gold-plated apartment in the sky.
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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{ 135 comments… read them below or add one }
But is your menstrual cup gold-plated silicone?
It’s cold and heavy, but represents me as a person.
I LOL’d on the bus.
Lol..I didn’t expect the conversation to go so quickly from a grilled cheese to a menstrual cup. 😛
I feel strongly that menstruation shouldn’t be a shameful subject.
Any tips for making that Diva Cup pop open? I tried it for 6 long months. With only two successful results.
I tried the Diva cup, but had coverage issues! Then went to cozy Portland-made Glad Rags, cloth flannel menstrual pads. Now the Mirena IUD has eliminated menstruation, which I am rather pleased about.
I fully do too! This is why I jested about people thinking some things are TMI (and hope it was not misunderstood in the flatness of the internet! :0)
Ahhhhhhysterectomy stopped all that…. and my Hb is above 75 now
Never thought about one of the benefits of going through menopause early being to save money on feminine hygiene products but there you have it!
I watched several YouTube videos and eventually figured out what the correct fit felt like. There was a learning curve that I had to wear panty liners during but honestly it took a long time to adjust and figure it out and now I am thrilled with the cup
As a woman who started menstruating at 11, when most girls back then didn’t start until 15 or so, i have always felt that having your period should not be embarrassing. When i was pregnant, i told my husband that if it was a girl, she would know very early about menstruation. I have a son. He knows about it, but no to the extent a daughter would! Funny thing is, i almost always have my period when i see my in-laws. sometimes i will start early or late JUST to have it while i am around them. They must think i’m bloated 365 days a year! (and i’ve been married 23 years)
Bravo for frugal living. 🙂 This week:
1. I’ve been under the weather with allergies. Instead of plowing through boxes of tissues, I’ve been using my homemade cloth hankies. These are easier on my nose and my wallet; I love them!
2. Last night we ate meals from our pantry and freezer. It’s a great way to make sure we use up food. Mr. Picky Pincher made spaghetti bolognese with homemade marinara and I had beer-cauliflower soup with homemade three-seed bread. For the next day’s lunch I used some old frozen rice and turned it into vegetarian fried rice. Not fancy, but easy and cheap. 🙂
3. Last night we went to the library. I checked out several cookbooks and Mr. Picky Pincher got a few books on home beer brewing. I also rented “Your Money Or Your Life” to get more into personal finance books.
4. I’ve been working out at home this week using the elliptical I bought on sale a few years ago. I had to adjust my schedule from working out every day at 5 am to working out after dinner 3 times a week. My previous schedule was too exhausting, especially with the new meds that I’m on. But I still feel good!
5. I mended a few holes in my favorite cardigan instead of throwing it away and buying a new one.
“frozen rice” makes a better sounding dinner than “old frozen rice”
We want to make this life style sound good to everyone!!
LOL.
If you can do anything on an elliptical, you’re younger than I am!!
And we don’t have leftovers here, we have Planned-Overs.
Wow….just ended my work day and it is 75 degrees here. I am so sorry you are having such a rough time with the weather. That sounds awful.
1. Last night I roasted potatoes, pumpkin, and turnips in my case iron skillet.
2. At work, I had my wellness check required by my insurance. It is free and I am happy to say blood pressure, BMI, and weight are fine. I am sad to say my LDL Cholesterol and Triglycerides are awful, and my insurance requires me to go get checked out by my doctor. Since I am relatively small, it was a surprise, which shows you cannot necessarily tell what potential health problems someone may have by just looking at them.
3. I brought my lunch of homemade beans and tea to work, so no money spent on lunch.
4. I will be walking this afternoon in the beautiful weather.
5. I cannot afford a gold plated apartment in the sky, or even a house in a nice neighborhood, nor can I afford a lear jet, and a plane ticket would be stretching it, so yeah did not buy those things….lol
4.
Cindy, I had blood lipid woes as well, and vegan before 6pm has vanquished them. Takes some getting used to, but worth it if it works for you.
I eat dairy maybe once a week, and fish also about once every twobweeks alternating with baked chicken.. I eat beef maybe once every six months. I am not sure exactly what is a vegan diet but I will look into it., thanks
I have chronic health issues and early on at nineteen one of the many test I had was for cholesterol. At the time I regularly ate meat and dairy. I was hugely active and had excellent readings for cholesterol. I am not convinced that eating a vegan diet is the answer to your health readings. It may be that vegan eat more legumes and fibre overall and that has been shown to be beneficial to choleserol readings. I would talk to your nutritionist about adding in olive oil and fish to your diet as well.
THANK YOU for making the calls to oppose DeVos. Me too!
What do you think about the Girl Scouts marching in the inauguration parade? Gives me the willies…
Yes, thank you Katie.
I hadn’t heard about that. Unlike the Boy Scouts, I consider the Girl Scouts to be fairly benign organization, so I’m pretty surprised.
I need to call too. I’m not a Devon fan and when she started talking about revising funding for special education I was like really..really..
Yes, thank you Katie. I believe I will make some calls too.
I also called my senators today and encouraged many friends to do the same. Someone who has spent her life undermining public education should NOT be the secretary of education. Absolutely ridiculous.
Katy, thank you for your advocacy.
As a former Girl Scout and a Girl Scout leader for six years, I was terribly disappointed to read about the Scouts’ taking part in the inauguration.
1. Built fires in both wood stoves to keep propane use down (firewood is free, as we cut it on our land.)
2. Made bread.
3. Returned unwanted order from Amazon for refund of $144!
4.spent time sorting receipts, getting ready for taxes.
5. Called my senator to thank him for going tough on Devos. (Frugal? Well, cheaper than taking a helicopter and trying to crash the hearings.)
‘vulgar gold-plated apartment in the sky’. that sounds like an adjective the Dowager Countess of Grantham would use.
I consider that to be a compliment of the highest order.
You need to watch this from my Instagram!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BAGxMJ3LQ0v/?taken-by=nonconsumer
Ha! Oh how I miss my evenings at Downton…
Oh, to be so “frugal”! Santa did not bring me the complete series, complete with bonus material*, but I am hopeful that some spendthrift will have received it, watched it (or not) and is about to donate it to the friends of library book sale. That’s one advantage of being on the set-up team…first dibs.
*Because Santa is smart and knows we don’t exchange gifts, lol.
As noted in my previous FFT comment, Portland seems to have swapped weather temporarily with Upstate NY. Hoping you get back to your usual conditions soon, Katy. (Hey, there are worse things than rain, right?)
(1) Already working for political change in my own ways, and planning to do more of the same after 1/20.
(2) Also stockpiling a few canned goods and water jugs, and keeping the vehicles gassed up, in case of sudden emergency conditions (either weather- or politics-related).
(3) So far, DH’s hearing aids are staying in after Monday’s adjustment–and he seems considerably more cheerful and with-it as a result. (Monetary worth of this is not calculable.)
(4) Made sort-of tandoori chicken at home, with tandoori paste from the Indian food store plus .69/lb. chicken legs from Aldi’s plus yogurt on hand. In the absence of an actual tandoor oven, this wasn’t bad at all.
(5) Hanging laundry as usual indoors. I rarely bother to mention this because it’s now standard operating procedure, but it should be noted now and again for the record.
A. Marie,
Your #2 is a common occurrence in our home…we are always prepared and preparing for whatever may come. Which lends itself into homesteading and self sufficiency which is our lifestyle 🙂
Thanks for your perspective, Savannah. While DH and I are probably rank amateurs compared with you and your family, we have been doing #2 at intervals ever since the Y2K scare (ancient history now, of course). And since I feel we’re entering an era where one wacko Tweet too many could start WWIII, this is my way of dealing with it.
1) Returned a pack of Costco apples. We used two the day I bought them, and five of the remaining ones rotted over the next two days. I almost didn’t – they’ve been sitting in the car for more than a week because I kept forgetting to stop, so they were frozen solid. I apologized – “That they’re frozen is my fault, but that they’re rotten isn’t” and the customer service person seemed surprised! I guess not everyone is friendly at the returns counter.
2) Used the refund immediately for pre-ice-storm supplies: milk, bread, and garlic. Skipped butter even though we’re low because the price is up again. Bought extra milk because it was cheaper than I’ve seen it in years. Spent under $20. At Costco!
3) Less ice than predicted, but I worked from home anyway. Let the heat drop to its normal workday low and sat under a blanket with a warm laptop and warmer cat on my lap.
4) Cooked dinner last night even though work demands just kept coming. I figure if somebody asks for something at 6:30 pm, I can cook dinner and eat it with my family and then find the answer, and it’s still 12 hours ahead of when they’d have received it if I hadn’t read my email until I was at the desk the next morning.
5) We pay for all the kids’ cell phones – not frugal, and one of the things we’ll be reconsidering at our next budget discussion. But in the last couple of days I’ve had calls and texts from the young adult kiddos at all hours of the day and night and from all over the world, just because something fun or funny happened. So priceless! I have a hunch this massive budget item is going to remain unchanged.
Yes. Everyone stocks up on GARLIC when there’s a storm coming!
Hahahahahahahahah!
Wait, this isn’t normal? 😉
Couple days before the first predicted snow for my area, I went to the store to get a few things I needed, not thinking about the storm. Garlic was on my list and they were sold out! Not a single naked clove.
We use Metro PCS. Four phones (three for us and one for a friend whose finances are tight) with unlimited everything for a total of $101,/month including taxes. Good coverage, no hassles.
As to Costco butter, I find that the price always bottoms out between Thanksgiving and Christmas. I stock up and freeze it. Then I laugh when I see it on “sale” for $3/lb. elsewhere. Yum, butter. Plus, yum, garlic, lol. Hmmm, garlic sauted in butter…
Yes, exactly! Garlic butter + whatever we pull out of the pantry / freezer = we’ll make it through the ice storm, no matter how long it lasts.
I feel like I’m missing something wrt garlic and storms. But we buy 20# in the fall from a local farmer, and keep it in a cold corner of the basement, so it sees us through winter in the NE and well into spring. (Which will come again. “Someday”, she sobbed.)
Pondering what to put on my poster for the Woman’s March in DC on Saturday. Suggestions welcomed!
1. Found 20¢ in the Coinstar machine. Two dimes stuck together like conjoined twins!
2. Did 4 mystery shops in the past 24 hours.
3. On my way to a clothing/ household item swap at church. Two bags of items to offer and only coming home with something if it is absolutely superb!
4. DH’s check engine light came on in his car. 😮 Turned out the gas cap was not tight enough. Yeah!
5. Made myself a cup of coffee to drink on the way to the swap. Drinking it out of my really nice metal Starbucks travel mug that I got at the thrift store for $1.60!
I like “keep your rosaries off my ovaries.” I didn’t think it up but it’s stuck with me since I saw it.
I LOVE THAT Susanne!!!
Lots of good suggestions over at the MMM Forum:
http://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/off-topic/women's-march-what-should-my-sign-say/?topicseen
Scroll down until you see the picture of the lady with the flowing gray hair’s sign. Worth the time! Caution, there may be profanity involved.
It’s warming up just north of the border..thank goodness.
Made dh pudding and cookies for his lunch instead of buying..
Used up some veggies in a risotto and made a lovely scotch broth from the leftover lamb
Keeping within the grocery budget despite dh coming with me the last two times ( hoping he notes the cost of groceries so he understands my limiting the grazing)
Used an 8 cent off coupon for gas and filled my car up, it was on empty.
Said no to going out with friends at a pricey place,
Didn’t buy a new car, plane or adopt a new pet.
I’ve really enjoyed your Clark Howard articles thus far Katy, it’s nice to read such helpful, down to earth writing. Thank you.
Thank you, that’s what I’m going for.
1. I dried all of my clothes on drying racks rather than using my dryer. (Well, until a child client showed up in my office and told me he had lice. The clothes I wore to the office that day got washed and dried in the dryer. I don’t want to bring home anything like that!)
2. I sewed draft stoppers for my leaky windows using kitty litter bags turned inside out for the material and filled them with kitty litter.
3. I turned down the heat to 64 and made draft stoppers to go under the doors of two rooms in which I turned off the heat vents.
4. I made my own yogurt.
5. I cooked beans and garbanzos for burritos and hummus for the next week or two. Some will go in the freezer.
4.
You use garbanzos in burritos? Mashed, refried, or as is?
1. Last night I made a Mexican Lentil casserole and a pot of Sweet Potato Carrot soup, using ingredients on hand. That’s enough for several meals as no one else in the house will go near them.
2. The sun came out today and I was able to walk outside during that time. It was a warmer than average day. So good for the psyche. The days are also noticeably lighter. Yay!
3. I gave away more stuff that we don’t need. It won’t go to waste nor in the landfill.
4. I scheduled our auto insurance payment for 30 days from now, 2 days before the payment is due. There is no charge to pay by credit card, go airline miles rewards.
5. I have stayed out of the grocery stores all week. It’s good to use what you have but I may need to buy a bit of produce soon.
1. Drove on fumes a few more miles than I was comfortable with to get to the cheaper gas station!
2. Made my coffee at home, as usual. It’s more almond milk, ice, and cappuccino powder than coffee, really.
3. Packed breakfast, snacks, and lunch for work.
4. Made more Tide clone laundry soap.
5. Started using a teaspoon to measure my dish soap again, as I have been using too much.
Mind sharing your detergent recipe? 🙂
Mix 1 cup each of borax, one cup of washing soda, one cup of sun color safe bleach , and. One cup of oxy clean. The last two I get at the dollar store! Mix together and use one heaping tablespoon per load.
Thanks! I’ll have to try it out. 😀
It has been a quiet week which is welcome. My FFT seem a bit repetitive, but nonetheless here they are my five:
1) I sold two more items on eBay. I turned down a lowball offer on another. (I hope I did the right thing.) I have 18 additional items currently listed. Tomorrow I intended to list about a dozen more. I have arranged with a friend who owns an estate business to consign a few larger items for me without charging commission. I am realizing the downside of buying a house with tons of storage space — too much stuff!
2) The beautiful weather continues in Northern Florida. In a few months, it will be sweltering and miserable to be outdoors. So I am enjoying it while I am can.
I am working in my flower beds and herb garden. It’s time to tidy things up a bit. My oregano has gotten huge, so I harvested a good bit of it today. I shared some with neighbors, rooted some new plants , and hung some to dry.
3) I continue like many of you to use the odds and ends in my pantry, refrigerator, and freezer. I am happy with the progress. I finished up the artichoke hearts, roasted red pepper, and olives on a pizza last night. This morning I used the last remaining tablespoon of goat cheese and my garden herbs to make a lovely omelette for breakfast. Tonight I cooked the long lingering spaghetti squash. I am currently make stock in my instant pot with a leftover chicken carcass.
4) I bought a money book at the thrift store that had been recommended to me. I think that it is something that I will refer to frequently. Thus, the $1 price tag seemed reasonable. 🙂 There is a section regarding trusts, estates and wills which is timely. Now that our children are in their 20s, it is time to make changes.
5) When not outside, I continue to turn to the library and PBS for entertainment. I watched the first installment of the Frontline documentary, “Divided States of America” last night. If interested, it is worth your time. I think many of us — Democrat, Republican or Independent — wonder how we got here. 2007 and 2008 were very bad years.
1) Sold an antique hutch that was taking up too much room in my tiny dining room.
2) Attended a “crock-pot-palooza” with my daughter. We put 8 large crock pot meals in the freezer for $100.00.
3) Bought a dress for $3.oo for my son’s wedding in May (even though I broke my No Spend January).
4) Baked 3 loaves of bread.
5) Posted on NCA Facebook page when I was feeling frustrated by the No Spend January. I gleaned encouragement and good advice!
Crock-pot-palooza sounds fantastic!
A dress to wear to a wedding for $3? I’m impressed.
Great job on the dress! You beat my $6 real wool dress I wore at my sister’s wedding. 🙂
Florencia,
I’m pretty sure we’re fairly close (somewhere along the Wasatch Front?). Have you found any good thrift stores? I feel like all I see these days is crappy, formerly-trendy fast fashion. I’m trying to find more classic styles in good (natural) fabrics to round out a capsule wardrobe. Any suggestions?
Hey, Cathy! Yes, we are! I live 5 minutes SW of Downtown SLC. Where are you? I stop by DI, as the West Jordan one is on the way home for me. I haven’t had much luck at Goodwill, Uptown Cheapskate, nor Plato’s Closet. Maybe because I gained weight, but I find that those stores have the cheap, trendy items, so I’ve had more luck at DI. There’s a new consignment store by Trolley Square (Iconoclad, I think, if you place it), but I haven’t been there yet. Also, there’s Century (don’t quote me on the name) on State and maybe 900 S, Name Droppers and a couple little thrift stores up by 3300 S and Highland and past that, and Pibb’s Exchange (haven’t been there, but my sister says it’s good for finding quirky alternative style items, i.e.- Doc Martens) in Sugarhouse.
1) While not a palooza per say , the crockpot has been working overtime in our house this week. Roast chicken Sunday and then the bones stayed in for stock overnight. Today it was beef burgundy with stew beef and mushrooms on “reduced for quick sale”. I love those red stickers!
2) Used a $25 off promo code to order two gifts today on Tiny Prints, paying $6.25 for shipping and taxes.
3) Reading The King Arthur Flour Baker’s Companion for fun (again) from our library. I am keeping an eye out for a used copy at this point.
4) Bought two sheets of stamps today ahead of the price increase. Thanks to the NCAer who mentioned this in an earlier post.
5) Redeemed the .80 worth of cans and bottles I scrounged during a walk with the dog the other day. Apparently I am now also the crazy woman who climbs into snowbanks (smallish ones anyway) to retrieve empties. Only the meter reader guy from the electric department saw me. 🙂 A. Marie – I thought of you while I was out there foraging for money!
6) Hoping to stay awake long enough to watch the second part of the Frontline special tonight on our PBS affiliate . Bee – thank you for mentioning!
Katy – thank you for fostering this community in a time when, for so many reasons, it is easy to feel disconnected from one another.
I had to record it and watch it this afternoon. I have never been a night owl. I am asleep by 10. The life of the party!
1. Made stuffed acorn squash with a box of Stovetop stuffing and some sausage, both bought on sale. Yum!
2. Put a bag of frozen fries in the frig instead of the freezer day before yesterday due to inattention; made them tonight, instead of throwing them out, they were fine.
3. Made mashed potatoes the other night, had a bit left, so added it to a pot of instant potatoes and the whole thing tasted fresh for last night’s dinner. Score! (We do prefer fresh, but instant is handy on rushed nights.) Had enough left over to make two freezer boxes full, which will come in handy on another rushed night.
4. Shopped at Kroger today – took advantage of the senior discount, plus coupons, plus marked down food, and got a cartful for $60.
5. Sat down last week and made out a list of meal ideas using up things I already have on hand, plus a list of a few things to buy to make more meals out of more things. Working my way through.
1. Went to the campus gym with a colleague tonight.
2. We then went to dinner and used a groupon for dinner.
3. I did a big load of laundry and washed on the 26 minute cycle as usual.
4. I have a potential new client.
5. Drinking coffee at home, water bottle used, snacks from home ect.
Since doing a giant grocery shopping on Saturday I only spent &1 this week. I am staying strong with the no spend January.
I refashioned a dress I have not worn for 3 years into a skirt I hope to wear this summer.
I continue to be the only whacko who brings her lunch to work. And breakfast. And snacks.
Still following your blog Katy, it’s been 5 years for me.
1. Went out to lunch and the movies with my good friend. The last time we went was over 6 months ago. We wanted to see Rogue One, and we went on a Tuesday, which for ATT cell phone users means, take a friend for free. We split the cost of the movie, which ended up being $5 each.
2. Taught my first sewing class today. I am teaching 3 co-workers for 1 hour every 2 weeks, at $5/hour. doesn’t seem like much, but I love to sew, and sharing it with others makes me happy, and they had a great time. I have been sewing for 46 years and this is my first teaching session. Really enjoyed it. The $15 is for thrifting, as I also work full time.
3. DD and I had tuna and cheese melts for dinner. I had leftover chicken noodle soup for lunch, and we had coffee and toast for breakfast. Frugal, but yummy.
4. I walk to work every day, then walk home for lunch, walk back to work, and walk home again, for a total of 40 minutes walking. I am on my feet at work all day, so I do about 10K steps 5 -7 days a week. I am a size 6 now. At my age it’s nice for the knees.
5. I finished sewing some alterations for a person at work, and made $20.
I don’t need a jet, or a fancy apt. I grew up in a frugal, quite poor home, but since my parents were penny smart, we did just fine.
RE your #1. We have AT&T and I’ve never heard of the movie deal. How does that work, and are there other benefits out there??
It looks like a great offer (http://tickettwosdays.att.com/). I had not heard of it either, but may take them up on it to finally see Rogue One.
Robin pegged the web site. I went on, told it what theatre I wanted, what movie, what time, and paid with a credit card (using Kaspersky for protection of course.) You can print it out, pick up at the ticket window with the credit card for ID, or you can do what I did, have it texted to your phone. We got there, bypassed the ticket window, and they scanned the code from my phone and in we went. Too easy!
I love the examples shared here!
1. Got Grantchester at the library (whee!)
2. Made dinner tonight from freezer veggies chopped last September from our CSA box–onions and zucchini–plus a couple of soon-going-to-sprout potatoes, sautéed in olive oil and soy sauce.
3. Knit adorable little rainbow baby socks for a coworker’s shower next week. Showed them to another coworker, who asked me if she could pay me to knit some for a friend of hers who is expecting. We agreed that she would buy me some fancy sock yarn, I’d knit two pairs of little socks, then keep the rest of the yarn. Score!
4. Rode my bike to and from work today, now that all the remaining ice lumps have melted.
5. Gathered up all the miscellaneous “Hot drink” items stashed in various kitchen cupboards (maybe left from old camping trips?) and enjoying one each evening after dinner. I found hot chocolate, apple cider powder, lemonade powder, many types of tea, and Pero (a grain based coffee substitute). Kind of a mini dessert.
For the first time in either of our lives my husband and I bought a vehicle with cash.
Stayed home 2 of the 3 days of the long weekend.
Brought lunch to work every day last week, and am on track to bring it every day this week.
Congratulations on buying a vehicle with cash. What an accomplishment! Car payments are just awful.
Thank you! It’s an older truck but we were still pretty proud of ourselves.
1. Husband had someone over for football both Saturday and Sunday. In the past I would have gone out and bought chips and pop and assorted goodies, to the tune of $25 or more. This time I made blooming onion bread one day and hamburger meat pies the next, all from things in the fridge, freezer or cupboard. Who needs chips anyway?
2. Did a mystery shop so earned a free lube job for our van.
3. Decided to clean out a closet in a hallway near our front door. Found a box of potatoes I had stored there from last summer’s garden and then promptly forgot about. Not a sprouted or soft one in the bunch! Cut a bunch up into one by one cubes, threw on some olive oil and baked at 400 degrees until they were soft. We have eaten them for every dinner, in various forms, for the last week. I didn’t know how much longer they would last, so wanted to use them up as soon as possible. It meant eating breakfast for dinner for three nights, since they did very well as home fries, but we like that anyway.
4. Made three loaves of bread and froze two of them for the future lazier self.
5. My vision is pretty bad so my computer screen has to be almost up to my nose. I had a great arm that was nailed to my desk that allowed me to pull the screen very close and then swing it out of the way when I didn’t need it. It broke, after several repairs, and could not be repaired yet one more time. I found one for $230 so I went to Safeway and bought $250 worth of gift cards to Amazon and paid for it that way. That, in turn, earned me 50 cents a gallon off my next gas fill up.
6. It was 47 below zero at our house this morning, which is the coldest it has gotten this winter. We had been going out at 5 am to plug in our vehicle so the circulating heater would warm up the engine enough for it to start. However, that works at 30 below but is risky at 40 and 50 below. We spent $16 on a timer that will cause the heater to go on every other hour, for an hour. This will save electricity because, again at 40 below and more we are not going to go outside at 3 am to plug in the car—we were just plugging it in at bedtime and leaving it running all night. Lazy but once you go out at those temps, it is hard to get back to sleep.
6. Arranged with both of our jobs to work from home tomorrow if it is colder than 40 below. Driving in those conditions is hard on the vehicle, adds to the ice fog and is dangerous if you have a breakdown. A lot of places just shut down, including the schools, at 40 below. One year we had 60 below for several weeks straight, so I remind myself it could be worse. During that bout I got a flat tire and I just drove it on the rim until I got to a service station because I was not about to change a tire in such low visibility. On the upside, I got a seed catalog in the mail today. (How horrible to be a mail carrier right now! I feel like leaving him a thermos on hot chocolate in the mailbox! Instead, I left him a $10 gift card. I know it is his job, but we all like to be appreciated even when we are doing something we are being paid to do and I had been given the card at Christmas and not used it yet.)
I can barely tolerate 40 above! I would not survive 40 below at all. You’re amazing!
It was kind of you to remember your mail carrier. I cannot even fathom how cold 40 below is. What is ice fog?
Ice fog is when the moisture in the air crystalizes and any pollution stays at ground level. Today it is so thick that the visibility is basically down to zero. Fairbanks used to have temps like this regularly but for the past decade the winters have been warmer, seldom going colder than 30 below. We’ve lived with 60 below but that is really, really tough on cars. It takes a mile or so for the tires to go from the square shape they froze into while parked for the night back to round. When I lived in one of the rural villages, the city’s rule was that at 30 below the public buildings were left unlocked (not the offices, but the hallways) so that homeless or impaired (i.e. drunk) could take shelter and not freeze to death. I worked in a program where we threw mattresses on the hallway floor when it got that cold, so folks would be able to sleep.
I’m glad their are kind people like you, who take care of the unfortunate in such terrible conditions. I have a friend who grew up in Alaska and is a teacher in Anchorage, she’s survivalist like you. More power to you being able to handle that kind of weather!
You live in a beautiful state. Last year, I was able to visit my nephew in SE Alaska, but it was May. The people were wonderful and the landscape was breathtaking! Although I travelled a bit, I have never went as far North as Fairbanks (Denali). I hope to return some day. However, I know that I could not last a winter there. Thank you for sharing.
Forgive the grammar error. I am having one of those days.
Holy moly! Have to ask where you live. I couldn’t imagine.
You must be in Alaska …wow. I agree with Gina, I am freezing at 40 above…wow, just wow.
Lindsey, I lived in Fairbanks for a few years and well remember ice fog and 40 below. Our last winter we had one week of 50 below, it was miserable! Stay warm inside
Joyce
Lindsey, I just wanted to say I love hearing about your way of life in what most consider to be extreme conditions.Getting a glimpse of how others manage is what makes the this blog so special to me. It’s just really fun to learn more from you and others so thanks!
In 24 hours:
1) I managed to cook a crockpot of apple slices from two FREE fruit and cheese trays. I cooked them in a bit of sugar and brown sugar. When I dipped out the apples, I added flour and butter, returning the liquid. After microwaving a third of it, the mixture was like pie filling. From those two fruit/cheese trays I got three “apple pie” treats, ate apples for two snacks and sent some home with a friend. I froze all the red grapes for a friend. I ate the Colby cheese on two salads and two sandwiches. I gave away all the caramel and will give Pepperjack cheese to a friend.
I did not want to wash the crockpot. So:
2) cooked two FREE frozen hens in the crockpot, one after the other. I don’t bother to thaw them. I ripped out the breasts for me and the rest of the meat for my friend.
3) Got three cups of the best broth I have ever made. Usually, I think it is nasty and throw it out. So, FREE broth.
4) Hanged clothes on the line and in the house.
5) Ate lunch at a church that has a free lunch for the community once a month.
My FFT:
1. Received a $25 gift card for filling a new rx at the grocery store pharmacy and used that to help pay for groceries for the week
2. Put together lunch and dinner with the ton of food people brought for our office today. There was so much food there is still leftovers for the office to have lunch again tomorrow.
3. Worked out with friends early this morning before work. Free fitness, great company, awesome start to the day.
4. Prior to picking up the groceries and rx, I spent $0 in the last 5 days.
5. Hubby needed to bring drinks to a work potluck. Filled a bunch of tupperware and stuck it them in the freezer so he wouldn’t have to buy bags of ice to fill the cooler.
-Picked up 2 extra cleaning jobs this month
-Did a clean today and am helping the client simplify–she asked me if I wanted anything from her “get rid of” pile-scored a beautiful quilt, a brand new planter for the garden and a brand new bathroom towel.
-Buying, stocking up and cooking on sale chicken for dinners
-Made 2 big pots of homemade veggie soup for warm, healthy lunches
-I live in a very old farmhouse on a large lot of land-have been taking the dogs for a few long walks each day-no gym fee for me
My 5
1) no eating out for a few weeks
2) found 4 x kilo bags of sweet potato for 50% off, bought them all, plus bought some meat to freeze marked down for clearance .
3) had to buy a new Airconditioner before the old one fell through my roof… the new one while it cost quite a lot saves water and because it can be temperature controlled it’s not running day and night non stop ( it’s hot here in Adelaide Australia)
4) using pre used disposable trays in my Weber Charcoal BBQ … I refuse to throw them out until get a hole in them
5) my daughter is growing up, finished Uni and starting a new job , this means I no longer pay for her car rego, car insurance etc….. nice !
Thanks for your site and Facebook Katie, I always find something of interest …
You’re welcome! It’s a labor of love.
1. Leftovers eaten.
2. Library books read.
3. Lights off when not being used.
4. Low thermostat.
5. Lengthening lapse living limoless limits layout of loot, but likewise leading to lunacy. (We haven’t replaced my car yet, so I may need a lift to the loony bin.)
LOL!
Lovely limerick!
It’s been a frugal/not frugal week. It’s school holidays here for another week and we are driving our kids to vacation care daily. It’s costing a fortune in petrol. Plus there’s the cost of the care itself. It’s part of the cost of working and I’m glad to have a job, but I will be glad to get back to our regular routine.
1. Free staff lunch again at work today.
2. Came home to tacos with a turkey chilli from the freezer and vegetables from the garden. The last of my homegrown carrots *sob*
3. Shared a good laugh with my husband when I got home. It’s been a very stressful week and a good belly laugh made me feel great. I’m convinced that a partner that makes you laugh is what keeps a marriage going.
4. Entire outfit from my shoes to my shirt was thrifted or gifted today. Win.
5. Bought a coffee using a gift card and chose to sit in the cafe and sip it rather than take it away and rush back to my desk. Ten minutes of mindfulness and a free coffee = win.
1. I stocked up on Heinz ketchup (giant bottles) on sale for cheaper than the local no name brand stuff.
2. I planted onions and garlic from sprouting bulbs I had, to have a constant supply of onion and garlic greens for cooking.
3. I took my kid for a free dental appointment (thank you socialized medicine that covers kids’ dental care).
4. I fought with the builders of our apartment and got them to take responsibility for the water damage and to agree to fix it, so it doesn’t come out of our pocket.
5. I planted some dandelion seeds in my garden so I can hopefully have a good supply of those tasty greens.
1. Bought some socks brand new at TJ Maxx and they were such a good price that I decided to sell them on ebay instead of keeping them.
2. Packing up our house to move and have been selling and giving away lots of stuff. Listed two items on CL yesterday, and a couple random items on FB sale boards.
3. Picked up my library holds and found a few more candidates on the New shelf. One of my resolutions is to get back to reading more instead of watching Netflix and wasting time on FB. My mind is calmer and I feel more sane.
4. Have been walking on the treadmill nearly every day. I find I sleep much better at night if I get a walk in.
5. Finally sewed the clasp on a pair of pants that have been sitting for months. Wore them to work today!
# 3 I totally agree with you regarding Facebook. I took the FB app off my iPhone, so I won’t be picking it up and checking the posts constantly. I wish my husband would agree to do away with cable, but he watches the ESPN sports channels, that aren’t available on regular TV. I’m beginning to feel the same way about the news too!
1. Made a chinese chicken salad for dinner last night to use up some shredded cabbage in the veg drawer and some leftover chicken breast meat I’d tossed in the freezer.
2. Took the bus yesterday to/from work yesterday even though the closer bus was still not running due to snow/ice. Got some exercise slogging through melting snow/slush .75 miles to/from the bus stop in my wellies.
3. Drank coffee at home only, no Starbucks all week; took breakfast to work with me.
4. Reading library books.
5. Watched funny documentary about some extreme frugality types from Britain on Netflix last night. People were a bit obsessive and not really what I’m aiming for in the frugality department, but it was fun to watch (well, except for the fellow who gets all his meat picking up road kill… ugh)
Frugal fail: For some reason I have a slew of restaurant meals over next two weeks: birthday lunch for friend yesterday, birthday dinner for two friends tonight, work lunch tomorrow, and two friend lunches and a work lunch next week. Eek! Some were long scheduled, some were rescheduled and now they’ve all stacked up in two week period. Determined to stick to my budget which means NO other spending for next two weeks or I won’t make it. Also have resolved to order salad rolls and drink water at the Thai restaurant for at least two of the lunches — healthy, tasty and only $5 (so $6 with tip) for lunch.
1) I just finished writing my senators to block the nomination of Betsy Devos! I could not agree more.
2) I have one of those silicone cups. Love it! Best investment/decision I ever made. I t has paid for itself many times over and no landfill!
3) Made two pots of chili – one with beans and one without. My DH and kids hate beans. But that just means more for me! Yum.
4) This is not really frugal but I ordered 8 boxes of girl scout cookies and donated them all to whichever charity the troop donates. No cookies in our house this year! And it is a donation so can be counted as a tax deduction.
5) I am working on a knit sample of a yarn shop. They pay me in yarn. 🙂
1. Was able to find 2 of my required textbooks via our campus library this week as PDF. Can you say 18.00 for a whole book instead of $36-79. Sweeeet!
2. Campus Gym is part of my fees so have started using it again b/c last semester I rarely went.
3. Have been making hard-boiled eggs in the instapot. 8 eggs in 7 minutes = no morning Starbucks runs
4. Work had Bagels and Coffee this week so was able to snag one for a snack later.
5. Used a check in offer for a free coffee this week via Yelp so was able to bring hubby a treat when I indulged.
1. Gave the dog a bath at home. I asked at the pet store what it cost to use their dog washing facility and for a 16 pound dog it would be $18-$24! I can put a lot of padding under my knees to do it in our tub at home for that.
2. The Spring in January weather in the South has helped us get our yard ready for selling the house. Many bags of bark purchased and spread by my Hubby. We don’t have any grass BTW.
3. Our bathroom remodeling contractor brought his chainsaw and cut off a couple of stumps and cut up some big branches for us. He is even hauling the wood away. No tree service or equipment rental fees – yeah.
4. Cooking almost all meals at home, eating leftovers, shopping my wardrobe or thrift/consignment stores, etc. as always.
5. No Lear jet but we did buy plane tickets for a house shopping, 90th birthday celebrating, meet and care for new granddaughter trip in Feb & March. Caught them on sale. Thankful for Southwest airlines providing a lower cost option for us.
Bless your knees, Juhli! 🙂 I love my utility sink in the laundry room every time I have to bathe the dog. I’ve never had one before, and certainly never thought I needed one, but, boy, have I enjoyed having it.
Thanks for mentioning utility sinks. I had one in the previous house and it is something to look for in the next one.
1) We received two free 2017 calendars from our propane fuel provider, when they last delivered to us in December. One was landscapes and the other muscle cars, so I brought the landscape calendar to use here in the office and we’ll use the muscle car calendar at home, where hubby can enjoy it.
2) I have still have leftovers at home to use for dinner and hubby ate the leftover beans and cornbread for lunch yesterday.
3) I need to p/u a few things today at the Dollar Tree – it’s cheaper buying some of my staples there once a month. They sell Yardley Lavender bath soap bars for a dollar. I love the smell of Lavender and those big bars will last 3 months or more for just $1, I think that’s pretty good.
4) I’m finding coins in my coat pockets and around the house, as I declutter & clean, which promptly go into the change jar.
5) I didn’t buy a Lear jet or a gold apartment in the sky – or even a yacht, which would be more fun than either of the first two.
I love the Yardley’s Olde English too. And I always buy it at the Dollar Store.
I completely agree with your opposition to Ms. DeVos. My first issue with her is her degree in Business Admin. I have an MA in Philosophy of Education, and I eventually quit my job at a private university because the administration (who generally had business or organ. leadership degrees) refused to let academics make decisions that would result in the best educational outcomes. Schools are not businesses, but when the top leadership are not educators, schools tend to be run like businesses to disastrous consequences. The secretary of education should absolutely be an educator, not yet another business person who will not understand the actual needs of students and teachers.
Excuse my rant. It’s been a terrible week. Hating that the inauguration is tomorrow, and also my laptop was stolen Monday. Grrr…. I managed to do a few frugal things anyway:
1) Managed to replace said laptop with a refurbished one from Fry’s for a decent price.
2) Am getting my files back because they were backed up.
3) Replacing car window was less than I expected.
4) Replacement laptop bag was on sale.
But overall that was non-frugal because I didn’t need to have my laptop stolen to begin with. Ugh. What a week.
Ella, hope today starts a much better run of good things coming your way.
Ladies, do your homework (pun intended), Betsy DeVos is VERY pro-student.
1. Brought sandwiches for dinner on flight to nephew’s wedding and
2. Used airlines miles to pay for tickets.
3. Picked up 3 pennies (with gloves on) at school. Seems students won’t pick up pennies! I also pick up any pencils I find to share with students who come unprepared.
4. Bought steeply discounted Christmas treats to share with children. They don’t care that they are shaped like candy canes.
5. Still making my own granola to use honey we were given. Cheap and nutritious.
Teri,
I don’t think anyone has said she’s not pro-student. What she isn’t is pro-public education. I think private schools and charters are great–for some kids and some families. But for many others, public schools are best. DeVos is in favor of privatizing education, and that’s a huge problem to many of us.
For many parents who have children in substandard public schools, it is simply about choice.
I respectfully suggest, Teri, that you do YOUR homework about DeVos. For two decades her family’s wealth has been used to prop up the charter school industry (a billion dollar profit industry, by the way) and protect it from oversight, even as charter schools repeatedly failed to deliver on their promises to parents and children and the VAST MAJORITY of them have lower math and reading scores than public schools. She is pro-business, most emphatically NOT pro student. Especially poor students, who tend to live far from the established charter schools so are left to attend public schools that are systematically being impoverished by money being diverted to charter schools.
Very well stated Lindsey!
YES!
I love how your politics is starting to really come through in the blog. Thanks for being public in the fight, Katy!
Yesss!!
I applaud you for calling your representatives, which will also be my #1. It’s very important we stay involved!
1. I ,too , called and wrote my senators (and a few extra who were in the nominations hearings) and voiced my concerns. Completely free.
2. Am listening to a library ebook Rising Strong about emotional strength and getting up when we are knocked down. Very insightful. And free!
3. Writer’s group tonight and one of the other ladies is bringing dinner. I am going to make banana bread to contribute for a treat after.
4, Needed Allegra and checked at Sam’s. They now have a storebrand that is about half what I was paying.
5. Took a PB sandwich and apple to class when I was teaching Tuesday. I often want to stop on my way home for take out but since I was showing a film, I decided I could eat while we watched the movie. No take out! Yay! (And haven’t eaten out this week at all which is huge for the first week of classes!)
As a Middle School Librarian who is retiring today after 33 1/2 years in school libraries and 6 years in public libraries I just want to say THANK YOU for contacting your representatives about Mrs. DeVoss !
Congratulations on your retirement! I am at the 25-year mark, and I think I have about 8 more years to go! Enjoy!
As a mother of a middle schooler, I thank you for your service! Best wishes for your retirement.
Thank you for the kind wishes…and thank you for being supportive of libraries. I really LOVED middle school age students – so much fun, so full of energy, and eager to learn. Thank you again !
I have been snuggling my new grand baby again this week so that has caused me to have a few frugal fails due to poor planning.
Fail #1 I have not packed my daughter lunch one single day this week..or last week! This has cost me $2.75 per day in comparison to the $1 to $1.50 I normally spend on a simple packed lunch.
Fail#2 We have been eating out way more than usual
Fail#3 I am using a lot more gas to visit previously mentioned snuggly baby.. and that is worth it!
1. Last night I made low sodium meatloaf from reduced ground beef, leftover refrigerated egg yolks, end pieces of bread from the freezer, and gifted tomatoes. My family loves ketchup on top of meatloaf but since I am out of the low sodium ketchup I made a decent tomato sauce from some tomatoes, garlic, onions and spices to slather on top. Paired with some gifted sweet potatoes, this was a nice meal.
2. My daughter needed some cough drops and she picked out strawberry banana flavor. I noticed that a bag that was wild cherry flavor had 30 lozenges in it and the strawberry banana only had 25 in it for the same price. She didn’t really have a flavor preference and was glad to switch.
3.I was in a hurry this morning and didn’t have much time for breakfast. Rather than drive thru for a quick breakfast, I simply inhaled what my kids didn’t finish eating of their cereal and ate a big spoon of peanut butter to help it sustain me longer.
4.Dollar General has all of their Christmas stuff marked down to 25 cents or lower. I got several disposables tin containers with lids to make my older daughter some quick meals for only 25 cents per tin. I know using disposables isn’t the best option but she had a c-section so I am trying to simplify things for her with the new baby since her husband is returning to work. I also found some cute Frozen themed boxes for my younger girls Valentines’ surprises.
5.Another frugal fail- I have been drinking the damn soft drinks, again! They cost too much, make me feel bad, and I don’t even really like them as much as I used to. I’m back to water right this second.
Lemon in water or herbal tea might give you the flavour you crave and keep you away from soda. Plain mineral water and ice gives you all the fun of sodas without feeling ick.
I really need to start with the basics. I am very frugal about some things, and not others.
I was starting to get more organized just as my husband became ill, which really threw me. I need to look more closely at my finances, make sure that I have a good budget that will work on my salary, and go from there.
Any advice for menstrual cup use? I tried for three months and kept ending up with a horror movie in my pants.
Hey, I have a luna cup. Luna and diva cups are similar, I think. Just started using it a few months ago and I truly love it. Once you get it placed correctly, it never leaks. I never had that kind of confidence with tampons. I fold mine in half then push it in as far as it will go. It will spring open and kinda latch on to your cervix. Sometimes I have to reposition it with my finger. It is a learning curve but I feel it is worth it because I can wear it longer than a tampon and I don’t suffer from leaks. Mine came with two different sizes. I use the larger one because I have had three children so I assume my cervix to be bigger than someone without kids.,HTH!
Lol! Great description!!
Graphic description, I know. I am a nurse so the details seem minor to me, lol! Forgive me for anyone who is grossed out.
lol, priceless indeed…too bad your profound post will be lost on most folks!
1. almost done knitting a sweater for my cousins granddaughter. I made a newborn sweater for her other daughter’s shower and realized i had enough yarn – gifted yarn too – for one more sweater. so, i thought i’d make another one in a larger size for the ‘big cousin’.
2. hubby has been in the hospital 3x in the past month (he has serious medical issues). that hasn’t been frugal, but, since he was laid off and is now on my wonderful insurance, the bills so far are just over a thousand. his old insurance would have hit his 7500 out of pocket already. so, i consider it a frugal win.
3. made blueberry muffins this morning. i like keeping things on hand to whip up a batch of muffins to treat my men.
4. won 2 monetary awards last week from work. a platinum award (worth $200) and a gold award (worth $100). both for extra things i have taken on and because my “work is always completed with excellence”. i can choose gift cards from about 100 different places. I need new moccasin slippers from LLBean and want another hiking pole from Cabelas – so that will be $100 spent. I am debating on the other $200….i may need a new stove, so i’m holding off and may choose a lowes gc.
5. posted some new things on ebay and will create an etsy account for my 17yo sons’ paintings (he wants to sell some of the work he has created). hopefully the auctions sell and others like his work (as much as his mom does).
Congratulations on your awards and on talented son! Hope his work sells.
My husband also has had some medical issues and I am thankful for our excellent insurance coverage even though it is expensive. The alternative would have been far worse.
I know insurance rates are rising but the rate of increase has been slowed overall and that is progress. Wish everyone had opportunity to have same coverage and benefits that we enjoy.
* Got sheets on sale for new bed (15$ instead of 35$)
* Using library for books
* using 50% off coupon for outing with girlfriends tonight
* used Groupon for outing with Hubby yesterday
* Used PC points to get free groceries
* Using Netflix and owned DVD’s instead of renting or cable
* still on my old cellphone + 100$/year prepaid card. Working just fine
* Got headboard+bed frame+ comforter and bed skirt from Craiglist for new matress coming in (cost for all = 115$)
* Daughter wanted to see a show that is costing 130$/ticket. Answer : No. Asked her if she thinks 130$ is a good price for a show. Her answer : No! (she’s 7. She’s smart!)
* Did a grievance at work about a 4 hours shift that was suppose to be mine and given to someone else. I won. They will pay me 2 hours. Better than nothing.
Have a great frugal day!
1. I bought my son 2 name brand dress shirts, a name brand thermal shirt and a pair of athletic pants and my daughter 2 name brand onesies from goodwill. Spent $18 total after rounding my purchase up to the nearest dollar to make a donation.
2. Went to Aldi’s with a list and a meal plan and spent $173 for two weeks worth of food.
3. I work part-time, 2 days a week, and my mother watches my kids. Here’s to free reliable child-care!
4. We paid off an $800 student loan of my husband’s with a bonus check he got from work. He asked if he could have $100 spending money, I compromised and let him have $60.
5. We took my husband’s new suit pants to be hemmed and I had a skirt with a wonky zipper that I have not gotten to wear because of said zipper. I took it to the lady at the alterations shop and she fixed it and gave it back to me for free! Yay for a new skirt that I had in my closet!
1. I taught myself how to make stovetop pop corn. I don’t have a microwave so I used to justify buying pre-popped corn.
2. I sat on a seat on the train that had a day pass ticket that the conductor did not remove from the previous occupant (ethically questionable??).
3. I went to two grocery stores and noted prices on a few things I guy frequently that I will add to my master price comparison list.
4. I picked up 12 cents and got a free box of crackers at one of the grocery stores.
5. I took my parents to a furniture showroom and a beauty products store and window shopped.