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I spent the afternoon thrifting with my sister and mother and posed wearing the above pair of Dutch wooden clogs. My theory as to why EVERY THRIFT STORE has at least a couple pair of these is that tourists buy them as gifts, which immediately get shunted to Goodwill. I encourage travelers near and far to spend their tourist dollars on experiences and consumables instead of clutter. On an entirely different note, I make these look goooood! #DidntBuyThem
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I took a pair of free Levi’s jeans from a garage sale leftover freebie pile and turned them into the above shorts. They had an unfortunate “boot cut” flare to the legs, which was remedied using nothing more than a sharp pair of scissors. Free shorts, people! FREE!!!!
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I sold another item on eBay, which I quickly boxed up and have ready to drop at the post office tomorrow.
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I mended a baby blanket from last week’s garage sale freebie pile, I mended a pillow case, I bought my husband a pair of pay-by-the-pound shorts at the Goodwill Outlet and I did another TV appearance.
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I didn’t buy a Lear Jet or a vulgar gold-plated apartment in the sky.
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Nice wooden clogs, they suit you.
1. Taking my daughter to her academic orientation today. We will make the 1 1/2 hr drive in our hybrid.
2. We will drive back tonight and instead of getting a hotel room. The two days of orientation is for the kids, one day for parents. I will drive back and get her tomorrow and my husband will go to work.
3. My daughters and I washed our cars yesterday using our garden hose and car soap we already own.
4. I picked up a new sprayer for our hose because mine crapped out. I used my Menards rebate making it only $2.
5. Eating breakfast at home before we leave and taking snacks along.
1. I’m disputing the $65 my PCP charged me for filling out the medical paperwork to adopt my foster son. They wouldn’t sign it without an appointment, so I made what I understood to be my annual physical, which is covered under my insurance. They didn’t schedule it as my physical, which I didn’t realize until halfway through the appointment, and they billed it as an expecting parent pre-birth appt. And that’s not what I scheduled!
2. We got rid of our deep freeze, because we have a bad habit of forgetting it’s there and letting things go a little beyond when they should. We crammed everything into our fridge and are eating through it, keeping grocery bills low for the next few weeks.
3. We got $50 for the freezer from the electric company, even though it wasn’t fully functional.
4. For my brother’s new-baby gift, we gave him a package of diapers already in my stash. I know he will need and use it! Consumables, not clutter.
5. I’m giving my stash of cloth diapers to the above brother. They are going to use them once baby is a few months old! Frugal and environmentally friendly!
Congratulations on adopting your foster son! I hope everything works out with the Doctor.
Janelle, congratulations on adopting your foster son. I hope the MD bill issue is settled quickly and efficiently.
1. Heating our house using wood we saved when a tree was removed. We have been seasoning it and it is nice and hard. I was hoping it would last all winter but I think the extra cold start we had is making that unlikely.
2. Worked from home. Drank free tea and coffee supplied by me.
3. Made muffins using soft pears for after school snacks. Happy kids.
4. Hung our washing (indoors – it’s finally started raining, thank goodness). It’s foggy as well up where we live. It’s not even 9pm and I can see it rolling in. Crazy.
5. My Aunt called today and she is shouting my daughter and me tickets to Matilda: The Musical. No strings, just a lovely gift
We saw Matilda a couple of years ago on a trip to NYC and LOVED it! Enjoy!
1. I met my friend last night for dinner and used a buy one get one free coupon. I brought my leftovers to work for lunch today. I dread getting oil changes, so she went with me and we caught up while they worked. So much better than going alone.
2. Sold a household item on ebay for $27 that I had bought at a yard sale a couple years ago for $2.
3. Ripped the indoor/outdoor carpet off my back staircase, which was filthy and smelly. My house was a rental for 10 years before I bought it, and it shows. Added beadboard to the risers, and laminate to the treads. Looks much nicer, and will be easier to keep clean.
4. A lady posted two vintage Pyrex 4 quart bowls, red with the Christmas holly design for $5 each on a FB board. I bought both to sell on ebay. They are in excellent condition, and she was a super nice person to meet.
5. I posted a few more things to the FB sale boards and ebay. My new house is close to town so people can just pickup from my porch instead of meeting them which is SO great.
I have to say I love your #5. I got one of those rubbermaid bins with a cover and I just have people pick up stuff that I list on FB boards and just drop the money back into the bin inside of an envelope with their name. I’ve been doing it for a while now and it seems to be working great. I don’t have to rearrange my schedule to be home or to meet with them somewhere. Def a great idea. It’s helped us minimalize so soooo much too.
I just moved from Florida to Ohio. Went from a 2,000 sq. ft. house to a 1,000 sq. ft. apartment. Stuck the profits from the home sale into savings and not touching it. Made a promise to myself to furnish and decorate the apartment with things I have and not buying anything new.
If the sale of the house resulted in a capital gain, you have a 5 yr window to reinvest it in a primary residence before it is taxed. At least that was true when I was doing tax prep a few years ago. Might be worth checking with a tax professional. oxo
Thanks, we looked into it. With home sales, you can exclude up to $250,000 of your gain if you’re single, $500,000 if you’re married filing jointly. 🙂
Usually, people move in the opposite direction…Ohio to Florida! Welcome to the Buckeye State. I live in the southwestern part of Ohio (Cincinnati area).
Thank you! We lived in a suburb of Cleveland for about five years, then relocated to South Florida. I loved it there…and I agree…it’s usually moving North to South. I loved Florida. But…I’m a supportive wife who indulges her husband’s desires to have work that interests him. Six here we are in Akron this time. 🙂
Love the shorts! 1. I brought my lunch from home. 2. Ate breakfast at home. 3. Will walk for free today. 4. Will eat supper at home. 5. Did my own nails and I am wearing my $3.00 thrift store dress, which is beautiful. All of this is repetitive and boring, but hey, it is frugal!
It isn’t repetitive or boring to me. I just wish I could see the $3 dress. Eating at home seems boring, I guess, but usually I find I eat healthier when I eat at home, and save food from going to waste!
Cindy, I’ve been thinking about the “repetitive and boring” thing, and I’ve decided that having the discipline to master “repetitive and boring” is an essential frugal skill. All the things you mention and many more are necessary parts of being frugal!
“repetitive and boring” can also equal less decision making and more room in your brain lol!
Janelle,
congratulations on your adoption. What a wonderful thing for your family.
I am going to try to reshape my life to be more frugal and less wasteful. Here goes.
1. Called Amex for refund on coffeemaker that broke after 14 months. Manufacturers warranty was over, but Amex extends for a year. I am waiting to hear back on their verdict. (It was a pricey one, bought by my husband. Was not happy that it broke so quickly.)
2. Ate last of strawberries from my garden, and am eating sugar snap peas that are coming in in abundance. Will plant some more today, for later in season
3. Am cleaning out studio over garage. We used it to store personal belongings when we rented our house out, and it full of things that need “sorting.” After cleaning it out, I will be able to use it to paint in. I will be donating things to thrift shop for reuse.
4. Am housing many relatives for family reunion, as hotels are very expensive here in the summer. some of my nephews will be able to sleep in the newly cleared out studio!
5. Am borrowing blowup beds from sister and friend to supplement the ones I have already, instead of buying.
6. Happily I even have a 6th frugal: I worked two days overtime this week, writing curriculum that will be very useful to me during the coming school year.
Have a great week everyone.
Why anyone would buy clogs in Holland when they could buy the best cheese in the world is beyond me. #dutchcheeseisgouda
Definitely would have bought the gouda. The danger in that is it wouldn’t have made it home.
1. Took 3 bags of books to used bookstore. They took 2/3 of them. DS#2 found 3 books-Dune Messiah, War & Peace and a Fire Cat, a childhood book he once had. Eclectic choices! After those books I still had $13 of credit they added to my previous credit. Over $225 credit to use.
2. Planted the 3 markdown blueberry bushes I got over the weekend. Frugal because they are future free food!
3. Sold 2 more items on Amazon including one of the sewing patterns I bought from the charity shop 2 weeks ago. Trying not to wonder why a man in Hawaii wants a woman’s nightgown pattern.
4. Also sold 2 items on FB yardsale page. Sold 13 packs of patriotic party goods, bought at Target a few years ago for 90% off, for $10. Also sold new beachtowel clips for $5. Stuff out $ in.
5. Had our 22 year old heatpump repaired which had stopped working awhile ago. We’d been fine with fans but the 90°+ days are starting. Through FB yardsale group I found nice local guy who works for a HVAC company and does side jobs in our area. Blower motor had died. Replacement part $750 which DH picked up. $225 for diagnostic and labor. Frugal because replacing unit would have cost over $6000.
1) Shared leftover food from meetings with co-workers, and put two lunches aside for me for the week
2) Resisted the urge to buy a new necklace for an outfit I plan to wear to a wedding I am working this weekend. I didn’t want to “spend” any of the money I plan to earn at the wedding. Figured I would just use something I had at home. Then, at home, I found the perfect necklace–that I already owned, and was lost from sight–in the closet!
3) Making some of my lipsticks and pressed powders last until the bitter end before I buy replacements. I’ve been able to put off a new lipstick purchase for 4 months!
4) I buy said lipstick custom-made, and have been for almost a decade. It is my perfect shade, great quality and a tube can last me a year. I am also supporting a small, independent business in the process. I pay $22 a tube, but I save soooooo much more than that because I don’t have to buy tube after tube in the drug store trying to find the perfect product. Those purchases usually turn out to be a poor products or color choices. Those mistakes can cost me $12 a pop! And no, the $2 lip gloss is not a good buy.
5) Will take advantage of free afternoon snacks at work today
6) Bonus: So lucky to have a free gym membership through my employer. Free yoga class today!
I think paying $22/tube of lipstick that you *know* is just the right shade, good quality, and that you (perhaps) wear every day (or most days) actually is frugal. You’re not using more time, energy, trips to the store, as well as $ to find what you need. I’m always amazed at how much even “run of the mill” brands of makeup cost at the grocery stores, drug stores, etc. A few “mistakes” can add up quickly.
Wish I could find someone to customize a lip color here. I truly have a ton of lipstick that is just not right. There isn’t a department store in my town and have to drive 20 miles so today I did and picked up a lipstick I’ve used previously for 18.50. It’s ok, but the formula is not long wearing so I end up reapplying a lot:(
most larger drugstores actually take cosmetics returns (cvs, walgreens) even if it’s opened and just because it’s the wrong color. just a PSA for everyone!
There has to be some use for all of these wooden clogs. A whimsical little planter,perhaps?
In the town of Holland, Michigan, there’s a Tulip Time Festival, where folks get out and boogie in the streets in traditional Dutch costume (including wooden shoes, naturally). I am not making this up: http://www.tuliptime.com/dutch-heritage/dutch-dance/
i went to the tulip festival in May! The street dancing was great!
Lovely clogs!
Souvenir wooden clogs must be a Pacific Coast thing. I’ve never seen a pair in any of our GW stores. Perhaps it has something to do with the Norwegian Cruise Lines that dock in your area. That’s amusing!
Thanks for the link to your newest appearance. I’ll take time to watch today.
1) I’m dropping off an audibook today and started a new one. This one is an autobiography of Winston Churchill. I’m learning a lot British history listening to this one. Very interesting.
2) I’m heading out to the Dollar Tree today – we’re out of a few staples I can get there for very cheap. I’m going to stop by the west side GW and browse their shoes. I’m still looking for a good pair of mules. My old ones are coming apart everywhere now.
3) A very good friend of mine passed away yesterday. Instead of an expensive funeral her daughters are going to have her cremated and have a Memorial service & potluck dinner at the Church/Farm where we all gathered to Wildcraft & Forage. The Priest is a personal friend, so this will make it very special for everyone. She shared a lot of free foraging wisdom in the past 9 years and I’m going to miss her greatly. She was the most frugal person I’ve every known.
4) I four day weekend coming up for our Independence Holiday. My daughter and grandkids are heading out of town to visit friends and family, so I will be able to spend the entire four days at home. I am looking forward to getting some things done at home and totally relaxing. A mini-staycation for me!
5) Fuel has dropped to $1.99 per gallon at the convenience store where I trade. I can actually fill-up my 13 gallon car for $20 now, since I rarely get below a 1/4 tank anyway – I’m thrilled!
Sorry about the loss of your friend. Great plan from her daughters!
We did the same thing for my sister. She was cremated and my nephew has a beautiful property that can hold 100+ people. we had the memorial there and she would have been so happy!
Thank you, Nancy, I appreciate that.
I agree. Funerals are so expensive anymore, it doesn’t make sense to spend money you don’t have trying to bury people.
My condolences to you on the loss of your friend. I think I remember you telling us about her on HT long ago. I moved to Homesteading Families after the problems at HT, but I’m still mgm there.
I’m jealous of your gas prices… seems like I’m in the pocket of the US where prices haven’t dropped all that much. I will fill up tonight when I have to be in town… not sure what I’m going to pay, but it sure won’t be under $2/gallon.
Thanks, Mary, I appreciate it. 🙂
I found your message a few blogs back. It’s great to see you on here. I haven’t gotten on Melissa’s new forum page in a long time, but I rec’d a message from them a few weeks back inviting me to login in again. Hopefully I can do that.
I was shocked by the drop in the past few weeks. They said on the local news in some areas it has dropped to around $1.49 per gallon, but not in the area where I work or live yet. Normally around a holiday it spikes upward. I think part of the reason here may be that our state has a lot of storage tanks and apparently there’s a glut. I guess they are trying to relieve the glut by selling it cheaper, to get people to travel more. That doesn’t work with me though, I’m already in the habit of being fuel frugal!
That would be great.. I’d love to visit with you there. 😀
I looked at gas prices yesterday, and it’s still around $2.60-2.90/gallon in the local area. Even California has lower prices than SW Washington, and that’s practically unheard of.
I am in the heart of the Midwest, think Chicago. Clogs are here! I have seen them in thrift or flea markets, all over the USA!
I have a very pretty pair, from before 1954. My dad was stationed in Germany in the Korean War. My parents had just married, and she did not go with him. Fast forward, I was born after he came back in 1954. My mother unfortunately died when I was 5, she was 31. I have a brother, he was 3. When I was older, my dad gave me one pair of wood clogs, and my brother got the other.
They are nicer than the newer whatever tourist clogs.. old, since I am 63, and seem to not be production line painted. They are also varnished well with soft satin! I took them, when I got out of college and started using them at Christmas, for St. Nicks. I put them by the front door, and St Nick leave the gifts in them. My brother did the same, he had kids, I never did, though married. My dog and H got their treats in it. I added some carved wood carrots by then. I am now 63, and divorced, though I bought my ex out of the house. and live alone now in it.. I do less decor than ever for holidays, but I still put these in the foyer every year! I have a tiny wood painted pair, found in thrift shop, ornament size, I put on my tree too! I told everyone DO NOT BUY me any either.. These are enough! I am so not into tacky, but as my good friend said, you pull this off well, the clogs!
I have no idea why this not post under the Dutch shoes posts.. not disrespect to your dear friend that died.. SORRY!
1. Katy, I love watching your TV appearances! Such a great reminder and motivator about the frugal path, which is why it is my #1.
2. I had to “dress up” a tad for work today, and realize this means wearing a blazer I got for free on Buy Nothing, a pair of shoes from Goodwill, and a shirt from Buffalo Exchange. The jeans were bought new, but that’s one area I like to splurge occasionally.
3. Drinking coffee I made at home, per usual.
4. Work lunch today means I get a free restaurant meal!
5. I’m spending the long holiday weekend with some friends in their Eastern Oregon cabin. Hiking, cooking, and camaraderie are all super frugal and fun!
Stylish Katy! Love the jeans shorts. 🙂
1. Frugal confession: Lately I have not been sticking as closely to homemade lunches as I ought to because my darling boss loves to eat out. Even one $8 meal a week adds up in a hurry. This week we’ve both been good and eating what’s in our lunchboxes.
2. Frugal frustration: Trying to get our vet’s office to order a lower-cost heartworm preventative for our three dogs. I will prevail, but I’m a bit annoyed.
3. Frugal recycling: My son can now wear his dad’s clothes. Since his dad’s weight fluctuates, this means Son may not have to buy pants again ever. 😀
4-5: All the usual: Packing my lunch (religiously), wearing cute thrifted/secondhand outfits, hanging clothes to dry on the laundry room rack, driving with a light foot to save gas.
1. working at home today and tomorrow – no gas for commuting!
2. ate my LO salad from yesterday. brought it to work for lunch but they bought us lunch to eat during our meeting.
3. have to go to the apple store after i shut down today. DS laptop has a cracked screen. went to BestBuy and they suggested going to apple since they will probably have the screen on hand and it would be cheaper that way. (DS has to stop carrying his laptop by the screen…grrr). not cheap, but repair is cheaper than new!
4. had some blueberries in the fridge to use up so i made a batch of Jordan Marsh muffins this morning (a perk of working at home). Yummy frugalness!
5. finishing up the dark chocolate caramel pieces i bought a week or so ago. Hey, i can’t let them go to waste! That wouldn’t be frugal!
Are there still Jordan Msrsh stores in the Northeast? They used to have stores in Orlando and South Florida when I was young. My mother, who was from New England, liked to shop there. When we would make the trip into the city, we would eat in the little restaurant on the top floor near the linen department. Shopping was much different then.
Unfortunately, no. They were actually bought out by Macy’s about 10 years ago. (Maybe longer)
But the muffin recipe is good!!
Any chance of getting that recipe? A link to it would be wonderful. Please and thanks! 🙂
here it is!
http://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/famous-department-store-blueberry-muffins-recipe
Thank you! I never had the opportunity to shop at Jordan Marsh, but I have lots of blueberries on the freezer to use up!
Thank you so much!
My husband recently broke the screen on his lap top. He ordered one online, watched a you tube several times, and had me install it.
1. I dug out all of the pieces of our air popcorn popper yesterday. It was disgusting, I was tempted to throw it away but then I found a magic eraser and went to work on cleaning it up. Almost like new. I made popcorn to take with us to a movie.
2. Went to the free children’s movie at 9:30 with three of my grandchildren. Enjoyed our own candy, popcorn and water. They don’t seem to mind if we carry in for the free movie!!
3. Took the grandchildren bowling with our free Kids Bowl Free passes, I bought shoes so we wouldn’t have to pay rental fee.
4. Took the grandchildren to the free splash pad at the park and brought a picnic lunch.
5. Bought an 8 person tent in perfect condition for $40.00 from a Facebook sales site.
1.Looked into making my own tamales, talked to people who make them locally for sale. I can buy fresh made masa which is much better than the bags of dry stuff. The filling is easy and you can have what you want. Just not sure if it is frugal.
2.I’m starting my own challenge to not buy things prepackaged or the least packaging possible. Much of it is pretty easy, just have to think before I buy and say No Sack No Receipt Please. Looking for a local butcher who doesn’t use those plastic trays.
3. Haven’t figured out any way to help the seniors and disabled who will become homeless in 2018 when low income housing has a huge budget cut. I could give them my camping gear and a ride to the white house where I think they should camp.
4.Looking to trade my gas mower for an electric one. That thing is stinking up the world. Seems a little futile to just pass on the stink to someone else though.
5. Donated some books and movies to the library, what they can’t add to the collection they sell in their store and use the funds for things they need.
I might buy a vulgar gold plated building in the sky if I could to house some of the low income homeless 2018 will bring.
Tia, I *love* your #2, #4, and your last comment. Did my heart good to see your anger at the injustice, and your compassionate response. Thanks for making my day. {{{}}}
Dang, you’re pretty!
I love your modeling picture.
1. I stopped at the grocery store to pick up a few loss leaders. A coupon for a free carton of Halo Top printed. I found another one at an empty self-check kiosk.
2. My daughter and her boyfriend made us dinner last night. Much cheaper than eating out. They took care of everything. Maybe she will learn cooking skills from him.
3. I’m wearing a hand-me-up shirt today. A friend complimented me, I told her the source. The newspaper today had a big story on clothing swaps.
4. I redeemed eRewards points for airline miles and I’m working on my Swagbucks points. Once a month you can redeem 2,200 Swagbucks points for a $25 gift card.
5. A friend was having a hard day on Tuesday. It was hot so rather than take a walk (as originally planned) we sat on her patio and talked. Another friend thanked me today for listening to him on Monday. Sometimes presence/listening is the best gift you can give.
KD, I’m going to a swap on Monday night at church. It’s a pretty loosely organized one where we can bring most anything that we want to pass on. After everyone takes what they want, everything remaining is donated. I had a great time when we did it a few months back.
I went into a thrift shop this morning while I waiting for the bike shop to fix my bicycle tire and there was a paid of Dutch wooden clogs! There must be more here than in the Netherlands. BTW, the bike shop I go to fixes bikes with used parts when possible (I needed a new tire this time). It is cheap and makes me feel very cool.
1) In the above mentioned thrift shop I found a water bottle for 50 cents to replace the water bottles we have lost to breakage this week and a sippy cup for another 50 cents in excellent condition with a straw and bottom made for storing a snack. It is exactly the cup our early bird toddler needs when she wakes up hungry before the kitchen is open. I also bought a copy of a Univ. of Chicago translation of de Tocqueville. I am a historian of antebellum America, so me not having a copy is like an uber driver without a car.
2) I roasted up a bunch of veggies last night from things that were starting to look a little sad. I combined a pile of veggies with roasted chicken and a soft boiled egg for lunch.
3) Supper last night was fresh corn and tomato soup that used up chicken broth from the fridge and a jalapeno and cream cheese from the freezer left over from other meals. It is a soup that isn’t too heavy for summer. We pair it with a grilled cheese and the kids love it.
4) Night before last we made sandwiches for the kids, but I was reaaaallly feeling a burrito. Luckily I had a BOGO coupon for Qdoba, so my husband and I both got giant, delicious burritos that cost us under $10.
5) I need a book for an upcoming class I am teaching. My university has a copy, but it is an hour away. I was contemplating just buying it for $15. Then it occurred to me I should ILL it through my local library. $15 isn’t that much, but a bunch of $15 “it’s not a big deal purchases” can add up over time.
6) Chased off an Aflac insurance salesperson that stopped by our office. She tried to tell me that I need insurance to cover the copays my health insurance doesn’t cover. I would never subject my employees to that kind of sales pitch.
You inspired me to go pull a pair of jeans out of the donation pile and make them into capris with a cuffed hem! Thanks.
Rockin those clogs!
1. Frugal fail-plumber had to fix my washing machine pump motor. expensive!
2. Windows are open for a lovely breeze tonight and the crickets sound lovely.
3. I made pesto from basil and kale that were towards the end. I put them in the cuisineart with some olive oil, pine nuts and a bit of parm and it is delicious. I put 2 servings in the freezer for another day. I also put the parm rind in the freezer to save for soup.
4. Stayed at home today-no gas used
5. I made crabcakes for dinner with a can of crab and ingredients I had on hand from a recipe I had pinned on pinterest. I love pinterest!
1. Wearing thrifted dresses all this week.
2. I was honored as Volunteer of the Year for a local nonprofit. Was invited to the volunteer dinner to receive my plaque and was invited to bring my family. Thought I would have to pay for my family’s meals but turns out the restaurant donated all the food! Free family night out and it was nice to be honored.
3. Took a meal to a mom with a new baby. All the ingredients except the chicken came from freezer or pantry.
4. My son’s Montessori is having an end of the year party potluck for his class. Making crock pot burrito bowls with ingredients from freezer and pantry.
5. I found a lemon on its last legs. Googled things to do with lemons and found the lemon microwave cleaning trick. Half a cup of water in a bowl, squeeze the lemon and add the lemon juice and rinds to the water, microwave until the lemon water steams. Open up the microwave and simply wipe clean. My spouse had warmed some spaghetti a couple days before and it had splattered – every speck wiped clean. Will definitely use agin, especially since it isn’t one of my favorite chores.
Congratulations on being honored! Volunteers are the heart blood of any organization. There are so many worthy places to volunteer that anyone should be able to find something that truly calls to them, yet so many don’t volunteer for anything! If those folks each gave just a few hours a week or even a month, it would be amazing what could be accomplished.
Thank you! Yes, I agree. I do Storytimes for preschoolers in Head Start classrooms. It is a joy for me, and the kids love it so much. I think people don’t realize that there is so much available and it doesn’t have to be a huge time commitment.
Exactly! Plus, I don’t think a lot of people don’t realize how good it feels to help someone else. I helped with RIF and loved reading to the kids, too. I volunteer through a couple civic organizations, but my 2 favorite activities are ringing in a handbell choir and working with my local fair. My whole family is involved with the fair, either through 4-H, FFA, running the food booth for the local Grange, or as department superintendents. I have the garden dept, am in charge of the ribbons from ordering them to making sure all the departments have the proper ones for their entries, and help in the office. I pretty much fill in wherever needed. I love doing it.
1. I ate leftovers I didn’t want.
2. I scraped out the dregs of my deodorant with a tiny spatula and piled it onto the top of the new one.
3. I documented the 3 large boxes of stuff going to Goodwill tomorrow. This donation will be deducted at tax time.
4. I printed a 40% off coupon to use for some craft supplies I need. This store is next to the Goodwill, so I will combine errands.
5. We watched a movie from the library. I picked up the book I had requested. I love that whatever I want is delivered to the library near me within a few days (unless there is a long waiting list). Once I requested a book that was showing available in Nashville and it did not arrive as usual. Months later, I got a call that it was ready for pick up. When I tried to check it out, it wouldn’t scan. The librarian said ” Oh, you can’t check it out because it is not in our system. We sent to Memphis for it. Just take it and return it when you are finished.” That’s a great library system!
1.My DD was sick for 5 months and lost 40 lbs. She was trying on some smaller clothes and gave me 3 shirts that are too short for her to wear. I am 5 ft. She is 5ft 5. Sometimes it’s nice to be short.
2. Made a pan of brownies from scratch. Had them for dessert the entire week. They have cocoa instead of baking chocolate and oil instead of shortening, so as low fat as you can make brownies be!
3. Made my weekly batch of granola today.
4. Ordered a set of sheets on line and got the same coupon deal as I got in the store when I bought a first set a couple weeks ago. Saved a 30 min drive each way.
5. Cut off boot cut jeans for shorts—that’s just WRONG to those of us who hunt for boot cut jeans. Good chance they were not my size anyhow, as Katy is probably 5 inches taller than I am anyhow!!
1. Sold two vintage typewriters on Craigslist this week. I stood firm on my price. A lot of key choppers want to buy them for nothing. Those that really love and use them recognize their value.
2. Cut and dried some hydrangea. I love having flowers around and in the winter a dried arrangement will look pretty and be pretty much free.
3. Doing more rosemary starts from my HUGE out of control rosemary plant for gifts.
4. Went to an estate sale on Sunday last and they had so many terra cotta planters. They just gave me a bunch. I’ll clean them up a little and plant the rosemary when they are ready to go.
5. I hope a poor neighbor didn’t lose a kitty cat. On my daily walk, I spied a half a dozen cans of unopened cat food on a front stoop for the taking. My cat will appreciate the rare treat of wet food for the bargain price of nothing!
I just went to Greece with friends for 10 days so these five are a big struggle to come up with at the moment!!
1. Although I reeaaaally didn’t want to- I scheduled shifts to start for the day after I got back from vacation. Time to get back into earning mode!
2. Needed an outfit for a wedding next weekend (I’ve gained weight and nothing currently in my closet fits) and found a great one on eBay from a brand that I love for half the price of items in stores.
3. My MIL and I will have a stall this weekend at a local carboot sale. Good reason to clear out those too small items of clothing and earn a little money.
4. I avoided shopping while on vacation and brought home one handmade picture frame- we took really special group photos together and I will enjoy framing one for the gallery wall in my home.
5. We have two weddings, a big birthday, and a baby shower coming up so a few gifts and events to save for before the end of the summer! I have adjusted the budget to reflect this for the next month and we should be able to do it without too much stretching!
carboot sale? Is that in a parking lot?
A car boot is a car trunk. People sell from a field or parking lot out of them. It’s like a flea market/yard sale.
Oh that sounds like fun! Here, we use our car trunks on Halloween, if we want a safe place for kids to Trick or Treat. Its called Trunk or Treat. An alternative to going door to door.
We have a a place close to the City that’s in a more rural area they call Mary’s Old Time Flea Market.
They have open air flea market stalls and they rent parking spaces in an area in front where people set up to sell out of their trunks, truck beds or off a table in front of their vehicle. It’s been there for probably a century . They used to rent the vehicle spaces for $5 a day. Since it’s so cheap people don’t charge a lot for their wares and it provides a way for those with minimal income to make money for themselves.
Since farmers sell there too, theirs plenty garden food and small farm animals for sell too. I love it!
I’m in Ireland so it’s the lingo for flea markets/ swap meets etc. here. People pull up with a trunk-ful of items to sell. It’s nice and informal which means lots of bargains!
We call them carboot sales or ‘trash n treasures’ here in Australia.
1. Went to a concert that was part of a gift to me last night.
2. Ate out with friends, but ordered healthy options. Good health is frugal and it tasted divine. Eating out is a special treat for us.
3. Wore thrifted shirt and got compliments.
4. Lunch at work was a coworker’s leftovers. Her family won’t eat leftovers, imagine that. Took home a big tin of salad and fresh caught tuna, will eat for dinner. Maybe in fish tacos, yumyum.
What *is* up with all of the clogs?! I did admittedly buy clogs when I was in the Netherlands, but I actually used them for gardening.
Anyhoo, this week:
1. I’m eating homemade snacks that are moderately healthy. 🙂 Today it’s cauliflower fritters in a spicy yogurt dip.
2. I ordered a block of beeswax to make reusable cloth cling wraps. Less plastic waste for me!
3. I have a pair of workout pants that are an awkward length. Instead of getting rid of them, I’m going to trim them and turn them into stylish capris.
4. I bought a very, very nice blazer for work from the local thrift store for $1. Now I finally have enough blazers to get through my frequent three-day work travel trips.
5. I used an Amazon gift card to order soft nail caps for our cat. He’s a kitten and he destroys everything in his path, which is adorable, yet expensive. I put on the humane nail caps last night and he’s adjusting, but I’m loving it already. 🙂
Did you get a manly color for Zap?
1. Working on using food from the overstuffed deep freezer and not buying more despite, the Vaguely Happy Ribs on 60% sale. There’s still months of meals in that thing.
2. Making beef jerky and morning glory muffins for a road trip using – natch – beef and shredded carrots from the deep freezer.
3. Made a fruit smoothie from scraps: bananas that were almost free, the few remaining good strawberries from the box that roommate bought – but didn’t eat – while I was gone, an orange that was too bitter to eat, milk from the too-big container I bought.
4. Bought watermelon, cherries,bananas, and blueberries from Whole Foods, because WF is near that subway stop. All were on sale for about what I’d pay at my usual store.
5. Friends’ bachelor/ette party is this evening. Not much I can do about the cost of the event itself, but transport will be subway, walking, and taxi-share.
6. Marrying friends, who don’t need new gear, suggested donations in their name to their favorite charities, which are ones I donate to every year. This year’s donations will be in there name. I can’t decide if this is Frugal or Cheating.
Not Frugal: The AC needs a major repair.
Also Not Frugal: So does the furnace.
Mitigating Factors:
– Because I have a maintenance contract, the labor for the AC repair is free.
– Because I use the contract religiously, the AC repair isn’t a major as it might be.
– Because I use the contract religiously, the heater has lasted 31 years and this is the first fix it has needed in the dozen years I’ve owned the house.
– Because the I use the contract, I have months in which to choose a new furnace. Long lead time = time to save money.
Good Planning Pays Off:
– I started the house maintenance fund as soon as I became a homeowner, and contributed every year. While doing both in a year is a hit, it won’t create a financial disaster.
1. Visiting my mother, and keeping things simple. Needed to ride the bus yesterday and was totally out of cash, so I walked a mile and a half to the bank to get cash, then took the bus the rest of the way downtown. Not so frugal buying flower essences at the herb store, but I haven’t bought any in a long time.
2. Making dinner for the two of us with whatever’s around instead of going to the store, since she already has a lot of food. Two nights ago was a hodgepodge: we split a tortilla pizza (there was only one tortilla left), we split a bowl of ramen, and finished it off with a salad that used the last of the carrots.
3. While my husband and I were car traveling through New Mexico, the cheese got waterlogged in the cooler. I tested it out and found the pieces on the inside were not so bad. So we saved it instead of replacing the cheese. I was the one who really ate it–I’m so lucky he doesn’t judge me for things like that.
4. Speaking of flower essences, I always have amazing results from them. I could spend hundreds of dollars on expensive energy work or therapy, but the flower essences, for $10 a pop, cut through old patterns of thought just as well.
5. We were in New Mexico for nine days, and camped for all but one of those nights. The state parks are a great deal! with many of them costing only $10 a night for tents. We looked pretty funny at some of them, because our tiny tent and hybrid vehicle is so much smaller than most set-ups there. But great things come in small packages–no RV means more time spent outside watching the sunset.
My five frugal things today.
1. Ate leftover chicken with hummus even though it didn’t want it.
2. Made coffee at home and brought it in my to go mug.
3. Went for a walk outside during lunch instead of going out to eat.
4. I will have cereal and an English muffin for dinner as the English muffins are on their last leg.
5. I plan to make some mixed fruit smoothies to use up frozen fruit that has been sitting in my freezer. (will need to buy a bag of baby spinach to make this healthier but I will get it for cheap at Aldi)
(1) Still harvesting snow peas, lettuce, and mixed greens from the garden. Also, I just picked the first cucumber of the year, which will be the star attraction in tonight’s salad.
(2) Not much time for thrifting lately, but I did find a like-new pair of Flax brand linen pants for $5 for my Flax-loving Ms. Bestest Neighbor last Saturday.
(3) The Bestest Neighbors took us to a baseball game last Sunday (local AAA team). I’m keeping an eye on their house and taking in the mail and papers this week while they’re away. After 30 years, we do things for each other automatically (no scorekeeping around here).
(4) Bought no makeup. Haven’t bought any feminine beauty products except moisturizer (which I do need) for decades–and I could probably get away with Vaseline even for moisturizer in a pinch. I have no idea how much money I’ve saved this way, but I’m guessing it’s a bundle.
(5) Eagerly looking forward to 10 days off: My office is giving us Monday and Tuesday as Independence Day holidays, and I’m taking Wed. through Fri. to get DH through the second of his two cataract surgeries. I’m hoping to get into some serious frugal mischief, even between periods of nursing duty!
Great score on the Flax clothing! I have a maxi skirt from Flax I thrifted a couple years ago and I love it in the summer.
Around here, Flax is hot. The occasional trunk sales always draw crowds. My best recent thrifted Flax score for myself was a plain, rather boring, but Empire-waisted brown maxi dress that I wore with appropriate accessories (white cap, apron, and neckerchief) as a Regency servant’s costume at last year’s national meeting of my Literary Society. A good friend who rents costumes outfitted DH in a matching costume for free, in return for services I’d rendered her. We were the only couple dressed as servants in the entire mob, so we had a grand time!
5. Serious frugal mischief … A. Marie, you are funny! I still laugh whenever I think about the comment you made last time when Bettypants talked about milk fights.
And I’m still thinking about milk fights. Dairy farming is a major aspect of agriculture here in Upstate NY, so maybe a new event at the NY State Fair this year could be milk fights. Of course, they’d be a bit messy and smelly to clean up after–but at the State Fair, they’re used to that!
Hi A.Marie!
Sending you and your DH good thoughts for a stress free surgery and a speedy recovery!
Hope to see you both at the August FFL book sale!
Best, Barbara
And hello, Barbara! We seem to have missed you at last week’s FFL sale, but let’s try to catch up in August.
Oh my gosh Katy, I am totally wearing shorts I made by cutting off my leggings that were WAY past their prime! They make a great little pair of shorts to wear round the house!
My frugal five
1. I patched the top sheet of my bedding. My dogs like to paw the sheets and pile them up and lie upon them. I love my dogs. I love my sheets and instead of ditching them I always just stitch them up. This time I used a pretty floral iron on fabric patch and it worked great!
2. BF sprung a birthday party invite for his sister on me last minute. I was able to pull together a birthday bag of really lovely things for her. I included my handpainted zinnia pinecones, a handmade book about the beach, a handmade bracelet and a coloring book. The gift cost me nothing! And she loved it!
3. I brought a truck load of stuff home from a visit to my mom’s house. I sold a Revlon lighted magnifying mirror and a tee shirt already and have a few more items I didn’t want up for sale at Nextdoor.
4. I cooked on a cool morning so I have been using the kitchen minimally as I have pork and chicken and spaghetti and rice ready to roll in the fridge.
5. I continue to make my homemade sweet tea. BF is drinking a half gallon a day in this heat. We’re not running the AC as it’s HOT but not humid.
6. I did not tweet a bunch of crap, buy a gold plated apartment in the sky or a Lear Jet.
Although I think it’s great if people offer to give you free stuff at garage sales, I want to say, that’s it’s not good to go to these sales looking for free stuff and refusing to buy anything. People often have garage sales because they need to earn some extra cash. If they wanted to give their stuff away, they would just box it up and donate it somewhere. Sorry for the rant, but because of issues like this (people just showing up for freebies) lost of people don’t have garage sales anymore. I’m one of them. I don’t do these sales at all now.
I don’t either. The last one I had was not worth my time. I just donate everything now. I’ve sometimes considered selling on eBay but as I work full time I just don’t have the time to do it properly.
I don’t know… I hold a yard sale almost every year, and I do it because it’s worth it to make some money. That said, if I have leftovers at the end of the sale, I’ll put them on the curb with a “Free” sign. The people who come by and take that stuff are doing me a favor since it saves me from either making a trip to donate it or having to toss it out if it’s borderline garbage. I don’t care at all if the people who take my free stuff came to the yard sale or not. And if someone came by during the sale and asked if I had anything for free, I’d probably just tell them to swing by later to see what’s left. Maybe it’s different where you live, but where I am, I don’t think people are choosing not to have yard/garage sales because some people are looking for freebies. Usually folks decide not to have yard sales because they feel like it’s more work than it’s worth.
Same here….there are TONS of yard sales in my area, so I’m guessing most people find it a good way to make a few $. I stumbled upon a really fantastic one last year – a family selling multiple elderly family member’s stuff that had been in storage. The prices were unbelievable – I scored vintage forged aluminum ware (which I love), a vintage lighted ceramic Christmas tree, a 1960’s era Monopoly set (complete with flat iron and boot player pieces)….for mere pennies on the dollar. The family just wanted to get rid of it, and stop paying the storage fees. We grateful buyers were happy to help.:-)
I see your point, but I’m only going after the garages sales have ended and people have already put “free” signs on their stuff. I’m not asking people to give me free stuff that they’re not already giving away. And not that it necessarily matters, but this was a very wealthy neighborhood.
1. My PJ bottoms used to be knit pants, but the knees wore out. They’re now short shorts and very cool at night.
2. There’s a theater festival an hour away that we love. Preview week starts tomorrow–all shows are pay what you can. We’re driving up to see two shows tomorrow and another two shows on Thursday. Cheaper to drive up twice than to rent a motel room. I’ll pack dinners. We’ve hired a friend (who needs money) to walk and feed the dogs.
3. I think you’re all very altruistic to eat things you don’t like alone at home. I took my spelt and roast sweet potato salad to a potluck. Three people asked for the recipe. One more potluck and the gift spelt will be used up. It’s not bad, just a bit chewier than appeals to me.
4. One dog harness had a broken buckle. The harness doesn’t need to be adjustable there, so I removed the buckle and sewed the strap to the correct length.
5. Ate at home, read library books, hung the laundry outside.
Totally rockin’ the shorts and clogs look! I retired from nursing a few years ago and turned some of my scrub pants into shorts. 😀
1. Tested out 4 hoses I found at the recycling bins last fall. Was delighted to find that 2 of them are in perfect condition, and one big, long rubber hose only has a tiny leak about 3′ from the end, which already has a replacement end. I can cut that portion of hose off and reuse the same end. The 4th hose is a cheaper vinyl hose with a missing female end. I happen to have a box of hose mending parts, including the part I need.
2. I save the cut off pieces of hose to use when I need to stake a tree or make a new handle grip for a bucket or something.
3. I adopted one more kitten yesterday – not frugal when you factor in spaying her and care, but I live in the country, so mousers are priceless. On my way to get her, I found a covered litter box with a free sign on it next to a driveway. Talk about great timing!
4. I rode to chair exercises with my neighbor friend again yesterday, for free exercise and entertainment.
5. She and her husband were going to Costco last night and picked up a rotisserie chicken for me while they were there. It’s over 70 miles to Costco, so this is greatly appreciated. Any time any of us will be there, we check with the others to see if they need something.
No Lear Jet, nothing gold-plated and gauche, and no insulting, inappropriate, immature tweets, either.
Great job recycling the garden hoses!
Thanks, Bee.
I’m always trying to figure out how to get more use out of something rather than throw it in the trash.
1) It is the beginning of the month, so I scheduled my bill payments using our bank’s online system — no postage costs and no late payments. I also balanced my checkbook, created next month’s budget and reviewed June’s expenditures. I am always trying to stretch that dollar a little farther.
2) I find it hard to control myself this time of year at the Farmer’s Market — peaches, blueberries, cantaloupe, watermelon, cherries, grapes, cucumbers, zucchini, sweet corn, peppers, yellow squash….. there are just so many wonderful things to eat. I also purchase a farm share, so I end up with too many fruits and veggies. I spent sometime this week preparing and freezing this bounty. No need to waste food!
3) I needed to replace the water filter on my refrigerator. I was able to purchase a store brand filter for less than 1/2 the price of the name brand. This was a $27 savings. 🙂
4) I sold an item on eBay. I have many things to list. Hopefully, I can carve out time this weekend. With the weather in the southeast becoming unbearably humid, it is a good time to stay indoors and do this.
5) During my annual check up in December, I discovered that my triglycerides, blood sugar, A1C, and cholesterol were all slowly ticking upward along with my age. In fact, my doctor gave me 6 months to bring these numbers down naturally, or she would put me on medication. I knew that I was simply being lazy. So I banned ice cream and chocolate from the house, and I started running again 3-4 times a week. My visit this week told a different story — my numbers were perfect. It was not easy, but avoiding the long-term cost of medication and chronic illness is worth it. What’s more, it is definitely frugal!
When writing my fifth frugal thing, I did not mean to infer that people with these health issues are to blame. We are all genetically and biologically different. Some things we can not avoid even if we wish to. However, in my case, I knew that I was not being good to myself. If I offended anyone, I am truly sorry.
Bee, no offense taken….
I found out last October that my triglycerides and “bad” cholesterol (LDL cholesterol) were sky high (A1c was fine, thankfully). I have a bad family history of heart disease, so my doc started me on medication (she gave me the option of trying diet + exercise, but expressed doubt that it would help much with my genetics). My numbers are now great. Having said that, I *am* lazy, and need to commit to fewer desserts and more exercise. You should be very proud of the steps you’ve taken to improve your health!
Liz and BJS, thank you for being so supportive. Happy 4th! 🙂
5. Way to go, Bee!
Bee and BJS, Happy Fourth to you both!
Finally home from vacation. It was great to be away, but I’m happy to be home. Let’s see if I can come up with five frugal things….
1) we didnt realize we were supposed to bring our own beach towels when on vacation (duh!!), so hubby went to TJMaxx and bought three for $14.99 apiece. He said there were cheaper towels ($12.99 each), but they were thin material and not very nice….he felt the extra $2.00 was worth it. I agree. These towels will last a looong time, and our current beach towels are pretty worn, so a wise purchase.
2) Found a smaller beach towel that was left on the beach – washed it up – looks great. Our son can use it at summer day camp. Was generally appalled at all the stuff we saw left behind on the beach…t-shirts, sand buckets, etc., as well as all the stuff thrown away (a pop-up tent that must’ve fallen apart, a boogie board that looked fine…..?).
3)Doing tons of laundry now that we’re home; much less expensive than doing them at the coin laundry when on vacay. Did bring “gentle wash” laundry soap in a small bottle for washing out bathing suits.
4) Used toothpaste to remove some permanent marker our son accidentally got on the painted, shabby chic coffee table in our rental condo. It worked like a charm. Shhhhh, don’t tell.
5) Stumbled upon a fabulous deal at the grocery today – my favorite Wigwam hiking socks (thick, soft, warm for winter), marked down to $3.97….THEN an extra 50% off, making them $1.99 (US dollars) a pair. My Kroger’s usually sells them for about $15-18 a pair, with usual sale price about $11-13 a pair. Score!! Warm toes this winter! Because, as we all know, winter is coming…..:-)
Happy 4th of July to those who celebrate!
1. we have been allocating savings to several different accounts on our capitol 360 accounts. Roof fund, xmas, vacation, grandkids outings, and emergency fund. Last two paychecks we were really maxed out and we suddenly realized, “we are saving too much!”. Save until it hurts, then back off some. So we did.
2. before realizing #1, we went to the store with last $40 in cash. We really needed some groceries (eggs and olive oil!). I hadn’t been to the store with just cash in ages. We kept a running tally on phone calculator and made it with $36. I had forgotten how satisfying it is to practice hard core fiscal discipline, especially when you don’t HAVE to. Yes, I could have transferred money. it was right there in savings but we have goals that we are committed to achieving. This was one step closer.
3. we have been planning a 4 day vacation as I have not used one single day of vacation and we are halfway through the year. Made some half hearted plans and just weren’t getting excited. I WAS excited about paying off our loan for bathroom re-model. It is down to under $2,000. Husband said, “let’s do a stay-cation and put the vacay money towards loan.” Now I am excited! $700 towards that loan. YES!
4. Scored 6 jars of ice cream sauce and 2 jars of maraschino cherries from event I worked. Gonna use for grandsons birthday party.
5. harvesting cherry tomatoes, basil, cucumbers, okra, blackberries and herbs from garden. Really enjoying!
Oh, these wooden shoes..hahah! I live in the Netherlands and I know what you can use them for. You can hang them in your garedn (maybe paint them in a nice collor), make a sturdy plastic inside and use them as a hanging basket. Put some nice blooming geraniums or so in the clogs and it looks great. By the way, my husband wears them while gardening.
Did you know that your maiden name Wolk is a dutch name. Wolk means Cloud! A funny name also!