Five Frugal Things
by Katy on October 12, 2017 · 100 comments
-
I went to breakfast with a friend who insisted on picking up the check as I’d paid the last round. My meal was hearty enough to provide enough leftover food for today’s lunch as well.
-
I sold two thrifted Thule rack component pieces to ReRack, and I’ve lined up buyers for two thrifted items that should sell tomorrow. (The people will come tomorrow to pick up their purchases, although I don’t like to count my chickens before they hatch.) One of the items I’m selling is a “Margaritaville” brand shirt, which I picked up as Jimmy Buffett is playing in Eugene, Oregon next weekend. (If I’m lucky that earworm might stop playing on a nonstop loop in my head, but that may never happen as it’s worked itself deep into my addled brain!) I also submitted another Clark Howard article that’s been vexing me for a couple of months as it involved math, which is not my strong suit.
-
My husband and I went to see the movie Baby Driver last night on 2-for-1 Tuesday, which brought the ticket price down to $2 apiece. I broke out two dum-dum lollipops as a treat, and to really solidify that I might be the cheapest date ever. I didn’t love the movie, as I find it hard to enjoy super cool and stylized gun violence right after a mass shooting. (Actually, I never enjoy gun violence.) Also, this film’s two superficially written female characters existed solely to play off the male characters. I kept leaning over to my husband and remarking how ridiculous it was that the lead woman was willing to die and/or be on the lam for the rest of her life for a man with whom she’d shared a single date! I need to see a good movie to cleanse myself of this shoot-em-up dum-dum movie. Maybe I should just stick to gentle narratives like Game of Thrones.
-
I rescheduled a mandatory work inservice after somehow writing the time down incorrectly the first time around. I was super annoyed with myself for this error, although I did take it as an opportunity to pick up my free work sponsored public transportation pass which would set me back $1100 were to buy it for myself. I don’t use public transportation that often as I’m usually running at least three errands at a time, but I do use it whenever I need to go downtown.
-
I didn’t buy a Lear Jet or 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.”
Click HERE to follow The Non-Consumer Advocate on Twitter.
Click HERE to follow The Non-Consumer Advocate on Instagram.
Click HERE to join The Non-Consumer Advocate Facebook group.
Click HERE to follow The Non-Consumer Advocate on Pinterest.
Like this post? Then please share it with your friends!
Like this:
Like Loading...
{ 100 comments… read them below or add one }
1. I had no-spend days Monday and Tuesday (sadly not that common for me).
2. I cooked dinner at home every day so far this past weekend/week, really concentrating on using up stuff that needed to be used to avoid food waste. And we ate well. And it was tasty.
3. I took bus to/from work (sadly will have to drive today as I have a commitment right after work).
4. I didn’t buy several things I was tempted to buy (clothes, which are my downfall on the frugal front) but absolutely didn’t need. And I worse a head-to-toe thrifted outfit to work yesterday and received several compliments.
5. I did treat myself to a brief Goodwill foray after a grueling dentist appt. yesterday, and bought a cozy sweatshirt for at-home wear for $2.50 and a like-new running shirt for $6 (would have been $35 new). Yay Goodwill!
1. I didn’t go to the market today as planned due to being sick. So my husband cooked up some rice and reheated yesterday’s leftover peanut sauce.
2. We received some reimbursement money we’d been waiting on.
3. We’re loaning our big plastic tubs to friends for their move…friends help friends be frugal.
And that’s all I got for now.
1. I sat in front of my daughter’s dance class and priced… for two hours last night. Thankfully there is free wifi, so I watched Bargain Hunt on my phone while I worked. It encouraged me to skip a trip to Trader Joes that I didn’t need to accomplish yet.
2. Washed and hung out loads and loads of laundry in the hot sun, which made it dry quickly!
3. I’m considering a low offer on an ebay item I’ve had listed for a LONG time. Maybe it’s best to just get it out of the house…
4. Making a picnic dinner to take to my son’s cross country meet, so we won’t be tempted to eat out after.
5. Attending a “phone appointment” with my daughter’s allergist. This skips the drive and the copay, and since all I need to say is “yes, she seems to be doing ok” I’m happy to do it this way!
I did cave and get burritos for dinner last night. My daughter had a friend over, so my husband and I could have uninterrupted conversation instead of me cooking, and that was worth it to me!
What does #1 mean? Priced?
I was wondering the same thing….? And I’m envious of your allergist who does phone appointments for free…my former primary care doc charged $20 for an e-appointment (you basically fill out a form online with your symptoms – this is for routine stuff, like a sinus infection, etc – and they send you general advice and/or send in a prescription).
Price comparing things she was planning to purchase? ..I dunno
Sorry. My mom opened a children’s resale shop, and I’ve been buying pounds and pounds of clothes at the bins, washing them, then putting price tags on them, So that’s my new hobby, and I price (put price tags) on things whenever I have a few free minutes.
Ah! Thank you! I saw some awesome kid’s clothes when I went to my local GW bin store awhile ago. I hope your mom’s shop does well!
Thanks! I love rescuing things from the bins and putting them back into circulation.
1. Filled my 32 oz bottle with ice tea for bible study yesterday. Ate enough snacks so I didn’t stop for lunch.
2. Received another $10 Amazon award from my health insurance company for doing online surveys. I now have $30 which I’ll save for holiday gifts.
3. Booked our thanksgiving trip using air miles so the only cost $22
4. Cooked hubby breakfast every am. He’s on the Atkins diet.
5. Decided to give school supplies I have on hand to trick or treaters vs. buying candy or snacks I’ll eat.
I love your idea of giving school supplies to Trick or Treaters!
1. Husband treated me/us to lunch out today. I had regular coffee and he stuck to water. We both skipped sides with our (low carb) burgers, which seemed to worry the waitress. Of course we still tipped!
2. Saved enough reward points to buy my son’s school requirement for grade 1 next year, only to receive a letter from the teachers asking parents to please order from the official school supplier. On comparing, I discovered the price has DROPPED R186 from last year. I will use saved Christmas cash for stationery, and spend reward points for Christmas.
3. Made a savoury rice and lentil dish using rice leftover from Indian takeaway. My son loves rice: hello school lunches!
4. I bought a used Kenwood chef at the local pawn/2nd hand shop for R200. Much quieter motor than my circa 1952 model. Now seeking attachments…
5. Did not build a presidential palace in KZN using public funds.
Caroline, what is a Kenwood chef?
Have you seen The Big Sick or Hidden Figures? They are both on dvd at Red Box and are both very good.
Thanks for the movie recommendations.
I also found I liked Moana best of any (kids) movie I have seen this year and we just borrowed Ponyo, a Japanese version (in English) of The Little Mermaid, from our library. Tina Fey is one of the voices. DS and I both enjoyed it. Can you what movie night is like in our house? 🙂
Ham!
🙂
We make a lot of “ponyo noodles” at our house. 🙂
1. I had lunch with a friend yesterday. I ordered the special and water so very inexpensive. Afterwards I had a haircut scheduled so I chose a place close by to save gas and time.
2. I was still full from lunch so my husband ate leftovers and I had a few cheese and crackers instead of fixing a full dinner.
3. I woke up early enough to do a couple loads of laundry and take advantage of cheaper electric rates. I’m using my drying racks to dry them.
4. I soaked the cloth shower liner from my daughters bathroom in iron out yesterday to get all the rust stains out of it. We have well water with a lot of rust. It’s not perfect but much improved and I don’t need to buy a new one.
5. Walked with a friend today since I don’t have a gym membership. It was good exercise and entertaining.
Our Souls at Night on Netflix (Jane Fonda/Robert Redford) was a very sweet and nonviolent film.
Excellent book that I highly recommend. Have not seen the movie.
I watched that movie last night, very sweet. Bittersweet.
We watched it too. We liked it…even hubby!
I’m loving these more frequent FFT posts. It keeps me on my toes!
1. Last night, I made a healthy sheet pan meal of cauliflower, carrots, broccoli, and chicken. The bags of fresh veggies were marked down, as was the chicken. I diced up an aging tomato and threw on top just to keep it from being wasted. While all that was cooking, I made some turkey burger patties(also reduced) and some quinoa. I made 4 bowls of quinoa with turkey patties to take each day for lunch. I threw in some of the leftover veggies from the sheet pan meal in each bowl. I’m trying to eat more healthy so preparing cheap, healthy meals at home keeps me from the lull of the Italian place that is right next door to our business. That stuff smells so darn good!
2. Everything my kids wore to school today came from yardsales except the underwear. I was so impressed on how great they both look that I even took a picture. So many high end clothes and accessories can be found second hand I don’t understand why everybody doesn’t do it. It it so worth getting up early for.
3. I submitted an entry to a frugal blog contest for a money saving idea and won a $25 gift card! I didn’t win the contest but they gave me the card for an honorable mention because they liked my entry and will post it some time in November. I usually don’t do things like this but I have learned a few helpful tricks along the way and it actually paid off. I plan to put that money toward some Christmas shopping.
4. My husband was driving through Hardee’s for a biscuit for himself(not frugal) and was pleasantly surprised when the car in front of him had already paid for his purchase. What a nice way to start the day!
5. I have a long, drawn out story about how somehow my husband paid a $319 bill at Lowe’s for our Lowe’s card that had already been paid. I won’t go into all of that because it is complicated to explain but I did contact them and they are returning our money. I really wanted investigate this further because when things like this happen, he gets very angry, pays the money, then moves on. I get mad, also, but I don’t let it go until the money is returned. He also cancelled our Lowe’s card, which is a bummer, but we get plenty of reward points from other card so that it shouldn’t be a big deal.
I’ve given myself a utility challenge. I’d like to see how much I can skim our utilities down this month.
1) I’m trying to get 4 meals-worth of dishes in the dishwasher each cycle.
2) I’m accompanying my 6 and 7 year old to the bathroom so that they stay on task during their showers.
3) We are also taking showers back to back so we don’t have to wait for the hot water to reach the shower for each person (We pay for our water, so this saves our water bill tremendously.)
4) I’m collecting the remnants of the drinking glasses to water our plants.
5) We’re watching more tv on our small bedroom tv than the larger one in the living room.
When we lived in an extremely remote Alaskan village, where water was 18 cents a gallon and delivered to a tank only twice a week so tough nuts if you ran out, my husband and I showered at the same time and could both get in and out in the length of one song on the town’s little radio station. Luckily it was a large shower, not a conventional tub, or I don’t think we could have made it. (The electrical costs were extremely high, too, so this also saved in that area.) When we moved back to town, it seemed odd to be in the shower alone!
Great memory! Thanks for sharing.
My fft
1. Made a budget for walmart of only $30 left there having spent only $26.69 I needed to replace our pillows (the old ones will get washed and used for when company comes) needed to get me new tennis shoes found some marked down to $9.98 and they are memory foam shoes!!
2. divided bulk ground meats
3. using up odd bits in meals the last few nights
4. Hubby and I have a soup supper potluck coming up and the only cost is a dessert which I have everything on hand so it’s basically free, the event is in our apartment community.
5. Got my free flu shot this week and have gotten free rides with neighbors and friends this week.
1) Asked a realtor to tour our (still messy) house to provide an “as is” price point. Her barely contained enthusiasm was encouraging, but her inability to not suggest we replace appliances / paint walls / make expensive repairs was not. I’ve contacted another, and will try to find one more. If they all agree that it won’t sell as is, at least I’ll know.
2) Hot drinks and OTC meds for this brutal cold. I’d really like to climb into bed for a week, but alas, the work schedule won’t allow it.
3) Leftovers, leftovers, leftovers – breakfast, lunch and dinner. With the occasional back-of-the-drawer vegetable thrown in.
4) Dug up and repotted a couple of gigantic basil plants from the garden so we’ll have fresh basil into the winter. Not sure the Thai basil will have survived last night’s low of 34, but if it did, I’ll bring it in tonight. Have to empty out another pot or two to make it work.
5) Am not pretending that other people’s money is erasing my own debt. Honestly, it just gets worse and worse.
1. For my brother’s 55th birthday, I made cupcakes from a mix I had on hand and frosting from scratch. It cost only about $3 and the cupcakes were delicious! Gifted brother $30 for his birthday, which he liked much more than any “thing” I’d have gifted him. Though it was HIS birthday, he insisted on making us a fish dinner. It was delicious. Saved a few cupcakes for us and brought one to my neighbor.
2. Shopped at Kohls for my 92-year-old mom, online and in-store so she didn’t have to try-on in the store. The store pickup was free and Kohl’s is on the way to mom’s house. Using coupons and discounts, the grand total for 3 pairs of pants and 1 shirt was $65 (inc tax). It seems like a lot but there is no thrift-shop shopping with a 92-year-old and I was able to return the things that did not fit on my way home, so this was perfect and mom was happy.
3. Did I already post that I reupholstered my car sun visors for $4? I’m so proud! They look fabulous and now I don’t have embarrassing, torn up visors dropping deteriorating styrofoam on me every time they move. Instead of buying the kit, — $40 EACH online (Seriously!) –I watched a you tube video, bought a half-yard of headliner fabric with a 50% off coupon and did it myself. The mirrors don’t stay open :-/ but the visors look great.
4. Cooked dinner yesterday from the freezer, a pork loin I got for $5 and made broccoli, cauliflower and mashed potatoes. I had the same for a late lunch today. The leftover pork loin will be used for several more meals.
5. Babysitting a friend’s daughter tonight, so I will earn a little extra money with the added bonus of hanging out with a little girl I love.
1. Visited the overstock store yesterday and scored a pair of dress leather gloves for my husband for $10. He goes thru about 4 pair of these each winter. I haven’t resorted to sewing tapes on his coat sleeves – yet.
2. Also bought frozen asparagus and 100% cranberry juice at greatly marked down prices.
3. Shopped in my closet for a winter purse. Cleaned one up, filled it with my stuff and discovered that the zipper wasn’t working. Found another purse that will have to be cleaned, but no new purchase!
4. Putting my crockpot to good use with a chicken carcass and vegetables in broth – should be ready for dinner with a few additional herbs and spices.
5. Asked husband to bring home old used files and paper clips from his office – for my reorganization of financial files project. He did, so no expenditure there either.
These more frequent posts are great but I don’t think I can keep up 🙂
1. So far, our tiniest garbage bin experiment has been successful so we’re saving a good amount monthly by lowering our waste.
2. I ran out of medical gauze for bandaging our dog’s paws (he gets really bad hot spots) so I cut up a large torn gown into strips to make bandages because they don’t need to be sterile, just clean. They actually seem to work better than the disposable gauze and wraps!
1) A few posts ago I mentioned that we had received a check back from escrow that was larger than expected. Two phone calls and some research later, I was assured by our mortgage company that it was accurate. The timing of our property tax payments and their audit made this discrepancy invisible for the first audit (last year) of our account. So – money to pay down debt (hopefully retire the truck loan) and 10% of the check for charitable giving.
2) Shopped only the sales this week and even at that I probably bought more groceries than I needed, but spent about $20 only.
3) Made a frittata this morning out of what a lot of folks on here call “bits and bobs”. Grilled veggies, the end of our fresh broccoli, half a potato , the end of a container of feta and 4 eggs. 4 servings for breakfast or lunch.
4) I needed a black top for a concert I was in last Sunday so I popped into our thrift shop in town. It was BOGO day so I filled in a couple of gaps with a new to me gray long sleeved t-shirt and one in black, a gray cable knit sweater, and a short sleeved black sweater for the concert. My typical everyday outfit in fall/winter (when not at work) is a solid color long sleeved t shirt and pants so I am happy for the additions. $9 total for all four pieces.
5) Picked up apples off the ground again from the farm across the road. Chopped apple cake and Apple Improptu (an old recipe from my uber frugal Nana) for the cost of the flour and sugar basically. Yum!
5. I’m curious about the apple impromptu. Would you mind sharing the recipe?
Sure Jennifer! My Nana would be thrilled. I think this recipe is from the 1950’s. There are some fun links on the web about the fact that it is a “vintage recipe” – I guess many of my favorites are 🙂 . My slightly modified version of Nana’s is below:
1) Place 4 cups peeled, sliced apple in a 9″ glass pie pan. Sprinkle generously with cinnamon sugar and microwave until apples are softening (1-3 minutes depending on microwave). If you don’t use a microwave, bake, covered with foil, for 20 minutes at 400 degrees.
2) Cream together 1 TB soft butter with 1/2 C sugar. Add 1t vanilla, 1 egg, 2/3 c flour and 1/2t baking powder. Mix until blended and spread on apples. It will be sticky, but spread as much as possible.
3) Bake 20-25 minutes at 400 degrees until apples are soft and top is golden brown.
This is often dessert and then breakfast or snack the next day in our house. I have also made it with a variety of fruit – peaches and blueberries most often after apple. Enjoy!
Sounds really good! Do you ever add nuts, raisins or cinnamon to the mixture?
Hi Bee – I avoid nuts in most everything (except a beloved date nut Christmas cookie) as Dear Wife is allergic to walnuts and DS is off all nuts at current. Hopefully he will be tree nut tolerant at some point! But I think any of those additions would be tasty either in the cake part or the fruit mix. I almost always add extra cinnamon!
Oh that sounds great and uses things I always have on hand. I bet I would have loved your Nana and will think of her frugality when I try this recipe. Love that it seems like it will work with many fruits. Thank you!!
1. I wore my nearly new $3.00 thrifted skirt suit, bought at the Salvation Army Christmas closeout sale last year.
2. I ate leftovers I brought from home for lunch today, and drank water from my thermos. I did buy $1.00 worth of roasted peanuts from an older gentlemen who comes to my workplace and sells the peanuts he roasts, and gives the money to his church.
3. I went to the local grocery store yesterday after work, and bought 8 lbs of potatoes for $2.49, tomatoes for $1.19 lb, and cabbage at 39 cents a lb. I think, with tax, the bill was $4.47. That is my grocery shopping for the week.
4. I boiled two eggs from breakfast. The eggs were bought at Aldi for 69 cents a dozen.
5. I admired my friend’s 4,000 square ft home, with expensive furniture, and felt no need to upgrade my 912 sq ft home with admittedly shabby furniture. I am truly happy for her but do not feel the need to compete. On the other hand, she is tall, very thin, and blond…now that, I do envy…I am more like Winnie the Pooh. In fact, Pooh’s figure and mine are the same …lol.
5. I’m feeling like I may resemble the donkey.
Lol Jennifer!
LOL. too
I’m right there with you. LOL
1) Retained bones from grilled meat to simmer into healthy bone broth.
2) Dehydrated fresh garden green beans for winter soups
3) Used leftover dill pickle juice & empty jar to pickle excess okra from the garden.
4) Drinking ice water all day, every day – no sugary drinks. Healthier & cheaper.
5) Cooked at home every day and made 3-4 servings of the main dish each time (cook-once, eat-twice) for the freezer so that future meals are thaw-heat-eat easy!
1. Made another sale on Poshmark. Used shipping supplies recycled from my stash. Used a bow reused in my stash to make it nice.
2. Found a gently used pair of slacks in a color I’ve wanted for work on Poshmark. Used the funds in my Poshmark account to buy them. Nothing out of pocket!
3. Eating lots of squash and other seasonal foods with mark down meats in my freezer.
4. Was at a workshop that I thought provided a lunch. They didn’t. I did buy a fast food sandwich but drank water and passed up on the fries.
5. Watching the new series we love on Hulu. Love Hulu!
Last school year, I went to a lunch workshop during my lunch break. I walked in, was told to grab some lunch and wait for it to start. I was pretty happy because I had brought a measly lunch just in case they didn’t have food. When I sat down, I realized there was material on the table that didn’t have anything to do with the workshop I planned on attending. I got up and looked for another room and found MY workshop. I wasn’t going to walk in with my lunch into a workshop with no tables and where no one else was eating. I finished my lunch at the first workshop and then went to the right one. XD
1. Brought home 5 slices of Papa Johns pizza and 1/2 gallon sweet tea from a meeting. Happy to clean up!
2. Nine merchandising and mystery shops done today. College fund!
3. Ordered 4 $25 Walmart gift card through Mobee rewards. It’s an app that pays in GCs for quick mystery shops. Will send to DS#2 who’s in college to buy groceries. There’s a smaller WM 2 blocks from his house. My idea of hell is WM, but free groceries for him and no pop for me.
4. Spent $2.66 at grocery store, saved $17.66 and got back $1.25 on Ibotta. Included Perdue chicken, 2 Perfect protein bars, 2 tictacs, 4 Nabisco snack bags, 5 hand soaps and pretzels.
5. DS#1 filled his Rx at the grocery store that is giving $25 GC for each Rx filled. He didn’t give them the store card so I will go get it credited tonight.
1) Bought items that were only on sale, including 2 rotisserie chickens on sale. Cheaper than cooking them myself. Chicken dinner tonight, sliced chicken sandwiches tomorrow. Chicken salad for sat brunch, and chicken soup.
2) Hubby and I both drink coffee, I make a pot a day. If we don’t drink it all, I freeze it into icecubes and add that to my smoothies. Also, I don’t buy the expensive drinks.
3) Hung out laundry, gotta love free line drying. I think I used my dryer 2xs in the past 6 months.
4) Hubby and I bring our food (leftovers & stuff) to work. Trying to feed him otherwise is too expensive. Only 1 month until the marathon & he is eating me out of house and home.
5) Used Ebates and Groupon for a weeken away with Hubby (married 20 years).
PS. If you find that you are not hearing the dialogue (especially in Game of Thrones) put on the closed caption. I find that people mumble more that I am getting up there.
We always used closed caption. Love it. Hubby uses it during the daytime with no sound, because I’m sensitive to sound and easily distracted if I’m reading.
Before moving to Hawaii we bought all my husband’s aloha shirts at Goodwill – the most expensive one was only $6.95. Reyn Spooner Aloha shirts have good resale – they often retail for over $100, new. We found a few of them at Goodwill . . . one even had the tags still on it!
Thanks for the movie review – I will avoid it!
1. Took our child out for dinner last night while our eldest was in respite. We used a BOGO voucher and drank water
2. I’m planting the rest of my summer garden this weekend using seeds I already have
3. I’m bringing my lunch and coffee and tea to work every day this week
4. I submitted articles for my side gig
5. I’ve been off Facebook for a month and I’ve found it to be an improvement in my general productivity
Enjoying the frequent fft’s. I don’t always have enough to comment on, but reading everyone else’s comments renews my resolve to do better.
My fft:
1) I mentioned a potential impending CL sale of 2 Land’s End puffy vests the last time I commented – the deal actually happened! Met the nice young man after work who bought both men’s vests. $20 into DS’ college fund. I think the vest buyer expected (was hoping for) a younger, prettier seller…..he kind of looked disappointed when he saw it was me. Ha! I don’t care, I’m just looking to flip some goods for cash.
2) Have a potential fb marketplace sale lined up. Not holding my breath until more details are known.
3) Have another fb marketplace sale pending….it’s a bit problematic in that the potential buyer lives out of town (like, a 2-3 hour drive to my town). I’m willing to mail it, if the buyer covers the shipping cost. We’re still working out the details. How do you resellers deal with payment, say, from eBay sales? Do you accept PayPal?
4) Bought two niece’s birthday gifts – one from Amazon (went through ebates, got free 2 day shipping via Prime, and used credit card rewards points, so no out of pocket costs), the other from Forever 21 (also through ebates, + got 10% off which almost covered the shipping cost).
5) Working my Swagbucks daily. Snagged two fb secret swag codes, as well as watching videos (with sound off while at my desk at work) and answering surveys. Points are slowly accumulating.
Did not gold plate my status-y 2009 hybrid Highlander.
I have accepted paypal on two occasions and the buyers just had to trust that I would actually mail out their items. The risk is as the buyer, not the seller.
Thanks, Katy. In my case, the buyer is sending me a money order, and then I will send out her item, using a “flat rate” USPS box. True, there has to be some level of trust that i’ll send it (which of course I will). Oddly enough, a local buyer asked about the same item the same day….after the item languishing on fb marketplace!
Liz B, how did that sale work out? It’s my understanding that money orders are often fraudulent, that the seller winds up shipping believing the mo.o will of course be valid, and then gets stuck for the funds. I hope your sale went better.
I was tempted by the Jimmy Buffett concert in Eugene, but I have to work out of state. I saw him in Eugene for the first time in the early 1980’s. It was a blast. Now I have that catchy tune playing in my head. Such good memories.
1. Husband has a sore throat but won’t take any over the counter medications or go to the doctor. He needs his voice because he sings in a choir. SO I mixed up a potion of fresh lemon juice, local honey I got by bartering some canned goods, and some bourbon left from a relative’s visit. Forced him to drink several cups of tea laced with the potion. He fell asleep at 7 pm and slept all night through (if you are older, you know what a luxury that is!) and today is feeling better. No money spent for doctor or medications.
2. Thawed a bunch of chicken, only to find out it was last year’s pumpkin pulp—as if I don’t have enough from this year’s 25 pumpkins. Just finished four hours of making pumpkin breads and cookies for the freezer, as well as a mac and cheese and pumpkin and sausage casserole for dinner. No one can taste the pumpkin.
3. Half an hour ago, found three sharpies and freezer tape and put them in the drawer next to the freezer so I will label foods and stop thinking I will remember or recognize what is in that doubled bread bag I froze something in.
4. Did three mystery shops that involved buying small amounts of gasoline—great way to top off the tank for free!
5. It went up to 38 degrees in our yard yesterday, so I forced myself to hang out the laundry instead of using the dryer. I do not enjoy handling wet items in cold temperatures.
Deliberate frugal fail: bought two books new, rather than waiting for them at the public library. Supports the last locally owned bookstore and the authors and just felt good to read something right after I read the review! I used to do this at least once a week, so doing it four or five times a year is a huge improvement for me. After I am done reading, I donate the books to the library, which makes me feel momentarily virtuous. Honestly, I would almost be willing to buy used underpants than give up buying books.
I have defrosted the wrong thing and sworn that I will start labeling my frozen items. However, I really hate it when I can’t figure out what it is after I defrost it. Sadly, it has happened.
Lindsey – You are making me laugh more than once in this post. I feel you on the pumpkin pulp – my mystery freezer item turned out to be butternut squash. And the used underwear comment is too great. Droopy drawers from worn out elastic is a no go for me, but supporting local businesses has its own frugal benefits. Go you!
I once thought my plastic container had a complete lunch, only to open it at 12:30 and find a cup and a half of cooked pintos. I ate it for lunch. And started putting only lunches in the yellow Tupperware.
I lie to myself all the time — I tell myself I’ll recognize that is three cups of zucchini. But I frequently stare at frozen foods, wondering about the woman who put some mystery item in the freezer. Thanks for the reminder to label the stuff I froze yesterday (and will freeze today).
Lindsey, I laughed at #2, I once thawed what I thought was 1/2 pack of bacon and it turned out to be a trout. I had wondered where that trout had gone!
You all are so funny, your stories make me feel so normal.
We are dog sitting for 3 weeks for our son and DIL which is actually frugal for us as well as them. Having 2 dogs to tend to means:
1. We have eaten at home rather than going out.
2. Hubby opened a can of tomatoes instead of tomato soup as I requested the day I was sick so I made chili from pantry and frig items.
3. I don’t need anything for my Fall wardrobe – no clothes shopping.
4. Free exercise walking 2 dogs.
5. Frugal for them: no boarding costs for 3 weeks.
1. We recently retired, moved to Florida, purchased an older condo, and knew the appliances were originals, but hoped they would last for a while. The refrigerator died. Got ice and filled the washing machine with everything from the fridge and freezer. Spending $20 for ice is not frugal. Saving $200 worth of food is frugal.
2. Meat had defrosted, but stayed very cold. So I started cooking ~ crockpot creamy mushroom pork chops with red potatoes, next crockpot chicken vegetable soup, finally a small pork roast in the crockpot for pulled pork sandwiches, also made a meatloaf, and cooked up hamburger for use in a casserole later. Whew! Lots of great meals in the freezer.
3. First appliance we noticed that would need replacement was the dishwasher as it was not cleaning ~ I would prewash dishes or end up rewashing many of the dishes. Not frugal. So we purchased a dishwasher while we were refrigerator shopping. On sale! Lady called and told me it could be delivered Friday ~ free delivery, but installation was $99! I asked nicely if she could help on the installation fee and she waved her magic wand and got installation to $50!! Sometimes you just have to ask nicely.
4. Cut tubes of toothpaste and body lotion to get the last bit out.
5. Went to free Zumba exercise class.
1. Bought an apple crunch pie from a friend (it’s her side hustle) for $5 – not exactly frugal, but helped her and it’s been a bad couple of weeks around here, so I decided we needed a small treat.
2. Had some gifted cherry tomatoes with my (leftovers from dinner) lunch at work today.
3. Went to the grand reopening of our Aldi yesterday – eggs were 25 cents a dozen, milk was 97 a gallon, there were lots of samples, some good coupons, a free reusable bag, and they had pumpkin/squash pasta sauce and pumpkin butter on sale!!
4. Took a chance on a bag of Armour frozen meatballs from Dollar Tree, made meatball subs tonight with a can of Pssst! spaghetti sauce and some marked down buns = yum!! Will be buying those again.
5. Have been needing a nice fall jacket and was looking for a zip-up hoodie. In cleaning out the hall closet, I ran across a nice fitted fleece jacket that fits great. NO idea where it came from. A former GF of son #2’s, perhaps? Don’t know, but she’s been out of the picture for 2 yrs now, so it’s mine now!
Ooh . . . good to know about the meatballs. Thanks!
I second letting us know about the meatballs, I haven’t noticed them at my Dollar tree yet. I have paid $2.49 at Kroger for those on sale. My favorite find there is Hormel pepperoni. It’s so expensive at Kroger and Walmart and only $1 there. Dollar Tree boxes of individual packets of Hunt’s tomato paste now so I don’t have to put what I don’t use out of a can in the freezer anymore. Love Dollar Tree!
Score on the fleece!
Yes I love the pepperoni there too, and the horseradish sauce!
1. found out yesterday, on my birthday, that I won 3rd place in a photo contest for a New Hampshire group (The Society for the Protection of the New Hampshire Forests). printed out the photo and a note for my mom to mail to her so she can hang it on her wall at the nursing home. Got lots of ‘congrats’ from everyone at work!
2. went to Subway to pick up lunch for the directors since they were heading into a meeting and didn’t have time to run out. they purchased a sandwich for me for driving my ‘silver-edged’ Sonata Limited to pick up the food 3 miles away.
3. since DS had school last night and I had yoga, we went out for dinner tonight to celebrate my birthday. went to a place I’ve driven by for years but never stopped. they are always mobbed there. now I know why! the food was great, plentiful and inexpensive. 1/3 cheeseburger with fries and a drink for DS plus fish and chips with soup for me totaled less than $20. leftovers for me for tomorrow.
4. looked thru the flyers but didn’t find anything. I only need sliced cheese for DS, so this week’s groceries will cost less than $5.
5. will cook something tomorrow with the apples I have on hand.
Happy birthday! It sounds like you had a special day. Congratulations on winning the photo contest. That’s awesome!
Congrats on your winning entry and your birthday! Any links to your photo through the Society’s site?
The winning photos may be up in a few weeks once the next booklet comes out. They aren’t up yet.
Congrats on your photo contest. The preservation of forests is so crucial these days – and in addition they are truly beautiful.
1. Making dinner fresh, from scratch every night, and eating planned-overs for my lunch the next day.
2. Got my hair cut. Had about 6″ cut off, and my hair just wouldn’t cooperate! Returned to the shop, and, got it recut, at no charge because it was within a week of the original cut! And, I got a coupon for a discounted haircut in December!
3. My husband and I went to a car show on Sunday, after eating lunch at home and taking our stainless water bottle with us.
4. Had dinner out with family. Leftovers for my lunch the next day! Locally owned restaurant that always has great food and wonderful service. We don’t eat out often, so we try to support local businesses when we do.
5. The Water Department has been laying new supply lines in front of our house. The crew of guys has been so nice and have brought off-cuts of the large pvc supply pipe to me! I have plans to reuse the pieces. Using ingredients I had on hand, I made a batch of brownies for the guys. It was fun to see their eyes light up at the sight of the treat! I’m sure most neighbors have complained about the noise and dirt, I wanted to show appreciation!
That is so great you did that for those guys. I’m going to copy you next time workers are in our neighborhood. Kindness goes a long way!
This is a note to all of you, Katie and followers.
I regularly see that you make soup or broth/stock from leftover bones of meat/chicken. Does this mean that you always debone every cut of meat or chicken before serving it, so that you can use the bones. or do you take the leftover bones from the used dinner plates, and use them in the broth/stock/soup. Just wondering.
I use the bones that are leftover from our dinner plates. However, just my own family. I wouldn’t do this with guests.
I do it from everyone’s plates ( I don’t flaunt it in front of guests).
My reasoning is it cooks so long that any bad germs are kilt by the heat.
Katy, you are the medical professional. Thoughts on my thinking?
That’s interesting. I only make broth with whole chicken/turkey carcasses (or like a bone-in roast), where I’m removing the meat ahead of serving it. I’ve never even thought to try it with individual cuts. I’m not sure I would take leftover bones that others had eaten from (especially if I was going to turn that broth into something to then serve to people other than myself).
Katie W-S, I’m interested in your thoughts, too. I work in a school setting and am very conscious of germs. I have also gotten sick from food poisoning, so I personally hadn’t considered using bones from plates, since they had been touching other’s mouths (if picked up and eaten), and left at room temperature during dinner.
I love the frugalness, but not sure if I myself could do it.
Katie!
1. Sold a soccer jersey my husband no longer wanted and pocketed $18.50.
2. Sold 2 old mobile phones of my husbands that didn’t work anymore, and he bought a used one from a coworker who upgraded (for no reason imho). This exchange netted us $10!
3. Reconfigured our budget to go out with friends this weekend. It’s not frugal, but sticking within four budget is, and we realized this was an important activity (experiences not things!) We also budget some wiggle room for stuff like this, and put of a few other activities for later in the year. We are never willing to go into debt for these experiences, though.
4. I was encouraged to apply for a part time job at a place I spend a lot of time and consider my second home. I have time to take this on, and will help us revolted our savings after we complete a necessary remodel later in November.
5. We had our cheap weekend plans thwarted by a family organization/planning issue and ended up with my family. I would have rather gone out to avoid eating the crummy food at my parents, but we took one for the team and ate at home.
1. Planning “chore day” for grand kids. They always beg to do chores as we pay them for their work. My thought is they need to learn how to care for a home properly, it is “cheap”entertainment, and I get the house clean! They will do the following (ages 10, 8, 6):
a. Clean out refrigerator
b. scrub kitchen sinks
c. clean 2 bathrooms (they are great at this now!)
d. BASEBOARDS! Yes!
e. Clean interior of car
f. if time, clean out drawers and cabinets in kitchen.
The oldest two will probably wind up earning between $8-10 for the 1.5 hours of work this will take. We have to be there for a lot of it but they can handle some things on their own now like cleaning bathrooms. 6 year old will work with us on most things. He loves to clean fingerprints off of light switches and wipe off door knobs. It is all about the beloved “spray bottle” for him – we cut it in half with water as he is “ahem” a little overzealous….
2. just got back from 2 days on the road with work. Meal planning today . Have almost made it to our “no shopping 2 weeks” -Oct 1-15 while only spending $39 on perishables during that time. We’ll do even better next time.
3. Making big pot of spaghetti sauce today with final pound of hamburger in the house. Feeding 5 on that tonight.
4. Have a 1 lb of frozen cod and 2 boneless chix breasts to get us through til Sunday. We will be fine. Fried fish Sat night. Not sure about chicken but not worried, I can ALWAYS come up with something for boneless skinless chix breast.
5. Family member lost job, then got rear-ended and car totaled. Very hard on her. She is in her 70s and needs to work, only has social security. She got a new-to-her car, continuing to job hunt, got rear ended AGAIN, car totaled AGAIN. Insurance agent told her our county is one of the worst in the country for car accidents….She is very depressed. I’m taking her to Waffle house on Sunday for breakfast. Not frugal but her favorite. My other frugal days allow me to spend on this treat.
What a kindness, to take her out to eat. If she is living on SS, she probably doesn’t get that sort of treat very often.
Frugal win: I have been saving money to pay my car off early — which I did yesterday! Paid off almost a year early to the day. I was super excited. I went to the bank on my lunch hour and wrote the final check. Such a feeling of accomplishment.
Frugal fail: I went to the parking deck after work to get in the car and go home and someone has hit it. No note. I called it in to the non-emergency police line and filed a claim. It’s a four door and it’s the back passenger side door. Red car. The deck has cameras so I’ve asked that they pull the tapes. It’s restricted parking so whoever did it works either in my building or one very close. Unbelievable. Someday I will laugh about it, but now I could use the money I just spent to pay the car off to fix the car! What’s that line about no good deed going unpunished?
Note: I have perspective about this. It’s a car door. My health is good, I don’t live in a hurricane or fire zone, and I have a job. But gosh darn it! The day I paid it off?
Congrats on paying off the car! If you can limp along, your monthly payment next month — that you no longer have to pay — will go a long way toward paying for repairs — and since you’ve been frugal you won’t have to pay both!
I do hope the police find the person who did it, though!
Thanks. I hope the police find them too, but the chance is slim. Officers are underpaid and overworked and a hit and run where no one was hurt? It’s pretty low on their priority list, unfortunately.
Look for your red paint on the bumpers . Grrrrr.
My coworkers and I have separately walked the parking deck to see if anyone has a “matching” crease on their car. Everyone is taking it personally as it is probably someone we all know on sight. It is understandable, accidents do happen, but to not take responsibility for it?
In the last 48 hours one daughter had car returned from shop that had damage done to front bumper but note and details left on windshield. Deductible covered by others drivers insurance.
Then she goes out to vehicle on Thursday and rear bumper ripped off with damage to car. This time no note left so she will be responsible for $500.00 deductible.
Only consolation, this is nothing like when another daughter was hit on her bike by a drunk driver, who stopped to see if she was alive and then left the scene. They have never found the driver. Her helmet was crushed in three places and saved her life. She bounced on his hood and windshield before being thrown off. Titanium rod in leg, sets off alarms in airports and has pain associated with its implant.
What the heck is wrong with some people’s values. My consolation, there will be retribution , if not in this world, the next. Nah, I’m not bitter:)
I’m sorry to hear abut your daughter’s accident and the way she was treated. Completely unacceptable and I agree with you: what the heck is wrong with a person that could do that?
Like I said in my original post – my problem is a car door. I’m ticked off, but I wasn’t hurt, and according to my insurance agent it won’t raise my rates and I won’t lose my good driver discount. Also I’m covered under an “uninsured motorist collision” rider, or some such thing. My most out of pocket will be $300. It’s the inconvenience that rankles me. But, this too shall pass.
1- The local Aldi remodeled & sent $10 off $50 coupon for reopening celebration
2 – We drove 88 year old uncle so he could visit 94 year old MIL – he b0ught us dinner as a thank-you
3- I washed our bedspread at home & hung outside to dry – worked fine & skipped a trip to laundromat
4- Our CSA allows us free apple picking in their orchard, we’ll do that this weekend & I will make an apple pie.
5- I won a Yankee Candle contest – the prize is a camera which will be a Christmas gift for granddaughter – also 1 photo-personalized candle per month for a year. The October, November & December candles will be used as Christmas gifts as well.
Along the same lines, kind of, I have had my car since 2011. I bought it new and have only parked way out in parking lots to try avoid dings. So now, in 2017 I have recently got a small ding in my door from someone hitting it with their door. This really bugs me. Why so disrespectful of other people’s property? If you ever just sit in the parking lot and watch others for a little while you will be stunned at how many people hit other vehicles or let their children open their doors too far hitting other vehicles, I know I was….so frustrating..
– I was home sick 2.5 days this week, but am lucky enough to work somewhere that has great sick time. I used this time to get some laundry done, and hung it all on dry racks indoors.
– Because I was home, I got around to making broth out of a chicken carcass and veggie scraps I had frozen.
– I also used the time to finish a crocheted gift for a friend and start a new project (scarves for a palliative care organization)
– Today I am wearing jeans that were given to me by a friend as they no longer fit her, and a jersey (I work at a university and Friday’s are spirit days) that I’ve had since I was in college myself and was a gift from my now husband, then just good friend!
– Brought leftovers in for lunch today, and tonight we’ll be having leftovers for dinner.
1) I’m wearing one my free Sooner t-shirts provided by the blood donation center, since it’s Red River Rivalry weekend between OU & Texas.
2) I received the remote control TV antennae I bought off Amazon, so we can do away with our cable package and still have HDTV. Now I just need to get it installed. That will save us about $1200 per year, since the cable cost went up $50 per month last Spring.
3) I gave my old Toyota to my brother, since he didn’t have a car. I needed to get rid of it and get it off my insurance, now that I have a better car. He was so happy – even though it’s old and has a lot of mileage, he just needed something to drive and be able to pick-up his grandson from school when needed.
4) I dropped Jan Karon’s latest audiobook on CD at the Library, so no late fees, and now I’m listening to Glass Castle. I started reading book #2, Stealing Lumby, in Gail Fraser’s Lumby series, which means I’ll have reading material for the weekend – yay!
5) My neighbor invites friends and family over for the OU vs TX game every year and provides the food and drinks. So I may go over there tomorrow and enjoy the game with the crowd. Free food, fun and great company!
1) Used the library for a graphic novel I wanted to read
2) Bought a stash of emergency food for work, for when I forget to pack leftovers or we’re out so I can avoid takeout ($4 vs $15-20)
3) Put non-necessities on my Amazon Wishlist to remember for when people ask for Xmas gift ideas (my family does a by-request Xmas for the most part)
4) Brought coffee to work in travel mug every day
5) Tracking my spending and budget numbers
Thank you to everyone who replied to my inquiry regarding the making of chicken broth/stock.
Nice to get other peoples take on this. Makes a lot of sense now, having seen the subject come up in lots of blog posts.
Cheerio from Western Australia.
1. pressure-cooked the 5 (I have no idea how she had 5—last year’s pigs only had 4 feet) ham hocks that a friend brought on Saturday after she cleaned out her freezer to make room for the newly processed 2017 pork. Made 4 meals w/ the meat for us—using stuff I’ve canned or grew myself.
2. gratefully accepted the offer from a neighbor to come get the last of the Northern Spy apples from his tree. Picked through those on the tree -and- on the ground and found about 1/2 bu usable—nothing was very pretty. But they’ll make Apple Butter (already cooking) and the skins/cores are simmering so I can make juice-then-jelly. I’ll make one apple crisp for a treat and make sauce/pie filling w/ the rest.
3. started processing our own pears—the late ones are just coming ready. Made one big batch of pear sauce (enough for us for the winter), will make pear butter next, a pear pie and can the rest. And because they last so long, I’ll be setting some to store in the cellar and we’ll have poached pears now till Christmas.
4. Still gleaning the last of the garden. 1 more batch of pickled beets to do (I sold about 4 batches already), carrots and turnips to harvest, potatoes to finish curing then into the cellar, trimmed the broccoli so I may get a few more flowerettes before the killing freeze, got the last of the sweet corn and will make some soup (I’ll harvest and add in some of the remaining celery), freeze some since the quality isn’t the best for corn-on-the-cob, hoping for a couple more sweet peppers, gathering tomatoes where I can, harvested the pumpkins and will enjoy the decorations for Halloween then I’ll start to eat/cook w/ them, waiting on one more eggplant to get just a little bigger, and salvaging the last of the good basil leaves for another batch of Pesto. If I get enough, I can sell it one more time to my usual buyers.
5. Will eat from the freezer for the rest of the week—since I have to clean it out today for my share of this year’s pork—I have to pick it up from the butcher tomorrow (we shipped five 250+ lbs about a month ago).
almost 6—got more cleaning done and will get back to selling stuff on the web.