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I was tempted to treat my husband to a nice albeit frugal restaurant meal as he just finished his first work week after being home on a seven week medical leave. Instead, I bought the ingredients for a nice meal that also served to provide leftovers for multiple meals. Since he never knew about the potential evening out, it wasn’t anything that he even missed. However, he was very pleased with the extra special meal. (No beans!)
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I sold a silver spoon on eBay that I’d picked up from the Goodwill Outlet, I found a quarter, a nickel and two pennies on the ground, I bought a cute vintage casserole holder (with bakelite handles!) for a quarter from a church rummage sale, I’m firmly keeping the furnace off despite the passing of Portland’s brief heat spell and I’ve begun vague plans to visit my friend Lisa in Seattle this summer. (Free place to stay + spending time with friends = ideal vacation!)
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I planted some Burpee lettuce seeds that I’d picked up from Fred Meyer, having taken advantage of last week’s Kroger Friday Freebie offer. I borrowed the soil from an empty planter and used a flowerpot that I’d garbage picked last summer. And the best part is that there are enough seeds for multiple harvests throughout the summer.
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My husband and I needed to get out of the house, so we hit up a couple of Vancouver, Washington Goodwills and then drove along the Columbia Gorge to Hood River, Oregon. (We drove on the Washington side, which we’d never done before.) I did buy a $2.99 wall clock and a 99¢ vintage cutting board, but I’ll sell the clock to come out in the black. Although we ate in a look-at-the-fancy-view brewpub for dinner, I ordered minimally to keep our bill under control. ($15 hamburgers make my blood boil!) We stopped into Ikea on our way back to take advantage of their free lattés and called the day a success.
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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.”
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1 Mega Income Boost
(Not sure if that qualifies as frugality but it helps the overall financial situation!)
1. After working on a casual basis for a non-profit for 16 years with highly infrequent and minimal raises, I was shocked and delighted today when I learned that I would be grandfathered in with all the other employees for a SUBSTANTIAL raise effective 6-1-18 d/t an administrative decision to elevate the base hourly pay. To put it in perspective, the planned increase surpasses ALL raises combined in 16 years. This helps make up for the measly increases, along with no benefits over the years. The amazing thing is that simple perseverance made it possible! 🙂
That’s wonderful!
Congrats!!! Happy planning with all that new income!
Thanks for the good wishes ladies!
WooHoooo!! Congrats!! Your patience paid off nicely!
1. Help set up for an event so I was treated to lunch on Friday
2. Presented at event on Saturday which got me free breakfast and lunch
3. Used $30 Amazon rewards from survey to get my sister a petco gift card.
4. Received 3 class action settlement checks=$50
5. I was gifted $10 and $20 Starbucks giftcards
I adore the Washington side of the Gorge. We do so much traveling within the Northwest because there are so many awesome places to visit (and a lot cheaper when we can just camp in a tent or the truck versus flying somewhere).
1. Tax refund came quickly transferred the bulk to savings for summer income when I am off work and used $500 for bills.
2. Booked a last minute dog walk tonight for a client who was sick and offered to pick her up anything she needed, she asked for a box of popsicles. Wasn’t reimbursed but was happy to do something nice for her, she has been very good to me and my daughter over the years.
3. Got some wonderful buys over the weekend at Kroger using the 5 times coupon on oatmeal got 5 boxes for less than a dollar each! Turned around and donated a few boxes to the library food drive as well as applesauce cups got a good deal on. We don’t have a lot but felt good to contribute. Also donated the free taco seasoning packet I received.
4. Applied for and was granted a scholarship for my daughter to attend camp this summer.
5. Doing Swagbucks each night, prepared my May budget, batched errands this weekend, used a $5 Pet Supplies Plus coupon to purchase my dogs dog food with, got 15% discount on our favorite pizza for placing my order online, volunteered at the library this weekend in the bookstore and didn’t purchase any books – big win running out of space!
1. Ran across a dog food sale, 33 cents a pound for a name brand that our dogs love. Usually we pay more than a dollar a pound. They eat a combined 150 pounds a month, so we bought 300 pounds since last month’s human food budget came in at half the allocation.
2. I read this cooking blog called Alexandra’s Kitchen. She has lots of recipes for different types of no-knead breads that can be mixed one night and then rise in the fridge and baked the next day. I tried a new roll recipe that was wonderful and much cheaper than buying them at the store. Have not had a bad recipe yet from her site. (I don’t know her, just thought other folks who don’t have time or desire to knead might find her site useful.)
3. A kid in the neighborhood came over and asked me about gardening, since I have a huge garden every year. She said her mother doesn’t like gardening and won’t give her any space to have her own garden. She asked if I would give her a small part of my plot in exchange for three hours of work every weekend. Yikes! How lucky can I get?! I let her use any of my seeds that she wanted and both of us think they got the best part of the deal. She worked for me this last Saturday and was a great little worker (13 years old).
4. Lately I have had a run of mystery shops. I have zero talent for eBay selling and hate going to garage sales, so I get pin money from doing them. Did two yesterday.
5. Snowing today, which means I could not take my seedlings outdoors. I looked out the window and decided I didn’t feel like getting cold so I stayed indoors all day. We were low on supplies and I was tempted to call for delivery pizza (which I have not done in probably 20 years) but I cobbled together a cheesy cauliflower dish and thawed berries to go with it. As I write this I am sitting in front of the fire drinking homemade chocolate with whipped cream, thinking maybe snow is not so bad.
I especially love your #3. So sweet. It sounds like a win for both of you.
Re #3 – your neighborhood kid is lucky to know you. Sometimes it is wonderful to have a caring adult with whom you share an interest – in this case gardening. Good on you for putting together this productive partnership!
your #3 gave me goosebumps (and shame on her mother for not letting her try!). it’s good that she came forward and asked to borrow a plot in exchange for help.
I, too, am thrilled for both of you. You don’t happen to live on the Ill-Wisc border, do you? I would like to give that neighbor child some of my tools, seeds, plants, etc.!
It makes me think of when my daughter was that age and horse-crazy: several wonderful women around here let her help with and ride their horses. It made a HUGE difference in her life since we could not have horses and things were kind of tense at home and school at the time. She made a great career of it, eventually. I am grateful for those people every day.
Even if she doesn’t completely follow through, its amazing in so many ways.
Re: #3: Can you try cloning that youngster?? I could use some willing and able young help around here myself!
Thanks for letting us know about Alexandra’s Kitchen. I will look into it. It sounds great.
Yes! Just took a quick look at Alexandra’s Kitchen. She has 15 uses for harissa…..i have a whole can of it to use up! I’m now a subscriber. Thanks!
1. Received a free photo book coupon and actually kept an eye on the expiration date – which was today – and ordered one. I will give it as a Christmas present. Also found a deal on stainless steel water/coffee containers and bought them as Christmas presents.
2. Found an incredible deal on work pants for my husband – I tried to order two pair but one was out of stock but still am getting him at least one desperately needed pair.
3. Have been reading my library books, watching my Netflix shows and enjoyed the last of some Two Buck Chuck wine with my husband yesterday evening.
4. Cleaned out our upstairs storage closet and took a load to Goodwill including two bookcases – purge, purge, purge!
5. Took a few items to two consignment stores and received $27 for my effort.
Jill, I had a free photo book offer, too, but I couldn’t find the email with the offer. My frugal fail (frowny face). Yay you for paying attention to the expiration date, and getting your freebie!
1. I’ve been eating a blueberry and apple muffin every morning for breakfast to use them up. My family didn’t enjoy these for some reason even though they were really delicious.
2. I’m trying hard to shift a persistent 2kg. I’m back to counting calories and working out in my own gym. My goal is .5kg a week until my clothes fit properly again.
3. I made an eggplant curry from my homegrown eggplant and that is going for two dinners.
4. Lunches are homemade soup all week.
5. Many of the usual things: thrifted clothing, bringing coffee and snacks to work, and sticking to a meal plan.
Errrr, Mand, I think that no. 1 might be incompatible with no. 2…
It’s ok, they are homemade muffins and low fat and low sugar.
The drive along the Columbia River Gorge on the Washington side is so spectacular. I’ve driven from Vancouver, WA to Maryhill at least 10 times since we moved to Vancouver 20-some years ago. It never gets old for us!
So pretty, and I want to return to check out Beacon rock. However, we didn’t realize that the eastern bridges have tolls. $2 lesson learned.
What a lovely way to spend a day, Katy. Good company and beautiful scenery combined with a little thrifting sounds ideal.
1) The weather here has been spectacular. I cannot remember a prettier spring. I have been gardening quite a bit — lots of free exercise and natural vitamin D. It’s so rewarding. I love being outdoors, and I know it will soon be too hot and humid to enjoy this activity. Although I do not grow veggies, I have citrus trees, cutting flowers and a large herb garden.
2) Since it is the first of the month, I paid bills using my bank’s online delivery system. This saves the cost of stamps, and I know that my payments will arrive on time. I also updated my budget and tracking sheets.
3) I have a meeting to attend this evening, so I took out a tray of enchiladas to defrost that I made a few weeks ago. These frozen assets come in handy on busy nights.
4) I purchased a sweater and a beautiful light weight wool scarf for 1/2 price at the Goodwill yesterday. Since it is late spring in Florida, sweaters are not on most shopping lists. Because no one else is looking for these items, I find spring is a great time to thrift for winter clothes. I live in the northern part of the state, and it does get chilly here.
5). I have been doing all the usual things drinking primarily water, eating my meals at home, and making home-brewed coffee. I have been reading library books and enjoying nearly free TV. I am currently watching the British crime drama “Unforgotten” on PBS. I am also in the midst of listing several new items on eBay. What a lovely way to spend a day, Katy. Good company and beautiful scenery combined with a little thrifting sounds ideal.
1) The weather here has been spectacular. I cannot remember a prettier spring. I have been gardening quite a bit — lots of free exercise and natural vitamin D. It’s so rewarding. I love being outdoors, and I know it will soon be too hot and humid to enjoy this activity. Although I do not grow veggies, I have citrus trees, cutting flowers and a large herb garden.
2) Since it is the first of the month, I paid bills using my bank’s online delivery system. This saves the cost of stamps, and I know that my payments will arrive on time. I also updated my budget and tracking sheets.
3) I have a meeting to attend this evening, so I took out a tray of enchiladas to defrost that I made a few weeks ago. These frozen assets come in handy on busy nights.
4) I purchased a sweater and a beautiful light weight wool scarf for 1/2 price at the Goodwill yesterday. Since it is late spring in Florida, sweaters are not on most shopping lists. Because no one else is looking for these items, I find spring is a great time to thrift for winter clothes. I live in the northern part of the state, and it does get chilly here.
5). I have been doing all the usual things drinking primarily water, eating my meals at home, and making home-brewed coffee. I have been reading library books and enjoying nearly free TV. I am currently watching the British crime drama “Unforgotten” on PBS. I am also in the midst of listing several new items on eBay.
Mmmmm…must of hit the clipboard twice. Sorry ya’ll.
It has been a lovely spring here also.
I am obsessed with “Unforgotten”. I love British mysteries, but I think this new series is especially good. Hope it continues for many more seasons/
YES!!!
Unforgotten is so good!
1. Our daughter is getting her first apartment. I have offered for her to take any extra stuff that we have, including dishwasher detergent, laundry detergent, etc. I always try to pay rock bottom prices for those items.
2. We did takeout at a new Asian restaurant versus dining in. By placing the order online I was able to order lunch size portions on the weekend. It saved time and money. The food was sub-par so we won’t return.
3. Our neighborhood yard sale is this weekend. We’ll put stuff out to find it a new home and enjoy chatting with neighbors and others that stop by. When we’re tired of being out with our stuff we’ll put up a “Everything is Free” sign and go about the rest of our day.
4. I found a quarter on our evening walk. There have been more coins lately, sometimes just a penny here or there, but still fun (and it makes me thankful that I have no trouble picking coins up from the ground, despite pushing 60).
5. I am enjoying Soulful Simplicity, courtesy of the library. I’m listening to The Architect’s Apprentice in the car, on library borrowed CDs. I continue to appreciate this blog and all it brings to my life.
I’m stealing the everything is free idea. We are having a yardsale this weekend. I dread when it’s over trying to get rid of everything.
When our yard sales are over, we put some of the leftovers on the curb with a Free sign. The rest stays on the front porch until the first non-profit calls (or sends a postcard) that says they’ll have a truck on my street. Typically gets hauled away within a week or two, and saves me having to load up the car to take it somewhere for donation.
1) Did a survey about my shopping at the Nike Outlet and got a $5 off $25 purchase. With 4 athletic children we shop the clearance racks at the outlet a lot and this will help.
2) Avoiding Starbucks today even though it is double star day. Made my tea at home to take to work.
3) Requested several books we have been wanting to read from the library.
4) Picked through the remains of a salad container and came up with enough to make a salad for my lunch.
5) Went to Wal-mart with a list and stuck to it yesterday. Stayed under budget too. And skipped right past the chocolate aisle.
I haven’t been very frugal, I was away on weekend bus trip to Berlin Ohio, and numerous other quilt stores along the way.
The worst part of the trip…eating in restaurants. Last night after eating my husband’s delicious dinner of fresh veggies, oven baked potatoes and slow cooked chicken, I realized the problem with restaurants….all their food is cooked ahead. It has to be or they would not be able to serve it on time, reheated food smothered in sauce to restore some flavour. How is that a treat?
The other thing I realised is that we have all been brainwashed by the food industry to believe that eating out is a treat.
Marieann – whether a restaurant cooks the food in advance depends on a number of factors, including:
– type/quality of restaurant: quick & cheap is more likely to be made in advance, whereas a fancy restaurant would be drummed out of business if it did that;
– how busy it is at the time: busier means faster turnover means food will be fresher;
– what kind of food it is: food that is quick to make (toast, ramen) is more likely to be cooked to order than food that takes a long time (stew, smoked ribs).
One of the arts of restaurant cooking is knowing how to start cooking the table’s orders so that they’re all ready at about the same time.
Gorgeous pic of y’all! 1. I ate stuff from my freezer and made a chicken chili concoction. I helped my son move, and did not purchase any food out during the nerve wracking process!
2. Helping my son move, was cheaper than movers….but exhausting.
3. I am boarding his cats at my house, so that saves money for him, although that increases my cat food bill a bit.
4. Said cats are beautiful and free (sorta) entertainment.
5. I am wearing my thrifted skirt, blouse, jacket, etc., today at work.
2. Ugh, moving is such a chore! At least it’s not all that hot in the South yet.
True Jennifer!
The adults in our household are getting over a wicked respiratory virus so I have been off my frugal game the last two weeks. But the upside is that I felt too rotten to go anywhere to spend much of anything!
1) While I was sick, I watched a bunch on the PBS app including “My Mother and Other Strangers” which I just loved.
2) In the WWII vein, I also just read “The Good Pilot Peter Woodhouse” by Alexander McCall Smith and found it delightful. Library for the win as always.
3) Protein is all coming out of the freezer this week – chick peas for tikka masala, chicken and fish for grilling (since it will be above 45 degrees this week) and ground beef for spaghetti sauce.
4) I had a bag of potatoes sprout during illness week so yesterday I peeled and trimmed them all and made creamy potato soup with rosemary and a big batch of make ahead mashed potatoes for later this week.
5) I transplanted my broccoli starts last week when I started to feel better and have 30 teeny plants waiting for sunlight. It snowed yesterday so it may be awhile before transplanting. If they all make it, most will go to my parents and friends.
5) I realized this doesn’t make much sense! I separated the little starts into their own individual dividers. Transplanting OUTSIDE will still be a while…
Thank you a million for mentioning the WWII book by Alexander McCall Smith. He is one of my all time favorite writers and WWII is one of my favorite literary eras. I’ll be ordering the book from my library.
Oh, I adore Alexander McCall Smith! Will check for that book at the library, too.
I also enjoy Alexander McCall Smith. I will have to watch “My Mother and Other Strangers.” I have been watching “Unforgotten” on Masterpiece Mystery. I love PBS.
I love PBS too. Like an education in itself. And… hurray for no commercials!
My family quickly tires of beans. I have to make big batches of them,then freeze in meal sized batches, so I can space them out between our meals.
1. I gobbled up what my kids didn’t finish of their breakfast instead of fixing myself something. Plus, I added an apple for good measure.
2. I saw a group of women doing a bootcamp at the local track yesterday. Lunges, run awhile, squats, run awhile, jumping jacks, run awhile…. I have to admit it was equally inspiring and exhausting to watch. I am inspired to exercise more during downtime at work. No squats for me, though…bad knees here and an injury would be costly.
3. I spray painted my rusty curtain rod and it looks so much better! Make do, right?
4. I’m skipping pedicures even though all my friends are getting them and posting about it for accountability. My feet look comparable even though I am doing my own at home for less.
5. I’m making a list of all the things I need to take on my upcoming vacation to keep me from buying anything extra while we are out of town.
My knees are bad also. I just walk. The lunges I see folks do look painful to me!
1. I found another 76 cents in the coin return of a local grocery store’s Coinstar machine. In the first four months of this year alone, the money I’ve found in Coinstar coin returns has exceeded all the money I found in 2017. I’m beginning to think of sticking my hand in Coinstar coin returns as my newest part time job.
2. Picked up the grocery store freebies while in town – taco seasoning and potato chips. While neither is something I’d normally buy – and therefore I’m unlikely to shave any money off my grocery spending – my husband is very happy with the kettle chips.
3. Our son and his family are coming up this weekend for a visit, and so that son can help husband re-install the ridiculously heavy shower doors in our bathroom. Saves us money over having to hire someone to install them (I am just too wimpy to lift them the required amount of time and I freely admit to my limitations). Even better though – grandchildren time!
4. I’ll be doing the bulk of the grocery shopping for the family’s visit at Aldi. So much cheaper than the other grocery stores.
5. Since it looks like the weekend weather might actually be nice (meaning, like spring!) I’m planning a lot of free, outdoor activities for everyone to choose from. While the lake is still ice covered – no canoeing, pedal boating or other types of water fun possible – the trails are clearing and there are a lot of free outdoor fun things to choose from.
My attempts to record Five Frugal Things is overwhelmed by the Necessary Spendy Thing from yesterday: new tires for my car. I knew I’d need to soon … then I drove over an industrial strength staple. It was a huge tear – I could hear it hiss.
Instead of buying tires ASAP at the nearby Firestone shop, I put on the donut [1] [2] and researched tires and prices, and got them changed last night. ProTip: changing tires with pressure sensors take FAR longer than changing tires without. Plan accordingly.
Things that made it not quite so spendy:
1. Researching tires and prices.
2. Reusing the donut … carefully!
3. Asking for a discount at the tire shop.
4. Packing a snack and a drink for the wait.
5. Researching donut prices.
[1] Changing a tire is an important life skill that it’s never too late to learn.
[2] If you’re very careful (like I am) and keep track of mileage (like I am) you can use the donut twice, like I did. Otherwise, it’s once and done, for safety’s sake.
I never knew a donut could only be used once or twice. I learn something new from the comments on this blog everytime.
I never knew that either… Really?? Why?
Same here….I didn’t know that. We’ve never had to use the donut on either of our cars (yet), but good to know.
I have just a few this time.
1. Actually found a dime in the parking lot! Rare to find money so either everyone has gone cashless or they pick it up when they drop it LOL.
2. Stewed a chicken breast to make tostadas later and then took the broth and my bag of frozen veggie ends/peels and made broth. Used some to cook rice for dinner.
3. Decided to try 100 outfits in 100 days to shop my closet. I truly only need to replace some worn out shoes so here is to seeing if I can create 100 different outfits with what I own.
We have moved so far away from using cash in my country that it is years since I picked up a coin of any denomination! Can’t help looking though.
Linda
1. Sold two old windows on a FB board for $10. I found them in the basement – they were junk to me, but yay for people who do crafty projects with them. I have one more to sell.
2. Bought a wax warmer from the church rummage sale for $0.75 that turned out to be much nicer than the one I had. This one has a cut out floral pattern and a light. Sold my old one on the FB boards for $3.
3. Walked up to the library to pick up my hold and asked for help on printing my ebay label. I was thinking about buying a printer, but using the library’s turned out to be quite convenient.
4. My cell phone died. I ordered the same older model off ebay at a very cheap price, and transferred service. People mock my old phone, but I don’t need anything nicer.
5. Patched and sanded my kitchen cabinets, and they are now ready to paint. They are already painted, but badly nicked and scraped up from the years the house was rented. Repainting will make big difference.
Betty
What is a wax warmer used for?
Denise, you can put scented wax pods or votive candles in there to ‘burn’. They warm up and scent the room.
I will try to think of five specific things, although being frugal is second nature:
1. Went to huge hardware chain (Menards) and shopped carefully and thoughtfully, since buying the cheapest/crappiest thing is not frugal if I have to replace it over and over- this is a garden hose ongoing issue. I used rebates certificates that had been sitting here for quite a while- lyckily they don’t expire.
2. Had made huge batches of cookie dough with Aldi and sale ingredients and keep that in freezer to bake as needed, so was able to provide a treat for co-workers, bring some to an event, and make my husband’s sweet tooth happy.
3 went out to eat with a friend who loves Boston Market, and had a child’s meal, which is plenty, and they don’t care how old one is.
4. Have a box in a closet to continually put give-away stuff in. When it gets full, I sort, and take to the appropriate place (Salvation Army, other thrift shop, florist loves to re-use old vases)
5. Planning long camping trip for August. Even cheap motels are $100/night. I would like to figure what our actual cost is in our old, paid-for camper.
I think 4 is frugal because other frugal people can now have access to my stuff, while I can buy theirs for cheap, although I don’t always let myself shop. Possibly having cheap stuff to buy at thrift stores helps people to not have to pay full price, which may save money as a tax-payer in the greater scheme of things.
1. My parents took the kids for the weekend, so my husband and I had a weekend together! We went to the zoo both days, because we have membership, and taking him to any shops (even Goodwill) is very spendy! We considered going hiking, but all the trails are dried out already, and depressing.
2. We went out both nights, and split a meal each night. We got our own drinks, which was not frugal, but we enjoyed them! Watched the sunset from the rooftop bar.
3. Brought home raw green beans from the church supper we put on Sunday afternoon. I cleaned 10 pounds of green beans(!) so I’m glad to have some for the family.
4. I drove up to pick up the kids, work in my mom’s shop, and drop off clothes at the shop. She made us dinner, so that was nice.
5. I had prepped black beans and rice for dinner last night, but since we ate at my mom’s I will have leftovers for lunch this week! (I’m really excited about leftovers, since I’m feeding a teenage boy.)
Feeding a teenage boy is a challenge and there are seldom leftovers. I used to cook massive amounts of food for my two sons when they were in their teens. For example, Dinner would consist of two pounds of pasta, 2-4 quarts of sauce with meat, 2 loves of garlic bread and a Caesar salad using 3 heads of romaine. Since I came from a family of girls, I was totally unprepared for this.
I also came from a family of girls, and when people would talk about how much boys ate, I always imagined they were exaggerating! Leftovers would be so nice, because it would give him something to eat when he’s starving between breakfast and lunch. (Second breakfast, for you hobbits our there!)
I felt bad, briefly, when my daughter’s high school counselor chastised me for only considering “Big State U” as a place for her to attend college on my dime. I guess I’m supposed to be encouraging her to look at “Tiny Private U” too. Here’s the thing: I think the benefit of finishing a degree with no student loans far outweighs the benefit of attending a tiny liberal arts college where one’s hand is held for four years. I used to be on hiring committees when I was in the corporate world, and I know that people tended to look askance at the tiny liberal arts college grads. The concern was that they wouldn’t be able to deal with vague instructions.
So, I got over my moment of feeling bad, and now I’m sort of angry that my daughter’s counselor is pushing kids to put their financial futures at risk!
I agree. I told my sons to attend the local two year college before they transferred to the local state university. My daughter went to an out of state university, that was within driving distance, and was that state’s university, only because she received a full scholarship, and they waived the out of state fee. I think being out of debt for college, if possible, is wonderful.
Exactly. Unless an expensive university offers scholarship dollars, then we are going with the frugal option!
I would have asked the counselor how much $$ they were putting towards the education and that is the amount of say that they would have !!
Thanks. It really irks me that she implied that I’m not doing what’s best for my kid. (Shakes fist.)
My school’s counselor advises to apply to private colleges as well, because they offer so much in scholarship money. We have a program through the school that lists the average amount in scholarship money given by the school to each student — and in many cases, if we got the average amount, the costs would be comparable (in California). If that was her thought, she should have explained that, but I’m putting it up here for other college applying parents.
It depends on what your daughter wants from her degree. The smaller school won’t “coddle” them but will offer much smaller classes and much more opportunity for in-depth work with professors. That is truly invaluable for many students who want to learn research and communication skills (this, coming from a professor who teaches at a big state U and honestly cannot do with my students as much close work as I wish I could, because my classes are so enormous and the demands on my time are so great).
I understand the value of a student-loan free life, but I’m honestly concerned by the notion that is prevalent within the PF/FI community that it doesn’t matter where you go to college and that community college is just as good. These are simply untrue.
There are many smaller colleges and universities that offer large merit and need-based scholarships including Ivy League schools. Because of this, I encouraged my kids to apply to state as well as private universities. I had one child that went to a state university and two that went to smaller schools. They all received large scholarships. None graduated with debt. Most importantly, each received an excellent education that complied with his or her individual needs and goals.
If you have a child that really is interested in a particular school, he or she should apply. Once accepted, a financial aid package will follow which might make an out-of- reach school possible.
Several of the teachers at our two year college, also teach at the local four year state university. I am not sure if this is allowed in all states or not. So, a lot of local kids will take certain courses at the two year school, obviously the first two years of college level, and then transfer that class to the four year university. The price at the two year school junior college, is half the four year state university and it is the same teacher.
I used to teach community college in a state where the community college classes cost half of what they’d cost at the university. A lot of students took everything they could at the community college and transferred it to the university. Also, some preferred the community college because the classes were smaller.
I don’t think all universities are created equal, but I do think that as long as one goes to “Big State U” and not “Southeast Central State U at the Fork in the Road”, then it’s probably good enough. My university had 50k students and I felt that I got plenty of attention from my professors.
I also think that some majors are better than others, but that’s another post for another day. 😉
Sure, if my kid falls in love with a little college, we can look at it, but she seems pretty excited about the big school experience.
1. Replaced a tail light in my van ALL BY MYSELF. Watched a few youtube videos, ordered the part on Amazon and did it alone!! I”m sure the part would have been cheaper in a store, but the cost to drive to those stores (oh, so far away) would have been more than the difference in cost.
2. Hubby is falling into my “side of the road picker” habit. Last week he brought home a free mountain bike. The only thing needed was two new inter tubes!
3. Sorted through my daughter’s summer clothing to find that I really don’t need anything for her this summer. I still have yet to work on my son’s clothing, but I think the only thing that is absolutely needed is some warm weather PJ’s.
4. Unpacked our camper that was holding all of our bikes and outdoor kids toys for the winter. We have to have it inspected this month. The frugal part of this is that I found no water damage inside!! I pray every winter that we make it through one more year without leaks. So far everything looks good.
5. Scheduled both of our vehicles for inspections this month. Man is that scary to think that both vehicles could need work. While I know some here are not religious, I believe that God will provide a way for us to afford any repairs.
Congrats on the taillight!! Such a great feeling to figure out a mechanical fix!!
Not sure i have 5, but, here goes…
1. finally made a ‘potting bench’ for my son using wood i had on hand other than buying 2 pieces at Lowes for his artwork. i even attached DH license plate on the upper shelf as a decor. He loves it. 😛
2. Nice and sunny when i got up this morning, checked the weather app and report and no rain for Mass for a week! Yay! hung out 2 full loads of laundry. then it got cloudy. checked the app again. yup, no rain.
3. Made a salad with items on hand and some fake chicken i had in the freezer. put together a salad for tomorrow at work too.
4. Got some heart-burning energy after eating. I happened to look out the dining room window and though “huh, why is that window wet?”. OH CRAP! it was raining. A sprint outside to grab 2 loads of laundry off the line. GRRR. Most was still wet so i had to throw them in the dryer. Now that the dryer is almost done, the sun is back out. At least i don’t have to have the heat running!
5. So i can stay away from the EFMOTD coverage, i have been listening more often to my favorite college station – commercial free radio!! they only do breaking news or traffic or concert calendars. no political crap! (88.9 Emerson College Radio – for those of you in the area who don’t know about the station. i’ve been listening to it for years. all DJ’s (except for the morning guy who oversees) are students. you can hear the difference in them from September to May as they get more acclimated to speaking! they mix up the music, 70’s to today.
Hey! I did have 5!
We have a tiny local radio station (WRLR) that I love, but it is so tiny that I can only hear it in my car, driving around it, but not in the house! I donate a little money to keep them going when I can. Our local college has another station, but not much music that I like, though I do appreciate the people practicing and learning radio skills and supporting local businesses that advertise with them.
And a plug for Smart-FM radio in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, which you can stream from anywhere- great playlists of stuff you don’t hear everywhere, like B-sides and deep cuts. Check it out! Love one of the DJs, my baby brother! Google it!
I will check out that station online. I do give to WERS (the station i mentioned) to help them out. sometimes they play songs that…well…aren’t my thing, but the majority of the time, it’s good music that keeps me moving.
I think stations like that are great to listen to in September when the students are SO NERVOUS reading their stuff! you can hear the maturity come out in their voice as time goes on.
“Fake chicken” in number 3: may I ask what that is, please, Nancy?
Vegetarian chicken. I think it was quorn brand. I’m a vegetarian. When I ate meat, I had constant migraines. No meat = no migraines for me.
Quorn is a good brand of faux meat. I’m having the quorn mince for lunch right now. I’m not a total vegetarian as I have persistently low iron, but I don’t eat much meat and I prefer vegetarian food. The quorn mince is very nice and makes a great bolognese style sauce.
*** Nice picture!!!
Jury duty….. Lining up friends to babysit for me, hate to do that to them, but I can reciprocate. Son is too young for the free child care that the court offers.
Bought a 25 lb bag of carrots for $7. Processed most of it for the freezer to add to smoothies. Making a carrot cake right now. Gave a gallon to my neighbor for her horse and for her to make friends at the ranch. She needs more people she can count on to help her out in times of need and just to love on her and spend time with.
Been rounding up our mortgage payment each month. It’s only a little bit, but it’s a little bit that we never have to pay interest on again.
Called Daisy brand and thanked them for not including junk ingredients. They sent me 8 coupons with good value, and told me I can call and ask for coupons up to two times a year.
Having beans and rice for dinner today. Not the hub’s favorite, but he’s eating with his boss tonight, since his boss is in town.
By the way, Katy, is your husband wearing a Descendants tee shirt? Have you seen that movie? (with George Clooney). it’s a morbid, yet funny movie – especially his older daughters friend. My son liked him the best. I think we watched it 4 times during free HBO month!
The Descendants is a punk band from the 90s.
1. I had minor surgery last week, and am taking it easy for a few days. Craved Thai food on the weekend, so we got takeout and had it at home. $30 for both of us, and we got two meals each. I think that’s great.
2. Returned some plastic flowers pots and veggie seeds to a friend who gifted them to me for my birthday. I’m not much of a gardener, and don’t have a lot of space, and she did say she would take them back if I didn’t want them.
3. Wearing sweatpants I bought years ago at a consignment store. Danskin are good quality it seems, they are really lasting and I wear them a lot.
4. Went to the mall only to buy travel medical insurance, and only bought that, and some hand cream.
5. I’m redoing my front garden, and want rid of a lot of big rocks, a friend and her husband came and took them as they are building a rock wall on their property. Free material for them, free landscaping help for me.
6. Discovered an error on my 2017 tax return prepared by the accountant. They redid it, resulting in an additional $400 refund. This made me wonder about 2016, so I asked them to recheck it, and the same error had been made there, resulting in an additional $600 refund.
Wow, that is shocking! I think I might consider a different accountant going forward. So glad you found it!
1. I volunteered at a church fundraiser on Saturday. When we were cleaning up I was handed a tray of meatballs in sauce and 6 loaves of bread.
2. I worked Sunday so made meatball heroes for dinner afterwards. https://mcoia.blogspot.com/2018/04/why-i-love-leftovers.html
3. I worked Monday and then had to pick up my daughter from my sisters since they had spent the weekend in Florida. Came home and made spaghetti and used more meatballs.
4. Froze the rest of the meatballs for future meals.
5. Been so busy working that I haven’t had time to spend any money. I of course brought food and my reusable cup to work with me. Fridge was looking empty this morning so I made a big batch of steal cut oats, hard boiled some eggs and set my crock pot up with pork carnitas. I pulled black beans out of the freezer that I had made 2 weeks ago and will make rice with it. More then enough for dinner tonight and lunch tomorrow.
I think Katy’s husband is as easily impressed as mine. When someone asked him how the food had been in France (we did a home exchange), he said it was great–we had raisins in our oatmeal every morning!
1. Helped sort fabric for my guild yard sale and did a little pre-shopping.
2. I realized that the Mennonites take fabric that won’t work for the yard sale (pieces less than a quarter yard). I flipped through my stash and got four boxes for them.
3. Put my kale and collard stems in the soup early on. Put the chopped leaves in later.
4. Ordered flea and tick preventative for the year with a 20% off coupon and free shipping.
5. Long-term frugality–I married a man who loves beans, thinks raisins or biscuits are VERY special.
Haha that is the real frugality! I married a very frugal man as well and it has paid off over twenty years. I grew up watching my mismatched parents (frugal mother, spendthrift father), and while they still love each other very much, it’s made for some difficult financial times. A financial match is much better I think.
Oh yes, ordered my mom flowers for mother’s day. Bouqs used to be my go-to, but they’ve gotten more expensive, and FTD doesn’t have good quality control. Ordered 50 roses from Costco for 39.99 + free shipping.. Neither Bouqs or FTD could beat that!!!
1. Got I’ll be Gone In The Dark from the library. I know I want to read it once but certainly don’t need to own it.
2. Returned another library book on time–I’m notorious for racking up fees.
3. Been eating out a bunch, but also have been getting leftovers wrapped every time for tasty lunches! No food waste.
4. I’m wearing a dress today I realized I bought 6 years ago. I’m always obsessed with new clothes, so def took a moment to appreciate that this one is still in good condition–and still fits!
5. On that topic, I discovered Poshmark! I bought a pair of shoes I had been eyeing at full price for a wedding I’m in secondhand (saved $60)! And I’m going to start trying to sell on there. Plenty of cute formal dresses that are just taking up space in my closet-that could be turned into money!
1. As part of fine-tuning expenses so we can save more money toward retirement, I am recording every expense this month in a free pocket notebook.
2. Had a whopping paycheck of about $1k more than I usually make due to a ridiculous amount of overtime. We put some into a certificate of deposit and paid off a medical debt.
3. Stopped at the grocery store to buy bananas, coffee, and emergency frozen pizzas, and discovered I had accrued $10 in customer loyalty cash, which more than halved the cost.
4. Discovered that a bowl of fresh, hot, made from scratch chicken soup at the deli next to my office is $2.40, and the owner gives us free tea. This hit the spot when I was not feeling well today.
5. A work friend and I have been brainstorming making some money on the side sewing. She has already sold a number of small items to a local shop and thinks my tote bags might also sell.
!. I was very happy to see our budget plan monthly payment on our oil bill go down by almost $16 a month for the next year. Hurray for thermal underwear, sweatshirts and wool socks!
2. Used the prompt payment discount on a medical bill and saved $49 and change. Hate to keep getting these bills for repeat mammograms and ultrasounds but breast cancer stalks my family on my Mom’s side so it’s a must do thing.
3. Had little grandson over for grilled cheese sandwiches and catch in the backyard, plus a little walk down a trail with a brook! and he was thrilled. It’s the little things…
4. Continuing to use rags made from old clothes, glass plates and metal utensils. Throwing away least as possible. Also enjoying hanging laundry in the spring air.
5. Preparing for my church’s annual yard sale by gathering donations from around the house and thinking about what to bake for the bake table Best part is the day after, when everything that didn’t sell goes 1/2 price to members of the congregation..
Geez, the typos get worse with age. Ditto for punctuation and being grammatically correct. No, I don’t make rags out of glass plates and metal utensils. I’m a retiree, not a miracle worker.
lol! Was wondering how absorbent glass and metal rags would be….
Made me laugh, which I needed!
I must be really old, I did not even notice…lol
I pulled a Katy and posted an ISO on my town’s Buy Nothing Facebook page to see if anyone has a steam vacuum I could borrow or recommendations for renting one. I got two (affordable!) recommendations for renting. The vacuum is to clean a second hand couch that I bought off our town’s “garage” Facebook page.
Haven’t been feeling very frugal lately, loads of extra expenses lately, some fun (travel) some not (hospital bill). Let’s see what I can come up with:
1. Paid hospital bill off and got 5% discount, put on credit card to get miles, will pay credit card off with tax refun which should arrive soon (avoiding any interest payment).
2. Continuing to do well on grocery budget by shopping sales and keeping an eye on costs.
3. Bought make up at dollar store and it’s working fine. Stopped getting manicures.
4. Wore thrifted clothes to work today.
5. Planning practical gifts for my young adult kids’ birthdays in next few weeks.
Would love to see that vintage casserole carrier! I love vintage kitchenware.
My fft:
1) Received bill for recent knee surgery, which was much higher than expected. Called and politely asked for an itemized bill; the customer rep who took my call said “something looked funny with my bill”, and immediately called my insurance company. They are reviewing the bill, coding, etc., so am hopeful my actual out of pocket will be much less.
2) Reaped the breakfast benefits of a co worker’s frugality. She attended a work meeting, and returned with a large plateful of leftover muffins and bagels to share that would otherwise have been thrown away. Glad to help take one for the team.
3) Mixed a smidgen of leftover chili with another smidgen of refried beans – heated, topped with cheese (bought on sale), added a bit of avocado dip (made with clearance avocadoes), and eaten with tortilla chips (Friday Kroger freebie). A yummy lunch, and leftovers used up. A total win.
4) Contacted Columbia about a busted zipper on my son’s 1.5 year old windbreaker. It is eligible for possible warranty repair or return credit – have to send it to them, and they will decide. I never would have bothered to try contacting them before following this blog. I’ve learned so much from Katy and all of you commenters!
5) Thrifted last Saturday – local Goodwill was 50% off everything. Found summer t shirt for son, next-size-larger windbreaker for son (OshKosh), shorts for me (desperately needed), vintage aluminum candy dish (splurge for $1.50) and a few other useful items. Passed on a truly creepy framed clown picture, and a cabbage roll/grape leaf stuffer. lol!
Your husband has great taste in music!
Seconded!
I drove over to the east side of the mountains for the weekend to help my sister and bil pack for an upcoming move, and I think I have FFT from the trip.
1. I stopped to pick up a Rubbermaid garbage can lid on the way over White Pass.
2. I shopped for my Fred Meyer Friday freebies in Yakima, where I could see the store from the highway. Didn’t have to drive out of my way, and I was able to pick up 3 weeks of freebies – Tic Tac sugarless gum, Blue Hopi corn seeds, Miracle Gro single dose fertilizer (will use on my flowers, since I garden organically), taco seasoning and potato chips. The last 2 were subs for the ones listed this week – they were out of them. I quite often run into this problem, but the store is always very good about giving you a substitution of your choice as long as the price is about the same.
3. While I was at the store, I checked out the CoinStar machine. No money in the coin return, but a dime and two pennies sitting on the screen at the top. 😀
4. My washer and dryer are both broken, so I took along my laundry and washed it at my sisters’. I brought my own detergent, etc, and also brought them a dozen fresh eggs from my hens as a thank you.
5. On the way home today, I picked up not one, but TWO more lids for Rubbermaid garbage cans, bringing my total to 3 for the trip. I always pick up garbage cans or lids I find along the road or sitting at my local recycling depot – sooner or later, they all match up, and I use them for storing chicken feed, dog food, kindling and much more (we seldom have actual garbage to get rid of).
6. I picked up a couple pallets while out finding boxes (hospitals are a great source of packing boxes), and brought home an assortment of pretty rocks that my b-i-l picked up while out riding the deserts of AZ. They’ll look good along my flower bed edges. He also sent me home with a box of .38 Special ammo so I can do more target practice.
7. We spent a lot of time just visiting and playing Hand and Foot, which I’d heard of, but never played before. Fun game! Nothing more frugal than staying in and having fun.
I am always amazed that so many people get free stuff at grocery stores. I have never had anything free, other than the BOGO. Any other Canadians here get free groceries, and if so, from where?
I’m with you. BOGOs are as good as it gets around here.
Same in Australia. We don’t have coupons here either.
Seems like it’s just been in the last couple of years that some of the big grocery chains do this (free items). One store started it, and now others do it, too. It’s never much or too exciting- a microwave popcorn packet, a yogurt, a small bottle of off-brand pop, etc.- the idea is, of course, to have you come in for your “free” item and then spend lots more money while you are in the store! I have to assume they are just adding the cost onto the general prices of everything. “There is no such thing as a free lunch”, but maybe you could contact your large grocery chains and request it. But shopping at Aldi, or Sav-A-Lot saves lots more money. Do you have those? Or I’d really rather spend my money at a smaller local store or little regional chain, anyway.
Love the frugal finds! And glad to hear that your husband is getting back to normal. 🙂 Going back to work after medical leave is so hard. :/
This week:
1. I have a work trip that I am NOT excited about. However, I’m trying to think positive because: all meals and lodging is free, I’m being compensated for a lot of mileage (hellooo fat paycheck), and I love getting sample-sized soaps from hotels.
2. To keep my travel frugal, I made homemade snacks for travel. I’m eating homemade popcorn, homemade chocolate bark, Snapea crisps, and an old Nature Valley granola bar I found in the back of the cupboard. Oh, and Babybell cheese that was on fire sale at Costco.
3. I did a load of laundry yesterday with homemade soap.
4. I meal-planned for hubs so he can eat homemade meals while I’m out.
5. My freelance business has been doing really well! I’m learning about small business management using one of Mr. Picky Pincher’s old school textbooks.
1. My graduate students paid for my dinner last night at our last meeting. Eating my leftover chicken fajitas for lunch. So thoughtful of them.
2. Used a gift card to by a small gift for each of them.
3. Stocked up on hotdogs for the summer season. They were on sale and I have already planned a couple of bbqs.
4. A bottle of half full water has been lying around the office. I brought it home and watered a couple of plants with it.
5. The usual-library books, coffee from home, ect.
Re: #4. Good for you! It is the little things that count. Made me think of a story I heard- friend did same thing at work but plant died. Turned out it was vodka.
lol
1. I’ve been forgoing my afternoon coffee (even though it’s only $1.06 in my travel mug at the campus coffee shop) in favor of making herbal tea in my office. I don’t love tea as much as I do coffee, but I already own all these tea bags so I should use them up (and it saves the afternoon caffeine, which I need to be careful of).
2. My dad is helping us set up sprinkler systems in our yard to water our new fruit trees. This must be saving us thousands over having a landscape company do it, and will help keep those trees alive even while we’re out of town and the summer heat threatens them.
3. I was out doing errands and really wanted to stop for a burrito but instead I came home intending to eat leftover soup. Instead I found a frozen Trader Joe’s meal of Indian food that cost about $3 and was a fun change of pace from leftovers.
4. I successfully lobbied the chiropractor’s office to let me use two visits I had paid for but missed during the weeks I was supposed to use them. Glad not to waste things I already paid for!
5. On Friday I’ll have a meeting with lunch provided. Not the healthiest food, usually, but lately they’ve improved so I’ll take my chances and eat the free lunch
Katy, I’ve been a reader for a number of years, and you just keep looking younger! I think it’s a testament to no-fuss, frugal living. 🙂
Pick your parents well!
ALDI opened here a few years ago but only in our state last year. Prior to that we really only had two major national supermarket chains and a couple of independent local grocers. That makes a difference. Since ALDI has opened (and just before that, CostCo), it has reduced prices a bit.