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I didn’t sell much over the past week, which I owe to having been out of town, (so no sourcing) plus the random whims of the world. I did sell a vintage basket and some hangers through Facebook Marketplace, as well as a box of programmable DVDs through eBay. Seriously, that’s it! However, I did post a few new things on eBay which’ll pay off in the long term.
It’s not uncommon to doubt the stuff I’ve bought to resell only to later enjoy a rush of sales. Essentially, I just list it and forget it. Traditional retailers don’t expect to sell the entire contents of their brick and mortar stores on a daily basis, so why would I?
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I went out to lunch with an old co-worker yesterday and hit up the nearby suburban Goodwill afterwards. It’s one of my favorites as it never seems picked over, and I don’t think I’ve ever walked out empty handed.
I bought:
– A couple dozen velvet hangers.
– An antique “sun and moon” Roseville planter.
– A Fiestaware mini disc pitcher.
– An ornately carved antique doll chair.The total cost was $15!
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I replaced all my bedroom hangers with those skinny velvet ones that take up waaaay less closet space. The total cost was a mere $18, as I was able to source them for $2.99 per dozen(ish) from two trips to Goodwill. I like the classic look of the wooden ones, but my husband and I share an non-updated 1914 closet and there’s no room for
such fripperyform over function.I sold the wooden hangers through Facebook Marketplace and put the plastic ones up on my Buy Nothing Group to keep them in circulation.
Once I decide to get rid of something I tend to do it immediately. Not only does it keep my house from becoming cluttered, but it means that I can take the time to be extremely deliberate with how I rehome each item. This would be overwhelming if it was a huge pile of stuff, but it becomes possible when it’s just a few things per week.
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I dropped off a handful of wine corks for recycling, I slipped a book into a Little Free Library, I was gifted a Soda Stream CO2 canister through my Buy Nothing Group, I removed some cool industrial-style drawer pulls from a junked desk, I refurbished a free cast iron skillet and I finished a library copy of Tara Westover’s gripping book Educated.
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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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{ 64 comments… read them below or add one }
Nearly Double 5FF: Loving the Fall Weather!
1. Can’t say enough about the fall-like temps we have enjoyed daily for nearly the past month in the upper Midwest. It has literally been a month since we’ve needed to run the AC.
2. Made a killing at local grocery with 39 cent specials for many varieties of canned veggies, beans, mushrooms & tomato products (paste, 15 oz. sauce, various canned tomatoes). For $14.04 purchased 36 cans of items which should nearly get us through the winter. Found several unique vegan items at Aldi that were simple prep & inexpensive for DD, my college student.
3. Upon further reflection, decided that additional vegies & a few additional beans would guarantee an all winter supply. Made a 2nd trip to grocer for additional 22 cans for $8.58 & also nabbed a couple of soy candles for DD & myself that we had been coveting since last Christmas. Scent: Cabin Nights, think smoky bonfire loveliness. Held back at $10 each for 9 months but noticed at recent visit that they had been reduced to $5 each, so checked with DD & she was on board for purchase. May set hers back for a holiday surprise…
4. Spread the good news & texted a couple of frugal friends about the 3-day grocery prices & both planned to take advantage of the deals.
5. For the 2nd Friday in a row, paid tax (21 cents) on free card at card store with found coins of 21 pennies.
6. Made a triple strike at the local carry out pizza place. With a rare visit from DD, ordered the Friday night special for DH & I ($7), ordered a vegetarian pizza for DD & used a full stamp card (value $14.50) & received free cookie dough ($5) from survey at previous visit. Paid $7 for food valued at $28.50 full price & able to send 6 pieces of pizza & cookie dough home with DD for some easy, quick meals as she conserves her time for study & work.
7. DD went through a box of unwanted items from a previous boyfriend, so decluttering accomplished & have additional items for upcoming garage sale at the same time.
8. DH is taking a brief trip to visit a friend in Denver & yours truly is providing taxi service that eliminates any need for parking or alternative transportation & additionally does not conflict with my work schedule. There is definitely an upside to living 10” away from a major airport.
9. Recent homeowners’ association picnic/annual meeting in the park was a washed-out disaster. However, those of us who powered through & showed up in the pouring rain were rewarded with an entire pizza. Dinner for myself + lunch for 2 days.
Correction on #6: Take & Bake pizza place, not carry out. It’s truly a rarity to splurge on carry out & with such seasonable temperatures, using my own oven is a no-brainer.
I know it’s a typo, but I love that you love ten inches from an airport.
I can’t use the excuse of a typo as it was intentional. Just my creative abbreviation. 🙂
I’m guessing you meant minutes??
FFT, Deferred Maintenance Edition:
Given DH’s complete inability to do this sort of thing any longer (Dr. Alzheimer, I hate you), I have started taking up the slack on various home/vehicle maintenance and tool disposal issues I have been letting slide. One or two frugal fails up front, but I trust that these will all be FTs in the end.
(1) I got DH’s old HVAC friend in this morning to give our gas furnace a going-over, since it hasn’t been looked at in 6 years and since we’ll be running the wood-burner a lot less from now on (I don’t have the time and DH doesn’t have the brain cells to tend it on weekdays). The furnace passed with flying colors, and the HVAC friend charitably refused to do the duct cleaning I’d mentioned because he didn’t think it was necessary. Minimum charge for a house call. Total frugal thing, and hugs to friend.
(2) I’m also getting the chimney cleaned later this month, since we do still plan to run the wood-burner on weekends and holidays.
(3) Another of DH’s guy friends (a younger gent, DH’s last and best employee) came over to finish eliminating a persistent yellow jacket nest from one of our hedges, finish trimming the hedge, and start looking over DH’s tools with an eye to what he might like to acquire. This is going to end up in a complicated calculation re: what I think I owe him for hedge work and general friendship vs. what he thinks he owes us for 2019 meat plus whatever tools he wants. But we’ll work it all out in the end. Another total frugal thing.
(4) Yet another of DH’s guy friends came over yesterday to (a) trim some troublesome branches off one of our trees, and (b) take a look at the mildly leaky almost-flat roof over our large attic gable. Friend opined that the whole roof over the gable needs replacement, and referred us to a reputable local roofer. We may be dipping into the emergency fund for this one, but it’ll be a lot better than letting that roof deteriorate any further.
(5) Finally, with the help of our darling next-door neighbor, we’re taking DH’s Honda Element in on Thursday for NYS inspection plus a general checkup. I have been giving some thought to trading in both the Element and our Prius for something that combines the functions of both for our Upstate winters, but for various reasons, I’ve decided to hang on to both. (They both have very low mileage, DH’s friends borrow the Element and our utility trailer from time to time, etc.)
So as you can see, we have a solid backup network of guys! God rest ye merry, gentlemen! (Although it may be a little too soon to be getting into Christmas carols…)
How wonderful that you have a tribe of people that will help you as you navigate this difficult time.
Your courage continues to inspire.
Grace to you.
Patricia/Fl
Thank you, Patricia, for this and your many other encouraging messages. And an important reason DH and I have this tribe is that my dear DH did many kindnesses and favors back in the day. The Golden Rule still applies, if we’re willing to apply it.
Your husband must be a good man, to have all these people step forward to help in his/your time of need. Your grace continues to amaze.
1. I washed a pair of slippers that were kind of smelly and then had watermelon juice spilled on them. I figured I had nothing to lose. I threw them in with a load of delicates and they are fine, ready for another winter.
2. We celebrated a family birthday with lunch at home. Both the guests and my family were happy. It was more relaxing, healthier, and cheaper than eating out. The big splurge was a container of cole slaw at KFC.
3. The grocery store had a promotion to save $5 on groceries if you bought a $25 gift card. I bought one in that amount and applied it to my account.
4. Cooler weather means some days with windows open and the A/C off. It not only saves money but feels so good.
5. I submitted EOBs to get reimbursed from our Flexible Spending Account for medical/dental expenses not completely covered by insurance.
1. Drove by some of the nicer homes (on our way home from gymnastics practice) on their garbage night and found, what appears to be, someone throwing away their entire catering business. I pulled most of it out, kept a few things for us, kept a few things to sell on ebay and thrifted the rest. I was glad to keep those items out of the landfill.
2. Found in a free pile: three fox statues. One was a lamp and the other two are just statues. Will resell on Ebay.
3. Hubby used a coupon to take our son miniature golfing while I took our daughter to a birthday party. Almost free entertainment that afternoon.
4. Decided to thrift 18 bags of kids clothing that I had been saving for yard sales. It feels so good for it to be gone. I did spend a lot of time organizing it over the years, but I just wanted it out of the house.
5. I know have a garbage bag in each of my kids’ rooms to put items in as they out grow them. Throwing them in the corner just wasn’t working any more.
1. I found a 25 pound bag of quinoa at the surplus store, with a 1/3 off coupon — I got all the quinoa for $4! We will be eating quinoa once a week for now on. I also got 40 pounds of organic raisins for $20.
2. We are having stir fry tonight, with veg that looks old, served over quinoa.
3. I finally posted some of the things I have “decluttered” into boxes.
4. Volunteered at the school today, to work on WASC accreditation. Was fed free lunch (bagels and fruit, since all the sandwiches had meat).
5. Paid off the car early! Little bit by little bit, we paid the principle down enough that we paid it off yesterday. We will now put the monthly and any extra toward paying off the mortgage!
What healthy bulk shopping bargains that should last you awhile.
Toasting quinoa in a frying pan before cooking as usual really enhances the flavor. Game changer.
Hello, everybody! Reading these posts and everyone’s comments every week has helped keep me sane during a fairly challenging season, and I am grateful for that. Not a lot frugal going on, but a few things:
1) I’ve finally found a commute option I can live with. Hubs drops me at an express bus stop just a couple of blocks off his regular route to work. Nine times out of ten it’s faster than the light rail, which stops every four blocks. Shaving 15 minutes in the morning and 30+ in the evening is saving my sanity, and it’s orders of magnitude cheaper than driving.
2) Attended the company picnic at a little local theme park. Free food, free beer, free unlimited ride bracelets.
3) One son didn’t register for classes in time in the spring, so can’t get into the ones he needs for fall term. He’s opting to take a leave of absence for the quarter rather than pay for classes that won’t get him closer to graduation. Have to admit that I’m worried about this becoming a long term drop out, but it nonetheless saves us a tuition payment right now.
4. Both college kids (I’m calling him that optimistically still) moved into apartments this month, furnished entirely with stuff on hand. Yes, that means we have too much stuff on hand, but we knew there would soon be several places to furnish and it’s delightful to have the space freed up while keeping their costs down.
5. Enjoying free exercise – running and dog walking – now that the weather is cooler.
My ebay sales are way down too all of the sudden.
1. I was notified that I would be receiving a $100 refund from a company that came to repair my refridgerator. They diagnosed it and then wouldn’t come back to fix it forcing me to pay another person out. I went through the process of contesting the charge with my credit card company which didn’t work in my favor. I reported them to the BBB and received a call a week later.
2. Arranged for my daughter to have her dental appointment before our benefits run out. I won’t be renewing.
3. A friend came over and helped me power wash the siding. It looks much better. I’ve never used the power washer before but it was easy.
4. I purchased two LED lanterns at Costco. One for me and one for my father in law for his birthday. We both use candles when the power goes out and this will be safer. They had an old sign up with a $5 discount coupon. It rang at full price and I took it up to the counter and they gave me a price adjustment saving me $10.
5. I made applesauce with old apples in the fridge. I sent it home with my daughter.
Even as I type:
The cats pulled my kindle off the table playing with the cord and shattered the screen. Bad bad kitties. I contacted Amazon and they sent a prepaid shipping label. It’s still under warranty and will be fixed or replaced.
I replaced all my bulbs to leds. I found them at the dollar store for 1.00.
I did an inventory of my cabinets and had all the ingredients for hot fudge sauce. Banana splits anyone???
I was gifted two gallons of milk and made white sauce. I found out I could freeze and it would be okay. Potatoes on sale for 2.99 for 10 lbs. Yeah scallop potatoes.
everyone have a great day!!
1 Bought a huge box of strawberries for $4. Filled the freezer with strawberries for smoothies and muffins and made strawberry jam. Got 7 jars of jam.
2 Went to the food Co-op and got a big bag of groceries for $6, including two loaves of sourdough.
3 Made granola, cookies and muffins. Took muffins to my friends house, where the kids hung out and we parents, all self-employed, worked companionably.
4 Took my eldest to the carnival. I spent almost nothing, and was very NCA about it (food only). My daughter, not so much!
5 This relates to my youngest. I’m so proud. They are autistic and are having a tough time right now. It was their birthday and they wanted a day of fun but didn’t want to spend it with friends. For weeks now they have been signing up to all the birthday deals they could find. Then on their birthday they took their birthday money, gift cards, etc and took themselves to the movies. On the way they picked up a free birthday smoothie. That was their movie snack. After they picked up a free birthday hot chocolate. When their dad picked them up they were just finishing off free birthday churros. They had a wonderful day and spent hardly any of their own money.
Wow, your kids are more creative with their freebies than I have ever been. Kudos to them and you.
Your youngest used all their birthday freebies well. I am especially jealous of their free churros! So nice to see develop these good habits early on.
Your youngest used all their birthday freebies well. I am especially jealous of their free churros! It must make your frugal mommy heart proud that these good habits have developed early on.
1. Roasted a chicken for dinner for the 3 of us, it will also provide 2 more meals for us, and the bones were boiled down to provide about 8 servings of chicken broth
2. Found a few grocery bargains this week: $1.48 lb. boneless chicken breast, $0.49 for 1/2 doz. cinnamon/raisin bagels (bought 2 packs), $0.89 fresh mushrooms
3. AC has not been turned on for over 3 weeks–yeah
4. Accumulating Swagbucks to purchasing more homeschool curriculum and supplies
5. Enjoying the simple pleasures of being home, going for walks, reading and doing yoga with a nice scented candle burning and a breeze coming through the windows
Thanks as always to Katy and all those who share their thrifty hi jinks here in the comments section. Some days we are feeling it and other days, we just aren’t but we do it anyway. Today, I’m calling this comment: Wanted to, but did instead…
1. Wanted to stop for a coffee, made one at home instead.
2. Wanted to buy all the things while picking up son’s shoes at REI to save postage, instead I realized we needed nothing but the shoes.
3. Wanted to stop at the bakery for a treat with son on the way home from school, instead, we ate the popcorn and fruit we had at home.
4. Wanted to get take out to avoid more dishes, instead, I did the dishes and cooked a simple meal with what we had on hand.
5. I wanted to scream when the new tire started leaking and we discovered a huge screw in the treads. Instead, my DH is at the local garage getting the tire plugged. If it can’t be plugged, it’s new enough to replace one without messing up the balance of all (i think). Taking care of it now is the thriftiest and safest thing. 🙁
Sometimes it is not what we do, but what we don’t. Good job staying within the lines.
1. Found a free work conference in October where grandbaby lives. Was granted leave to go. I consider this a win/win. 2. The conference is free but the plane ticket is not. It was $268 and involves a lengthy layover. I don’t care. It is still much cheaper (and probably less hectic) than flying at Christmas. I will stay home with my local children and visit them. This is a win because I don’t like traveling during holidays. 3. I cleaned out my pantry and was pleased to see I have six months of canned and dried foods. 4. I washed my clothes for $1.50. I saved the 50 cents drying fee and dried them in my 115 degree car. The heat index hit 107 here today so my clothes dried even faster than I thought. 5. Took sandwich meat, cheese, bread, mustard to office for sandwiches all week. I already have dried cherries and almonds there so I am set for week.
1. Score!
So funny that you dried your clothes in your car. It is hot here in the Southeast — really hot. My AC has not been off. 🙁
I once saw plans that turned an old car into a dehydrator. You’ve got one.
My bil left a cheese sammie in his car once and declared it was a melted cheese sammie by the time he remembered to retrieve it…lol
1. Received a refund check in the mail the other day for $169.00.
2. Found 10 cents
3. Had buttermilk I needed to use so made a blueberry buttermilk bread with ingredients on hand and then a banana buttermilk bread. So glad I had frozen blueberries and bananas in the freezer. My office mates enjoyed the blueberry bread and my department colleagues at the university enjoyed the banana bread.
4. I did some meal prepping and made soup and quiche with things I had on hand.
5. I put a patio table out front with a “free” sign. It took 2 days but someone took it. So glad someone could use it.
1. Received a bill for $380 for my dd’s 8 PT appointments. I have a $20 copay. Waited on my EOB to arrive and then called. They are correcting the bill. I only owe $160. Our local Children’s Hospital is the WORST about over billing.
2. Doing a decluttering challenge for the month of September. 1 item for the 1st, 2 for the 2nd and so on. Feels good to get rid of stuff!
3. Submitted for reimbursement from the MLB group I “volunteer” with. First payment for my ds’s trip to Quebec and his Rugby tuition are paid for. Yay!
4. Ran loop errands after work today. Feels good to get the essentials taken care of.
5. Turned in library books on time. Paid a bill online. Packing lunches for work and school. Dh cut his own hair. Filled up with gas at Costco.
Where do you recycle corks? I save them,but have never seen anywhere to recycle and I don’t want to do crafts with them.
The New Seasons grocery store near my house has a recycling drop off box.
1. I found $4 on the ground as I was running errands.
2. My daughter wanted to bake something so we made caramel slice and banana bread for to use up browning bananas. A yummy and cheap afternoon snack and lunchbox treat.
3. I picked up some extra work this week.
4. My friend and I went to the movies. He has a club card (I don’t go often enough to warrant one) so he paid for the tickets and I bought the popcorn and drinks. I brought my own candy which was much appreciated by my friend.
5. I took a friend op shopping. I found 2 cardigans, a dress and a shirt for $16. My friend found a couple of tops so we both did well.
My not so frugal but maybe?
1. Still warm here and the ragweed is in the air so I still have AC on. I turn it up higher (warmer?) during the day.
2. My son and his girlfriend are coming for Christmas! They are traveling from Singapore. I can’t wait to see them both. Planning for Christmas Day celebration using frugalness.
3. Saw a cute tshirt that said something like I’ll bring my usual to the potluck – a bag of ice, lol.
4. Daughter is still working and it’s a good thing.
5. Scheduling a colonoscopy and getting orthodics for my shoes as I’ve met my deductible and they will be free.
6. Laughed at the living “10” from the airport” comment. My sister once lived 10 minutes from the airport and I could sit at her kitchen table and watch planes take off as she had a two story entry way with a big window.
1. Thankful that my husband is finally back at work after two months of leave following a surgery. The only negative is that we will not get a full paycheck until October 4th, but at least he is working again!
2. Found great deals on costumes at the thrift store. $2 for an adult size dragon costume and $5 for a velvety queen’s dress.
3. My son found a Millennium Falcon ship at the thrift store for $2 and was pleased because he had been looking for one there for almost a year.
4. My daughter found a beautiful upholstered chest to keep all of her costumes in for $20 at a yard sale **She does 2-3 plays a year and accumulates a lot of costumes…oh and she spent her own money, so that was frugal for me.
5. At another yard sale, we found Saxon Math books for $1 and containers of tennis balls for just 25 cents each.
1. Pulled all the frozen bananas out of the freezer this weekend and made 4 loaves of banana bread.
2. Found 2 new nonstick Calphalon pans at Freddy’s to replace the ones I had for years with the non-stick stuff wearing off for 60% off. Buy most kitchen items at Goodwill but for nonstick pans, whole goal was new and not peeling.
3. No recreational shopping, no lunches out.
4. FINALLY switched phones from Verizon to Xfinity and got rid of some channels on our cable (I would get rid of cable altogether but Hubs not ready) for total savings of $150/month and that includes a 0% interest monthly payment on a new iPhone for Hubs + $12/month insurance (he is INCREDIBLY hard on his phones) plus a new iPad (our old one is glitchy and on last legs). So all in all very successful. Cable deal is for two years, my goal is to gently convince Hubs over next two years that we can go cable free… Hubs also gets a subsidy from work for his phone bill, so that helps too.
5. Not buying any meat until we eat down all that is in freezer.
Educated was an amazing book. I think it’s one of those cases where the truth is stranger than fiction. If I’d read that story in a novel, I would have been like, “Ohhh, that’s too crazy. It’d never happen in real life.”
But it did.
I NEVER read books twice, but I read that one again almost immediately after reading it the first time.
I have been on the wait list forever at the library
Well worth the wait Lisa. And Frugal Girl, I did the same thing when I read Angela’s Ashes. I immediately reread it after wondering: Could this actually have happened? Apparently it did.
Have you read The Glass Castle? Another amazing real life story.
Yes, I read it last month or so, and then devoured her other books.
I read The Glass Castle, another one I could not put down. Can’t wait to read Half Broke Horses.
1. I picked out about 15-20 books from a box of donated books.
2. Ran out of data on my phone, and just keeping it that way, at least for now. Just using the wifi.
3. Teaching my daughter to make breakfast rice. I think this will be a cheaper breakfast option that yogurt.
4. Enjoying free coffee.
5. We’ve gotten our entertainment budget down to almost nothing. Lately we’ve been enjoying movies at home and playing games we already own.
1) AC has been off for about a month – unusual for this time of year here.
2) Used gift card I earned from Swagbucks to get Christmas gifts for Ds23’s girlfriend.
3) Paid Ds20 tuition with credit card that gives points. Requested w/d from his 529 account. Will pay off credit card before it’s due.
4) Submitted paperwork to the state for refund of sales tax on textbooks our sons have bought over the past year.
5) Traded in Swagbucks points for a gift card to a restaurant my sister and I like to go to for lunch.
No offense but don’t you have to pay taxes on the 529 $ that goes directly to you?
When she does her 2019 taxes, she will just need to be able to show that the money went for educational purpose for child.
When you make the withdrawal you declare whether or not it’s for a covered cost such as books or tuition. As long as you have receipts showing you paid that amount you do not pay taxes on the withdrawal.
1) Lunches to work from ingredients at home.
2) Sold items on local FB buy/sell site. So met the person about 1.5 miles from my house.
3) Made banana bread from frozen overly ripe bananas I have in freezer. Have 2 cans of unsweetened applesauce (which were free) and will be making applesauce nut bread. All items on hand.
4) Stocked up on items on sale for 10/$10 and 11th item free (so I did get lots of smoked sausage, hot dogs, frozen pizza and frozen 100% orange juice concentrate).
5) For the o.j. concentrate, I always dilute more than the can says for water.
1. Sold a few items online and got those out in the mail.
2. Consuming diet or light shakes or bars from the pantry for breakfast and lunch
3. Mailed a box of goodies to daughter-in-law for her birthday, many of them regifted items
4. Entertainment has been college football, Netflix and amazon prime
5. Working my on call gig
1. DH and I are going out to a free Celtic music concert at our local library tonight.
2. I’ve been drying our the dead headed marigolds and then saving them for planting next Spring.
3. I purchased a belt, a pair of like new dungarees and a large plant container for repotting my Orchids at the Salvation Army, all for a whopping $4.
4. Made and froze in sections a large Spinach Lasagna for future meals.
5. Looking forward to a Pot Luck Brunch at church this coming Sunday. Eggs were .99 for 18 last week so my contribution will definitely contain eggs. Quiche, custard pie or a pan of scrambled eggs are in my line of focus.
Christine – Another idea to use eggs at your function would be deviled eggs. I’ve found that many people don’t make them other than during the spring, so they are very popular at potlucks, as well as economical with minimal labor & time requirements.
Great idea Lisa! I never thought of deviled eggs for this time of year but that is a perfect way to make use of a lot of eggs. People seem to love them too.
Sold a Magic Math toy on Varagesale.
Sold a book bundle on Ebay.
Been making vegetarian meals for breakfast and lunch and just saving meat for dinner.
Freezing leftovers so they don’t go bad. Sometimes the meals I cook end up being bigger than I anticipated they’d be. LOL, plus since surgery, my portion is smaller than a toddler’s. Down 46 since surgery and 96 total. One of my kids called me skinny this week. LOL! Not quite, but I’ll take it!!!
Since we were in town for dental appointments, we drove a few miles up into the hills and fed the wild donkeys again. 99 cent carrot fun! Stopped by the park there that has ziplines and let the kids have fun on those too. Packed snacks so we wouldn’t be tempted to dine out.
96 pounds!!! Way to go Bethany. Congratulations!
I went discount shopping – several outlets are located in the same general area. These bargains were not as good as some other posters but worth a drive.
1. The discount grocery was celebrating a recent remodel with specials and free Betty Crocker Suddenly Salad mixes.
2. Bread outlet purchases included six gourmet loaves for 75c each.
3. Library had the book selection Economism by Klack so no profit for Amazon this month.
4. I returned unneeded laundry detergent and received $8 which I applied to my grocery order.
5. Large Savings – Although tempted to install our air conditioners all summer we have arrived at September alive, well and proud that we made it through without using it. We live in the North and winter heating bills are no joke so it is good we are summer frugalistas!
1) $20 from Swagbucks
2) Convinced DP that we should not eat lunch out since we had already done so this week (and not a frugal lunch at that!)
3) Drinking the free coffee at work
4) Made a giant vat of mac n’ cheese, 1/2 for a potluck, 1/4 of which I’ve been eating for dinner all week & 1/4 in freezer. Made with a good amount of cheese that needed to be used and milk from the freezer that I had stashed before it went bad. (Fail was when it became apparent that men should not be in charge of potlucks since it was all starch-carbs. I had to raid the fridge and make a giant salad, using my week’s worth to feed the neighborhood association, since we hosted).
5) Used a coupon for a free sample of a super yummy bone broth. Saved $4.79 (although there is no way I would have bought it if I had to pay!)
Katy, I once sold a large bag of corks on eBay. Crafters use them for all sorts of projects. I saved them for about a year in a container in my pantry.
So on to my Frugal Five:
1. I also echo that sales on eBay have been slow. I have quite a few listings out there with quite a few watchers. So I have been concentrating on other selling platforms. The Fall Vintage Flea Market that I participate in is October 12th. So I have been organizing, pricing, and preparing for it. It is my favorite sales venue – great vendors, profitable and a lot of fun.
2. I hosted my book club last night at my house. Books and friends are a great combination! Best of all, most of the members borrow our monthly selection from the library in one of the many formats offered. Cheap and fun!
3. I gave my home a deep cleaning which was definitely over due. It amazes me how beautiful my DATED home is when it’s sparkling clean. It is a reminder for me to take care of things. It was also great free exercise. According to my Fit Bit, I burned 2400 calories during the course of the day. That is the same number I burn when I run 5 miles during the day. Amazing!
4. As always, I try not to waste food. I am having last night’s book club leftovers for breakfast – toast with Brie and apricot preserves along with apple slices. Earlier in the week I also used some browning bananas to make GF bread and we had “clean out the refrigerator” night for dinner in which we ate all the unrelated bits and bobs that were leftover from previous meals.
5. Followed up on a medical claim that had not been paid. This appears to be an ongoing project. Grrrr… There appears to be a “glitch.” We have discussed this with the medical providers, the insurance company, and my husband’s employer who provides coverage. I know where the problem is, but I can’t get anyone to fix it. The claims get paid, but only because I am diligent.
In other news, my son who is hiking the PCT is almost to Washington. He had enjoyed Oregon – Ashland, Crater Lake and Bend. He says the night’s are chilly already.
It was a handful and probably represented a year and a half of wine. It would take me forever to get enough to sell.
I was in a somewhat gnarly car accident two weeks ago so focusing on the little things I can do is really helping me distract from dealing with insurance and other expenses related to the wreck.
1. A coworker brought me a giant basket of vegetables as a get well present. She gets me! Between the basket and the our CSA box, we needed almost no additional groceries for the past two weeks.
2. The car rental place in my area is closed through October so I was going to have to pay a little out of pocket for a rental or go an hour away for a rental car. Instead, I’ve been catching rides to work with work friends who drive past my neighborhood on their way in. Free for me and no extra gas for them!
3. Not being able to drive anywhere has prevented me from randomly buying something to make myself feel better.
4. My car has officially been totaled and for once insurance is giving me more money to replace it than I expected. I’ve done my research on the available cars and I’ll be ready to go in to negotiate tomorrow. If I play my cards right, I won’t be paying out of pocket at all while still getting a newer car with fewer miles on it.
5. Thanks to everyone mentioning banana bread, I’m thinking about the bananas I have at home that are ready to be bread. I know what I’m doing tonight!
So sorry your were in an accident!
This is for Bee. Please contact the state insurance commissioner. They will contact your insurance company.
1. Sandwiches for lunch have been keeping my first week back at a real job much cheaper. New boss took me out for lunch the first day and I was able to save enough leftovers as well. Getting into these habits early!
2. Knew I needed a haircut before starting the new job because I was looking pretty rough. Noticed a free haircuts sign at an Aveda salon in my neighborhood for their apprentice to practice, so managed to swing an appointment. I tipped her on the full value since I figured apprenticing must be a real money suck, but definitely still less than a haircut there would have been.
3. Needed some new work clothes since my office is mostly casualwear, and mine is mostly worn out. Went outlet mall shopping and managed to come in under budget. Rewarded myself with a burrito.
4. Reorganized under our bathroom cabinet, a task that hasn’t happened since we moved. How is this frugal? I found so many products that I use regularly that I wondered where they had gone. Hard to use things up if you can’t find them! Looking forward to the stash of skincare, razors, and hairties that I don’t have to buy more of.
5. New office is an open floor plan concept. I am coming from a small office to myself so it’s an adjustment. My dad had bought me really nice headphones a while back that I had no need for as they only work with a computer (not bluetooth). I held onto them since I had a feeling I’d use them for something. I now have a wonderful pair to leave at the office–noise cancelling and connect to my computer. Glad to find a use for these and not have to find a new pair!
Repaired 14 year old Bose Sound Dock for my 2001 iPod.