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I sold a few things here and there, 100% through eBay as few people seem to comfortable buying through in-person platforms such as Facebook marketplace and Craigslist. I get it. Here’s some of what sold:
• A groovy vintage TV remote that’s now on its way to Germany to be used as a movie prop.
• An avocado green rotary phone that spent the past year or so sitting on my mantle.
• A pair of plastic Dansko clogs that I picked up at Goodwill a couple of weeks ago.
• A pair of vintage Italian glasses frames that I plucked from a Goodwill Outlet bin in the “before times.”
I also have someone supposedly coming by today to buy a vintage cast iron skillet, although I know better than to count my chickens before they hatch.
Edit: It sold!
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My next door neighbors ended up having to put their ancient kitty to sleep and gave me all of Colette’s leftover unused cat litter, cat food, plus their cat carrier, as I’ve borrowed it in the past. I was actually driving to Costco to buy cat litter when her text came through with the offer, although I continued on with the errand as I already had my palate set for one of their $4.99 roasted chickens.
I brought her flowers last week when I heard about her cat’s passing.
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My friend Lise needed to have a tree removed that was growing too close to her house’s foundation and roof. And savvy woman that she is, she shaved a few bucks off the bid by having the arborist dump all the shredded wood chips on her property rather than driving them to a waste station. (Luckily the two previous chipped trees from that day were a cedar tree and a Douglas fir.) She and I then drove five (maybe six?) trips between our two houses hauling bins of wood chips to re-landscape the path along the side of my house. The job took an hour or so as we live just two blocks apart, and my side yard now smells amazing and more importantly will absorb more of Portland’s never ending and bountiful rainfall. My cost? The price of one tall frosty matcha boba tea!
Click HERE for some satisfying before-and-after pictures!
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I utilized my public library system’s My Librarian service to request some book recommendations. I explained what I was looking for, to which she asked a few follow up questions to hone in on my reading preferences. She then recommended ten different books, which amazingly included three that I’d already read, most of which were from authors I’d enjoyed in the past or at least had heard of. I like to read, but don’t consider myself a prolific reader, so this is damned clairvoyant!
Hilariously, she titled my personalized list as Quality Distraction, which I think is genius, pure and simple! This list is public so you can actually check it out for your own “quality distraction.” My plan at this point is to continue to pepper her with questions until I’m able to transform her into my own personal life coach. This woman gets me!
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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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{ 101 comments… read them below or add one }
1. I’ve been selling thrift a variety of platforms: china, crystal, silver, collectibles for BFFs sister. Happy to add $674 more to my checking account as I get 50% of the sales.
2. Took clothing to two different consignment stores $33 in my pocket
3. Cobbled together a birthday gift for friends birthday next week
4. Organized skin care into plastic bags by product so I know what I have which is plenty
5. Reading the over abundance of books I have
Have you found a good platform to sell china? I’m ready to sell my entire set. After almost 30 years, and hardly any use, it’s time to move it along!
I had to laugh about your experience with My Librarian, even though I was so gratified to hear of it. As a retired librarian, I have always sorta thought that a logical retirement career for me would be as a life coach!
I love that journey for you.
1. I made chicken and rice soup with leftovers last night and tonight we had the leftovers of the leftover soup, plus today’s noodle lunch leftovers. We eat a lot of leftovers.
2. We had a simple end of homeschool year celebration. I made no bake cookies, set up some of the kids’ school projects for display and gave the family a review of the school year.
3. We’re learning what kinds of things our 2 kittens and monkey like to eat. They eat quite a few kitchen scraps, which is handy.
4. Sewed a button back onto one of my husband’s shirts.
5. Bought cheap coffee for me. My husband prefers another brand, but I can still make the cheaper kind for myself since I can’t taste much of a difference.
I remember the first time I took leftovers to a potluck. Life-changing–I prefer to think of it as having cooked ahead of time.
Ummmmm, I don’t suppose you live next door to Sarai & Ken, do you?
Afraid not.
Summer is here. I have spent the last few weeks feeling hot and a bit distraught. 2020 has not been what I hoped for. I know that I’m not alone in my feelings. However, I still am in control of my choices. So here are my Fabulous Five:
1. I offered several items this weekend on eBay for 20% off and sold 4 items in one hour. I was thrilled. No huge profits to report, but slow and steady wins the race. I am very much a tortoise not a hare. I also FINALLY managed to accumulate $25 in my Ibotta account. It takes me months to do this, because I buy so few name brand products. ThredUP finally processed the box of clothing that I sent them back in early March. Approximately 1/2 the items they kept have sold, so I have earned a small amount of money. I can’t decide whether to cash out or save it to refresh my wardrobe. However, since we are not going anywhere or doing anything, I really don’t need much of anything. Cash, however, is always handy.
2. When one lives in the Southern part of the US and spend much time on or near the water, good polarized sunglasses are a must. Last year I invested in an excellent pair of glasses by Costa. I waited until REI had a 20% off sale and used my annual dividends so I could afford them. Although I took very good care of them, the ear piece developed crack. I sent the company a note and asked them if I could purchase just the ear piece. Unfortunately, they have change the frame styling slightly, and this piece is no longer available. However, they offered me a similar pair free of charge. Awesome customer service! They even paid the shipping!
3. I started out the week with a refrigerator filled with odds and ends. I planned my meals daily by determining what needed to be eaten. No one starved and we ended up eating some very good meals. I think I’m more creative when faced with this dilemma. I made a roasted veggie pasta to use up eggplant, zucchini, mushrooms, tomatoes, onions, peppers and Italian sausage which was then topped with the ends of 3 different cheeses. I made Jicama and mango slaw for fish tacos and then we used the leftovers the next day in chicken salads. I also ate sweet potatoes for breakfast. I’m proud to say that by week’s end the refrigerator was empty and I didn’t throw anything away. Plus, I only spent $35 on groceries that week!
4. Although we do not live in the same house,our family has been sharing things and helping each other when we can to save money and resources. My eldest has acquired a new puppy. I lent him the dog kennel that was in the garage. (However, I’m hoping I’ll need it again soon.) My daughter gave me a wonderful pair of barely worn Frye boots that she received at a clothing swap. I gave her a pretty short sleeve silk blouse that didn’t fit me. I had picked up on my last trip to the Bins in February. My son went fishing and shared his bounty. It’s snapper season in Florida. I did some dog sitting in return. My DIL-to-be shared some fresh herbs cut from her garden.
5. Besides all the usual things – cooking from scratch, drinking primarily filtered water, brewing my own coffee, reading library books and watching free streamed TV- I saved $12 using CVS extra bucks to buy my shampoo which was priced on sale at 2 for $15. I received $5 more extra bucks for this purchased and I earned $2 in my Ibotta account. Hooray for free shampoo!
Wishing everyone peace and good health.
Jicama is a seriously under appreciated vegetable. I love it raw or cooked–especially in beef stir fry dishes.
I never thought of using jicama in a stir fry or even considered cooking it. Thanks!
I love it as a substitute for cabbage in coleslaw with poppy seed dressing
Never thought of using it in coleslaw!! So thank you, too!
Bee, I’ve also been struggling with things the last few weeks. It’s frustrating to see our state make such progress just to backslide. 2020 has been heartbreaking. Hang in there. Love your fabulous five. I’m inspired now to try jicama.
I’m sorry you are feeling frustrated too. There are days I feel like I’m stranded on a sandbar. No place to go. Danger all around. Nothing that can be done about the situation. I’m just waiting for the tide to turn. The good news is the tide always turns. BTW, do give jicama a try. It’s delicious!!!
5+FF: Hanging in There Edition
1. DH’s pre-Covid new position & the gradual reopening of health care providers required that I search out & develop accounts for each of 3 insurance benefits – health, dental & vision to access provider, benefits & claims info. The average consumer must now possess insurance savvy d/t self-service features. Extremely time consuming & tedious but it pays to check out coverage & in-network providers in advance. Individual accounts also required to track payment of claims with new trends of paperless EOBs & no EOBs if no OOP expense to insured. After looking @ a few recent preventive claims, the value of insurance cannot be understated.
2. Recent kitchen creations: 3 Bean-Cheese-Zucchini Salad; Chopstick Chicken Salad; Indian Egg Salad; Creamy One-Pot Pasta; Mediterranean Tuna Salad.
3. Had a couple of old wood items in front of the basement window that developed a little mildew. Will cover top of egress window completely with tarp instead of partially to decrease moisture content going forward. In the upper Midwest, snow is with us for months on end. Researched mildew removal from old wood & 1st used dry toothbrush & then vinegar & water solution on toothbrush, all done outside in sunshine. Hoping to kill the spores.
4. Completed final 2 complimentary online CEU programs for licensure renewals due 8-31-21.
5. Met friend @ coffee shop where they have finally returned outside tables with umbrellas for social distancing. Added points to perk account with purchase for eventual free drink, any kind any size & completed survey for $1 off next drink for next 10 days – later given to DD d/t my infrequent splurges. While there saw shiny copper glinting in the sun. Found 2 pennies & gave one to friend. Since I arrived 1st, helped her with correct answer to trivia question for 10 cents off her drink.
6. Continuing ongoing disbursement of little dog’s spoils: While @ coffee shop, gifted friend several items specifically designed for small dogs as she has 2 tiny fur babies: a large package of opened dental treats, unopened package of chewable heartworm preventative, gifted samples of dog herbs for anxiety. Scrubbed kennel & bowls to add to upcoming garage sale, along with random non-consumable pet items. Returned 2 unopened containers of wet dog food with receipts to big box for credit.
7. Used card from free stash for sister’s recent birthday. Redeemed coupon for free card in July from card store for nephew’s upcoming birthday.
8. Received DD’s auto insurance renewal with blurb about amount of Covid discount applied & DH’s renewal also provided Covid discount. Recently paid my car insurance without similar blurb. Called agent rep. who verified that discount was not applied for renewals in June, so would receive discount on next renewal. Reported annual mileage change for DH d/t working from home since beginning of pandemic & plan for ongoing work from home. Cost reduction for him of $74/year.
I have a question someone may be able to answer. Years ago, I lost 125 pounds, the result of tumors removed during several surgeries and a weird after effect where I lost all desire to eat for about six months. Anyway, my husband and I were ballroom dancers back then and I still have some gorgeous beaded floor length gowns that have been barely worn. The beading makes it impossible for them to look good when taken in; even my terrific seamster of a husband could not do it. I want to sell them, but I have this thing about tags so all the size and type of material and care instructions hit the garbage as soon as I bought them, which makes it impossible to list in some places. There are no vintage sales places in our part of Alaska and Thread Up only deals with the 48 contiguous states (I hate how many companies do that), so I have no idea where to sell them. eBay has not worked out. Any other options I have not thought of? We donated my professional clothes to the women’s shelter but they said they would not use the dresses, so we did try that option. (Someone actually said, “We do not encourage our clients to go out dancing.” For perhaps only the third or fourth time in my life, I was speechless.)
I did make money this week by selling off a bunch of canning equipment and a dehydrator, two more of my husband’s ugly Christmas sweaters, and a purse shaped like a turtle that I’d picked up out of a “free” pile at the end of someone’s driveway. $310 in the bank!
Traded some of the excess tomatoes from my greenhouse for moose jerky. While cleaning the pantry, I found a cake mix that was almost 10 year past the use by date. I was going to throw it away but decided to pour it over a bunch of chopped and lightly sugared rhubarb and bake it up. It was really tasty!
Lindsey, My sister in law sells clothing on Poshmark all the time. I have given her some things without tags because I have the same problem you do. The edge of a tag is like sandpaper on my skin. I believe she gets around the missing tag by listing the measurements in all directions.
If you think your formal gowns could be repurposed as prom dresses, check out https://www.beccascloset.org/beccas-closet-chapters/organization. They accept donations of formal dresses and provide them to those who cannot afford a dress for prom. Hopefully proms will resume some day!
Lindsey:
Is there a ballroom dance studio near you? Or in a larger city? Perhaps call and ask if they have any kind of clothing sales advice.
Have you tried Poshmark?
There’s a couple places I can think of. My sister sells stuff online all the time, on different platforms. I recommend listing measurements.
– Poshmark
– Mercari
– Etsy – especially if these might be considered vintage.
– Depop – The funkiest things sell there!
– Consignment stores – There’s a funky consignment store where I live that buys and resells a lot of festival/vintage clothing.
Lindsey, have you tried Encore Ballroom Couture? They sell Ballroom gowns on consignment. I work professionally in costuming and they have been a great resource for me when I needed dresses at a good price. They are really good about answering questions (at least they were before Covid19)
1. I’ve sold a couple of things on Ebay and Craigslist. Nothing too exciting but I was able to get rid of another refrigerator drawer and a giant tarp that was taking up a lot of space in my garage.
2. I made my own dishwasher tabs using a recipe I found on the internet. The savings isn’t that great but it does eliminate the large plastic container from Costco. My dishes are just as clean as they are with the Finish tabs I was using.
3. My pool brush broke and I was able to fix it with a small replacement part saving many dollars. The chlorine that I switched to seems to be doing the trick and it is much less expensive than the bromine. I’m vacuuming frequently in order to save on chemicals.
4. My Mother and Sister came for a visit and a float in the pool. I made Mojitos using the mint growing in my yard. We also watched the movie My Spy on Amazon Prime which my Mother had wanted to see in the theater before the pandemic. I fed them a tasty but inexpensive dinner of chicken tacos using my homemade refried beans.
5. I went to Plato’s closet with my daughters and also to a few garage sales. We were able to find them several nice inexpensive pieces of clothing. I also found a nice new metal chrome plated drying rack. One of my racks is falling apart so this was a great find.
Visiting family far away:
1. Only bought gas at stations that had gas for $1.95 or less a gallon. Drove our car that gets 42 mpg, bought nothing else on those stops
2. Took a trip to a local state park for family time together, we spent $12 to get in and another $20 to take a rowboat out for 1 1/2 hours for all of us. We would have stayed out longer but South Carolina can be pretty hot out this time of the year. We packed a picnic, snacks, and refillable water bottles
3. Ate dinner hosted by our daughter and her boyfriend the first might, yummy schicken, asparagus, biscuits, salad and oreo brownies
4. The second night DH and myself went to the local grocery store and bought turkey burgers, beef hot dogs, fries, and salad for dinner and did the cooking. Was surprised to see less than 1/2 the customers and many staff not wearing face coverings in that store. Since we are from a state that has had very strict regulations on face coverings for the last 4 months it was not expected
5. pulled off the entire trip for the 3 of us to visit them for less than $100
I’m keeping up with my zucchini production by making zucchini fritters and dehydrating the rest.
I added a brand new item to my Etsy store-a clothes pin bag, which will help the purchaser save a lot of money! https://www.etsy.com/shop/FabricSpeaks
I loaned my binoculars to a friend and she gave me excess blackberries and dried apples!
I have successfully propagated 3 tomato cuttings. This will extend my harvest.
I have used the library again since they’re open for curbside pickup. I had sorely missed the library
Katy, the only book I have read on your list is Between, Georgia. It was excellent, as is everything by Joshilyn Jackson. Try her Almost Sisters, too.
1. Successfully duplicated one of my husband’s favorite restaurant dishes at home.
2. I am weeding the flower bed by working on it for 15 minutes a day. I can’t handle the heat any longer than that, so I take a timer with me and come in when it dings. I have made a lot of progress.
3. Made 3 more pints of bread and butter pickles, for a total of 13 and 1/2 pints so far this summer.
4. Husband and I took everything off the front porch, scrubbed the furniture and got rid of some clutter. I went to Goodwill and spent 1.50 for fabric to recover the old pillows. I added some plants and it is now a lovely place to relax. Too bad we can’t because of the heat.
5. Went to the drug store for eye drops. Used points for $5 off. The drops were buy one get one half off. That was another $5 off.
I love your 15 min timer idea. We have done something similar in the past with evening house cleaning. Setting the timer for 15 min and cleaning until it goes off. We’d make ourselves do it before watching TV. We were amazed at how much you can get done in that time. When done regularly, it is humbling. So. Much. Gets. Done. I’ll never scoff at 15 min of work again!
I like your timer idea. I’ve been doing the same thing without the timer. I go outside and work until I get too hot and then take a break. I also do the same thing when I’m feeling not motivated to do housework. I work for a short time and then reward myself with a break and a book or part of a TV show.
1. Have been working on my back yard bit by bit for little money and am really happy with how it looks right now. Lots of potted hydrangeas blooming, losts of free/gifted/thrifted furniture for a shabby chic kinda feel. Really enjoying it and haven’t spent much.
2. Had people over to meet my cousin’s new baby. Made the menu with an eye to keeping costs reasonable. Had people BYOB on alcohol *daytime event so not much consumed. Kept it all reasonably priced and everyone had a great time. Menu = Guac and chips, broccoli salad, macaroni salad, chicken marbella, good bread, peach crisp and vanilla ice cream.
3. Saving money not driving to work and not parking downtown. Getting take out once in awhile but still coming out ahead.
4. Haven’t had a mani or pedi since the pandemic started and probably won’t anytime soon, have been doing my own and will continue to do so.
5. Stretching hair cut and color much longer too. And did own taxes. On July 15. Not cutting it close or anything… Owed $2900 feds, getting $2800 refund from state, so pretty close to a wash…
The local news said they are stopping reporting of possible places of exposure. They said that any time you go out now you will be exposed to covid-19. While people argue over masks or no masks I wonder that I ever even need to go out amid the madness for things. Are things my companions? My prisoners? Or am I theirs? Things should just be things. How many things do I need, does anyone need?
Things distract me. I imagine a simple wooden structure. A small covered porch leading to the front door. Inside is a small living room with a couple of windows, sparsley furnished, a tiny kitchen on the opposite side. A back door leading to a postage stamp back yard. To the left of the living room a hallway taking you into two bedrooms one on either side of a minute bathroom. Everything old and worn but meticulously clean and scrubbed. A cat sleeping on an open window sill. Sunbeams revealing dancing dust particles floating merrily in the breeze. I close my eyes and imagine I am there and this world is far far away. It makes me feel better. It makes me feel calm.
A lone castaway amid 328 million.
Love it Tia, I imagine something similar.
Tia, I enjoyed this comment, as always–particularly the last line. I’m guessing that a lot of us commenters in the USA feel like lone castaways amid 328 million at the moment. But let’s keep sending up smoke signals to each other.
Love your little home fantasy! I am in an rv tiny dwelling, love my tiny space! I’d love a private yard though, so that is a goal. Yours makes me smile. And yes, A Marie, let’s keep sending each other smoke signals. Love it!
Free entertainment! I can only identify a few celestial objects, (sun, moon, dippers if I look for several minutes on a clear night), but am going to try to get outside in the next three evenings to look for the Neowise comet about 10:00pm. It won’t be back for another 6800 years.
I don’t know if I have ever seen a comet. I am the sort of person who, when riding in a car and someone says, “Look, deer!”, automatically looks out the wrong window. But I will try, as it is supposed to be quite easily spotted, like a star with a tail, below the Big Dipper.
1. Made some sturdy mailing envelopes out of old file folders.
2. Purchased blueberries from a local farm. Froze berries on baking sheets and then transferred them to canning jars and returned to freezer.
3. Arrived at a local farm stand one day just as they were about to close and received some deals. Win-win all around.
4. Trying to take quick, cool showers instead of lengthy, hot ones that steam up the bathroom, waste water, and cost more. Sometimes I get lost in thought and wind up spending way more time than necessary in the shower.
5. What a challenging year, with so much stress and grief over so many things. Virtual hugs to everyone who has lost loved ones, pets, livelihoods, opportunities, health, well-being, all of it. Last week we said goodbye to our beloved Betsy Beagle. Her advanced age, dementia and incontinence were all working against her. We chose the less expensive group cremation option only because we wanted her to be with others in eternity. Then last night a powerful storm came through and took down the tree on a neighboring property where we watched bald eagles perch every day. I cried about that, too. Even the smaller losses seem magnified.
So sorry for your losses. Losing a pet is truly losing a member of your family and can hit much harder than we expect. Losing a tree is tremendous to me also. My next door neighbor lost 6 during hurricane Florence in 2018 and I still look up and miss them.
You are not alone in your grief. Big Hug. Alexandra in NC
Sending my condolences on your loss of Betsy Beagle. It was 4 weeks ago today that we said our farewell to little dog. Even for a newbie pet parent such as myself, the signs of end-of-life are stark compared to normal canine functioning. I applaud your selflessness in sending Betsy off communally with a group cremation so she would not be alone. A friend mentioned to me that they wanted to eventually have their pet’s ashes reunited with their own ashes. I loved that idea, so I chose individual cremation & her cremains will sit waiting until my time comes. Underlying our unique ideas & thoughts, lies an abiding & lasting love for our precious pets. I’m so very sorry for your loss.
So sorry for your loss of Betsy Beagle. My heart goes out to you as I send wishes of love and peace.
I’m sorry for your loss. The hardest part about owning a pet is saying goodbye.
So sorry for your loss of Betsy Beagle. Canine family members have added so much to our well being during this time of great stress. Loved your #5 expression of solidarity with everyone’s challenges this year. The loss of our 200 year old ash tree also merited much sorrow in our family.
So sorry for your loss.
Thanks, everyone, for your kind thoughts.
1 – I finally used the $10 Costco Cash card I’ve carried around with me for the past 18 months.
2 – Inspired by Amy Dacyczyn’s universal muffin and universal quiche recipes, I’ve created a universal pureed vegetable soup recipe. I use a ratio of 1 cup chopped vegetables to 1 cup broth, with complementary seasonings. If the veggies aren’t already cooked, I simmer them in the broth first until tender. Then I let the soup cool before I puree it in my Vitamix. This past week’s combination of carrot + sweet potato + onion with a heaping spoonful of yellow curry paste turned out very tasty. It’s also a good way to use up leftover cooked vegetables.
3 – Because I let my soups cool first before running them through the Vitamix, I don’t need to buy an immersion blender just for handling hot soup. That’s one less kitchen gadget to clutter up my pantry.
4 – Speaking of Amy D., I remembered her tip about using a smidge of baking soda in fruit pies and cobblers to cut down on the fruit’s acidity and reduce the amount of sugar needed in the recipes. Instead of fruit pies, though, I use this tip for fruit smoothies. A big pinch of baking soda in our last batch of piña coladas took the pucker power right out of them (which we prefer).
5 – Our hot-but-not-humid weather as of late has been great for drying laundry outside. Besides my two drying racks, I use the long wooden handles from a pair of busted leaf rakes to hang clothes outside. I lay the old handles across the corners of our deck railing to make a pair of clothes poles. Then I put our wet shirts and pants on plastic hangers and hook them onto the poles. I can fit a lot of laundry in a small amount of space that way.
Thank you for the tip about smoothies. I have a sensitive stomach and have thought pineapple was just something I couldn’t eat. I will give this a try.
1. We’ve been drying laundry on the clothes line on our screened porch. Lately it dries FAST because so hot. I shudder at the thought of using the dryer right now with this heat.
2. I broke down about a year ago and bought an instant pot. I’ve been slowly falling in love with it. Latest bonus: it doesn’t heat up the kitchen at all!
3. I’ve been doing more menu planning by writing down what i have in the fridge with stars next to what needs to be used up first. This little reminder is helping me not waste anything. I’m a huge fan of throw it in the freezer too. “When in doubt, freeze it” keeps our food waste to a minimum. I think I learned that from Amy D too Jenzer! (:
4. I earned a $50 gift card from my insurance company by doing a health journey online. I chose one about Medical directives and was pleased to learn more about this. I spent the card on new kitchen towels, measuring cups and zippered laundry bags all of which were on their very last legs.
5. I was thrilled with a new recipe from Budget Bytes – raw corn, raw zucchini, cherry tomatoes, avocado, and a lemon vinaigrette. REALLY delicious and I had all the ingredients so no special trip. Here is the link: https://www.budgetbytes.com/summer-sweet-corn-salad/
My daughter introduced us to the same salad. I was very skeptical about raw corn, but it was absolutely delicious!
Alexandra – I just used the link you provided to print out the Summer Sweet Corn Salad recipe. This sounds delicious & unique with the raw corn. Thank you for sharing!
FFT, Budgeting Value, Not Just Money
1. Rearranged our daily routine to work around the heat instead of against it: the kids and I go out to play or garden first thing in the morning, in our pajamas, with fruit and bagels in hand. We play until lunchtime then come in for baths, AC, TV, and school. By then it’s dinner, and we can usually get in another good playtime before bedtime.
2. Bought some industrial-medical-grade masks. As we all know, masks are important and effective! It’s also true that homemade masks are more effective at protecting others than protecting yourself. Because we live in an area where almost no one else masks, DH and I finally decided that we needed to protect others AND ourselves with the quality of mask that confers protection to the wearer. Although this decision was expensive, it has allowed us to start venturing out more freely.
3. The kids are being more cooperative in eating (most) leftovers for lunchtime. This prevents cooking new “kid” foods for lunch while “normal” foods sit in the fridge. We have always eaten family breakfast and family dinner, but lunch was more of a flexible meal.
4. DS (3yo) has gotten into the habit of throwing all his furnishings out his window if he’s having a timeout in his room. Instead of picking pillows and underpants out of the garden multiple times a day, I’ve started putting his bedding into his locked closet during the day. When he chills out on the window tossing, we’ll return to a normal bedroom.
5. Teaching my children to gracefully accept “Oh, that’s disappointing! But here’s an idea…” As in, “The playground is much too crowded and no one is wearing masks. Oh, that’s disappointing! But here’s an idea: let’s go ride bikes on the nature trail and have some popsicles when we get home.” Flexibility is more valuable than gold.
Your number 5 is great! I think I’ll try that with my kiddos too.
That is a very groovy remote!!! I checked out your booklist. I have a couple of those on hold at my library and I was able to borrow one on my Kindle. What a great service.
We’re spending a lot on a remodel at our house, but trying to balance with frugality where we can.
1) Made 19/21 meals at home, without a kitchen. Yesterday we were also without water, so we did get takeout for lunch & dinner, which is never frugal.
2) Sold quite a few things on eBay & FB marketplace.
3) Inspired by you & your philosophy of keeping things out of the landfill & matching them with someone who can use it, after my husband’s jacket disintegrated upon washing, I was able to pull out the armor inside (motorcycle jacket) & sell that on eBay. It’s quite large & sturdy, & otherwise would have gone to the landfill.
4) Picking tomatoes from the yard + basil
5) Minimal driving & spending, due to COVID. I’d rather be spending more for a healthy country, but that’s where we are.
FFT, ***Retirement!!!*** Edition:
(1) I handed in my final editing project to my employers on 7/14, and they are allowing me to run out the clock on accumulated vacation time till my official retirement on 8/1. Whooooosh!
(2) I also now have my Medicare and Part D insurance cards in hand. The Medigap card should be here shortly. So I will very soon be an Official Old Fart.
(3) I’ve been adapting Shevaun’s #1 to conditions here, now that I don’t have to run up to my computer first thing in the morning for work any more. It’s a great comfort to be able to work in the garden in the a.m. coolth till the blazing sun gets over the trees. The garden may be somewhat less of a weed-choked disaster this fall than it was last fall as a result.
(4) DH has a new home care aide (his first one had to retire because of orthopedic issues of her own). The new aide was a bit stiff and taciturn at first, but she seems to be warming up to us as we go along. And, loud cheers, she was a hairdresser in a previous life–and she brought her scissors and clippers with her last Wednesday and gave DH his first haircut since March!! I urged her to add an extra charge for this to her agency bill for the day, but she declined (“I do this all the time”). Woo hoo not only for this, but for not having to wrestle DH into a mask and get him to a Supercuts. And I’ve been afraid that he might end up looking like Larry, Mo, or Curly if I tried cutting his hair.
(5) On the down side, DH’s condition is still deteriorating at an alarming rate. The new medication he was prescribed on 7/2 is still a work in progress, believe me. But at least I now have more time and energy to deal with all this.
(3)
So glad you are retired! I hope the extra energy you will have will make it easier to cope with your husband’s advancing needs.
Congratulations on the retirement! It also sounds like you found a great home aide. We were blessed with several great ones over the past four years and they really kept me sane.
A. Marie:
I raise my glass to your retirement, and to you.
Much grace,
Patricia/Fl
Congratulations on your retirement and being able to spend more time with your hubby.
Congratulations on your retirement. Hopefully you’ll have some time to take care of you, while enjoying time with your husband and in the garden. x
A. Marie congratulations on your retirement. I have been following your story regarding your husband and want to tell you how lucky he is to have you. Imagine if he did not have you for an advocate and to manage his care. It is scary to think about.
I too am officially old. I am counting the days down until August 1st. Already have my 3 Medicare cards. It will be interesting, in a good way, to have good health insurance. My husband and I have bought our catastrophe plans for the last 20 years.
I think about your situation often and send you positive vibes. So glad you have your garden and good neighbors.
Congrats on your retirement! Virtual hugs for you while you go on this journey with your husband.
Congratulations on retiring!! You have earned it ❤️
-Picked wild mulberries. Used them instead of blueberries in a cobbler, which tasted amazing
-My friend is a librarian. Told her I needed some good, funny books and she gave me great suggestions!
-Enjoying free Panera iced coffee
-Enjoying first ripe tomatoes from the garden, along with blueberries, raspberries and fresh herbs.
-Chose to spurge on fresh cherries and local peaches instead of cookies at the grocery store.
-Using free printable worksheets and toys from friends to work on the alphabet and counting with my son.
-Filled out a health questionnaire for my parents. They got an amazon gift card in return, which they gave to me
-Continuing haircuts at home. My husband and kids may never go back to salon haircuts, he has quite a knack for cutting hair. Any suggestions for hair clippers?
-We have avoided the siren of takeout pizza for at least 2 weeks. This may be a record. Meals have been leftovers and boring but no one is complaining- at least to my face!
I found a Wahl hair clipper set at Costco around the beginning of this year. It’s worked well for cutting my son’s hair, and is getting even more use than I planned on now that my husband has adopted a buzz cut. So far it’s worked great. My mom also has an older model of the same brand that she’s used to cut my dad’s hair for at least 15 or so years.
We do haircuts at home and my husband uses a combination of a set of Wahl Designer clippers for the bulk of the haircuts and uses the Wahl peanut clippers to do the sideburns and neckline. I strongly recommend that you invest in a decent cape and hair clips, wide tooth and sectioning combs, plus a high quality pair of hair shears. Having the right tools and supplies to do the haircuts properly makes a big difference. I get my long hair trimmed every couple months and my two teen boys get their haircuts every three weeks. I figure at 17 haircuts each @$25 Is $850 and six trims at year on my long hair would be $600, not counting transportation costs and hubby cuts his own hair using a combination of the clippers and the hair shears. A great money saving skill to learn.
1. Free figs. 2. Dried beans. 3. Walk at river. 4. Nap. 5. No hospital bill for middle son, who was directly exposed to Covid for several hours/days painting house, 116 days ago, does not have it…..So happy….. My nerves are absolutely on end from this year. This is NOT the son who almost died earlier this year. I am to the pointy where if all four of my kids and my grandkids survive this year, it will be a miracle. Sick of health drama In my family. Y’all stay safe.
16 days not 116
16 days can sure seem like 116 days when you’re waiting for test results. And health dramas don’t help. Fingers crossed you get your miracle. Doesn’t seem like a whole lot to ask.
Hang in there. I have heard from several people this week that they are just at the end of their rope. I think if we all virtually hold hands will get through this. We are thinking of you.
Love “virtually hold hands”!
I’ve found Laurie Santos’ talks and free class @ Coursera very helpful, starting with her COVID self-care vid on YouTube.
Having just paid our yearly homeowners and car insurance bill in full to save the additional monthly surcharge AND registration for my recently paid cash for a new to me 2013 Honda, which replaced my 24-year old Oldsmobile that was becoming too much of a money pit, I made a pot of daal for work lunches this week from ingredients I had on hand. Lots of money going out lately, but none will be spent on lunch this week.
i love that you had a 24 year old car. I always admire people who can make that work. As long as it runs and gets you from Point A to Point B.
Thank you. I tend to drive my cars until the wheels fall off. My previous car was an ’84 Volvo.
1. I had to shave the poor cat’s back and hips due to the mats which form in what seems to be a matter of days every summer. He’s so sweet though, he lays across my lap and lets me use the electric buzzer without any fussing. His beautiful and calm nature enables me to save $$$ on taking him to a groomer. As for the other two…well, let’s just say I’m lucky one is short haired and the other is medium haired and is a fastidious groomer on himself.
2. DH did our taxes and although we had to pay the Fed we got back all of it except about $100.00 from the state.
3. I wanted to put up curtains in the window of my back door and went shopping in my linen closet for them. Found an old pair that fits and matches (sort of) the kitchen window curtains.
4. DH used clumps of dirt and grass he dug up from edging the gardens to transplant at the top of a banking in our yard which is starting to erode. They took.
5. Maybe from being in the house so long I was getting tired of the décor so I switched up some pictures to different walls, moved knick knacks around and utilized tablecloths to brighten up the rooms. One large crocheted one was made by my great grandmother and is still in perfect shape.
What a clever idea to move pictures and decor around! Love all the ideas I see and get here! =D
1. Garden is frying in this heat, but picked what remains of the lettuce and kale and basil. I’ve never seen my mint so burnt before.
2. Found some chairs by our neighborhood dumpster (we put nice things there because our thrift stores are closed), plan to list them on FB Marketplace.
3. DD’s family left a package of chicken thighs (they shopped while here) , cooking them in the crockpot for meal planning now. Meat is so expensive right now!
4. New pool floats came in nice mesh bags. Using them when grands want to collect seashells on the beach.
5. Made a fun rattle with a juice bottle and some dried beans for toddler grand. She loved it. DS took it with them when they left to keep her entertained in the car.
Frugal for saving my mental health: Because I work in a school, people often call for my opinion. I finally figured out how to politely say that I have been in many long meetings and difficult discussions about this for months, but I’m off the clock right now, so my answer is that I’ll do what I have to do.
Your #5…good answer. A good reminder for me also to stop asking school employee friends what they have heard about our local schools opening or not. Thanks.
Thank you Christine <3
I am usually just a reader, but figured what the heck.
1) Sold some items on Poshmark, nothing much but adds to the pot!
2) sold some items on some local facebook yard sale groups,
3) Been cooking mostly at home, usually order out once a week,
4) had a small party for DS 8th grade graduation, ordered a cake from wegmans (they have good cakes, and we usually order from them. when we cut the cake it was only one layer, no filling mind you that I paid for. so tooks some pictures, went back to wegmans, and in the end they game me the whole amount of the cake back! Great customer service!
1. Had a physically-distanced bbq with friends the other day. I used vegetables from my csa, basil from my garden and berries from my freezer and yoghurt from the fridge for a berry cake dessert. A friend brought beverages.
2. Passing forward furniture and a rug to someone who needs it and redecorating with furniture from family who are downsizing.
3. My nephew is taking some furnishings as well.
4. My csa has had a lot of kale and yellow squash. I made soup packs with the vegetables for future pots of soup. I wish my freezer was a wee bit bigger.
5. Due to glitches in the system, I haven’t been paid from one of my jobs for 3 pay periods. It’s been tough but I am making it work. Looking forward to the check that is coming, for sure.
1. Took the money I had put aside for takeout this weekend and donated it to the Portland, OR bail fund and medics, then I made a salad out of my farmshare veggies from last week. Voting with my wallet.
2. Just finished a series on Netflix I really liked and am now searching for my next show. Tried a few but nothing is really catching my fancy. Open to recommendations!
3. Free or cheap exercise: biking, youtube workout classes, a few zoom live classes that are under $10 each.
4. With #3, trying to get in some exercise indoors as much as possible–we are in a heat advisory and it is no joke. Doing my part to reduce strain on the grid with all the lights off and the AC set higher than usual. Tap water is free and I’m drinking lots of it!
5. Found a free online course I was interested in on Coursera. Avoided the upsell to get a certificate of completion since it’s just for my own interest and not for any professional need. I’m enjoying expanding my brain and doing something that is a little bit more constructive than leisure reading or TV!
6. A frugal miracle–My phone fell in the tub Friday night and I immediately snatched it out, turned it off, and dried it. It spent the night in a bin of rice (I know this is suspect whether it works or not, but it feels good to do SOMETHING) and turned back on and is working fine. What a relief!
Hats off to you on your #1!
Of course! I feel overwhelmed sometimes balancing my own financial goals with supporting current needs, but this one was a no-brainer.
I’m watching Down To Earth with Zac Effron. He travels and learns about healthy living across the globe. Quite interesting.
I’m also enjoying Nadya’s Time to Eat. Her personality is so inviting!
Thanks for the recommendations! I’d heard about each of these but didn’t know if they were any good. I’ll check them out!
If you like British shows, try Line of Duty. It’s great.
And Derry Girls is hilarious.
Watching what is going on in Portland and I am horrified.
I loved derry girls so much! I’ll have to check out Line of Duty. Thanks for the rec!
1. Celebrated my birthday with my little family Wednesday. No gifts, because I don’t need anything. My daughter made a chocolate cake, and we splurged on ice cream (milk is not a good choice for me, but it is so yummy). We walked around the zoo, at half capacity, so social distancing was easy. We also went out to dinner, outside, but that wasn’t frugal.
2. Went to the beach, not too crowded (it’s so much less crowded on week days with no tourists). Parking was free, we didn’t buy snacks from the guys pushing carts on the shore. Saw a sea lion in the water, an octopus swimming in the waves, and emergency rescue came for a beached dolphin.
3. Usually go grocery shopping Thursdays, but I ran out of time and had to head out a second day. Went back to the outlet place because they posted weekend coupons — I ended up getting two bags of my dogs’ food for $6 off the Costco price, plus another 25% off! Also got a 25 pound bag organic red lentils for about $6. I’ve purchased the big bags of dry goods before, and we’ve been able to eat them in a reasonable amount of time, so it’s worth it to us.
4. My mother’s neighbor joined the Marine Corps, and he gave a bunch of his clothes to my mom. My son got a pair of shorts out of the pile, and my nephews got a couple of things as well.
5. The garden is producing zucchini, so I’m battling the squirrels for it. What they don’t get is shredded for winter muffins. We’re eating a lot out of the freezer to make space for zuchs!
My son has an interview at the 99 cent store today. I am ambivalent about this. He can use the job, to pay for college, but I’m not expecting it to be a great working environment.
I haven’t shared my 5 frugal things in forever, so here goes:
1.) I got a summer job. For the job, I had to invest in some business casual pieces. I found quality pieces for a fraction of a price at my local consignment store, and I am getting good wear out of them.
2.) My job would be too much of a commute, so I am living in an extra room at someone’s house for a very decent price. Time is money!
3.) Sometimes, co-workers will bring extra fruits or vegetables from their gardens, and I incorporate that fruit/vegetable in what I meal prep for the week.
4.) Working full time has helped me cut costs on entertainment as I am definitely not bored! I have also been listening to free podcasts, library books, etc.
5.) I didn’t buy a Lear Jet or anything of the sorts!
1. My husband officially has Covid-19, but it is, thank heaven, a light case. We got his positive and my negative results on my 61st birthday, so on my trip to the drug store to buy a pulse oximeter, I birthday gifted myself socks and a chocolate bar. Used a $7 coupon.
2. Due to extra sanitizing needs, I broke down and ordered a box of vinyl gloves from the monolithic online retailer Katy deservedly dislikes so much. Used a gift card earned through Fetch Rewards to help with the cost.
3. Did the same thing a couple of days earlier when we needed thermometers for everyone in the house. Saved $5 with a gift card from Fetch Rewards.
4. Pandemic hoarding has hit my itty bitty city again and no general purpose disinfecting spray cleaner could be found. I am using high-power degreasing dish detergent and vinegar, which we already had on hand.
5. Feverish husband needed lots of iced drinks, so I wound up fashioning an ice scoop from a washed almond milk jug cut to the right shape with an Exacto knife. Now I don’t worry about accidentally touching the ice bin with unwashed hands.
While I’m not happy your husband has Covid, I am glad he has a light case. I wish good health soon for him and continued good health for you and the rest of your family. Take care.
Wishing your husband a speedy recovery and I wish you Continued good health.
Ruby, I’m so sorry to hear about your husband’s diagnosis. I will be thinking of all of you in the time ahead. Be well.
Thanks, everyone. He has done really well and was released from in-home quarantine this afternoon. I have worn myself to a nub bleaching the bathroom he was using and wiping down our bedroom. I have been sleeping on the sofa in the living room with our big old cat, who really missed his dad a lot.
So happy to hear he is doing well. Hope you stay well also.
We have totally renovated our downstairs, here are some of the ways we saved money. For under $5000 we have increased the value of our home by quadruple that and possibly more. We went from a dated 70’s style home to totally up to date and in style.
1. Did it ourselves. New hardwood floors, new molding – I had hoped to salvage and refinish what we had but the more we pulled the worse condition it was in (cheapest kind we saw happened to be what I liked best), new paint, new doors, new air vent covers.
2. Shopped around for the best prices, even driving 2 hours to save $2 per sq ft on the flooring.
3. Even through all the renovation (2 weeks worth) we only ate out 1 time – when the kitchen was unusable. I planned ahead and I enlisted my kids to help cook meals when we were too busy working to stop to make dinner.
4. My dad flew out to help providing much needed man power and muscle. He also taught my boys how to build a wall and install a door.
5. Major plumbing problems one day that had my dad about to call in an emergency plumber on a weekend. I insisted my dh could fix it and he did.
6. bonus – we have had a lot of construction trash. We looked into getting a dumpster or something and it was going to be hundreds of dollars. Instead we called our trash company and for $10 extra a week (3 weeks for us) they will haul away what we have.
You and your family have accomplished so much. It is amazing how much money DIY saves and what a difference you can make to the value of your property. I would love to lay new floors in my house.
Back to work at the produce market, and most of my 5 relate to that.
1. back to work—-hourly wage which I take in cash. A paycheck would give about $5/week additional, but I know me. I am part of the cash economy since I’ve met me: I do so much better and so much more frugally when I have cash that I have to keep track of. My brain is just not wired to manage credit accts.
2. started selling jams and pickles again at the market. The boss welcomes the added display of home canned goods (yes, jams and pickles are included in the cottage industry rules for my state). Also, sold all the pesto and much of the fresh salsa.
3. have begun preserving for my own cellar—and am really trying to plan what we’ll actually use—then actually use it! Related: eating more from the cellar and the freezer, so I’m only shopping every other week and buying less than 6 items each trip. Also related: going out only every other week and running several errands on one trip—trying to not get the coronavirus!
4. sold my 3yr old car, and keeping my 11yr old convertible for the summer. It’s stored in the winter and I’ll buy a new car in the fall. Lotsa details here, so while it seems this is not frugal—it really is…. for us. If nothing else, about 6 mo. of no car insurance for a newer car, and no registration fees for that car—I drove it until the day the annual registration expired. Sold it 3 days later, and money into the high(?) yield savings acct that I can access 3x/yr w/ no penalty. Also related to cars—delayed my license renewal (deadlines extended in my state) until I could actually get an appt. at the DMV (pandemic cause/effect) so I could get the real ID at the same time for no additional fee. If I had renewed by mail, I’d have had to go in at a later date and pay an extra fee.
5. Have agreed to be hired as a personal can-ner for a friend’s daughter (who makes more money than she knows what to do with) and will can several dozen jars of food that her family likes. She’ll provide the produce and the jars/lids—and she pays me well for my time and electricity (most things she wants require pressure canning).
and 6. survived a weekend of trouble: 2 faucets broke-repaired one/had to call a plumber for the other so got 2 other minor plumbing jobs done at the same time for one fee—he couldn’t finish them all in one trip and he only charged me for actual hours at the house w/ no weekend fee since I was inconvenienced until his return. Then a 21 cubic feet freezer broke, spent hours on the phone looking for one—found a used one (the only thing available to buy with a 50 mi. radius in all directions) that was 14 cubic ft—1/3 less space. Borrowed a little freezer space from son and fit it all. Lost nothing. But we are now EATING UP THIS FOOD! if it kills us and emptying this freezer. And a moratorium on adding more for the foreseeable future. I can’t believe how much soup/stew/broth/marinara/chili/desserts I’ve put in there and forgot about. I knew I had a whole chicken…no, I had 2. Roasted chicken this weekend w/ same son and family for Sunday dinner—and not making broth from the carcass—son’s girlfriend wants to try to make some w/ her new instant pot. and finally: As soon as we got home and installed the new freezer, heard a ruckus in the pig pen….. one pig was injured—turned out to be a broken leg. Back on the phone for a few hours trying to find someone to process pork on -very- short notice. Finally did and put the poor thing down. Lost 1/2 of the pork we planned for but did get about 75lbs of whole hog sausage. Not a win, but coulda been a bigger loss…………
7. avoided the coronavirus so far and continuing life w/ no more threats to life/limb than usual. Praying for more of same…………………
1. Sewed a button back on my pants, and mended a small hole in a shirt. Endless mending here.
2. Cut open a tube of moisturizer to get every little bit out.
3. Picking wild raspberries and blueberries still, and starting to find a few chanterelle mushrooms. Also found some cherry trees in a park while walking and ate some on the spot. Many people seem to ignore the bounty around us- most of our berries and fruit are almost over-ripe and are falling off the branches/vine. I hate seeing fruit just rotting on the ground and am happy to pick it!
4. Using things up: finished a face wash that my mom didn’t like. It lasted me about 8 months and I like not having to buy a new one sooner.
5. Have been eating down the pantry that we stocked up in the early covid days when it seemed like a good idea. However we have almost no cases here in my temporary Nordic country (thankfully), so we are back down to our usual pantry stock levels, although we still minimize our grocery store trips.
1. I cooked my first ever batch of sausage rolls which did us for dinner two nights and one lunch. I substituted zucchini for celery, which is what I had on hand.
2. My friend gifted me a bag of clothes in my size that no longer fit her.
3. It’s my birthday week and I scored a free burger at Hungry Jacks (Burger King).
4. We are going out for dinner for my birthday and my partner has offered to pay. I also got some money from my parents and some candles, jewellery and a wash bag from my kids and partner.
5. After 2 months living in a brand new house and having to wait for fibre internet to be able to have internet, we are getting it in 6 days. I have been using mobile data which has been about $10-$20 per month more than our internet will cost us. We are going with the cheapest provider. This will also help me get back to my side hustles.