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I sold a large number of items, thanks in part to cross posting to Facebook Marketplace and taking advantage of a current promotion where Facebook eats the cost of shipping for your first ten sales. However, I believe this offer is just for people who’ve proven their responsibility with a record of selling and receiving feedback from previous buyers.
I’d been hesitant to use Facebook Marketplace for non-local sales as it seemed like an extra layer of annoyance, but I watched a YouTube seller’s video where the guy talked about increased Marketplace sales which he attributed to professional level photos, which set him apart from other sellers. My eBay photos are decent, (far from professional) so I thought I’d throw a couple items up on Marketplace to test this theory. I quickly made three sales on things that had been collecting dust, so I’ll continue to cross post even after I’ve burned through my free shippings.
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My husband and I drove to Costco to get our printer ink cartridges refilled and then sat in the car listening to the latest Office Ladies podcast while waiting the hour and a half for them to be ready. Sure, we killed a bit of time picking up exciting items such as cat food and litter, yogurt and honey, but there was still an interminable amount of leftover time. Sadly, we called this a “date night.”
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I bought a vintage copper and brass Goodwill tray and treated it to a beauty makeover. It really was in deeply rough condition, so I polished it up using my trusty can of powdered Barkeeper’s Friend. (This miracle powder is sent from the gods!) The bright coppery tray now sits on a side table that oddly requires a extra horizontal surface and is now the perfect spot for a steaming cup of hot tea.
Click HERE to see the before-and-after photos!
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I gave away a wooden bench through my local Buy Nothing group, I grabbed a nice Carhartt shirt from a neighbor’s free box, I’m listening to the audiobook of Sophie Kinsella’s Love Your Life through the free Libby app, I sold two huge terra cotta flowerpots that someone had put out for free, (which then inspired me to sell a couple extras of my own) I grabbed a new looking toaster from a different neighbor’s free pile, I treated myself to a lightly used pair of LL Bean shearling slippers on eBay, I brought home and washed an abandoned knit cap, I mended a small hole in a wool sweater which then quickly sold on eBay, I swung by the Franz Bakery outlet and scored my husband’s favorite organic 70-jillion grain bread for a buck a loaf, I was gifted a guitar stand for my son through the Buy Nothing group and I continue to go an extended period without a haircut. I swear my hair will reach my toes by the time this pandemic ends.
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I didn’t buy a Lear Jet or barricade myself in a gold plated apartment in the sky.
Katy Wolk-Stanley
“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.”
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{ 95 comments… read them below or add one }
Katy: Wow, what an amazing transformation of that beautiful tray!
1. Bought a tall garden trellis marked down 50%.
2. Dumpster dove for two large metal grid shelves which we’ll repurpose as trellises for vegetables.
3. Prepped additional space for next year’s raised beds. Inspired by y’all to plant more of our own food.
4. Found a small table at a vintage store that was being used as a display piece. Asked nicely if I could buy it, and got a yes along with a lower price than I was expecting.
5. I voted, which was free, but I would have paid for the privilege.
LOVE number 5!!!
Double+ 5FF: Post-Halloween/Election Edition
1. Went to our small Starbucks for the 1st time to socialize with a DF. Signed up for the rewards program in advance & strategized with manager while there. After contacting Corporate Customer Service, discovered rewards program not available for new members unable to use an app. Frugal effort A but outcome, a F thus far.
2. After purchasing 2 more boxes of cat litter, uploaded a receipt, ordered & received another free cat charm for DD. Being a lifetime non-cat owner, litter seems a logical item to stock. And the charms are incredibly cute.
3. Recent shopping wins: At gas station: Free Coke Energy ($2.79 giving to DD as I prefer coffee), electronic coupon used x2 for 2 dozen low-cost eggs, 15 bonus points for purchase on Halloween; At new cookie chain store: Free ginormous warm chocolate chip cookie ($3.50) on day after grand opening (again shared); At Aldi: Canned bean for 29 cents; At big box: Drool-worthy pecan sticky buns 40% off from bakery rack, as well as canned beans & corn for 25 cents purchased 2 weeks in a row. The latter makes up for my local grocery chain that has not held their annual stock-up sale of canned goods this fall.
4. Recipient of generous offer of enormous box of holiday lights & a piece of framed wall art offered on Nextdoor. Owner had a 1st come, 1st serve policy, so was @ the driveway for pick-up the day of Daylight Savings Time @ 8 AM (7 AM new time). The early bird gets the worm! There were several interested so knew I needed to arrive early to prevent wasting my time & gasoline. Plan to use clear star lights to put over my garage, clear net lights on bush, & shorter strings on gifted tree from 1 year ago (also courtesy of Nextdoor). I may be color coordinated for the 1st time ever. There are 3 huge spools (one NIP) which are geared for a single-family home size & 2 additional nettings for bushes, all of which may be placed in my garage sale inventory, along with the wall art. Score!
5. Not frugal in $ but frugal in time by voting in person via absentee ballot one day prior to Election Day. DH & I were gone from home a total of 45”. Would not miss historic vote but goal was effective time management.
6. To minimize election anxiety, focused on cooking as a diversion. The day before elections, I concocted a huge casserole of Shepherd’s Pie from scratch. On election day, roasted pumpkin & squash seeds @ the same time I roasted pie pumpkin. Because we like the seeds crispy, by the time the seeds were done the pumpkin was also finished. Followed by removing pumpkin skin, mashing, draining & freezing pumpkin puree. Thrilled to get enough pumpkin for both Thanksgiving & Xmas pies, along with a little extra to have on hand for recipes. Latest creations included a large dish of Lasagna Roll-Ups & later Black Beans & Rice that used up portions of cans of black beans & corn. Frugal & effective diversions.
7. With 0 trick-or-treaters, we have an abundant supply of comfort food. Would have preferred seeing the little ones though.
8. Used brand new insurance the 1st week it became effective, as both DH & I went to our clinic for flu shots. Able to receive a recommended blood pressure analysis while there. Reinforced my belief in the power of regular exercise, trying to find a little bright spot in this unrelenting pandemic. After in depth checking on coverage & provider network status, also scheduled colonoscopy that is >1 year overdue.
9. Completed free annual tire rotation, courtesy of tire manufacturer. Significantly fewer miles driven the past year but only cost is my time. Enjoyed complimentary coffee & pure H2O while there & stopped by gas station to use electronic coupon for BOGO muffins on the way home.
10. Received promotional item sent from company after local store was out of stock. Value $10. Moral of the story, it pays to ask nicely. Plus, bonus air pillows in package will be repurposed sending holiday treats to my DD (Dad).
11. During a snowstorm day, took care of 3 sewing related issues: mended 2 items – my winter glove & a shirt, & also removed my DD’s embroidered last name from a sports pullover to sell @ my next Garage Sale.
12. Used a card from my free stash to send to an acquaintance whose father recently died. Savings not only in cost of cards but also in time to eliminate ongoing procurement efforts as needs arise.
We’ve reached a stage where appliances that turn themselves off are a godsend. Also, we set up hot cereal in the instant pot after dinner dishes and breakfast is ready when we get home from our morning walk.
regarding #1… what if you signed up for the rewards program on the website.. and then bought a gift card, registered the giftcard on the website within your rewards account.. and then paid with your gift card? that might get you earning rewards and maybe you can print versions of screenshots from within the app? Just spitballing, not sure if this would fully work, but an idea.
breadandglitter lc – Yes, that’s a strategy that might work. I did register for their rewards program online but haven’t tried the gift card option to get stars. We went there as our favorite, more local chain across the street has only offered outdoor seating which was fine during warm weather. Now inside seating is gone everywhere as our state’s Covid rates have exceeded March levels. Once things improve, I’ll contemplate your approach. Thanks for the idea!
1. Bought an electric pressure cooker and discovered it was broken so returned it but they didn’t have another to replace it so I got a refund. I still wanted one so I looked around for another. I found a much better one half price, costing me just $20 more than the dud. While spending $99 on a new appliance may not be frugal or NCA, saving 50% and a lot of time in the kitchen sure is. Also it has a porridge (oatmeal) setting and I’ll be making steel cut oats in it while I have my morning workout.
2. I’m using my homegrown rhubarb to flavour my homemade kombucha.
3. Had a quiet few weeks of work then a sudden pickup, so my month will average out.
4. My chickens are laying like crazy . Giving eggs away as well as eating delicious homegrown free range eggs, feeding them scraps, reducing waste and using their manure in the compost bin.
5. Listening to free podcasts while I work, including some about Nxivm. Brrrrr. Good riddance.
I’ve had my electric pressure cooker for about 2 years now and continue to use it several times a week. While I can’t say I needed it, it’s a very useful tool, lets me focus on other things while food is cooking, and reduces the likelihood of eating out or eating junk. And since you have chickens and lots of eggs, I’ll mention that hard cooked eggs done in an electric pressure cooker peel incredibly easily.
Thanks for the tip!
We are hosting a big event this weekend. After a full day of preparation, I’ve still been able to make a healthy and frugal dinner by tossing it in the pressure cooker and walking away to keep getting ready for tomorrow’s festivities (I should say I’m in Australia, where we are now almost COVID free and are allowed to host events with up to 50 guests).
Wow, you almost gave me a heart attack!
“Nxivm”? Puzzled…
It’s a cult. That’s the short answer.
their leader was just sentenced to over 100 years in prison to give you an idea of how bad of a cult…
1. Like other posters, voted by absentee – free postage and mailed early to make sure it arrived on time.
2. Not frugal for me but friend who has liquor store says they almost ran out of the sparkling good stuff because of election celebrations.
3. Cooking from scratch lasagna, cakes etc.
4. Very sorry not to get together with relatives for Thanksgiving, but able to buy smaller turkey.
5. Cleaning out and donating case of books and two pair of new jeans with tags still attached that just don’t fit.
1) Gleaned 3 very large butternut sqashes from the back of a restaurant. They put them in a box by their trash. No soft spots & grocery store perfect. Thank you very much non wasteful restaurant!
2) Roasted, pureed & froze all 3 butternut sqashes for future soups.
3) Not frugal, but I was in need of more masks and my dear friend has been making masks since the beginning “to help keep my people safe.” I’ve supplyed the fabric and she’s made me & my husband 7 masks. She will not take payment so I bought a 6-pack of her favorite local beer as a thank you.
4) Started selling stuff on Poshmark. At first the goal was to clean my closet and recoup the $ I frivolously spent on 2 pair of (deeply discounted) winter boots, but my earnings have surprised the cost of the boots. A couple of Goodwill purchases for resale were the icing on the cake.
5) Found 10¢ at the park
1) Teen is hooked on an older sci-fi series. The local library only still has a few of the books in this series. I found one lot on eBay with several of the books (none of which were the few the library has) plus several he’d borrowed before and read but would like to read again and a few others by the same author for a great price. Between that lot, what the library has, and 2 more books bought separately secondhand, he has the first 11 of 15 so far. Encouraging my son’s love of reading is priceless.
2) I froze the grapes and bananas that were past their prime for eating fresh. The grapes are delicious frozen and the bananas will be used in banana bread and smoothies.
3) Got a great deal on books specially chosen for 2 recipients by combining a sale with a free gift card.
4) We have not eaten in a restaurant since at least June (other than food occasionally provided to my husband at work meetings).
5) Our family has given away over 300 items we no longer need or gifts of service so far this year. Some were larger items, some were small things that could have gone to the recycling bin (soda cans we didn’t want to bother redeeming, cardboard egg cartons for crafting, etc.), but they were all something someone else wanted.
6) Voted.
Way to go on those 300+ items!
We have just introduced our teen to Babylon 5, the 90s sci-fi tv show. I recommend watching it – it was very prescient in its story of an Earth taken over by an anti-immigration (in this case, anti-alien) fascist President. My teen is really enjoying it so far.
Thanks for the suggestion, Mand01. I don’t think I’ve seen many episodes of that series. We’ve binge watched the Star Trek Enterprise series and have started Voyager. The relationship to current events of Babylon 5 appeals to me. I made him read Edgar Allan Poe’s The Masque of the Red Death recently. A rich man invites his friends to the safety of his castle while a devastating disease rages outside.
OMG The Mask of the Red Death!!! I make my students read that book when I teach American Lit. I had never considered the relevance until now. The red death enters anyway though…
The copper tray is a real beauty! (And I like the pillow on chair as well.).
Lit up like a Christmas tree to see your new post, and everyones comments.
Thank you!!
Patricia
Love the copper tray, you worked wonders on it. I’ve bought a few vintage decorative copper and brass items lately, so it’s good to know that bar keepers friend is a good way to clean them. Thanks.
1. All meals have been made/eaten at home. I go to the grocery store once a week.
2. I ordered some grocery items from Vitacost (especially GF flour) after they sent me a 20% off code. I used a rebate site to earn 11% cash back.
3. We are paying as many bills as possible with a Citi Double Cash Back credit card.
4. All socializing is free these days: walking/outdoor visiting with friends, meeting with my charity stitching group.
5. The library continues to provide me with a multitude of e-books,.
Two of my neighbor’s trees fell across my roof, in my backyard. They are now chopped up. Roof patch done. At this point, I went with a metal patch because it beats a tarp and rains were coming. Then my neighbor’s teenagers flushed unmentionables down our joint sewer line and sh$& overflowed in my bathtub and toilet. I have decided 2020 is sh$& so this was appropriate. Neighbor also said she only had a hundred to contribute to sewer repair and would give it to me after Christmas. What was I gonna do, sit in a pile of watery sh$&? luckily, I have an adequate emergency fund for when sh$& happens… literally…. lol. Otherwise, I don’t know, I am alive that is frugal for me., that’s all I got this week…. lol
Oh, Cindy! I would have some teenagers working off that cost in yard work. But I am a cranky crone whose life motto is “Stupid ought to hurt.” (((Hugs))) You have more than been through it lately.
Cindy -Your list of calamities seems endless this year. One bright spot is that the odds of 2021 being worse for you is very small. The other is your perfect example of how living a life of frugality affords resources for unplanned expenses, as opposed to a consumerist lifestyle where every single penny is spent in advance. You’re a savvy survivor!
Cindy, I think the neighbor should contribute in installments, if they can’t do any better. And yes, the teenagers should be working off some of the cost.
Ugh, so sorry. I guess things can only get better?
Thank y’all! I am just happy my oldest kid is alive and well after almost hemorrhaging to death earlier in the year, so really, everything else is annoying but minor. I am sad to have lost both my aunt and uncle this year, my mom’s two youngest siblings but they were sickly, and suffering, so I am glad they are not hurting anymore. At this point, I just started laughing when sh$# started bubbling up in bathtub….I mean, how 2020 is that? I hope everyone stays safe as Covid rates are going through the roof in my state. Y’all take care, and remember, sh#$ happens…….lol
What Ruby and all the others have said, Cindy. You’ve had more than your share of bad stuff this year. Hoping for a better 2021 for you, and for us all.
Rooting for you, Cindy!
Patricia
Oh no Cindy! Not fun at all! While $100 seems a paltry amount to throw at the problem, you’ll never squeeze water out of a rock so I guess it’s better than nothing. Glad you have saved, as we have too, for these moments. While I agree the teen who was at the root of the problem should’ve worked off some of the cost to you at her mother’s direction, you can’t tell a neighbor to do something they should instinctively know to do. Well…you can try but it doesn’t mean they’ll do it. Best to you. Hope things improve dramatically for you in 2021!
Wow, Cindy. So sorry to hear your 2020 experience is continuing to stink. As others have said, good for you for being frugal for ages so you can deal with all this without going under. But it takes its toll and we get tired. We are rooting for you honey!
Cindy, so sorry to hear about your continued problems. I’ll be thinking of you and hoping for a better 2021. I can’t get much worse….I hope.
Thinking of you. The aftermath of the storm is often as hard as the storm itself. 2020 has been particularly awful. Praying for better times ahead.
I love your green chair!
1. Bought 2 new laying hens- bonus was they laid fertilized eggs for two weeks after we got them. (we don’t have a rooster as we live in the city). 21 days later those eggs are hatching in our incubator! We will keep a few and trade the rest to friends.
2. No one needs a winter coat this year! Last years coats still fit everyone.
3. Scored great free stuff from local free piles- lots of fiction books to read this winter, a roll of brown craft paper, a candle set still in the box, a wall hanging still in the box, mis matched mugs to give to my neighbor who grows and sells plants, kept some stuff, sold some stuff, will gift some for Christmas.
4, taking the family on a driving tour of Gettysburg today as part of DS’s homeschooling. Only cost is gas and $6 for the driving tour app. I researched which one to get and this one got the best rating.
5. Eating our own chickens eggs, shopping the freezer, making a few meatless meals each week, enjoying roasting fall veggies bought from local outdoor farmers market.
I love the tray and the chair it sits next to. It looks like a nice cozy place to sit and enjoy a book.
1. I worked as election worker Nov. 3. It was 15 1/2 hr. day. I packed my own breakfast and lunch and brought my water bottle. Snacks and dinner were provided. Election workers are paid which a lot of people don’t realize. It’s an interesting and educational process and I really enjoy it. The day went well. Michigan allows open carry even in polling places which caused some anxiety but I saw no guns and only a couple people didn’t wear masks.
2. I’ve been shopping at thrift stores and estate sales to renew my Ebay stock which is looking sad. I also found a couple stocking stuffers for my girls. I’ve listed the majority of my finds.
3. I’ve started to do a little Christmas shopping, mostly stocking stuffers. I’ve used coupon codes whenever possible on my online purchases. My kids are older so I try to buy items that are useful and since my daughters and I all have an interest in zero waste I have tried to be conscious of that ( buying deodorant in a cardboard tube etc.)
4. We made the trip to a grocery store in the next city. It’s not a big trip so not
a waste of gas. They always have a large discounted produce area. We picked up several items to bulk prep some veggie curry and they had my kids favorite breakfast sausages on a really good sale. I was also able to purchase bean sprouts in bulk for pad thai which calls for only one cup. I paid only 39 cents vs. $2. So inexpensive and the rest of the sprouts don’t go to waste.
5. My kids helped me rake leaves which is a huge savings over hiring it done or paying the $1600 dollars for a bagger for my tractor. I marked my driveway with my sad broken markers and even used the markers I made from willow bush sticks whittled and flagged with dollar store reflective tape. I refuse to spend good money on sticks. My sink started leaking so I called my favorite plumber who works on the side and is extremely cheap. He fixed my problem so it shouldn’t happen again (ongoing issue).
How exciting to be so involved in election day. I early voted and our couny is under a mask mandate, but you still get those people who are just looking for a fight with the poor Walmart greeter. Every single person in line at the county election commission to early vote had a mask on. I joked with a friend that agitators probably decided that this was not the time nor place to challenge the mandate.
My husband and I have worked elections and when I read that people are experiencing problems with getting to vote I am always stunned. When people come to our counter we go out of our way to insure they vote—if they are in the wrong precinct, we help them vote question ballot so that they still get to vote it is just counted later because extra verification is needed. If they can’t come in due to handicap we will go out to their car to give them the ballot. If they don’t have their voter registration card, we go through the list to try and find some identifier that is legal so they can vote. I have never worked with any official who discourages voting. We do get paid a minimal amount but we did it when it was all volunteer. I love seeing people voting for the first time due to age or becoming a citizen. I wish more people would become voting officials since it is always a struggle to fill all the slots, so thank you for doing it.
I’ve loved 20 years of being an election judge. This has been my experience also. On previous presidential election, I drove 2 Eastern African women, who were voting for the first time and had come to the wrong location, to their precinct minutes before the polls closed. They were so excited to vote for a woman. Sadly, because of pre- existing health conditions I couldn’t do it this year. Election day just wasn’t the same!
I worked at the election on November 3rd and also the Saturday before that processing mail in and early voter ballots. Our state allows early counting although the results are not known until election day is over. I find it exciting and love seeing the democratic process in action. Things were peaceful all day and I found it interesting that our town was almost split exactly down the middle, with Joe Biden receiving one more vote than Trump. Must’ve been my vote. Lol. I find it offensive to have the honesty of poll workers brought into question with nothing to back the claim. I’m very glad I don’t have to listen much longer.
So nice to see that several of you s worked the election. It was my second time doing so and I am impressed with the complexity and accuracy of the process. I thank you all for your service – it is a very long day for sure.
The tray is gorgeous, as is your whole living room. Excellent save!
My FFT are not terribly impressive: Still saving big bucks brown-bagging my lunch and drinks to work. The very idea of take-out still makes my husband nervous, so we are still eating at home and not spending money on that. Not buying clothes, even second hand (mending instead) because we are laser-focused on paying off our mortgage next November. Found a dime at work. Work is still providing a bounty of rejected healthy food items that I bring home: apples, pretzels, and trail mix are highly appreciated by my family and saved from the trash bin,
1) Used grocery store rewards and coupons to save $19 on lunch items
2) Continued to list & sell things on eBay, although sales have been really slow lately
3) Roasted & pureed a pumpkin. Froze most, but made pumpkin chocolate chip bread & muffins during election week, for some comfort baking.
4) Made protein balls as a snack for a hungry teen
5) Used coupon codes for a couple of purchases, used expiring hotel points that weren’t enough for anything else to get a couple of free magazine subscriptions, made all meals at home.
1. A friend gave me an LL Bean goretex jacket, which someone had left at her house. She called all the usual suspects before declaring it giftable. The jacket is even a color that flatters my coloring.
2. I bring home jackets I find on the road (roadkill) or ones that hang on fences for more than a few days. I clean and mend them and take them to the day laborer center on cold days. Recently there was an Eddie Bauer goretex parka hanging off the stop sign at the corner. While buffing it I found a receipt for someone named Goyena in an inside pocket. I tracked him down via the internet and he came to get his jacket. Turns out he runs a catering company and he brought me a box of goodies. We ate high on the food chain for a few days.
3. Someone asked me to free motion quilt a small piece. She mentioned having a large cache of linen. I’ve asked to be paid in linen yardage rather than dollars. I see some lovely summer tunics in my future.
4. Pumpkins! Yesterday on our walk I noticed a neighbor had thrown 8 pumpkins in their trash. I guarded them while the Mister went home for the car. Our dog loves pumpkin. I roasted one yesterday morning, and it was so tasty that I made pumpkin curry for lunch. The dog clearly has competition.
5. Thinking that others might be disposing of such treasure, I placed a “pumpkins wanted” notice on freecycle. Someone gave me three (including a Kabocha) and two others have offered theirs. Pumpkins keep well into spring.
Love your #2 and #4, Mary. #2 illustrates the rewards of “do unto others.” And I’m awaiting the annual set-out of unusual pumpkins/squash from a neighbor who is big on fall decorating but not so big on creative reuse.
That’s great that you are helping people with jackets! I see lone shoes, mittens, T shirts, and headwear on the roads, but have never seen a jacket. It’s cold here, so people don’t take them off, I guess? But I was wondering about the logistics- do you just drop them off, walk in and hand them out, or what? Do you have to get permission? I just don’t want it to be awkward for anyone. Around here, the COVID restrictions and lack of understanding have shut down most of the clothing donations options, but people are still going to need clothing, and that’s not a very likely mode of transmission for the virus. Anyway, it’s a good idea for the future!
I have to admit that I also pick up and rehab odd mittens and gloves. The mister and I are both wearing mismatches, and I give them away as well. As for donation–on cold days I go to the day laborer center and offer them to anyone without a jacket. I’ve noticed that when we hire, the hiree often asks to stop somewhere and buy a lunch–they don’t buy lunch until they know they have a day’s work. So I take leftovers from meetings there after lunch.
I recently started helping a local church make lunches on Saturdays for the areas homeless. They started this at the start of pandemic. First 25 meals 1x per week, then 50, now 100, Wed and Sat. We deliver it to parks and folks know to come for lunch. They said the big increase is due to so many restaurants being closed and no food in their trashcans…sad.
Yesterday, they asked us to donate any blankets or jackets to carry to the park I’m looking through my closets. So Good for you for taking found jackets and doing something with them! They are sorely needed.
I saw a red fox run down the hill below my deck and into the woods by the pond. I never knew they had such big bushy tails.
Cute little birds keep trying to build a warm winter home in my outside dryer duct. I was able to get up a ladder and use a 20 foot drain rooter to remove all the sticks, dried grass and lint. Then I fashioned a workable guard to keep them out permanently. Sorry little feathered fire hazards.
I continue to be appalled at human lack of concern for others. Tourists flock here to crowd in venues and restaurants with no care to the harm they inflict on others. It’s my right to celebrate whatever hedonistic privileged pleasure I want. Death and sickness follows in their wake.
Lol, people are streaming away from twitter and Facebook to go to places they will not be fact checked or have their vitriol suppressed. I had never even heard of Mewe, parler, or rumble. I must admit being confined to spewing their hate only amongst themselves makes me think of some ancient fable or children’s story. : )
As far as my non consumer consumerism (lol) I really haven’t fit the acceptable mold lately. I know it’s acceptable here to buy and sell endlessly even for entertainment if it is used. I bought New two very fuzzy sweaters from the Target chain and have been very happy and warm. The only problem is I have to hang them up and can’t lay them anywhere or a fluffy feline is immediately snuggled into them.
I live off a rotisserie chicken and a few fruits and veg’s each week. I have a sack of rice flour if I want bread or cookies. And BUTTER. I read that butter is the number one grocery indulgence during covid. My other non nonconsumerism is I have taken many many drives to look at the beautiful trees. I want to wander the forest but there are many people with guns seeking Bambi out there. I see a lot of dead deer at the side of the road, many with their heads cut off. I can just imagine….look bubba, there’s another one, quick get the chainsaw.
I did not know that a vacuum that is great for carpet and pet fur may not be great for hard floors. Darn. It’s always something.
This was beautiful to read T…well, maybe not the part where the deers’ heads are cut off. Lol! I wonder if you’ve thought of writing for a living. I think you could really make a go at it and be successful. Something to think about.
This!
Katy, your tray looks lovely and the chair so cozy.
1. Baking a cake for my niece (her favorite) from all ingredients on hand. She is returning home after living abroad and I can’t wait to see her.
2. I am going to roast my pumpkins to keep in the freezer to use in cooking and baking this winter.
3. Continuing to pay off bills, work at staying on budget, throw extra money towards my credit card bills and froze my gym membership for awhile as the pool is under a bubble and I feel safer only with it off due to covid.
4. Taking on some new clients cuz of bills.
5. I am shopping the fliers this week to stock up on baking supplies as there are good prices out there on staples.
1. I usually use canned beans for chili, but I had a lot of dry pintos that I bought for bean bag filling. I never used them, so I cooked a bunch in a crock pot and put them in the chili.
2. Ate almost ALL the left overs, even the very undesirable ones.
3. Did something I have thought about for a very long time-opened an Etsy shop. I have only had a couple of sales but I am encouraged. It gives me a chance to make a variety of items, instead of the Christmas stuff I usually do. And the local craft shows are cancelled this year due to Covid.
4. Requested ginger in my produce box and received more than I can use soon. Gave away some and peeled and froze the rest. I want to make sure it doesn’t go to waste.
5. Husband is still dealing with a back injury. I am still helping him with shoes and socks and did not hire a valet to get him dressed.
I always keep a knob of ginger in my freezer. I grate off what I need while it’s still frozen, and I don’t have to worry about it going bad.
Love the tray!
1. I had to quarantine for 11 days (14 days from exposure, but we didn’t know until day 3). So I did not go anywhere but walks for a long time and it was nice. Saved gas money, cooked from scratch big time, and did odd household jobs that improved things for free around here.
2. Started my Christmas shopping and with all the extra time on my hands I was able to really think through lists, research, and shop around for the best prices.
3. Ds is applying for the NROTC scholarship which would be full tuition. Today was the big day for all the paperwork, interview and physical fitness test. His recs were amazing, he said his interview was good (not great, but nothing major) and he rocked his PFT. Of all the kids there only 2 were ready to do the PFT and 1 failed the crunches portion so was not able to continue. Things are looking good and the recruiter was very impressed. I am NOT counting my chickens before they hatch and am still working hard at saving money for his college tuition.
4. I drove him the 45 minutes out for the test, used a reward for a free Starbucks drink and shopped Dollar Tree and Target for stocking stuffers on the cheap – mostly useful and fun consumables for under $1 each. I found a few things and successfully killed 3 hours without spending much money. I analyzed the furniture options at Target and figured out what I want for our den. We need a side table and it needs to be small. I think I have settled on a low stool of sorts that can double as seating when we have company over. Now to find one second hand.
5. Dh is reffing lacrosse all weekend in Delaware. He carpooled and is sharing a hotel and should net about $800 when it is all over. He packed dinner for the ride and lots of snacks.
Wow, best of luck to your son!
1. My husband goes out his way to be nice to grocery employees, especially now that some folks seem to blame/verbally abuse them for the wear masks mandate. The other day the produce guys said, “Don’t you have chickens?” When the husband said yes, the employee told him to drive around back and he put a huge box of damaged produce into the vehicle. Most of it went to our four happy hens except for the elderly bananas that went into the freezer for bread and the apples that became four quarts of applesauce (which turned into eight when we added some cooked rhubarb to it). This represents quite a savings, as Honeycrisps are very pricy here, as is chicken feed.
2. This was not intentional on our part but when we did a date night at the new and only Sonic in town, we got home to find our two hamburgers in it plus four breakfast burritos; we were already getting a deal since we had a two for the price of one coupon. I felt bad for the person who really ordered them, but the store was not about to take them back so we froze them for future breakfast for dinner meals.
3. The husband has tons of shirts that he never wears but he hates to get rid of stuff. Finally figured out that if once a week I ask him to find a shirt to put in the recycle box, he does it with much less pain. Took a box of his shirts to the Rescue Mission this week, making sure to get a tax receipt.
4. Sold some Spode platters on FB marketplace I no longer use, so made $35.
5. Sold 130 canning lid rings that were lingering in my canning cupboard. Only $10 but it is still $10.
Lindsay from a current grocery store employee, THANK YOU to your husband. It has been really tough. Lots of scared folks are taking it out on our cashiers for sure. Our staff have tried to be empathetic but we are scared too and on the front lines. Being kind to grocery store folks is really important.
Yesterday, I picked up a bag of sour patch kids and reeses pieces and asked the cashier which one would she buy. She pointed at the sour patch kids. After she rung them up I gave them to her as a gift (and reminded her to re-print the receipt to keep with it so her mgr knows it is paid for). I thanked her for working so hard.
It does not matter if it is an individual stocking groceries or the CEO of the company, I try to treat everyone with the same level of respect. Besides being the right thing to do, it pays dividends. As in Lindsey’s husband case, many in customer service will bend over backwards to help you if your calm and respectful. Kindness begets kindness.
1. We made the 1300 mile trek from So Cal to Oklahoma. Not a frugal trip as we had to rent a van for me to drive as my SUV was totaled mid September. We will buy a vehicle for me as it’ll be less expensive with taxes and registration here in Oklahoma
2. This day 12 of staying at a la Quinta. We had to stay as our house was tenting for termites, then the road trip and now in Oklahoma. We we’re planning to stay with son and daughter in law until we found a place. However they have COVID-19. They’re doing ok and fingers crossed we can move in next week
3. We’ve brought in snacks and bottled drinks to keep
us from buying from vending machines
4. I’m borrowing my sisters car and am using her washer and dryer as there’s no
laundry mat in the la Quinta
5. My dog won a $25 Starbucks gift card at the dog show yesterday
What an “adventure” you are currently on. Hoping you can get moved in soon and that your family members recover quickly.
Wow. I am reeling just reading what you are going through. Hang in there! We are rooting for you! Glad your family members with Covid are doing ok. Hooray for your dog contributing to the family finances (;
I hope your dog will share.
I’ve been plugging away at eBay sales too. A decent amount has sold, but I still need to reduce the pile of stuff to sell.
I took a cutting from our fig tree, if it takes root I can give it as a gift next year. And meanwhile it looks very cheerful on my kitchen windowsill.
I picked over 10 lbs of green tomatoes today. The bush had gotten frost damage, even though I’d covered it. These will ripen inside.
We went kayaking in the next town, and we were hungry afterwards. The dock was directly behind Grocery Outlet, so I bought cheese and chips, which we ate on the dock watching the sun on the river. It was lovely. Growing up our family travelled in Europe and we ate cheese and bread for every single lunch. Good memories.
I dried clothes on the line outside. We ate kale, collards, and chard from the garden, as well as ripe tomatoes (in great abundance) which I picked last weekend before the freeze. I picked up an Eileen Fisher cardigan from my Buy Nothing group. It has a small hole on a seam, which is an easy repair.
I revived a houseplant that was well past needing water. It looked so bad that I almost threw it out, but I watered it anyway, left it overnight, and it had picked right back up. It’s a recent transplant and so obviously needs more water than my others.
It rained here!! We have not seen rain in 6 months. It was glorious and our water barrels were partially filled. We watered our fruit trees from the rain barrels. Water is expensive here, so all the water that we can save means money saved.
Working hard on my Etsy shop, and being brave to reach out and suggest a collaboration with another artisan. She said yes, and I was so pleased.
My husband rescues plants too! A giant mum was left on the curb with the flowers dropping but not even brown. A good watering perked it right up.
Those mums will bloom year after year – spring and fall in the South. I have picked some beautiful plants out of the yard trash – orchids that were no longer blooming, topiary trees and a hanging basket of succulents. They just needed a little love.
1. A friend gifted me a gallon+ sized cannister of dry cat food. Her cat had put on too much weight from it and is now restricted to canned food per vet’s order. With two cats, I can use it.
2. I always buy 20 packs of store brand toilet paper to save money, way before Covid. I carefully cut the plastic package open along its midsection. I then use each side for small trach can liners. I also use empty bags of dry cat food as tall kitchen bags.
3. Here in New England we had a crazy spell of unusual November weather with temps in the mid 70s for a week. Not only did we save on heating oil. I was able to have a friend over for brunch on my deck. I used all things I had on hand to make a cheese and sausage strata and jello with fruit in it. We were also able to visit friends in their yard around a campfire. With Covid rearing its ugly head again, I didn’t think we’d be socializing until next April when the warmish weather returns.
4. DH and I spent much of the day shoveling and spreading the free loam he got from a kind stranger. Great exercise in the cold, brisk air which has returned to our area.
5. Bought Thanksgiving cards at the Dollar Store (2 for $1) to send to homebound and nursing home residents who are members of our church. Frugal for me and will hopefully brighten someone’s day. Reusing all Thanksgiving decorations from years past. Will cook a turkey for just the 2 of us as we are staying home due to Covid. It will be alright…it’s only for this year very hopefully…
1. Sold the last of the home canned goods; this summer’s total $850.00. My pantry is full of everything that hubby&I need this year, and everything sold was above and beyond.
2. Sold a few items on FB sale pages.
3. In the past 3 weeks, I’ve been to 3 different businesses that shorted me the service I pay for. I didn’t want to get ugly, and I didn’t want to drag the company through the mud. So I wrote private letters telling of my frustrating experiences—and got responses to all 3. 1) originally refused refund for recommended replacement item that didn’t work w/ my machine. 2) replacement provided pro bono for ordered item that was not available when it needed to be. 3) got a specific appt. to have a custom ordered corrected while I wait instead of making me leave a valuable item yet again, making me drive yet another 30mile round trip. I don’t want unreasonable response—just do the job they were paid for in the way promised.
4. Made several more items using up more food in the freezer. I can even see some open shelf space—a first in decades. And sorry, no Turkey for Thanksgiving; we’re having one of the huge hams in the freezer from the hogs we raise ourselves. I can’t justify buying food when I have so much, even if it is the Thanksgiving turkey.
5. set new limits for Christmas—I still want to celebrate but this is just too ridiculous. Daughters are getting a specialty shirt, a handmade item, a kitchen convenience (all less than $25) and one person-specific item for $50 max. Son and girlfriend keep telling us they want to make their own gift celebration, so they are getting shared gift card for home improvement. The grandchildren are all done—one package each of a couple of different things including 1 handmade gift. And handmade gifts for my close women-friends.
6. Finishing wedding gift for nephew even though it’s been postponed. Someone from here will see him or his parents this holiday season and can bring the gift—which would cost way too much to ship.
7. Making lots of holiday food this year instead of going to too many expensive places—trying to be festive and joyous in spite of the pandemic.
Nice to read everyone’s mostly frugal and creative wins since the last Five Frugal posting. Like many I have been known to get excited with another Five landing in my inbox.
Like many we are just doing. My new adopted term is DAY DAY. It seems fitting for every day we don’t know what day it is.
Continuing to run my ebay business and am on hiatus from my nursing (in home) job. Still not comfortable with it all.
Cooking daily,hanging laundry, walking, calling people to check in. Same old same old. And it’s OK.
Katy love your chair and your nice new to you table. Love to repurpose and it gives me way more satisfaction than new.
Kids are not getting gifts this year other than checks and some stocking stuffers. I will bake whatever favorite cookie that they want and include a tin for each of them. We all will buy for the granddaughter so thinking about what,who etc is now out of the equation.
Last night made some pasta sauce from tomatoes that were green and we have ripened under the bed. Came out nicely and have leftovers for 2 more meals.
Am cooking for Thanksgiving and delivering meals to 4 friends. They either don’t cook or are alone and this is my way of doing something for them. It won’t be the same but we can still share a nice meal and they know they are loved. Happy Thanksgiving to all!
I love how you are making and delivering four meals to friends. That is so sweet. And the $850 you made on your home canned goods…there’s a lot of work behind that. That’s fantastic! Happy Thanksgiving to you too.
Ooops…home canned goods was meant for Kathe Westbrook. Nice job Kathe!
It is always great to read everyone’s FFTs list as we navigate life in these strange times. Am I still in the Twilight Zone?
1. I have been doing all the usual, day to day things since the last posting – cooking from scratch, eating at home, drinking primarily filtered water, brewing my own coffee, streaming my television content, and utilizing my library resources.
2. I do miss the gym, but in this time of Covid, I’m saving my money and my health by not going. I am walking Rescue Pup for exercise. She insists on her 4 – 6 miles a day regardless of what is happening in the world. At the beginning of the week as Tropical Storm Eta cut across Northern Florida, we took our 2.5 mile morning walk. I was soaked and little wind blown, but none the worse for the experience. I do love this dog!
3. I continue to sell on eBay. As Hawaii Planner mentioned, sales have been slow. Since the third quarter is usually quite busy, this is a bit disconcerting; but it is reflection of our nation’s socioeconomic condition. However, I did finally have some good sales this week – 2 South Carolina sweetgrass baskets, some vintage fabric, a field collar (dog), 3 lots of assorted design magazines, porcelain serving pieces and a long strand of sleigh bells. Of course, whenever possible, I packed these items with previously used packaging.
4. I attended an estate sale with a particularly good kitchen and spent $35. Along with a cashmere sweater and some books, I bought several things that I needed and wanted for my holiday kitchen including some large muffin tins, miscellaneous cooking tools and a pair of nice Air Bake Wilton cookie sheets. One sheet was perfect, one needed to be scrubbed with Bar Keeper’s Friend. ( I love it too.) However, my favorite buy was a brand-new in the box Cuisnart electric ice cream maker. (These sell for $130 at Williams Sonoma.) I am dreaming of homemade pumpkin ice cream or maybe some peppermint stick at Christmas. Although it is doubtful as Covid takes hold that we will all have a festive holiday season, I will have especially good ice cream!
5. I attended my book club meeting via Zoom this week. Our selection for the coming month is not available at the library. I have purchased it at a considerable discount from an individual seller on eBay.
Wishing everyone health, peace and frugality.
1. hosted a zoom call with sibling and cousins last night. Splurged and paid for a Zoom account so I can keep doing these. So not really frugal but grateful the company has been so generous all these months. Love connecting with camera on.
So I guess frugal that I didn’t pay for service until now?
2. Have been grocery shopping with a mind towards possible shut down again this fall/winter. I feel I am done and can relax into our full larder. When doo doo hits the fan, I know we will be well fed and a good meal really helps us all feel better.
Stayed in budget too!
3. Have been bombarded with medical bills for both me and DH. UGH. We remind ourselves that we are grateful to have the money in savings to pay for this stuff. Being frugal in the past is what enables us to not be vulnerable now with these bills. AND we are both healthy and strong. That is priceless.
4. Will be receiving an end of year bonus next week. Grateful to work for an org that gives them. We have earned it this year for sure! Most money will go to fill up those savings accounts that were depleted in #3.
5. Looking into a re-fi for our home. Going to a 15 year mortgage with these crazy low rates will cost us the same monthly as our 30 year mortgage. Continuing to gather info and evaluate. Our goal is to have house paid off in 15 or less years as part of our retirement plan. We are 55 and 57.
1. Sold five books on Ebay. Four were cookbooks I no longer wanted that were gifted to me. I find that I tend to use the Internet for recipe searches.
2. Signed up for Butcher Box home delivery of organic meats and received a free 10 lb. organic, free range turkey.
3. Signed up for Misfit Market organic produce and am receiving 50% off my next box for a friend who used my promo code. https://www.misfitsmarket.com/?promo=COOKWME-DY7GWL She got 30% off. Code is still active if anyone is interested.
4. While all of my packaging from Misfit Market and Butcher Box is recyclable/recycled cardboard, I am using it to mail my Ebay sales.
5. Continuing my streak of not buying carry out food or going to restaurants since March 2020.
1. Mended my stepson’s jeans. Wasn’t a great job, but he was happy.
2. I have been using marketplace to sell some of my parents stuff. They are not hoarders, but have a lot of clutter and stuff they don’t need. Getting a bit of money helps motivate them. So far I have sold $180 worth of beads, $85 in clothing, $75 for a computer monitor, and $25 for 4 porcelain items.
3. Found a 500 pesos bill on the street. Will use it when we can travel again!
4. Still packing my lunch everyday, and not going out to eat very little, because of COVID-19. It’s just not worth the risk.
5. Still taking Spanish class, but now by Zoom, so no gas used going to the university.
1. Partner and I were going to split Thanksgiving, him to Maine with his family, me to CT with my family — because of work schedule & Covid tests, but with the uptick and new travel bans we are both staying home saving gas money in both directions.
2. We will make duck (not fans of turkey!) which are on sale. Although more expensive than turkey, we will use for 5 different meals: 1) confit legs for Thanksgiving, with frozen rhubarb (from garden) 2) breasts made into pastrami 3) innards made into paté 4) cracklins made into mock moo shu and 5) carcass made into stock for ramen
4) Did a survey via work for $10 Amazon gift card – we actually were planning on buying Bartender’s Friend with it!
5) Just took off 4 things from the grocery list after doing a detailed meal plan.
Maybe not frugal but… I bought 1 share of Nike stock, in hopes that there is a run on Converse sneakers on January 21.
1. My kiddos had cheer and football camps this weekend that was outdoors and I was freezing by the 4th hour, so I used a dunkin donuts gift card to get myself a hot chocolate. We ran out of the little packets at home otherwise I would have made myself some to take. The cheer and football camps were free this year!
2. Trying to figure out how to make Christmas work this year. Prayers please.
3. Hubby brought up all the Christmas boxes to start decorating and we have PLENTY of stuff. No need to buy a thing. It was fun to hear my kids talk about their memories of certain decorations. Makes a momma’s heart full!
4. Very thankful that our home was spared overnight in some straight line winds. Our neighbors were not so fortunate and have much damage to clean up.
5. All the things I normally do: selling on Ebay, making my own iced coffee, packing lunches, only filling up the gas tank with as much as I’ll need for the week at Costco and checking my accounts daily so I’m aware of what I have an deadlines.
On the prayer list, Jenelle.
1. Planned out our menu for dinner last week and every night was a huge hit. Amazing what I can accomplish with extra energy not devoted to electoral politics. Did it again for this week and have a beautiful, short grocery list that mostly relies on food in the pantry and freezer. Win/win!
2. Similarly, I found two YouTubers with excellent workout programs, cutting down on the number of live-streaming services I’ll pay for workouts. With my window for biking quickly coming to a close (5 pm sunsets mean treacherous evening bike rides) finding fun, free cardio options will get me through the darkest part of the year.
3. Surveyed my accumulated gift cards and found almost $150 in unused money. This will help significantly cut down on any gifting we end up doing, as many of these GCs are to places with cute gift options!
4. Continuing to burn through books on my Libby subscription. Still feeling grateful for the free time this year has shown I have that I can spend inside a book.
5. Continuing to cull random belongings that I used to always say I would use “someday”–my mom is getting my old fitbit, my local buy nothing group is about to have a windfall of bags, scarves, and shoes. I could probably be a bit more severe about it but I’m taking the mood to declutter as it comes.
6. Very slowly building towards apartment decor that I -want- instead of what is just…here. Next up was finding a new rug. We found one that matches the living room well at a steep discount, so that is the next step. We don’t really have a specific design “aesthetic” so it’s been a fun learning experience taking our time observing what we like and don’t like.
LB, would you care to name those workout channels? Please?
I am another person, that is very happy to see a non- consumer post in my in box.
Though I occasionally don’t get them.
It is nice to connect with others during this trying time.
I don’t have 5 new frugal thing’s, as my life is about the same. Very little shopping for groceries, as I’m stocked quite well.
Have been making tomato sauce to freeze, and canned a couple batches of jam.
Did get 2 big pumpkins from my daughter. They just decorated them, instead of carving. And were actually going to throw them away. So, I drove over, and saved them!
Expensive vet bills. We had to put down our 15 year old border collie, as her hips gave out, which broke our heart, and now my 5 year old dog has to go in tomorrow for some odd itching issue. Not frugal obviously, but it is, what it is.
Will be a frugal Christmas, I believe but am hoping to start a Christmas card exchange, with friends, and family. I love receiving cards, but it has not been in favor in the last 10 years. I would like to change that, at least for this year.
We all need a little joy!☺
I’m sorry about your collie. It is so hard to see them go out of your life.
I’m so sorry about your border collie. After all that time I’m sure she was a huge part of your family.
I want to send more Christmas cards this year than I have been doing in the last few years. I think they’ll be welcome although I know people are getting away from sending them. I hope my friends and family do the same. A card exchange sounds like a wonderful idea.
I’m sorry for your loss. I hope your heart will soon heal.
Marie – I join the others in offering my condolences for the loss of your border collie. Once your other dog’s itching is resolved, you can provide extra TLC & receive some in return to soothe your aching heart.
Marie,
I’m so sorry for your loss.
Marie, you have my deepest sympathies on the loss of your beloved border collie.
I just wanted to say that when I saw that photo of your living room, I wished that we lived closer because I could take such fun photos of Sonia in her vintage clothes in your living room.
It would be the perfect backdrop. 🙂
The tray looks so great now!
I’d love to have you use my house as a photo backdrop! You know . . . in the after times.
Haha, yes, there’s COVID in the way. And the fact that you live on the exact opposite side of the country from me!
Details, details . . . .
The end table legs match those of my Westnofa siesta lounge chair and ottoman.
I suspect it’s Westnova, but have never been able to find another piece like it. Either way, it was a curbside find that I’ve been enjoying as an end table for years. You know, as long as I add a tray. . . .