Five Frugal Things
by Katy on November 11, 2024 · 76 comments
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My daughter needed to get some paperwork notarized, so we went to our credit union and they did it for free, even though the form was unrelated to banking. They also made copies of everything for free.
I love credit unions, whose entire existence is for the benefit of their members. Why be a customer when you can be a member?
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It’s the time of year for convoluted yard debris pickup, which is due to us sharing garbage pickup with our next door neighbors. (This currently saves each of us $234 per year!) It becomes an issue when my maple trees drop infinite number of leaves, as we take turns for which one of us gets to set out a yard debris wheelie bin. I get around this by the grace of other neighbors.
Before you assume that I’m a horrible mooch*, I make sure to return the favors in various ways. For example, today I texted the neighbors across the street asking if they’d be setting out a bin this week. Their answer was to go right ahead with my bin. I then spent maybe fifteen minutes raking their stairs and sidewalk, filling their empty bin as a thank you. I’ve done this in the past and know that they appreciate this act of service.
I did the math and we’ve been sharing garbage service with our neighbors for sixteen years. $234 X 16 = $3744 savings for each of our households. Worth the convolution.
By the way, this overwhelming amount of leaves are from my front sidewalk, plus my backyard brick patio and deck. Not areas where it would be safe to leave the leaves in place, as they get slimy and slippery.
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I offered fresh rosemary to people in my Buy Nothing group, as my shrub is flourishing and it’s nice to share.
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• I made a big pot of white bean rosemary soup, using this recipe as a template, but added lemon juice, red pepper flakes and soy sauce for extra flavor. Would be good with kale and maybe some sausage, but I used what I had on hand.
• My husband replaced our bathroom fan timer, as it was no longer turning itself off. Don’t want to burn down the house and I appreciate the money we save by doing these DIY projects on our own.
• My husband also replaced the bedroom light switch that controls the closet light. It was needing to be turned off and on a couple times before lighting up, so it was time for a replacement. Good to A) not hire out the job, and B) not burn down the house.
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I didn’t buy a vulgar 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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* I’m a delightful mooch.
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{ 76 comments… read them below or add one }
What a great savings on your trash pick up and that rosemary plant is beautiful.
1 My daughter downloaded the Libby app on my phone as we were making our way home from Cleveland last week. She also downloaded a library audiobook which made the trip home much less boring. I was able to listen while I did chores around the house and while resting between bouts of leaf blowing. I love it.
2. I also just finished reading a kindle library book The Women by Kristen Hannah. It was so good.
3. I made a batch of chickpea tikka masala for dinner and there’s enough leftover for a couple more meals. It’s inexpensive and delicious. I picked up the ingredients I didn’t have at Aldi – ginger root, cilantro and also some naan bread.
4. I submitted my application to healthcare dot gov for my health insurance next year.
5. I gave my daughter my Fetch referral code and we both received 2000 points.
Anxious to read this book. Am waiting for it to be free or low priced on Kindle
I love audiobooks as well and yes, “The Women” was amazing!
I’ve never made tikka masala before, but maybe I need to give that a try as I enjoy it when eating out.
Katy, I’ve been a member of my credit union since 1984. When i worked for AT&T it was in our building so it just made sense. I was young and didn’t even consider the money saver it would be.
Young and accidentally smart!
I’ve got FFT
Went to a rabbit show yesterday so these are all related to that.
1. I bought 2 Banty D’Uccle hens (look them up. They are adorable) from a friend
Who lives he next state over. He brought them to the rabbit show, saving me a trip.
2. Sold a rabbit (at the show) that was jointly owned by friend in #1. My half covered the entry fee to the show.
3. This rabbit show sells the best baked mixed beans! It’s only $2 for a big cup. I had one for lunch and bought a second one for lunch today! Yum! And I’m a,so supporting the host club with my purchase.
4. Had a lovely day socializing with friends from other states that I only get to see at shows.
5. Did a mystery shop at a convince store near the show which paid for my gas and a snack. I had to buy a hot food item so I got 2 hotdogs. I also had to assess the restroom for cleanliness. I love this as I joke that I get paid to pee! lol.
6. Bonus FT. when I got home my neighbor had bagged leaves out for pickup. I asked if I could have them to put in my chicken run. (Our yard is totally fenced in so they won’t end up back in her yard.) she loves to watch our chickens so was thrilled they would get the leaves. Chickens have new leaves to scratch through, the run won’t get so muddy, and it will all turn into compost by spring! Win, win, win.
Get paid to pee? Kinky!
I love baked beans, maybe I need to start frequenting rabbit shows!
Your rosemary supply is amazing! Is it easy to grow in a pot on my screened in patio? I’ve been thinking of growing some, along with basil and a few others. There’s nothing quite like fresh herbs
Susan, rosemary is one of the few herbs (in my experience) that can live contentedly in a pot. That’s how I have to grow mine, since rosemary is not winter-hardy in Central NY (although the way things are going, climate change may make it so). And I’m having definite rosemary envy of Katy’s handsome shrub.
Basil will do OK in a pot for a while, but the amount you’ll get might not be worth the effort, IMO. And most of my perennial herbs prefer to live free in my gardens.
I’m not sure, but it can’t hurt to try. Mine is rooted from a neighbor’s plant and I had it in a pot for a couple years before I planted it in the ground.
Credit unions are the best. As are rosemary bushes.
1. Husband borrowed leaf blower from a friend.
2. Made a batch of Cream of Wheat for breakfast over four days.
3. Received six hooks from Buy Nothing that will go in an entry closet and a broom closet.
4. Signed up for a free class at the library on artificial intelligence.
5. Went to a pricey class on cookie baking and received a book, baking tips and cookies. There to support my best friend whose cookies are featured in the new book (The Ultimate Minnesota Cookie Book). Wonderful to spend time with her, meet others in the class, and browse through a beautiful kitchen store. Also received a 15% off coupon to use after class but I didn’t need or want anything.
MB in MN – you inspired me to check out my local library & there are some amazing art classes offered! I’m going to check some out. Thanks for the great idea.
I have a small bin of scavenged metal hooks that I grab from every now and then. SO handy!
You just saved 85%!
Thanks for mentioning Cream of Wheat, it reminded me that I have a box of maple C.O.W. packets that I got for free. Might work as an evening snack when I’m craving something sweet.
C.O.W packets are flavored? Since when – I am shocked but not surprised. I guess the days of self-sweetening/flavoring a from scratch cereal are gone.
C.O.W, Malt-o-Meal and Cocoa Wheats (and of course oatmeal) were stock hot cereals of my youth. Cocoa Wheats had a brownie recipe on the box and it was awesome. Don’t eat many sweets these days but C.W. brownies sound good. Perhaps I should suggest dark chocolate Wheats?
Wiki: “Cocoa wheat is a type of cereal made from wheat or farina and flavored with cocoa1. It is usually cooked in a microwave with milk and water, and whisked until it reaches the desired consistency. Cocoa wheat is a warm and chocolatey breakfast option that contains no sugar”. Ye gads I am old. It was cooked on the stove. Milk added at the end.
Cooking C.O.W, Malt-o-Meal, or C.W. in the microwave requires vigilance and patience. Otherwise you end up giving the microwave a good cleaning.
Guess I need to take a stroll down the cereal aisle one of these days.
I grew up making either farina or oatmeal* on the stove. I usually put some brown sugar on top, some of which would melt and some of which would stay lumpy.
*When I wasn’t eating horrible 1970s children’s sugar bombs cereal. Cap’n Crunch, Super Sugar Crisp, et cetera.
Mom always cooked it on the stove. Sister liked the sugar bombs, me not so much. I remember Farina, don’t ever remember eating it however.
Oatmeal, even purchased in the store not at a bulk food store, is still dirt cheap for breakfast. Sugar/brown sugar (my favorite), molasses, honey, jam – doesn’t take much of any those to add a bit of sweetness. Cream makes it decadent.
I am truly shocked when people say they don’t keep their money in a credit union! My sister works for our local one (so I get lots of cute sweatshirts and tshirts as swag) but also they have helped me with financial planning, personal loans, and more over the years!
1-You know what? My first FFT is that I continue to use my local credit union after opening my first account with them at age 13 (junior savers, anyone??) and have never paid an overdraft fee or late fee due to their friendly policies!
2-We are having friends stay this weekend so I am eating every last item of food in the fridge to make way for a nice party for them on Friday! I found a great blend of food items I can pre-buy at a reasonable price vs. want to make from scratch. I even was able to quickly shift to make a few items vegan when a pal mentioned that his guest probably would pass on the pork tenderloin. I am very excited to splurge on my dear friends and have a lovely evening at a fraction of the cost of a dinner out.
3-The friends staying with us have a beautiful baby boy but are flying up from Florida. My friend in Brooklyn was able to get a pack n play for them on loan through their buy nothing group. This saves them the expense of either trying to fly with one, buy one to keep in new york, or figure out another solution. Not to mention reducing the strain on their backs lugging it around – those suckers are heavy!
4-It’s laundry day for all the items I have been dragging my feet on because they are too delicate or annoying to wash. I put all my tops with embroidery on them in “delicates” bags to avoid snags and pulls. I’m satisfied in this extending their longevity but still a hassle!
5-Our electrical bill is SO much lower now that the ACs are not on. The fight to keep the heat off begins but I am hoping we can make it until December. The weather is unseasonably warm here so I have no concept of how it will impact our heating/cooling bills over the next year or so.
I’ve been a credit union member since 1978 or so, although I did have standard bank accounts in college so I have that experience to be able to compare.
That’s so great that you were able to borrow the pack-n-play, so smart!
While perhaps not as member focused, my area still has locally owned independent banks. Which are customer focused. My father uses a credit union (dumped the previous one he had after it was bought out) for savings purposes. It is local only and I’ve had no issues with their service (aka not pushing products that are not a good fit for my father).
1. My daughter cooked on her day off and I am the recipient of a delicious Mexican inspired casserole. She used leftover marinated pork layered with green chiles and beans. It was alternating layers of corn tortillas, a spicy cream sauce, salsa, and grated cheese. She had enough to make two casseroles, one for her and one for me.
2. Another gift from my daughter by way of a co-worker. One day last week she brought over a few bananas. It seems one of her co-workers has come into a case of bananas and wanted to share before they became too ripe. My daughter chose a few for herself and a few for me. They were delicious. That was my breakfast fruit two days in a row. The third day, too, but as the last one was getting brown spots on it, I made whole wheat toast with peanut butter and topped it with the overripe banana. That is one of my favorite ways to use up bananas when they big to get brown spots on them.
3. I’ve picked up two free books at our community center. It is a reliable source for free books, magazines, games and puzzles. I usually go there once a week for a club meeting so it is easy to check out the free shelf at the same time.
4. Regarding your rosemary, it is indeed a handsome plant. I used to live in Southern California where it is practically an outdoor shrub. Of course, in that climate it is a perennial, but I also saw it growing outdoors in Norway and found out that there are cold resistant varieties available. I now live in a state where we have real winter temperatures and lost rosemary plants the first two years I was here. A visit at a nursery informed me about the cold resistant varieties and I haven’t lost a plant since then. I might also add that rosemary is easy to propagate from cuttings placed in water so you can cut and share.
5. I save everyday by the things I choose not to buy.
@Sandra – state or growing zone for cold resistant rosemary?
Okay, that casserole sounds amazing!
My rosemary is a perennial here as well, although it got damaged from a hard freeze last winter. I cut it waaaay back and it responded with lots of fresh new growth.
P.S. Hooray for free bananas!
My rosemary always, always dies. On the other hand, my thyme is about to swallow up my house like in a fairy tale.
FFT, On a Roll (or at Least a Loaf of Bread) Edition:
(1) I made my first chicken stock of the 2024-25 soup season yesterday, with the carcass of the chicken I roasted last Thursday, additional chicken bones I saved in the freezer (along with vegetable scraps), some of my own garlic, and a generous fistful of my own dill (which is still going strong in the gardens, since we haven’t yet had a killing frost). This will probably end up in a chicken noodle soup with dill, to make even more use of the dill.
(2) While taking advantage of the low-traffic streets (because of the Veterans’ Day holiday) to do an extended bottlepick this morning, I stumbled across a 12-pack carton of Diet Coke cans with 9 full cans still in it. Don’t ask me to explain this; I can’t either. But I went back in the Element later and scooped the cans off the curb. Since a 12-pack of canned soda can’t be had around here for less than $4 these days (and then only when it’s a loss leader), I appreciate this.
(3) And speaking of Veterans’ Day, I thank all veterans and families of veterans here for your/your relatives’ service. Our two Vietnam-era vets on this street (Dr. Bestest Neighbor and one of his next-door neighbors) are flying their flags today, and I’ve hung mine out in solidarity.
(4) My next stop after the Diet Coke retrieval was the Salvation Army, where I haven’t been in ages, and where I found a pair of Keen hiking boots in my size and in excellent condition for $15. Honestly, the only thing wrong with them is that one boot has a few small paint drips on one toe. DH and I had so many clothes and shoes with paint drips on them over the years that these don’t bother me a bit.
(5) The SA was also having a monster bread giveaway: carts and carts of bakery goods signposted FREE BREAD. I chose three loaves of Stroehmann’s (two whole wheats and a potato bread) that were down at the bottom of one cart and a bit smushed, since I figured most folks would prefer the less smushed items. They’ve plumped up nicely since my return home, however, and I’m going to put them in the freezer now. And at the price of bread these days, I was very happy to stumble into this giveaway as well.
3 loaves of bread would have cost more than you paid for the boots!
Big score at Salvation Army! That paint should be easy enough to scrub off if you’re needing a rewarding chore. I once curb picked a pair of paint spattered Keens and it took maybe four minutes to get them looking new again. Sold them for $10 at a garage sale.
Let’s see if I can come up with 5.
1. I needed a winter skirt and rather than buying new, I found some fabric in my stash and made one.
2. Cashed in on Fetch for the first time. I got $25 off a Walmart order of petfood. It takes forever to build up enough points for a payout since I don’t shop much.
3. Hung laundry outside which sounds frugal but since I haven’t had a dryer in almost 30 years, is just what I do.
4.Paid the credit card in full so no interest. It took us a long time to be able do that every month.
5. Getting my car undercoated. It’s $200 but we live where a lot of salt is used on the road so anything I can do to make my car last longer is a win.
You can definitely count something you’ve been doing for thirty years as a “frugal thing!”
Not burning down your house certainly qualifies as frugal.
Another example of passive frugality!
That made me chuckle! Amy D. would be so proud. 🙂
WWAD
Indeed.
We have shared garbage services for over 40 years with our closest neighbors. I keep the garbage can about 20 feet off the county road in a nook in our driveway. I offer up our burn pile for their debris. It just makes for good neighboring.
Our little town is having a Chili cook off to celebrate Veteran’s Day. I am making gluten free cornbread muffins, apple slab pies and 2 cherry pies.
Our gas bill was up $6, I turn on the heat in the morning for my elderly mom and I am starting to hold the heat in the evening with a fire in the wood stove.
I have my college aged nephew all lined up to do roof maintenance and clean out the gutters. He loves the side hustle and I save my knees!
Have a great week!
I love your turn of phrase with “good neighboring!” Might have have to borrow that.
Now I have to go look up “apple slab pie!”
1. DH took the day off and we went to a local state park for a hike. We have $10 senior passes but there was no need for them today. We hiked down to the river. Water flowing over rocks is something that feeds my soul.
2. DD came for a visit and I sent her home with cheap Craisins and tortilla chips from Costco. I also gave her applesauce, muffins, and cookies from the freezer. Our SIL is in school so we help them here and there.
3. We have PBS Passport and have regularly been streaming shows. Last night we started watching Howards End.
4. DH gives local chocolates, in December, to some of the people who work for him. They’re not cheap but… Last year they messed up the order (filled it with the wrong assortment) and we accepted a $50 gift card as compensation. They offered to replace everything but it would have been very expensive for them. I remembered to use the gift card when I placed this year’s order.
5. Several months ago a friend gave me a gift card to a local restaurant as a thank you. We hadn’t used it but ordered one lunch yesterday and split it. There are more funds for more meals.
Hooray for using your credit and gift cards, so many people forget or misplace these things.
BTW, You’re a nice mom and sister-in-law.
I have never thought of Katy as taking advantage of her neighbors. She frequently posts about things she does for her neighbors. Her neighbors take care of each other. I miss my 90 something neighbor who died 5 years ago. She was the best!
Hopefully this didn’t come across as taking advantage of a neighbor. I raked their sidewalk and filled their wheelie bin to put out for next week.
@Katy – you help each other out and don’t keep score. I call that being in the circle – people who help each other out knowing it all works/evens out in the end.
No, never did it come across as that. You & your neighbors help each other.
Thank you, I was wondering if I had missed someone’s comment.
Your trash-y story reminds me of when my parents retired and moved to the country. Since they were in an unincorporated area, there were no city services such as garbage collection. So they gave me their old trash cans for my curb. Anything that they could not recycle, compost or feed to the animals was bagged up and brought in town to my house and put out on trash day. The old folks didn’t have to pay for a private waste management collection service this way. I would say it was free except that garbage collection fees were part of what I paid on the water bill. In return, anytime I had the trees trimmed, Dad would load up his pickup truck and take the brush to their 2-acre ranchette. What could be used as firewood kept them warm all winter, they composted the leaves, and they had an outdoor burn pile for the rest. We didn’t have to pay to dump stuff at the landfill. Ah, the good ol’ days. (They are gone now and their place is sold.)
My Veteran’s Day 5FT:
1. School is open today and I got a half-day substitute teaching assignment. The PTA put out a spread for Veteran’s Day and my mid-morning breakfast (during her 2nd period conference time) was chocolate cake and coffee. Free.
2. Afterward my school assignment ended, I bopped down to Wallyworld (aka Walmart) and ordered a pair of eyeglasses from their vision center. Big spender that I am (NOT!), I chose a $17 pair of frames (was supposed to be a man’s design). But, of course, I had to have lenses — bifocals, in my case. That ran the bill up to $297. Whipped out my Medicare Advantage card and the bill got reduced to $124. Fantastic frugal win!
3.Also frugal: I chose some frame styles that will help hide my under-eye bags. I could be the “before” picture on one of those Plexaderm commercials. Yes, I’ve purchased Plexoderm and yes, it works, but it is uncomfortable and expensive. Hopefully I can just wear my glasses and keep from looking like the (eye-) bag lady!
4. Also while at Walmart, I saw they have opened a brand new electronic repair office. I asked the clerk if they repaired remote controls. She said yes. Much cheaper than a new remote or a new TV. Told her I will be back soon, remote controls in hand!
5. It’s getting colder and I grabbed some blankets off the top shelf of the closet. Found my big heavy sweater that had gotten lost last February or March, I think it was. We’d folded it in with some like-colored blankets. Glad to have found it, since it means I get one more year of use (at least) without having to buy another sweater.
School is open on Veterans’ Day? That strikes me as disrespectful.
More schools are open on Veteran’s Day and have Veteran’s Day related activities. One school not far from me had a 100 year WWII vet who graduated from the school in 1942. IMHO, in-school focused on Veteran’s Day provides more to the kids than just a day off of school.
Anything that teaches children more history is good in my book. Though they could have saved that for the day after. Anyway.
Hooray for finding your sweater, that kind of thing just puts a spring in my step!
You win at glasses shopping today!
I must confess we only recently switched to a credit union, having stayed with the same bank when we moved from Georgia to Tennessee. I finally noticed that the formerly customer friendly bank had stopped offering anything and charged for everything. We now make more in interest at the credit union than we were paying in fees at the bank. It was a massive pain in the behind to switch everything over, but it had the bonus effect of turning up a bunch of subscriptions that should have been canceled a while ago. So win-win.
Win-win-win!
1. Partner needed a new computer. We went today so that we got free on-street parking and didn’t have to pay for a meter (holiday) or use the mall garage which charges.
2. Used my educational discount ($100) and turned in his old computer and saved (an additional $150).
3. Making queso fundido for an appetizer for a pot-luck, using free cheese and milk (mystery shop). The cost will be about $5.00 for all of the other ingredients.
4. Went to Wegman’s (hi A. Marie) and despite looking for a treat, we stuck to the one thing that we wanted there, and bought nothing else. Wegman’s is much more expensive than our local chain, Market Basket. We also stopped in to see if Aldi’s (by chance) had butter on sale, as I did not see any on sale at Easter, and I’m down to 6 pounds from my high of 48 (or something like that) from 2 years ago – perhaps I have to give up it ever being $1.99 again!
5. Needed to roast off 2 poblano peppers. I used the air fryer instead of turning on the oven. Will make croutons out of stale bread, and a snack box to eat on the road tomorrow for my 3.5 hour commute.
Betta, I grant you that Wegmans can be terribly pricey. But I’m working their current “Hot Zone” loss leaders to the max; their pharmacy has never, ever let me down (unlike the increasing problems NDN and I are having at her Walgreens); and (hot tip for any other bottlepickers out there) they accept almost every brand of NY State deposit bottle or can except Aldi and Trader Joe’s house brands.
A. Marie: DOH! I don’t know about their Hot Zone loss leaders! We must have missed that section!
Yeah, I feel that $1.99 butter is in the rear view mirror.
You were so strategic and impressive with your computer purchase!
@BettafromdaVille – leftover queso fundido makes an excellent burger topper. It is sooo good but I only allow myself to order it once a month from our favorite Mexican restaurant – not likely healthy lol.
Hi everyone, I’ve been a reader for a few months but never commented, so here’s my first frugal five!
1. I sold a travel guide to Lisbon where we went as a family in October – might as well sell it while it’s still up to date
2. I listed pants/trousers on FB marketplace and our local Craigslist. I had bought them 2nd hand for my chronically ill stepmum, but they don’t fit (it’s so hard to buy pants for someone else!)
3. I had to renew my Swiss ID and used a picture I had on hand, even if it’s not the most flattering, saved me 8$. Turns out they take a digital pic directly as part of the renewal process, so I had a new picture for free,
4. I got my regular bloodwork check – early medical prevention = frugal
5. My neighbour came to get his snow plower jeep out of storage from our barn – we have a great deal, we store it for him through the warm months and he plows our alleyway
Hello, Claire! So interesting to hear from Switzerland. (I’m guessing that you are a British expat living there?) And I sympathize with your #2 in particular; this is a problem I encounter when buying things for my 85-year-old next-door neighbor, too.
Thanks A. Marie! Actualy my mum was the British expat, I was born and raised in Switzerland 😉 and yes some clothing is really hard to buy for others, we kind of have the same size so I do the fitting on myself, but she’s very sensitive and needs stretch at the top but super fitted legs as hers are much thinner than mine. Oh well, next time!
Welcome, Claire! I’m looking forward to learning more from your life in Switzerland as time goes on.
Thanks MB !
Free plowing in exchange for storage, what a perfect solution for both of you!
So smart to use an existing photo. How attractive an ID photo is is entirely non-important.
Hi Claire. I really like your frugal trade with your neighbor. It’s something to think about.
Hi Katy and Jill – yes I love this deal! Especially as he does it much earlier in the morning as I ever would !
Katy, I’ve been a fan of yours for years, but I usually find you on Instagram. so many of you who share your frugal tips on an almost daily basis have been quite inspiring for me especially since the last few months have been anything but frugal, with a much-needed bathroom remodel, but this week I’ve found some things that have saved me money and I’m thankful. So here goes.
1. Having tossed my 35+ year old flannel comforter cover, I looked around for a replacement. Most were in the $100-$250 range, which just didn’t seem feasible right now. Besides, none of them were in the larger size that would fit our bed, which is a California king. I remembered the bloggers young house love’s recommendation of sheets from target. I’ve loved the Burcale ones that they recommended so I ordered the flannels, thinking that the king top sheets are probably big enough to be sewn together to create a new comforter cover. Now, I haven’t done it yet, but I did order them and used my target card which always saves 5%.
2. Here in San Diego, gophers are a huge nuisance. We have a rather large yard and a quite small budget right now. Our sweet neighbors let me get some cuttings of a plexus plant that gophers don’t like. I planted them in the spring and they have virtually covered this one area, so much that they’re growing over our driveway. I clipped a bunch of cuttings and cut down on my 63-year-old hands and knees and poked holes and planted these. I only got about halfway done before I had to stop, but I’m thrilled if these grow in as well.
3. On the topic of gardening again, we have a lot of areas that are bare (thank you gophers!) and lots of agaves, so we cut several and planted them in an area by our garage. I can’t get over how much nicer it looks. Free plants are my favorite kind!
4. I’ve started buying holiday gifts, and remembered a friend recommendation of Thistle Farms, an organization that helps women survivors heal, and reclaim their lives by breaking the cycles of trafficking, exportation and addiction. I ordered a few things from them and feel good about contributing toward their mission.
5. While doing some organizing in the kitchen this morning, I pulled out a a little pot that I filled with chopped chocolate for a cookie recipe ages ago. So I made a big batch of chocolate cookies, feeling rather grateful that I didn’t have to do the work of chopping the chocolate. My friend who gave me the recipe recommended using Trader Joe’s pound plus chocolate bars, which made these cookies quite a good deal.
Hello, Claire! Thanks for putting Thistle Farms on my radar.
So smart to buy king size top sheets to make a new duvet cover, crossing my fingers that it’s the right size!
Your gophers sound like quite the nuisance, but it sounds like you’re figuring out how to deter them without spending much money.
Whoops! I meant to say Hello, Sheila!
Hi Claire. Welcome and thank you for the tip on the chocolate bar for cookies.
Sorry. I meant this comment for Sheila.
1. DH and I always seem to be low on knives. I waited to buy some hoping I would find some second hand ones. I volunteered at my church’s thrift shop last Saturday, walked into the household goods room and there was a bag with 8 knives and a butter knife in it, all in excellent shape and all for $2.
2. I’m using plastic onion bags as scrubbies while doing dishes with burnt on food stuck to them. I try hard to give plastic second and third uses.
3. I had a friend over for a chicken dinner yesterday as I wanted to treat her before she moves in with her daughter for the winter, about 1.5 hours away. I bought a plump chicken on a manager’s special and made a pumpkin pie. She loved the crust which was whipped up with the dough hook in my Kitchen Aid mixer. Her granddaughter accompanied her, and we all had a great day…low cost and still lots of fun.
4. Dug out my Thanksgiving decor which consists of a large ceramic turkey and a small ceramic turkey, both bought at yard sales. Also, two wooden Pilgrim people I bought years ago at the Christmas Tree Shop, a discount New England chain. The autumn leaf garlands up have been out since September, so the turkeys and Pilgrims are accentuated by them. That sounds very fancy schmancy but trust me, it’s not. I didn’t spend any money on them which is my goal for the holidays at this point.
5. DH and I are working at the town hall tomorrow as one precinct is being audited. The town clerk warned us we’ll probably be there all day. On Friday I’m working a 5 hour shift at the deli, my old “retirement job”. So I’ll be getting two paychecks, one from the town and one from the deli, as will DH from the town. I look at these little jobs as my side gig.
How nice of you to prepare such a lovely meal for your friend!
I’m all in on using onion bags as scrubbies, too. Nothing works better on a waterless cleaning of cast iron pans.
1. Dh used an airline credit to visit his mom in Denver this past weekend. They got over a foot of snow. He was snowed in at the assisted living place and spent no money all weekend. He was able to help his mom get settled more – she just moved there in Sept.
2. I found marked down meat at the store Sunday morning. I got pork chops, chicken cutlets and beef for stew all marked down. We were running low on meat in general so this was a good find.
3. I scrounged around and made a pasta dish with leftover sausage, cheese, 1/2 box of pasta and tomatoes. I had dinner and lots of leftovers.
4. Stopped by the coffee shop today while my dd was working and got a free mocha. I did tip though so not completely free. Got to catch up a bit with dd which is always nice and worth the money as she is very busy and does not live with me.
5. Read a book from the library this weekend and have another one on hold that needs to be picked up. Yay for free entertainment.
Gotta love a scrounged dinner! Yay for libraries and daughters!
1 – technically not frugal for me (besides some great prices on items, particularly the cat litter I use), I saw a little sign for Iobatta et al at the checkout. Employee owned grocery chain (limited to two states) which was a) so blissfully quiet despite being busy, b) clean, and c) competent help.
2 – I find working a lot leaves little time to spend money. Did we get the best deal on turkey today – doubt it. Did we get the size we want, why yes we did.
3 – While we only buy/replace items when we have to, we salvage from them. Decided we really don’t need FOUR glass coffee pots from coffee makers of yore. Bringing to me FB marketplace question as I know a lot of you do it. You have people come to your house or do you pick a public spot in which to transact?
4 – Quartered more firewood to season for next year, stacked it. Better half cut down a dead tree. I loaded as he cut. Our gas bill tends to be quite low during the winter. Our electric bill is higher during the winter – radiant floor(s), bird bath heaters, and gutter heaters when needed (higher bill is far, far cheaper than fixing roof damage from ice cycles!). Conversely, it costs us little for A/C when we use it.
5 – My location is not conducive for a buy nothing group, even if I could fine one. Next best option is a twice a year event in the town where my father lives – which is a short drive. Items with useful life will be dropped off there. Yeah, we know there are those who go there to find items they can resale. Same with the donate what you can clothing shop. I know they unceremoniously told one woman to get out (clothing shop) as she and her entourage would descend on the shop and leave with arms full of clothing to resell. My take – bad karma to those who abuse the kindness of others. And bad karma to those who drop junk on places that are there to help.
We have a free bench in the neighborhood, for sharing useful items without coordinating pickups, etc. Especially as it gets colder, it’s helpful for folks who might be reluctant to ask for help in person. The other day I dropped off and there was an obvious reseller jamming his truck full. I don’t care about non-necessities – more power to them – but work boots? Warm coats? Just… no.
I used to run a big swap that drew hundreds of people, and we were very upfront about banning resellers. When people give for others to use, it’s a turnoff. It’s not so much that people mind reselling – people need money, too, not just this or that object – but we had someone hovering over the toy table, grabbing things before kids could get to them. Graceless.
1. We finished the mammoth task of cutting down the bookshelves, painting them, moving them to their new location and loading ALL the stuff back onto them. I found many things, donated a box full and have better access to everything.
2. Bought eggs on sale at Safeway, $3.47 for 18, which is great for around here.
3. Sold a Christmas tree stand that I got from a free pile. The woman who bought it had a Navy tshirt on, her daughter currently serves and my son is a USMC veteran. We exchanged thanks for our children’s service.
4. We are changing cell phone providers and will save $20 a month. We went on Clarkhoward.com to look at his list of recommended carriers.
5. We needed some art work but this isn’t something I’ve ever spent money on, not even at the thrift store. In my grand re-arrange I found oil paintings my son did in high school and a huge painting my daughter did. I will be framing some and enjoying it. Hopefully some fit in my stash of frames!