Five Frugal Things
by Katy on April 7, 2025 · 80 comments
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My husband installed the curb picked light fixture in the dining room, which required two trips to the hardware store and longer than you’d expect to configure. This was due to removing one of the vertical column pieces, but also because it didn’t exactly come with instructions. In the end we spent a little less than $20 on new parts and we’re both really happy with the results. A satisfying room upgrade for less than the price of a couple dozen eggs.
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My husband and kiddo had a 5:30 P.M. soccer game last night and I wanted to make sure there’d be a warm meal when we returned. Why? Because rain — it always seems to rain on soccer days! I went ahead and filled the crock pot with bits from last week’s Costco rotisserie chicken and added carrots, potatoes, herbs, spices and a big spoon of Better Than Bullion. We came home to perfectly cooked soup, to which I added homemade dumplings.
Cheap, easy and delicious, my favorite combination!
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I stood in the rain, but was perfectly warm in my thrifted Land’s End raincoat, under my thrifted Elizabeth Taylor umbrella. I’m guessing I spent maybe $3 since they’re both from the Goodwill bins.
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I ran into Trader Joe’s on the way back from soccer and bought bananas, just bananas. That store is 95% impulse items, so I gave myself a pat on the back!
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Happy that secondhand items aren’t subject to inane tariffs.
Katy Wolk-Stanley
“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.”
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{ 80 comments… read them below or add one }
Thrifting and garage picked is THE BEST!!!
Still waiting on my light fixture!
And you will continue waiting.
Great addition to your beautiful space.
Thank you!
You and your sister are hilarious! Reminds me of me and my 2 DD’s.
1. made 4 quarts of yogurt for 3.49
2.made bread and it was awesome but I wouldn’t turn down a haul like you got.
3. using frozen beef roast in beef stew, it is the roast that just keeps on giving.
4. leftover stew will be made into a pot pie
5. going to try planting popcorn kernels, wouldn’t it be awesome to be able to grow your own????
Bonus: not implementing tariffs on sharing with family and friends because I am not an ARSEHOLE!!!!!
JC
Yum, I love beef stew!
The light fixture look perfectly at home! Nice upgrade.
1. We were able to order an exact match cellular shade for one that broke. Luckily we had the paperwork from the home seller, the company was able to look up the seller’s order, and the blind was on sale for 45% off.
2. My hubby has found some musicians to jam with at our house and they brought us pastries yesterday.
3. Found a dime while walking the dog so I too came into money.
4. Keep on doing our own housework, yard work, cooking and shopping as our labor is free and it is good exercise.
5. I did not deport a man by mistake and send him to a torture prison, crash the stock market or screw up so so many government functions that provide needed services and safeguards.
Thank you so much for your #5, I can’t imagine what kind of morally bankrupt person would do those things!
Hooray for figuring out a match to your broken blind!
Juhli, I like the idea of musicians bringing you pastries! My husband plays in a band. They keyboard player and his wife have chickens and they often gift us eggs. Always appreciated (even when the price in the store was low).
The light fixture looks fantastic! Add to your frugal list having a handy husband!
I did not crash the stock market either but I have a couple dear friends who are panicking because of the idiot who did crash it. At this point, husband and I are in more conservative investments so it’s not so bad for us. It’s just terrible.
Your room is gorgeous, and I love everything about it!
1. I had my neighbor’s trees cut down (with her permission) that were hanging over my roof at what was my former work house which shall remain my house house, since my weekend/retirement house burned. Some things are not meant to be and we put on our big girl panties and move on. Now cutting trees cost $$$$$ but it is cheaper than being homeless if the largest tree crashed through my roof because it would have destroyed my house. Some of you may remember I bought this house for 25 K during The Great Recession, so it is time I made improvements. Bloom where we are planted as the old saying goes.
2. I am having new windows put in that are double paned to reduce drafts and electric bills since parts of the old windows are gone and stuff with plastic bags taped over it, and since my back doorframe has rotted out and the door won’t latch, I am having a new fiberglass frame and door installed. The current cement blocks I put in front of the door will then be put back outside where they belong.
3. My son is bringing me a window air conditioner/heating unit that he still has in the box and it is free to me! My current unit is beyond repair and I have to have air where I live, during the summer. Some of you may remember lightning destroyed that unit a couple of years ago. I had an electrician repair the plug and check things out.
4. While I am on the home repair stage, I am having folks come out to give me a free estimate on foundation work. I live where the soil is rich from an agricultural standpoint, but it is flat as a pancake and when it rains, which is often, the back yard floods, and our foundations shift with the mud somewhat. No one has a basement in the entire tiny town, but there is one small hill where city hall is located so it is a tornado shelter. Luckily it is one block from my house.
5. I planted and landscaped the front of my house with rosebushes, that I am going to intersperse with lettuce, sunflower seed, and spinach. We do not have HOA’s here.
6. I am continuing to work since there is an orange haired octopus currently in charge of my social security, he has very long tentacles, and I have decided to the end of his term before I retire and draw by SS. I will leave it to your imagination as to whom I am referring to. I cannot control the world nor other people, I can only do what I feel is best for me at the current time. I refuse to fret either.
Cindy, we bought a house for $53K during the Great Recession and it DID become out retirement house and even a large branch fell on it! And then we bought the place across the street, tinier, for $45K. After a few years, actually in 2020, we sold both and made many, many times the original sale price — which enabled us to move on and do renovations in our new house. It was Divine guidance, I’m sure. Good luck to you.
Yeah for neighbors who agree to have trees cut! We did the same thing with our neighbor as his trees could have caused our home insurance to be cancelled due to fire risk.
“wait until the end of his term before I retire and draw my SS.” As always, my typos are for your entertainment….lol
That looks great!
1. I took today as a vacation day. I’m not much for travel, and enjoy using my PTO spread out to get a bunch of long weekends. I’m supposed to be in the office on Mondays, so I also avoid the commute.
2. My dog’s heartworm prescription was about to expire. I don’t mind paying the vet for services, but I dislike how much they mark up meds. I was going to order from Chewy, and they offered $20 off a $49 order with free shipping, so I added toothpaste and dental treats and paid the same price it was going to be for just the heartworm preventative.
3. Used FreetaxUSA to file tax returns for myself, my son, my dad, and my brother. I have been using them for at least 3 years with no issues. Free federal filing, $14,99 to add state.
4. I print shipping labels at my office or walk up to the library and print them there. It gets me out for a walk, but it isn’t convenient. I have been wanting a thermal printer for some time, and finally ordered an older model Zebra from ebay.
5. I have read online that the Aldi double chocolate brownies are a dupe for Ghiradelli. I made them yesterday and they are very good.
#5 makes me especially sad that we don’t have an Aldi near us.
Prices have really gone up in Aldi over the last year. I pine for a Trader Joe’s.
Today I laundered my reusable grocery bags, which are nearly 25 years old now. They are hanging on the drying rack in the sun room. Timed my local grocery shopping to co-incide with a sale of the chubby cat kibble our big kitties both eat.
Cleaned my own house yesterday, trimmed my dog’s nails myself with a little rechargeable grinder, and cut up one of my son’s ragged t-shirts into four cleaning cloths.
Did not illegally detain and arrest anyone in my neighborhood, which I think they used to call kidnapping prior to a few awful weeks ago.
1) We leave for vacation on Thursday so I’ve been using up all our fresh fruits and veggies. I made some beans and greens with a bunch of kale from the produce box, ate half and froze half. I made potato soup with carrots, parsnips and frozen corn for dinner last night and froze the leftovers. I plan to make a cauliflower and tofu tika masala tonight to use up the cauliflower from the produce box and the opened package of tofu we have. Everything left after that should keep while we are gone (apples, carrots, sweet potato, etc)
2) When cleaning out my grandparents house last year, I found two kindle fire tablets in a box. I asked the rest of the family and they said it was fine if I kept them. I set them aside, as I didn’t really want my kids to have their own tablets yet at their age. We have a 5 hour flight on Thursday though which is the longest flight we’ve ever done with them. I’ve got the tablets setup with some games, videos and books and will use them on the flight to keep them entertained. I plan to take them away after the trip though and save them just for travel, I’m sure they’ll complain mightily though!
3) Another item from my grandparents house came in hadn’t recently too. I’d taken a box of empty picture frames, I found uses for most of them but had a couple left. My son made a picture with oil pastels that he was really proud of (he’s not usually into drawing much but he’d really taken his time with this) So I put it into one of the empty frames for him and now it’s displayed.
Some small frugal things from today.
1. Looked at the weather for the week and planned doing wash tomorrow and Wednesday so I can take advantage of the predicted nice weather so I can hang the wash tomorrow dry outside. We focus on inside chores today as its raining.
2. Went to Costco for a few things. Brought home a slice of pizza and soda for daughter for a fun lunch. Under $3. I Chose to eat leftover homemade soup for my lunch when I got home
3. Used my Sip Club for a cup of coffee at Panera since I drive right past it on the way to Costco. I put it in the fridge for breakfast tomorrow. I drink one (big) cup of coffee a day and by planning my outings I have only had to make one cup of coffee in the last 2 weeks. You can get a drink every 2 hours so I get one cup at the beginning of my errands and I e at the end so I have coffee for 2 days. Some folks don’t like reheated coffee but I don’t mind it. I got my Sip Club for $4.99 a month for 5 months. I’ve seen it is currently $3 a month for 3 months. I have a reminder in my calendar to cancel it before it goes up to full price. BTW anyone else notice Paneras smells weird? Like burnt cheese or something.
4. Dropped off some individual applesauce cups in our local Little Free Pantry. Took a can of black beans and a bag if egg noodles that have been there for a few weeks. Someone put a box of children’s book in the pantry. I’ll drop them off at a Little Free Library tomorrow.
5. Pulling weeds in our yard to feed to the guinea pigs. We use no chemicals in our yard so every day in spring I weed a short section and give it to the piggies.
I am planning to do the same for my chickens! Free produce, right? And good for pollinators.
1. I was at an event overnight, so I ate at my folks’ house before, sleeping at a friend’s house, and then sharing breakfast with my daughter (treating her). I was at a second event Saturday and there will be snacks. I stopped at Starbucks to use the restroom and to use a $3 drink coupon and paid it with the last of my gift card. No more Starbucks after this! (deleting app)
2. I attended a community event and spoke briefly on how important it is to plant a Resistance (Victory) garden. I handed out home-printed garden layouts, and shared a ton of my extra seeds. All the leftover seeds went to the community college’s community garden/students. A successful night.
3. Redoing my office and found some things I want to frame (certificates, awards). Shopping my own frame stash for this.
4. Seriously editing and shredding my files. I have way too much paper. I have turned six file cabinets into two. We have one box going into deep storage in the garage, and everything else is recycling or shredding/compost.
5. I was shocked to find that my Costco chicken sausages in the freezer, when defrosted, were moldy! That was after my meeting Thursday and I had no more energy to start fresh. In olden times we would have gone for takeout or drive through, but I pulled out a leftover salad, sliced up some bread and we had a light supper instead of the sausages.
6. When picking up my meds at the Raley’s pharmacy, I checked their discount table and brought home gumbo mix, masa harina, almond oil, four 4-packs of fizzy lemonade in glass bottles, protein bars for Mr. Husband’s sports bag, some dented cans, and turkey roasting skewers. These were mere cents on the dollar, all of them. The lemonade is like bitter tonic – delicious with vodka. The almond oil is crazy expensive ordinarily, just $6 last night. It will be so good in salads. I feel like I boosted my pantry with some treats and spent just $38 total on all of my groceries.
7. We finally got the electrician here to do some necessary work in the garage. They came, did the work – fixing one outlet — but actually fixed SIX outlets, so our garage is now way more useful than it was before. And I was able to move the freezer inside (instead of outside on a pallet under a tarp, so classy!) and now I can manage my freezer so much better, inside, where I am not standing in the rain to look inside. The frugal point is that we used a local firm and they were so good, and did such great work, planned for $2000 and the final expense was $850. Really pleased.
Katy, that light fixture looks incredible!! Well done!
RE the Pumpkinhead in office, I am really concerned about his team of idiots pointing nuky missiles at Iran, but what do I know? Maybe this is a genius move. Maybe monkeys will fly out of my a$$.
This should all be in the past tense, fer Pete’s sake.
Well done Non-Consumer couple for a joint venture on the lighting project! I hope my thrifted lighting looks as nice as yours. (It hasn’t been installed yet as we haven’t closed on house deal yet.)
Your new to you lighting fixture looks perfect in your dining room.
1. The $5 jacket I bought at the church’s thrift shop had two grey stains on it (the jacket is off-white). Naphtha soap to the rescue. It washed up perfectly.
2. I found a penny in the bank parking lot.
3. I sold a rain jacket and a sweatshirt at the consignment store and netted $13.30.
4. I don’t buy sweets due to the temptation of having them around the house and the cost, but I was craving something sugary, so I baked a 5 ingredient Swedish Almond cake for DH and I to have with afternoon tea. Easy peasy.
5. Thanks to Joe Biden, a medication I need to take is capped at $35. I sincerely hope this price continues to stay where it is. Nothing about this administration’s decisions regarding healthcare would surprise me though.
First, Katy, kudos to you and Mr. NCA for a great job on the light fixture!
Now, FFT, I’m in Training to Become a Bag Lady Edition:
(1) At 6:30 Sunday morning, I peered into the dumpsters of a nearby apartment complex for the first time in a while–and fished out a Farberware 8-quart pot with lid, in excellent condition and with nothing gross inside. (Online, this pot is going for $30 and up.) My only regret is that it wasn’t a 10-quart pot (I really do need to replace my 10-quart), but I’ll settle for this one. I’ll donate the oldest 8-quart in my collection to one of the thrifts.
(2) I’m using the new pot to make a ham, garbanzo, and vegetable soup, cobbled together from a ham I bought on sale at Wegmans this morning and assorted canned goods and veg I needed to use up. A. Marie’s Soup Kitchen is open! I’ll be taking some to my NDN and to the Bestest Neighbors. (As I said to the BNs, “When the going gets tough, the tough make soup.”)
(3) I batched errands this morning: my local Staples (for a printer cartridge and a couple of thumb drives I need before the prices go up on those); my local Byrne Dairy convenience store/gas station (to air up my tires at its free digital air machine); the pop-up thrift store in the old bowling alley (where I was tempted by several things but bought only three fancy Ball jelly jars for Bailey dog’s mom, who is a jam maker); and Wegmans.
(4) I’m ramping up my bottlepicking. At the rate things are going, my bottlepicking may do better than my investment accounts this quarter.
(5) And I’ve gotten info from one of my Sunday walking buddies about getting onto the mailing list for the local Indivisible chapter’s events. I’m feeling the need to get out there on the front lines, however decrepit I may feel.
I really like the new light fixtures!
I don’t think I have 5 things, but #1 is big.
1. Bit the bullet and cancelled work on a roofed porch I was planning to enclose–had even sources some used glass sliders to make it super great. I’m disappointed; this is a project I’ve been wanting to do for ten years and I finally have the money together..But I reluctantly decided I need to hold on to said money since I’m retired and my accounts, like everyone’s, are taking a hit. And because otherwise, God knows….
2. Home with a sick dog (his meds make it necessary to take him outside every two hours so here I am… hopefully a temporary situation) so I dipped into my fridge, freezer, and pantry and did some cooking. I made a large chicken-broccoli–pasta casserole with sour cream, a meat loaf stretched almost double with black beans and farro, roasted carrots with dukkah, and made cookies. All this with stuff on hand, which makes me realize I have an awful lot of stuff on hand. Froze half of each creation except the carrots.
3. Reread a book I already have on kindle– you can’t get cheaper than sourcing used from your own stuff! This book, Blueprint for Revolution: How to Use Rice Pudding, Lego Men, and Other NonViolent Techniques to Galvanize Communities, Overthrow Dictators, or Simply Change the World is a lively and inspiring read by a leader of Otpor!, the revolutionary group that helped overthrow Milosovic in Serbia. (There is also a documentary streaming on You Tube about Otpor!, narrated by Martin Sheen. I will find the title and watch it later–maybe I can squeeze a #4 out of free streaming)
4. see above?
5. I didn’t call a reporter who questioned tariffs “stupid” on live TV.
PS The documentary is called “Bringing Down a Dictator.”
So says the man who is crashing the economy and stockmarket.
Thanks for the book and/or documentary suggestion. I am putting it on my list! Also, hope the doggo feels better soon.
Gina in NY — thank you!
Katy next time you stop at Trader Joe’s for bananas check out their eggs. Here in Cincinnati they are $3.49 a dozen, limit 1.
I need to remember this!
Katy, your new light fixture is perfect! What a great find!
1. Making a loaf of bread for the week. I have several favorite recipes and try to make the loaf that will use ingredients that are close to expiration dates. This afternoon, I’ll take stock of all the food in the pantry and fridge/freezer and update my list of ingredients that need to be used quickly.
2. Last night, I made a huge pot of Portuguese Sausage and Kale soup to use ingredients from our CSA bag. I used the oil from the Costco marinated artichokes to save olive oil – a tasty addition! I added some turmeric from our garden – not so tasty… A large daikon radish from the CSA was a good addition. We’re not radish fans and I never knew what to do with them other than stir fry, but they are great roasted or in soups.
3. Took advantage of deals on gift cards and points at PetSmart to get $25 off a $65 purchase for our furry house members. And I will get $10 back in PetSmart points, plus $7 from CapitalOne.
4. Our nursery had selected veggie plants 8 for $10, so we purchased 8 to round out our new Tariff Garden. We also used seeds that were getting old (some worked, some were no shows) and tomato plants and new seeds from our library. It has been fantastic to get the garden started again! I might even paint a Tariff Garden sign in Orange paint.
5. Started making a laptop bag out of existing denim, fabric scraps, and zippers. I’ll add embroidery to the denim. I saw the design on Thuy crafts on YouTube. She has fantastic ideas for using scraps to make beautiful, useful items.
6. I want to thank Katy and all of you for this blog and your comments. I wish I could keep my attitude up as well as Cindy in the South, but I AM fretting about the actions in Washington that are affecting all of us. Your positive comments and values are giving me much needed hope that there are still many good people out there just doing their best to be kind and stay sane under all this unnecessary nastiness and uncertainty.
Seconding your #6!
Thirding your #6!
I completely feel your #6! I go up and down, but after hearing from the protesters, I’ve been feeling more hope than not this week.
Love the name “Tariff Garden”!
Your room looks really nice with the “new” light fixture! But when you said it cost about the same as a carton of eggs, I thought “Oh no! That expensive?” LOL!
1. Caught some kind of “bug” that had me coughing up my toenails the other night. Didn’t have any Rx or OTC meds for this. The OTC cough stuff at the drug store was $7 for generic and $11 for name brand; plus, the warning label said not to take it with another Rx I take. So I went to the liquor store and asked for their smallest bottle of bourbon. I got a Barbie doll-sized one for $1 + tax. Came home and made myself a small amount of bourbon and sugar cough syrup, an old home remedy my pediatrician used to recommend. It worked well enough to keep me from hacking and coughing all night. (You wet the sugar with a tiny splash of bourbon, put it in a spoon and eat the resulting mixture. The fumes help stop the cough.)
2. Reused a plastic sack package that some mail order clothing came in as a trash bag for the bedroom (small) trash can.
3. Cleaned out some old storage boxes. Sorted through the papers and threw out the very old files I don’t need, and kept only what may be needed. Not only did it free up a LOT of space, but I also found a long-lost book of passwords. Maybe now I can get back into my Facebook account! (It locked me out in 2022.)
4. Bought a giant-size multipack of toilet tissue just in case such paper goods are being imported from Canada and would therefore go up in price due to tariff. Also carefully cut it open from one end so that the bag can also be used as a small trashcan liner. (Thanks, Donna Freedman, for coming up with this hack).
5. Did not blithely jet off to Florida to play golf — probably at taxpayer expense — while millions of people wonder how they are going to support themselves in retirement, keep a roof over their heads, put food on their table, ensure their special needs children have a quality education, pay for their medications, get much-needed (and well-deserved) help from numerous governmental agencies that have just been eviscerated, etc.
Fru-gal Lisa– While very sorry to read of your “bug” I had to admire “coughing up my toenails” as a description.
Thanks for the recipe for the bourbon cough syrup.
My dad’s homemade cough syrup was peppermint sticks dissolved in bourbon. It was vile but seemed to help.
Ruby,
What a great use for leftover candy canes!
1. Had my mom and her husband for a 2 nights visit.
I made pulled pork from sale pork butt in freezer, home made bbq sauce, Cole slaw from cabbage bought at Patrick’s day (.39lb), and 1.79 cookies from Aldi.
Breakfasts for 2 days used up ham and bacon. Really stretched it on day 2 by making breakfast sandwiches.
She took us out for dinner one night so that was fun. Although I told DH that next time I’ll suggest she give me HALF of what she dropped on dinner and I could make an elegant dinner she wouldn’t soon forget.
2.we visited 2 different art galleries that were free/donation. We made donations because we want them to stick around. But it wasn’t very expensive.
3. We met up with a friend at a big yard sale out in the country. We enjoyed springtime in central Virginia and had fun at the sale.
4. I read a fabulous library book, “The displacements” a fictional novel about a cat 6 hurricane. Great story. Unfortunately it reads like a real event that we may be heading toward.
5. Getting back on board with intermittent fasting. My thyroid meds are finally leveling off and I need to lose 30 lbs. there is no cost to practice IF! A good podcast for support is by Gin Stephens.
I LOVE that the thrifted/FB marketplace buys aren’t subject to tariffs. I’m curious if the used market will become more popular, which is a good thing for the planet. I’m not at all happy how it’s come about though!
Katy, I’m so happy for you and your dining room upgrade. I like how the lines of the light fixture pick up on those of your built-in buffet trim. If you’re anything like me, you’ll walk into your dining room several times a day just to feel the satisfaction over and over again.
the new light looks wonderful in your dining room!
Another day of madness. I try not to look.
1. My grandson gave me half a burrito, and it must have started out huge! Made a great lunch.
2. Returned my “most wanted” library books on time, so no fine.
3. Clipped virtual coupons — not sure if I’ll use them, though. I’m trying to buy as little as possible.
4. Found a handful of Legos on the ground. I decided to start collecting them and donate when I get what seems like enough.
5. Picked up a nice basket at the dumpster. So far it’s use has not been determined. If I can’t figure it out I will donate.
One of my favorite baskets came from the back of a parking lot.
Lego has a program that accepts and distributes used bricks.
1. My husband goes out of town for work often and always brings me home the tea from the hotel. This time his work was getting rid of things and he brought me home a leather journal, a game of questions and a tiny felt wolf in sheep’s clothing (something related to one of his product’s mascots). It’s so cute I told him he couldn’t have purchased me anything I’d like better!
2. I filled up the entire trunk, back seat and passenger seat of my SUV with things I decluttered around my house. Took it to a lady who owns a consignment store a couple hours away. She gives me 50% of whatever she sells the items for.
3. Ran out of shampoo but looked through my cabinets and found a travel sized shampoo to use. I’m sure I can find another travel sized shampoo in my toiletry bags. When those are finished I’ll see if I can find anything in my daughter’s bathroom that she won’t be using (I often take her hand me down makeup, shampoo, etc – I paid for them originally so I’m just using up what I’ve paid for!)
4. I went to the protest in my city on Saturday. A woman on the indivisible site offered rides for anyone wanting one so I went with her. She had a parking pass downtown that allowed her to park for free. Normally parking is about $25- I was planning on giving her money for parking but I didn’t need to. So I got to use my right to protest, be around people of like minds and do it all for free.
5. My niece and her family came up for lunch on Sunday. We served chips and salsa, marinated grilled chicken thighs, grilled hot dogs, green beans, salad, cornbread and cookies. The only things we needed to buy were hot dog buns and one extra pack of chicken thighs. Other than that we had everything on hand already.
Love all the “things,” especially your #4!
The light fixture looks great and I love that cove ceiling.
Thank you!
Love the new light fixture!
This is my preparedness edition of 5FTs. I am on the countdown to see if I will be d*ged next week.
1. Bought cilantro at the Indian market and for some crazy reason thought I could use the two cheap bundles. I didn’t want to waste it, so it is now in the dehydrator. Maybe not so frugal if you factor in the electricity, but it will last longer, and I can use it for when I am down to eating the beans and rice (which I love anyway).
2. Speaking of rice, I bought a 20lb bag of organic Jasmine rice from the same market for $14. Seriously, if you want to find bargains on rice and beans, check out an Indian market.
3. Still making coffee at home for the commute to work. I also bring my lunch and then stress eat it before noon. I feel like a half-dead mouse being played with by a cat. I also bring water from the tap (drinking more water these days). I also gathered some resources for updating resumes and other helpful information. I have a few leads if the d@ge thing happens next week.
4. Returned library books, checked out new ones. Making sure I stay a Friends of Library member. Finishing up an already owned copy of Slewfoot (very good) and will soon move on to something else.
5. Decluttering the house and getting prepared for a flea market booth in May. I also photographed some items I plan to list on eBay and will probably (hopefully) get that checked off tonight. I am using items I have had for a while and not really used like the dehydrator and a plant milk maker (ended up loving both of these) or the thing must go in the purge pile. I have miles to go in getting rid of crap, but I have a goal to be prepared for anything that might come my way.
I am so sorry you are facing all this stress. What they are doing to the country and individual people is horrible. Good for you for being proactive in finding some leads.
Gina, ditto what Juhli said. Sending loads of positive vibes your way as you deal with the uncertainty and outcome.
We don;t have an Indian grocery store in my area, but I’m sure there are at least a few in the suburbs where there’s more of an Indian community.
Gina, so sorry you are having to deal with the misery of limbo and an axe over your head! Both of my parents spent their entire careers as civil servants, and these current events are making me mad, and sad, and heartbroken for those who work SO hard and do not have the respect of the administration. All good wishes are coming your way.
kathleen
Gina,
I am so sorry you are going through such a stressful time! Thank you for your government service. Personally, I wonder if our nation will actually save any money at all because of severance pay, unemployment checks, defending lawsuits, etc. Also, I predict they will have to hire all of you back eventually — when society collapses due to not having all the good governmental agencies that help people.
Gina – sending you intestinal fortitude to deal with the BS ahead. I can’t even imagine the stress you’re under right now.
Thank you for all the well wishes and kindness! Brought tears to my eyes. <3
Yay,love the new fixture!!!
Thank you!
New light fixture is great. Great find too.
1. Got my “free” Starbucks gift card in the mail today. It’s a redemption from my credit card rewards. I absolutely love the egg bites at Starbucks and now I’m ready for my next road trip on the NJ Turnpike. I can stop to use the rest area and pick up some egg bites.
2. Cold and rainy day today. Gritted my teeth and put on a flannel shirt over what I was wearing (my nightgown aka my uniform) and slipper socks.
3. Forgot to take something out for supper tonight even though the fridge freezer is full. Dh had soup from his stash of sale bought Progresso soups and I had two egg bites that dh made me. Dh was out in the rain and cold fishing today so I guess the soup helped him warm up.
4. Thinking about shopping my car insurance but I’m almost certain that I get the lowest price for just liability on our two cars. We walked around a new car dealership yesterday and I’m just not spending 45K for a new car. We’ll drive my Honda CRV til the wheels fall off. We plan on selling dh’s car to our daughter once she graduate grad school and gets on with ther life.
5. We are getting estimates for a new roof. I’m very upset that I only got 21 years out of this 30 year roof but the shingles are curling and some have come off. Got one estimate for $9200 and another for $15000 that includes new gutters. Don’t think we need new gutters.
Ugh, 21 years is not long enough for the life of a roof! Sorry.
My Lands End raincoat wasn’t thrifted, but I bought it when my boys were little enough to need to hold my hands, (they are now 28, 31) So that is a great find!
I’m guessing mine will last the rest of my days!
I love the light!
1. I found a bag of ham chunks in the freezer, so dug around the pantry to find some canned beans. I had an extra onion from a Walmart pick up order (I ordered 1 they gave me 2). I made ham and bean soup for dh’s lunches this week.
2. 3 of my kids and their SOs came over for a game night Saturday. I made a homemade taco bar. The beef was expensive but it’s what I really wanted. Much cheaper than eating out or ordering in.
3. I made a large batch of knock off Starbucks egg bites for our breakfasts this week.
4. I remembered to use the Upside app when I filled up with gas tonight. Getting 14% back.
5. We ate leftovers for dinner (I cooked big yesterday) and we have enough for our lunches tomorrow too.
I’m not a fan of ham, except when it’s in a bean soup. Yum!
Love the purple walls! And the plants!
Your #5, another reason to love thrifting!
1. Walked to and from Bible study tonight.
2. I had cooked up a crockpot of chicken. Today I deboned it. I froze the skins and such for the cat, left some chicken for tonight’s supper, and bagged up the rest of the chicken for the freezer. Also got broth out of it.
3. I posted my first item to sell on ebay!!!! I probably shouldn’t get too excited until I actually sell something.
4. Cooking some pinto beans in the slow cooker.
5. My husband picked up a dozen brand new wide-mouth mason jars from Goodwill for $4!
Hooray for listing your first item on eBay, it was probably easier than you thought it would be.
The last week has been rough, so I binged reading your posts of the past few days. Love the new light fixture and, I’ve got to say, I like your knockoff better than the original. Something about the size of the shades on the Rejuvenation one feels too small for the fixture.
Thanks also for posting so often. It’s a much appreciated antidote to the insanity.
Thank you so much for your kind words, I’m surprised how much I like the fixture.
Dear Katy,
I am not sure you are fully aware of what you are doing here — you have assembled a small community of frugal ninjas who are keeping each other’s spirits up. I have been checking the blog more often lately. Your tenacity and your kindnesses are giving us something like hope.
Getting my confidence up to post my frugal updates. The people here are very advanced! Thank you for this community.
We ride at dawn!
That new light fixture looks so perfect in your dining room! What a great score!
I’m really happy with it!
I’m taking clothes I’ve barely worn, but still look new, to at least 1 consignment shop. Normally, I’d donate them, but my car needs some work & I want to soften the blow to my checking account. I’m checking on Groupon for a garage to check out my car for warm weather & then, looking them up on Yelp for reviews. We’re all in this together.