Five Frugal Things
by Katy on August 14, 2025 · 48 comments
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I darned a sock for my step father. I think of sock darning as a winter activity, as I rarely wear socks in the summer. Plus, you know . . . it’s a wooly warm activity. I love darning socks, as it’s so satisfying to keep something in circulation that most people would thoughtlessly throw away.
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My niece was able to get a chic $95 NYC haircut for just $10 by agreeing to be a model for the salon’s social media. She was excited to tell me, as she knows that “Aunt Katy” loves creative frugality!
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I stopped by my mother’s house and she gave me the latest copy of Architectural Digest that arrived in her mailbox. Neither she nor her husband know why they have a subscription, although they’re sure they don’t pay for it. Either way, they gave it to me to flip through and then put in our little free library. I used to love magazines and always had multiple subscriptions, but rarely read them these days. I know I can access magazines through the Libby app, but there’s just something about physically leafing through a paper magazine. Thanks, mom!
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My husband volunteers his time teaching CPR to community members, sometimes even having people to the house who are up against a deadline to recertify. Today was one of those days, and because my husband does these classes for free, people often go out of their way to thank him. This is how we’ll be receiving some free Winterhawk hockey tickets!
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I made fajitas for dinner using Fred Meyer’s clearance shelf peppers from last month, an aging onion and a brick of tofu. I marinated the tofu in chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, lime juice, canola oil and spices, (onion powder, garlic powder, cumin, paprika and salt.) I then cooked the tofu chunks in the air fryer.
They were so delicious, like good enough to serve to guests delicious!
The best part is that this was what I call a “dirt and buttons” meal, (don’t ask, I don’t remember why) made using the random ingredients from my echo chamber fridge. Cheap and yummy!
Katy Wolk-Stanley
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I’m also a sock mender. I use the patch method, a wool patch on wool socks and a thin fleece patch on cotton socks. Works like a dream. Thanks for sharing all your frugal actvities.
Darning and other mending is what I do when on many Iim meetings. My hands stay busy and productive while my mind and presence is otherwise occupied.
There are certain frugal activities that, while monetarily tiny seem to be particularly satisfying. Canning is mine, prbly not worth the time spent vs. the money saved but I enjoy it. I think it’s the self sufficiency of making and repairing that motivates me.
Ds was stung in the face by ground bees. He did not have an anaphylactic reaction but the swelling was severe enough to warrant steroids. The dr also wrote a Rx for an epi pen (sp?). Local pharmacy wouldn’t fill the Rx, so I called the doctor and they referred me to a mail order pharmacy. It also happens to be more affordable. 2 pens for $48. I can live with that. One will stay at home and the other will go to school. This is all new territory for me. I so wish my dear Mil were here, she was a R.N. and would’ve given me the best guidance. (She was a fabulous, frugal, labor & delivery nurse, then went on to head the kidney transplant team. Tough and loving. Katy, you and her could’ve traded war stories.)
Returned the neighbor’s bull. Glad to have that behemoth home. I had taken to calling him, “Randy” (;
Picked up tractor from the repair shop, $1400, ouch! It wasn’t much use broke down, so I’m glad it’s working again. Now I can start preparing for winter. I’ll be hauling hay, mowing where necessary, cleaning lots, spreading compost, and building fence.
Dropped off baby hangers at the local thrift. Decluttering ahead of the school year, well that’s the hope, lol.
Composting, enjoying home grown food, getting ready for 3, 12 hr shifts off farm. Looking forward to giving notice and farming full time. One job, plus a family is enough for me 🙂
I recently herded cattle and sheep for the first time. It was quite an adventure!!!
Just a couple of caveats about epinephrine (used to be my job)
If you ever need to use it, also give a dose of diphenhydramine (Benadryl) at the same time as epinephrine only lasts about 20 minutes and the intent is to give you time to seek medical attention.
Also watch the expiration dates. Expired epi loses potency
It’s been awhile since I have seen patients, but I do know that there have been epi pen shortages through the years. This is a high demand time for these medications as kids with allergies all need new epi pens for school 🙂
1. Negotiated with the roofing guy so they’ll come get the panels they left behind in my backyard. He also agreed to help me with another small chore.
2. Gathered up all my Woman’s World magazines. I have been doing crosswords online all summer, instead of in the magazine, so I have several issues with blank crossword puzzles. I can work the printed crosswords while substitute teaching. Keeps me from getting too bored if I’m in the teacher’s lounge during conf. periods.
3. Used my Long John Silver’s coupon for a one-piece fish and side order free with the purchase of a large drink. A $3 meal is fairly rare these days.
4. Will pay for my upcoming (decidedly not frugal) dental work with a check from the 0% credit card. That way I have 21 months to pay it off without being charged interest….although I hope to have it paid for well before then.
5. Saw on FB that since the Orange Ogre put the National Guard in charge of cracking down on the “crimewave” in Washington DC., their hq is being flooded with calls about a sexual predator/rapist/pedophile/felon with 34 convictions/all around crook who lives at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. (for all of you in foreign countries, that’s the White House address) LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!
RE: your #5 — I love this!
And yes, a $3 meal is a unicorn these days.
Yes, isn’t it a tad bit hypocritical to pardon hundreds of rioters who wanted to overthrow the government, committing violent acts at your behest, and then say D.C. is full of crime?
For the life of me, I still don’t understand why they didn’t arrest him on that unfortunate Jan. 6, throw him in jail, and never again let him out.
I agree
If I were a criminal in dc I’d go on vacation till the budget runs out or just commute to the next town over to do my crime job.Or heck, switch to cyber crime for a while and zoom my crime job.
I read they aren’t finding crime so they are just standing around or harassing people who go outside to smoke. Hey you! Smoking isn’t healthy mkay!
1. One-year-old dehumidifier up and died. Contacted the company and they’re sending a replacement. I saved the water reservoir from the dead one in case something ever happens to the new one.
2. Renewed annual maintenance plan with our heating/cooling company and locked in the price forever.
3. Received a $10 coupon from Best Buy before my membership runs out, which I thought already had. I used it to buy a $5 flat plug appliance cord and gum at the register to reach the $10 minimum. I’m pretty sure it was Kara who shared this tip; before I was wandering the store trying to find something with a $10 value. Duh! The gum made my husband happy.
4. Had some neighbor women over for lunch and one of them told me to keep the bruschetta fixings that she had brought. She didn’t need to twist my arm!
5. Had some friends over for dinner and they brought us a jar of honey from their hives.
Your frugal things are both smart and delicious!
I went for my stupid mental health walk with my friend this morning. It is a nice short visit with my friend while getting in steps, which helps me earn points to earn a gift card from my health insurance. I figure they see all my health history anyway, so I don’t care if my insurance sees this.
Our Speedway gas station is closing, so I made sure to use my points to get a $25 gift card to put towards Christmas.
Ate leftovers for breakfast. My mom was a big proponent of eating breakfast, no matter what it was, so a leftover pork chop and mashed potatoes did just fine for me.
My husband brought home a really nice long quilt shelf – a shelf with a rod below it to hang a quilt. My mom made me tons of quilts before she passed, so I should be able to switch them out for the seasons/holidays.
Next week is our first weekly vacation in the mountains. We have made a menu as we decided we would rather cook in the timeshare than go out, and we have probably 85% of the food already purchased. We paid for the maintenance fee with our income taxes, so nothing else to pay. We take our own wifi “box” from home so we don’t have to pay for wifi.
My husband is going golfing, but he purchased a half-price coupon for participating golf courses, and the golf course where we are vacationing is one, so that will be a fun outing at half price.
We will enjoy free hikes/walks at many State Park trails. WV has so many beautiful trails, all free for everyone! We’ve been going there for years and still find new-to-us trails.
Bringing your own wifi access on vacation is genius!!!
This is a very gentle plea to reconsider using the term “stupid walk.” There’s absolutely nothing “stupid” about taking care of your mental health. However, there are folks with significant mental health issues and other disability conditions who often think of themselves as “stupid.” I won’t use the “R” word, and I won’t use “stupid” in the same vein, either.
I realize this term was touted by a Christian podcaster. I wrote her several years ago to encourage her to not use it. Just think it’s not the best choice.
Please take a smart walk, go forest bathing, or some other option that supports the very positive thing you’re doing for yourself.
I go by myself for my mental health walks. Never truly thought about them as that. But being by myself, I can breath better, solve problems, maybe kill off a few nemesis. Lol
I have to get out a couple times a week, no people, no music, just life!
The other reply was for Anne! So sorry.
Marie, I always feel better when I get outside. I was feeling a little hermit-like, so I tried to combine my walk with visiting with a friend. I do enjoy solo walks, too – that is my time to clear my mind, and I have done some of my best praying on solo walks.
I see your point, and it is valid. However, for me, it is a funny phrase that I use to encourage myself. I have struggled with anxiety since I was a tiny child, and my mother always encouraged me to “air” myself out. Being outside was a tool that she used for us when we were upset, sick, driving her crazy with excess energy. I still use it, and the term “stupid mental health walk” was just one I coined because I was needing to remind myself to do what I know I need to do to feel better. I won’t use it on this account any more.
Katy, DIL refers to that kind of meal as “boogers and toenails”. I think I like “dirt and buttons” better.
Eww . . .
My Mom would say “Pigtails and water” when I asked what was for dinner.
My mom said “cat’s eyes fried in snot.”
My mom would simply say “food”
Your fajitas sound so good that it’s going on the menu this weekend! This time of year I add zucchini to the veggies.
I took clippings of my favorite geraniums and started them in water, they will be party favors at my book club lunch at the end of the month.
I have my great grandmother’s hand carved sock darning tool. I wear wool socks year round.
Not frugal, lost my phone last week. My techie cousin offered me an iphone, guess I will finally go kicking and screaming into the smart phone world. Ha!
I love zucchini!!! Sorry about your phone.
BG Farmgirl, if your great-grandmother’s wood darning tool is the traditional shape, it’s called a darning egg!
Cooked a GF spaghetti lunch today with homegrown tomato sauce and yellow sticker Italian sausage from the freezer. Added some fresh basil, thyme and oregano from the garden.
Brushed out our long-haired cat. Cleaned house with a stack of rags and various bottles of cleaners that need to be used up. Touched up a tiny chip in our vintage tile bathroom floor with a dab of Dollar Tree nail polish. Touched up another tiny chip in the kitchen slate with a Sharpie marker.
I love darning socks too! And mending in general. It is so satisfying to extend the life of an item, keep it out of landfill and resist consumer culture.
1. Friend of ours moved within town and had lots to get rid of. I extended my usual invitation of “drop it on my driveway” (invitation only given to select friends who will not drop trash). I can donate, give or sell for myself. They get rid of things quickly, so it’s a win-win. I’ve already sorted out the donate (and a few for the trash that were past donating). There’s easily $400 worth of things to sell. Maybe more. And some things I want to keep (backpack my husband needs, 100% beeswax candle, Madewell cashmere sweater)
2. Picked 14 baskets of blackberries at a friend’s house. Helped her brainstorm setting up a small farm stand.
3. Picked up a kids indoor tent and tunnel from BN. They take no room to store and will be great entertainment for my grandchildren when they visit. Added bonus, granddaughter skipped crawling, which as an OT, I know is an important developmental milestone. Tunnels get kids to naturally crawl while they’re having fun. I’d had my eye out for one.
4. Picked up 2 more free coffees at Panera when I passed by.
5. Not frugal – driving to my parents to get caregiver for my mother started. Worth it if I can help it go well. Got cash for the cheap gas station near them.
Re your #1, I live on a well travelled road and there are good sightlines as well as safe off-road parking. Numerous friends have used my location as a drop off site for ‘free’ piles. Sometimes it takes a day or three, more often the free pile is empty within a couple of hours.
I also am known as the person who knows where to donate/share, so some friends also give me their boxes of to-donate stuff. My 3 adult kids have seriously benefitted from one friend who has two sons and a husband who discard some excellent clothing. The pants of the husband fit my eldest, the shirts/sweaters/jackets are pawed over by both #2 son and my daughter (who wears androgynous clothes much of the time) and my girlfriend also has donated some professional clothing that DD has snatched up.
Everything else is sorted by yours truly – the good stuff for my favourite thrift store / charity shop, the stuff that still has life but is more worn (and all the warm jackets/raingear/shoes) to the homeless shelter. I have a route that I follow on errand days, and meanwhile my car is a moving shed. (it empties out at least once every 10 days, so it isn’t the hoardmobile)
It feels GREAT to help out my friends, my kids, the thrift store and the shelter – and all that stuff kept out of the landfill and on to a new home.
Ecoteri,
Eco is in your name, ecology is your game! Thanks for all you do!
I love it!
We also had tofu for dinner. I think it’s still the same price it was before the pandemic. I make a big batch of coconut curry sauce and freeze some of it for future me. The rest, I cook up with baked tofu and veggies. Coincidentally, Fred Meyer clearance peppers made an appearance. I like Trader Joe’s simmer sauces, but they cost a few dollars each, so making my own is a frugal move.
I had a BOLO item on my junking list, so this was my flimsy excuse to go to the Goodwill bins. I say it was a flimsy excuse because there was an extremely slim chance I’ll ever find the item in question. It was a weird power cord for an obscure kitchen appliance. I found it in the first bin I peeked into! I couldn’t believe it!
I went ahead and spent the next hour sorting through the things I don’t need. Haha. I’m an incorrigible scrounger. I came away with a nice IKEA picture frame, a night stand, a picture hanging kit, and a cover for a throw pillow. Luckily, the night stand was priced individually at a reasonable amount ($2). I’ve noticed that many of the individually priced items have gone way up in price. For example, I’m pretty sure the “grab bags” with art supplies, beauty supplies, etc, used to be $6 each. Now they are $10. I saw a rolled up rug priced at $20, and that doesn’t seem like a reasonable risk to take, since used rugs can be pretty nasty. (I guess you could unroll it and give it a sniff, but this is the bins, where there are many odd odors wafting about.) Also, I’m pretty sure that Portland’s books are priced higher than they are at any other bins in the country.
Tonight, I’m making enchiladas with the canned chicken from the in-law mystery bag. Of course, I make my own enchilada sauce, and a Fred Meyer clearance pepper might make an appearance. On the side will be this week’s clearance produce coup — honeydew melon! It’s a good one! I have no idea why it was on clearance.
My mom and I used to go “junking” together. Our favorite activity. Miss her so much and our time together. Thank you for a wonderful memory of junking with my best friend.
1. I gave my dog a bath using the spray nozzle in my shower. This shower sprayer has paid for itself. It’s not only frugal but more comfortable for her. She doesn’t like a bath but she’s very cooperative. She does act like she’s going into a jail cell rather than a shower stall.
2. I picked a cup of blackberries which is just enough to make blackberry simple syrup for future mojitos. I did get bit by a wasp who apparently didn’t want to share.
3. I’m attempting to eat all my leftovers before I leave for the weekend so nothing is wasted.
4. My mom searched my box supply for the right size to ship items to my niece. This saved her the cost of a box.
5. My mom came over early before we had to head out on an errand. I fed her lunch and we sat on my front porch and each read our library books.
I have lots of lovely memories of just enjoying reading with my mom and my children.
I baked a delicious vegan birthday cake from scratch, and enjoyed a potluck party that my friends threw for me. As it turns out, there were three vegan cakes: it was so much fun! Made a basil pesto with cashews instead of pine nuts from online recipe, and used basil from the garden: kids loved it.
I’m lending our 3 big coolers to friend who is having a big party. They take up so much room: it is good to share them! In my garden I use bamboo stakes that I cut from their backyard for my tomatoes, etc.
Just signed up to have geothermal heating installed: expensive up front, but will be a good investment over time. The rebates offered here will pay for much of it.
Used Freecycle to give away clothes to a 40 year old woman who loved them: they fit her perfectly, and this means the clothes will not be making me feel guilty for not fitting into them. (I looked at her and realized that she was in a completely difference phase of life from me, and this made me feel more peaceful that my 66 yr old body is not the same shape it was, and will never be again: that is life!) I scored many nice tops at our local Savers for not much money., and am really happy with them. I just had a really lucky day.
When my grandchildren visited, made doll clothes with 6 year granddaughter from scraps, remnants. We love to do this. We also make doll outfits from solo socks. Another big activity was making a volcano by using a tiny tomato paste can inside of a large metal bowl. I doled out the vinegar by putting it in a small plastic soda bottle that their little hands could pour, and put the baking soda in a little plastic tub they could spoon from. This entertained the two youngest for hours. We didn’t buy fancy craft supplies. Adults took turns cooking dinner and leftovers were eaten for lunch. It was low key and relaxing.
A funny frugal tip is that I decluttered many of our pool/beach towels: there is one per customer now: so people had to shake them out and hang them on the fence. This meant much less laundry than when everyone was using multiple towels, and much less work as well as lower electric bills. People kept track of their towels! I was amazed at just how well this worked.
1. Another day at my friend’s house. We went to Goodwill this morning. I wasn’t really planning on buying anything but I found a pair of Ryka shoes in my size. They do need a run through the washer and new laces, but at $10 they were a bargain. I also found two pairs of joggers, a small dressy purse, a glass container and a ceramic cutting board. The latter two are part of my attempt to remove plastic from my life (as much as I can).
2. We went out for lunch with two other friends. My meal was a salad, but I also bought a 14-inch pizza because it is my son’s favorite, and he rarely gets here to enjoy it. (I happen to be visiting his college town). Not particularly frugal but something I wanted to do. I’ll be taking it home to him tomorrow.
3. After lunch the four of us played cards and had a great time visiting.
4. In the late afternoon my friend and I sat on her porch swing and solved most of the problems of the modern world.
5. I didn’t offer anyone $50,000 to randomly assault people of color and call it “protection.”
Back from Vegas edition…
1. Vacation/wedding in LV was done as cheaply as possible. I did sink a bit into some slot machines (an activity that I can count on one hand having done in my life) and I did win a bit of money ($100 spent/$800 won but it was luck and not a frugal thing I recommend). We mostly walked around the city, visited Red Rock Canyon and the Punk Rock Musuem. We stayed in an AirB&B and made most of our meals. My hubby used points for the plane tickets and car rental (he travels for work).
2. Back home, I am still in major declutter mode. I do a little every day after work. I am slowly seeing progress. I sold another thing on eBay and I have a box full to list. Otherwise, most things are going out in a weekend free pile or to the thrift stores.
3. Packing a healthy lunch for work. Drinking lots of water. Walking daily. I’ve lost 15 lbs since early July.
4. Garden is producing: turnips and greens; tomatoes; beans; zucchini/summer squash; broccoli. I cut up a bunch of turnip greens and have them in the dehydrator. Mostly, I am eating stuff in dinners and raw in salads.
5. Reading Hell on Wheels by Greg Jacobs. It’s a collection of stories as told by punk and metal band members. Some are very funny!
I LOVE physical magazines! I get mine in the Little Free Linrary at one of the laundromats I frequent.
Our library takes donated old magazines and sells those, along with whichever old magazines they are no longer keeping, for 25 cents. Benefits the Friends of the Library organization’s good works.
Years ago, in another city, a thrift store would sell old magazines for 35 cents. Loved getting them. Even if it was for a holiday or a season from a year or more ago, the ideas and recipes were still good!
1. Husband labored all day replacing the rusted water heater in FL. The price to get someone to do it was outrageous (400 to 600$). I bought the new water heater at Lowes. I had a 50$ GC from Fetch. I got 5% off if I used my Lowes CC. Of course I will pay off the entire bill when it arrives.
2. I had some points for Panda Express. I got a large dinner we split. I made rice at home & got a veggie side at Panda instead of rice. It came with 3 entrees & was a lot of food. There is enough for another meal for the 2 of us.
3. I borrowed a hose from the maintenance man so we could drain the old water heater.
4. Went on my usual 3 mile walk in the evening. It is hot in FL even in the evening. I stopped at the local Wendy’s and cooled off in their A/C. I also enjoyed a free senior soda.
5. I found 2 large packages of Maxi pads by the Walgreens dumpster. I think I will take them to church. We gather things periodically to go to the food bank. These aren’t food but I bet the food bank can find someone who needs them.
On your #5, many food banks give out such things as pads, toilet paper and diapers. So I’m sure the donation will be welcomed. However, shelters for battered women or unhoused women could also use the maxi pads. Some churches, schools and workplaces put baskets of feminine hygiene products in their ladies restrooms, so that someone can grab one if they have an unexpected period.
Our community center collects and donates diapers, bladder control pads, and feminine hygiene pads on a regular basis. They are all very much needed! I believe most food banks distribute them as well, but if yours doesn’t I am sure they will pass them along to an agency who does. Good save!!
You all are so inspirational! I’m slowly working to declutter/clean out 40 years of stuff. I have researched and located homeless shelters in the big city I visit and have started gathering items for them. One of them has an “Adopt a Room” program so there are items other than clothing that they can use.
I have also gathered up my pre-cateract surgery prescription glasses, and sunglasses, and will be donating them to the local Lions Club.
Thank you Katy for providing a place to help us improve other’s lives.
I’m impressed that you darn socks. That’s probably a skill I should learn, because we seem rough on our socks around here.
1. Using $5 off coupons for specialty cat food – that was on the back of our supermarket receipt! (It’s for a pet store here in Calgary.)
2. A little tub of cut watermelon scanned as $4.99 at the store rather than $1.99. A quick check with the cashier and the issue was resolved. It was a nice treat, that watermelon.
3. Tim Horton’s points for a free coffee!
4. Using eggs for a frugal meal – veggies sautéed up into an omelette.
5. Need to take some food to a get together tomorrow, so am using up a box of chicken drumsticks in the freezer. Regular price was something like $14-$15, but using a digital coupon on the app it was $6.99!
I really love this blog. But do we have to devolve into political rants? I find that so unnecessary. I find sharing frugal tips really bonding, people helping each other in tangible ways and with tips and tricks. But then the political comments and rants are so devisive. This isn’t a political blog, and I hope everyone understands that people have different political views and can still coexist and live in the same physical and online community. No need to devolve into polarizing views and statements
When human rights are at stake, it’s no longer “political.”
I paid 1000.00 on my debt this month. Halfway there, then on to savings and a van. I am so grateful I was able to pay so much. Im a work in progress, but I did buy great stuff before it all goes up because mccankle doesn’t know what tariffs cause. I got my medicare advantage card and will be able to join a gym for free the first week of September. Next drs appointment, im getting him to send me to physical therapy and will be utilizing every single benefit i get. My hip is in rough shape so walking is difficult, however, I walk my puppy each hour around the yard. Its so hot here in Florida that he’s ready to go in before me. Im eating out of my fridge, freezer and pantry for the next two weeks. I got a good deal on cauliflower and broccoli, plus avocados on the clearance rack. Cut up and in the freezer. We’ll have broccoli with left over pork roast and twice baked potatoes tonight. I bought 3 heads of cauliflower and 2 large bunches of broccoli. I added the broccoli stalks to my veggie broth bag in the freezer, but will make broccoli cheese soup with them when it gets cooler. I cannot believe that an international war criminal was permitted to land in Alaska, and greeted with a clapping fool on a red carpet. Hes got the goods on taco. Im loving governor Newsomes trolling. He’s driving them nuts!