Five Frugal Things
by Katy on October 6, 2025 · 46 comments
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I took some leftover scratch cooked black beans and combined them with a can of chili and extra spices to create a large batch of chili. The can itself was curb picked from when my neighbor was readying to move out of her house, which made this an extra frugal meal!
Tasty, cheap and healthy!
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I bought a a $10 bag of old and new marbles from a consignment store, which I’ll part out to sell on eBay. I bought a huge vase of antique marbles in 2005 or so, which led me to become knowledgable about marbles. I think I made a thousand or so dollars from that initial purchase and have sold marbles here and there ever since. Not sure how much I’ll make from this new find, but it’ll be fun to put the listings together.
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My step-mother sent me home with a pound of carrots, as she’d picked them up forgetting that she already had a bag in her refrigerator.
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My husband was able to get back most the money he’d already spent for the Las Vegas baseball tournament he’s now unable to attend due to his five broken ribs. Full refunds on the tournament fee, his share of the AirBnb and shared rental car. The flight unfortunately was non-refundable, but at least it’s now a credit we can use at a later date.
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• We finished watching season three of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds through our free one-week subscription to Paramount+
• I shared our family’s Spotify password with my sister so she can listen to music without commercials.
Katy Wolk-Stanley
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The long version: https://practicalwalk.com/2025/10/06/frugal-five-12/
The short version:
1. Sold a sleeping bag for $45
2. Bought a turkey for 97 cents a pound
3. Got a bunch of free plant clippings
4. Took food to an event inst5of buying expensive food.
5. Found 2 pennies
Glad your husband was able to recoup most of his costs. I hope he is healing nicely.
1. While sick, I took the car out twice in 8 days. Once to Walgreen’s to buy stuff for my cold and to pick up tea bags and sipping broth from Buy Nothing. The second trip was to return to where I was on my walk when I saw Good Samaritans rescue a turtle. I wanted to make sure it was still safely off the road. (After all, I had just finished reading the book titled Of Time and Turtles.)
2. Read two more library books: Walden on Wheels and Things That Matter. Enjoyed both of them.
3. Submitted a claim for a data breach settlement.
4. Despite the heat wave, we were able to keep our AC off.
5. Fixed a ceramic cup that broke in two when I dropped it in the bathroom sink. I used some heavy-duty, waterproof adhesive that we had on hand. The break is only slightly noticeable. This cup was made by an artisan friend who passed away so I really wanted to save it.
I have actually finished a couple of library books recently. I’m not sure why, but I’ve done a better job finishing library books than books I own. Maybe it’s the deadline of returning it. I love the value I get from my local library.
1. Took crackers, humans, small bell peppers and cheese from our pantry/refrigerator to son and daughter in law on Saturday to watch college football. They made burgers with chips for dinner.
2. Getting ready for sisters garage sale in 10/17 and 10/18. I’ve sorted the good stuff and have received $87 from resale shops. Rest ready to price for garage sale
3. Sold an item on line $15 coming my way
4. Packed lunch/drink for work
5. Prepping for BFF long weekend visit
That’s hummus not humans
Kathy,
Your “hummus, not human” typo made me laugh. I used to work for a newspaper. Each summer, the local restaurants teamed with the blood center to offer free lunches for blood donors.
One year, unrelated to this, was a huge controversy about an abortion clinic. Every day that summer, someone was either protesting or writing letters to the editor or having debates turning into shouting matches over that particular issue. Big deal in our city!
OK, back to the lunch thing: Each restaurant would bring in one of their dishes and we would print the menu — several restaurants and several different main entrees or appetizers or sides or desserts. The way we would print them would be something like “Mickey’s Burgers french fries.” There was also a Chinse restaurant participating; it was called Hunan. With an N in the middle.
I was typing up the menu and I saw where this eatery was offering egg drop soup, and I also saw a typo.
About then, the blood center lady called. She was about to have a heart attack, thinking we didn’t correct anything and might print the error. Because they’d gotten one letter wrong, an M instead of the N — and the uncorrected copy read “Human egg drop soup.”
True story.
I am so glad to hear that,lol!! (hummus not humans!) We had a kitten who loved jumping in the refrig when we had our backs turned..I would know it when I heard the glass jars rattling as shse started walking around.. (thank goodness!!)
Glad your husband could get his money back for the trip! What a bummer. Hope he’s still healing well.
1. Dear friend with her baby came into town for the weekend. While not the party weekends of the past, we had a great quiet weekend at our friend’s apartment and walking in the park nearby. And it was baby’s first subway ride!
2. Got back to my apartment yesterday afternoon. DH asked if I wanted to surprise a friend at her birthday dinner. I declined after 2 full days with other pals and instead read an entire library book in one sitting (“Culpability,
for anyone looking. I think it was recommended here!)
3. I got a call that I’m eligible for a study on heart disease through a local hospital system. I came in for bloodwork and physical exams this morning and got $75 for my time. Getting paid to get updated medical information? Don’t mind if I do. Hoping I am a good candidate and can contribute to this body of work.
4. Brought a snack for post-fasting bloodwork to avoid overpaying for something at a shop near the hospital.
5. Used a teabag I got at an event to try and stay calm during Sunday Night Football last night. It didn’t work, but it was a lovely cup.
1. Slowly using up my Mom’s frozen food. She went into assisted living and we sold her home recently. I’m working hard to use it all up. Used some frozen vegetables yesterday. Using some frozen elk today.
2. Took my Mom to the community center pool. Since I bought a punch card it costs $2.25 instead of $3. Well worth it. We need to keep her moving.
3. Cooked all meals at home over the weekend.
4. Working at home and drinking tea instead of going to a coffee shop.
5. Had to stay to go to another city for medical treatment for my husband last week. Was able to pay for the hotel with points.
Hoping your husband is on the mend. Broken ribs are no joke!!
We bought a very old house years ago and found a jar of marbles. Some were uranium. Some were hand made from clay, I guess to finish a set?
Usually clay ones are old. I have a bunch passed down via family. The “newer” ones I display, the old ones (read: fragile) are stored safely. Easy enough to bring out if someone wants to see them. I am at least generation 4 to have the old ones.
1. Hubby sent off a few data breach claims, some for a decent chunk of change. Who knew we were so valuable? 😉
2. Found out that ScienceWorks in Ashland Oregon has a 50% off membership for WIC, EBT, SNAP recipients, and for families getting free or reduced lunches they have $3 admissions! Our oldest daughter has an autumn birthday and it can be hard to plan an outdoor party so this might be a good option for us.
3. I gave myself a haircut for the first time. Not 100% convinced it’s perfectly even but for a first attempt with some layering I’m very happy! The dead weight was driving me nuts for weeks. I think I might take more length off or add another set of layers but for now I’m happy. It all gets thrown into a messy bun or ponytail anyways.
4. Made a double batch of rice last with dinner. Now taco Tuesday will have one less thing to cook.
5. Attended a ‘healthy kids’ event over the weekend and all the booths had a ton of info about resources on the community but also a lot of cheap “swag” that was declined so it didn’t end up in our trash. We opted for just things we’ll actually have use for and ended up getting through the event feeling less weighed down and better about what we were taking.
How great about the ScienceWorks admissions!
And I agree with you about selectively picking up swag at such events. I try not to take brochures, and recycle those I do. Mostly, I want pens and avoid the tote bags, key chains, and other items I have plenty of and no need for.
Everyone had bubbles and there were a high number of fidget toys and rubber ducks. We scored with enough free kids and adult sized toothbrushes that we probably won’t need to purchase any for another year. We also got some snacks, most of them weren’t things my kids enjoy but we picked up a couple that kept them satisfied during the event- we packed our own so we were able to cart them back home!
I attended my grandson’s volleyball game over the weekend. Trying to be frugal, I packed a lunch, since it promised to be a long day. Unfortunately, the venue did not allow outside food, so I had to buy lunch. It was only $5.50, but it was just a granola bar, a banana and chips. My packed lunch survived. It was in a little cooler with an ice pack. It became my supper.
2. I went to Jewel for their flash sale on Sunday morning. The offered items were shredded cheese and frozen pizza. I was allowed to buy two of each. The cheese was $1 and the pizzas were $2. I also got a free can of cold brew coffee. While I was there I bought two creamers that were two for $9. These days, that’s a sale, and I can’t stand to run out of creamer.
3. I found room in a closet for my bed wedge, so I don’t have to worry about making it look more attractive!
4. My car is a former rental car. It was in great condition mechanically, but had some cosmetic issues. One was the carpeting. It is on my wishlist to replace it, but I mended one on the worst spots with duct tape for the time being.
5. I got a one dollar bill in the mail along with an invitation to take a survey about loneliness among seniors. It was from a reputable university. I took the survey and I will get a $10 Amazon card for my efforts.
Frugal things!
1) I found some deals at a local dented grocery store: massive bags of Sysco resturant chili – 2 bags for $5. I will buy 1 and divide it up in my souper trays and freeze. I will have chili for at least 2 months, if not 3 (it’s about 8-12 cups of chili.
2) I harvested 9 honeynut squashes! A few will be roasted and frozen for tea cake!
3) I am eating my way through the pantry- quinoa, rice, fornio and beans!
4) And eating my way through the remains of the garden- so many herbs and tomatoes! I need to cook up a batch of passata.
5) Deep cleaning for fall and using my squashes and reusing fall decor. I have candles left over from last year, so no need for new candles, home scents or decor!
Our latest bag of dry cat food must have either had a rough trip or was filled at the end of the production run because it had a lot of crushed to a powder food in it. The cats won’t eat that, so I salvaged the bag by shaking the kibble through a colander over the sink to sieve out the “dust.” Cats are happy and cleaning their bowls.
Re-hemmed a pair of thrifted jeans that I did not get quite short enough the first time around. Used a scrap of leather to sew a quarter holder to put on my key chain for trips to Aldi, where a quarter rents the cart. Used up a baggies of sliced homegrown sweet peppers cooking a chicken dish. Fixed a faded spot on the floor and a worn spot on a chair with furniture markers.
I do the colander trick before I refill the dry food container. What is left gets “shaken”, new bag/rest of bag goes into the contain then “shaken” food on top. Snorting dust of any sort isn’t good for man nor beast.
Re the Cat Kibble, that sounds like a grand reason to write the company, particularly if you still have the bag and can provide the code and expiration date. Ask for a replacement bag while you are at it, however couch the letter as a ‘I wanted you to know how disappointed I was with….’ or even ‘I can’t imagine what went wrong in the factory, however….’
If nothing else you can have fun writing it and should get a response if you provide email, phone and mailing addresses.
My 16 year old collects uranium glass – if any of those marbles are uranium glass, let’s make a deal!
Oooh, that blue/white marble caught my eye… I wish I knew more about marble values. Would you be interested in writing a post on it?
It has been very chilly here — but no snow on the mountains. Yet, that is. And somehow no heavy freeze. We keep the house temps low, but will fire up the woodstove or wear hoodies, when needed.
I buy 99-cent cans of chili at the local Amish grocery, then add a can of kidney beans (a 33-cent steal from Amazon) for a quick and tasty meal, especially if you add “cheese guys” to the mix. (Melted cheddar on corn tortillas, 450 degrees, until everything’s crunchy.)
And I’m glad you weren’t anywhere near the chaotic protests in Portland — so now you can continue to say ‘no signs of violence.’ Because, really — this is all getting a bit ridiculous. Trump’s response included.
1. My partner met up with some former colleagues on Saturday. He invited me, but there were no other spouses, etc, so I elected to stay home and eat leftovers and not spend any money.
2. I picked up 3 quick mystery shops, that were within 5 miles of each other, and resulted in a pound of deli meat + $21 in cash. While at one of the stores, I picked up two loss leaders items, which cost $3.97 instead of $9.78. I also picked up 2 additional receipts that had been left, but I only got 50 points from Fetch for them…
3. I also swung by BJ’s to get 5 dz eggs for $11.49, bringing them down to $2.29 per dozen. There is over a month to use them, so we’ll be eating a lot of Dutch babies, tortilla español, etc. I used some last night to make chili rellenos, using the following free ingredients: poblano peppers, Roma tomatoes, jalepeño, garlic, and onions (free CSA box); cheese and pork (mystery shops). Unfortunately, we didn’t think that they were delicious, but they did feed us.
4. Send in a grant. If our org gets it, it will mean that I’ll make $1,000 a year for reporting/admin work, but we’ll be able to give away over $100,000 to scholars doing good work, so fingers crossed.
5. I watched a couple of videos and signed up for a flu vaccine, both of which will earn me points toward my health insurance premiums for next year. If I don’t reach the target 200 points, I’m charged an extra 10% in premiums, which makes it worth my time, as annoying as it is. (Work: cut down on stress to be healthier! but also: here is more work for you to do so that you don’t have to pay a premium on your health insurance!)
Bonus: partner brought home a found can from work, we are going out for a mystery shop dinner tonight, I made tea from the stems and leaves of the ginger that was in our CSA box, I toasted up some freezer-burnt bread, which was unnoticeable once I put some avocado on it. Got some “free food” from Ocean State Job Lot (they give a gift certificate in the same amount that you spent) and got some low-sugar granola bars for an upcoming trip + some candy for nephew’s Christams box.
Hi Katy, For the past few weeks I’ve been having trouble reading your posts because this FULL PAGE ad fo Apple+ TV pops up in its place. It has an “X” in the corner, but nothing I’ve tried will close it. Anyone else getting this particular ad? (And yes, I do have pop-ups blocked.)
I’m so sorry, I’m actually switching to a new ad network and will specify NO POP UP ADS!
I am thrilled to hear this. Your page frequently spontaneously refreshes due to ads & I have to scroll to find out where I was! Sometimes I just give up
Yes, I also have bog fulll page ads completely tossing your page off the screen and I have to go back to find where I was.I LOVE your blog, and Kristen’s,so I will never give up but that particular ad is a pain!!!
1. Our neighbor’s pomegranate tree overhangs our fence and there are 4 ripe pomegranates on our side. We ate one today.
2. We spent $270 on groceries last month-for 2 adults (one gluten free). I’m very happy with that.
3. Attended a rummage sale where everything was free. I got a Garnet Hill linen blouse, 2 t shirts and a linen swim cover-up. I got a Smartwool shirt for my husband. I got 3 linen shirts that I cut up to use the fabric, and 10 items to sell on ebay (North Face, Marmot, Eileen Fisher among them).
4. We sold an item for a neighbor and split the proceeds. They’ve asked us to sell another 2 items, one we get to keep all the money, the other we’re splitting 50/50. I’m happy with that!
5. I like to take pictures or screenshots of ideas of things I could craft or sew, but I don’t like looking at pictures on my phone. I was thinking of how to get the pictures into a format that I would browse for inspiration, as I was riding my bike to the library (I go at least twice a week). I realized I could use the free color printing at the library to print the pictures and put them in my inspiration folder. So I got my free 10 color copies today and will do 10 more each time I go. I’m really, really happy about moving my inspiration pictures to a format I like and will use!
Can you explain how you process your pomegranate? Thanks!
We also have a pomegranate tree. DH is our pomegranate guy. Here’s what he does. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qfQ3_N7S6Y&t=30s
Every time I see news about troops in Portland, I say a prayer for you and your neighbors/fellow Portlanders. I’m doing the same for the good folks in Chicago, D.C., L.A. and wherever else.
Some of those marbles look like my dad’s. Don’t know what ever happened to his drawstring bag of them. Who knew they’d be vintage antiques?
1. My next-door neighbors had guys painting the back of their house. I asked the fellows if they would nail down the loose board in the old wooden fence so ol’ Snug (my dog) couldn’t escape anymore. (He’s gotten out 3x this past week.) The painters did one better: they used a drill and some really strong screws. I offered to pay, but they said no, so it was free. (Yeah, these are the immigrants that Trump says are such dangerous criminals. Ha! They couldn’t be any nicer.)
2. Now that I’m no longer subbing, I needed something to do. So I volunteered to chair next Saturday’s Blessing of the Animals event at church. Bought our store’s loss leaders: four of the 24-unit cases of bottled water, all 2 dozen bottles for $1.99 a case; and ten 8-packs of popsicles for 99 cents a pack. (It’s still hot weather here.) So it’s $7.96 for all 96 bottles of water, and $9.90 for 80 popsicles. Figured that was pretty cheap for all I got; I’ve yet to see those products sell for any less. Although we don’t get employee discounts, I’ll likely be reimbursed by the church. The parish hall kitchen has a huge ice machine, and giant picnic cooler chest. We’ll put the items in the commercial refrigerator and freezer so they’ll be ready to go on Saturday.
3. It’s a full moon tonight so I’m dividing up my 2 hanging baskets that are way too full of spider plants. They are getting too big for the containers. Repotting them and hope to get a bunch of new, full plants this way. Supposedly, planting during full moons means that the plants will thrive even more than usual.
4. Frugal fail: tried on a favorite dressy skirt and matching blouse for autumn. This was an outfit I’d bought brand new several years ago (from a new store, not thrifted!), and I wanted to wear it to Sunday services. Good thing I looked in the mirror! The thread must’ve been really cheap stuff because it broke; several seams have gaps in them, and need to be resewn. Luckily, I didn’t leave the house in my “holey” outfit!
5. Planning to take part in the Oct. 18 local No Kings protest, I ordered a huge sign that says “FREE SPEECH— FREE PRESS!” (It’s not a frugal fail if you purchase something to use as you’re trying to save democracy, is it?) The sign is now in my front picture window where MAGAt vandals can’t yank it out of my yard. (They knocked down an earlier yard sign.)
Meanwhile, I have the huge cardboard package it came in. I’m going to cut this so that it is round at the top, like a grave marker. It is soon to be my newest Halloween decoration, a tombstone that will say: “RIP/ American Democracy/July 4, 1776 — Jan. 20, 2025/Killed by Donald J. Trump.” Those of you who are like-minded, pls. feel free to copy this idea.
I am going to copy your idea for our Halloween decorative “cemetery”. Great idea! Also, I love that you volunteered for the blessing of the animals! <3
Could you please detail how you process your pomegranates? Thanks.!
We just cut them into quarters and pick out the sticks and eat them. If you cut from top to bottom in the sunken bits, you cut less of the arils. A ripe pomegranate isn’t perfectly round, it has higher ridges and sunken valleys in between.
I cut the fruit open then put the pieces in a bowl of water. While the fruit is underwater I can very easily dislodge the seeds into the water filled bowl without making a juicy mess. Any bits of the white membrane float to the top. Then I pour through a strainer to get the seeds, lay them on a towel, dry them off, store in the fridge in a jar for direct eating or to add to salads, bowls, etc. Works great.
Hope your husband is healing quickly.
1. Working with what we have in the pantry, garden and refrigerator (except for salad greens and cucumbers which I bought at Aldi). Husband and I ate big salads all weekend and I took one to work today as well.
2. Spent this weekend (which was also my birthday weekend) taking long walks on neighborhood nature trails and I visited the forest plot I steward (“own”) mainly for wildlife in the Adirondack Mtns. It’s currently ablaze in autumnal colors. We discovered we had lost a trail camera to a vandal, but, fortunately, the culprit left us a selfie before destroying said camera (the most adorable bear cub). I do pay annual taxes for these 15 acres (I just paid the big one in Sept), but seeing the animals thriving makes it worth every penny. This forest was my reason for being frugal for many years and it was a dream come true to buy it some years ago.
3. My husband gifted me some funny socks, a vintage pewter owl (matchstick holder) and vegan gummy candy from Germany. It was perfect. I am now eligible for some more senior discounts (55, my colleague calls the early-to-mid 50s, the teenage years of our senior years). I am fortunate to be in good health and happy to be the age I am.
4. I also made chili using up a jar of chili starter I canned from last year’s garden tomatoes. I added a beyond burger (from the freezer) and extra veggies, and it was delicious. I have one more serving for work this week.
5. I found 3 good sized blueberry plants on clearance at Lowes. I will plant them in my mini orchard this week. I also obtained some perennials starts from Buy Nothing and will plant them in my growing flower garden. Each year, I add a bit more to the garden, including leaving the volunteer milkweed. It finally paid off this year, and I spotted many Monarch butterflies hanging around the yard.
Happy birthday! Your forest plot sounds lovely!
What a wonderful birthday weekend! Wishing you many more.
1. I continue to hack away at apples. Another dehydrator load finished and bagged up , and four 8-cup bags are in the freezer, ready for winter apple crumble. I know that I am making progress, however the apples are multiplying, IMHO.
2. Taking one for the team, I ate up the leftovers that hadn’t been taken for work/school by my roommate or my #2 son. I don’t mind a frying pan full of refried beans, a scraping of sad chow mein noodles, a cut up cooked chicken thigh, and at least 3 cups of steamed carrots and celery. It might look a bit weird, but it was filling, tasty, and emptied 2 ½ containers. Food saving for the win!
3. I made some not-so-excellent macaroni and cheese from pantry supplies, including cheese bought on discount and some of the milk I also use for my kefir. I need to ‘use up’ a bit more milk each carton as I don’t use it all in the kefir before it is past best-by date, so I feel at least mollified that no food has gone to waste.
Of course, I doubled the recipe so I could take some to DOL and #1 son, am sad to take sub-par macaroni, but not so sad that I will leave it at home.
DOL is recovering from her back surgery however can’t lift the grandbaby (or is not supposed to) and #1 son has asked me to come over for the day. I am going to bring a bunch of apples and maybe we will get some cored and peeled and in their freezer for future crumbles at their house.
I also made a massaged kale salad that, again, could have been better. But hey, the kale was free from the garden, and I emptied a tahini container that was lurking in the back of the fridge, so I will check that off as a healthy and frugal win.
4. My new roommate has set up her large expandable stand up clothes drying rack in the spare bedroom, which is thrilling to me – she might not always get the lights out, but she is aware of the costs of running a dryer. She also moved the kitchen towels from washer to dryer, then folded them and put them away, which shows she knows how to fit in to a household.
5. I am reading “Meditations for Mortals – Four weeks to Embrace Your Limitations and Make Time for What Counts” by Oliver Burkeman. He is the one who wrote “4000 weeks”, another really compelling read. Oliver is a journalist who has written some fabulous books that have given me lots to think about – I also signed up for his intermittent (maybe twice a month) newsletter and find it gives me lovely things to think about. https://www.oliverburkeman.com/the-imperfectionist
I am also a huge fan of Oliver Burkeman. The newsletter come sporadically but is always worthwhile
A thousand dollars made on selling marbles? Wow!!
I spent a delightful 5 minutes catching up on the posts I missed! It always gives me a boost!
I’m completely intrigued by the value of marbles! Who knew?
1) I meal prepped a lot over the weekend, which is coming in handy this week with easy lunches & dinners. DS19 occasionally eats leftovers after work, so the only wrinkle is that he’s also taking advantage. Which is great and saves him money, but I’ll sometimes open up a container, knowing I put it away with enough for an extra dinner, and surprise! Not so much. All good, and I’m happy he’s not eating junk.
2) I tried to consolidate errands, and was going to buy coconut milk at the local grocery store. It was $5.99/can & I needed two! Absolutely not. Made a stop at Trader Joes, which is close but has abysmal parking. Paid $1.89/can.
3) Due to two United cancellations (one on an international trip that involved me staying an extra night, another that involved swapping airports), we got back about $2200 in either United credits or miles. Doing the heavy lifting there was the international trip, as the EU guarantees a certain amount of reimbursement. It wasn’t ideal, but we will absolutely make use of those credits & miles to get DS18 back & forth to college.
4) Maxed my 401k!
5) Submitted my yearly fitness reimbursement, which is $480 & I happened to get the max by starting on 6/30, when anyone starting after 7/1 only got half. Who knew? Got lucky. Anyway, submitted two months of gym studio membership + a massage & felt super lucky for “free” money (yes, technically part of my overall compensation, but feels free to me!)
New rules on catch up contributions coming soon:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/news/new-401k-catch-up-rule-may-hit-older-high-earners-in-2026/ar-AA1NC6sz?ocid=BingNewsSerp
Good to know – thank you!
Katy! I have two large jars of antique marbles my Dad left when he passed away.He and my Mom sold antiques at one time. So there might be some valuable ones in there! I am scared to sell till i know what I’ve got.!! How can I find out more about the marbles so I can sell them on ebay?? One by on eor little groups, not just the whole jars! ?? I have had them for 5 years and ready to make some $$. Resources you use????