Five Frugal Things -- Safe Lettuce & a $75 Vase
1) I sold my $4.99 hefty blown glass vase for $75! (I thrifted it in December, which I wrote about in this blog post.) I had it priced for $100, but sent out a $75 offer and feel zero-point-zero regret for taking a lower price. $4.99 --> $75 is an excellent return on investment!
The package weighs almost six-and-a-half pounds, so I'll drive it to the post office instead of asking my mail carrier to carry it down my porch stairs. It's very important that this guy doesn't start to hate me!
I'm still making do without a printer, but "Mona" mentioned in yesterday's blog comments that I can just use the eBay QR code from the app at the post office, and they'll print out the label.
Thank you, Mona!
2) I made a half-recipe of pickled red onions using this recipe off the internet. Both jars are from a single small onion and the entire process took maybe ten minutes, including cleanup. These tangy bright onions are amazing and elevate so many savory dishes.
We enjoyed them in tonight's Mexi-bowls, even though they'd only been marinating in the brine for a couple of hours. ¡Delicioso!
3) The neighbors with whom we share garbage pickup service are out of the country for a couple of weeks, which means my husband and I are already planning the extra crap things we get to cram into next week's bin. (Keep in mind that Portland's garbage pickup is every other week!) This is what qualifies as "exciting" when you're middle aged.
My husband has been clearing out the garage, which inevitably means we're creating more garbage than usual.
For those who might judge this is a high-effort-low-payoff scheme -- each household saves $252/year by combining our trash pickup. We started doing this right before their daughter was born and she just turned 17, so that's thousands of dollars in savings!
4) I finished reading Beasts of a Little Land and think my next read needs to be on the lighter side. Not that I didn't enjoy the book, but my brain need a mental rest after immersing myself into an intense decades long historical novel featuring multiple main characters. Amazingly rich wartime details and this is the kind of story that'll stick in my mind.
I'm thinking The Wedding People, by Allison Espach.
I also picked up a Lucky Day copy of Jenny Lawson's How to be Happy When Nothing is Okay. I've read her other memoirs and she can do no wrong. No wrong!
5) My neighbor gave us two heads of organic lettuce from her CSA (community supported agriculture) box that she couldn't use before leaving the country. I'm going to blindly assume that this locally farmed lettuce isn't part of the cyclospora outbreak we're seeing from standardly farmed produce, and hopefully won't have to write my next blog post from the bathroom!
Now your turn, what frugal things have you been up to?
Hauled our laundry to the laundromat....hauled wet clothes home to air dry. Stopped in the cheapo grocery store. Decided to gamble on one of their $5 mystery boxes. Well worth the gamble!!! Trail mix, nuts, granola bars, and crackers that will be very handy for our upcoming trip. 3 jars of salsa, 2 jars of organic mayo. There were 3 boxes of teething biscuits that I'll drop off at the local daycare. I also bought 2 quarts of plain yogurt, a multi pack of yogurt cups, and drinks for our trip. Hit Aldis for the rest of my list.
Made an Asian inspired dish in the crockpot used up some dying carrots, a head of home grown cabbage, and our pork steaks.
Grinding discount coffee beans using a borrowed coffee grinder.
Sharing garden veg with neighbors.
Took son fishing. Didn't catch anything (which is fine with me!!!) Enjoyed the peace and watching nature do its thing.
2 kill deer nested in our drive. We set out posts to mark the nest and avoid the area. 4 chick's hatched. It's been a lot of fun watching the parents herd the little ones around and chirp and whistle at every living being that comes too close. I suspect the fun is nearly over and they will soon be independent but I've enjoyed watching them.
As a retired mail carrier, we collectively thank you.
1. DH donated a sleeping bag, a camp blanket and a tent he no longer uses to an area church. There is a group of women there who make sleeping bags and kits for the homeless.
2. A friend who lives on a nearby lake invited us over for lunch and swimming yesterday. Lovely, lovely day.
3. I hung two loads of laundry outside today.
4. I have a doctor appointment later today. His office is within a large hospital so I will get my share of walking in an air conditioned space and choosing to use the stairs instead of the elevator. No co-pay for this visit either.
5. I noticed on their schedule, the library is offering a free class on how to use Libby which I plan on attending.
1. After our sweet dog viciously disemboweled and beheaded her new dog toy in a matter of days, I was able to rescue the squeaker inside before she destroyed it. I sewed the squeaker into another dog toy that was only partially ruined, and sewed everything shut with dental floss to slow down her next killing spree.
2. Spilled some curry sauce on a pair of light colored jeans. Used Fels Naptha soap and strong sunshine over two days to get almost all of the spot out. I still can't get over how sunshine zaps out stains.
3. Made a basic quick bread and jazzed it up by filling the loaf pan with half the batter, then adding chopped walnuts and several generous globs of jam before topping with the rest of the batter. Then I used a knife to swirl the batter to spread the deliciousness all around before baking.
4. Tried steaming diced potatoes for both potato salad and mashed potatoes for the first time. We liked the less liquidy texture, saved some water in the process, and didn't heat up the kitchen as much as a boiling pan of water would.
5. Husband surprised me with a 3-night getaway to the North Shore of Lake Superior. He knew I needed a change of routine and scenery at the 3-month mark of my recovery from falling and fracturing my knee. I'm writing this on our first morning here. He rented a cottage near the main lodge, which is pricier but we have our own kitchen and brought our own food. He negotiated $500 off our stay. Even with that, it's the most we've ever spent on lodging. Savings from my not doing anything for months will help offset the expense of this glorious getaway.
MB…you weren’t “doing nothing” those months; your body was healing itself! Maybe boring, probably painful, but a wonderful thing has happening before your eyes.
Kathy, you're right! I should have said "not doing anything that cost money."
Welcome to the Big Lake! It is supposed to cool down in the next day or two. If you are anywhere near the Rustic Inn, the pie is worth every penny.
Ceecee, it's about 20 degrees cooler and breezy by the lake, so that's been lovely. We're going to the Rustic Inn on Tuesday!
The Rustic has great food. Betty's Pies is pretty good, too. But not the same as when Betty was there.
When you are heading back, take scenic 61 and stop in Knife River at the Great! Lakes Candy Store. Also, not the most frugal, but you only live once. It is a small, family owned and run store. They make their own chocolates. And they are the nicest people. There is also a nice rocky beach - go through the campground on the left to get there, which is a good place to find agates. It is usually relatively quiet there. If you like smoked fish, Knife River also has a very good shop for that.
Ceecee, we love the North Shore and all of your recommendations are spot on. When we head home, we're going to eat at Sara's Table in Duluth, one of our must-stops.
Picked strawberries, blueberries, tart cherries and green beans. I love pickled onions on everything. Right now our family is enjoying pickled pineapple. I made a dozen quart jars to give out at dinner this week.
Last week was the week from hell and the hell has rolled into this week in the form of some sort of stomach bug that started on Friday. Last week I packed my mother out of their house and moved her to assisted living, a Herculean task at the best of times but it was complicated by family dynamics, my mother's inability to pack even one item, and the years of her keeping allllll the crap. I was absolute toast by Thursday and then started vomiting Friday. Lovely.
No eating for me means money saved on food.
No gas used because I can't be more than 5 feet from a bathroom.
When I gather a shred of energy I've been sorting through the overflow of my mother's stuff that came to my house. I have inherited several pieces of needed clothing, a few food items (the ones that expired 3+ years ago have all been tossed), and I've sold one item and listed a couple others. Also have sent a load to thrift store as my husband was passing it on another errand.
Today we're picking up 4 free half wine barrels, courtesy of my daughter's work.
I hope today is better than yesterday!
I'm so sorry you've been sick! And I commiserate with your efforts to move your mother. My sister recently moved into a senior living center and she was similarly dysfunctional. Thank goodness she had help from wonderful neighbors.
Kara, ugh to all of your misery. I wish you much better days ahead.
I have a bit overflow of my parents' stuff at my house and one parent it still alive! Certain things had to get out of the house due to mom's undeserved ain't going to be a "miracle" dementia. Then things dad (understandably) wanted out of the house when she passed things. I already know my plan when dad passes (I don't see him going to assisted living).
My sister-in-law has a similar art vase -- actually hers is a bowl. I don't know if it's the same artist, but it's definitely the same vibe. I think she said it's worth $500, though I doubt that's what she paid. She is a high-end online estate seller.
1. I took my underpriced glassware to the post office this morning after double-boxing it. At least it was all free packaging. Still bummed I let it go for so little.
2. I went to Aldi and did some stocking up for $37. I found the onion-garlic sourdough Cindy mentioned -- can't wait to try it! I also got some super cheap frosted pretzels that have a July 4 theme.
3. I went to the library and exchanged a read book for a book on hold. I also returned two books to a LFL.
4. I found many receipts in the Aldi parking lot. I have yet to sort them out.
5. I lost a quarter I was clutching in my hand while picking up receipts! I looked around for it, but I'm afraid it fell in the grass and became invisible.
6. My grandson got a parking ticket which I will have to pay, since it was my car, but his parents will reimburse me.
On my frugal list this week...
For my trip to Goodwill I found 3 bottles of Mrs. Meyer's hand soap for just 99¢ each. It's the only hand soap that doesn't tear my hands apart, so I was thrilled. They also had bottles of Mrs. Meyer's cleaner for $1.99.
I picked up 3 puzzles for $5, and 2 were brand new and still sealed! They had several more that I almost bought to resell because they were higher-end brands. Most puzzles at this location are still $1.99–$2.99, and I hope they keep them there since other Goodwill stores have raised theirs to $3.99. When we're finished with them, our local food bank wants them for senior Christmas gifts, so they'll get another life.
While I'm not a fan of Goodwill's clothing prices these days, I did find a nice pair of shorts for $5.99.
Costco had some great clearance deals too. I found two pairs of jeans for my husband for $6.97 each and couldn't pass them up, his last pair I paid full price for. They also had cute women's shirts marked down to just $1, and I picked up one. Best of all, it's 100% cotton! Trying to find cotton tops is near impossible.
You made me laugh...just came from store where it took me forever to pick lettuce to purchase. Finally decided on organic, grown in our state in a little town not too far away, and it was on sale. But when I asked the check out lady if they are seeing a slow down in people buying lettuce she did not know what I was talking about. Being informed is not a common thing! Hope we both stay out of the bathroom!!!
My book club read a Jenny Lawson book (Let’s Pretend This Never Happened) and it was the most divisive book we’ve ever read, with about 2/3 of the group absolutely hating it and 1/3 absolutely loving it, no one was neutral, very strong feelings on both sides. It made for a lively discussion at least!
1) I took my daughter to a classmates birthday party over the weekend, he lived down the street from us so we could walk! Very convenient and no gas used.
2) I have a very produce heavy diet, so trying to determine how much to stress about cyclospora. I’m in California so not a ton of cases here yet but the fact they don’t know where it’s coming from is concerning. I do get a weekly produce delivery that’s local produce, not sure if that makes it safe though. So far I haven’t changed what I’m eating, I may regret that choice though!
3) My kids are in a camp this week that ends at 3:30, luckily my boss is letting me leave early to pick them up and work the last hour at home, saves the stress and money of needing to find alternate childcare.
4) I had frozen a head of cauliflower before we left on vacation as I didn’t think it would last while we were gone. I knew it would only work in a puréed soup after that though, as the freezer would ruin the texture. My son helped me make a cauliflower and potato soup in the instant pot yesterday and it turned out really well, even both kids liked it. I also made a green curry over the weekend using more vegetables that were getting old, it included broccolini and steamed collard greens I’d also frozen before we left, and a zucchini, broccoli and tofu.
5) When I was about 10, my dad gave me two science fiction books he’d enjoyed as a teenager, The Illustrated Man and The Martian Chronicles, both by Ray Bradbury. I’d started to read them but I didn’t understand science fiction then or something because I remember not really understanding them and giving up pretty quickly. I recently thought of them, and as someone who now enjoys science fiction, I got The Martian Chronicles audio book from the library. I’m really enjoying it this time around, I’ll have to discuss with my dad when I finish.
I thought this might be a frugal fail but it turned out ok: because the TV weather forecast said we'd get rain I skipped watering my lawn yesterday. Of course, in 100 degree weather, the St. Augustine grass literally shrivels in the heat; our city only lets you water on certain days or you get fined. I took a chance and skipped turning on the sprinklers, but it didn't rain on Sunday. So I was getting pretty worried. But we just had a nice soaking downpour at noon today! Free water! Thank you, Lord!
Monday (today) is also trash collection day. So -- of course! -- the garbage men left the trash can lid off and it was filled with rainwater. They always do this. 🙁 When the shower ended, I hauled the (empty except for water) can to under the oak trees and dumped the rainwater where it could do some good. (Instead of in the street; no need to grow the pavement.)
However, my yardman pal had cut down a hackberry tree that'd been growing in the fence (probably planted by a squirrel) and was able to stuff all of it in the trash cans. (He had a new "toy", a new chain saw, he was using.) So I am happy the garbage men took all the limbs and brush away at no extra charge to me. It was all put in the yard waste trash cans so it will get ground up into mulch and used in a city park. We kept it out of the landfill.
Filled up the car gas tank quickly before prices go up again, thanks to the ceased cease fire overseas. (But no thanks to our dimwitted, demented commander in chief.)
1. Still eating my free cucumbers and tomatoes from my neighbor and no, I do not have the runs!
2. I walked an hour this morning before the heat hit. Then I went to work. I am now home and I have caved and turned on the air. It is 90 ish without the heat index kicking it near 100.
3. I am also to eat down my apple stash and potatoes along with my watermelon. It has made for some interesting meals.
That is it. Other than just working and going home. Oh, I did wash my skirt in the bathtub and hung it out
to dry.
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1Lc5Sa3AVq/
Apps to simulate buying just for the dopamine rush. ♀️
Emoji meant to be face palm
I kind of the like the woman symbol.
1. Thrifted a small hydroflask water bottle for my toddler on 1/2 off day. We have one already but really wanted another in our rotation. They are expensive new so 2 dollars was a steal.
2. Thrifted a little sleepies brand dress also on 1/2 off day for a friends daughter for her birthday for 2 dollars. My goal is a handful of dresses and a new jacket for her for around 15 dollars. I love that many of my friends encourage second hand gifts. This friend in particular usually passes things back to me when her daughter outgrows, and I pass them on to other friends. I have a boy , so I also love being able to thrift for dresses!
3. My husband wanted take out lunch . I volunteered to eat left overs at home and happily “okayed” him grabbing lunch while we were out.
4. Working on a cow outfit for cow appreciation day on Tuesday for both me and my toddler. It’s going to be very hot this week so indoor fun is needed.
5. Cleared out a bunch of pantry snacks my toddler has moved on from that were unopened but bought on clearance. Posted them to the BN group. Bummer to waste the money, but at least not wasting the food too.
1. I completed a short on-line survey to earn a $15 dollar GC of my choice.
2. I had some kale that was turning yellowish. I cooked it. I guess I can freeze it if I can't get it all eaten.
3. I cleaned out my closet. The clothes that I don't think Habitat can resell are going to the local psy hospital. They will give them to patients who need them.
4. I haven't had an eye exam in 2 yrs. Went to get one this week. No out-of-pocket. It is frugal to get your preventative health care done.
5. I am going on a short road trip w/ my BFF. We are paying for our room. It wasn't a good value to use my hotel points. I am saving my points for a trip to a resort or some other fancy place. I can also earn a free night at a Hilton brand hotel of my choice if I spend a certain amt annually on my Hilton branded CC. I am not buying anything I don't need. Just putting bills & such on the CC. It adds up.
Great score on the vase! I would have glanced at it, assumed it was similar to the 90's trend of floral painted wine glasses and passed it by. You're good!!
Looking forward to your review on the Jenny Lawson book.
We did a couple of staycation type summer days. The first day we researched organic sustainable farms in our area that included small farm stores. Packing a picnic lunch to take with us, we visited three. It was a really pleasant day in the countryside. The products in their stores were pretty pricey but I understand. We bought a couple things at each farm to, hopefully, help them out a little. All three had picnic tables where we had the lunch we brought.
The next day we went to a free botanical garden that was also having a craft fair. Didn’t buy anything but it was fun to look. The garden was just beautiful so lots of exercise just walking around.
Went to a thrift store today with something specific in mind. Didn’t find it so saved money.
Am having a thrifty beans and rice dish for dinner.
1. I spent some time in the big greenhouse after a while away from it. Other than random watering days (assisted by my Gardening Buddy who has a wreaked body right now so can only really water, so she pops in to do so a couple of times a week), I've only been in the greenhouse to gasp and wonder “how it is taking off like that?”!!!
Anyway, it was time to start tying up the tomatoes. Over the years we have set up strings that hang down for twining the tomatoes on (we used to clip them to the strign, but twining works just as well, and less plastic). The string is either old bailing twine from the sheep's hay, or bailing twine from a huge tangled bundle that someone left here at some point in time. The oldest strings, luckily coloured differently from the newer ones, are failing and fraying - I needed to remove them, un-braid the rest (I bundle them up when we clean up in the fall so they aren't all hanging down) then prune and tie and twine the tomatoes.
Set up some pod-casts, timer going for the raised bed sprinklers, and decided to stop when the sprinkling was done (3 ½ hours is enough for one day).
2. Bonus is I found 2 ripe tomatoes (that makes a total of 5 so far!) and two lovely cucumbers in the Greenhouse. I also picked yet more arugula from the ever willing volunteers that are growing around the tomatoes – I keep thinking I've pulled or picked it all, but like my exuberant nasturtium volunteers, the arugula keeps on showing up.
3. My pathetic raspberry patch provided me with 4 more cups of raspberries. Some are in the fridge, I've already made up the smoothie base (yogurt, kale, water berries) for two days which will make Future Ecoteri happy. When the base is ready, I can get my smoothie made in about 1 ½ min. if the base isn't ready, it can take 10 min. Preparing the base the night before takes 2 min for two containers. Do the math, it won't compute.
4. I got myself organised and made yogurt again – this time with some almost expired milk and a scant quantity of plain yogurt starter. It worked perfectly, and is so much less expensive! I'll be making more soon, as I am back using yogurt in my smoothies.
5. I get to have more exploratory 'girly part' surgery in a week. Thrift Store Buddy will be my driver, she is a blessing indeed. The Hospital is 40-60 min away from my place, depending on Summer traffic. She will go visit her brother while she waits the 4+ hours for me.
This surgery is a repeat, as the last time it wasn't 'successful' – I'm confident that with TWO surgeons they will figure things out; not knowing and just waiting is hard.
I've also just had an ECG, and a mammogram, and have a (lovely) Colonoscopy scheduled next month. Whoot (not!)
Of course, this is costing me nothing but time, as I'm in Canada. I shudder to think what this would be in the USA
6. #2 son is FINALLY done with cleaning out the barn loft (although he'll pay my housecleaner to do a final-final, as she is pretty darn thorough). The new tenant is going to be a bit delayed getting here, and I have a list of things that must be done in the next 2 or 3 weeks. Painting, mostly, however there are two electrical style repairs to do, one I can do the other should have an electrician. I still have to go get the baseboard heaters for the installation but my lovely electrician figures his supplier is better and cheaper so I'll got that route.
We broke the fan cover for the over-the-oven fan (it is actually a bathroom fan as the ceiling is slanted in that part of the loft) – I'm trying to see if I can jury-rig a fix, as the one I purchased was too small (and hugely expensive). Maybe I'll check out our local Habitat store. One step forward, two back.
Ecoteri, I'll be cheering for you and your surgeons for a successful, never-to-be- repeated-again surgery!
Thanks MB in MN - this has been going on for (ahem) QUITE LONG ENOUGH, thank you very much!
Sending thoughts and prayers for the happiest outcome ever.
"'girly part'" - I call them limited use organs. And they really are. I'd also venture to say they are cancer magnets. Good luck and if it were me, I'd say remove it this time.
I’m traveling tomorrow from Central Oklahoma to So Cal to help a friend to dejunk before he lists his home. I have 18 trashie bags to fill with recyclables $5/bag for gift cards. I’ll snag an extra suitcase from him to take home things he may not want or put into estate sale.
I made beef stroganoff from left over beef from restaurant dinner last night to celebrate DS-Y birthday and their upcoming wedding anniversary
I was feeling very Katy tonight. I briefly looked in a few bins of clothing that I saved, that I need to deal with eventually. I cannot even go there until my college Freshman is settled at school. BUT, I grabbed a few things with tags and looked them up. I posted a little Big Dogs toddler romper for $149 yesterday and it sold! I thought I was shooting way high even though there were a few that sold for more than that. Crazy!
That's so cool! Have you seen how much vintage Osh-Kosh overalls and rompers sell for?
OMG, I saved my #1 son's Oshkosh overalls and they remembered to put them on my Grandson before he grew too big. My heart swelled with such joy every time they sent him over in them - blue with elephants, freaking adorable.
Katy- thanks for the book suggestions! We have been struggling for some time now with our daughter's health/mental health and I have been down in the dumps about it not showing improvement. I went to the library as soon as I saw the above book recommendation for how to be okay... It wasn't on the shelf but I found several similar titles and requested that one.
I've found so many great authors thanks to your recommendations!
I love this, I get most of my reads from other people's book suggestions. Sending you a big virtual hug!