Five Frugal Things -- American Girl Dolls & a Slipper Repair
1) My husband and I carved out a couple hours to do some adventuring, which is always very enjoyable. We hit up a taco cart, perused the closest Goodwill and then treated ourselves to donuts.
He got a blueberry fritter and I chose a maple bar.
I picked up this $6.99 American Girl doll, even though her hair is tangled and her forehead was kind of ashy looking. I like a project and should be able to sell her for around $50. Her clothes aren't official American Girl, but I have a branded skirt I picked at the bins plus an A.G. sweater from a free box to create an outfit for her. New dolls cost $175.
It might be a good idea to grab American Girl books when I find them cheaply enough to bolster my listings. I've probably sold a a dozen or so of these dolls through the years.
I also spied this Japanese cast iron tea kettle, which is actually a common find in my local thrift stores. I remember seeing them when I visited Japan in 2012 and thinking these heavy beasts would be a no fun addition to one's luggage.
This vintage Lady Diana Spencer tin caught my eye as well, if only because poor Princess Diana looks so uncomfortable in this famous photo. Hindsight . . . .
I looked up this remote control, as non-TV remotes can sometimes sell for a pretty penny. Alas it was for a "galaxy" night light projector and only sells for around five bucks.
Remember when I took The Frugal Girl to the Goodwill bins and bought this random remote, which sold almost immediately for $75?
For every one thing I buy, I probably look up a dozen items.
2) I repaired my shearling slippers again, which once again took three weeks to procrastinate and fifteen minutes to complete.
Will I ever learn? Unlikely.
3) My daughter's robot litter box was malfunctioning, so I drove over with a small shopvac and a backup analog litterbox. Why a shopvac? The litter box dumped a bunch of litter onto the floor right before she left for work!
When we thought that robots would be the future, this is what we meant.
4) My husband wasn't home for dinner last night, so I assembled a delightfully unhinged collection of foodstuff. I literally grabbed a couple handfuls of meat off my Costco rotisserie chicken, to which I added three carrots and hummus; followed by yogurt topped with granola.
Written down it's not so bad, but keep in mind that everything before the yogurt was eaten standing up in the kitchen while listening to my audiobook.
5) I didn't illegally tear down half of my government owned house, promising that it would be rebuilt using fund from private donors. Then beg for $400 million taxpayer dollars to actually complete the job.
Even Town & Country magazine is calling him out on this!
Now your turn, what frugal things have you been up to?
'Analog litter box' The things we never thought we would say!
I had an American girl doll and it was one of my most beloved toys, I played with it everyday for years and I still have it now (it’s in very very rough shape). I was so excited to get my daughter one. When my mom was cleaning out my grandparents house she found a brand new one in its box (apparently my aunt bought it for my grandma because it was from the time period my grandma was born) so she gave it to me for my daughter. I gifted it to her last year and she does not care about this doll at all, no interest in playing with it! I am so glad I did not pay anything for it, I would have been more upset to spend $150 for it to be ignored (although could have resold it it sounds like).
My cousins have younger kids (ages 2 and under) so I may pass grandmas American girl doll along to them when their kids are older, see if any of them have any interest in it!
Hear, hear on your #5! I hope the Supreme Court grows a spine, makes him tear down that monstrosity and rebuild the East Wing back as it was --and pay for it out of his own funds!!! And also restore the Rose Garden: put it all back like it looked in the Obama administration and before!! I also hope he'll stop yelling at Jimmy Kimmel and clean up his own act. (Nah, it'll never happen, I know.)
1. Just took 2 big bags of soda pop cans across town to recycle. Earned a not-so-whopping total of $2.10.
2. A block from there, I saw another place to recycle glass. It was en route home. (I'd thought I would have to drive across town in the opposite direction for this.) I dumped my box full of soda pop bottles in this new recycling bin and saved on gas! Hooray for grouping errands!
(Sadly, no one pays for glass recycling in our town. But at least I kept it all out of the landfill.)
3. My yard sign about saving Social Security & Medicare got ripped in half. Whether by wind or vandals, I don't know. Repaired it and put it closer to the house.
4. Some books I ordered were delivered. Saved the padded plastic envelope for reuse.
5. Turned off the AC and am making do with ceiling fan.
Your dinner reminds me of “sink meals” skit from Portlandia. Also reminiscent of eating when you’re in the newborn stage , lol!
1. My last thrift trip yielded me not one, but two sets of pottery barn kids organic cotton twin sheet sets with a truck print. They were 6.50 each, and retail for over 160 ! I washed them and vacuum sealed them for when we transition my toddler to a bigger bed. I try to find a balance between overbuying/hoarding for years a head and capitalizing on a good buy. This fit my checklist of great quality, great condition, a definite eventual need , and easy to store.
2. Went to Costco to pick up a prescription, walked around for some free samples and left with only my medication.
3. I’ve slacked on my reselling post surgery but talking with my husband , I realized how even a handful of sales here and there positively impacts my mental health while I’m currently a sahm. I spent the day at the good will outlet where I found arcteryx, Lululemon, Patagonia, tons of Smartwool socks (these sell well in bundles for me), jelly cat, as well as books and green toy trucks for my little one’s upcoming birthday.
4. Was gifted some strawberry starts from our buy nothing group . I don’t think these will produce this season but hopefully next year will have a strong yield!
5. Made some unusable with a sad clearance loaf of bread for my toddler to use on the go. I put the waste aside to make bread crumbs.
6. Frugal fail that I’m making the most of . My idiot self didn’t renew my drivers license in time (I’ve never had to do this, as I’ve moved many times). Then once I realized it was expired, I forgot and then had surgery. So alas, it’s been expired over a year. Which means I get to RETAKE ALL THE TESTS. What a stupid tax. I will be trying my best not to drive much until I can get back to the dmv in a few weeks. Ugh. I guess I’ll save on gas!
Uncrustables* not unusable . Ugh autocorrect.
About your renewal, I was mad that I missed the renewal date and I groused to my husband that I didn't even get a reminder and he said, " Your Bday is your reminder!".
I wish I had your thrifting skills for reselling! It looks like fun, but.. I also am not great at sifting thorough stuff in stores.I DID however find a PERFECT black handbag (have been looking for 6 months!) at our local Mormon church thrift store.. a Liz Claiborne, in PERFECT condition, good soft leather, not too big not too small..will last me for years..for $3. This church thrift store and our Lutheran church store are the best low prices around!!!
We were on a vacation and I left behind some red potatoes.. I salvaged them when I got home.. and made mashed potatoes today, I just had to remove all those little eyes that grew while we were gone! I also made some stuffed peppers, my bargain bell pepper find from the store yesterday. 2 to eat tonight and 2 into freezer!!
DId not add a new ballroom onto our home,did not buy any gas, as we are retired and not commuting means many days of no driving.
Set up google alerts for a trip Back East to visit relative sin the summer,hoping to snag a decent airfare.
Joined a craft group that meets for FREE at the home of one of our church members. vs. the art group that meets at a studio where they charge $$ to get together.
Took big pantry and freezer inventory,stocking up on some extra basics, as prices bound to be on the rise while someone we know plays war games.
1. I used a Menard's rebate check to buy a surge protector I needed.
2. I used the McDonald's app to get a free McChicken sandwich with my rewards.
3. I've been on an Ebay listing spree. It's paying off. I sold two items today. I'm going through my death pile and listing a few things I forgot about.
4. My mom is watching my dog for me today. I have workers putting in a French drain and she couldn't be outside with all the heavy equipment. She was very unhappy so Grandma came and got her.
5. My mom and sister are returning my pup and bringing homemade chef salads for dinner. I feel like I won the lottery.
1. I walked for 45 minutes before work.
2. I packed my lunch and breakfast. I wrapped the food in bread bags I reuse rather than buy plastic sandwich bags. I don’t usually use glass bc the tiny office fridge does not belong to me and I try to use it as little as possible. My coworker is gracious in letting me occasionally use it so I try not to be a fridge hog.
3. I am planning on eating my lentil casserole from The Tightwad Gazette for supper. I did add spinach and mushrooms to the basic recipe.
4. It is raining and lightning and I plan to keep both the air and the heat off bc I can’t stand our power company and will do everything I can to not turn over my hard earned $$$$ to them. That includes using nature light as much as possible.
5. I can’t sit outside tonight bc expecting more rain so I am going to bed early to save on electricity and bc I am still slightly jet lagged.
Cindy, please let me know how that lentil casserole turns out plussed-up with the spinach and mushrooms. I made it long ago and remember thinking it needed some additions to improve the taste.
I'm interested also. I have lentils that need a purpose!!
My Dad worked in a men's clothing store. He brought home the plastic bags that sweaters came in, and Mom used them to pack our lunches for school. I still have one of the bags that I use to hold clips in my sewing room. It's odd what is sentimental for me.
My dad worked for the state. He hated waste so he brought home reams of paper that was only printed in one side. 40 years later there were still a few boxes left in his attic.
1. My grandchildrens' maternal grandmother gave us a well maintained snowblower in tiptop shape. I have been after DH to buy a snowblower for a few years but my stubborn guy insisted on shoveling. I worry about him since he's 71. Hopefully I won't worry as much now.
2. I hung two loads of laundry outside today.
3. I cut DH's hair with the buzzer.
4. I have a pot of tulips, a pot of daffodils (both gifts) and a pot with an Easter lily in it that have all gone by. I will plant them in the fall.
5. The library book I had on hold came in. Doris Kearns Goodwin's "An Unfinished Love Story".
1. I garbage picked more wood logs for our fire pit. I refuse to pay for them.
2. I get a check for $35 for doing surveys.
3. I put all of my receipts and my friend's receipts into Fetch, Ibotta and Receipt Hog.
4. I got a prescription free with delivery thanks to Hubby's great health plan.
5. I drove my friend and I to the library to play Bunco. We had fun even though we didn't win. I picked up a tumbler from my last class. It is a birthday present for my mom. I got a free Bridgeton puzzle from the puzzle shelf. I will give it to my daughter for her upcoming birthday. She loves the show. I took out magazines and picked up a book that was on hold.
It's a head shaker. Why brag about private funding on your vanity project if your buddies on the hill want to make taxpayers foot the bill? Good grief.
I try really hard to only talk politics to my cows, goats and sheep. They are very understanding. Gah!
I did watch King Charles' joint address to congress. He was so witty.
Back to frugal fun and adventures.
My friend asked me to go hiking and we started from her parent's farm up into the hilly trails of a local refuge. While walking I noticed a wallet in the ditch. She filmed me retrieving it and we contacted the man as it still had his drivers license and business card. He met us at the sheriff's office. He left it in his truck on a job site. No money or credit cards.Bummer.
If you are near a bi-mart, they have their "bring your pot, buy a flower" event on May 2nd.
I sold my dad's lawn edger that is impossible to start. The guy got a great deal and the tool spot in the shop is clearing out. Happy dance.
I am soaking beans for burrito bowls for Wednesday's community dinner. Texas sheet cake for dessert. It's potluck, but it ends up being...you're lucky if a few people bring a pot...I'm not complaining! I've known these people for 50+ years.
It hasn't been a particularly frugal day, though a very satisfying one. My son and I drove up to my brother's house this morning, buying gas on the way for $4.08 a gallon, about what we could have gotten it at home. I was expecting lower prices in Michigan. We bought McDonald's food on the way, and then when we arrived we ended up buying lunch at a casual restaurant, because my brother had gone to the ER. (He's okay).
However, once my brother was home, and other family members gathered, it became a very good day, and we had a wonderful homemade meal in the evening that made up for "meh" food earlier.
Our one frugality was deciding not to go to an overpriced tourist trap after casing the joint from the door. $26 saved
1) Wrapped a gift for DS20's GF using a gift bag I've had for so long that I've forgotten its origin, as well as tissue paper I unearthed.
2) Made lunch out of leftovers, focusing on using up the bagged salad from Costco before it goes bad. Defrosted chicken for dinner tonight, knowing I had an evening class & wouldn't have the time or energy for anything else.
3) Sat out in the sunshine at lunch, taking a few minutes of a break & laughing at the antics of a ridiculous squirrel.
4) Set our dishwasher to start on a delay, saving on the cost of power.
5) Helped DS19 with his ongoing summer job applications
#2 I feel in my soul. At almost 46, I will for sure never learn. Also, at “analog litterbox”. Thanks for the morning laugh.
Robots are indeed the future - but the job they are taking is the cat's! Hey, someone's gotta dump litter all over the floor! 🙂
1. Drove to and from orchestra rehearsal and found free parking. No back pain from lugging my ~15 pound case to the subway and didn't have to pay for a garage.
2. Ate leftovers before I left and had a pantry snack when I got home.
3. Settling in to a busy work day and already planning to do absolutely nothing after work. This free time comes with savings as I have a recipe I'd like to try and some organizing to do. I am learning that unstructured time in the face of hustle culture is calming and necessary.
4. My grocery store chives are regrowing like a weed! I have been enjoying them in all sorts of meals. While growing them on my windowsill isn't the biggest financial windfall, avoiding food waste is satisfying.
5. Starting the process of cancelling streaming services we don't use regularly. So far we are saving $50 a month. I had a sense that I wouldn't be able to talk DH into this before but with the most recent price increases, even my tv-loving partner has had enough.
FFT, "Call and Response" Edition (so named because several items here are responses to Katy's):
(1) As I may or may not have mentioned in a previous comment, NDN1 has an American Girl doll ("Josefina") with an extensive and authentic wardrobe. CF and I are going to look into listing all this on eBay, or having an experienced lister do it for us, once we get a minute.
(2) I have that same Chuck and Di tin. I use it to hold Betty's catnip. 😛 And I've been kicking around ideas for what to do with the British royal commemoratives collection in general, especially now that the royal family is about as popular as a culture of cholera germs. Good thing DH and I never intended it as an investment. 🙁 (But at least the King scored a few points off Orange Julius in his speeches before Congress and at the state dinner.)
(3) I'm finally getting some gardening done. I've cut back all the perennials except the butterfly bushes, and pulled numerous weeds. I also just started carrot and spinach seeds in my old Easy Washer tub and a shop-vac tub, respectively.
(4) I continue batching errands like mad, especially on trips to NDN1's assisted living facility. And I just got a slow leak in the Element's right front tire fixed for free at my Goodyear shop, which should improve my gas mileage.
(5) And I haven't tried to sell the American people on a gazillion-dollar ballroom that's obviously going to be, first and foremost, a security bunker. Nor am I so widely hated that I feel the need of a security bunker.
Are you people CRAZY?!
I hope your Goodwill Bins are better than the one DH and I visited for the VERY FIRST and VERY LAST time.
Store opened at 8 AM. We arrived at 11:15 AM.
BARELY ANY MERCHANDISE ON THE SALES FLOOR 3 HOURS PAST OPENING!
CUSTOMERS PACKED IN ONE AISLE TIGHTER THAN SARDINES. You couldn't even get close to look at anything.
Customers AND employees were rude.
Is this NORMAL?
Staying with friends at their Disney Timeshare- frugal for us, if not them!
We brought snacks and drinks from home to share.
I chose an appetizer for my meal last eve.
We ate breakfast (cheese and crackers for me) and a snacky lunch in the room.
Mexican tonight, and I will probably eat another appetizer!
1. I bought a 3lb bag of very soft pears for $2.25. We ate a few raw, I cooked the rest and made pear sauce. I fed the skins and seeds to my chickens.
2. It’s cold and wet today. I hung up a load of wash on my indoor line.
3. Found some fun things in a fee pile yesterday. 4 treat puzzles for dogs(I’ll list these as a bundle on marketplace), a snuffle mat (I’m keeping), a stuffed Yoshi plush (I’ll list this for sale), and a few storage baskets.
4. Dinner will be pork chops (clearance $1.48 a pound), the aforementioned pear sauce, mashed sweet potatoes, and green beans. Possible a salad depends how hungry we are!
5. Not going anywhere today. No gas used. I did down load Upside to get $back on gas. Yesterday I used my Sunoco app to get 3 cents off a gallon, uploaded the receipt to Upside got $6 ish back, uploaded to Fetch for points and used my credit card that gives the most points.