Five Frugal Things — Avocados, Pillowcases & Hawaiian Food!
by Katy on October 3, 2025 · 42 comments
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The avocado pit that I’m propagating in one of my free Habitat ReStore vases is absolutely thriving! Mind you, I only started this pit on August 25th! Time to plant it properly.
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Another one of my husband’s friends brought by food, this time a Hawaiian takeout feast that’ll feed us for at least three days! We’ll have to figure out a way to thank everyone who stepped up to support my husband once he’s on the mend.
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One of my husband’s co-workers celebrated a milestone number of years at the company, so I drove my husband to their headquarters so he could visit with friends and enjoy a burger. I never order hamburgers in restaurants, as they’re something I can easily make at home, yet . . . I never actually make burgers. This makes them a rare treat.
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I sold a vintage Pokemon pillowcase* on eBay for $19 that was leftover from my mother shutting down her AirBnb business a few years ago. This was yet another sale from my stale inventory.
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We’re just two episodes away from finishing the third Season of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds through our free week of Paramount+.
Now your turn, what frugal things have you been up to?
Katy Wolk-Stanley
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You drove your husband’s friend to the HQ or you drove your husband? Curious minds want to know.
How was the burger?
I drove my husband, and the burger was really good!
Got senior discount at Kroger which has never been offered before and I have shopped there for 20 years. Saved $12.68.
Paid for groceries with insurance cards that give a monthly amount to buy healthy food. $241.61 cost us $12.42.
After I put groceries away husband wanted to go out to lunch but of course I made it at home.
Bought gas at Kroger and got off .50 a gallon.
Trash picked a huge healthy fern out of neighbor’s trash pile. They were changing over to fall decor. Hanging on my front porch looking gorgeous and lush where it will stay until the frost kills it.
@Susan, would the fern survive in a cool space (garage, basement) and come back next year? Ferns do that here, although in a pot they do need to be less frozen (In other words, If I remember to bring them in once they die back, and before the really cold spells hit).
And well done with both the savings and the discipline to cook at home after all that shopping.
This is so cute. The little leaves
I’m inspired to try the NCA method!
1) Finished another library book, Station Eleven, which I really enjoyed and started another book, Democracy Awakening by Heather Cox Richardson. I was avoiding all news but it started to feel irresponsible (and privileged to not “have” to pay attention) I’ve found HCR is one person I can get news from without going into a panic after, highly recommend her. Her book is also very good so far.
2) Found all components of my daughter’s witch costume on eBay. She was very pleased to have a larger selection on eBay, since you get many years worth of costumes on there, versus whatever the stores are selling this year.
3) Made a big batch of tempeh chili and froze it in individual portions to bring to work for lunch.
4) My son found another series he likes and the library didn’t have them so I ordered them used online. Books are one thing that I always get my kids if they ask (usually from the library but on the rare occasion the library doesn’t have them, I will buy used) because I want to encourage as much reading as possible.
5) Making coffee every morning. I have not experienced any price increases yet, I know others have said they saw an increase but my Trader Joe’s has not increased their coffee bean prices at all yet.
Hi! I just wanted to add to #4. From a librarian’s point of view, I suggest you ask about any book you want that your library doesn’t have at the circ or reference desk. My library belongs to a consortium and is also able to pull books from a state source. Libraries pay fees to belong to groups like these and we really want patrons to use them! The more people that take advantage of this the better as the library can justify to their boards the fees. Also you can request your library purchase a certain book too. My director rarely denies a purchase request. Libraries 4-ever! ❤️
1. Leftover thai curry for lunches this week made from almost entirely stuff in the pantry. You can make a big ol’ pot with one of those little cans of curry paste. It’s got lots of veggies, tastes great, and is cheap!
2. Went to my second week of free zumba classes at the library. The community and the energy are great!
3. Walking home with a friend and she spotted that her favorite spot had the tomato bisque she loves on the menu again. I had to try it for myself. I brought a cup home with a crostini (goat cheese, apricot jam, sliced chorizo) and split it with DH for dinner. It was delicious and reasonably priced!
4. Gave up on some poshmark listings and donated them to the local food pantry that runs a free store. Padding my karma instead of my bank account, but hey, at least the stuff isn’t in a bag in my closet anymore.
5. Appreciating and using up every cent of my health insurance. Feeling grateful that new medications and bloodwork are fully covered.
–I learned today that both the NYT and our local paper offer free online subscriptions to students at my college. Sign me up! My local paper went behind a paywall a while ago, and while I don’t read the news a lot, it’s nice to be able to access local news for free without going to an ad-riddled local tv station website.
–Cycled to my physical and to get my labwork done. I needed a TB test and a work physical done before I can take Nurse Aide training in November. At the very last minute the place I was going to get my physical called and said the doctor who was supposed to do it no longer worked for them..so I looked up the Kroger Little Clinic and they do work and school physicals. Done. Not covered by my insurance, but $85 to not deal with hassle with a new doctor’s office? Sold.
–Teaching the kids to hang their laundry out to dry when it’s sunny. Raising them right.
–Library books forever. I enjoyed reading some stories in Joan Aiken’s collection “The Monkey’s Wedding” while waiting for my appointments today.
1. Fetch had a promotion that if you set up a Purina account, you got 10,000 points. I set it up (don’t have to buy anything), which got me enough points to cash out a $25 gift certificate.
2. Saved the potato peels from making a tortilla español (dinner, with gazpacho). I’ll toss with EVOO and roast and it will be the sides for tonight’s dinner.
3. At partner’s work, a few people didn’t pick up their CSA boxes. So, in addition to the one that we get, we were able to get an extra bulb of garlic and some fresh garlic. We gave away the rest of the food to a local charity as we wouldn’t be able to eat the rest of the produce before next week’s box. The ginger is in the freezer, and I’m dring out the leaves and stems for tea. He also brought home a beautiful bouquet of dahlias that someone didn’t pick up.
4. I’m planning 4 nights away to Philly with my parents. The short-term apartment rental was $125 per night, but on Friday, it jumped up to $330 for the night, so we decided to come home one night early to save the $$.
5. Two books at the library are ready for pick-up. Partner rejoined Hulu (football season) so I cancelled Acorn. Since I’m on sabbatical, seeing how long I can go without adding gas to the car. Windows are open without either AC or heat needed (glorious!), a friend is using my work apartment for a couple of days, and sent me $150 to cover electricity and I provide clean sheets, etc.
FRUGAL FAIL: I wanted to take a friend out for breakfast as a thank you. She chose the place and to my egg sandwich, her granola bowl, and our two coffees, she also wanted a bag of granola. I foolishly said that I would just pay for the bag of granola (how much could it cost?). Well, it was a total of $54…. for breakfast for 2!!! (my egg sandwich was $11 without any meat or potatoes on the side!)
1. Since Home Depot wouldn’t take my alkaline batteries for recycling yesterday, today I tried Batteries Plus. Success! It was a bit of a drive, but a pretty day to do it.
2. I went to Walgreens to use my 20% off coupon, buying duct tape, Always Discreet pads (on sale), and two bottles of COQ10 (a BOGO offer).
3. Went to the gym, which is near Sam’s Club. I have let my Sam’s membership lapse, but I thought I could still get a hot dog there, and I was right! Really cheap lunch. I took a packet of sauerkraut from the condiments table, but then decided not to use it. I brought it home to use in a Reuben later.
4. I have already received the bed wedge I ordered, and in fact I’m propped up on it now. I think I like it! Not sure yet where I’ll put it when I’m not using it, because it isn’t particularly attractive, very medical-looking.
5. Three more receipts found today. I looked up the rewards page on Fetch and I see that I can now get a $3 Amazon gift card. Of course I’ll wait until I cash in for more.
I have a wedge and a friend who is a veey talented at sewing. I gave her my wedge and she made me 2 beautiful “pillowcases” for it. Even with its triangular shape, she nailed it.
I’m able to squeeze things behind my bed head if I pull it out from the wall just a fraction.
I’m afraid this wedge is too big to go behind the headboard. I don’t think it would fit under the bed either. I thought about making an attractive cover for it. I’m not a great seamstress and I don’t have a machine, nor a friend who is handy that way, but maybe I can challenge myself to do it by hand.
Wrap it with cloth like a gift with smooth corners and safety pin it on the back.
Easy to take off to wash that way as well.
A twin size sheet (fitted or flat) will probably due the trick. That’s what I used and then safety pinned it.
Pulling what hair I have left out (we did haircuts Tuesday)!!!!!
How can I get DH on the “frugal bandwagon?” Tuesday, he dropped me off at “Doc in the Box” (a.k.a. urgent care) so.I could get a BP check. Meanwhile, he went to drop off donations for Salvation Army and decided to “look around.” Spent $10.59 on a suitcase HE DOESN’T NEED!!! AARRGGHH!!! He has it in his head he is going to Canada for a weekend in May by himself. Personally, I don’t see it happening. He doesn’t like city driving. Last time we were in Canada was before 9/11 when passports weren’t required. (We got them; however, we haven’t used them yet.) He’s not tech savvy, and he won’t have the kind of money he will need on hand by then. He is on SSD, and I have to check, but I think his travel money has to come out of his weekly allowance from his new rep payee. He only gets $50 a week. HELP!!!
1. Did take him out for dinner at Applebee’s Wednesday night for his birthday (Thursday). We got a 2 for $25, and I got $7.90 back using the Upside app. We each brought half of our Oriental Grilled Chicken Salad home, so that was dinner on Thursday. In addition, our friend is a veteran and asked for the “military discount.” Although each couple had separate checks, they gave DH and I the military discount, too! Another $3-something off our bill!
2. Did laundry Wednesday and hung it outside while the weather is nice.
3. Made a pitcher of iced tea with tea bags we already had.
4. Got 2 boxes of Betty Crocker Scalloped Potatoes a few weeks ago. They were reduced (boxes were sealed, but bent up). Prefer au gratin potatoes, so going to add cheese and some sliced andouille sausage to that this weekend.
5. DH is helping a friend install new doors in their bathrooms. They fed him last night. Saved me cooking and money.
I’m sorry your husband’s spending is so frustrating for you, Melissa. I’m sure you pick your battles– is the suitcase money from his allowance?
Are you passports expired or close to it? Strategically noticing that next winter and sending them to be renewed could mess up his schedule.
Yes, the suitcase $ was from his allowance. He gets $50/week. An agency is his rep payee since April. Frankly, I’m glad not to be responsible for it anymore.
Passports are new. Got them last year. Early last year, our daughter planned to send us on a Bahamas cruise this year (our 30th anniversary was last year). So, we got our passports. However, my husband was adamant about a separation/ divorce last summer and kept shoving it down my throat, so to speak. I told my daughter to cancel the cruise because I wanted her to be able to get her money back (she did). I know better as I had a cousin who committed suicide in the mid 80’s; I didn’t want to die…just “turn the world off for a while.” I overdosed on Ambien and Glipizide. Spent 8 days in in-patient psych unit. Best 8 days of my life in recent memory. I am now in a better place and we continue to work on our relationship. It’s been a bumpy ride, but things are improving in baby steps.
Melissa, it sounds as if you’ve had and are still having a really rough time. I can’t offer anything but sympathy, but my heart goes out to you.
Oh, Melissa, thank you for sharing how tough things have been for you – I wish for you a softer time, and that you can find a way to create some peace in your home where you can turn off the world without leaving it.
You are an important and tender human with big feelings! It is difficult to stay present when there is so much pain within and outside of yourself – I, for one, am glad indeed that you are here with us and sharing your journey.
I am so very sorry that times have been so hard for you.
@Lindsey (from AK?) – nice to see your posts here and there.
Melissa, I am sending you a big hug because I understand the desperation of being in a very hard marriage. Before I left my marriage in 2022, I felt so hopeless, I wanted to go to sleep and never wake up; at the time it seemed like the only way out of my situation.
Things have gotten so much better for me; now I want to live and I am filled with hope for the future.
I hope the same can be true for you. <3 <3
Nice baby tree, Katy!
I have never seen a double top before, pretty special.
Took mom “visiting” aka estate sales. Found 3 pairs of fancy brand jeans, a PR of running sweats, a tiny step on Stainless steel garbage can for the guestroom and a very pretty twin quilt all for $8.
Also went to a fundraiser sale and came home to load up stuff to take them to sell tomorrow.
beat the rain and got this week’s Laundry line dried.
Sold a nice framed picture of Mt Hood wildflowers meadow.
Making a batch of apple pie crumb muffins to share with co-workers.
Thank you, Beth W for sharing where to recycle batteries. My local recycler quit handling them.
Picked up
You’re welcome! And what a great haul at the estate sales!
1. Sold an item on Marketplace that has been sitting for quite awhile, but I made about $45 on it, so happy about that.
2. Am planning a two day girls’ getaway with 3 childhood friends next week. We will stay at cousin’s island home, cook there, go for walks, and just spend time together. We have agreed to go out for one dinner.
3. Will use our discount ferry card to get to the island.
4. I am very pleased that my Airbnb cottage has 16 nights booked so far in October.
5. Harvested a large butternut squash from my garden. Its the first time I have grown that kind of thing, and I am thrilled! I see a large pot of soup in my future.
The kids came for dinner last night – free deer meat and potatoes, a handful of carrots, and some beef bouillon became deer stew, and I pulled some cornbread out of the freezer for me.
Hubby saw that a local store was selling 40 pounds of BLSL chicken breasts for $60, so he grabbed a box. We divvied it up in smaller packages for the freezer. Some of the pieces were HUGE- think pterodactyl instead of chicken, so one will feed both of us.
We go tomorrow for our blood screening. The rotary here offers it at a reduced price, and our employer pays for it.
1. I got 15 pints of applesauce canned, and a lot of apples dehydrated. Many more to do – and it feels grand to have started.
2. My neighbour gave me a flat of ripe pears that I promptly dehydrated, as I have enough canned. We all love dehydrated pears.
3. Daughter Outlaw had her surgery (it was postponed one day, which had me scrambling a bit with other commitments). I was designated driver leaving #1 son with grandbaby. An early start meant I was up at 4AM (guh) and got her to the hospital (different city – the Big Smoke, as it were) by 5:45AM. I drove home and she texted me that she would be ready to come home at 11 AM. I thought this was early, but cancelled my weightlifting and went to bed for a couple of hours. Drove back down and paid for parking (again) and discovered that no, she was delusional. The ladies did some checking and told me that it is usually at least 4 hours after surgery before she could come home.
Since I was already down (and the drive home is a bit of a bear, over a foggy mountain pass), I decided to go see my mom. I was halfway there when I got a call from my DOL to say she was ready to be picked up in half an hour. I called mom and left a message on her machine, and turned around to head to the hospital. Then I got a call from my #1 son to say that DOL continued to be delusional, and was nowhere near ready to be picked up and wouldn’t be for 3 more hours, so I turned around AGAIN, and went to see Mom.
Mom was a bit more frazzled than normal but we managed to make her and me a lunch, and we had a lovely walk. Just as she was heading to have a nap I got an official call from the hospital to go get DOL. Unfortunately, once I got in the car I heard on the news that there had been a fatal accident on one of the major routes out of town. What should have been a 20-25 min drive became a 3 ½ hour drive, in stop stop go traffic. I was glad I had peed at Mom’s, but annoyed at myself that I hadn’t gassed up the day prior as I was inching toward ¼ full, not where I like to be. I started to turn the engine off as we were moving one or two carlengths every 4 minutes. But sheesh.
Anyway, I finally got her and drove her home to a home cooked meal from #1 son. It was delicious!
The frugality in all this really was saving my grandbaby from all that driving, particularly as things went so terribly wrong on the roads. #1 son got time with his baby, and I got time with my DOL, who I adore.
4. My weight trainer was kind enough to offer me training the day after the surgery, even though I cancelled nearly last minute. Nice to not have wasted the already paid fee.
5. Took my car in for an oil change, I looked for discount coupons but couldn’t find a discount on the oil change, however did find one where they offered free windshield wipers. I took that and saved over $50, and they installed them! Frugal fail, though, was they filled my windshield washer fluid, which was empty, but I couldn’t get it to work (I could hear the pump, and it was working on the back). They did some quick looking and unfortunately some critter has chewed the hose right through, so repairs are required. DARN.
6. DD gave me a really unique cutting of a succulent kind of plant that I have never seen before. It is pre-started with little rootlets, so transplanting is on the calendar. Currently it is in a jar that also sports some rooting begonias and hopefully rooting vining philodendrons. Free plants for the win!
What an ordeal picking up your DOL! You are a good MOL!
Thanks, Beth. it really was a challenge to be in the driver’s seat for so many hours. However, I just worked on my meditation techniques, noticed when I was getting annoyed and talked myself back into calm, and held faith that eventually I would get there. it was epic, though! I am glad I don’t live in the “big smoke” anymore, that’s for sure!
In these situations I remind myself that God puts us where He wants us down to the minute, and this somehow grants me the patience I need. Wishing your DOL a fast recovery!
We just recently heard we’re getting a Winco! Can you please direct me to a post you’ve specifically written about the wonders of that store? Or would you consider writing one??
1. My husband mentioned to a client I was wanting some plants and she gave him clippings from 4 different kinds!
2. My daughter and I went to a college play. She was free as she’s a dual credit student there and I paid $5.
3. I got a few things at a garage sale for under $5 total.
4. I snapped pictures of my receipts for fetch rewards.
5. I saved some marigold seeds from my flowers
Hope your Hawaiian food has been DEEEEELICIOUS! You deserve it after such a difficult week. I’m glad some friends and coworkers are stepping in with kind gestures like that. Thinking about you guys and sending healing wishes!!
Just leaving a note here to say I probably won’t be commenting again till mid-October, due to the JASNA Annual General Meeting in Baltimore. I’m not actually leaving till Tuesday, but I’m going to be busier than a one-armed paperhanger from now till then with trip prep and other things. And expect the usual wild tales of Janeite doings on my return. 😀
You’ll be missed.
Yes, you will be missed! Have a grand time!
I love your adventures with JASNA stories, A. Marie – although I will miss your messages here, knowing the treats that await upon your return will give me patience. 😉
1. Had to go to the dentist for an emergency visit. Very grateful to have a dentist that could see me right away, insurance to cover the cost but also that I have the funds to cover it even if insurance denies it. Both of those are luxuries everyone should have.
2. Saw a yard sale sign in the way to the dentist. Stopped n my way how as a reward for going to the dentist as they don’t give prizes to adult patients. lol. I spent $8 and got a suit jacket (I’ve been doing a lot of press interviews in regards to the affects of cuts to Medicaid and the ACA and don’t own any business clothes), a very funky sweater, a small dog bed and 2 dog blankets, and from the free pile I got 3 small plant pots, a wooden chicken, a metal measuring 1/4 cup, a Richard Simmons dance video!! (For a gag gift), and a small glass jar for dried herbs,
3. Also found a free church rummage sale. Got 2 fun tops, a fancy ice bucket, a small plant pot, and a pair of Loft black dress pants to go with the $2 black suit jacket I bought at the yard sale. They also gave me a zuchini, a yellow squash and some green beans. Winner!
4. Had to pick up a prescription at CVS. I scored an 8 roll of toilet paper marked down to $6, and a container of Folgers Classic coffee, 25.9 oz marked half off that also had a $2 on future purchase attached to it. My total for all minus my previously earned $ was $5.53 and I still have that $2 to spend next time. Not too shabby!
5. FAIL, I stocked up on burger but didn’t get it all frozen before one pack went bad. Great sadness.
It’s nice to hear that friends are taking good care of you and your husband with delicious food.
1. WE are staying at our daughter’s house in Maryland for 3 nights. My best friends daughter is getting married tonight down here. Our whole family was invited so we invaded my daughter’s house. Our son drove with Hubby, the dog and me. I packed a cooler with lunch, drinks and snacks for the road.
2. I brought my daughter a huge zucchini, 2 eggplants, a spaghetti squash, tomatoes, figs, muffins and a loaf of Long Island Challah bread.
3. Last night we went to the Welcome dinner. Free dinner.
4. Hubby made french toast with the challah bread for breakfast. We all had figs too.
5. Dinner will be at the wedding tonight. We are wearing clothes that we already own. I had a puzzle of the young couple made at my library($1) and I am putting a check with it. They already own a house together. They can buy whatever they feel they need
Katy,
Hoping that your dh isn’t too frustrated with the long healing process. I hope he’s planning a good long break before returning to work. He’s blessed to have his own private nurse, even if he isn’t having a baby