Five Frugal Things -- Back to Life as Usual
1) My house guests have flown back to Iowa and New York, so I'm spending the day getting the house back in order. Multiple loads of laundry, a quick walk to the grocery store for milk and eggs, and a bit of a nap -- a reset for the house and my wellbeing.
I'll have done six loads of laundry by the end of the day!
It's been two weeks since we last experienced normal life, as our Seattle trip butted up against my sister's arrival. My husband and I have a happy life and we enjoy our home and each other's company, so it's nice to enter an era of boring homebody life.
2) My nephew made a huge batch of ginger snaps for his sister's care package. I showed him how to use Pirateship.com for discounted postage and provided all the packaging supplies.
He also treated us to a huge batch of French toast, using the $1 loaf of brioche bread that I picked up from the Franz Bakery Outlet last week. I always wing it when making French toast, but he used a recipe from the Joy of Cooking, which apparently is the key to success.
3) My sister and I hit the main Goodwill and I found a dime.
I spent $9.99 on a photo album that was filled with Star Trek mementos, including this poem booklet from DeForest Kelley, aka "Doctor McCoy" from the original Star Trek series. It's definitely worth more than ten dollars, although I can't find an unsigned one. The signed ones seem to sell for around $175, so I'll probably price this one at $75.
It's hard to research it without getting Sesame Street results!
I love this era from the Star Trek movies when their collars looked like stacked paper coffee filters. You see it too, right?
5) My sister and I found this message on a telephone pole and I snapped a photo, which I later texted it to a couple friends. It worked, as it gave me the opportunity to catch up with people.
Now your turn, what frugal things have you been up to?
I love your last one, Katy!
1) I've been struggling with sack lunches for myself. I like to have a hot ham and cheese when I am at home, but I can't really do that on campus and cold lunches haven't been doing it for me. Then I remembered there's a microwave in the building I am in at mid-day. I made a batch of ham, cheese, onion, spinach, and mustard "hot pockets" using the recipe I use for pizza crust. Perfect -- freezable, quick packable, and they also taste nice cold!
2) I altered some clothing items I purchased at a "by the pound" thrift store that specializes in textile crafting (fabric and yarn). I added side gussets into a cute black cherry-and-polka-dot shirt that had no shape and was a bit tight. I added lace trim to the hem of some capris that cut off at an awkward place at the knee. Finally, I sewed up the gaping button strip and turned a pretty flowy floral top into a vneck. I also added some trim to its hem because it was a bit too flowy.
3) Made the NY times no-knead loaf for our breakfast toast this week.
4) Stopped by Fred Meyers to take advantage of the fuchsia event. I went with a friend that was buying A LOT of plants but had no interest in the soil deal, so I brought some pots of mine that needed soil and she got those filled. I gave her my free tube of toothpaste coupon in thanks, since I currently have 20 tubes of free toothpaste at home (they send me the coupon every month).
5) Treated the family with a $1 half-dozen of day old donuts, that I picked up at Fred Meyer's while getting my pots filled with soil. I also grabbed a pack of 10 pork chops for $4.33 on clearance (repackaged and frozen as soon as I got home), a loaf of multigrain bread for $1.50, the big Asian salad mixed kit clearanced for $1.74, and a $1.50 clearance bag of mixed zucchini and tomatoes.
2)
Love the view in the first photo! Amazing!!
1. I walked an hour at the cemetery.
2. I cleaned my house.
3. I did not start up my car today and other than my walk, I did not leave my property.
4. I ate fridge leftovers, made coleslaw, and made homemade hash browns, which is just real potatoes peeled and diced and fried in a cast iron skillet
on top of the stove.
5. My favorite, I took a nap on this fine Saturday day!!! I feel we (well me) live stressful lives and a nap when we are exhausted works better than meds!
You are so right about the nap! I took a short but refreshing one today in my Lazyboy loveseat.
Those were the best Star Fleet uniforms ever!
1. Took some hardback books to the used bookstore to trade. None of our local stores pay cash. Could only get credit for a Dan Brown title because he's coming out with a new one soon, the clerk said, but would I like to donate the others? Uh, no thanks. I can take them to Goodwill for a discount coupon...but I didn't tell the clerk that. Though I might check to see if Thriftbooks would want 'em.
2. Hit the thrift store that gives books for free. No Dan Browns but I found some Scholastic titles. Which were promptly taken to the inner city LFL that I support.
3. Needed a solar yard light. Habitat ReStore didn't have any. But I got a switch plate cover for 27 cents.
4. Frugal fail: plastic clock that I put up on the patio window with tape fell and broke.
5. Will try salvaging clock parts so I can repair another, cuter battery operated clock that quit running.
1. Got 2 charges for interest that totaled $40. I called the CC company & they credited my account. I always have automatic bill pay. Somehow when I got another CC w/ the same company they did not continue w/ this.
2. Bought a pair of denim shorts, pr of casual shoes, plastic lemon squeezer at the thrift store. Paid w/ cash to avoid 3% service charge to use a CC.
3. Entered receipts into Purina app. I have enough points to get $10 off a sack of pet food. I will get the food to donate to the animal shelter.
4. Stayed home today so no gas burned or $ spent. I weeded the front yard using some hand tools my friend gave me. Awaiting the rain for free watering of the yard.
5. I bought a few bags of reduced chocolate Easter candy.
I was very relieved that my grocery store has run out of discount easter chocolates. my waistline is also relieved, but my sweet tooth is disappointed.
I'm at the beginning of the 'company time', Katy! This next week looks to be extra busy with relatives and a whole bunch of evening meetings, not my fave. Well, the relatives are, haven't seen them in 4 or 5 years, but the meetings? not so much.
1. Wonder James came - on the first day of rain in over a week, natch. The lawns desperately needed him even though the lower bit is still very very soggy. We consulted over the field that was not roto tilled last year, he ran the mower over a lot of it, avoiding some sections that have things coming up. Yay for volunteers. We have our work cut out for us to get the field prepped, but baby steps – first, you mow. He had to do a lot of weed whacking too, particularly parts that are too soggy for the riding lawnmower to manage.
2. I was reminded by my nice neighbour that our window of 4 weeks where we can burn garden wood is almost over. Wonder James lit the burn pile, and as the day progressed we both gathered random fallen branches, as well as a number of rotting boards that were lying around. With our combined efforts the pile was well tended and a lot of junk has been disposed of. I don't like to burn a lot, however it is sometimes the most sensible thing to do (particularly with the cost of a dump run).
3. Between us , James and I got the load of dirt out of the back of my truck. We had saved a lot of Canna Lily bulbs (corms?) last year ,and they require BIG pots - each year they get bigger. I HAVE big pots, and with a full yard of dirt in the truck had more than enough dirt to get the second batch of corms/bulbs planted. James used the handy lawnmower trailer to bring them all down to the big greenhouse where it is warm enough to inspire them to start growing.
The remainder of the dirt was put into various sized pots for future garden planting, these are covered with some curly bamboo(?) material that I gathered for free from a local garden supply – the material is used to cushion those enormous garden pots. I find it deters the chickens from digging in my pots, and it is a cheerful hay-yellow colour that makes me smile because of all the curls.
4. James set up my power washer (recently returned by #1 son) for me, and I spent a happy hour or so washing some neglected items – chick feeder trays, watering systems, a large dog crate useful for isolating hurt birds, some old bread trays used for many garden endeavours, etc.
Many of these were in a random pile that I just never got to. We pulled out some chunks of wood and got those into the burn pile, and James was able to mow that section for a fast tidy up.
James and I then took all the pots that I used to step up (and partially hide) my very old sad concrete front stairs, we swept off a remarkable amount of dirt, then he power washed both steps and sides.
It will never be perfect but it DOES look a tonne better. We even persisted and got the plants sorted and rearranged! All the fiddly bits were completed, even though we were getting tired.
5. After a well earned pastry and coffee (thanks Roommate!) I gathered my forces and went to the grocery store. They were having a one day sale that I probably should have gone to earlier, however going later meant that I missed a bunch of things that I didn't REALLY need. I picked up ice cream (finally on sale) and more loss leader cheese, some buns/rolls that I particularly like that were on half price, and a few of the 'today only' deals that weren't gone, then staggered home.
I was tired, but there is turkey in the fridge! So I heated the drippings, strained out the chunks, shook up some flour and water to thicken, and added a bunch of turkey broth after it got up to bubbling – gravy is one of my favourite parts of a turkey dinner, and this dinner seems to be driving in slow motion, as today was the first gravy day! Chopped turkey in gravy on fresh buns – perfect when I was so tired.
I even persisted in chopping up the rest of the turkey so it is a truly future-me friendly food in the fridge. It was a very physical and satisfying day.
Wow. That is a very busy day.
Yeah, my knees were talking by 9:00. Voltaren to the rescue! And not so much activity today, for sure
Kathy:About those Birks: How do you clean up the “footprint” left in suede foodbed?
Katy…spellcheck @#$&
These were already pretty clean, I just wiped down the outside with a cleaning wipe.
1. DH and I went for a walk around our neighborhood early yesterday and there was a $10 bill in the street. Leave it to blow away or pick it up and add it to the found change jar? It was not a tough decision. By contrast we had only found $.02 the rest of the month.
2. Our electricity rate will increase substantially on Tuesday. In MD electricity competition was squelched by legislation passed two years ago. Luckily we had a 36 month contract in place at that time. Today and tomorrow I am doing lots of laundry and baking. We just switched from cold weather to warm weather bedding so there are a few laundry loads from that and I will also wash cold weather jackets, hats, mittens/gloves, etc. We need several dozen cookies for a couple of events early next month so I will bake as much as I can fit in the freezer.
3. On Thursday I visited with a friend at her house. It was good to catch up.
4. On Friday I met a friend for a walk on a local trail. She will be away for a few weeks so I was glad we had time to connect.
5. On Friday morning DH took a not quite warm shower and did not enjoy it. After work he watched some YouTube videos and figured out something that restored our hot water heater to normal operation. It was a no cost fix.
It is wonderful to have company, and also wonderful to get back to normal!
I am getting back to normal in my own way, with my hip and shoulder improving, so I am experiencing less pain. Almost normal. Still, I am going ahead with my scheduled MRI. Have to remember to verify with my new insurance that they will cover it!
The MRI instructions recommend cotton panties be worn. I don't have any, so I ordered some rather than go out and hunt them down. The best I could do was five pairs for $11. At least they are an array of colors that will be useful -- black, gray, beige.
It was time to renew my license plates to the tune of $150. I did it online and had to pay a fee for using my credit card. Grrrr. Still, so much better than going to the DMV.
Yesterday I had my second meal off the rotisserie chicken (along with mashed sweet potatoes and green beans). Today I will strip the meat off the bones, make chicken salad, freeze the rest, and boil the carcass for broth. Love those chickens.
I'm making plans with a friend to visit Asheville and Charleston next month. Thinking about how to make it economical, without compromising the pleasure. I do plan to check out the thrift stores!
Your trip sounds like fun. I love that area but it's been years since I've been there.
I lived in Charlotte for a handful of years and I LOVED visiting these two places. The GW outlet in charleston was a favorite, there is also another thrift store down the road that was amazing. Asheville bins were decent too, and pretty laid back crowd from what I remember. Say hi to the Sierra Nevada brewery for me!
I love your matching socks. It is nice to get back to a routine after vacations and family visits.
1. I spent time yesterday fishing leaves off my pool cover. I don't have a fancy pool cover, just a tarp. I save money by doing this and removing the water off the top. I then have it opened by a pool company, but this part saves me some money.
2. I sold several things on Ebay over the weekend including one item for $500. I listed a few more things just to keep the ball rolling.
3. I finished a puzzle my kids bought me for Christmas. It's been on my coffee table for months. It has provided hours of entertainment.
4. I'm enjoying the daily letters from Heather Cox Richardson. She explains what is happening in politics but also she writes about history and I love history.
5. I finished off a bottle of red wine over several days. It was delicious. I have been able to sit on my front porch at night with a glass. If anyone is a fan of wine, the Seven Sicilians from Trader Joes is only $6 and it is really good.
Shopped at Trader Joe’s and bought the largest cabbage I could find and 2 very large heads/ bunches as broccoli
Cleaned above veg and cut into needed size. So far have used cabbage in soup and stir fried cabbage, steamed broccoli 3 times and broccoli salad with stems
Gym Monday-Friday to maintain health(frugal) plus walking with my kids daily. Our neighborhood connects with a park
Cleaning and rearranging things after Easter and visit by the family
Loaned neighbor a tool. Sharing things we own with others is frugal bc it works both ways.
Given a free season pass to King’s Island, large amusement park,from a friends daughter.
1. Picked up an almost full box of Huggies for free on marketplace. I love my child, hate buying diapers lol.
2. My husband and I got multiple quotes to replace our 30+ year old patio, lowest being 12,000. We rented a concrete grinder and spent all weekend (and about 500 dollars) grinding the 3 layers of paint off the top of it. It isn’t perfect, but it looks way better, and is pretty well prepped for us to seal the cracks and paint it PROPERLY in the fall, and hope to extend its life a while longer. We have some other projects to finish before circling back to this.
3. Caught up on laundry this weekend with “off peak” hours. I do some laundry during the week but it’s easier for me to forget that there’s a load in there and have to re run it.
4. Deposited my (state) income tax refund into our HYSA.
5. Taking a rest and snuggling our dog during nap time because concrete grinders are heavy and I’m exhausted!
a number of years ago the father of my ex did a concrete treatment that seemed to consist of a lot of small colourful stone (think lentil sized or smaller) that were encased in a kind of clear lacquer.
They had purchased a place with battered concrete steps (a lot of them) and he spent a series of weekends doing a few steps at a time. Although it isn't necessarily a treatment that I loved, I have to say it improved the appearance and removed any sense of age or wear from the concrete. You might want to investigate something like that if you are considering painting?
I think the treatment is Called QUARTZ COATING
Sounds like epoxy !
1. Dh has been eating the dozen bagels I got from Panera for $1. Also using oat milk and almond milk that had been leftover from an event.
2. Gave away 2 things on BN. Asked for 70lb kettlebell for my son, but no one has replied.
3. Volunteered at the tool library and then walked to the fabric store (didn't buy anything) and the book library where I picked up holds. I was able to tell one tool library patron about they free compost offered by the city, and I told another patron about the free master gardener offerings. I'm all about free.
4. Dh was given a free pass for the indoor pickleball place. He is a good player and in high demand. And he won't go unless he gets a free pass.
5. Washed the glass light shades over our dining room table, cleaned the dishwasher trap and descaled the kettle. Maintenance is frugal!
Katy, Love your red leather bag and your teeny tiny tote!
Thank you, although that's my sister. I'll take the compliment since I bought both those things for her.