Five Frugal Things — Bins, Mugs & Bags
by Katy on September 23, 2025 · 3 comments
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I pulled a Bob’s Red Mill mug from a free box. They recently closed their retail store, which is a huge bummer as it was always fun to shop from the bulk food section and then get lunch from their cafe. In the actual building that’s on all their packaging! Sigh . . . .
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I used the IKEA bins that I curb picked a couple weeks ago to help my youngest move houseplants from their old apartment to their new one. They worked perfectly for the task and then stashed neatly back into the basement, as I’m still figuring out how best to use them.
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I made sure to get enough money to take advantage of the 25¢/gallon cash discount at my favorite gas station. Sometimes the discount is as much as 45¢/gallon, but I’ll take what I can get.
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I grabbed a couple thick plastic bags from this Safeway recycle container to reuse as kitchen bin liners.
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I took a friend who recently moved to Portland to the recently opened Albina Library to get their very first Multnomah County library card!
Now your turn, what frugal things have you been up to?
Katy Wolk-Stanley
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
1. I picked up a small cooler from a free pile. My youngest took mine with her when she moved.
2. I bought five pair of Smartwool socks at an estate sale for 50 cents each. I normally wouldn’t buy used socks but I’ll make an exception for good wool socks.
3. I made dinner for my middle daughter last night. She helped me move my pool furniture and some planters into my shed.
4. I moved a few volunteer plants around to fill in some spaces.
5. I’m reading a kindle library copy of Funny Story by Emily Henry.
I just want to say that that is some expensive gas. I just bought gas from Costco in Virginia for $2.76/gal. Yes, it’s Costco. but would still be under $3.00 at a regular station.
That’s a really good idea to take plastic bags out of that container, gives them one more use before they end up in landfill.
* I sold a branded stuffed toy on Vinted and shipped it in a box that had previously contained multiple packets of gluten free pasta. Also sold a hoodie and shipped it in re-used packaging from an order that I received recently.
* Myself and my husband went on a short break to celebrate our wedding anniversary. We ate out three times (we never ever go out for meals so this was a huge treat for us!) and cooked in the holiday rental three times.
* I forgot to bring shampoo and conditioner and used the handwash soap at the holiday rental to wash my hair with, it was fine! I had expected that the soap would completely dry out my hair but luckily it didn’t.
* Paying it forward: I gave apples from our garden to various friends. I also gave a box of marbles that were still kicking about the house to a friend that works with children (she is self employed).
* The same friend that I gave the marbles to gifted me grapes from her garden. Delicious!