Five Frugal Things -- Budget Closet Organization & a Coat of Many Colors
1) I took a half hour or so to tackle the hanger situation in our downstairs bedroom closet. I thrifted 17 matching velvet hangers at the Goodwill bins the other day and although I don't know the precise amount, I'd estimate that I paid two bucks for 17 of them. For comparison, they cost around 40¢ apiece to buy new.
17 X 40¢ = $6.80.
I should should point out that sure, I buy used to save money, but mainly because I believe that overmanufacture of consumer products is killing our planet.
Was this an important project? No. But was it a satisfying project? Yes.
Doesn't that look better?
I rehomed the tubular plastic to our clotheslines, bundled the wire hangers to take to the dry cleaner, set a couple of higher end/specialty hangers on the curb, (where they were taken by the next morning) and didn't generate any garbage.
I also moved two bulky snowsuits to my daughter's childhood bedroom closet to free up space.
2) I may have forgotten to snap photos from our build your own pizza night a few days ago, but my husband and I took full advantage of the leftovers for a fully documented pizza night.
This was my pizza, piled high with artichoke hearts, spinach, roasted tomatoes, carmelized onion and basil. I smeared one half with pesto and the other half with tomato sauce.
My husband chose pepperoni, spinach, artichoke hearts and onion. He went full tomato sauce.
So delicious! We used to have homemade pizza night once a week or so and I think it needs to slot back into the meal rotation!
3) I took my embroidery scissors and tweezers to my thrifted Land's End tote and removed the personalized monogram.
What does "LAC" stand for? Limber Articulate Curmudgeon? Literate Austen Contingency? Lumbering Arctic Cheetah? The list goes on and on . . . .
We'll never know as the monogram is now a distant memory.
What do you think L.A.C. stands for?
Kind of. There's still a pigment shadow, plus holes where the stitches used to be. I'll give the bag a scrub and see if I can further remove the memory of the Languorous Albino Chameleon.
4) I downloaded Phaedra Patrick's The Time Hop Coffee Shop through the library's free Libby app. As always, I don't remember why I put it on hold, but I'll just have to trust that past Katy knew what she was doing.
5) My friend Lise dropped by the house with the teeniest grocery bag of enormous apples from her backyard tree.
I mean, c'mon . . . it's straight up adorable!
I had to bust out my childhood Sasha doll for scale!
Please note her "Coat of many colors," which is both a deliberate and accidental homage to Dolly Parton.
Now your turn, what frugal things have you been up to?
Katy Wolk-Stanley
"Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without."
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Woah. I can’t imagine how hard it would be to fit in among my peers as a Languorous Albino Chameleon. What would their high school superlative be?
Lac could be someone's name. I was friends.with a guy named.Lac while.in University
Love the homemade pizza inspiration! They look delicious. Years ago, I also used to make homemade pizzas regularly over here and just fell out of the practice of it. You have inspired me to give it another go! Especially since finding fresh pizza dough at the grocery store is so much more prevalent than it used to be. I love your "family dinner" tradition that you've been doing with your kids - I think that kind of thing can help inspire a focus on finding new recipes or dusting off old family favorites.
Little Adorable Cat!
Our favorite pizza is a fruit one using a sugar cookie crust with a mixture of cream cheese and sour cream with a small amount of powdered sugar. Neither DH nor I care for tomato sauce and the fruit on top is so pretty!
I saw the monogram and thought, “LAC-tation consultant”.
I haven't posted in a bit. I have been busy working and prepping for vacation in Williamette Valley.
1. My husband mentioned Vinted was offering free shipping and maybe I should list stuff there. I did and I have been selling like crazy on there for the last 3 weeks. Shipping has gone up to 99¢ but still selling. I've moved a lot of small items which has added up to almost $300. I also showed a co-worker how to list so she can sell stuff and keep things from the landfill.
2. Instead of subscribing to Acorn, I waited until the library got season 12 of Brokenwood in, which means I watched it for free.
3. I am a huge fan of Irish literature. I have been waiting to get my hands on Louise Kennedy's Stations. It's not due out until November. I requested an advanced copy on Netgalley, and sure enough I was selected!! I read it in 3 days, and I am looking forward to leaving a review for it.
4. My Rod Stewart concert shirt developed a hole on the front toward the bottom. I can't sew, but I thought about it and I am going to purchase an iron on patch to cover it. Maybe a leopard print heart. Leopard print isn't my normal thing, but kinda jives with Rod.
5. I am nine months into my year of less challenge. One of my focuses is using up what we already have. This has saved me so much money. I have not had to buy soap, lotion, canned goods, and a too many misc items to list.
Bonus item, at work it was our fiscal officer's birthday day. The director wrapped his gift in packing paper that came in a delivery, brought a used bow from home, and came to my desk where we used the library's die cutter to make his birthday card out of donated postcards. I love that I have made my co-workers environmentally conscious.
I've been selling like crazy on Vinted too! Referral link for anyone interested.
https://www.vinted.com/invite/repurpose5/4sczy9tzfdplap66fvrty3ornm8f7tebp
How big is the hole in the shirt? Pin holes can be patched w/ a small piece of a dryer sheet. Put the dryer sheet piece on the back of the hole & secure it w/ needle & thread that matches the shirt. I have repaired pin sized holes like this. On the other hand, should not be too hard to find a leopard print iron on patch.
Today I sold another item on Vinted, plus sold a printer on fb marketplace. I'm always happy to get the bulkier items out the door.
Washed towels and shower curtain and hung them on the line.
Enjoying airing out the house, our weather is perfect. We also have an adult child home with tonsillitis so I'm thankful to have airflow through the house.
We turned our chest freezer on again a A) the weather has cooled so the garage is cool again and B) our kitchen freezer was bursting with produce I have frozen. Turning on the chest freezer doesn't save us money, but freezing home grown and gifted produce save us money. We also don't have to worry about food safety with our own produce.
Still using rainwater to water the garden.
We are eating really simply and I'm focused on using up some things that have been languishing. I've been doing some tidying and purging in the house, freezer and pantry. It gives me a sense of control in a very out-of-control season of life. A much cheaper way of managing stress than shopping!
I’m almost certain LAC = Love And Cheetos!
Los Angeles Chargers sprang to mind for me.
The soup I made from leftover sausage gravy, cheese, peppers and penne turned out pretty good. I have another serving for tomorrow.
I washed my sheets and towels today. A neighbor was taking his laundry out, and I asked him if he was using the app on the new machines. He said he was, but thought it was more trouble than it should be. I think I'm going to stick to the coins, since that's what I'm used to.
It sure is going to feel good to sleep on clean sheets tonight.
I found a dime. Not in the laundry room, but in Aldi yesterday.
I paid a parking ticket online. I almost contested it, since I really don't think I got the text message warning I've come to expect, but I knew they would just say look at the signs. Which I don't.
After all my complaints about the heat and humidity this summer, I have to say the current cool and dry weather is very much appreciated -- and my electric bill will appreciate it, too.
Lined my kitchen garbage can with a large Amazon bag.
Your closet looks great! As does your pizza and your tote bag. Maybe LAC stands for "Love Always, Canada" - although they're not feeling that way about us anymore.
1. Donated nice envelopes to someone on Buy Nothing who makes and sells her own cards. I originally got them from a free table at the library.
2. Received two large bags of bubble wrap from Buy Nothing and brought them to a charity that can use them.
3. Had Renewal by Andersen out to fix a door that wasn't closing as tight as it should. They replaced the strike plate and when they checked another door, they replaced that strike plate, too. Free service.
4. Received an eggplant, husk cherries and celery from a friend's garden.
5. Received tomatoes from husband's colleague.
My vote for LAC, of course, would be for "Literate Austen Contingency." It'd go nicely with a special-edition T-shirt I own captioned "Pedantic Janeite Killjoy." 😛
And I've never had a problem with inventing full terms for the oddball monogrammed items I've occasionally acquired. My big LL Bean Boat and Tote bag monogrammed AGM, for example, has gone with me to many JASNA AGMs (Annual General Meetings)!
I wrote that one for you.
1. Still eating from the freezer and cupboard. Made a batch of red kidney beans. I think I need an Abuela to help me. I think I get so nervous about getting sick from kidney beans, that they tend to overcook them a little bit. Still tasty though.
2. I brought my rose zircon ring and my wedding band wrap to a local jeweler. Both rings are just sitting in my drawer. And they are going to combine the two. They’re going to take the diamonds off my wedding band and add it to my grandfather‘s ring. And add some more gold to the shank because it is very thin. (The ring is probably 100 years old.) Not inexpensive, but in two weeks when I pick it up, I’ll have a ring I’ll be able to wear all the time. the best part about it, is they’re actually keeping my grandfather‘s ring almost intact, and adding the wedding band diamonds, which are a triangular shape, to each side of his stone. So I will, technically, be wearing pieces of both rings together.
3. I have been listening to a lot of music and have read three books so far this week on the Libby app.
4. I was having an issue with my living room stereo system, one of the speakers didn’t seem to work with the turntable. After some manipulation, and disconnecting/reconnecting, it’s finally working. My son was here while I was working on it, so I was able to explain different parts of a vintage component system. He understands it a little bit better now
5. Made some peasant bread yesterday. A small loaf for me and a larger loaf for my son to bring home.
I went thru a monograming stage way back when I bought my first digital sewing machine. It was handy for kids hs & college gear + sports equipment id.
Fall officially doesn't arrive until early next week, however, we were banked in fog and marine layer until 1 pm today. Hello Fall!
Made a double batch of cowboy caviar for tomorrows football game. I am marinating the requested elk satay & will skewer tomorrow to prepare for the grill , made the spicy peanut sauce. Made a gallon of sun tea to share and caramel sauce to dip apple slices.
The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper & Library of Lost & Found. This book, I did not relate or find the main character likeable. Meh.
LAC - Less Astronomical Consumption.
1. I worked at the deli filling in for someone. I not only get paid but the boss made me a turkey grinder for lunch and then sent me home with an Italian grinder, both free. She also split the tip jar between me and the other worker.
2. The deli is about 4 miles from my house so I don't use much gas to get there.
3. I made a pitcher of lemon iced tea.
4. I found a penny. Into the found change jar it went.
5. Temps to dip into the 40s and 50s tonight so no air conditioning. Windows open and fresh, cool air drifting in.
Ooh . . . that's a good one!
My vote is LAC is short for Lackawanna, an old coal-carrying railroad that is still remembered in the names of train stations throughout NJ, including the Montclair NJ station that is now a very cool arts hub. https://www.lackawanna.com/
Little Adorable Cat!
"His Royal Highness Prince Louis of Wales" is named "Louis Arthur Charles."
Though that might not be his official tartan.
Glorious pizza, awesome re-organization, and that doll is so cute with her coat and bag!
I cleaned out the large tote that stores my scrap fabric and yarn today. Made up various gallon baggies of like items for the homeless aid thrift shop, which has quite a nice little section of crafting goodies. Dropped it off and brought home a winter shirt and Gap trousers for a total of $8 while supporting a great cause.
The end-of-cycle sensor on the clothes dryer had gone wonky and was chiming incessantly when not in use. I called the appliance store and they sent someone out to fix it free of charge, as it was covered under warranty.
Hung up a load of laundry on the rack on the sun porch. Discovered that the Jamie Oliver mashed potato-topped fish pie made last week does great frozen and reheated. Had a serving of that and the last of some on-sale grapes for lunch.
1. Stapled a smaller political sign that was damaged to a larger one, covering up the latter's wording, and put it out in the yard Some people decorate for Xmas; I decorate for elections.
2, Looked up my name on the voter registration rolls to make sure I'm still registered and all systems are go. Luckily, my name is still listed. News story said 18% of our county's voter were purged from the rolls. So, if you are in the USA, please check NOW to make sure they didn't take you off the list. And that you have everything you need to go and cast your ballot!!!!!!!!!! Don't let Trump and his MAGAts keep you from voting!!!!
3. Not frugal for me, but helpful to a coworker: our newest cashier is really struggling. She walks to work and donates plasma every chance she gets. Her only entertainment has been checking out DVDs from the neighborhood library, but it is closed for remodeling. She is very sad about this. So I grabbed up a half-dozen of my DVDs and loaned them to her. She was thrilled when I gave her the bag full of movies.
4. Took a box of donations to the thrift store where I got the lawnmower. Bought a heavy duty long extension cord for $10. It has a big electrical plug box attached to it, no doubt by a DIYer. So it is better than what you can get at a store selling new merch. If we have a bad winter electrical outage, I can use this with the generator I bought after Winter Storm Uri.
5. For the past year, I have been using reading glasses from the store's racks instead of getting doctor-prescribed eyeglasses. (This occurred after Snuggles chewed up my prescription glasses. Naughty dog! ) I can get only one free prescription pair a year via my Medicare, so I saved money by making do. In another month or so, I can go back to the ophthalmologist and get some trifocals, which will probably be purchased at Walmart or Sam's Club.
check NOW to cast your
*voters*, not voter. We have several hundred people taken off the voter rolls, not just 18% of one person. LOL!
Sad to say voter purges are more aggressive in some states than others. May there be a tsunami of blue and there should be. Thank you for your efforts.
I like that you decorate for elections.
Made iced tea with tea bags I already had…saved a lot!
Did my own wallpapering and wall hanging to save hundreds vs a contractor.
Made a French cleat out of scrap wood to hang a mug rack where there was only one stud.
Cooked all food at home using what was in the house.
Wore clothes I own and did some laundry..
Read magazines on the library site through Libby.
Paid my utilities bills using cc with 5% rewards.
Least frugal thing in my life - we had an offer accepted on a house! Closing tentatively scheduled for mid-November. This is our first!!
1. We did take advantage of the VA loan as my husband served, and this saved a whole bunch of money on fees and mortgage insurance.
2. We are buying the house from someone we know. She’s been texting me and asking if we want various items (yes please to the planters, the manual lawn mower, and the extra paint for touch ups!!)
3. We are tightening our belts so we can cover all the closing and moving costs that will come our way.
4. Taking this opportunity to declutter (and it’s very needed, we live in apartments across the hall from each other so we are effectively combining household goods). Will also be trying to eat down our pantry and freezer.
5. Had to unexpectedly drive to my parents’ for a medical emergency. Everyone is ok, but I’ll be here for a few days. Packed well enough that I won’t have to run out to buy underwear or anything. Did forget my book at home, but using my Libby app even though I hate reading on my phone.
Congratulations on the house, Katie!
May you have many happy years there.
Lea
Thank you!!
LAC - Least Active Consumer?
Lazy As Cats
I stopped in the cheapo store and all-dis. Passed on gw, just wasn't feeling it.
I've been hauling truck loads of hay for winter feeding. Fuel is costing me through the nose- ugggh! One town I pass through is maybe 250 people. It has no stop lights and some of the roads in town are gravel. Tiny!!! Right there front and center in black and white is a yard sign that reads, "Fxxk Trump and Fxxk you for voting for him." Seeing that made my day! I also am 100% sure that I saw George Michael riding a Harley at the local Caseys. (He's not dead, he's living a normal life while hiding in rural Missouri*** Nobody suspects a thing!)
It's in the 90's here every day. Trying to be wise with the air conditioning and hanging out all of the laundry. We had a small rain a couple days ago, so the grass is alive but the humidity is unpleasant. Picked 50 butternut squash and am curing them. I will share them with neighbors. Our garden is about played out. Tomatoes are hit and miss. Onions are stored. The only thing doing much is the sweet potatoes, they are still green and look good. I will harvest chickens for the freezer soon. Defrosted a freezer and unplugged it. Pig is doing well.
Any time I see LAC my brain goes to "lactation", so a past self probably would have put pump parts or breastfeeding supplies in there! Current me is done with babies and breastfeeding but I love a good tote bag.
'Ladies Art Company' -- a 19th/20th pattern source for quilting. Appraisers and historians use 'LAC' a lot to designate this company.
Okay, but I doubt anyone was using a Land's End tote bag for that!
Katy, are you aware there’s a way to smooth out Sasha’s hair? I saw it done for an American Doll… I think you dip it in very hot water. Full tutorial is online. The results were very impressive!
It could just be a name. I have a friend whose name is Lac.
What do you think L.A.C. stands for?
It might have been the French translation of "lake". So, a beach bag perhaps?
Love A Cheapskate!
My husband wanted a bunch of nice wooden hangers. I found 6 in a free pike and scored a bunch more at the Goodwill Outlet (bins). Much cheaper than new and yes I also love to save things from the landfill.
If you can’t blend out the outline of the Lactating Alpine Cows you could do a little embroidery picture over it.
1. Today was grocery shopping day. I was able to get $150 of groceries for $90. Our store had a rebate of get your flu shot and get $10 off your grocery bill. Yes please! Free groceries and I’m ready for flu season.
2. English muffins were BOG2!
3. BOGO chicken Steak’em (chicken was much cheaper than the steak ones)
4. Free can of cat food
5. Burger for $4.49lb
6. Chicken legs 97 cents a pound
Everything was a bonus buy, had digital coupons or was BOGO. so I have more than enough meat for a month. And my daughter will be happy with the snack choices. In addition I’ve now earned 70 cents a gallon of gas next time I fill up my car.