Five Frugal Things -- Buying More Crap Won't Solve Your Problems!
1) I was able to remove the stain from the Kate Spade cotton tablecloth that I picked up at the Goodwill bins a few weeks ago. I have just one other round tablecloth for when the leaf is out of the dining room table, so I'm happy to add this one to my stash.
The tablecloth came to me with a big ol' stain that I was able to remove through a couple rounds of hydrogen peroxide paste/dish soap/baking soda paste and some vigorous scrubbing. Happy to save this cute piece from the landfill.
I likely paid about a dollar for it.
2) I started reading a library copy of All That Life Can Afford, by Emily Everett. I'm only a few pages in, so I don't know whether or not to recommend it. However, it is a "Reese's Book Club" pick, which is usually a good sign.
It's about a woman to moves to London and experiences a crash course in the wealth divide, but is also described as "Austenian." Sounds like it was written with me in mind.
3) I took propagated fuchsia starts and planted them in a flowerpot I sourced from my late in-laws' storage space. (The glaze is chipping off on one side, but I simply turned that side to the back.) I got the original plants for free from last year's neighborhood cleanup event!
Those fuchsias somehow wintered over, so this is an especially frugal project.
4) A blog reader sent me the above photo from her San Francisco neighborhood, which she thought would be right up my alley. (Yes, it was!) Described as created by "renegade artists," I 100% approve their message!
Buying more crap won't solve your problems!
Maybe I should change the name of the blog to buyingmorecrapwontsolveyourproblems.com!
5) I didn't spend 14.7 million no-bid dollars to paint over a perfectly fine reflecting pool, to just have that paint cause an algae bloom and peel right back up. (In less than two weeks!) Of course, I have more than two brain cells.
Yee haw, America! Duh . . .
Now your turn, what frugal things have you been up to?
True confession, I have been very unfrugal lately, but at least all the crap I've bought has been knocking around in my head for months and months. No impulse buys.
I feel so sorry for all those insanely rich guys. They think they can take it with them. They'll never know the sheer joy of "enough." They'll never know that someone loves them just because. And as angry as I am at Trump for oh so many reasons, I feel extra special sorry for him watching this pool fall apart. It's quite the image of his heart.
Katie, have you ever tried using using Fels-Naptha soap and stain remover laundry bar. Keep it by my washing machine and wet it and rub it on the stains. so far it’s pretty much removed everything. I read about it in a book written by the laundry guy. He wrote a book called laundry love, and he talks about washing virtually everything in the washing machine, including silk, wool, and I think even leather. eye-opening.
We don’t belong to Costco, but my neighbor does and she offered to bring me home a five dollar chicken which I said yes please.
This one is frugal for my friend. I’ll be taking her a meal consisting of fabulous chicken that I make, oven roasted potatoes, broccoli from Farmers Market, bread from Farmers Market, and green grapes I got on sale. She had surgery this week and she takes care of her entire household, including her mother with dementia. She is a
also the bread winner for the family.
Our new pool, it looks like it belongs in a resort photo, opens next week. We are able to walk to the pool and use it every day. That’s where I work out daily. Yes all that’s included in our $75 year membership.
Drinking my homemade iced coffee with real maple syrup. I use Trader Joe’s organic medium roast coffee and it’s good enough for me. brew it in a regular coffee maker, nothing fancy.
Got two new pairs of easy spirit shoes that had never been worn before for a dollar each pair. Receive many compliments on my total Thrifted clothes that I wear.
Attending free concerts in the park that we can walk to .
Celebrating Father’s Day by giving my husband a Tommy Hilfiger shirt that I got at the thrift store. I splurged and spent $6.99.
Father’s Day we will take a picnic to one of the parks in town. I will make and pack everything. No need for takeout food.
I love Fels-Naptha soap for stubborn stains. Plus a bar lasts forever.
Did you know it is also good for healing poison ivy? Every year my daughter went to camp she came home with poison ivy and kittle ziploc bag of Fels-Naptha soap shavings to continue applying to it.
Kudos to you for showing up for your friend in such a nice way. She has lots of plates spinning for sure.
Thank you for the reminder about Fels Naptha, I do have a bar in the basement.
Well, I have an ancient bar of home-made lye soap, from my grandmother. I washed white jeans today after using the usual store-bought stain remover. Remembered to check jeans before drying and stain was still there. Will try the lye soap and am sure the stain will be gone! Will report on results.
I love the photo of your dining room! It looks so cozy and nice. Joanna Gaines (Fixer Upper) has nothing on you in regards to vintage styling and home decor. (I'm in Waco, so I should know.)
I have the AC turned to 78 and supplementing with ceiling fans or box fans when necessary. It still feels comfortable inside.
It is Juneteenth, and I will work the closing shift. Pulled out an old blood donor T-shirt featuring the American flag to wear.(Right here in Texas, June 19, 1865, was the day a Union general landed via ship in Galveston and announced the slaves had been freed. It was always a holiday for those of African descent, although others did not observe it. Juneteenth is now celebrated in other states and is a federal holiday.)
I'm eating leftovers today so no grocery store or restaurant visits. Breakfast included coffee brought home from the oral surgeon's office. They always have Keurig coffee bars available and it never fails: as soon as I fix myself a cup of coffee, I get called into the exam room. (Why is that?) But I kept my half-full cup and took it with me, and reheated the fancy flavored coffee this a.m.
Did not pout and act like a little prick when my terrible past behavior caused me not to be invited to the opening of a presidential library.
@Katy, I have a few stained things that need my attention, however spare time is sorely lacking (or energy when I do find a moment!) I love the look of your dining room, so uncluttered. In my dreams!!!!!
1. I got my Grandson for almost a whole day, a lovely change from the past few weeks where my illness kept me away from him. We sun-screened, then were in the garden for several hours – me watering and weeding, him wandering, picking up rocks, playing with the thrifted Tonka truck and his wagon (and a few random buckets – and the hose). We ate some food, then it was time for Duplo in the shade. Eventually a diaper change led to time in Granny's chair reading the Very Hungry Caterpillar – my dulcet tones lulled him to sleep. Apparently daycare is on a break this week, so I'll be getting him for the next couple of days (as much as I can with other commitments).
2. I picked snap peas and broad beans (Fava beans) while down in the garden. GS isn't keen on favas (raw or cooked) but the snap peas were enjoyed during two eating moments – he was only eating the peas inside, which was great for his manual dexterity. I shelled the favas, cooked for 4 min in water, drained then doused with butter and thoroughly enjoyed them. No chianti nor human liver was consumed. (Silence of the Lambs reference)
3. My Daughter Outlaw came to pick up my GS – She stayed for coffee and lots of conversation as he was asleep. She and #1 Son are overwhelmed right now, as her diet is challenging (suddenly gluten free and then ADHD meds causing some food dislikes to rear their ugly heads). #1 Son does much of the shopping and cooking – and the moving target of what she can or wants to eat is causing some friction.
I got out a pad of paper and quizzed her on what she WILL eat; once we got a great list together I used that to quiz her and prod her to come up with more than 7 meals that she thought would appeal – using some of what she knows is in the fridge/garden, or eggs I was sending home, or what is usually on the shopping list.
This whole process was not stressful for her because she had just eaten (a work day that involved team building and lunch) and I was giving her coffee... So unlike the usual 'what are we going to eat??' 5:30 pressure, it was just the two of us exploring her food challenges and coming up with some plans.
She went away feeling really hopeful, and thinking that this might be something she and I could do again in a couple of weeks. I trust that a few sessions of exploring possibilities will give them a good 20 or so realistic and tasty meals that they can pick and choose from. Sometimes we just need a friend to walk us through our own thoughts to discover where we are needing some decisions to be made.
4. I get to have a colonoscopy in August – whoot. (not, but...) I have already contacted my Thrift Store Buddy to ask if she will be my driver – of course, I hope we don't start at 7 AM, but she is an early bird and it is our local hospital so less of an ask than the last time she drove me for an "orifice visit". This is just exploratory and follow up, as suggested after the last one several years ago.
I tell you, though, after 60 the wheels seem to need regular attention or they all start to fall off!
5. Another GS day – this time I picked him up after my gym workout with my trainer. She is taking several weeks off for carpal tunnel surgery and I think we did all the workouts I will be missing – or at least my body was telling me we did! GS fell asleep on the way home, as planned/expected, and I was able to transport him inside – I put him into the bassinet part of his stroller (curb found) but he clearly is far too big for that, so it was an awkward sleep for him – still, he slept for two hours. During his downtime, since I had to be inside, I *HLDIATed the kitchen table (which has been a dumpster fire for at least 6 weeks). Took an hour and 15 min, however I was also running to the field to switch watering systems, moving multiple loads from the top of the basement stairs down to where they were supposed to be, emptying and then filling the dishwasher, recycling, moving paperwork into my office, books to the living room, and seeds back in the general direction of their storage. I was already a sweaty mess from the gym, the table cleaning was a physical workout that kept my heart rate up and a 'dew rag' frequently applied. I replaced the old tablecloth with a new one, and called it a day.
Thrift Store Buddy came over after GS woke up from his nap, bringing me a colleciton of finds, which are now stewn on the once-cleared table (sob). At least I got photos prior to the new application of 'stuff'. GS and TSB ended up spending a lot of time together outside, which gave me the grace to get some watering and planting done, and gave her some much missed time with a delightful young man..
6. GS ate a lot of my (IP cooked) plain garbanzo beans, a first for this foodstuff. He likes hummus, but nobody had thought to offer him plain beans. He is small for his age (thriving, just small), and not really interested in many foods, so anything new (and healthy) that he enjoys is a win.
I kept him quite late in the evening, and then took him home. Eventually I got him to sleep (took ages, but my dulcet tones telling him the boring story of our day finally put him out). His parents were having a date night, seeing the latest Spielberg movie, so didn't get home until after 10. I was ready to come home and collapse after an even busier than usual day!
*How Long Does It Actually Take?
What a gift you gave your DIL to help her come up with a solution to her food challenges by having a list of meals!
Wow! I love your recent events! How helpful of you for your outlaw daughter to come up with menu ideas. I love it! And being a fantastic grandparent while managing your own needs. I'm impressed! I remember telling an old boss of mine not to fret about not having a lot of money to spend on her grandkids. My children had one set that did, while my own parents just spent time at parks, playgrounds, playing outside, doing art, reading and all kinds of free things my kids enjoyed and have great memories of. My mom still sends homemade cookies to my son at college monthly.
Greetings! Long time reader, first time poster here in Oklahoma. I've gotten a lot of frugal good tips and book recommendations from this site, so thank you to Katy and everyone who posts replies here. My frugal things today are:
1. Harvested the garden garlic planted last fall; now curing it on shelves in the garage.
2. Reading one of the nine library books I have currently checked out. Yes this is too many, but all my reserves arrived at once! Reading the new ones with a waiting list first.
3. Baked a German cherry streusel cake to use up a bag of frozen cherries, purchased in the past for a now forgotten purpose. It seems more like a cobbler than a cake but we will eat it.
4. Hung a load of clothes outside to dry
5. Planning a meatless pasta primavera dinner to use up garden and purchased produce.
Sheila, that's a great first list. I had the same number of books waiting at the library this week! Luckily they're older books and have no one else waiting to read them. My library is transitioning to a new software system and they've temporarily increased the hold period from three weeks to six weeks. Happy reading!
Oops, meant to say the checkout period (not hold period) is now six weeks, so I won't have any trouble getting through nine books in that amount of time.
The pot with the fueschia in it looks great. I also love the sign about buying not solving any problems. In fact, it easily creates more, both for the planet and people's wallets.
1. I cut DH's hair with the buzzer.
2. I went to a free movie at the library last night about our town's mills and millworkers in the 50s and 60s. The producers, in collaboration with a local college, interviewed several former millworkers who labored in the mills under hard and sometimes dangerous conditions. Interesting and informative for me as I did not grow up here.
3. While at the library I picked up a book I had on hold. Gas is still over $4 a gallon around here so I always try to batch errands.
4. I'm happy to say the furniture shaver I purchased works much better than I anticipated. The depilled material looks 95% better. Now if I could just figure out a way to get rid of the shredded corners thanks to Bear, my cat...
5. My longtime friend from childhood invited me to July 3rd and 4th at the family's camp on a lake. All she asked me to bring is a crockpot of baked beans and a dessert as she is expecting a lot of people. Not much traveling involved as the lake is about 11 miles from my house.
Your super thoughtful, very sensitive way of coming up with solutions for your DOL and son was such a gracious gift.You found a time, a place, and a way that she could comfortably explore options, and guided her to solutions in a way that allowed her to take ownership of of her issues, and not feel”managed” .
When my 17 year old daughter had a baby I bought her a twelve month subscription to a mother and baby magazine, knowing that any at attempts at giving advice( at that age, on ANY subject! ) would be incendiary! She often “ educated” me, with helpful advice, advice that was acceptable because it was objective.If you aren’t a therapist, you should be!
1. My internet service was switched over to Astound yesterday, and this morning I went to the Xfinity store, with the modem and cable box, and cancelled service with them. I have been dreading this for a long time, having heard that it's torture to break up with Xfinity. But it was no problem at all. I guess when you're already hooked up with a new service, they don't try to talk you out of it.
2. I went to Aldi and bought just a few things -- creamer, butter, cheese, grapes, spinach, chickpeas, frozen corn, yogurt. And I found three receipts.
3. Because it's Juneteenth, I didn't get quarters or pick up my library book, because the bank and the community center were closed. I'll do those things tomorrow. But also because it is Juneteenth, I didn't have to pay for parking when I went to the Xfinity store, which is downtown.
4. My grandson used my car last night, and texted me after dropping it off because he'd left a receipt in it, which he needed for a return. I of course told him I would not throw it away, but I did scan it to Fetch.
5. Today I'm wearing a top that was in my sister's load of clothes to sell on eBay. Keeping what I can use is my payment for doing that for her. I've only kept a few things that are the right fit and style, but it's nice to have something "new.'
Beth W, I too took advantage of free metered parking for Juneteenth--in my case, to pay a visit to my Thrifty Shopper chain's boutique store in the university area. I hadn't been there since the university's midwinter break in January, and I enjoyed several good scores.
Of course, since I'm now over 70, some of my "good scores" were 3 packs of bladder leak pads and a pair of diabetic socks, all for 99 cents apiece. Dunno why the store thinks they're going to market this stuff to the university students, but I made out like a bandit. (And, no, I'm not actually diabetic; my HbA1C level was fine back in May. I just enjoy comfy socks for my beat-up old feet.)
We took the bus using our senior passes to a park we love for a one hour walk. While there I noticed some kids with their lemonade stand. Yup, I’m a sucker for cute, entrepreneurial kids. However, I only had a $20 in my bag and they didn’t have change for it. But they said I could Venmo the money to them. How can things have gotten this weird?
I found an unused cute sewing pattern in my size for $1.99.
Plan to make stew today with discount beef I found (still two days until pull date).
Our protest group had a pretty sad recent incident with a young woman who pulled over with her window down while yelling and crying. She wanted to know why we didn’t all have ‘get out of Iran war’ signs. Apparently a couple family members died because of US bombings. She was really crying hard and it was just so tragic.
This afternoon the apartment complex where we are living now is having an ice cream social. Usually skip these things but decided to go this time.
I am reading a 50 cent book “Mornings With Rosemary” which is very good and similar to “Eleanor Oliphant is Conpletely Fine” or the “Ove” book.
Beth K, I'm so sorry for the young woman you describe--especially as it now appears that Orange Julius has bungled things, yet again.
But enjoy your ice cream social. The one event NDN1 can be reliably coaxed to attend at her assisted living is the Sunday afternoon ice cream social. Promise her anything, but give her ice cream!
1) Remaking a very old flannel nightgown with scraps on hand to replace the worn fabric. Made rags with the worn fabric
2) Got the berry netting over the blackberries before the birds got them
3) A few eBay sales still trickling through despite not posting new items recently
4) Working through my estate sale puzzle haul for entertainment
5) Used reward apps to get a baby shower gift. Wrapped the gift in vintage paper from the stash that is older than the mom-to-be
Katy, you should hit your built in buffet with some Restor a Finish and wax. The poor wood looks very parched.
There's no finish on the wood right now.
Try some golden oak Restor a Finish and then some beeswax. I bet it will look great.
Geez, it's like you were talking directly to me with that blog title! I digress, I bought out the garage sales today and had a blast doing it.
I bought perennials. Beautiful flowers for my cutting garden at $2 for gal pots, yes!
I bought a huge fancy African violet $2. Chair cushions for 8 chairs $16, used one season. A beautiful maple rocking chair for the front porch. A pair of Not Your Daughters Jeans $4.
Triple nesting tables metal and quartzite tops all 3 for $5. To use at the seating area under the trees. Ran into a friend as I was looking at house plant cutting and she invited me to get some from her.
I have purchased a booth at a sale that will happen in August.
Picked up a dirty soda recipe book from a free box. This will be fun for Sunday family dinner.
A "dirty soda recipe book"? Does this involve doing things with Coke and Pepsi that aren't G-rated? 😛 Tell us more!
The recipe book has 60 recipes. Starts with add ons for Coke, Sprite, Dr. Pepper, Mt. Dew. But I am more interested in the fruit drinks using actual fruit, club soda, Pomegranate juice, mint, and my beloved lemon thyme. I have frozen blackberries, fresh blueberries, strawberries and raspberries. Coconut milk, heavy cream and some cinnamon simple syrup and plain simple syrup. My favorite special drink is 1 juiced grapefruit, 7up, crushed ice. So good!
But but Katy, the epoxy will last 50-100 years. The amount of money the orange turd's administration has wasted is truly mind boggling. All while a lot of us are doing are best to help those screwed by what eliminated as "wasteful" spending.
1. After searching for over a year, I found a perfect storm door on Market place for $50. They are usually too far away, as I live in the boonies, or not quite right. This one is full glass and a screen that comes down. Retail is around $350. Very happy.
2. After searching for sandals for my husband ( he doesn't do slides or flip flops), I found him a brand new pair of Dockers. $10 on Market place.
3 I've been posting lots of things on Market place, and when I sell something it goes in a certain p!ace in my wallet. So storm door, and husbands sandals didn't come out of our household money.
4.Been going to the local produce food bank. Many good things, cherries, cabbage, celery. I will be paying back when my tomatoes ripen. I've 9 plants, and even with canning, I've enough to donate.
5. Found a very nice twin bed for free. My granddaughter will be visiting this summer, I have a comforter, just had to buy sheets.
1. We went to a free event and got free hot dogs and chips.
2. My husband bought a couch for $48 with a discount at Goodwill, we'll go pick it up tomorrow.
3. I harvested 2 okras and 2 purple onions today.
4. I asked my daughter to make cinnamon bread as we had milk that needed gone. Unfortunately it didn't use all the milk, but at least some it got used.
5. I skipped watering my garden in the morning as we had rain
Today I took a load of sort out stuff to the charity shop. For the first time in ages I did not take the opportunity to go in....I...DO....NOT....need anything. Very proud of myself!! Making more things at home, got back into bread making again. Just need to have a big bake of birthday cakes to get some eggs stored. Garden is growing, the basil is rising so nearly pesto time too!!
What a great idea to 'store eggs'!! My hens didn't like the sudden heat we had last week, so between the 15 of them I am getting fewer than 6 eggs a day. If I am in a baking mood next winter, after I get my new batch of hens in the fall, I'll put aside some cakes...
I love that the SF street art piece has the, “The More You Know” star/rainbow effect! That’s the 80s kid in me geeking out 🙂
Yes, I hear that jingle in my brain when looking at the graphic!
The reflecting pool now looks like something from which the creature from the black lagoon will rise.
Getting ready to go to Saturday book club at the library. It's science fiction day and I am taking "The Lathe of Heaven" by Ursula LeGuin, which is even more relevant now than when it was written in 1971. I refreshed my memory of it with a free e-book and audiobook from the library.
Caught a one-day pop-up sale at our local grocery store and saved a couple of bucks each off a watermelon, fresh blueberries, store brand soft drinks, and a bag of kibble for my older dog.
My son wore out a fitted sheet, bought a new set, kept the old top sheet and pillow cases for future use, and gave me the ragged fitted sheet to cut up for a future project. He said he expects to see it reincarnated as a dog bed, as all their beds and bedding are made from recycled quilts, sheets, and old foam mattress toppers.
Went through the produce drawer in the fridge this morning and chopped up several items to freeze.
IMHO, Ruby, Orange Julius **is** the Creature from the Black Lagoon. I'll say no more.
Also, I should probably read more LeGuin; the only one of her sci-fi books I've read is The Left Hand of Darkness. But she also wrote a great nonfiction book about aging and other matters, titled No Time to Spare.
Re: reflecting pool - maybe "reflecting pool green" will soon be available in paint stores.
Haha, I saw a funny meme with an image of the current green Reflecting Pool on a paint chip to illustrate the color "American Flag Blue" (the color that it is *supposed* to be now after Trump spent all that $$$$$$ on it). Amusing!
Love your ADORABLE tablecloth, aren't polka dots just so fun!! And what a major save getting that gross stain out. It's looking so crisp and pretty and summer-y in your dining room now!