Five Frugal Things — Cheap Coffee & a Kim Kardashian Luxury Item
1) I received a 50%-off New Seasons Market coffee coupon, so I walked over to grab a couple bags for my husband. I rarely drink coffee at home, as I’m a diehard tea fan. Wait . . . am I playing into the lazy frugality advice to “drink coffee at home?!
I checked both the bulk and pre-packed coffee sections to make sure to get the best possible price.
Bulk coffee was $15.99/pound.
Pre-packaged was $19.49/pound. Yes, they’re different varieties, but the price of bulk vs. packaged was consistent.
$8 per pound is sadly a decent price for coffee these days.
2) I remembered at the register that I had a “spend $10 get a free dozen eggs” coupon at home and the cashier confirmed I could still use it were I to bring it back with my receipt.
So yes . . . I walked home and immediately returned to the store. This made the coffee an even better bargain!
3) The Portland Japanese Garden is extremely popular at the moment, as there’s a specific maple tree that that’s gone viral for its magnificent fall colors. I even read that’s there are lines of people waiting to photograph it in just the right spot.
Garden entry costs $22.50. Not that I’m complaining about the price, as the garden is truly amazing and considered to be one of the most authentic Japanese gardens outside of Japan. I used to get free passes when my kids were in Portland Public School’s Japanese immersion program, so I got spoiled.
Luckily you don’t have to pay admission to view autumnal beauty in Portland. I added zero filters to these photos, the leaves really are this deeply pigmented.
Just a random tree on a random urban street — on my way home from using an egg coupon. Magical!
5) I may not have spent $150 on Kim Kardashian’s maligned SKIMS accessories advent calendar, but I did come across a fancy abandoned ponytail holder. For those out of the loop, (and I do envy your pop culture illiteracy) this expensive advent calendar was mostly filled with cheap hair elastics. It is sold out though, so the grift did work.
Now I’m part of the zeitgist. And yes, I bought it home to clean and reuse.
5) My neighbors went to Hawaii and brought us a bag of roasted macadamia nuts. This was by way of thanks for letting their contractors use our water hose while replacing a retaining wall.
We were happy to help and expected nothing in return, but pleased to add a treat to our pantry.
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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I’m getting low on coffee myself and dreading paying for my next bag. I think I can get it for less than $8 a pound at Aldi. But I’m not sure.
In a sad frugal fail, I lost my ride-free card! I can’t find it anywhere, and I’ve looked thoroughly. I looked up how to replace it and the online process is way too complicated. Thank goodness, I can go to our senior center and get help. I will do that first thing in the morning.
My doctor had a cancellation today so I got in to see him. He looked over my numbers and said I didn’t need the blood pressure medication, which is good news. He also filled out and signed the form I have to send to our secretary of state, verifying that I’m okay to drive. Two years ago I had a fainting spell at the wheel, and ever since then I’ve had to prove my roadworthiness on an annual basis in order to retain my license.
I had a moment of terror last night when my bedroom smoke alarm made a loud noise, waking me up after 1 am. It was just a low battery warning, though. The thing continued to beep all night while I tried to sleep. I didn’t want to mess with changing the batteries in the night, especially since I have to get out the stepladder. This morning I was gratified to find the right batteries right where I thought they were. Sometimes I amaze myself.
I checked out Mad Mabel at the library. I’m getting a lot of book recommendations right here and it’s working out well!
I enjoyed Mad Mabel. My smoke alarm beeped in the middle of night a few weeks ago. I had to get up and change the battery. It’s the worst.
1. I borrowed my mom’s carpet shampooer to clean my carpets since mine is broken. I purchased the cleaning solution at an estate sale. This is a good DIY savings.
2. I blew my leaves off my grass and into the weeds. Also good DIY savings.
3. I’m using a dog food bag for garbage. I think of Lindsay whenever I do this.
4. I’m reading a library book on my Kindle -Yesteryear.
5. I turned a lotion bottle upside down to get the last of it. I’m using face lotion I don’t like as body and hand lotion.
1. Was well paid for my house and pet sitting week in So Cal. Bonus was I saw several friends
2. Saved 20% by paying hospital bill in full within 30 days of billing.
3. Friend brought me Cafe de Monde coffee back from New Orleans. I’m mixing 1 scoop into the Folgers when I brew a pot
Yummy treat. Such a nice gesture.
About 25 yrs ago I planted 3 October Glory maples on the neighbors fence line. It just so happens to be in sight of the kitchen window. So pretty this time of year.
I have a wooden advent calendar that tells a part of the Christmas story that my mom typed out on parchment paper back in the 60’s. I fill with candy, money and riddles that can be redeemed for a wrapped gift.
Today I stored away my summer clothes and shoes.
Cracking walnuts while registering to Dianne Mott Davidson’s Curious Caterer Mysteries…cozy as can be!
Not registering! Re-listening as in I listened to this series on CDs decades ago.
1. I used my 15 percent off coupon from Ollie’s Outlet, which is soon to expire, to buy necessities. Including a big stash of doggie bones…one of our major expenses because of a certain spoiled rotten Rottweiler. For all you Snuggles fans, I came home and caught him lying atop the back of the sofa; he looked like a lion perched on a tree limb looking for its prey. Snugs was so cute, I just couldn’t scold him! No wonder he is so spoiled…Right now he is chomping on one of the bones I got him.
2. Instead of buying an expensive king size electric blanket, I got a heated throw for those cold winter nights. I don’t need to heat the whole bed, just my body. The throw was much cheaper!
3. I installed a find-your-phone app on my new cell phone. It will ring a doorbell sound, vibrate and light up for 2 minutes if you clap your hands. I have already lost 2 cell phones so hopefully this will prevent that from happening again!
4. Gave my big laminated poster (that I had made for our state rep candidate) to her campaign. I had paid to have the front of a brochure photocopied and enlarged. Tacked it to the back fence so that drivers on the busy street (which my fence overlooks) could see it. The poster is none the worse for wear, it’s still in good shape, so I did not throw it away. Alas, our Democratic candidate lost, but she plans to run again — and this poster can be used next time. It will probably be better to display it indoors (Candidate fairs? Campaign HQ?), since I don’t think motorists could read it all that well. So I donated my poster to her next campaign and plan to nail up a different sign in 2028.
5. Update: Happy to report no cold air leaking through the bedroom window since TK put in the insulation in it last summer. Without the insulation, it got so cold that I couldn’t sleep comfortably with my bed against that wall/window. No such problem during the last several nights when the mercury plunged into the 40s and 50s.