Five Frugal Things -- Disney Plush & Crystal Barware
1) I sold a vintage Disney stuffed plush to someone in England, which means they spent significantly more on shipping than the asking price. I listed it at least five years ago, so I have zero clue how much I spent on it. Luckily it took up almost zero space in my inventory, so it wasn't too big of a deal to hold onto it.
However, it'll serve as an example of what not to buy in the future.
2) I went to three (three!) Goodwills in search of a like-new fitted white cotton sheet to replace the LL Bean one that tore. This sounds like significantly more driving than it actually was, so keep in mind that we have over 50 Goodwills in our region.
In the end I paid $9.99 for a Threshold organic cotton fitted and flat sheet set. I never use the flat sheets, so I'm thinking this is an opportunity to use the fabric to learn how to sew pillowcases. It's a lot of of fabric, so I'm thinking there's enough to make around six.
I'm far from a skilled seamstress, but a pillowcase is nothing but straight seams, sewn at 90 degree angles, which should be within my skillset.
My goal is to buy used whenever possible, as those purchases don't prompt the manufacture of a replacement item. I've been doing this since 2007 and have mostly been successful. The overmanufacture of consumer goods make only buying used easier than you'd think.
3) Unsurprisingly, I came across something underpriced enough to grab. This set of six crystal tumblers were priced at $1.99 apiece and in perfect condition.
I snapped a photo of one to upload into Google Lens and learned that it's the "Dorset" single old fashioned glass from Williams Sonoma. A set of four sells for $131.80, so $11.94 for six was a bargain.
My husband likes the look of crystal barware, so we'll hold onto them for now. That is, until I come across a set of Baccarat glass that sell for $165 apiece!
Then I'll sell the William Sonoma ones.
4) I continue to scout for a western-style denim shirt that I can embroider in the style of Ralph Lauren. This one was unfortunately a size small, so I didn't pull the trigger. I want a shirt that'll fit me!
I already have a ton of thrifted embroidery floss, so I just need to thrift the shirt.
5)
- I added more garage sale leftover books to my little free library.
- I walked to my friend's house and printed another eBay label.
- I finished listening to my free Libby audiobook.
- My husband and I ate leftover "marry me chicken" for dinner last night.
- I turned a used bubble mailer inside out for my eBay sale.
Now your turn, what frugal things have you been up to?
Another return to Amazon. Refocus on needs not wants and an overpriced skin care item back to distributor
Sold a couple items on line. Not a lot of $$ however something is better than zip.
Canceled hbo max as I binged The Pitt
Got a $50 gift card for judging and got a promo from PF Changs for BOGO. We may take advantage of this promo
My aunt used to convert flat sheets into fitted sheets by sewing elastic straps, diagonally, across the corners. It wasn’t very noticeable since the sheet will *almost* tuck under a mattress. This might be something to experiment with. You could end up with TWO fitted sheets!
I made another eBay sale. It was the third Lululemon item I've sold. Two pairs of leggings and a top. I think there are no others in the pile.
There are only three more items (of my sister's clothes) to list. I could finish up today if I pushed myself, but hey, it's a holiday.
After that, there is quite a bit of my own stuff to list.
It has rained most of the day and we are under a flood watch. I doubt that there will be fireworks tonight, but probably tomorrow night people will set off all the fireworks they've already bought. And yes, they're illegal here, but that never seems to stop anyone.
It has turned cool enough to turn off the air conditioning.
It has been a quiet day of reading and watching movies. I haven't left the house.
I love my Threshhold sheets, which I got from ebay. 🙂
1. DH came home early from his camping/hiking trip in New Hampshire due to the extreme heat and humidity that we're dealing with on the East Coast. Relief in sight for tomorrow with temps in the low 70s. Because of the shortened trip, he came home with more money than expected and never had to go to the ATM to take out more for good, gas, etc.
2. My friend on a nearby lake invited us over for the Fourth of July. All potluck except for the cold cuts and bread she provided. I made Boston Baked Beans from scratch and cupcakes with the $1 cake mix I bought. There were lots of salads and desserts.
3. I went swimming in the lake twice for some free exercise and to cool off.
4. A boat parade went by and many of the boats were decorated for the holiday. Fun to watch.
5. The raspberries in the yard are about a day away from being edible. My favorite fruit.
Your torn sheet triggers a childhood memory. Back in the day, sheets were 100% cotton, had to be ironed and were prone to tearing From time to time, a bed sheet would get a huge rip in it. That was a festive occasion for 3 year old me because my mom would set up the card table (in the living room!), toss the ruined sheet over it -- and that became my indoor playhouse. Or tent, or castle, depending on what I pretended.The big hole, made by the tear, was the door. I'd play dolls or make-believe in the makeshift playhouse for days on end! Great frugal fun!
It's almost a pity that sheets don't regularly rip... what do little tykes do for playhouses these days? Oh, that's right: their parents shell out 100 bucks for a big plastic Playskool version.
My granddaughter uses a big box for her playhouse! She loves it! And added bonus, she can draw on it!
My grandson often sets up couch pillows, chairs and covers them with throws, uses some large binder clips to close the tent and collects flashlights and mini lanterns to illuminate it.
Each pillow case will take 1 yard of fabric. Use the burrito pillowcase instructions (that is what I use for my 9 year old 4 H'ers).
Those bar glasses are gorgeous!
I am snacking on the remaining sweetheart cherries that the raccoons left for me. We rode our horses in the parade this morning, watched the rodeo, Bbq burgers picnic, besties birthday party, nap, concert and dance, then fireworks. Camp, cowboy breakfast, cowboy church, then head home. whew!
Thankful for a beautiful aurora borealis display last night, such vivid purples.
I found $29 scattered about the camp/park area while I was walking around on garbage patrol. My cousin found a $50!
Someone gave me a Dunkin Donuts eagle cup, woot!
Have a safe and fun celebration tonight!
I really like the "burrito" pillowcase method, have made many pillowcases in the past few years. I don't always make the decorative small cuff and I don't do the French seams - I just finish the seams with a zig zag stitch. The local hospital pediatric unit lets the kids pick out a pillowcase to use and take home when they are admitted. A friend and I (both of us were peds nurses and then PNP's) did a lot of sewing together and would buy fun cotton fabric on clearance, at estate/garage sales, etc. We would joke that we were stashing fabric as part of our retirement plan. As prices have increased, it turned out to be true! Sadly, we both ended up having to take early medical retirement and she passed away two years ago. One of my "give back" projects is to make at least 40 pillowcases each year (our oncology and rehab units also like to get them). The kids like them and the nurses like to give them out. Maybe not always the most frugal hobby so am grateful to have my fabric and yarn stashes.
To make a flat sheet into a fitted sheet, cut a square out of each corner a little smaller than the depth of your mattress. Sew the edges of the square together and then turn under the bottom of the sheet all the way around to make a casing. Thread a thin elastic all the way around - you can frequently find rolls of 1/4 or 1/2 inch elastic, especially now that people aren't making masks anymore. I also like to make fun crib sheets this way as a baby gift - and they always get a matching baby quilt, blanket, or storybook pillow.
There are a lot of instructions online for either of these projects. I like the sheet instructions from Missouri Star.
Sorry to drone on and on.
And thank you so much for involving your Girl Scouts in sewing!
Ceecee, wow, kudos to you!
Maybe making the pillowcases is not the most frugal hobby but the joy and comfort they must bring to kids, oncology patients and others makes it well worth it IMHO.
FFT, Not Your Typical Fourth of July Edition:
(1) I've been less annoyed by the fireworks in the 'hood than usual, since (a) the "heat dome" has kept the volume down till tonight; and (b) I've had the windows closed, the central AC on, and two fans going in the master BR at night. Betty cat has been a bit more nervous and clingy than usual, but she definitely appreciates the two fans. (And my electric bill will be up a bit this month, but not as much as it might be because of the solar panels on the garage. The National Grid "delivery charges" are another story.)
(2) I cut oregano and dill for drying--which should happen in no time, since the temp in my attic (where I hang my herb bunches for drying) has been like the Sahara Desert for days.
(3) I made it to the July 4 limited-hours Regional Market today to pick up some of the first pickling cucumbers of the season, and made 3 quarts and 2 pints of refrigerator dills this afternoon. I was thus able to present a quart and a pint to Dr. Bestest Neighbor's visiting granddaughter and great-grandkids. (The 13-year-old great-granddaughter traditionally gets her own pint, which was greeted enthusiastically.)
(4) I defiantly hoisted my Stars and Stripes yesterday and (between some much-needed rain showers) today. An occasional person who doesn't know me well has asked if I'm going over to the other side, but, @#$%!!, it's my flag and my country too.
(5) And I re-read the Declaration of Independence, mentally substituting the name of You Know Who in all the complaints about King George III. Quite the eye-opening exercise.
Your #4...What is it about these people who assume because you display an American flag you're on the right? The same as people who assume because you're white you're a Republican? We proudly put our American flag out on the front porch every morning and in addition to that we're white. We most decidedly don't lean right. I guess some people love to cubbyhole others. Sheesh.
Your # 5...Great exercise to calm the mind when the news from the Orange Man feels overwhelming!
@A. Marie, you keep saying you cut Dill for drying, and I am curious - are you cutting those baby sprigs of dill (4" long) that they sell at the grocery, or are you cutting the big flower heads (and if that, when do you cut them to dry - seeds or still just flowers).
Asking for ME because the dill is as enthusiastic as the arugula, bless them both, volunteering with abandon all over the place and giving me much to enjoy.
Ecoteri, I use both the dill leaves and flowers. I cut dill for drying the leaves when the plants have gotten as big as they're going to before they produce the flower head. The flower heads, with occasional sprigs, are what I use in my refrigerator dills.
I was hoping the fireworks would not be a problem since the offending neigh seemed to be out of town. But I came home after the store closed early at 6pm and sadly noticed their overgrown grass was mowed and their 20 something to son was there. Apparently his apartment complex is strict about fireworks so he came to Mommy and Daddy's to drink beer and act like an a$$hole. Who does he think he is, young Tom Cruise in Risky Business? Snuggles is going nuts hearing the booms and I just called the cops.
*Neighbors* not neigh
I think neigh applied, as in 'horse's ass'
Lisa, my luck ran out on the fireworks in the 'hood last night as well. It had been raining off and on all day, but the rain ended at dusk--whereupon the apartment complex behind me set off so many fireworks it sounded like a war zone (and looked like it, with all the smoke). I finally called the cops, too.
I really wanted to call the cops at close to 1 am when there were still dynamite-blast booms coming from across the avenue and I had a nervous 15 pound cat and a terrified/drugged up 28 pound dog perched on top of me. Unfortunately, the lawbreakers had the police outmanned by a wide margin.
May I ask if fireworks are forbidden in your neighborhood - is it an HOA or city ordinance?
We've had them banned because of drought conditions/fire chances some years but not lately.
Where I live they are banned partially by county law and then totally in many cities. Doesn't stop people from using them but reduces it substantially.
I spent an enjoyable hour catching up on posts from the last week. Love and appreciate the frequent posts. Also thank you for the book recommendations, which brings me to my 1st frugal thing...
1. I've been using my local library like crazy. I think I've been reading a book a day!
2. We saw Jaws on the big screen today. It was the perfect father's day gift for my husband, as he is a big fan. Pretty neat to see on the 4th of July. The tickets were a little pricey, but we brought in our own Mike and Ikes and Raisenettes.
3. Will do a BBQ at our friends house tomorrow and they only want me to bring dessert. I will do a layer cake ( blue and red and white frosting). I have the cake mix and frosting and food dye, so aside from time, not too expensive.
4. I have been walking for 1/2 hour every day in my driveway in the early morning (FL) and using weights. No gym.
5. Drinking filtered water from my Brita.
1. I just got back from watching the free fireworks show my town puts on and it is only a block from my house so I walked with a flashlight.
2. I walked an hour between 5:30 and 6:30 am bc it is HOT.
3. I managed to keep the air off until 2 pm and then I caved.
4. I ate slaw dogs with mustard, watermelon, homemade potato salad, ice cream, all food I had at home.
5. I am reading my thrifted book. I spoke with my oldest by phone today, and texted with my youngest son and my daughter yesterday, and the middle one today. Several were working today.
1. Contacted Replacements, Ltd. about buying my parents' old china. They offered an extremely low price and couldn't guarantee that they'd purchase everything after I paid all the shipping costs. No thanks. Consignment stores in my area are not accepting china, so I'll continue to hang on to it.
2. Friend gave me two books that she doesn't want back. I put them in my reading bin for winter travels as I have LOTS of library books to read.
3. Received a jar of homemade salsa from a friend.
4. Husband found a dollar bill on a walk.
5. Husband received a $5.29 settlement payout from Facebook.
There is a facebook group called Beautiful Place Settings. People sell on there :). Thank you for not trashing it.
When we cleaned out the Mister's maternal estate, we came into a 476 piece set of China. Service for 24, but with salad plates, bread plates, dinner plates, luncheon plates, tea cups, coffee cups, cups for guys with mustaches, clear soup bowls, cream soup bowls, and serving dishes for damn near everything imaginable. No room in a 900 square foot house. We managed to sell the whole set for $800, but that was in 93 when one was still placing ads in the local newspaper. I kept one mended coffee cup that is displayed on the bookshelves. Also had bad vibes from Replacements when I realized I had extras of my dishes. I can't imagine why this introvert ever thought service for 12 made sense.
I recently bought some additional/replacement plates for our dishes from a listing on eBay. There are other venues for trying to sell as a set or broken up into smaller batches or you could offer them for free.
Yes, when I'm ready to part with the china, I will likely do so via my Buy Nothing group. I've already given away some serving pieces that way. I was hoping that getting some money (which I'd split with my brother and sister) for the set would make it easier to let it go. A therapist would have a field day as to why I'm hanging on to something that I rarely use and have no fond memories of, especially when I'm able to get rid of other things quite readily.
1. I learned that though Costco doesn't accept Mastercard in the store, they do accept it online. Our Citicard that gives 2% cash back on all purchases is a Mastercard. So I placed on online order, with free shipping and happily used my Mastercard! I will repeat this in the future!
2. I made a small alteration on a pair of linen pants. I love being able to sew and make clothes just how I like them.
3. I baked GF rhubarb muffins with rhubarb from the garden, and GF scones using raisins that I dried from our own grapes last summer. Very satisfying.
4. Neither of us used the car today, so no money spent there. Dh played pickelball yesterday, the nearby courts are closed for construction, so he has to go to courts further away. His PB partner likes to drive, so he offered dh a ride, which was happily accepted.
The only time I left home was to go to work, a shorter shift than usual due to closing early for the holiday. Came home and read a large print book I'd gotten from a LFL."Without a Trace" by Danielle Steele. Made sun tea before I left. Ate ice cream and stayed indoors out of the heat. Did not watch any July 4 celebrations on TV; with the demented immoral toxic narcissist pedophile 34x felon in the White House, I don't feel like celebrating.
We had a decidedly not frugal couple of days, we took a train to Brussels to do some activities.
1. We did manage to get reduced fare for the trains, trams, and bus that we took. Our discount pass that we paid $6 has absolutely paid for itself already.
2. We booked Lego Discovery Center tickets and Train World on Friday, there's a weekday discount for Lego and our kids are young enough to be either be completely free or heavily reduced for most places.
3. After Train World we made our way to the hotel, only to discover that our oldest was missing her special stuffed animal. It's been with her practically since she was born and she sleeps with it day and night. Train World was closed already by the time we searched our bags and narrowed down exactly when we could remember seeing him last. We also learned that he's a discontinued version of a stuffed animal from about 6 years ago. Gulp. Ebay had a few listings, and shipping them to Europe would have at least doubled their already high price. Thankfully we agreed to wait until the next morning and the front desk had found him! Rescue successful with no money spent other than the bus from near the hotel to Train World.
@Katy, you're right about desperate parents and their stuffed animal replacements, we were pretty willing to shell out whatever we needed to to replace our little guy.
4. After our rescue mission, we had double passes to Mini Europe and the Atomium. It's also discounted when you buy them together. It was a lot of fun walking through the miniatures and there were lots of buttons to make the models play music, move, joust, skim the water, and in one case awaken a mighty dragon.
I ended up getting a bit of vertigo after two levels in the Atomium, it's higher up than it looks, and took our youngest downstairs to the sweet AC in the gift shop. My husband and our oldest made it up to the seventh level, as high as you can go without a restaurant reservation on the eighth level.
5. We did get a couple of souvenirs from the day, some nice photos taken at Mini Europe, and a post card and magnet from the Atomium. We like to keep our momentos small and meaningful to us. We did decline paying for photos at the Atomium, it was a printed backdrop of (in my opinion) a slight blurry drop cloth of the Atomium. It felt odd since we were literally in the ground floor of the Atomium. Oh well, money saved. We also found two Euro cents while we were walking! Not sure where we can use it, but maybe it'll be a free souvenir.
Today is about resting after yesterday's sunburn and 16,000 steps.
Operation "Prepare for DH's Retirement/My Nursing School" continues apace.
1. During the heat wave we set up an outdoor kitchen and cooked all manner of things: pasta, grilled cheese, rice, burgers. Kept the house cooler and avoided takeout.
2. Combed through our credit card statements and found several recurring charges--one from an IV hydration place we'd used for our son; we weren't aware we'd signed up for a "membership" in which we got charged every month! We hadn't used it in months, either. At the time we were rather desperate for something to help him, but he's a lot better now and doesn't need it. So we canceled that, along with deleting our Instacart account and my Adobe Pro membership (I can use the second license on DH's Adobe Acrobat), thus saving $200 a month.
3. Reading free library books on my Libby app. While I prefer physical books, right now I don't have the time to bike to the library, and I'm not going to spend gas money to get free books, so tablet it is.
4. Went through the tea cupboard and gathered up all the unused bags that we didn't like for hot tea, and repurposed a rice canister for them. Using them for mason jar sun tea.
5. DH continues to bicycle to the grocery store, and shopping by the sales.
1. I sold an item on FP marketplace that I have had listed for months. I was about to just donate it when I got the inquiry. I paid less than $5, and sold it for $60. I do have to mail it to the buyer, but I am happy to do that free of charge to get it out of my house.
2. Today is garlic havesting day. I should have 115 bulbs when done. We don't eat a ton of garlic, but it feels great to not have to buy it, and to give it to family and friends.
3. Our local grocery store was selling the little jars of double cream from England for $1.97 a jar. I paid over $12 for a jar when I made a "Guiness Chocolate cake". I bought 4 jars and froze it in ice cube trays. Hopefully it will be fine when thawed.
4. Used scape pesto that I froze from last year's scapes in "spicy chickpea soup". Easier than mincing up garlic cloves.
5. I used a $50 gift card that my cousin gave me for helping him move to buy some bins for my closet shelf. I have been watching the youtube channel "The Minimal Mom" and she has inspired me to live more minimally and to organize and declutter my house. I also took one bag, and 4 boxes of donations of clothing and household items to one of my favourite small thrift stores, the one that benefits the local hospital.
I've been watching the Minimal Mom for years and really appreciate her approach to decluttering and minimalism.
Spent 4th of July in Lake Tahoe with DH& 10 teens, but a few wins to share.
1) Turned my $10 in casino rewards into $50
2) Bought snacks from Costco for the hotel rooms. Should have bought more! Also gassed up at Costco, which was cheapest.
3) DH & I split a hot dog for Costco lunch, big spender style.
4) Used a $10 reward in our hotel app to redeem for coffees in the morning.
5) Skipped the 4th of July party (we had free tickets, but I'm an early bird) & watched the fireworks from our hotel window.
Well crud. . . I thought I was down to a manageable amount of projects, and then I saw that photo of the embroidered shirt. And I have a plain-Jane denim shirt. And a pile of embroidery floss. . Oh dear. . .