Five Frugal Things -- Dumb it Down For Your Future Self
1) My husband and I are getting closer to our vacation to Vancouver B.C., which puts a deadline on projects. I was unsure of whether to bring my thrifted platform Teva sandals, which I stopped wearing as the soles needed to be reglued.
For four years I've been meaning to fix these shoes!
Of course it took all of five minutes to complete the job, including getting out the supplies and putting them away. They now get to accompany me on my vacation.
Pardon my pasty Oregon legs. Or "you're welcome" for normalizing pasty legs. Your choice. Either way, they're functional and that's what matters.
2) I cajoled my friend Lise into coming with me to Trader Joe's to procure "road trip snacks," which'll magically transform into "hotel snacks" once we cross the border into Canada. The hanging bananas in the background will also be traveling with us.
By the way, I asked the cashier for a couple lollipops, which prompted him to add multiple handfuls of them into my grocery bag! Umm . . . thanks? Not sure my dentist will be enthused. I might set them aside for Halloween.
3) I'm a firm believer in doing favors for my future self, which is why I threw a bag of Trader Joe's classic Mandarin Orange Chicken into the cart, as I want to have a set meal for our first night back home.
No one has ever come home after travel and been excited to plan out a meal. Dumb it down for your future self.
4) I pulled out my "Master travel list" to ensure I'd be less likely to forget the essentials for travel. Of course each trip requires modification, but this list helps me to not reinvent the wheel every time I travel. There's nothing more frustrating than having to buy things on vacation that you already have at home.
I thank "past Katy" for putting this together. Even though she was overly enthusiastic about Ziploc bags.
5) I didn't buy a single specific item for my vacation, as "vacation Katy" can make do with the same clothing and supplies that "Portland Katy" uses on a daily basis. I still wear that shirt and did actually pack it!
Of course I packed everything in the designer suitcase that garbage picked from a Goodwill dumpster in 2018 or so. Look how happy "past Katy" was, she's a real cheap date!
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 looked over your collection of snacks and your master list, as I think I'll be traveling in the near future. Very helpful!
Yesterday was kind of a lost day after I got home from grocery shopping. I was operating on little sleep. Sleep becomes elusive when you get older! Today I have plans to do some laundry and bake a quiche.
I found 27¢ yesterday, or, I should say, I found 2¢ and acquired a quarter when an Aldi shopper took my cart but didn't want the quarter. Nice! I also found two receipts. I'm getting very close to being able to redeem my Fetch points.
I found an unused plastic bag that I will find a use for.
We had storms yesterday and my power stayed on. I consider that a win.
I’m also getting ready for a trip. It involves a plane ride to the east coast, so I’ll include snacks that will tide us over in the event of delays! Also, I will pack a sandwich so I won’t have to pay for airplane food.
All of this will go into a suitcase I sourced from the Goodwill bins, a toiletry bag I sourced from the Goodwill bins, and a day bag I sourced from the Goodwill bins.
Have a good trip!
Now I’m wondering why Hubby hasn’t bought those pita bite crackers! I will have to put them on the grocery list. Your Goodwill system is amazing. Where we live now has a difficult to navigate mostly clothes one that I avoid for local charity thrift shops. I hear our goodwill region has a new leader so perhaps it will improve.