Five Frugal Things -- eBay Sales & a Company Retreat
1. I completed my twine hanging basket, which as you can see still requires a full liner. I have four wire baskets, all in different patterns, so this'll be the only one like this. My goal is to get them all lined and ready to hold potting soil by the time Fred Meyer holds their "Fuchsia Saturday" event. Either April 4th or April 11th?
I'll be able to take advantage of their free potting soil promotion, which is always my goal!
2. My husband and I started watching Jury Duty Presents Company Retreat through my sister's Prime Video account. Very silly and very fun.
The premise is that a single person in this "documentary" is unaware that everyone they're interacting with is an actor, while shenanigans gets increasingly odd. It sounds cruel, but I promise that it isn't.
Sadly it doesn't appear to be available on Freevee, which allows you to stream content without a paid Prime account. However, the hilarious first season of Jury Duty is still available to watch for free.
Click HERE!
3. I woke up to an eBay sale, which is always a nice start to the day. I thrifted these Restoration Hardware curtain brackets plus the matching curtain rings from the Goodwill bins in January. (I quickly sold the rings for $85.) It's hard to say how much I paid for them as they were quite substantial and they charge by the pound. Maybe $4?
Click HERE to see the eBay listing.
4. My new iPhone actually works with all my apps, which means I was able to download a Safeway milk coupon! It's been awhile since the Safeway app functioned properly on my phone.
5. I didn't spend money to buy ill fitting shoes for my sycophants.
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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Wow, Katy, that basket looks fabulous!
1. I picked a huge mess of volunteer Arugula that has come up in my greenhouse, and took the time to wash and salad spin the lot of it before stashing in the fridge. This ensures that I have the spoons to make a proper salad, which doesn't happen if the greens still need to be cleaned.
I had cooked up and fridge stashed three different varieties of lentils - as an experiment in both cooking styles and the kinds of lentils - so I made a salad with arugula, lentil and feta cheese, with a lemon/olive oil/maple syrup dressing. Made up two lunch style containers for the 'kids' and ate at least four times that amount myself. YUM.
This salad was so good that I made a repeat later in the week with a different jar of the cooked lentils and leftover dressing. More arugula has been picked.
2. During the salad dressing making, frugal-fail me found a number of gone-bad citrus. I haven't been buying it so forgot I had some in the depths of the crisper drawer. oops.
I used up all the salvageable sad lemons – grating zest off them all and putting half of that aside to dry, and juicing them into the salad dressing. While I was farting around with citrus, I also zested and juiced some limes and proceeded to make 'yer favourite sauce' which is a simplified version of dressing from Budget Byte's Taco Cauliflower bowl. (Essentially equal quantities yogurt and mayonnaise, juice and zest of lime(s), some garlic and onion pwd and chopped cilantro (all optional). If too tart I add a bit of maple syrup).
Having dressings already made feels like having a meal half done!
3. Earlier in the week, the scratch and dent veggie store didn't have a single thing on their discount racks, so I picked up only a few items on sale. I was already driving by during my trip to town to the gym, so stacking this errand didn't cost me more gas.
Then I got my grandson for an afternoon, and because I knew I needed limes and lemons I whipped in just before closing time after dropping him off. The discount rack had lettuces and big bags of coloured peppers, plus more really steeply discounted lettuces on the regular shelves, I picked up a 5 pound bag of beets for $4.50 rather than pay $1.87/lb for the loose ones, and got out of the store with three grocery bags for $20.21. I'll be making more arugula salads and am excited to add some lettuce and roasted beets for a change of pace.
4. Of course then I went to the regular grocer, since I was already in the car. I did stick with loss leaders and case-lot sale items all of which I had already put on my list of needs – and I talked myself out of buying ice-cream, as there wasn't any on sale. Sigh.
Ice cream has gotten so expensive! And shrinkflated!
I just picked up Tillamook ice cream for $3.49/half-gallon(ish) at Safeway!
Thanks! Heading to Safeway!
That show sounds like The Truman Show, which we just watched with our kids last night! I'd been wanting them to see this for a while, and they enjoyed it.it was free family fun
The Truman Show was an interesting movie. I thought Jim Carrey was great.
Such a good movie!
The basket looks great. Very impressive!
1. Another book on hold came in at the main library. I used my ride-free card to take the train there. Taking the train does guarantee a thirty-minute walk.
2. I used leftover fajita filling, salsa, tortillas and cheese to make chicken tortilla soup for lunch. Just enough left over for another bowl tomorrow.
3. I found two receipts.
4. Got some free birthday cards in the mail from one of the children's charities (St. Jude?) They are pretty generic, but I will use them.
5. I'm watching "The Count of Monte Cristo" on PBS Passport, which I get with a $5 monthly donation.
Is that Count of Monte Cristo portrayed by (Monkee) Micky Dolenz's dad? If so, I'd like to see it.
No, this is a new adaptation. The Count is played by Sam Claflin.
Made a double batch of hummingbird nectar, they are slurping a half gallon per week.
At first light I buried my old man cat. He was 22+ years. He loved to sleep under the blueberry bushes on the South side of the house, so that is where I buried him. I split a Sunrise echinacea and planted that on top of his grave. He came to us 5 years ago, when my friend sold her farm, bought a van and hit the road.
Neighbor gave me a 300 gallon Rubbermaid trough, it lost its plug, I ordered one from my friend who has a ranch supply business in Montana. Plug cost $24. I will make a cover for it and use it to collect rainwater in the garden.
I sold 2 vintage aprons and shipped them in a reused padded envelope.
I am so sorry about the loss of your Old Man cat. I lost the cat of my life when she was that same age. Sending love.
I am so sorry for the loss of your cat. We lost two this spring, and the loss of one at only six years old broke my poor husband’s heart.
So sorry about your old man cat. We lost our old boy at 18 a couple of years ago and it's still hard.
I'm so sorry about your cat. To bury him in a place he loved says you gave him a good life. A good long life for a kitty too, at 22 years.
I'm so sorry to hear about your cat. Pets never live long enough.
BGF, sending my sympathy on the loss of your cat. What a meaningful burial location.
Last week I bought a cute summer blouse at the charity thrift store for only $4 that turned to be quite a bit too big for me. Fortunately I can sew and took an hour today to shorten it and take in the sides from the inner arms down to the hem. Now it's cute and fits!
Cleaned and polished my husband's work boots for him and filled in some bad scuffs with a furniture marker of the right shade of brown. My patch of cat mint came back beautifully and I picked a handful for the kitty today.
Fantastic basket!
1. I walked an hour this morning.
2. I went to DG (the only store in my town) and used their $5 off $25 coupon. I bought soft drinks that I don’t need but it is a want, toilet paper, paper towels, a bamboo kitchen spoon, triple antibiotic ointment, several packages bc I am always cutting myself somehow, soap, pot holders because I somehow lost mine, etc.
3. I made mashed potatoes with potatoes that needed to be used up, coleslaw, bbq chicken legs from my freezer, cornmeal mush, and beans and hot dogs for breakfast.
4. I cleaned my house and I took a nap bc it is Saturday and I can.
5. I sat outside and watched the sun set and listened to the birds. Sunsets can be beautiful anywhere in my opinion. Besides, I paid for this place, pay taxes on it, and I wish to enjoy my own yard.
The basket came out really nice. What a great use of the twine. So pretty.
1. Yesterday I gave DH a haircut. He did not give me one because...well, we tried that once. Instead I went to my longtime hairdresser who still only charges $15 a haircut...a really good haircut. I give her a twenty dollar bill and go home.
2. We had Stepson49 over for supper. He's single and although he cooks for himself, he always thanks me and tells me how good it is to eat food he didn't have to cook.
3. Granddaughter21 asked me to help her make a Swedish Almond Cake for her friend's birthday. She came over and left with a cake. I love to bake so it's never a problem to do help out with baked goods.
4. I went for a walk around the neighborhood for some exercise. On the way back, I found my neighbors' cat's GPS collar by the roadside between my house and their house. Looked like a snowplow had pushed it into the dirt. I brushed it off and walked back to their house. They were overjoyed as it had been missing for months. The cat is fit as a fiddle. They're not sure how he lost it.
5. I did not say I'm glad the former FBI director is dead.
Can't speak for anyone else but now I have the exact statement to make when the orange one heads for Hades. In his orange one's case, it will actually be a factual statement.
I hope we all remember his statement about Robert Mueller's death.
Love the hanging basket. I do a similar thing except I put a plastic hanging basket inside a thrifted woven basket and secure it with binder clips. It makes it appear as if the plant is inside an expensive wicker basket.
However this year I have 2 wrought iron hanging baskets, coir lining and all, and I will plant them with some nice flowers and such.
1. Went to the local mission's plant nursery and bought an armload of herbs, vines and small pots of flowers for the above-mentioned project. Took them some empty plastic flower pots, which they gladly accepted and will reuse
2. Ran by Salvation Army and donated winter PJs I didn't wear all season, along with some capris that are too big for me. Also unloaded some excess coffee cups.
3. Used the last of the shampoo by mixing the last dab of product with some water. Had enforcement 2 soapings.
4. Soaked the bedspread before laundering it in order to get the place where I spill the BlueBell Ice Cream out. It then came out of the washing machine as good as new.
5. Not necessarily frugal, but doggone funny: this afternoon, my big clumsy dog
Snuggles got out of our yard and ran up and down the street. He then ran next door, down the neighbor's driveway -- and into trouble. Because their 9 year old dachshund growled and barked and chased him back into our yard. It was a scream seeing that teeny little old weenie dog make my 2 y.o. 60+ pound Rottweiler turn tail and run, but I swear ol' Snugs had his tail between his legs when he came speeding through our gate and onto our back porch. (Had he gone any slower, I think the little neighbor dog would've bit him in his backside.)After shooing him into the house and closing the back door, I gave the dachshund a dog biscuit for herding Snuggles back home for me. Wish I had a video of it! ROTFL.
Had enough for 2 soapings. Not sure how spell checker and auto correct messed that one up....
That basket looks really nice. I can't imagine how much time that took. I'd love to see it when you get the plant in it.
Katy, wow, your DIY woven basket looks like it was purchased from a store, only better. Great job.
The basket looks so great!
1) Switched all of my Kindle books to library books, as I ended my Kindle Unlimited membership. Fingers crossed that the library has enough options for me, as I'm a serious reader (by volume, not necessarily content ;-))
2) Made another easy "use it up" dinner. Heated up another leftover grilled burger for additional protein for DH. Served that with 1/2 of a package of a chicken pad Thai meal purchased at Costco.
3) One of DS20's coworkers called in sick, so he got to work & needed a different shirt (for a different position at the restaurant that evening). I drove the electric car to/from the restaurant where he works so he could start his shift & avoid driving back & forth.
4) Made a stack of new items to list on eBay
5) Gave some stuff away on BN - frugal for my neighbors!
If you find you need more kindle books to read I recommend:
1. Buying or asking for a Kindle Unlimited gift subscription. Just google for the right Amazon screen to buy them. If you do not receive an email confirmation within 5 minutes of purchase call Amazon customer service with your order #6and they will fix the technical glitch on their end.
2. Ask your out of state relatives or friends who don’t read digitally who do not read digitally if you can use their library cards in Libby widening your access to books at other libraries in Libby.
Kindle books - try facebook for groups that match your reading genre, I have joined several groups that list free books (Cozy Mystery Party, Bargain Crime/Mystery Ebooks). If you google “Amazon kindle bestsellers” it takes you to an Amazon page of their kindle bestsellers. There is a “Top 100 Free” tab. Can specify genre or just browse. Free to everyone without their membership. There are also websites like Free Booksy that have listing of free books. I have also found “Stuff Your Kindle” events. I stumble on the links from my facebook groups, but I did find a website with that name. Basically a one day online event that lists specific genres (romance, cozy, etc) that have free ebooks from authors, with links to a ebook store. Also check Apple ebook store and BN for free ebooks.
Your basket weaving is inspiring me! I have skeins of scrap fabric twine I made during the pandemic when I went through a brief rug-making phase. I wonder what that would look like woven in one of those wire baskets?
1) I traded in my Gallup poll rewards for a Regal gift card, then presented it to my son who is turning 21 for his birthday present. (He's using it to take his girlfriend to see Project Hail Mary today).
2) The spouse and I went on a geocaching hike yesterday, which was free except for the small amount of gas necessary to get there.
3) We splurged on a coffee and croissant yesterday after out hike. I had a full punch card, so we split a large dirty chai (chai tea and espresso). We also split an almond croissant that was on the day old shelf for $1. We spent $3.09 total ($1.09 for the croissant and a $2 tip).
4) I finished a library book. "Wandering Star" by Tommy Orange -- excellent and highly recommend. I recommend starting with the first book, "There There." It's not really a series, but they overlap some of the same characters. I put a few more books on hold that I can pick up on Monday. Yay, libraries!
5) I have a bowl of the no-knead NYT bread rising on the counter and I am about to assemble a broccoli-chicken-rice casserole for the fridge. We are going to be out until 6 pm this evening, so I want a dinner I can just toss in the oven as soon as we get home so we aren't tempted to pick anything up on the way back!
There’s a website http://www.EveryLibrary.org that that has online petitions to support US libraries. Ne aware if you sign one you gets of emails alerting you to political issues concerning and asking for donations ( can not afford to give anything but I sign a lot of petitions in these chaotic times though.
Thanks for the book recommendation. I've meant to start reading Tommy Orange for awhile now. It's good to know I should start with "There there" before I dive into "Wandering Star".
Katy: Well done on the hanging basket! I was inspired to work on my project.
6 months ago I sent my husband to pick up 4 white wooden barstools. They were free off Craigslist. He sawed the legs off 3 or 4 " as I needed dining room chairs. I finally got around to cleaning them up. The seats are brown. I put Old English scratch cover to cover scratches on the seats. The seats were unscrewed so I could also clean the rungs & other crevices on the chairs. Next I will lightly sand the chairs & cover w/ a coat of white spray paint. They will match my white Ikea dining table. The chairs that Ikea sells to match are $100.00 each. I may have to buy sandpaper & white spray paint. Otherwise no $ spent.
sounds like a great project, Texasilver - I wonder though if getting a can of paint would be cheaper? Painting rungs with a spray bomb might not be so easy _ I have spray painted lots of flat things, but when I have thin things I find a brush just works better - those foam brushes or even the small foam rollers are awesome and leave no streaks.
Spraypaint is really expensive up here.
Really cute basket!
1. Spent this rainy-day meal prepping healthy meals for the week (work lunches and solitary dinners as my hubby is out of town for work). I made roasted Moroccan style butternut squash, roasted potatoes, BBQ tofu, lentils and potato "burgers" from some leftover mashed potatoes. I can use these items to make many dishes.
2. Started seeds for the garden. I am not the best at starting seeds, but it's cheap to try using seeds I already have on hand. I yearn for a greenhouse but it's just not practical for where I currently live.
3. Using the wooden Amish drying rack that I've had for nearly two decades to dry laundry and it also seconds as an air freshener.
4. After doing the pantry challenge since Dec, I finally bought a small haul of food at a G Mart (Asian grocery store) this past week while on a quick trip to NYC for a business errand. I spent about $100, but I really feel like I got more for the $1 than I would have at the grocery stores in my area of NY. I bought several $1 bags of beautiful produce, tofu, and rice (all things I regularly eat). Plus, I got a free bag of AP flour and vanilla coffee syrup for a store event. I've said it before, but if you are looking for things like rice, fresh veg/fruit, and beans for a much better price (and you live in an area that supports them), visit your local Indian and Asian stores.
5. Once home, I added the grocery items to the notebook I started this year to help me know what I have in the food stores and the BB dates. This has been really helpful in keeping me from buying what I don't need and wasting food (big, horrible frugal fail and guilt-inducing when it happens). I also list meal ideas and keep a monthly page for items that need to be used first. It's working for me and I haven't wasted any food since I implemented it. I plan to continue on with the pantry challenge.
I also do the pantry challenge. This year I used food from my pantry, freezers and fridge. Only buying fresh produce and eggs. Did this until about a week ago and then did a Costco run. I do that every year to use what we have.
It really helps! <3
I love the basket.
1. Friday was the 75th anniversary of Carvel's flying saucer. You could get 1 for 75¢. You were allowed 1 per person. I stopped at one on my way home from work. I had posted it in our family group chat so the kids would know. Hubby surprised me with one. He is allergic to dairy. That one went into the freezer.
2. I had 2 friends over Friday night to play games. My one friend insisted on bringing a pizza and then left me the leftovers. The other brought homemade cookies. We had a great time.
3. Hubby and I cleaned out the pantry. Only 2 things got tossed so I will call that a win. I now know what needs to be used soon.
4. I had the dermatologist earlier in the week for my yearly check up, I have a family history of skin cancer so I make sure to get checked. I was good. Only needed 2 things frozen which is an all time low for me. I was also given lots of lotion samples.
5. Hubby went to the driving range and got 70 free balls. Someone had to leave and gave them to him.
6. Made ham, cheddar and asparagus egg bites, hardboiled eggs. cupcakes, and fried rice with leftover pork chops for easy meals and snacks this week.
1. Thrifted two pair of Lululemon shorts for myself today. I live in athletic wear chasing my toddler around.
2. Spent yesterday gathering sticks and leaves to help fill our raised beds. Started more seeds in water jugs that I picked up from our BN group.
3. Got a pack of diapers off of the BN group, this is one of my favorite things to be gifted.
4. Realized we had no summer pajamas for my toddler. I went to kid2kid and scored four pair. Used a coupon so my cost out of pocket was very little. I did put an ask on the BN group for these first, but no hits.
I love hearing about young mothers coping frugally with the demands of their lives! When I was young, I, too, was very frugal, but we didn't have secondhand stores or buy-nothing groups -- at least where I lived -- and there was a lot of pressure to overspend to prove what a good mother you were. At least in my circle. So I like to hear how young families are coping so much better now. Well done, you!
1. The discount blueberries I bought last weekend were looking rough Saturday, so I pulled out anything remotely moldy, washed em good, and cooked them down into a compote. This has been a lovely addition to my morning yogurt bowl and I'm glad I could avoid having to toss them.
2. I also pulled a gifted orchid out of the window where it has been limping along all winter. Turns out the bottom roots were rotten. I did some surgery and drilled into a takeout container to give it a home with enough drainage and air circulation. It does not appear to be any worse for the wear and I'm hoping it starts doing better.
3. We had also bought cabbage to make "dumpling lasagna" - a surprisingly tasty and easy viral recipe - but only need a little bit. I cooked up the rest with onions and white beans (always on hand!) to make what my mom always called peasant food. I also stopped by the local bakery and got the most beautiful loaf of crusty bread to eat with it at a much lower price than at the grocery store.
4. Still watching Twin Peaks for free on streaming.
5. Went on a "smoothie walk" with my neighborhood pal yesterday. We started doing this instead of blowing money on eating out together, particularly when we need at least 2 hours together to gab! It was great to get some sunshine and walk over 4 miles.