Five Frugal Things -- Frugal Errands Galore!
1) I spent a good chunk of yesterday driving around town in the name of frugal erranding.
First errand was to drop off more brand new art supplies from my late in-law's estate. The high school art department supply room is now satisfyingly full with high quality materials. I remember the art teacher sharing that her supply budget was $0 when my kids were students, so there could be no better destination for all this Stuff!
My husband regularly floats the idea of replacing our 21-year-old minivan with a compact car, but it's amazing how often a big car comes in handy.
I also brought a bouquet of hydrangeas for the art teacher. The two of us are doing symbiotic favors for one another and I currently appreciate her more than ever. If it wasn't weird, I'd gift her a dozen bouquets!
2) The next stop was Dollar Tree, as I love sending my kids home with food, but need some leftover containers that don't require a tracker. On record I'm no fan of plastic food storage, but real life sometimes gets in the way of lofty ideals.
3) The Dollar Tree is in the same complex as Chipotle, so I ordered a kids' meal using the gift card I earned from donating platelets.
$5.70 got me two soft tacos with chicken, pinto beans and corn salsa; as well as a tangerine and drink. The tortillas were hard and dry, but otherwise it was a halfway decent meal. Then again my standards are pretty low when it comes to free food.
Hello, cutie!
4) I had more time to kill, so to I drove over to a nearby Goodwill. I walked out empty handed, although I did look up a couple items, including this wall hook organizer.
Google Lens told me it was an Umbra Estique over the door organizer currently selling for $35. (I think it was $6.99?) I've picked up multiple wire and wooden ball organizers to resell through the years, as they're all knockoffs of the $325 Eames Hang it All and sell quickly.
I prefer to pick them up when they're a buck or two, like this one I grabbed from a Goodwill bin back in February. I gave it to my youngest, who painted the balls red and now uses it in their apartment.
I also looked up this toy helicopter, as it didn't appear as mass produced as its shelf mates. It turned out to be a Green Toy brand that sells at Wal-Mart. (Recycled plastic?) Sometimes discontinued high end toys sell for a pretty penny, yesterday was not that day.
5) Speaking of "Yesterday," I finally scored a Lucky Day copy of Yesteryear, which I've had on my hold list for ages.
You can see that I'm not the only library patron looking to read this book! I've been working hard to avoid spoilers and mostly have, aside from readers having a hard time with an unlikable protagonist. I've been in a reading slump since finishing The Calamity Club and am crossing my fingers that this book kicks me back into bookworm mode.
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 didn't like the protagonist in a way that made it easy to keep reading, if that makes sense!
1. Husband is bulking errands today while the kids are not feeling well and I'm fighting exhaustion. I'm not sure if it's from coming down with their germs or keeping up with their germs. I washed all of my water bottles last night so I'm not drinking out of gross glass while I try and stay hydrated.
2. Husband dropped off three small returns at Ikea, we should get $15-$20 back from it all.
3. He then swung by Once Upon A Child, kids consignment store, that we've been meaning to visit. He found a ton of fun stuff! The only thing good enough to tempt him was a princess costume for our oldest. We'll use it for Halloween but I'm sure she'll wear it about 25 times before then.
4. He picked up a free coffee from the apartment clubhouse on a way to an appointment and then picked up some items on hold at the library and returned things we've read. I'm still working on Time Hop Coffee Shop, I'm not sure if I like it yet but I keep getting interrupted while reading.
5. I'm crocheting some more today but my body is too tired for much else. I'm making decent progress and watch YouTube while I do it so I don't get too bored with the monotony.
I didn't like the protagonist or the book! Don't understand the hype about this one, but that's just me, I guess.
I sold one of my sister's sweaters on eBay, after a dry spell. I was hoping that cooler weather would bring about some interest in her cold weather items, and it looks like that may happen. I packed it in recycled materials, per usual, and dropped it off at the post office this morning. On the same trip I returned two books at a drive-by library bin.
I forgot to take along some outgoing mail to the post office, one of which is my ballot for the midterms. I'm definitely taking that directly to the post office, so some MAGAt doesn't swipe it in the name of election integrity (i.e., only Republicans are allowed to win, by any means necessary).
So tomorrow it's another trip to the PO, which is not my favorite errand, because the parking is a nightmare, and the walk is a bit too long. I may walk to the train station and ride there.
I talked to my son out in Oregon yesterday, the one who has struggled with unemployment. He has been hired full-time as a blackjack dealer at a casino after finishing a training series. He's pleased, despite the irony of not being the least bit interested in gambling. I guess that's good! He's pleased because he doesn't have to uproot his family, the work is not difficult, and he will get tips to augment his pay. And he gets free food while he's on the job! So I'm happy along with him.
I love the blackjack dealer gig. You just never know. I used to work for a Fortune 500 company, and I did the crazy FIRE life so I could retire at 40 years old, now 16 years later I am a librarian!
Ha! I used to be a librarian, then switched to fundraising halfway through my working life. Now I'm happily retired.
In another life I would have been a librarian! Libraries are my happy place! (One of them)
That's fantastic news for your son and his family!
I have become my grandmother and started washing and saving containers with lids for when I send food to the neighbors. Sour cream, cottage cheese, yogurt tubs, etc. Seems to go in cycles where I have a pile of them, and then I'm out again. I use clear containers in my own fridge though, I need a visual of my leftovers.
What a wonderful gift to the HS art department!
I combined errands today, and my husband offered to run most of them. Everything was on the same side of town, so he dropped me at the grocery store and ran the 3 other quick errands while I was shopping.
I saw an episode of America's Test Kitchen where they evaluated freezer containers. The best one was some expensive Swiss one that you had to go to Switzerland to get. Their pick for second best was a used yogurt carton. It has a good seal and is relatively safe plastic. I finally ate enough yogurt to replace my decrepit collection of freezer containers of unknown plastic with a matched set of pint and quart yogurt boxes that can share the same set of lids. I can make a giant pot of stew or peanut chicken or chili and portion it out in them for frozen dinners. They can corral a leaky houseplant, catch a loose spider, or hold a vinegar solution when I'm scrubbing the shower. Best of all, if I run short I can just eat more yogurt.
1. One of my jobs at the library is scheduling our programs and the rooms for them. Our yoga instructor let me know she was going to miss this week's class and slyly mentioned in front of the director that she was sure I was up to substituting for her. What? No! But they convinced me I could, so I did. Let's just say I did a lot of yoga more than once a day leading up to the class. It went great, and I am glad I did it. Free exercise and no cancelled classes.
2. Netgalley approved me for an early copy of Donal Ryan's new book "Where are the kings" in exchange for a review and feedback. About halfway through, and at first wasn't getting into it, but this is one of my favorite authors so I continued on, and now I am glad I did. I can never get enough of free books!!!
3. This week is my first week back from vacation. Oregon you are beautiful!!! I turned back on Vinted, E-bay, and Posh. A few small sales so far. I plan to list more this weekend.
4. I used someone's link to finally get on Fetch. Which gave me bonus points. So far so good.
5. I harvested butternut squash from the garden this week. Enough to use on store for about 3 to 4 months. A fellow gardener gifted me with a bag of cucumbers. There are so many I will definitely be sharing the love with others.
I am reading “An Unfinished Canvas” by Michael Glasgow and Phyllis C. Gobbell, about an infamous murder case in Nashville, on my Libby app. I recommend. I only read non-fiction.
Katy, you are taking a tax credit for these donations, aren't you?
If you need some kind of appraisal statement to do it, just let me know...I see the photos and know values on these. No doubt we can swap my usual fee for something.
Why yes, I am! We actually have recipts for many of the items.
In my continuing quest to declutter/downsize/sell stuff I am not using/don’t need anymore, I sold on FB Marketplace: a pair of large decorative throw pillows, which are way too large for my new-to-me loveseat recliner, $5/pair; two wooden salad bowls (one a gift and never used) plus matching utensils, $5/lot; vintage wooden magazine stand, $5. Underpriced but I wanted quick sales. It is so satisfying to have things gone. The pillows took a few weeks and a price reduction but they finally sold.
Most of the big ticket frugal things around here are done by my DH, who could teach a master class in frugality. I do the tiny things that hopefully will add up over time.
1. DH found an offer to get $75 credit for using Apple Pay (one time offer) and Aldi accepts Apple Pay, so he set that up and we just got the $75 credit, which will pay for at least one full Aldi trip in the future.
2. I eat La Purita oats every morning (they are the cheapest gluten-free oats we've found) and they come in nifty reusable canisters. I saved two and decanted our cat's kibble into those, which will keep it fresher (and safer from his gnawing fangs) than the opened bag.
3. My school asked me to take a survey about my family's financial situation (most likely to collect data on students who need financial assistance). In return for about 15 minutes of my time I got a $5 digital gift card.
4. DS#2 called from school, where he learned his bike had a popped inner tube from running over a curb he didn't notice until it was too late. DH went to pick him up with the truck and on the way back stopped at the store and took advantage of some good deals and stocked us up on produce and cheese for the weekend--the only things we needed. In fact, he stocked us up so well that we probably are good on cheese for several weeks! Our motto is, if you have to take the car somewhere, don't just use it once.
5. On our last trip to Aldi DH popped into the Goodwill next door, in hopes of finding a glass baking pan. They didn't have those, but they did have a beautiful 12 inch stainless steel skillet--missing a lid, but at $10 and in perfect condition, he couldn't pass it up. I was able to scramble 20 eggs in it for dinner!
1. My friend and I went to the movie theatre I used to work at last night to see the new Spiderman movie. I used free passes from when I worked there. I left in 2018 and still have over 2 dozen tickets left. A kid I had trained under me is a manager there now and offered us free popcorn. My friend was very happy. We brought reusable water bottles and M&Ms with us. I didn't want my popcorn so my friend took it home with her. I gave her a bag of pineapple sage from my garden and a bunch of cherry tomatoes. She crocheted me a purple dragon that is so cute. I recently found a bin of yarn and gave it all to her. She is always making lap blankets for the VA and babies.
2. I had made an embroidery appointment at the library and today was the day. I sat with the Teck librarian and she helped me make a very nice monogram for my son on a set of Kohl's towels that I got for free with Kohl's cash. I made sets of towels for both of my daughter's for their bridal showers. My son washes his laundry at my house and is single and I saw some of his towels. He took some of our used towels 3+ years ago when he moved out. He needed some new ones. These will be a Christmas present for him. I did 2 hand towels and 2 extra large bath towels. You are allowed to do 4 Teck projects a week. I plan on doing several more projects leading up to Christmas. Love my library.
3. We picked the first figs off of our newest fig tree. Hubby took a cutting from one of his dad's trees 3 years ago. I had been picking the baby figs off the last few years so that the roots would grow. This year was the first year we could eat them. They are almost black but so sweet.
4. On a walk I picked up a bag full of beautiful acorns. I pulled out my bag of pine cones that I had picked up last year and put them all in a yellow bowl I have. I started to decorate with stuff I have had for years or items I have gotten from my buy nothing group. Does anyone take empty plastic bags out of other shopping carts? I always see them in carts and I grab them and throw them in my car. They come in handy for so many different things.
5. I really wanted an ice cream sundae but I have no ice cream. I did have a banana, chocolate syrup and whipped cream so I made a little sundae. It was very good and hit the spot. I am doing a low spend grocery challenge this month and it is way to early to hit the grocery store.
6. I freeze our dogs Kong with peanut butter and treats inside. I put 2 busy bowls with pumpkin and peanut butter lined on it in the freezer. I made her a weeks worth of dog food. I make most of her treats. We groom her at home(brushing her, cutting nails and cleaning her ears). She is worth all the time we put into her care. I help my son trim his cats nails because he is a squirmy one.
Marybeth from NY,
I don't grab plastic bags, but I do collect any disposable plastic coat hangers from other people's shopping carts. Yes, they are flimsy, but they can be used. I put lightweight items such as tank tops and t-shirts on them, thus freeing my sturdier coat hangers for heavier clothing. The flimsy hangers may eventually crack or break, but it doesn't bother me, as they were free and I can always get some more.
1. I'll stay with the frugal errands theme. DH and I brought four more items to the consignment store.
2. Walmart is right across the street so we crossed over and I bought a can of spray paint for 2.34 for my rock painting hobby. Also a pack of pads because I can't get them cheaper anywhere.
3. On to CVS to pick up two prescriptions. 5.00 each with our insurance.
4. DH needed razor blades so he picked up a package that sells for 25.99. With a coupon for 20% off the original price and another one for 4.00 off, the price came down to 16.79 (plus tax). We also purchased two boxes of granola bars for DH's hiking adventures, two boxes of Poptarts and a box of cereal for the food pantry my church supports. All five items came to 3.95 using lsales and coupons.
5. Then over to the jeweler to get some old jewelry I found in my parents' things appraised. I only sold him the gold from a ring with a broken diamond in it and haven't decided what to do with the other pieces yet.
Used a $10 Purina coupon earned through the Purina app to help buy a bag of cat food.
Got my free to me flu shot.
Story time: Our dog was going to the vet to have staples and sutures removed from his surgery two weeks prior. I used a seat belt clip for the first time ever with him and he went bananas. I thought he was going to break his neck. I was backing out of the garage and my husband had come home for work to go to the vet appt with us and parked in a different spot than usual. I was so distracted by Milo I slowly backed into my husband's car. It dented his bumper and broke my tail light. Ugh. I ordered an OEM used tail light from an eBay seller for $105 total. My deductible would have been $250 if I had gone through insurance. I needed help getting the old one loose but I’m happy to say I did the rest of the installation myself and it works great! Bonus I have tons of brown paper and bubble wrap to use for my eBay sales. lol
My husband went to the body shop to get an estimate for his car and the guy there just went under the car with the heat gun and popped out the dent for free! Husband tried to pay him and the owner said no, there are things more important than money. This guy has now earned our business in case we need him in the future.
Sold some more items on ebay—Christmas ornaments, Highlights magazines from the 80’s, vintage Pendleton shirt, sewing accessory I parted out from a box of items.
I won’t leave any spoilers, but wiki at say this book left me with chills. You might need a palate cleanser book afterwards!
I lost my comment. Basically I bought huge chicken breasts, pepitas, apple bag. 3 hot dog packages, yogurts, Swiss cheese, potato chips, bagels for $28.02.
2. Stove was fried last week so cooking chicken in crockpot right now.
3. Chicken breasts bagels and cheese are for lunch sandwiches.
4. Gas is 3.86 gallon
Now that I got my comment somewhat posted , here is price breakdown. 5 very large chicken breasts for $10.75, pepitas $2.39, Swiss cheese $1.49, bagel package $1.99, hot dog packages 97 cents a piece, honey crisp apples $1.99, one apple was really rotten, potatoes chips for $1.79, frozen broccoli for $1.15. Paper bag bc mine broke in the store 14 cents. Large plain yogurt $2.59.
An art teacher without a supply budget makes me so cranky!
I have a nice supply of leftover containers courtesy of Buy Nothing - the ubiquitous black ones with clear lids along with some Gladware.
1. Picked up two insulated lunch coolers from Buy Nothing. Only needed one so I gave away the other along with a larger soft-sided cooler that we didn't care for or need.
2. Spent $1 to make an online property tax payment. Beats mailing it or being charged a credit card fee.
3. Changed five monthly payments from automatically coming out of our credit card account to our credit union account instead. Reasoning: 1) Credit card is coming up for renewal and I'd have to update the expiration date anyway for these monthly payments. 2) If I become incapacitated or died first, my husband would have a harder time with the credit card side of things than the local credit union. 3) Having all payments coming out of the same account makes financial recordkeeping easier. We're losing the rewards from using our credit card, but that's okay.
4. Attended a free Advance Care Planning seminar, the first of three in a series offered at our library. No sales gimmicks, just great info.
5. Took advantage of having the oven on and made in succession: granola, croutons, roasted potatoes, and roasted eggplant.
1. Bought something at my local pharmacy, came to $18 and the cashier asked me if I wanted to use $10 in airmiles cash. I said yes, then she informed me that I have $740 left. I had no idea so now we need to find out what we can spend it on.
2. Got my prescription filled at same pharmacy, the total came to $15.75 when it should be fully covered by my extended health insurance. This happened once before and when I questioned it they looked into it and sure enough it should have been fully paid. I told the pharmacy cashier this, but she couldn't see why it would be paid, so I just said okay and paid it. After I got home I received a message that they had looked into it further, and I was right. I went back a couple of days later and and got my refund.
3. It was time to renew our house insurance policy, and we were horrified to see that this year it had gone up to almost $3900 (CDN). We called the agent and discussed how to reduce it, and ended up saving $1300 by cancelling the earthquake coverage. Our house was built in the last 10 years and is only one story. Even though we are on the west coast of Canada, and "the big one is coming" we are willing to take the risk, for now.
4. Still getting raspberries and cucumbers from our garden.
5. Bookings from Airbnb are down, but still getting a few Home Exchangers stay for points, which we will use on our vacation to Europe next year.
ouch re the insurance.
I know you just renewed, and yet I would encourage you to look at an insurance broker rather than just renew with the same company. A broker might find a better deal and you could cancel and move over (and keep the earthquake insurance!)
My Mom, daughter and son are all saving considerable $ because they all moved to a broker (they went with InsureBC, in Victoria. Michelle Wenner is the agent they used, in case you want to try).
I, of course, am stuck with limited options for companies to deal with, but I moved to this same agent as she cleaned up the policy I had. (and I was so grateful for the $400+ my mom saved, as well as a similar savings for my daughter, both in their condos)
Took mom to impromptu family get together. There were 20 of us with out of towners and abroaders coming into town for the funeral tomorrow. I handed out the derby dresses, hats and accessories. We had potluck supper, I always make the same thing, layered green salad with bacon, peas, cheese and an herbie mayo/Greek yogurt dressing. I also took gluten free cookies because half of us have celiac. I came home with no leftovers (success!)
I'll make more cookies for tomorrow and corn bread muffins to go with the bbq.
I have one of those multi hook door organizers for one of the guest rooms, so handy.
I could not fathom getting rid of my minivan.
Such a wonderful donation to the art dept.
-- Went to work, where I found some very useful 10-foot quick charging cords with USB C plugs for $1.99 on clearance; bought one for myself and 2 for Xmas presents. They are in boxes so will be easy to wrap --and hard for the gift recipients to guess what they are. Bonus: they look far more expensive than 2 bucks.
-- Another free movie via streaming.
-- Have AC off and am only using ceiling fan for "air conditioned comfort," thanks to the rain that swept into our area. Time to break out the autumn stuff.. I actually wore a long-sleeved T-shirt to work today!
-- Collected rainwater for use on indoor plants.
-- Did not buy fake-y coins or bitcoins or gold from Trump and will be missing out on attending his invitation-only gala dinner for the top suckers who invest in this scam.
My kids occasionally arrive here with two clanking grocery bags, or even overflowing boxes, full of my 'missing' canning jars, which are my go-to food sharing containers - I know they will eventually bring them back, and a missing lid is no problem in my home of many recycled lids and rings. Sometimes I have to ask but they are usually good about it when prodded. I make my own yogurt so that standby container isn't common in my cupboard, and any time it is and is sent out with food it will NOT come back to me.
A bouquet a week for a few weeks would prob spark her creative juices and be much enjoyed and appreciated 🙂 I know I wouldn’t mind being gifted flowers on the weekly!