Five Frugal Things -- Hydrangeas & Poppies
1. I sold a $20 silk scarf that I listed on eBay back in March of 2021! Yes, you read that right, it took five years to sell! I want you to remember this for next time you're tempted give me credit for being "good at selling on eBay."
There's a saying about how "The profit is made at the buying, not the selling," which essentially means that your money is made when you decide what to sell and this is a prime example of that.
Normally I'd re-donate something that sat on my eBay shelf long enough to start kindergarten, but it took up almost no space so I allowed it to stay. Hopefully I've gotten better at knowing what to buy for resale since 2021.
Click HERE to see the listing.
2. I looked through our credit card statement and noticed two mysterious $35 charges from the day we flew back from Albuquerque. I had a strong suspicion it was due to checked luggage charges. This didn't sit right with me, as my husband and I use an airline credit card whose perks include free checked luggage! So I called the credit card company . . . who then instructed me to call the airline . . . who then told me to call a different number at the airline. It took two additional phone calls after this, but in the end the charges were reversed.
I'd hoped this would be one of those "I spent fifteen minutes to save $70" narratives, but such was not the case. However I can now cross it off my to-do list and move on with my life -- $70 richer.
3. We ran over my iPhone 8 while in Albuquerque and amazingly enough the only thing to be affected was the selfie camera, plus a cracked screen. It's eight-and-a-half years old and was unfortunately already having issues not downloading updates, which means certain apps no longer function. I bought it used for $280 in 2021 and I guess I'll start the process of scouting out a "new" (used) one to replace it. Note that buying a new iPhone is not in my plans.
Ugh . . . does anyone local have a semi-recent iPhone gathering dust?
4. I've been sick over the past week and finally took it seriously enough yesterday for an at-home Covid test, (negative) and then urgent care for a Strep test, which is pending. They took me back immediately, which meant I wasn't able to enjoy the lobby's tea station. I did pocket a couple herbal tea bags on my way out, because yes -- I'm cheapaf!
5. I spent a hour or so pruning back my hydrangeas in order to ensure optimal summer blossoms. Fun fact, my late father rooted these in his greenhouse and came over and planted them for me while I was on maternity leave back in 1998, so I always know how old they are.
I also took a jar of poppy seeds that had turned a bit rancid and scattered the seeds throughout the yard to see if they'll germinate. My hope is for 2026 to be the "Summer of poppy blossoms!"
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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Hope you feel better soon. I snorted when I read "long enough to start kindergarten." Good thing I wasn't drinking something at the time!
1. Found an expired spice jar at our Airbnb. Cleaned it out and added it to our travel kit.
2. Using up bits and bobs of other items at the Airbnb - soap, conditioner, tea, mouthwash and sugar.
3. Reserved the same Airbnb for next winter for the same price as this year, for which my husband had already negotiated a much lower price than advertised. Also taking advantage of the new-to-us Airbnb option of book now and pay later. It's hard to get ahead when your money is tied up in next year's vacation!
4. Watched LBJ via temporary Netflix subscription.
5. Watched Song Sung Blue via our free Peacock subscription through our Internet company.
Sorry to hear you're not feeling well!
1. I purchased some clearance items
2. Starting seeds for my garden
3. Reused rice rinse water
4. Hit a coin jackpot!
5. Did some Goodwill shopping which resulting a flop
More details here: https://practicalwalk.com/2026/02/27/frugal-five-plus-a-flop/
Rice water can also be used to clean and condition hair, and can be fermented lightly and diluted to make a combo fertilizer/anti-fungal soil drench.
KATY! I have an iPhone SE that is a few years old; I meant to list it for sale because the price the Apple store offered me for it was dismal, but I haven't gotten around to it.
I believe it's the second-generation SE. 🙂
I'm sorry you've been sick. Glad you got checked!
1. Sold 2 mirrors, free to me, for a total of $150. Listed a couple more things on FB marketplace.
2. Had my inaugural "Maker's group" at my house yesterday. Two ladies were mending, tow doing embroidery and one knitting. We had a lovely time chatting. I served homemade lemonade (free lemons) and ginger cookies from Dollar Tree.
3. For some reason I had a $10 off coupon from Panera (I don't ever go there). It didn't say what the minimum spend was so I was suspicious, but I stopped in and ordered the bakers dozen bagels for $10.99 and I only had to pay 99¢! I also got my free birthday pastry.
4. I gave handmade birthday gifts to 2 friends. One was a set of fabric cocktail napkins made with linen from a free dress. I'm focusing on making as many gifts as possible this year as I love making things. The larger bonus is I'm not supporting greedy corporations. Well, I am supporting them with my tax dollars but I'm not supporting them with my purchases. I sewed 2 more gifts this morning.
5. Two kinds of cheese I had in the fridge went a bit moldy at the edges. I've been sick and unable to face them. But yesterday I trimmed the mold off, grated both blocks and put the grated cheese in the freezer in clean cereal bags. To me, food waste is like opening my garbage can and putting dollar bills directly in the garbage.
Kara, I love your maker party. Now I think I’m going to host one as well! And I have a lovely linen print shirt that I’ve never worn: I’m going to make cocktail napkins, too: thank you for the great ideas!
I think it's awesome you're giving handmade gifts. I would LOVE to receive and handmade gift like cocktail napkins! Sadly, I never learned how to sew- but I have signed up for classes!
1) My 5 year old saw a video on YouTube featuring different Japanese snacks. She really latched onto one called a Tokyo Banana (a sponge cake shaped like a banana with banana cream inside)She became desperate to have one, she said it looked so good and she wanted to go to Japan so she could try it. She brought it up daily for the last week, how she couldn’t wait for us to go to Japan so she could get a Tokyo Banana (note we do not have any upcoming trips to Japan planned). I finally did a little research and found that Hmart sells them. We went there this morning to pickup a box and there was pure joy on her face when she spotted the box! Hopefully the taste lives up to her very high expectations (they were frozen so are still defrosting) So maybe not frugal to buy unneeded snack cakes but cheaper than a trip to Japan!
2) I’m going out to dinner for a friend’s birthday tonight. I like to give consumable gifts and she really enjoys interesting snacks so I picked out a variety for her while we were at Hmart as her gift.
3) Listening to a library book on Libby, The Rose Code, historical fiction about British female code breakers during world war 2, I’m really enjoying it!
4) One of my daughter’s friends gave her a new pair of shoes that didn’t fit her well.
5) It’s sunny and warm here today! It’s not going to last past today so I’m going to enjoy it. I ate my breakfast outside and will go for a run later and a bike ride to the beach with the kids.
Frugality is all about spending your money on what really matters to you, and the joy your 5 year old will get from her Tokyo treat is priceless!
Please let us know if the treat meets expectations.
Update: She took one bite and said “I don’t like these” and then spent the rest of the day saying she wished she liked them haha Luckily my husband has been enjoying them so not a total waste.
Awe, for the love of a 5 year old!!
I get most of my audiobook suggestions from this blog and the commenters!
I hope you have poppy blossoms!
1. I went to walk at the community center, but they were hosting a job fair, and the parking lot was packed. I parked in an illegal spot so could run in and exchange a book for three that were on hold. Got back before I got a ticket!
2. Since I couldn't walk at the cc, I went to Sam's, where I did get some walking done, and then I bought a rotisserie chicken, blueberries and raspberries. I had some free lemonade and veggie snack sticks from the vendors, and I picked up four receipts in the parking lot.
3. Yesterday's walk was accomplished outdoors, since the weather was beautiful -- for one day. No great finds, just one sealed wipe that I put in my purse, but I did get a couple of books from little free libraries. I have a lot of reading material on hand!
4. I trimmed my bangs this morning. I'm trying to stretch out haircuts to last eight weeks instead of six. I will get a haircut next Saturday.
5. I didn't invade a foreign country without Congressional approval..
Beth W., you remind me of a frugal friend who used to do some late evening walking in various big box stores. She'd grab a shopping basket and put a couple of items in it so they wouldn't make her leave, and then walk her laps up and down all the aisle. Finally she would "change her mind," replace the merch on the shelves and leave the store without buying anything.She did this all summer long so that she could walk in air conditioning; she did not like mall walking bc she said it was too crowded.
Two summers ago when DIL was in hospital for a month, I got all my walking in at the hospital. It was over 110 degrees outside and I took my grandson to his mom most days. I dropped him in the room and then walked all over the hospital in the blissful air conditioning.
Haha! I did not change my mind, however!
Thanks for bringing back some fond memories of my late grandmother.
In her later years she had vision loss that made her a fall risk if she walked outside, but she did great walking around a well lit store. Anytime I took her grocery shopping with me we'd do 2-3 laps around the inside perimeter of the store, and then do our shopping.
My frugal fail is your lucky day: I just found the Spectrum phone I lost last year( and have since replaced with another Spectrum phone and also with a TracFone.) I am not doing too well with anything electronic as my computer went kaput and I can't get into my 2 Yahoo accounts. But if you will contact me via the email I will use for this message, I will give you my phone number and we can discuss a sale on the recovered phone. It no longer has a working number but should be otherwise OK since Snuggles never found it..if he had found it, it'd be all chewed up, LOL.
1. I sold a little tikes roller coaster for 80 dollars on marketplace, which is 30 dollars more than what I paid for it last spring at a yard sale! My little guy wasn’t a fan and it took up a lot of space.
2. In attempt to live life without Amazon and get out of the house for the first time post-op, I made a list of things I wanted on Amazon and then went to tj maxx. Mostly cleaning supplies (pumice stone, some microfiber clothes, pink stuff and sponges) as well as dog treats and rose oil. Unfortunately a toddler and hard water requires more than vinegar and blue dawn at times , so cleaning things were a necessity. It was exponentially cheaper to buy at tj maxx!
3. Speaking of hard water, we have it no longer! My husband installed a water softener. The softener cost money , however saved on labor by self installing , and hopefully this will extend the life of our appliances, pipes, clothes and skin !
4. Picked up some organic apples and bananas off the reduced shelf from king Soopers , as well as discounted dove soap bars my husband likes. Cheap fruit is a huge win, especially when you have a toddler!
5. Purchased a very inexpensive pattern off of Etsy to make shorts for my toddler for summer. I have a few pieces of clothing I’ve collected from the bins to upcycle . The pattern is also for sizes newborn-10 , so should get a lot of use out of this. My goal for 2026 is to shop as little as possible, second hand , small business, or diy when I do need something, and no Amazon. Starve capitalism a dollar at a time.
Rooting for you on your "no Amazon" journey! I'm currently living in a location where Amazon deliveries are hard to get, anyway. Sacrificed a little convenience, but have not yet run into anything I couldn't find somewhere else.
My frugals are mostly about using up stuff.
1. I really dislike the feel of lotion on my hands but my feet need it. So I made up my mind to be brave and rub on some lotion that has been around a long time. After using it every night, my feet are much improved.
2. My husband has been cutting up branches that were downed by the ice storm to use for kindling.
3. We prefer gel dishwasher detergent but we also have a partial box of powder that I am working on using up. It was forgotten under the sink for a while.
4. Bought some tasteless cherries. I should have known better. I pitted them and sprinkled them with lemon juice and sugar. They were fine used in a Dutch baby with apple and blueberries.
5. Lunch today was reduced produce baking potatoes, 6 large ones for $1.50. We had various toppings on them, including green onions that have already sprung up in the garden box.
I hope you feel better soon!
1) I dropped off a handmade gift for my eldest boy's partner, and was gifted a giant bag of gummy bears they didn't want. I don't like gummy bears, but I will use them as an add-on to the gift baskets I am going to be putting together for two people who I know love gummy candy.
2) It's a gorgeous (mostly) sunny day in NW Washington, so we are going to spend the afternoon cleaning up the garden and deck.
3) I ate leftover split pea soup for lunch so no more leftovers!
4) Lucky frugal -- I deliver groceries on the weekend for a couple of hours for extra cash. A client canceled an item after I had already left the store. Support refunded it and told me to "dispose of" the item because the store doesn't take back food. No problem! I "disposed of" a family bag of turkey breakfast sausage patties inside my freezer. It's not a normal grocery item for us, but I'm sure I'll find a way to use it!
5) I agreed to teach a native plant class in September for a women's outdoor retreat. It's an hour south of us and I don't get paid, but for teaching a 3 hour class I do get two night's stay, access to all the amenities, free meals, and I can take up to two classes (I know I will take wilderness first aid, not sure about the other one yet). A good friend of mine attends every year and put my name forward to teach, so I also know that there will be at least one person there to hang out with.
The retreat sounds like such a nice opportunity and very fun!
This morning I made a homemade bra extender using the sections with hooks and eyes off an old bra. Cut them off, turned things the right way, and securely hand sewed the sections together. It works perfectly.
Also took up the ends of a too-wide boat neck on an otherwise lovely shirt with a little hand sewing. No more spending the day tugging that shirt into place.
Had a few apples that were getting wrinkly and used them up as cinnamon baked apples, which made a nice side dish with supper yesterday.
1. A few posts ago I commented about listing an etching I found in a large coffee table book a friend gave me (he literally rescued it from the trash) it was signed by a Rookwood Pottery artist. I listed it for $225 and ended up selling it for $155. After eBay's cut I should receive $130. I am happy for the $$$ but also thrilled it didn't go in the landfill, lost forever!
2. I made tea from dried raspberry leaves from my yard. My husband and I took a class at our Parks Department a few years ago called "I eat weeds" and it taught us all these native things we could make our own teas from. I forgot all about gathering and drying the leaves until my husband found my handy work at the back of the cabinet. So we are currently using it up.
3. As of tomorrow I will have officially made it through two months of no buy/low buy. I was initially only doing January, but carried it on into February, as I truly want to consume less. I am $255 under my budget for February thanks to this.
4. It's slow going but continuing to use up things from the pantry and freezer. I am also focusing on toiletries like lotions, soaps, etc. No new until it all gone.
5. Took free yoga class at the library and have been walking outside for free exercise and stress management.
As I posted on The Frugal Girl on Friday, NDN1 was **finally** moved into assisted living on Thursday. She's not happy about it (and who would be?), but she will be far safer there than in her house.
So now the next phase begins for CF and me: (1) doing what we can to help NDN1 settle into AL, and (2) starting the massive task of cleaning out her house. Again, I'm sure Katy and Mr. NCA can relate. (Cleaning out the family heirloom desk NDN1 wanted to take with her to AL took me 8 solid hours, mainly because of the need to check constantly for cash and other valuables tucked in among the gazillion address labels, dog toys, etc., etc., etc. And this was just the beginning.)
Yes, the cleaning out process is long. I did three homes in less than 2 years. It’s a true labor of love.
Last year, I picked up some blooming hydrangea branches that a neighbor’s landscaper had piled on the curb. I put them in water as a rustic bouquet, and they sprouted roots! Amazing. I’ll plant them this year.
1. I’m making red lentil soup for dinner tonight.
2. I’m wearing a pair of jeans I thought I’d “outgrown”. It’s a good thing I tried them on before I sent them to Goodwill!
3. I found a nice fabric lampshade in a free pile, and now my bedside lamp has experienced a “glow up”.
4. I found myself, again, at a restaurant with friends who spend freely. I managed to inconspicuously stick to a budget. I saved half of my entree for the next day’s lunch.
5. I haven’t started any wars to distract people from my escapades with thirteen-year-olds.
@Li, every year when I prune my hydrangeas I put the cuttings into a big pot of soil (and 18 or 20 inch pot). I like using a big pot because it takes longer to dry out. I pack in the cuttings - giving them at the most 2" of room, but tbh it is closer to one inch. I keep it watered because it is in a part of the garden that I am regularly watering. This spring I am sure I have at least 20 plants to pot up - last year two of the newly planted babies even bloomed. it is a great way to increase your supply of Hydrangeas!
Persistence pays off as evidenced by your $70. Worth the phone calls IMHO.
1. I worked 4 hours at my church's thrift shop today. So satisfying to see goods getting a second or third and beyond life.
2. As I've mentioned before, I shop between customers. Today I was specifically looking for a spatula, a large spoon, a large slotted spoon and a ladle as I had thrown away all my black plastic utensils. I've been hearing a lot lately about the chemicals in them being harmful so I didn't think I should donate them so others could potentially be harmed. Luckily, I found all four types of stainless steel utensils I need for .50 each. Added to that is I found out they had belonged to a dear friend from church who passed away a few years back who I miss.
2. I was searching for a small clock for my upstairs bathroom to help me keep track of time when I'm getting ready to go out. I was always running to check the clock next to my bed to do this. Not a big deal but a little annoying. I found a cute little clock in an old fashioned looking frame at the thrift shop for $3. Sold!
3. I grabbed a bunch of brown paper bags that were getting thrown away by my co-workers and recycled them once I got home. The bags were in rough shape or I would have saved them for use.
4. After I got home, my neighbor dropped by and we talked while having coffee and splitting the last brownie from a batch I made a couple of days ago.
5. I picked up the book my book club is reading next month from the library and dropped off two books that were due at the same time.
Happy March everyone!
I love your story about the stainless steel utensils. Not only was that an amazing buy -as they'll last you forever- but I'm sure you'll think of your friend when you use them. I also tossed all of my black utensils in the last year. All stainless here too!
March is after all, reading month for school age children. Happy birthday Dr. Seuss
I hope you feel better soon!
1. I attended a Cozy Mystery Event at my public library and it included a piece of pie which I tucked into the to-go container I carry with me. My teen was the happy recipient. Free entertainment and free pie for the kid.
2. I challenged a charge on my credit card for an app I looked at briefly and then deleted. I did not recall making a quick purchase decision in the less than 60 seconds I was on it. They credited my account.
3. I picked up an order at the largest chain store in the states and they made a mistake in my favor- two free items that I did not request or purchase. The best thing was- they were items we'll actually use. Yay for mistakes in my favor! I should note I only shop curb side pick up there because it's the same as in-store prices. It keeps me from making impulse purchases too.
4. I watched an online summit with a friend. It was free, based on a topic we're both interested in and made for some fun back and forth conversation.
5. I joined the local Audubon chapter yesterday for a free birding expedition in the local conservation area. It was a beautiful morning and I learned a ton from our guide who had a wealth of knowledge. 3 hours of exercise too!
Your purple flowers are beautiful. A harbinger of spring. How nice to remember your Father as he planted them for you long ago.
I love the word “harbinger.”
It always reminds me of the line "Hard hearted harbinger of haggis" from the movie "So I Married an Axe Murderer."
My daughter gave me a hydrangea for Mother's Day years ago. It was in a pot, and we planted it outside. It did not do well. We have replaced it with Butterfly Bush, which has grown amazingly well.
I worked 5 hours of overtime today.
After we worked, my hubby and I had a little date. We took some books to the local bookstore to exchange for credit, went to Salvation Army where we found a little basket to hold bottle accessories in the dishwasher. We already had one, but could use another. We also found a wooden model set for our son to put together. Then we went out to lunch followed by the Dollar Tree, where I just grabbed some binder clips for work.
I got an order for another two dozen paper roses. I know what I’m doing tomorrow.
The type of hydrangea often sold for special occasions is treated differently than landscape hydrangeas and usually won't do well if transplanted, so it's worth trying again with rooted cuttings if you like them.
I didn't use my money to bomb 108+ little girls to pieces in Iran. The ones who cause explosions to others are losing themselves in implosion. Amen.
These miserable people used *my* money - my tax money - to do this and it's infuriating.
Have been worried about you. Thought maybe you were off having fun. Not feeling well is not 'off having fun'. Hope you get better soon and if it is strep that the antibiotics are rapid in improving your health.
Your posts make a big difference in my world. COngratulations on all that has gone well, love the flowers!
Thank you I'm starting to do better, although I did some yard work and got quickly exhausted. The strep test came back negative, so it's just an old fashioned cold I guess. Just a bad one.
I was able to get a pretty good used phone thru Swappa.com. It was in really good shape for less than half the price of a new.
1. I hosted a small dinner party over the weekend and aside from Panko bread crumbs, which is a pantry staple for us, I only needed to purchase one other ingredient. I made the entree from a cookbook I'd received as a Christmas gift. Friends brought salad, bread, and dessert. And we had wine on hand!
2. I received a free ticket to the spring showcase for the university's student dance company. It was a fantastic show, and the sponsor was giving away cookies afterwards. I took one home for my partner.
3. My partner and I went on a hike this weekend as part of a winter hiking challenge - only one more to go! And I went to a donation-based Pilates class with a friend. I've never taken an in-person class, and the price tag was just right! Donation went to local mental health efforts. Love free and low-cost entertaining that doesn't revolved around eating or drinking!
4. We planned dinners for the week and had all the ingredients on hand. Only needed to buy greens for lunches for the week (we both have salad every day) and a few other perishable staples.
5. I am wfh home today to let in a contractor (that my landlord is paying for) to fix my dishwasher. So no gas spent driving to work!
Lucky you to have color in your garden, I still have frost. And what a gift to keep from your dad.
This photo is from last summer!
We use backmarket.com to buy uses iPhones. I highly recommend them
Good to know -- thanks!