Five Frugal Things in Albuquerque
1. My husband and I spent $12 apiece to go to the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, (their prices are lower for state residents, seniors, students and teachers.) deliberately choosing Saturday to catch their weekly dance performance. The North South Tewa Dancers performed two long numbers, accompanied by their father and grandfather on drums.
Beautiful skilled dancers, it was an honor to watch them perform.
I also splurged on a 51¢ flattened penny after touring the museum.
2. Our hotel room offers $5 bottles of water, but I'll ignore their existence as there's handy free ice water dispensers in the lobby. Perfect opportunity to show off my "Women Support Women" sticker from Women's Personal Finance.
Remember when I thrifted this water bottle at the Goodwill bins?
3. My husband and I took advantge of the perfect 64 degree weather and ventured across town to hike the Petroglyph National Monument area, which was gloriously free. (Although I would've happily paid for the experience.) These ancient carved figures and symbols date from 1000 B.C. to A.D. 1700.
It was Super Bowl Sunday and few other people out. It pays to not care about sport ball.
4. It was still early enough in the day, so my husband and I enjoyed a picnic lunch next to the Rio Grande in Albuquerque's Bosque park. The hotel offers free apples in the lobby, so you know they're featured prominently in our daily meals. I do take them up to the room to give them a thorough wash.
5. We also ventured over to the town of Corrales, right outside Albuquerque, as my husband and briefly lived there while students at the University of New Mexico. To say that it's changed since 1994 would be an understatement, as what used to be empty roads along the route are now crowded with large chain stores.
We did pass by an independent thrift shop and pulled the car over, which was perfect timing as they were "closing in six minutes!"
It was kismet, as a couple of my white cotton pillow cases are fraying most annoyingly. Yes, I've been mending them, but had put a note in my brain to keep an eye out for extras. This pair of pillowcases set me back two entire dollars and were 100% cotton and seemed to be high quality.
I'll start to refer to these as my "New Mexico souvenirs."
5. You can't visit Albuquerque as a UNM alum without stopping into the Frontier restaurant. We split one of their classic Frontier burritos and it was more than enough food for the two of us. Sadly, we didn't have room for one of their famous cinnamon rolls.
They used to be open 24 hours per day, but noticed that they now close a midnight. This used to be the perfect spot to hit after the bars closed! Not exactly the lifestyle I currently enjoy.
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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Love reading about your travel adventures!!!!!!! Got to leave for work so I will catch up with you later.
A few corrections are in order. Corrales is not a "town". It's a Village of just a very few thousand people. More animals than people. "Corrales" is Spanish for corrals or pens or enclosures. The Village has hundreds of horses, llamas, donkeys, cows, goats, and the occasional water buffalo. You must have missed the signs saying "Drive slow, see our Village. Drive fast, see our Judge." Don't drive 18 mph in the 15 mph zones. And there are no "chain stores" or "chain restaurants" (unless you're referring to the (very) occasional gas station. There are only two (2) of those. Secondhand Treasures is one of dozens of locally owner galleries, stores, restaurants, bistros and bars. The Village Mercantile is not a chain store. It's not even a people store. It's a livestock and animal feed and supply store. The San Isidro Church was erected in 1868 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Village lies along the Rio Grande and has wonderful walking and hiking trails. Just watch out for the horse manure.
Sounds like a lovely trip! Did you plan to go this weekend to beat the crowds or was it just a happy coincidence?
1. I finished an audio book on Libby that I really enjoyed and gave put in holds for 2 additional books.
2. I did some math and figured that if I keep up on my Microsoft Bing points I can cash out a $25 Kroger gift card about every 5-6 weeks and that'll make up the bulk of our toiletries and household budget while my husband is looking for work.
3. My husband used my recipe to make a few loaves of French bread yesterday! He's had a run of problems when trying to make bread previously so it was a huge win. He also found a way to adapt my hand-kneaded recipe to the mixer with a dough hook!
4. We neither attended nor cared about the sports ball game so no added expense for an already bloated industry.
5. While getting a few items at the store, my oldest was pointing out things like "CHEESE!! We already have cheese at home, so we don't need that." and "oh chocolate! We have those, we don't need that." We did have a little disappointment that we weren't taking home any princess or mermaid dolls, we apparently *don't* have enough of those at home, but since they weren't on our list she seemed satisfied to take a picture and move along.
Our biggest struggle is not leaving the grocery store without a hot wheels car every.single.time ….
Hello from a fellow former Albuquerque resident! I lived there from 1993-98 so we overlapped. The thing I miss the most of NM is the great local NM food.
Oh, that looks like a really lovely trip and the pillowcases are an awesome souvenir.
I had intended to stay out of the grocery store for another week, but coffee went on sale so I pounced on the deal and saved $5 off the non-sale price. Also snagged a pork roast marked down.
Turned a can of tuna into three very nice tuna burgers with the addition of an egg, a slice of bread pinched into bread crumbs, dried onion, a little grated cheese and a pinch of garlic and ginger. Made a big pot of hamburger-veggie soup that used up the last of a long-frozen bag of chopped celery. Had an onion that was looking unhappy, so it was cleaned up and chopped for the freezer.
Gave both my dogs a bath today, as the weather is warmer. Been trying every trick in the stain removal book to salvage one of my son's t-shirts.
@Ruby thanks for the Tuna Burger Recipe. I really love when folk here post their 'thrown together' meal recipes - I can scan through them and decide how I will adjust and sub, and I am given ideas of something I haven't done in a while or even something brand new to try.
I, too, have been staying out of the grocery stores more, but the latest flyer has a few things circled that are getting low in the pantry, so a trip will likely occur later in the week. One thing I have started to do is get rain cheques when they are out of a sale item - my store often runs out near the end of the week so a rain cheque is a sneaky way to push the savings down the line.
Love the pillowcases as travel souvenirs!
Getting our money's worth from inexpensive or free streaming services:
1. Activated free two-year Peacock subscription from our Internet provider so that husband could watch the Super Bowl and I could cheer on Bad Bunny's half-time show.
2. Watched "Miracle: The Boys of '80" on Netflix. Extra special for my husband since he played hockey with or against some of those team members.
3. Watched documentary on Apollo 11 on Netflix.
4. Watched "Inside the Mind of a Dog" on Netflix.
5. Watched "Sunday Best: The Untold Story of Ed Sullivan" on Netflix which showcased his legacy of booking Black performers. I still remember when my favorite female group The Supremes were on.
Oh the Supremes on Ed Sullivan -- they always were so glamorous! No one could outdo them in the bling dept and Diana could sing like nobody's business.
Who's your internet provider? We get Peacock free with another subscription, but it's the lowest tier and they've removed most of the content that used to be available, even with ads. I'm heckin annoyed and looking for alternatives.
1. I spent 30 dollars at the GW outlet my last trip. It wasn’t a great trip, but should still be able to make some cash. I also got a brand new pack of diapers , an expensive tee shirt for my husband and two monster truck toys that my toddler is enamored with. I also got a cute gap outfit and Hanna Andersson pajamas for a friends daughter. They are going through a hard time and this was an inexpensive way to spread some cheer/gift something they needed.
2. Reheated the leftover piece of a Dutch baby for my toddler for breakfast. I was pretty shocked when he ate it! I usually find eggs on clearance so these are a frequent weekend breakfast for us.
3. Very stressed about surgery next week for a myriad of reasons, so I’m taking it out on pinching pennies and guzzling water all day everyday.
4. Cut up another fleece receiving blanket to make some tissues for my toddler. Better for his nose, our budget, and the environment.
5. Put some library books on hold that hopefully will become available while I’m recovering.
Emily, I'm sending you strength and support for your surgery next week.
Thank you for sharing your travels! New Mexico is on my list of must visit states. I want to do it in an RV with plenty of time to experience all of the culture. Those dancers dresses were beautiful.
Today I am making sourdough bread rolls. The ribs were consumed, but we have most of a spiral ham left, veggies and dip. We ended up with 36 people to enjoy the game. I will freeze most of the ham slices and bone. Make another batch of ranch to go with the veggies. Extra carrots and celery will be chopped and froze for soup starter.
Gave the dog a bath as she found something disgusting to roll in. Bleh.
Have an awesome Monday, everybody!
I sold something on Poshmark, and mailed it in a mailer i saved from something that was in my mail. I save ALL padded mailers to reuse.
I went to watch the SuperBowl at a friends and was sent home with enough leftovers to make a few meals!
Last Wednesday was the annual "soup day" fundraiser at my local Library - the "Friends of Library" group make homemade soups and sell them, 2 (generous) containers for $8 (with crackers!) - they have a delicious selection, and i love to support my library!! I got 2 meals out of my container of Vegan White Bean Chili!
This looks like such a lovely vacation, Katy! Jam packed, as you are wont to do, and full of culture, sunshine, and thrift stores. What more could you need?
1. A couple of weeks ago, Thrift Store Buddy (TB) was visiting and cut herself a big handful of rosemary to take home and dry. We got sidetracked and she left it here, so I stuck it in a vase as a 'bouquet' and let it dry. A few days later I went out and picked a VERY large couple of handfuls and put them into another vase.
Recently I took the time to pull the dried needles off over a big bowl. Sweeping the floor was included in this exercise. I ended up with over 3 cups of dried needles. Some will be whizzed in my spice grinder, and more will be put dried into soups and such. Rosemary is so delicious, and I am remembering to use it more frequently. Current me is thanking my Past self. I have put aside a small jar of needles for TB.
I dug around in the basement fridge where I had stored some veggies. Made a huge lettuce, pepper, cucumber salad and put it into a large food bin. Using green painter's tape I labelled it 'delicious salad' and Roommate and #2 Son have gleefully taken it for their lunches.
I had some flavoured balsamic vinegar, so made up a vinaigrette with oil and a bit of maple syrup for winter sweetness. We are all craving that mouthful of freshness right now. I ate an enormous salad with a couple of hardboiled eggs on the side (thanks chickens) and and felt well nourished; more salads with additions of pears and dried cranberries have been my dinners for a few nights.
2. My Outside Gardening Friend came over, and although I feel crappy I gathered some seeds and joined her - she is a beginning gardener and was thrilled that I sat in a heap on the side of a bed, and simply gave her directions to get some peas, fava beans, dill and mustard planted.
We also found some patches of garlic that had escaped discovery, the bulbs were full of cloves that were sending up shoots and down roots. With care we pulled them apart and have planted them individually.
OGF has been happily putting in time – clearing the beds both inside my big greenhouse and the eight 50'X4' raised concrete beds outside. She just needed a place to put her hands in the dirt. The original plan was that she would 'have' a bed (well, ½ of two beds) for herself, but instead we are going to garden together, which is both more fun and more practical. I think it could be a fabulous summer for the gardens!
3. After my two failures at timing it right at Costco, I caved and pulled the 'backup chicken' out of my freezer. About 6 weeks ago I bought TWO chickens and packed one up in a huge ziplock, and stuffed it in the freezer. I am feeling rotten, this is a fast way to meet the goal of having something healthy for my Roommate and #2 son.
The backup chicken was deconstructed and I made two big casseroles of Mac and Cheese and Chicken to use up some past-best-by date Milk. The Mac and Cheese was portioned into lunch sized containers. The carcass was joined by the bag-o-bones from the freezer and the instant pot did its magic, I added very little to the pot to give me more options with the broth. Broth is now drained out, fat skimmed off and there are more than two litres of broth in the fridge.
4. Roommate finally went to Urgent Care and came home with a diagnosis of both pneumonia and an Ear infection. She also got a doctor's note as her work has been unreasonable – she is to be off work until friday, which SHOULD allow her to get better (that and Antibiotics). I have a very sore throat and very little energy, however I also have had the pneumonia shot which hopefully will prevent my current cold from morphing. 2026 has been a LONG year, already!
I was asked to work an extra hour today bc another gal called in sick, so I got some extra pay. Apparently there's some flu making the rounds. Praying I don't get it!
While working, I saw two $15 Xmas items for $4.99, bought 'em for next year's gift giving.
Also noticed our emergency light bulb packages are now priced $3 higher. Our store honors the old lower prices if you find an item with the lower amount on the price tag. I did and I got the last cheaper one in the store. I may either use it myself or give it as a gift. Useful either way.
Ate leftovers and remade some salad fixings into a new entree.
Like most of you, I have not the slightest interest in sports, so I finished the large print Mary Higgins Clark book I got from a Little Free Library and will take it to my pal in assisted living. I'm sure it'll make the rounds at that place.
I also found a dry cleaner bag in the parking lot and turned it in to the recycling bin at H-E-B. They collect plastic bags to make trash bags with post consumer waste.
I've only been to Santa Fe NM. Your vacay towns look less touristy. I want to go to those places now.
1. Found 1 dollar in change slot in Pepsi machine at school.
2. Did a little trash picking. Found a nice serving tray that was shabby chic wood and a wooden letter holder. If I change my mind I can put the items in my donation box.
3. BFF gave me a small sack of purses. A small leather Kate Spade and Michael Kors. Woo hoo!
4. Beat down after work I ate a grilled cheese & went to bed.
5. Found 35 cents in change in drive thru at McDonalds. I treated myself to a 99 cents large SF iced vanilla coffee. Yum Yum!
Ah, so much fun to read about your adventures! I've never been to New Mexico, but my sister used to live in Tucson, so I do have a little Southwest experience.
I had an exciting day of doing laundry, washing my hair, and grocery shopping. I went to Aldi. It was my first grocery trip this month and I spent just over $40. Nothing too notable, except that I scored a box of football-shaped Little Debbie brownies for only 79¢. Obviously a Superbowl item. I ate one after lunch, and, sadly, not nearly as good as my brownies, but I didn't have to bake them.
I also went to Walmart, looking for a pair of Easy Spirit boots I saw online. I couldn't find them. Just as well, I saved some money. I have learned, by the way, never to buy footwear online. Trying them on is essential.
With the improved weather, I'm finding receipts again. I scanned one today that was from December. Oops! But I found a couple others that were in the right time frame.
I borrowed a book called Let Them on Hoopla, but it turned out that it was by a different author than the one that was recommended here -- or perhaps on Frugal Girl? It was interesting, but I think it was kind of a knock-off. I would like to read the real thing -- however, there is such a long list of holds at my library, they are no longer accepting holds. I don't want to break down and buy it!
If you have the Dunkin app they are offering a free large, med, or small hot or iced coffee or iced coffee w/ promo code Goodwilldunkin. I just added it & the reward appeared. Enjoy!
Yes! I got mine yesterday. Free large hot coffee which out in the fridge and then heated up for breakfast this morning. I also did the BOGO free Starbucks yesterday. $2 for 2 small coffees. They are also in the fridge!
Thanks for sharing your travels!
1. Curb picked a Marimekko apron, kitchen hand towels, set of 4 bowls, like new umbrella, and 4 curtain panels. All are washed and curtains are listed on fb marketplace. Apron will go on ebay tomorrow.
2. Rode my bike for 2 errands-blood draw for insurance for $25 gift card, and sale items at Safeway.
3. Received a 5 gallon bucket full of meyer lemons from a neighbor. Invited a friend over, she wanted to learn to make meyer lemon marmalade. Making something from free fruit that I would otherwise have to buy makes me very happy.
4. Mailed an ebay purchase. I broke an 11x7 pyrex dish, which I won't replace, so I sold the lid.
5. Ate the last of the beans and rice for dinner. Dh is staying late after school to help with soccer senior night, so I made him a casserole tonight so he could take leftovers for his dinner at school tomorrow. I used up a box of stuffing mix my mother bought in error at Christmas. I'll say yes to most free food!
I'm glad you took the time to visit the Indian Pueblo Cultural Centre. I think it's time they ditch the "Indian" bit. I recently learned about the Native American/ Lakota mass execution carried out by Abraham Lincoln, here- https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/stories/the-largest-mass-execution-in-us-history. It's appalling how the NA people were annihilated which reminded of the this quote "We choose it by letting it happen".
I lived briefly in Albuquerque in 1954 and 1955, ages 3 and 4. Few memories: our stone house built of local rocks was OLD back then 18??, drinking Shirley Temples at the Elks Club, and a failed running away from home attempt - I wasn't allowed to cross the street, so all I could do was lap the block. My last lap I could smell Mommy cooking fried "schicken" which was my favorite food. sigh, it was a good try though. lol
I lived briefly in Albuquerque in 1954 and 1955, ages 3 and 4. A few memories: our stone house built of local rocks and with a scary dirt cellar was OLD back then - built 18??, drinking Shirley Temples at the Elks Club, and a failed "running away from home" attempt - I wasn't allowed to cross the street, so all I could do was lap the block. My last lap I could smell Mommy cooking fried "schicken" which was my favorite food. sigh, it was a good try though. lol
My best memory of DH's and my one and only visit to the Albuquerque area, back in 1994, was going to the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge south of the city. Waterfowl galore! (Of course, goodness knows what's happened to this during the current Reign of Terror.)
I wonder what will happen to those penny machines when pennies vanish from circulation?
I love a practical souvenir, whether it's a reminder of the local culture or just something useful from a street market or thrift store. Doesn't matter what it is, it'll spark a memory.