Five Frugal Things -- In Which I Get a Mary Tyler Moore Haircut
1) I went to the Supercuts training center yesterday for my free haircut and left with a lot more hair chopped off than I'd asked for. I really liked the hairdresser, you know . . . as a person. However, I prefer my hair longer than my shoulders so it doesn't do that flip up thing like Mary Tyler Moore. I was very specific with this instruction.
Oh well, at least it's just hair and will grow out soon enough. I need to point out that I've paid for countless haircuts through the years that weren't to my liking and at least this one was free.
I tipped ten dollars.
2) I decided to return the Sheep Detectives advance screening passes back to the library so someone else could use them. The movie was scheduled for 11 A.M., and I couldn't think of anyone who'd want to see it with me at that hour.
However, I've been craving some good Star Trek content, so I put all three seasons of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds on hold at the library. We'll set the DVD player up in our downstairs spare bedroom and enjoy some free entertainment without supporting Paramount Plus.
This way I'm not spending money to support a company (Paramount/CBS) whose CEO kisses the ass of a fascist dictator. Saving money while boycotting fascism is the sweet spot!
3) My kid is out of town for a few days, which means my husband and I are play acting as grandparents to Mama's Little Meatball. We currently don't have any pets, but help out with our two grandcats frequently enough to scratch that itch.
Hopefully not literally.
4) I stopped into the Goodwill closest to Supercuts and walked out with a 100% cotton Indian-style tunic that was the half-off color. I'm being mindful of fabric content and am happy to add this piece to my wardrobe.
I was tempted to buy this vintage lighting globe to resell, but it was priced at $9.99, which was a hair too steep for me. They sell on eBay for around $50, but I prefer to spend $5 or less for inventory as it can take awhile to find a buyer.
Click HERE to view eBay "sold" listings for this item.
5) I sold the Northface jacket that I thrifted in January for the Goodwill Gift Card Challenge. This brought my April sales to $112.25 of profit.
I donated the $112.25 to the Oregon Food Bank, which brings my total donations to $535.40 for the year.
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 like the Mary Tyler Moore flip, haha But as you said, it's just hair. Good for experiment.
Oh, and I'm loving following along your food bank challenge!
Katie,
Just thought you might want to know that an add to sign up for Paramount Plus appeared on my screen when I read your blog today!
Vicki in Asheville
I love following along with your Goodwill challenge. Think how far the food bank can stretch that donation!
My hair does the same thing when it's cut at shoulder length, but it grows so quickly that it doesn't "flip" very long. I like that length on you! The top you bought is very pretty.
MTM rocked her hairstyle! You do too!
I had the dregs of a oldish bag of flour in my pantry that needed to be used up, and some frozen bananas taking up space in my freezer. We’re empty nesters and I don’t bake as much anymore. So I bought a new, smaller bag of flour and began to gather my ingredients for two loaves of banana bread: using up all the oldish flour plus some from the new bag; thawed bananas; half white sugar/half brown sugar from a bag getting hard; mini chocolate chips from a marked-down bag in my freezer. Turned out great! One loaf is for eating now, the other in the freezer. This is my favorite way to cook and bake: using up bits of ingredients I already have and need to finish it.
I am a big fan of Miss Manners and read her column every morning. I thought the readers of the blog would appreciate the first letter of today's column although I'm sure none of the readers of this blog would ever act like this!
https://www.uexpress.com/life/miss-manners/2026/05/02
Was installing my new to me refurbished desktop computer but hit a snag. Need a cord for my old computer screen. Not sure it is going to work, even then, bc the cord is permanently attached to the screen on one side; I bent the little needle like things in its plug when I tried to detach it from old cpu. Went to one thrift store, no cord but free TV on sidewalk with sign saying free, take it, it works. So I got it!
Went to GW, no cord but real nice newer and wider dell computer screen, $9 using 20% off coupon.Its made so you need a cord with 2 plugs on each end and that'll work better. Got that and a Stephanie Plum mystery I haven't yet read. $12 tital bc I rounded up 33 cents as a donation.
Sakv Army and Walmart didn't have cord either. Almost time for work so I will have to try again tomorrow.
Btw, all the thrift stores I went to are super full of merch so hippie Xmas has begun!
Or for those of us with bangs, Marlo Thomas-- That Girl!
Though I don't let my hair get that long. Congratulations on the food bank challenge!
For the city wide yard sales today, I have lost some, (but not nearly all), of my free pile. Still less stuff in my house. I went shopping and among other things found a little ceramic soap dish shaped like a bath tub, with the Peanuts gang on the side, for two dollars. It made me smile. Found it on ebay for $49. Wow.
I love your haircut!
First, the ghost of MTM and I approve of your haircut, Katy. I keep mine about shoulder length, and it does the same thing. Also, Mama's Little Meatball has grown into a lovely cat.
Now, FFT, "Is This Trip Necessary?" Edition:
(1) As I believe I've mentioned in previous comments, my parents were young marrieds during WWII, when gas rationing was in effect and the question "Is this trip necessary?" was often asked. I'm asking myself this constantly, now that the price of gas just passed Mars and is still climbing. Rather than drive today to an event on the other side of the county that might not have been all that much fun anyway (the weather's cold, drizzly, and meh), I ran the errands I was going to batch with this event on my side of things and saved gas.
(2) My April container returns total was $31.20, and my April found change total was $2.31. (Note to Christine: Water bottles do have a deposit in NY State--and if the state ever got around to including sports drinks, juices, teas, and hard liquor in the deposit law, I'd be rolling in the profits!)
(3) My brother and SIL in AZ recently sent me two boxes of empty herb jars (plus a "No Probllama" mug; they know of DH's and my love for llamas). Very nice of them! As soon as the relative humidity here gets a little lower and I finish what I'm doing in the gardens, I will send them a set of herbs--in baggies rather than jars, alas, given the rise in the price of shipping. (I instructed them previously to keep enough jars on hand to fill with the new herbs.)
(4) I just did a load of laundry and hung it on my indoor racks to dry, as I always do for everything except sheets. It might take longer than usual to dry, given the relative humidity, but I'm in no hurry.
(5) And I didn't pull troops out of a NATO ally country just because I couldn't handle a little criticism from its prime minister. Some folks can dish it out, but they sure can't take it. 😛
I sure wish Massachusetts would get on board with the water bottles. Also the others you mentioned plus nips, another scourge along the roadside.
I love your #5!
I like your hair! I got that cut last month and I had hoped it would flip. Just like my bestie has super curly hair and mine is fine and straight... Cue the Rolling Stones "you can't always get what you want".
I am so impressed with your GW challenge. Cheering you on!
Spring has me catching my tail on the farm, so I asked my mom's friend to stock the kids pantry. I also picked up 2 cases of jerky for her to deliver, so it was about $64 total. I gave her $40 cash.
I signed up once for a Super haircut. I had long, one length hair down my back and was given a mullet. I cried as I handed her my tip. I had asked for a trim with long layers in front. My cousin who has a salon, gave me a pixie to even things up so it would grow out evenly.
At a huge garage sale I picked up 4 garbage bags full of towels. I donated them to the county rescue.
1. I made iced tea, iced coffee and granola at home. The granola was not as good as usual but it must have been good enough since it is almost gone.
2. I made a raspberry cobbler with truly ancient frozen berries and some expired applesauce. It was very good.
3. We took the dogs to a friend's house to play with her pup while she and I played Scrabble. Our dogs love to play but they are old enough that a couple of hours with the pup ensures that they sleep well the rest of the day.
4. Our middle grandson is moving from the dorm to an apartment this summer. I shopped Dollar General for various cleaners, paper products, dish towels, etc for him. Today my husband and I were at a church yard sale when it was announced that everything just became half price. We then picked up a set of chef's knives, new in box, for the grandson for 3.50.
5. I bought a future present for my son at a yardsale for $2-his favorite childhood book .
I went to Costco and purchased one item. A rotisserie chicken! I saw a receipt blowing around the parking lot and snagged it with the intent of scanning it into the fetch app. It ended up having just one item on it, but I scanned it anyway, for the 25 points. The receipt ended up getting me 3800 points! Crazy! (It was for some sort of salsa.)
Katy, I like your haircut. It will be cooler for summer being a bit shorter.
I went to the grocery store today with a handful of coupons and saved money on dog food, ham, and ginger ale. Otherwise I stayed home on this chilly day and did housecleaning and weed pulling.
We wanted a snack the other night and I made old fashioned stove top popcorn with butter and salt added to the popping oil for better distribution of goodness. It was delicious.
Am listening to the last in the Tony Hillerman Leaphorn & Chee novel series free on Hoopla. Nineteen free books that would have cost at least $15 each to buy. Libraries are awesome!
My last hair cut I paid for left me with much shorter hair than I would have liked, so I feel you there.
1. Our community had a garage sale today. I drove to a few that weren’t set up or underwhelming, so I gave up and went home. With gas at 4.59, driving around aimlessly was not worth it.
2. Husband and I did go out with our toddler today and made sure to hit all of our stops . Returned things to the thrift store, dropped my sales off at the post office, and ran into the library to pick up the books I had on hold for my toddler.
3. Was invited to join friends to go out to eat, but decided against it. I scrounged through the fridge and freezer and realized we have all the ingredients for homemade calzones.
4. Listed a few items before my toddler bailed out of his nap very early .
5. Thrifted myself a pact brand dress on 1/2 off day today. Will be nice for summer and can wear biker shorts underneath for toddler chasing.
Thanks for letting us know how much you've donated to the food bank. That is just awesome. You're simply the best!
1. I had a doctor appointment and took the elevator to her office. While in the elevator, I picked up a nice pen on the floor. It works.
2. I met friends at the bookstore for a cuppa (tea) and stuck to just the tea. No purchasing of pastry or anything else.
3. I started reading my library book An Unfinished Love Story for this month's book club choice. Lots of well told political and social stories about the 1960s and beyond.
4. I started a subscription to my town's free newspaper. We receive it once a week. Packed full of local events.
5. I'm gearing up for my 13 + hour shift at the local elections on Monday. Long day but the paychecks DH and I will receive are welcome.
Christine, I just finished An Unfinished Love Story and enjoyed learning more about that era. Thank you for working at the elections!
You're so welcome! Glad you enjoyed An Unfinished Love Story too.
Was installing my new to me refurbished desktop computer but hit a snag. Need a cord for my old computer screen. Not sure it is going to work, even then, bc the cord is permanently attached to the screen on one side; I bent the little needle like things in its plug when I tried to detach it from old cpu. Went to one thrift store, no cord but free TV on sidewalk with sign saying free, take it, it works. So I got it!
Went to GW, no cord but real nice newer and wider dell computer screen, $9 using 20% off coupon.Its made so you need a cord with 2 plugs on each end and that'll work better. Got that and a Stephanie Plum mystery I haven't yet read. $12 tital bc I rounded up 33 cents as a donation.
Sakv Army and Walmart didn't have cord either. Almost time for work so I will have to try again tomorrow.
Btw, all the thrift stores I went to are super full of merch so hippie Xmas has begun!
Love a good hippie Xmas!
Total and Salv Army....more typos.wonder if I go on a diet if my fat fingers will get better,lol.
Katy, that's a beautiful tunic. I would have bought that, too.
1. Eating less now that I'm sedentary and making sure my calories count by prioritizing nutrition. Each day I make a plan to eat around 1,500 healthy calories, so that means I don't eat many sweets or salty snacks, which hasn't been an issue so far because my body isn't craving them. It's rather strange. Before my fall, that bag of potato chips would not still be in the pantry!
2. Doing simple exercises via free YouTube so my whole body doesn't atrophy.
3. Brother and sister came over for lunch and sister treated us to takeout from a local restaurant. I ordered a salad which fed me for three meals.
4. Pleased that the only thing we lost in the fridge over the past week is a half of a package of cilantro.
5. Last year I received two pairs of non-slip socks from Buy Nothing that are very useful right now.
Thank you, it actually fits really well which isn't always the case.
I got together with both my sons for dinner and games this evening. I contributed $10 to a meal from Pita Inn; came home with half a sandwich and a little tub of hummus.
Watched my grandson play soccer on my son's laptop. I mean via the laptop; he didn't play on the laptop!
Took a walk to Walgreens and found a number of receipts. I haven't scanned them yet to know their value.
My unemployed son has three new irons in the fire. Hoping hard for a job offer.
Crossing fingers for your son!
1. Needed to cut my hair and spurred on by Katy, I did.
It takes me two days though to somewhat get it right. Free haircut!
2. I filled up with gas at $3.90 gallon on Friday and my car has not moved and won’t move, unless emergency, u til Monday morning when I go to work. Everywhere else the gas was $4.19!!!! I shudder to see what the “cheap” gas station’s prices are Monday morning. Ugh. Along these lines, I walked to the post office.
3. I walked an hour and almost slipped in the mud, twice, yesterday. I will be more careful today.
4. Still eating my homemade chili made with dried beans ai cooked from scratch. Also oats with apple, and a burnt bologna sandwich with cheese, spinach, green onions I raised myself, and little tomatoes.
5. I cleaned my house, diluted my cleaners, trimmed my eyebrows in the natural light so I didn’t have to turn electricity on, brush my teeth in cold water, soaked work clothes in bathtub and hung outside to dry, wore socks and a sweatshirt when it turned cool and rainy instead of turning on the heat, enjoyed the birds from my window bc I paid for this joint and I pay taxes on it!!!!!
Happy to have inspired a home haircut!
Really liking that you are getting the Star Trek show on DVD!
With DVD extras!
LOVE the blouse, LOVE the haircut! But we all have a way we like our hair.. like you said,it grows, they didn’t mess up the style in general! You look great!!
Frugal this week:
Spending a bit MORE $ than usual, to stock up pantry on TODAY prices,since TOMORROW looks like we’re still having a war which is raising prices every week at the pump and the grocery.(And killing innocent people..)
Free art and craft day at a friends house yesterday.She hosts. monthly gatherings in her house for us crafters, we bring our own stuff and enjoy an afternoon. of chit chat and making art.. some people did watercolors., I made greeting cards, one woman brought her GOURDS and was painting them! Another was painting rocks. I LOVE when we USE OUR HOMES to have fun! FREE ENTERTAINMENT!! No fancy snacks,everyone brought their own water bottle and a snack if they wanted one.
FREE CARDS (Hand and Foot tomorrow at neighbors..this onoe DOES require making lunch when it is turn to be hostess.But tomorrow I am an attendee,FREE LUNCH— fun cards games, keeping the mind and spirit healthy. and AT HOME, right on my block,walk next door!
Making ALL our meals at home, since this one man war,there are no bargains left, no coupons, in my area,young families are really struggling to keep up.I am retired,without debt, it’s a bit easier for me.No commuting.I feel for them.
All summer will be wearing my 3 year old SKORTS from Costco.I live in Arizona, it gets very hot, a simple daily wardrobe is needed.. I love these 10 dollar skorts with light tee shorts from thrift store. They last along time and are easy to wash and hang to dry!
I love Hand and Foot! It's my family's go-to game!
I have Costco skorts too! And the bike shorts. They are my summer uniform. lol
I've never owned a skort, but am now thinking I need to keep an eye out for one at Goodwill!
Welcome to the club….seems every woman I know has had a bad experience at the salon where the hairdresser gets scissor happy and cuts their hair too short. It’s been over 15 years since that happened to me. Way too short, it looked horrible on me. I have not been to the salon since. I was cutting my own hair for a few years doing a ponytail on top of my head haircut hack. Until I started dating my husband who gave me a trim to fix the mess my hair was in the back. He does a fantastic job every time now and my hair has grown quite a bit longer. Monday night at Bible study, two friends of mine commented that my hair had gotten quite long, noticeable even though I had it braided by my husband. One asked how long it takes him to French/Dutch braid my hair, I said not very long at all. And yesterday morning I set a timer to see exactly how long it takes him…2 minutes, 52 + .30 seconds. He is fast and good at it. So I have a reference for next Monday. One friend said he should hold a class to teach other guys. Two friends of mine, that have long hair have asked my permission to let my husband cut their long hair for them, because they have had bad experiences at the salon with having their hair cut too short. You would think that they would understand that by doing so, they would lose repeat business. I said ok, being they are friends and my sister had my husband show my brother in law how to section her thick hair so he could trim her hair for her. I got to be the hair model as hubby demonstrated how to do sections as my brother in law did my sister’s hair.
I give him credit, most husbands wouldn’t be willing to put the effort into learning. My sister in law went to the hair salon school, but didn’t last very long in the salon. She was rude to the customers and when they moved her to the back, to let new stylists build clients with walk ins, she had no business. She now works at Burger King.
BTW, I cut my husband’s hair for him, so we are both saving money skipping the shops.