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I signed up for a free week of ad-free Paramount+ through my Roku box and immediately programmed the subscription to not auto-renew! We’ll spending the week watching Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, but have no interest afterwards for this streaming service.
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My sister is visiting from NYC and we briefly hit a Goodwill this afternoon and I picked up a pristine version of our 35-year-old waffle iron for only $7.99. Ours works as well as the day we bought it, so I figured this gleaming vintage appliance would do well on eBay. I’ll list it for around $50 and see how it does.
I also picked up a 99¢ miniature silicone spatula and was planning on buying the Mondrian MOMA gift shop mug, but instead knocked it to the ground and watched it shatter it into countless pieces. Crap!
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My husband is a well liked guy and has been hosting a steady stream of well wishers as he recovers from his five rib fractures. (We thought it was four, but it turned out to be five!) I’d never recommend this method to be on the receiving end of people’s generosity, but it certainly brings out people’s kindness! Just today someone brought by a home smoked salmon feast, complete with crackers, fruit and brie!
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I had my annual medical exam yesterday and was able to decline the standard A1C diabetes test, as I’d been tested over the summer when I donated platelets at the American Red Cross.
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My sister and I ran errands across town here in Portland, Oregon, yet found zero signs of war ravaging. So weird, right?
Five Frugal Things — It’s Star Trek Week!
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1. We’ve been enjoying Paramount+ for $.78 (total out of pocket) since July. We enjoyed the Frasier Reboot and a few other shows but will let it lapse later this month.
2. I boiled a rotisserie chicken carcass and made broth and pulled a lot of chicken from the bones. I will use it to make soup.
3. A friend dropped off a few tomatoes. My body may go into shock when tomato season ends.
4. I made Kitchen Sink cookies using ingredients I had on hand including pretzel sticks, Teddy Grahams, and a mixture of chocolate chips. One of my cooling racks was found on the street a couple years ago and another I purchased from a neighbor at a yard sale 20+ years ago. My cookie sheets are probably 35 years old.
5. I am sorry about the troop deployment to Portland. I have heard so many good things about the city.
1. Checking out a new local thrift store, we found a treasure trove of new kitchen items, including a new fibre cutting board. I’ve been looking at these for a while, to replace the plastic boards. We have a solid wood butcher’s block but I also wanted something that could go in the dishwasher. The one I was looking at was $55. We got this one for $4.
2. We also picked up two new Chopulas for $2 each and a mini scoop spatula, also for $2. Also two glass containers with lids, and a new stainless steel water bottle.
3. Visited my SIL in hospital and brought her a big bunch of flowers from my garden – the irises just started blooming this week. Cost – zero. Irises are her favourite, so her face was worth a million bucks.
4. Picked up a full slate of work for the next month.
5. September is over. Not that I’m wishing my life away, but April and September are always very expensive months, with big annual insurance bills and multiple birthdays. We made it!
I have that waffle iron and I did indeed buy it on eBay!
Then you have an excellent waffle iron!
I have that waffle iron, too. I bought it used at a garage sale more than 20 years ago and it is still in use. We love waffles with fruit so it is in regular use during the summer.
Haha, yes, it’s the same one I grew up with and my teenage kids wanted one because it reminded them of the waffles my mom would make for them!
I had that waffle iron and it finally broke, and the newer version isn’t as good. It lasts a couple years before the elements burn out. Boo.
That looks like my waffle maker. The plates pop out and the other side of them is a griddle surface. I don’t have much to add. I’ve done the usual frugal things that are on repeat. I sold a couple of small items on Ebay, every little bit.
Mine has seperate plates with one for waffles and the other set to use as a griddle. I always use the griddle set when I make grilled cheese sandwiches because I can make enough for a crowd (8) all at the same time.
This one has reversible plates.
Glad to hear that your husband is receiving lots of love and well wishes! Speedy recovery to him
1. I am preparing for the bi-annual kids consignment sale in my area. Gathering, cleaning and tagging items to drop off next week. A bonus is that I then get to shop on the first day.
2. Getting ready for the sale means lots of decluttering and organizing which is always a good thing. There will probably be lots of donations or posting on Buy Nothing also. Clutter free house=clutter free mind.
3. I earned a $50 gift card through my choice hotels when we stayed at two this summer. I’ll do some research and decide what will be the best choice.
4. I won a $100 restaurant gift card through an instagram account that I follow (it’s run by a local travel content creator) It’s for a restaurant in downtown Denver so my husband and I will likely invite my son plus one for an evening out.
5.We have finally set up an appointment with an estate planning lawyer – our will hasn’t been updated since our kids were young (and they are grown now) Not frugal per se as the costs can be high but a necessary update hopefully means less pain and hassle later.
Re your #5 – good for you to be tackling your estate planning!
As A. Marie and I keep harping on about, be sure to investigate whatever Power of Attorney and Health Care Attorney options are the legal ones in your area.
We have three biggies to pay attention to
– POA for $ decisions by another while we are alive,
Representation 9 Agreement (specific name for where I live) for Health decisions by another while we are alive (natch),
and a Will to worry about all our stuff and nonsense when we are no longer alive.
For me, it was coming to realize that the Will is the least important one to get sorted out. (might be important to my heirs, but I won’t be here to worry about it).
I needed to determine who I want to make decisions for me when I am still here but unable to do so for myself.
Financial decisions while I am living are different from health decisions, although in my case I have the same two kids making those choices, if necessary.
My third kid would and could, but is least prepared or qualified and besides, he knows his siblings have my back.
I heartily second what @Ecoteri just said about @Jill in CO’s #5. I know we both sound like broken records (and there’s another outdated figure of speech for you) about the need to get end-of-life paperwork in place–but the need is real and urgent.
I just had a lengthy chat with the only son of my NDN2 (the next-door neighbor whose entire house flooded after a burst pipe 6 months ago). He was in town (he lives in TX, where NDN2 is now) to supervise the felling of a huge, rotten old ash tree that was imperiling both NDN2’s house and the one on the other side of it. I was grieved but not surprised to hear that all the trauma and disruption caused by the flooding has pushed NDN2 down the dementia road (where I’d previously suspected she was already headed). Worse, she has no end-of-life paperwork in place and is refusing to sign any–and the son is at his wits’ end. They’ve had an iffy relationship for some time anyway, and this is now coming back to bite them both in the butt. The most I could do was to (a) offer sympathy and support, and (b) suggest framing getting the paperwork done as a way to protect the grandchildren. Sheesh.
He needs to petition the court for guardianship. He may have to wait a bit until she reaches the point of no argument can’t make decisions for herself.
Thank you both so much for the advice. When I’m wading into territories unknown, every little bit helps. Our estate planner sent a questionaire and video to help prepare but real life tips win out every time.
Another option to consider is a trust. Lawyers like wills because they make $$ on probate. Trusts can help avoid that, and the cost of probate itself.
Also consider deeds listed as joint tenants. If you have this, the entire estate passes to the remaining tenant with no probate. When my husband passed I didn’t have to do any expensive advertising, no lawyer, no probate. Just had to sign some paperwork at the tax appraisers office. This also avoids the issues of unhappy survivors who might sue.
Not glad to hear about Mr. NCA’s additional broken rib. But glad to hear that his friends are there for him (smoked salmon–yum!), and that the new Star Trek will provide all of you with some much-needed diversion.
And not glad at all to hear about the Orange Menace’s decision to turn Portland and other Democratic-majority cities into training grounds for the US military. Or about his and Hegseth’s other plans for the military. The “highest male standard” physical requirement is particularly rich, coming from a fat, bloated blowhard who probably never did a push-up in his life.
But now I’ll talk of pleasanter things: FFT, Frugalities While Gearing Up for JASNA Fun Edition.
The Jane Austen Society of North America’s “really big shew” (there’s an Ed Sullivan line for dinosaurs like me who remember the Ed Sullivan Show), the Annual General Meeting, begins late next week in Baltimore. Obviously, this ain’t gonna be cheap. But here are a few ways I’ll be saving $$, before and during:
(1) I’ve gone ahead with my plan to rent a car for the trip, to spare old Nellybelle the Honda Element. But I’m staying with another of my old grad school friends and his wife (who live in Baltimore) on Tuesday night, and I’ll leave the car at their place and catch a ride with them to the conference hotel on Wednesday and back the following Monday, thereby saving myself considerable $$ in hotel parking fees.
(2) As we’ve done whenever possible since we were first roomies on the JASNA 2009 tour of England, JASNA BFF and I will be rooming together at the hotel. And she’s snagged not only the discounted JASNA room rate, but a further discount (she’s a Marriott points member). So additional savings for me.
(3) Since I’m traveling by car and will have more packing room than BFF (traveling from NYC via Amtrak) will, I will be bringing foods and other supplies for our room: a loaf of Wegmans Marathon bread at her request (she can’t get enough of the stuff), fruit, and other nosh, plus paper plates and utensils.
(4) Here on the home front, I’ve already started a “clean out the fridge and garden” campaign. I put the last of my Farmers’ Market tomatoes and the last of my homegrown peppers (sheltered from the deer in a pot on the front steps) into a homemade pasta sauce yesterday, and I added some shrimp to the pasta today. Nom nom nom.
(5) Finally, my NY State deposit container total for September was $30.05, and my found change total was 80 cents. Two small contributions to the Fun Fund.
So glad Mr. NCA is getting so much love from friends. It is the best kind of exhaustion.
Went to nightmare of an estate sale, so it has lit a fire under me to purge. We are renting an event center (repurposed one room school house) for our sale. The location is next to a large corn maze. Timing is perfect.
Today is a rain day, so meal planning for the weekend’s work shifts.
Cookie dough for the freezer.
My DH is laid up with pneumonia, although luckily we caught it early and he’s feeling better today. I made a quick trip to do errands today and used a $5 off $25 coupon at the hardware store to buy trash bags and HVAC filters. The filters were buy four, get $6.99 off at the register.
Used a coupon for pate cat food and one for Cheerios that I was able to stack with a sale at the grocery store.
Ruby, I’m sorry to hear about your DH’s pneumonia. (Too many DHs on the disabled list right now!) I wish both you and him the best.
Thank you. He has giant antibiotics and has been very good about resting and drinking lots of water. He’s actually a pretty good patient.
1. Updated my grocery list and decided not to go today, as I am not in particular need of anything right now. I won’t go till it’s necessary.
2. Went by the little free pantry, only planning to get anything on my grocery list. But I couldn’t resist a bag of bagels and an eggplant.
3. When I am walking, I regularly pick up trash and throw it away. Today I picked up a coffee cup, and inside was a dime and a penny. Odd. Do panhandlers throw away small change?
4. I found another receipt for Fetch.
5. I’ve been looking for a longish deep receptacle to store my tote bags in. I haven’t been able to thrift one that is the right size. Today I decided to cut off the flaps of the cardboard box I am using and give it a more permanent status. Maybe I’ll cover it or paint it. It sits out, so it is a bit of an eyesore.
Re your #5 – I use a repurposed narrow tallish cardboard box for my on-counter recycling (paper, tins, plastic containers). I havent’ found any ‘real’ box that is as perfect in shape, so this one continues to do the trick. I agree, though, it is a bit of an eyesore. Although the compost bins in front of it hide it reasonably well (LOL).
1. Did some entertaining before my cold started. Had brunch at our house for a few people. I made the bread for the French toast casserole and used a $1 brick of cream cheese from the discount food store. Sister brought a boatload of fruit and beverages and left all of it with us afterward.
2. Made gluten-free and dairy-free muffins for a neighbor for a little brunch at my place. When I saw the price of almond flour at the store, I said “oh my” out loud, but then I saw a cheaper brand nearby and my equilibrium was partially restored. Then I went to get dairy-free cheese for egg bites and realized just how expensive it is to buy for special dietary needs.
3. Invited some neighbors over and received a dozen eggs from a neighbor’s chickens and a beautiful mum for our entry.
4. Husband gets unlimited apples from the apple trees located at the Christmas tree farm where he works a couple days a week. He brought home a large boxful so I made a lot of applesauce. I cook it down with the skins on and don’t bother mashing or pureeing it.
5. From Buy Nothing, I received 48 bags of tea and 36 bags of sipping broth. These items helped me manage my cold.
I have celiac. For me, the best approach in many ways is just to focus on the many foods that are naturally GF, only buy the specialty stuff when I really want it, and only buy the really good versions that are worth what they cost. There are many disappointing GF products out there, and it’s pointless to spend on them when naturally GF foods are cheaper, tastier, and more nutritious.
This is very sensible advice, for anyone with dietary issues. I am not celiac nor gluten sensitive, but I am lactose intolerant. I do much better when I just focus on what is naturally lactose free.
I am glad your Husband’s friends are showing up with foodstuffs and cheer for him, although 5 cracked/broken ribs sounds even more awful than 4. I know you are all edjumakated about these things, however a reminder that breathing is important – my mom had to blow up balloons when she cracked her ribs, to encourage her to breathe deeply. Ouch.
I bought pancake/waffle mix at the dollar store and we cooked some up this weekend. it was half the price of the regular stuff I buy, and the waffles were ‘ok’ but not as crisp as I prefer. We will probably use up the mix and return to the tried and true, darn it all.
1. I found two nice kitchen chairs at the side of the road. They are replacing two more of my not-so-great chairs, giving me a total of 5 solid chairs (three oak that I got at the thrift store for cheap because there weren’t 4 of them, and these two, which aren’t as good as the oak, but better than what I have). I am holding back one of my older kitchen chairs to give me six for my table. The remaining 5 were put out on the road for free, and disappeared in a heartbeat.
2. My new roomie and I picked apples (I have 5 trees).
Tree #1 was fully stripped.
We filled the last box we had with lovely big ones from tree #2. There was at least another big box of apples on that tree, but we were needing to empty the two wheelbarrows (4+ boxes) and roomie needed a break (she has had a tough time of it so my sanctuary of a home is doing what it does so well, giving her a place to settle and her nerves a chance to relax). She hauled all the boxes in the house and took Niña inside as the doggo wasn’t so good about hanging around when we were picking.
I went to tree #3 (pant pant) and filled an enormous box, plus another smaller one, with all the apples that I could reach. I texted #2 Son and asked him to use his height to grab another 2 dozen or so that are in the middle and above my head, which he promptly came out to do.
He then asked me about Tree #4, which (IMHO) needed a ladder to pick (it has dropped a lot of apples, sadly, so it really did need picking). He was willing to do that RIGHT THEN, so even though I had changed into regular clothes, I changed back into my grubbies, found MORE boxes from my (middle-aged woman’s) cardboard box stash, and joined him. He picked, I put into boxes, and other than his hands being half again bigger than mine (he could hold two of the enormous apples and I could not) it went really quickly and smoothly. He then returned to Tree #2 and helped me pick what was remaining.
Tree #5 probably needs to hold on to the 10 or so apples for another week – it is my newest and latest ripening tree.
I put a slip of paper into each box indicating which tree they were from, and then essentially collapsed. My kitchen looks like an apple warehouse.
3. Due to apple picking exhaustion, I didn’t want to cook. However, I made a quick and filling pasta meal with discount penne and discount Puttanesca sauce. This always tastes like a restaurant meal and fed the three of us with speed and ease. Remembering that I have a lot of 15 min-to-the-table meals in my pantry is a way to save big on avoiding fast food or convenience foods. More convenient to stay at home and throw something together, and more relaxing, too!
4. Started tackling the apples by making some applesauce from the ones with bruises or marks. These take more work as I have to use my knife to cut out the bad bits and take out the cores. I leave the skins on and then run the cooked applesauce through my manual food mill to remove most of the skins and any missed cores or seeds. This first batch is in canning jars in the fridge – with the date written on painters tape. More sauce today and then the ‘real’ canning will begin, and I might add the jars from the fridge if they aren’t eaten by canning time
5. Roomie is really hurting for ready cash, so she posted some things on Marketplace for quick sale. Sold a rain jacket and a bass guitar within 24 hours of posting; those funds are earmarked for her last rental as she was behind in her rent. She has a number of other items to post, and we are both hoping that they sell quickly to relieve some of her financial pain.
She started her new job today (she can walk there, a bit of a hike but she is wanting the exercise and the meditation time) however pay won’t happen for two weeks. Good thing there is a warm bed and food for her here, as well as a chosen family in this valley who are welcoming her back home! I am so glad to have the resources to help her out.
She is a big help with the new doggo, particularly as I have been called in to the Grandbaby on a few nights and am helping Daughter Outlaw with her upcoming surgery support. Doesn’t hurt that she is a HUGE dog fan, and that the new doggo rather likes her back.
It is nice to have a cheerful human in my space, too, and Roomie is continuing to decompress from the trauma of her last couple of years. Her and the dog, both, are needing time to regulate themselves in their new environment. I just get to hold space.
6. Frugal for #1 Son and Daughter Outlaw (no babysitting fees) – I got to hang with the grandbaby while they went to a movie (!!!!). This was a first for them.
Two night previously they dropped him off with me and went to the pub with friends (!!!). Leaving him with me in the evening was also a first for them, and one I hope they take advantage of a lot.
I am so happy that they are finding the energy to invest in their relationship, getting alone-time together. My GB is over a year old, and it has been an immersive experience for his parents, to say nothing of the terrible pain DOL has been in with her two damaged discs. They chose to do serious attachment parenting, which means GB is very attached.
Gotta say that a crying baby doesn’t affect me like it did when I was a mom – although I hope that he soon settles down with Granny as he currently has a hard time getting to sleep without mom or dad.
DOL’s surgery was postponed a day (boo) however my schedule will allow for me to take her, without cancelling any of the many other things I seem to be committed to. She comes first, of course, yet it is nice that I can help her and STILL do my stuff on her surgery day.
You sound like a great friend to your roomie
I agree. We all need a friend we can count on.
1) Received a $40 Avis refund for when they gave away our rental & forced a 12 passenger van on us.
2) Used a $10 CVS reward to pick up things we needed + DH’s anniversary card.I usually make my own, but I’m splurging, as it’s our 20th anniversary!
3) Considered takeout, but went home & cobbled together a few options for lunch. Nothing tasted great, but I’m fed & not out any money, which is a win.
4) Carving out time this weekend to do some menu planning, meal prep, & deep cleaning, after being gone for multiple weekends in a row. That always helps me feel more organized & keeps the grocery bill in check.
5) Leftovers for dinner all week, with a few additions each night to get them to feel somewhat “new”.
Happy anniversary!
Thank you!
1. DH had to stop at Kroger today and was pleased to overhear somebody asking about the senior citizen discount–they offer it maybe once a month, tops, around here, but they don’t really advertise it (I heard because they found younger folks taking advantage of it). He asked for it, showed his ID, and got his 5% off. I had read about it but forgot to tell him, so I’m glad he heard about it! 😉
2. DH is, as a civilian government employee, officially on furlough starting today. Luckily we have prepared for this. We’ve socked away savings, pared down our spending on food and other things, and live fairly frugally in our small-but-cozy rental. Plus DH is at the right age and length of service to be able to retire with his full benefits, should it come to that. DS#1 is gainfully employed and willing to chip in if need be. The Commodore is only concerned that regular shipments of kibble will not be interrupted.
3. Drinking down my stash of tea before buying any more. I was very happy to get through my last Celestial Seasonings box, and am down to a couple of boxes of herbal teas.
4. Using up impulse bought groceries (I’m looking at you, quinoa) for my breakfasts.
5. We used the crockpot rather than the oven for baked potatoes, and I have to say I prefer the texture of those in the crockpot, so we may do that regularly. People like their potatoes around here. I haven’t done the math and most likely that energy-wise it’s a wash, but it’s nice to not have a potato explode in the oven. Which happens here regularly, even with poking them before baking!
When your tea supply dwindles, ask on the buy nothing site.
I posted some tea I didn’t care for and 4 different people wanted it
I recently read that the oven/ stove is one of the biggest energy hogs in the house.
DH and I just returned from 3 weeks in europe, which is not frugal at all, but while we were there, we tried to do some frugal things.
1. Most frugal was that we didn’t pay for accommodation at all. I had earned some points renting my short term rental cottage on homeexchange.com and we had enough accumulated for 12 nights in an apartment in Edinburgh. It was not luxurious by any means, but had a very comfy bed, small kitchen and nice bathroom. We could also do our laundry there.
2. While in Edinburgh, we took public transport everywhere, or walked. We luckily had lovely weather for the most part, so didn’t get soaked, although we had taken our rain coats.
3. DH had his usual breakfast in the apartment, (I don’t eat breakfast), we would have lunch out, then dinner usually consisted of light snacks, cheese, crackers, etc.
4.We left Edinburgh and went north and spent 4 nights with a friend and her DH that we stayed with 16 years ago. We went for walks, ate food cooked at the house, drove around the countryside (which is stunning!) and just caught up. It was lovely. To thank them, we took them for lunch a couple of times.
5.After Scotland, we went to The Hague in the Netherlands, and stayed with my cousin who has a condo there. Beautiful accommodations, we cooked at home, and took public transport everywhere. We did go out a for a few lunches, and for beers of course. It was great.
Frugal Fails while travelling:
DH and I found an amazing shoe store in Edinburgh and brought home two pairs each. Did we need them? No. but we loved them, and thought they were cheaper than at home, but then when I did the conversion, with the Canadian dollar being so low, we probably didn’t save anything. We also did a couple of expensive touristy things, such as visit the Royal Yacht Britannia, The Palace at Holyrood House, and Edinburgh Castle. But I’m glad we did.
Purchase a cashmere sweater for DD for her birthday that she had while we were away. She and her DH house/dog sat for us for the whole 3 weeks we were away, so although it was expensive, she is well deserving.
Your trip sounds lovely! My husband and I visited Scotland earlier this year ❤️ The shoes are probably better quality and will out last the fast fashion. I consider European vacations quite frugal over US vacations. I think accommodations are so much cheaper there!
It was really lovely Joanna. I was born i n Scotland and immigrated to Canada as a baby, but have been back 3 times as an adult, and love it. I don’t know anything about how expensive U.S. vacations are, but when I googled the average price of a hotel room in Edinburgh, it was $400CDN!. So we did save a fortune in accommodation costs. I recommend anyone who’s interested to look into homeexchange.com. It’s a fantastic program.
May war ravaging never come again to these shores or Portland.
May Portland etc not be ‘Training Ground” for Military operations.
Glad your husband is being supported so well. May his healing be fasts.
Hope your husband heals quickly!
1. I also went to Goodwill today. I bought 3 items of clothing (2 for me and one to try to resell). All three were the color of the week so half off. I also donated some clothes and got a coupon for a future purchase.
2. I went grocery shopping. Turkey was 97 cents a pound, so I bought a turkey instead of chicken…I mean a turkeys basically just a big chicken, right?
3. I saved the packaging from my daughter’s order to reuse to package an ebay item.
4. My husband asked a lady for some of one of her plants. It’s a kind I’ve been wanting for awhile. She said she had too much and he could have some.
5. My husband made a better compost bin for us
Good for you for declining the A1C. After what was actually just a blood sugar drop, never again will I let a medical tech tell me “and this and that” when I asked what my blood test was for. A $3K out of pocket clusterfake which will not happen again. While the money was available in my HSA, it was a totally unnecessary expense. Live and learn is all I can say.
We’ll see what my PCP orders for this year. Despite my mother’s records that I’d has measles, I had a test last year. Yep, don’t question mom. Yet I get an annoying “you need an MMR vaccine” message which I continue to put on ignore as well as three other recommended “screenings”. I’m done with one of them (hostage for too any years), one I find too risky, and the 3rd I will consider for 30 seconds if males have to have a test that includes two metal plates and a hardy squeeze. Answer will still be no.
Selena, I agree. Drs are trained to have people take these tests on a schedule, or a particular age. Money maker.
Last year my physician, who is no longer my physician, said ” so, still refusing to take a statin”
I was floored, I said, don’t know, do I have high cholesterol?
He said, well at your age you probably do. Well, take the test.
Came back negative. I assume his attitude came by the fact that I advocate for myself. Having a mother that died at 58 and trying to help her has made me strong. I am 65.
I can’t blame my PCP per se – I had a titer test, yes I had measles (DOH) but the system (EPIC bleh) still keeps bringing it up.
My daughter cooked a turkey from her freezer. I made potatoes veggies and stuffing. Dinner
For7. Cooked bones for stew and used remainder for croquettes
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is absolutely great!! You would think they couldn’t improve on what they’ve done already, but this is outstanding. We signed up for Paramount just for this, but it took us quite a while to get through 3 seasons. We are waiting for season 4 to be released.
I didn’t know they tested for A1C when you donated platelets. I donated many times and never knew. Do they also test when donating whole blood (I have the antibody for TRALI so can only donate whole blood now boo hoo)?