Five Frugal Things -- Leftovers Abound
- My husband and I continue to enjoy Thanksgiving leftovers with almost no end in sight. I'd guess we have another two, maybe three days of food left, although I may assemble some freezer meals as a favor to my future (and current) self.
We even have a forgotten container of carrots, which we have yet to even touch. - Our next door neighbor gifted us her enormous uncut Halloween pumpkin, which I'll bake and puree for future pumpkin-centric recipes.
Unfortunately My 32-year-old Cuisinart lid has a broken bit, which keeps the food processor from working. (It's a safety feature, so I'm not made about it.) Luckily eBay has multiple sellers offering up the part I need, so I put a couple of listings on my "watchlist" and will wait and see if anyone sends me a lower price offer.
Patience is key and it's not like this uncut pumpkin needs to be processed in the next couple of days. Buying used takes more time than clicking a "buy it now" button from Schmeff Schmezos, but doing so supports the circular economy that I prefer.
- My husband and I drove over to Powell Butte Nature Park to take advantage of a rare sunny Portland afternoon. This 611 acre public park has amazing views of both Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Hood and is free to enter. Sure it was cold and a bit windy, but we came prepared with cozy layers. An enjoyable activity that emptied zero-point-zero dollars from our wallets.
- I set my alarm to go on the library website at midnight to see which free cultural event passes they release. My hope is always theater tickets, which I've never lucked out with, but hope springs eternal!
The Portland Art Museum passes that I scored last month are valid later this week, which is exciting since they just opened a new wing and this pair of tickets would normally cost $55.
It's seriously like trying to score Taylor Swift tickets as you have to get on the website at midnight on the first day of the month and then refresh, refresh refresh . . . . - I didn't buy a Lear Jet, even though they had a Black Friday deal.
Now your turn, what frugal things have you been up to?
1. My kids and I went to a Christmas Market. We skipped the $25 event parking and parked in the $1 an hour parking right next door and closer to the market? Four of us shared a cone of french fries. The other two found their own snacks. Those were the only frugal parts of this excursion.
2. We ate leftovers for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
3. I cleaned out my driveway after a very large snow storm. Many people were calling for a plow truck to clean their driveways and I was really tempted. I'm glad I didn't because my large snow thrower that I have put on my garden tractor every year really does a good job. The weather was cold but no wind to throw the snow back in my face. It took quite a while to clear it all but my long driveway is clean and it should be easy to get out today.
4. My children headed home yesterday with all their leftovers. I stayed home since the roads were still iffy. I ate leftovers, read my library book and enjoyed the peace and quiet.
5. Frugal Fail - I forgot to cancel my Peacock subscription. Ugh. I don't even watch it. Now I'm charged for another whole year. I went in and canceled it as well as making sure others are also pre-canceled.
This just happened to me with canva and I reached out to their customer service and begged them to refund and cancel. I explained I couldn’t afford the cost with the holidays and they reimbursed me! Maybe worth a shot.
I wish that Portland got more snow, but then I read you comment and realize that it's not all sweet winder wonderland-y.
But snow removal as well as trudging through the snow is an excellent workout.
I tend to do a lot of shopping this time of year to capitalize on things I haven’t been able to find second hand or can’t buy second hand. But , still frugal in my mind!
1. Used Rakuten to get 15% back ordering my contacts because I definitely can’t thrift those and being able to see is quite important!
2. Rescued a handful of toys at the GW outlet , patiently searching for all the pieces. I have a few in our BN group and listed a few on marketplace for very cheap and have already sold a few to cover the whole cost of my bins trip!
3. A friend of mine gifted me magnatiles and a tonie box that her kids no longer enjoy, which is amazingly generous and crosses two things off our Christmas list!
4. Got a discounted pass to a local indoor play place for the year on Black Friday for my toddler. We are in CO so get a lot of nice days throughout the winter, but can get very cold and very hot in the summer. Indoor play places save us on weeks where weather is unforgiving! It’s also a small family owned business so we love to support them when the budget allows.
5. Grabbed an 85 dollar set of magnatiles for 35 at target for my nephews! A great deal for these, they rarely go on sale!
6. Thrifted a bag of hot wheels cars to add to my toddlers stocking.
7. Rescued more bombas and Smartwool socks for the whole family from GW! My mom has fallen in love with bombas, so adding them to her stocking too.
I love that you're thrifting socks!!! So few people are willing to do this and they are definitely missing out!
1. Ended up having to take my grandma to the hospital for a suspected (now confirmed) stroke over the holiday week. Packed our own snacks and water for the inevitable waiting around times.
2. Had been holding off on some purchases until December (I get an extra paycheck this month and I only budget for 2 every month), and took advantage of Cyber Monday deals to make those purchases: beeswax candles, a Leaf razor as my Harry's is finally out of blades and I have wanted to switch to a no-plastic razor, a big deal my massage therapist runs every year so I can get a discount on my massages, and some gifts for folks.
3. We have been eating leftovers that I split with my parents.
4. Decided to host my birthday/holiday party at our apartment this year instead of having everyone meet us at a bar. It is a lot cheaper and more cozy.
5. Not doing holiday cards as we don't have the energy or emotional bandwidth this year. It will also save us some money.
So sorry to hear about your grandma's stroke, Katie. We spent many holidays in the hospital with mine for everything from dehydration to possible strokes. Sending lots of love your way.
Thanks, LB. 2025 has been a year of family illness and death. Needless to say, I'm a bit drained. Grandma is 94, which is wonderful. But is sure doesn't make this easier.
My sympathies, Katie, from two cities over to the right of you.
I'm so sorry about your grandmother, send a big virtual hug your way.
1. I've been working a side-gig at a friend's gift shop for the holidays - which is a non-consumer's nightmare seeing all of the needless stuff that is purchased (and not inexpensive!). But, I don't buy anything, I commute with my partner who works there already, and we bring our own coffee, lunch and snacks from home.
2. Picked up 2 items from BJs (both had coupons) and I found 2 receipts in the trash. They were worth a combined 4,400 points on Fetch, which is amazing, as I only get 25 points from my receipts.
3. I didn't buy anything on Black Thursday, or Local Saturday. I will purchase a gift basket to send to an aunt/uncle, but I'll look today for a Cyber Monday deal and I'll use the gift cards that I redeemed from Fetch and Swagbucks, so it will cost me nothing. I also did sign up for the $2.75 Britbox (I WISH I got the .99 offer) and will watch the show that I want to see (Ludwig) and cancel within the 2-month window.
4. I'm wearing an outfit today that includes a hand-me-over sweater and shoes that my mom gave me a couple of years ago.
5. I didn't pardon a convicted swindler who scammed 1.7 billion in retirement funds from teachers, police officers, etc.
4. I did
I love scanning other people's receipts, especially when they're the type of person who buys national brand items!
My husband and I loved Ludwig, I guess I now have to look up when the second season is coming out.
There's a guy in Portland (or at least used to be) who sells used Cuisinart parts. He advertises on Craigslist (or at least used to). Had good prices. Just sayin'.
Thank you, I'll look him up!
1. Leftovers abound in our house as well, even though we didn't have the families for a traditional dinner. Yesterday was leftover tacos and lo mein with pie to wash it down.
2. The food coma afterwards lasted a good 2 hours, which means I could not scroll my phone or fall prey to any online sales during that time.
3. I have wanted a larger monitor for my home office setup to play video games and have more real estate to review spreadsheets etc. but was unwilling to hit the button on one full price (after all, the one I had was perfectly fine, and also a freebie from a friend!). I finally found one that was the size I wanted for 50% off in the clearance section of Staples when I had to run an errand for my SIL. Patience pays!
4. I have been slowly trying on all my winter clothes as I get them out of storage. I am determined to do a seasonal clearout of what doesn't fit so I can donate/sell when the season is appropriate. I will list the misfits on a swap group then whatever is left will go to the local free store.
5. Made a pact with the siblings to not buy presents for each other. The real gift is not spending more time and money shopping when we could lower our stress levels and to-do lists.
Taco, lo mein and pie? Oh my!
I emptied a bunch of little containers into big containers:
After our vacation cruise, I brought home all the partially used toiletries -- shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. We used these on a couple of camping trips, but now that camping season is over, I cut open the tubes and emptied them into the big bottles in our shower. I used a little spatula reserved for this purpose.
A couple of months ago I attended a gathering where we all ordered burgers one night. There was a bag full of little mustard, mayo, and ketchup packets left and I brought it home. We used some camping, but this week I cut them all open and emptied them into my containers at home. Oddly satisfying.
Our bird feeder broke. A little plastic part on the bottom gave way. My husband repaired it and it's back in service. The birds don't care that the repair shows and neither do I.
I made chicken broth with a rotisserie chicken carcass. Soup season is here, so I go through a lot of chicken broth.
My only black-Friday spending was on two sewing patterns from independent, women-owned designers I want to support. I've been eyeing these patterns and knew they would go on sale for the weekend.
I can see that squeezing the condiments into bigger containers would feel somewhat cathartic.
1. Read about a local family that is having a "Regift Christmas" for the adults in the family. Only free, found, made, or regifted items allowed.
2. Dressed indoors in jeans, thick socks, thermal shirt, flannel shirt, headband and neck gaiter. We keep our heat higher than many of you here, and I'm still cold.
3. Redeemed credit card points as statement credit.
4. Remembered to use the 20 cents off per gallon of gas before it expired.
5. Received an entry rug and a Pyrex insulated casserole carrier from Buy Nothing. I have great luck being selected, which I attribute to including a comment about how/where I'll use the item. (Crabby side note: I never pick someone who just says "Interested." If I'm going to go through the work of taking the pic, writing the post, reading responses and coordinating pick up, the potential recipient needs to show some energy.)
Totally agree with you on your #5, MB! One of the things I do is to always include a "tell me what you'll use it for/tell me why you want it!" in the post. It seems to generate a bit more positive energy.
Katie, I love your phrase and will be stealing it! Learning more about members builds community, too.
So true!! It helps keep the group from getting too transactional.
Yes, I always explain specifically how I'd like whatever item is being offered up on Buy Nothing. Works!
I feel the same way about BN members who just say "interested". That shows me they're not really invested in picking it up.
Lovely Mt. Hood pics! The boys took a pic of Mt. Jefferson on Saturday while out and about running my errands. So pretty.
Glad you now have a warm coat.
I do not have a bite of leftovers as I sent everything home with the kids. I sometimes miss making "Monica's Leftover Turkey sandwich" from one of the "Friends" episodes...
I will be buying my security software today on cyber sales (80% off) and a solar light for the big barn. My wants are few.
You can see a tippy top of Mt. Jefferson from Powell Butte, which is always fun.
Sadly, I realize my coat isn't as warm as I'd like it to be. Oh well, I'll just add layers when it's extra cold.
1. When I bought my special allergy-friendly Christmas chocolates, I chose two kinds that were on sale because they were labeled as Halloween candy. One kind has purple wrappers, which are perfect for Advent (the weeks leading up to Christmas, when priests wear purple vestments and the church is decorated in purple). The other has regular wrappers with no Halloween specific decorations. I only bought one type of candy with actual Christmas wrapping. They also gave me a free Christmas themed candy as a bonus. I used a 10 percent off coupon on the whole order. It was still expensive, but not as much as it might have been.
2. I have eaten or frozen all my Thanksgiving leftovers.
3. I am wearing layers of warm clothes instead of turning the heat up, although I would like to. I use a small space heater pointed at my feet when I sit at my desk, and blankets on the couch or bed.
4. I didn't buy anything on Black Friday or Cyber Monday sales. I haven't seen good deals on anything I need, so I'll wait until I can find something used or at a genuinely good price.
5. I redeemed points from two credit cards as statement credits.
Who knew that there was a purple holiday? I just learned something new!
Three: spring, fall, winter. Lent/Easter, Advent, Halloween.
1. My step granddaughter requested a specific “toy” and I found it on clearance and ordered it for her. Saved $6. I seldom shop on line but she is getting older.
2. I came home early hoping that my toilet and the plumber would come early. No such luck but it is cold (for here) so I am baking potatoes and carrots in the oven to warm up the house and for easy eating.
3. I still have leftover pumpkin from the $2 pumpkin I had sitting on my doorstep for decoration. I am still eating it with a little butter and salt. I may make a pumpkin soup if my toilet woes are successfully fixed… lol.
4. My back is still wonky but I am trying to ease the pain with rest and Tylenol, rather than a doctor’s appointment and copay.
5. I look around my house and I am still eating every day on my mother’s card table that she had since I was five years old so over 60 years old. I suppose I will eventually get a “proper” kitchen table and cabinets installed but obviously I am in no hurry. The house is paid for so I just do what I need to do that I consider urgent, like toilets…. lol.
Card table sounds fine!
I have a similarly aged cuisinart. I have called Michael at (503) 449-8104 for replacement parts. He collects and restores Cuisinart appliances. He lives in Sellwood.
Okay, I've texted him, thanks!
@Cindy
I love your #5. I ate at a card table for 30 years that I got with S&H green stamps!
Do you have, or can you borrow, a food mill? I don’t use a food processor in processing my pumpkins at all.
I bake them cut side down until they are very soft, let them cool, and then put them through the food mill. This has the added benefit of removing any stringy bits, which jack-o’-lantern pumpkins are more likely to have.
A food mill is a great idea! I was going to suggest a blender as that was what I used for years (BFP … before food processor).
I don't have a food mill, but can ask around.
1) I dropped my Apple Watch on the floor this morning, cracking the screen and making it unusable. In my continuing quest to really think about replacing things as they break, I decided I’m not going to replace it. I have already made great strides in reducing my phone use but having what is essentially a mini phone strapped to my wrist at all times really undermined those efforts as I would constantly check it for messages. The only feature I really liked was the alarm, it would vibrate on my wrist to wake me in the morning, since I don’t like any sort of sound alarm, I find them too abrasive. So I found this small pink watch I’d bought for my daughter when we were having some potty training issues, it would vibrate at set times to remind her to use the bathroom. I reset it to only go off at my normal wake-up time. I’ll wear it tonight and if it works, I’m all set!
2) My book club is having a white elephant book exchange, where you bring a wrapped book. It can be used and since I didn’t have time to stop by a bookstore, I’m gifting a book I already own that’s one of my favorites.
3) I’m hosting the book club and we always meet outdoors (not enough room inside) I’m borrowing a three-tray warming tray from my parents so we can have some warm food outside. I do not want to buy or store one of these since I only use it once a year, so I’m glad I can borrow from them (it mostly just sits in their attic, since they only use it a few times a year)
4) I didn’t make my monthly meal plan for December yet, luckily found some frozen pasta sauce in the freezer to have for dinner tonight. Hopefully I have time to make the meal plan today.
5) My kids are given way too much stuff (by their grandparents) They are the only grandkids on my side of the family and the only grandkids living nearby on my husbands (there are two more grandkids but on the opposite coast so his mom doesn’t see them much) It’s very frustrating for me, as I hate excess stuff and it creates challenges in teaching them to care for and appreciate what they have when they have so much. I get accused of “ruining their fun as grandparents” and my suggestions to put money in their college funds or spend money on experiences with them are ignored. As an example of the excess, my son has a stack of unopened Lego sets in his closet. He likes legos but has been given so many that he doesn’t even build them all. In an effort to turn something negative into a positive, I took the entire stack and donated them to a toy drive. Hopefully they can now go to kids who will enjoy them.
Unopened Lego sets?! That is an excess of belongings!
We're having a really cold day today, rainy and high temperatures in the 40s. It had been in the 70s just a few days ago! What a shock to the system! My goodness, you'd think it was December or something. (Oh, wait, it is!)
This morning, the trash collectors took away all the brush out at the curb, and I am very happy about that. Goodbye, pile! But they left the trash cans uncovered in the rain. I ran out and rescued them and dumped over the heavy cans so the water would run out. Ugh!
Heated up a bowl of my veggie soup that I made with (expired) canned vegetables and leftovers in the fridge and freezer. I'd dumped it all in the crockpot the other day and let 'er rip; ate some the other day and stored the rest in the fridge. It took just a minute in the microwave and it was nice and hot. Ate it with some cornbread and had a warm, filling lunch.
Snuggles is snuggling on his cushion right by my computer desk, so we're having a nice, cozy day indoors.
Okay, now I'm craving vegetable soup!
1. I have finally left my brother's house and arrived at home. Digging out this morning was a little challenging. I came home to conditions much the same -- 11 inches of snow. I parked in a mini-snowdrift and then learned I had to move the car so that that side of the street can be plowed. Thus I avoided a ticket, or even worse, being towed.
2. On the way home I got breakfast at a drive-through -- no deal there, unfortunately. I had to stop again to walk a bit -- my joints get stiff if I don't do that -- so I stopped at a Walmart and got the makings for a sandwich. I knew there was nothing to eat at home that could be quickly made, and I knew I'd be too tired to cook. While there I found 15¢.
3. Washed one load of clothes when I got home. I did have to use the dryer because the clothes I had packed were not drip-dry.
4. Remembered to turn on the Bunn coffeemaker so I can have coffee in the morning.
5. Opened my mail and found a nice batch of address labels from a children's hospital.
You found 15¢?! You recently "came into some money!"
1. Made it to day 150 on Duolingo, free version of course.
2. Got up a little early with my kids and carpooled with my husband so we could drop him off at work and take the car to the grocery store.
3. Scored $9.90 in rebates from Ibotta.
4. We usually break up our shopping into 1-2 big trips and I didn't see any big sales on our Christmas staples so we'll be waiting until next paycheck to stock up. We like to do a ham for Christmas and it was still almost $3/lb so I'll be practicing patience for a few weeks.
5. Keeping warm with blankets, slippers, and sweaters today.
I forget to use Ibotta, thanks for the reminder!
I usually get a small turkey, even when I’m hosting a largish crowd. I don’t want too much leftover turkey! Luckily, I have a few family members who prefer dark meat. I got it right this year, and I’m happy that tonight is turkey soup night! After this, I’m done with turkey for the year.
@Li - I eat the wings on T-Day but I prefer dark meat. I do share the drumsticks however but there is plenty of dark meat for cold or hot turkey sandwiches. I wish we'd buy an even bigger turkey - I could eat it twice a day for many days. We had turkey noodle soup for lunch on Saturday and will have it again tomorrow. One more meal of turkey for me in the freezer.
I need to process the last of my turkey today, maybe enchiladas? Time to pull the corn tortillas from the freezer.
No turkey leftovers since we went to a restaurant, but still an abundance of food in the fridge and freezer.
Amish kids had school today, so I get a little extra in my next paycheck. All the other kids I drive were off for what used to be called "Deer Day," as it was the first day of deer season. However, the Pennsylvania Game Commission has now christened the first Saturday (rather than the first Monday) after Thanksgiving as the opening of deer season. I guess that's their way of getting hunters, and themselves, out from under helping to wash the post-Thanksgiving dishes?
Forecast for our first real snowfall over night tonight. At noon, it was 3"-6", at 4 pm it was 4"-8". Will probably go higher and deeper by 10 pm. Just as I am typing this, I got a robo-call from the school district that there is a 2 hour delay for tomorrow morning. While I can certainly use the $, I'd rather stay home and safe. Too many people forget from one year to the next how to drive in snow. Always a boatload of accidents the first few weeks of winter snow.
Took a lousy piece of chuck steak, trimmed off as much excess fat as possible. That with some broccoli, stir fry sauce and rice constituted dinner. Turned some dying apples into applesauce on Sunday and we had that with our stir fry.
Other than that, not much happening here.
It's amazing how America is comprised of some many different regions. It's like you live in a different country than me.
1. Still eating our home-grown apples, and gifted persimmons. So that makes for frugal fruit.
2. I used Staples store credit (from recycling ink cartridges) to buy replacement blades for my paper cutter, which I do use very regularly. While I was at Staples I took in 10 more ink cartridges, for another $20 in store credit. It's great!
3. Put new elastic in a pair of pajama pants, and also darned some very thin parts of the pants. They will go for another bit now.
4. I queried an erroneous bill from our health insurance. The representative said I was making a big deal about them billing me for an extra $10. Well, it's the principle of the thing, plus, this isn't the first or even tenth time that this has happened. My patience has been used up. I also called a financial institution that was supposed to be sending me a check for $26 and they have not. It's worth it to me.
5. Sold 2 items on FB marketplace. Gifted a quilt on buy nothing.
$10 and $26 are both worth the effort!
1. It has turned cold in north Texas. When I went for my walk I wore my long black wool coat. It is 40 years old. I did have to repair a ripped pocket and a ripped shoulder seam. It is ready for another winter.
2. I only had thin summer pajama bottoms. I borrowed some of the husband's flannel bottoms. They were too big but who cares. They were warm.
3. We did not have any leftover food except desserts. I put some chicken thighs in the crockpot w/ peeled carrots, onion, and some potatoes. I did have 2 cans of leftover turkey gravy. That went in the pot too. It was hot and nourishing on a cold day.
4. I found a like new mop on the neighbor's curb on trash day. It is a mop that twists to wring out the water. Our old mop finally broke. My husband bought a new mop as I needed to clean the floors. Now we have a backup.
5. I have no desire to join the mobs at the stores in a buying frenzy. Retailers jump on every holiday to turn it into a merchandising event. Christmas is the big kahuna. After Christmas I might buy myself a pair of flannel pajamas so I don't have to wear the husbands but that is the extent of my needs.
You should check thrift stores for flannel pajamas, my ones always have dozens and dozens in like-new condition.