Five Frugal Things -- Let's Hit The Bins!
It's been a few weeks since I stopped by the pay-by-the-pound Goodwill bins to stock the shelves for my $100 Goodwill Gift Card Challenge. As always, my goal was to choose the lightest of lightweight items, in order to stretch the card as much as possible.
I spent $8.74 on nine items to resell.
These Rothy's flats were pretty dirty, but any reseller worth their salt knows that they can go through the washing machine. Plus, they weigh almost nothing, so this one was a no brainer!
I'm asking $80 on eBay, which is how much this style is currently selling for. Click HERE.
I also grabbed this jewelry box, as I recognized the signature "Tiffany blue" color amongst the detritus. Again, the goal is desirable, yet lightweight items.
I put together an eBay listing asking $50 and woke up to a $45 offer, which I happily accepted!
Click HERE to see the listing.
Apparently, yesterday was my day to find Tiffany & Co. items, as I also found this pair of prescription glasses. You might think that people don't buy other people's old glasses, but you would be wrong, as you can pay an optometrist to put your own prescription into secondhand frames.
Lightweight? Absolutely! Click HERE to see the eBay listing.
I also grabbed a Tiffany bag, even though it was in rough condition.
I also bought:
- A Honeywell fan remote control. Click HERE to see the listing.
- A Cole & Mason pepper grinder. Click HERE to see the listing.
- A Box of Bob reader reader books. I'll take these to Powell's Books.
- A Rihanna Savage X Fenty knit cap. Click HERE to see the listing.
- A pair of Patagonia pants that sadly fell apart in the wash. They maybe weighed three ounces, so I'm not too upset about it.
- A Pixies concert T-shirt, which is currently waiting to be washed.
What didn't I buy? Well . . . hundreds of thousands of different items, specifically these mugs. Hard no!
Hopefully I'll make three hundred or so dollars from these finds, which will be donated to the Oregon Food Bank.
I also bought some things for myself, both to keep and to sell, but I'll share that in another blog post.
Katy Wolk-Stanley
"Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without."
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I’m really enjoying this Goodwill gift card series. You’re doing great.
Thank you, it's been fun, although I need more sales!
1. I woke up to an eBay sale, then later in the day I had a sale on Posh. I also boxed up books to send to Thriftbooks for $$. Selling has been good lately.
2. Got a whooping 73¢ cash back on a gasoline purchase.
3. Using the library's free hoopla app to stream a TV series I have been wanting to see.
4. Took a free yoga class at the library, and of course stocked up on books for the weekend.
5. Still continuing my low buy/no buy. I can't believe how much I have to use up. It has taught me a lot. The food in the pantry and freezer are getting down to stuff we really don't want to eat. My lesson is only buy what we really want not just because the deal is good. My hands are super dry so I have been putting lotion and gloves on at night. I have used up 3 misc lotions I've had around and still have several more to go...but I don't like what's left, but I am determined to work my way through them before getting new.
Ow! You hurt my eyes with those mugs!
1. Watching free movies with no commercials on Turner Classic Movies which is included in our cable package. The old musical Brigadoon is on now. A subscription to a cheap tier on Cable TV is my concession to DH who loves movies and (some) news stations.
2. Tomorrow, Valentines Day, is our anniversary so we splurged and went out for Thai food today with the thought of restaurants being crowded on the holiday in mind. Delicious and we took home enough from 2 entrees for 2 more meals.
3. As part of our anniversary celebration, tomorrow DH and I are going to a free artshow opening of local artists' work.
4. Using yesterday's teapot water for my plants, wearing clothes I've had forever, finished my puzzle, eating leftover enchiladas ( I made two pans of them), reading library books, all the usual.
5. I do not feign surprise nor get defensive nor verbally attack anyone when asked simple questions.
Those plaid Rothys are awesome!!! You really scored that day!!
Your February's sales are very promising.
We went to the bins this morning. I didn't find Tiffany's frames, but I did find a pair of Burberry frames with leather box. I did grab them as they were pretty cute.
I got a pair of REI hiking capris, a pack able Columbia rain coat and a Sewing machine spool holder, weighs very little, it was still in the box should sell well. Picked up some Crocs charms and a Boggs tote. It is stained, but I will take a Mr. Clean sponge to it.
We delighted in the chocolate samples at Costco, picked up the dog food and skedadled.
We stopped at the bread outlet and picked up mom's bread and a couple of maple donuts (her fav).
Frugal folks get their glasses re-lensed from online optometrists. I wear progressives and routinely get replacement lenses for a little over $100, versus the $400+ locally. I don't add any extras and they work fine.
I've been buying my glasses online from Zenni Optical for the last few years. The particular frame I like comes in 3 colors...black with an assortment of colored flower, black with colored polkadots, and a pink floral. When I get a new prescription, I keep the previous glasses in case something happens. BFF's DH is an optician. I consulted him on what I really need and, since I was not buying them from his employer and he was not "on the clock" when we talked, he didn't try to "upsell" me. He explained things to me and I got glasses for about 1/3 the price I would have had to pay at a local optical store.
I broke my current frames in December when I fell at my sister's. Unfortunately BFF's DH and I could not coordinate a time for him to pop the lenses out and put them in the old frames, so I did the next best thing...gorilla glued the frame back together. Also glued the lens into the groove. Yeah, there's some glue residue on the frame and a bit on the lens, but they work fine. I'm going to have to get an eye exam later this year. I can tell when my prescription changes, even slightly. Will most likely have to get a new pair near the end of the year.
It was a gorgeous day, so I walked outside. I stopped at Walgreens to buy candy for my grandson -- I said I wasn't going to do it, but in the end I couldn't deviate from tradition. I tried to be frugal, though. I bought a large "Nice" chocolate caramel bar and a bag of mixed nuts. Less than $4. All other options were quite a bit more. And I gave him cash. And I sent electronic cash to my other three grandchildren.
I found a receipt outside the store. Then, when I got home, I saw that someone had left four cans of diet root beer in a box near the dumpsters. I scooped them right up. I don't drink soda much anymore, but I do like root beer, and it will be nice to have something for company.
I spent the day packing and organizing for my trip tomorrow. I used up perishables as much as I could. I made a really tasty cheese strata with broccoli and bacon bits. There is still yogurt that I will have for breakfast. I'm going to take creamer, bagels and cream cheese in my little cooler.
I did not fill the gas tank, even though it's halfway down. Gas will be cheaper across the state line.
This is an open-ended trip, because I don't know how soon my friend will be feeling good enough to be on her own after her hip replacement surgery. I packed four outfits and will do laundry if I have to. I packed books, too, because I think we'll do a lot of sitting around. It sounds like she is doing very well, so I might be coming home sooner than I think.
Fancy feeling haul this time!
1. I had a migraine most of the day so didn't get up to much today. I did make a decent dent in my audiobook once my head felt better.
2. We used up some leftovers for lunch and stuck to our meal plan for dinner, hubby made chicken and dumplings which hit the spot.
3. My husband sent me a video of someone making a quick stovetop jam and now I think we might be making jam the next time we get frozen fruit haha
4. I washed my shoes the other day and they look amazing! I have some mystery stains on them but the overall cleanliness is back to being fantastic and I'm so happy. I finally splurged last year and bought some (steeply discounted) Nikes to help with my back and leg pain and I want to keep them nice for as long as possible.
5. My husband made donuts yesterday and a maple glaze. We've attempted donuts probably 7-8 years ago but they were dismal. We cracked it! I haven't had donuts in YEARS because our local bakeries use dairy ingredients and I have a dairy allergy. So good!
Could you share the donut recipe. Hubby has a dairy allergy.
I have been finishing up my paper roses I sold, and people have been picking up their orders. Everyone seems quite happy with them.
My eBay sales of bookmarks is going well. All are being delivered on time, and the ones that didn’t sell the first time are relisted. One already has bids on it, and all except one of the others have watchers, so I am hopeful.
Today is my DH’s birthday, so I had the kiddos over for dinner. I spent about $45 for dinner items, which is way cheaper than taking everyone out to eat, and we all got grandbaby love.
I bought KFC for my lunch with my brother today. Not really frugal, but he usually makes our lunch, so I wanted to treat him today.
We are going tomorrow to pay our time share fees for our two weeks of vacation, plus I am reserving two units for a girls weekend with high school friends. We can get a unit for about $70 a night and split between all of us, it makes a very frugal stay. For the girls trip, I am sure we will eat out most every meal, but I will bring breakfast foods and snacks to help keep everybody fed at all times. Lol
Reading library books or ARCs or books I already own. Crafting roses to sell with items I already had. Looking forward to getting to start waking with my friend again after our pretty wintry winter.
Wow! You found so many fancy things this time! Is that the Milwaukie location? I almost never go there because I think it’s the most aggressive crowd, but maybe I’ve just had bad luck.
It’s crazy how people will pay top dollar for empty Tiffany’s boxes, and I wonder whether there are sketchy guys who use them to pass off lesser jewels as Tiffany’s?
It is the Milwaukie location. I just stay away from bins when they're newly rolled out.
I got hit in the head once!
I am one of those people who buys second hand glasses! I loved the weight and look of my old (slightly squished) ones but the optician said they would probably get broken in the process of putting new lenses in. So I bought a matching pair on eBay that were in better condition and got the lenses put in those instead. Well worth it.
1) Epic fail yesterday - I am not a baker but optimistically tried to make both crumble and jam tarts at the same time. (I’ve been craving crumble all winter and thought jam tarts might be nice for my partner on Valentine’s Day.) I didn’t have enough butter, then I put sugar in the jam tarts bowl instead of the crumble bowl, then I added too much water to that mixture so it was like a cake consistency and couldn’t be rolled out. By this point I was fully winging it with the jam tarts, put the mixture in cupcake cases instead (with a blob of jam) and then… underestimated how long I’d need to cook them in the oven, and some of it was still raw. I told my partner not to eat them! Still reclaiming this (somehow) as a frugal win, as the apples and blackberries in the crumble were free and foraged, respectively, and the crumble is edible, if not my best!
2) Found a vegan permaculture book that I’d been wanting to buy (would’ve cost £16 new) at the charity shop for just £2.50! The serendipity of it made my day.
3) I’ve stuck to my no buy of clothes and shoes for 2026 so far! Including not replacing my beloved mucker boots that have developed a hole in the sole. Going to make do with walking boots, trainers or wellies, depending on the situation! I still stare longingly at my local vintage shop when I walk past, but other than that I don’t miss buying clothes at all.
4) I’m in the routine of weekly library trips again, and enjoying my stash of cozy crime and fantasy novels. (Shoutout to authors Jesse Sutanto, Julie Leonge and Rebecca Thorne.)
5) I switched broadband provider to one that is way more ethical and saves us money, at least for the first six months. Win win!
Good luck on your no clothes/shoes 2026. I am trying to do the same thing. I have so many already, and I need to break the cycle!
Thank you - good luck to you too!
ooo, I admire your sticking with the no shoes - I couldn't actually manage if my muck boots got a hole, they are necessary farm boots (and the other shoes/boots I have would be ruined at certain times of the year). I consider them an investment in myself though, because I wear them every day for at least an hour outside, often in really wet conditions.
Can you try shoe-goo to repair the hole in the ones you have?
Ooh I hadn’t heard of shoe-goo, will give it a go! Thank you. Luckily, my boots are just for local walks so I can make do if necessary.
I love this challenge and I get a vicarious thrill by seeing what you find. I do the same with my daughter and her bin shopping. She sells on Poshmark and has a great eye for quality. I found a pair of cute Ray Ban frames in the bins and gave them to her. She had her prescription lens put into them and they are so cute on her.
1. I took my dog to the pet store and used a reward to get a free toy. She had a great time sniffing around and greeting everyone. It's been too icy to walk so I need to get her out somehow.
2. We also went to my mom's. My dog loves her grandma's house. It's the suburbs, so a lot more activity and the deer are tamer. They come right into the yard to eat the bird seed. My mom, sister and I shared the cost of a pizza for dinner.
3. We ate dinner and watched the Olympic men's figure skating. Poor Ilia Malinin, my heart broke for him.
4. I cut open a tube of toothpaste to get the last of it out.
5. Today I'm doing laundry and hanging it on racks in my dining room. I will be sorting through items to put together a garage sale this summer and donating what isn't worth selling.
1. Received a notice that I'll be getting settlement money deposited in my account within 30 days. I'm in suspense as I don't recall what it's for and I'll be happy with any amount.
2. Mended a bra using my travel sewing kit. I think I've had this bra for 10 years.
3. Bought a huge bag of coleslaw mix for $3.50. Has endless uses - coleslaw of course, in Buddha bowls, in salads and in vegetarian Reubens so far - and it keeps for a very long time.
4. Sent Valentine texts to loved ones rather than mailing cards or sending gifts.
5. Not frugal but necessary: Continue to donate to heartbreaking situations related to immigration enforcement. Some friends of ours cancelled their vacation and donated the money instead.
1. Hubby called and got our car insurance bill reduced by $5 a month or $60 a year.
2. I called Verizon(internet) and got it reduced by $15 a month or $180 a year. I also got a $20 credit for when their services were down last month.
3. I got 2 packs of chicken 50% off at Aldi.
4. It was Hubby's birthday. We both took the day off. I got him a new to us record player that he wanted from Facebook Market Place.
5. We went to the thrift store on his birthday. He got a CD and a record, $2 total.
6. We went to our favorite steakhouse. They have a great lunch special for $30 per person. It comes with a choice of appetizers and 1 of 8 entrees. It was delicious and we both brought home leftovers. We went at 2:30 so we weren't hungry for dinner. We each just had a small snack instead. If we had gone for dinner the same meal would have been over $120.
7. We stopped at our favorite bakery and got 2 donuts and a pastry for less then 1 dessert at the restaurant. The kids are coming over tomorrow to celebrate his birthday.