Five Frugal Things -- My Name's Not Blake!
1. I thrifted this adorable hand knitted Christmas stocking for just $2.99, even though my name is most definitely not "Blake!" Unlike a needlepoint stocking where the stitching can be picked out, this name was imbedded into the structure.
Luckily I have multiple bags of embroidery wool and a lot of free time.
I ended up chain stitching some Christmas trees over the lettering, which accomplished my goal of obscuring the personalization. We've invited our daughter's girlfriend over for Christmas morning, so this extra stocking will be put to good use. I know it turned out lumpy, but I still think it's cute.
2. I woke up to this nice little $75 eBay sale, which is fantastic since I thrifted the backgammon board last week for just $4.50. I'll definitely need to create a Frankenbox, but that's okay since the profit margins on this one are where I like them to be.
What's interesting is that this stone game board was next to an equally lovely chess/checkers stone board, which I didn't consider buying it as it was priced at $19.99. Additionally, backgammon is a more unusual game and it's better to be the seller with the rare item.
3. I baked the second pumpkin from my next door neighbor, which resulted in ten full cups of pumpkin puree for the freezer. Mind you, this is after draining off the extra liquid.
4. My youngest painted a memorial stone for where we buried Zelda in the backyard. They used a stone and art supplies we already owned.
5. I gave $9.99 tins of Trader Joe's Jingle-Jangle mix to both my mail carrier and the local LGBTQ+ health care clinic. I know that many people won't eat homemade food from strangers and I wanted to make sure to thank these people who serve their communities in the very best way.
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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1. I listed a whole bunch of stuff brought back from my son's house. Not only have they recouped a lot of money from stuff I've sold for them, it has also inspired them to do some selling of their own. I love seeing the frugal practices filter down the generations. All 3 of my adult children are pretty frugal. We thoroughly enjoyed our no-gifts-for-the-adults Christmas celebration last week.
2. Celebrated our daughter's promotion last night. Meal at home and a movie.
3. Made sure I listed all the toys that my son's family were passing on. This is the time when families may be looking for toys as gifts. I have 2 buyers lined up to come today. It makes me happy because I only list things in excellent condition and I know someone is getting a bargain and giving their child much joy.
4. Asked for a puzzle board on buy nothing. Waiting to see if anyone replies...
5. Picked up a small bag of new menstrual supplies offered on Buy Nothing. I have no need, but I like to be prepared for anyone visiting.
My husband asked for a particular book in a series for Christmas. He had no idea about the price. Turns out the cheapest I could find it for (used) was $110. No thanks! He's getting a Nook card instead since he can get it for $9.99 that way.
Redeemed my Fetch points for $50 Chewy. Free cat litter and food once again.
I used my Thriftbooks credit and only paid .24 for some Christmas gifts. TB doesn't give as much credit as the big used book store 2 hours away, but I'm sitting on a bunch of credit to that store already because they don't often have the books I want.
This year we gifted my sister a paid off medical bill. The only frugal part of that is we went to the hospital in person and paid it in full, so they gave us 25% off, which was a significant amount of money.
I bought a new garbage disposal for my mom's Christmas gift. It's something she wants so I'm happy to get it. I went across the border to the next state (just a few miles) and got the item for the same price as here but less sales tax. While there I also did my Kroger shopping since there's no sales tax on groceries.
Susan,
You are a gold medal gift giver with a black belt in frugality! Santa has nothing on you! Paying your sister's medical bill will greatly improve her life, as not having to worry about affording that awful hospital bill will no doubt help her health. I'm sure your Mom will thank you every time she uses that disposal. And you saved a lot of money on both, along with the books and Nook card! May God bless you and your DH for your generosity.
That stocking redo is as cute as it is clever! From the photo, you can't tell a name was ever on there. The row of Christmas trees are just perfect for the design. The gal pal ought to feel right at home!
Yesterday, I strolled around the new arts & crafts "mall." I didn't buy anything, but saw several good things I can create at home, with items I already have and don't need. My goal is to make gifts for the young couple who invited me to hang out at their place on the 25th. They like vintage items and I have plenty. Leftover from my ill-fated biz venture at being an antique mall vendor. Hope it's not illegal to "shoplift" ideas! (Oh, and I scouted out some holiday earrings that I will look at again, when I go to their After-Christmas sale....)
I have given up on trying to find my lost cell phone. A coworker tells me she buys used/refurbished phones from Schmeff Schmezos on that big website. I may also look at what Wallyworld has to offer. Any advice as to what model to get? Which service provider to use?
1. A friend had mentioned the optometrist's office in town has an AARP discount on lenses and frames, not appointments, and that saved me a couple hundred dollars on my new glasses, (very strong prescription and trifocals, nothing I would ever trust to an online glasses store because they rarely come out right the first time).
2. Continuing my mission to keep USPS in business, I sent out Christmas cards. I have enough left over, (from sales, yard sales, etc.) for next year.
3. Used return address labels with, um, enthusiastic holiday drawings from children at the regional children's hospital. Free to me because I don't know how they got my name and don't donate, but I will advertise for them by using the stickers.
4. Still haven't brought out much for holiday decorating. Have an artificial wreath that I add scrounged greenery to, to fill it out, that I will get outside now that we have a lull in the wet weather.
5. Listening to "Charlie Brown Christmas" soundtrack by the Vince Garaldi trio on YouTube while I check in online. Tried George Winston "December", but that was too somber for today-- the sun is out!
Apologies: The correct spelling is Vince Guaraldi, the jazz pianist for Peanuts. I love what I call "Peanuts Walking Music!".