Five Frugal Things -- My Own Santaland Diaries
1. I woke up way too early on Thanksgiving and ended up watching the Macy's Thanksgiving day parade with my sister, who actually lives in NYC. (We get Peacock streaming TV for free through our cell phone plan, so I share it with family members.) I've always considered the parade a cheesy event for other people, (cue image of snobby me, complete with monocle, sitting atop a pile of hundred dollars bills.) However, it was surprisingly enjoyable and I appreciated how culturally inclusive it was, especially the Native American performance.
I worked at the Herald Square Macy's location back in 1988 as a Santaland Christmas elf, which was a blast. I'm pretty sure it was the same year as David Sedaris, but it's hard to say, as there were multiple short funny gay guys and some memories are fuzzy. This experience means I know a lot more about the Macy's flagship store than the average American, including the basement jail and how all employees were forced to watch a video about how we'd be fully prosecuted and lose all our friends if we stole from the store. Mind you, there was no merchandise to steal at Santaland, but Macy's put all employees through the same training. Plus a creepy full physical exam and the store discount was lousy.
This six-week job allowed me the time to hunt for a real grown up job and if I remember correctly, paid a whopping $7-per-hour, which was almost double the minimum wage at the time. Plus it supplied the clothing, so I didn't have to spend any money on a work wardrobe, which was a huge benefit for young broke me.
Not that you asked, but my favorite Santa was "Santa Ira," who was also Jewish. My least favorite Santa was "Santa Santa" who never broke character, even when it was just the two of us in our North Pole hut, often for extended periods of time. This got old really fast!
2. I sold both the found cell phone case and a random thrifted M&M teddy bear on eBay. Neither sale will make the news, but it's still nice to earn a bit of money from the comfort of my couch.
3. Thanksgiving went off without a hitch, even though my husband was unable to help whatsoever due to his work schedule. (Health care workers don't exactly get the day off for holidays!) Although I served Costco pumpkin pies, I made two others from scratch-ish as I needed a gluten-free option for my daughter.
What the hell is "scratch-ish?" I bought pre-made gluten-free pie shells at Trader Joe's, but made the filling using my own homemade pumpkin puree. So they were half store bought, half overly complicated homemade!
4. I earned enough "points" from donating blood and platelets for a bonus $10 gift card, which I'll redeem for either Safeway or Kroger. I believe this brings my last donation up to $45 in gift cards, plus snacks my Pac-Man socks.
5. I had my husband halfway talked into going to the Leach Botanical Garden with me today, but I remembered that they have free admission next weekend for their "Winterfest." I'm excited to have a proper rain coat again, (Thank you, Goodwill) and am itching to take it for a spin in Portland's ever present rainy weather.
Now your turn, what frugal things have you been up to?
1. Thanksgiving was delicious and frugal. Everyone contributed by bringing something.
2. I had my traditional leftover pumpkin pie for breakfast. Also from Costco. This was more pre-breakfast. I also made a traditional breakfast for all my sleepover guests.
3. I didn't go out to the Black Friday sales but I did order two gifts online.
4. I sent lunch over with my kids who were going to visit their other Grandma.
5. I'm enjoying some peace and quiet. I finished a library book on my kindle and started another.
Ooh . . . thank you for mentioning a library book. I'm going to curl up with one right now!
1. I walk 3-4 miles most days on our country roads. I make a point of picking up litter. This morning I found 2 unopened 16oz cans of beer. Probably teens as it was cheap, but my husband will still drink them.
2. One of my Thanksgiving guest brought a cake, and no one had any so I donated to my local historical society who is having a Christmas bazaar today and tomorrow, and asked for baked goods. They let me shop early and I picked up a gift for my mom and some other misc. super cheap!
3. Our WIFI is down, so I swung by the library and checked out a hot spot to get us through until it's back up.
4. Ate leftovers for lunch and dinner. This week's grocery bill should be less than $20 thanks to leftovers.
5. Used Costco Black Friday deal to order new tires for my Jeep. A terrible expense, but at least I managed to save $80.
How thoughtful that you donated the cake! I bet that they really appreciated that for their event!
Johanna,
The tires may be expensive, but just remember that a vehicle accident would be much MORE expensive! So really, you are saving money in the long run, much more than the $80 discounted price.
I get lots of free beer at college move out. I washed them well.
Johanna,
My hubby's car needed new tires - he put it off as long as he could, but driving in a heavy rainstorm forced his hand. Sigh. His safety is most important, as is yours! Glad you could snag a Black Friday deal.
I just reread santaland diaries last night! Thats such a unique experience you had.
We are eating thanksgiving leftovers and putting up Christmas decorations (that we already own, no buying new ones today) today, two enjoyable free activities!
Not the most frugal thing, but I ordered Boo Kitty's food/litter/treats online at Chewy. I usually get a 2 month supply and free shipping. Got some extra discounts (Black Friday is occasionally helpful) & a cash back reward at BeFrugal.
Started weeding out the kitchen stuff that I no longer need or had duplicates of. My coworker's son is moving to another city to start college in January, so I asked if he wanted any of it. Resounding YES! I also gave him a bag of assorted herbs & spices that I collected during a B1G1 free grocery sale. Most had gone to the food pantry, but I discovered still had more than I could/would use before they lost potency. And I threw in a handwritten recipe book of favorite cheap & easy meals.
Had my oil changed (with a coupon!) & they tried to get me to go for 2 $35 air filter replacements. Mine were filthy, but I also know that they're $10 @ AutoZone and how to replace them myself. So I went with that option.
Reading the posts here has gotten me to stop lurking & start celebrating what my family refers to as my "cheapness." Thank you!
If I could have a 20s do-over, I think I’d do a stint in Santa land. It looks like a blast!
I had exactly zero retail experiences today. I hate stores at this time of year. It upsets me to see others in the act of mindless spending. I want to shake people and say, “Why? Why are you buying a cart full of plastic crap?!”.
Thanksgiving went well. Though we’d all agreed on who was contributing the various dishes, my sister-in-law brought a duplicate* of a dish I’d made. This created the awkward scenario where people chose whose version to try. It isn’t the first time this happened. (*I say “duplicate”, but I believe my version is better. Haha.)
1. Applied stain and poly to some shelves using free products from our county's Reuse Room.
2. Received left over cheese and crackers from Thanksgiving.
3. Spent a lot of money on new HOKA tennis shoes. I have foot issues, and I walk a lot, so I need to invest in good shoes.
4. Treated to lunch by brother-in-law and then had enough leftovers for dinner that night. He treated six of us in the family.
5. Bought a butter braid from our teenage neighbor's fundraiser. Chose the cinnamon one for making French toast.
1. Found 5 gallons of milk in the Dol Gen dumpster that were in date & cold. Put them in the deep freeze.
2. Paid my FL condo property taxes early to get a 4% discount. Not a huge savings (76$) but not turning it down.
3. Husband got some day-old items at Panera as they were to be closed on Thanksgiving. Panera usually donates left over products to charity.
4. I watch free TV programs with my Roku stick.
5. Like most, we are eating leftovers from Thursday. I had a small amount of turkey wrapped in foil. I foolishly left it unattended & the glutinous cats ate it.
I did go to a store on Friday. (Fru-gal Lisa posts about Ollies Discount Store so I went there.) I bought light bulbs, an electric can opener, and a metal stool to sit on when I dress in the bathroom. I also got a big container of lite pancake syrup for 75% off. It was 50 cents. Some needed items. The stool was 7.99 so that was cheap. Your usually cannot buy light bulbs & pancake syrup at the thrift store. That was my Black Friday!
1. Found 5 gallons of milk in the Dol Gen dumpster that were in date & cold. Put them in the deep freeze.
2. Paid my FL condo property taxes early to get a 4% discount. Not a huge savings (76$) but not turning it down.
3. Husband got some day-old items at Panera as they were to be closed on Thanksgiving. Panera usually donates left over products to charity.
4. I watch free TV programs with my Roku stick.
5. Like most, we are eating leftovers from Thursday. I had a small amount of turkey wrapped in foil. I foolishly left it unattended & the glutinous cats ate it.
I did go to a store on Friday. (Fru-gal Lisa posts about Ollies Discount Store so I went there.) I bought light bulbs, an electric can opener, and a metal stool to sit on when I dress in the bathroom. I also got a big container of lite pancake syrup for 75% off. It was 50 cents. Some needed items. The stool was 7.99 so that was cheap. Your usually cannot buy light bulbs & pancake syrup at the thrift store. That was my Black Friday!
Giggling about the glutinous cats. 😉
1. We sold an item on FB marketplace, and listed another.
2. We removed a fluorescent light that didn't work. Did not replace it. Found 5 new fluorescent shop light bulbs for our remaining fixture, left by previous owner of our house. Took 10 dead fluorescent bulbs to recycling bin at Lowes.
3. Dh's motorcycle battery is finicky about being cold (we life in northern bay area of CA, it really isn't COLD). I suggested he throw a moving blanket over the bike to see if that reduced it's need for the charger. We'll see, but it's worth a try.
4. I walked with a friend.
5. I sewed a set of 8 Christmas napkins-hopefully to sell!
FFT, Thanksgiving/"White Friday" Edition:
(1) As mentioned in an earlier comment, I took NDN1 to her (and now my) CF's house for Thanksgiving dinner. I took my kale, apple, and carrot salad (will provide recipe on request)–and although the kale haters out there may not believe it, there wasn’t too much left over!
(2) The delights provided by CF and the other guests included the turkey itself, two kinds of stuffing, mashed and sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, two kinds of soups, yeast rolls, and four kinds of pies (including my new favorite pecan pie with half the usual sugar and Chinese five-spice powder).
(3) And to my further delight, I was awarded “habeas corpus” on the turkey carcass and all the extra necks and wings that were used to make the gravy. (CF isn’t as enthusiastic a soup stock maker as I am.) So I made a stock with the carcass yesterday, and am planning a Portuguese kale soup today (with the rest of the kale I bought for the salad, plus chorizo and tomatoes from the freezer).
(4) I couldn't have gone Black Friday shopping yesterday if I'd wanted to: It started snowing at about 6:30 am and hasn't stopped yet. I'm guessing we may have a foot or so on the ground by this time. So I bundled up, chowed down, and stayed home.
(5) I also managed to restrain myself from any online purchases, since most of my holiday shopping is done, except for a few stocking stuffers. As usual, my gifts will consist mainly of charitable donations and food/other consumables. (A select few recipients will get 12-packs of the TP made from bamboo and sugar cane waste that I buy at my no-name grocery outlet!)
Yes, please, would like the salad recipe.
This isn't the original recipe from Cooking Light magazine that I use, but it's the closest thing online (https://www.naturalgrocers.com/recipe/kale-carrot-and-apple-salad-recipe).
Thank you! Excited to gather the ingredients to try, it looks delicious!
Love that you give TP as gifts. My mom does that. I got paper towels on sale and my 2 local kids are getting a pack each. I am making a box for each of them with dish soap, foil, detergent and a few things that are specific to each child.
Wednesday morning my toilet broke completely….. long story. I am supposed to get another one on Monday afternoon.
It has been …… interesting. I am thankful I don’t live a 100 years prior bc I am not good at this… lol. I guess this is frugal bc I am not using much water but a new toilet is not cheap… grown.
Sorry… grown up problems.
1. One of my hellebore is flowering again so that saves me the purchase of a new one! I like to have a pot with hellebore by the door, the purple flowers bring a bit of much needed colour in winter. My second hellebore plant is not showing any signs of flowering yet but I have now moved the pot to a sunnier spot, hopefully that’ll make a difference.
2. The same Christmas decorations as every year will be brought out tomorrow when we will get our Christmas tree from a nearby garden centre. Getting a real tree is not exactly frugal but my husband insists on it! We do not have to pay for delivery though because the tree fits in our car.
3. I did not go to the work Christmas party, saving myself the cost of petrol and parking and potentially an outfit. My reason for not going was that I just don’t enjoy large parties. I’m an ambivert but when it comes to parties my introverted side seems to dominate.
4. Mended a pair of pyjama pants - DH had managed to rip off the cuff almost completely!
5. Mended a pair of Gymshark pants that were under 1 year old - the seams had come apart in several areas. As I was mending them I was having grumpy thoughts about the quality of these shorts which are not on the cheap side. So I decided to put my thoughts into a politely worded email, sent it off and got a reply the same day that they would refund me! I did not expect that and was quite happy with their service and with the fact that I sent that email!
We had a lovely low key Thanksgiving - a simple but delicious meal and a pie purchased from a lovely local pie lady. This is in contrast to years past when we would have a feast and 2 tables of guests. It’s a new season of life. We ate in the living room watching football and it was so pleasant. We even had time to make a batch of cut out sugar cookies to freeze for a cookie exchange/ decorating party in mid-December.
I sorted through my Christmas decor and gift bags/ribbons and discovered a few items that I was able to pass on to a willing recipient- a win win.
We have snow and a big storm on the way so have been hunkered down packing for a coming trip. I did venture out yesterday afternoon to return a bunch of library books and mail a card. I popped in to 2 stores but found nothing I needed or wanted - even at “sale prices”. I read a sorta joke that Black Friday prices were equivalent to “pre-tariff” prices.
Our Thanksgiving was drama free despite stepdaughter's family arriving after the time we'd set for dinner to start. They brought what they'd said they would so that was helpful. (The inability to meet a time drives me bonkers - actually the lack of communication that you will be late by hours drives me bonkers more )
Grandson wanted to stay but hey hadn't brought any of his stuff - meds/clothes so they brought him back yesterday. He asked to stay until spring. What!? He always wants to stay as long as he can which warms my heart.
My Black Friday purchases were discounted annual park pass to our city park $10 off and not that it was discounted but just my annual purchase of a few holiday wreaths for veterans graves through Wreaths Across America. I picture the one going on my Dad's grave halfway across the country. Other than that, stayed off the computer.
Still thinking of the loss of your Zelda, Katie, that is so hard. They leave such a vacancy in our homes and a hole in our hearts.
Bonnie,
I don't know if this will help, but when I worked at a newspaper, we had the same kind of problem with one of the photographers. Only, he'd be way too early instead of late. (Photographers go from interview to interview, or event to event, unlike the reporters who stay for the whole thing.) That really messed things up, as the people were not ready for him yet, and he would often take a photo of the wrong thing and leave before the reporter could get there and say shoot X not Y. So we ended up adjusting the time on his scheduling slips (back then we used paper forms.) . For example, if we wanted John there at 2 p.m., we'd tell him to come at 2:30, etc. Worked like a charm! Maybe you could do that with your stepdaughter: tell her a real early time so when she's "late," she'd have shown up at the time when you want to begin...ie, if you want her there at noon, tell her 10 a.m. etc.
Perfect idea... I can always pop out an appetizer if need be.
My in laws used to show up hours early and then expect dinner on the table while the turkey was just put in the oven or I'd just started the pasta sauce, whatever. (They'd even change the times of our events and invite others so my set table was too few...)
I started my career as a sports reporter and also used to submit my photog req via paper forms! I love that!
My mother in law used to tell one of my nieces (her granddaughter) an earlier time for any family gathering, because she was *always* late. It mostly worked. Ha ha!
Checking in after a few days... Looks like most had a lovely holiday. Sorry, Katy, about the loss of your dear Zelda.
I am at my brother's house in a lakeside town in Michigan. There is snow on the ground and it's going to snow all day. I'm not sure when I'm going home! Not today for sure.
Thanksgiving was beautiful. We had a family gathering of 15, and my brother did his usual excellent job with the meal. I brought muffins for the morning after. It was an unintentional frugal buy, as I didn't notice that they were half price. Thank goodness they still seemed fresh enough.
Yesterday was my son's birthday, but I won't see him till Monday at least. I bought him something from his Amazon list and got a Black Friday deal on it, but it still seems overpriced. But apparently it's what he wants. So there is value in that.
I'm looking outside now. Already white-out conditions. I wonder how long they want me!
Sounds so cozy. Grab some hot cocoa and a book.
1) Ate leftovers for dinner last night. Steak (which we have for Thanksgiving in place of turkey), and all of the sides. We only had one leftover, so I supplemented DH's dinner with butternut squash soup.
2) Continue to feed all of the teens who show up at our house after we are asleep. Saves them a lot of money vs going out. Popular items remain: chicken nuggets, fruit, Trader Joes mini chocolate chip cookies & sparkling water. 😉
3) DH was able to buy walking shoes for his sister & send them back with one of her friends. His family lives in Iran, and due to sanctions, you cannot buy branded goods of any kind. She has had back surgery & has gone through numerous pair of shoes trying to find something that won't fall apart in just a month or so. We bought her nice Hokas and while it didn't save us any money, it will help her back, and she will save herself from the frustration & needing to buy numerous pair of junkie shoes. We cannot just send items their ourselves without much difficulty, so this was a big win.
4) Carefully combed through 2025 spending, aligned with DH on 2026 plans & updated all of our accounts.
5) Both teens have worked a ton over the last week, with DS18 trying to earn enough to help him finish out his first semester of college. (We pay for college, this is for the extras.)
How wonderful you could get the shoes sent!
It is so great - she's going to be thrilled! Wish the friend had enough room for us to send her several. DH also added in a surprise. He gave her his headphones when we met in Dubai (Beats, I think?) A non-wired kind. Anyway, she dropped them & they got smashed and she's been so sad because, again, you can't buy any branded items. So, he bought her a replacement pair & tucked the into the shoes. She will be thrilled.
It seems that lovely and varied Thanksgiving days plus leftovers were enjoyed by many - us & the pup included. We did get in the wrong lane on the way home and went halfway on the bridge to San Francisco before we realized we could turn around on Yerba Buena Island. Still feeling like newbies with the freeway complexities here. The bridge was beautiful lit up at night though.
1. After Thanksgiving at our son's in-laws we came home with leftovers from the charcuterie/cheese board we provided plus enough turkey for a dinner for the 2of us.
2. We are in a season of birthdays plus Christmas and endlessly grateful that our family including grandkids will let us know what they really want so we can spend on what they will enjoy and/or use.
3. Stayed out of the stores on Black Friday but will go to my favorite local thrift store today to check for what is on my list.
4. We have been able to keep our grocery & household goods spending fairly steady compared to last year.
5. Our 12 year old car keeps chugging along and we don't drive that much so hopefully it continues.
I didn't celebrate Thanksgiving, as I was alone, but everything turned out OK. I had sandwiches and was happy that I wasn't stuck with turkey leftovers, which is something I absolutely cannot stand. Took a couple of long restful naps and woke up in time to watch Mary Poppins -- the 1960s version with Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke -- on an over-the-air channel. It was simply supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!
On Black Friday, I treated myself to breakfast at the local eatery, just to be around some people. Then I went to the supermarket, which was not busy at all, since most shoppers were no doubt at the mall or Walmart or Target. Got Snuggles a big box of store-brand basted dog biscuits, which he happily chomped on all day.
I worked the evening shift at work and once again, our not-so-reliable teenyboppers called in "sick". So for long stretches, I was the only cashier. Didn't have time to look up! Various managers would come and run another lane if the line got horribly long. I couldn't help but think "thank goodness I'm not working at Walmart today."
I also noticed that almost everyone that was working our store was over 40. Yet, so many employers discriminate against older folks and won't hire them. Wonder how their work will get done if they have crews of consisting soley of Gen Z employees who think it's OK to skip work when they don't feel like coming in...
Long time lurker finally posting here. 1. Despite living alone I bought a small turkey at a very low price. Cheap protein! After sharing a generous portion with another friend, I was able to freeze four containers for future soups and casseroles. 2. I cooked the turkey in my crock pot per some online food bloggers. It felt frugal to avoid having a big oven on all day. 3. Like many of you I made turkey soup with the bones, left over veg, and what ever pasta I had ( turned out to be bow tie but hey!). 4. I decorated for Christmas without buying anything new. 5. I avoided Black Friday sales and continued the Amazon boycott. As hard as that can feel at times I can usually source what I want locally. Thankful to this community for teaching me frugal tips in this scary time.
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.
1. Hubby got approved for short term disability.
2. We had Thanksgiving at our house as we always do. I got the turkey for 25¢ a pound from Lidl. It was 20 pounds. We used herbs that I dry from my garden. My oldest came for the week. She made the stuffing at our house. It is a family favorite. It cost less then $3.50 to make and there were lots of leftovers. I made home made rolls and cornbread. Hubby made an apple pie from scratch. My son brought mac n cheese. My youngest daughter brought loaded potato skins. One sister brought sweet potatoes and brownies. Another sister brought a charcutier board. We made maple carrots, mashed potatoes and lots of gravy. We had Ocean Spray cranberry sauce that I got last year clearance. My kids all went home with leftovers. My nephews went home with desserts. I put the bones in the crockpot over night. I got 8 quarts of beautiful stock now. My sisters and I did a bag swap. Basically it is stuff that belongs to others or stuff that we might like such as books, jars, puzzles, coupons, etc.
3. The only store or shopping on Black Friday was ShopRite. They had some coupons for Friday and Saturday only. I also like to check out the discount meats. I got 2 filet mignons, 2 porterhouse steaks and 2 packs of organ meats for 50% off. I got butter 2 for $4, 2 4Pks of paper towels for $5, asparagus were $1.49 a lbs,99¢ for a pack of celery, Lays chips were 4 for $6,laundry detergent was 2 for $2, breakfast sausage was 4 for $3, Colgate power toothbrushes 2 for $5, 3 pounds of ground beef for $8.88, apples were 77¢ a pound, 2lbs of shrimp for $8, and batteries were 2 for $3. After coupons, sales, meat markdowns I spent $79.94. I saved $143.16. I did all of my receipt apps too. My son went to Aldi and grabbed me a dozen eggs and a container of soy milk. He got a pound of asparagus, 3 apples, a pound of ground beef and a bag of chips. I never charge my kids. I just take it out of my grocery budget which is $100 a week. I rarely spend it all but I like to have it for stocking up.
4. Hubby and I put up our 23 year old Christmas tree last night. This morning he put up our lights and inflatables that are all from my favorite thrift store. The only thing we will buy as decorations are 1 box of candy canes.
5. This morning I cooked egg bites with cheddar, asparagus, and turkey. I made banana nut chocolate chip muffins. I hardboiled 6 eggs. I made a cinnamon swirl cake because we are going to friends for dinner. I made PB & pumpkin dog treats. I vacuum sealed most of them for my grandpups for Christmas. Some are for my dog now.
Your Santaland story reminded me of one of my favorite teenage memories. In 1968 I worked for a local department in Maryland. At Christmas we, the teen board employees, worked as Santa's elves in the Christmas center. One day I was the only one on duty when who should come in, but Goldie Hawn! I knew her from Laugh-In. She was absolutely gorgeous, and just as bubbly and fun as on screen. She was grew up in the area and had come in to get presents for her nieces and nephews. One that she picked out was a small metal tricycle. She was wearing a mini skirt, thigh high leather boots, and a huge fur coat. She decided to take the trike for a test spin up and down the aisles of toyland, standing in the back with 1 foot and pushing with the other foot,
giggling her infectious laugh the whole way. What a joyful and treasured memory! Still love you Goldie nearly 60 years later! <3