Five Frugal Things -- No Shame in Being Cheap!
1) I stopped into Trader Joe's to grab some 23¢ bananas and took a moment to photograph their $4.99 "Honey Plums." Six per plastic container.
I then walked outside to my car and grabbed a handful of the plums littered under their plum tree.
I am completely and unabashedly cheap without apology.
And yes, I choose to label myself as both "frugal" and "cheap," as I feel that many people pressure themselves to overspend due to fear of being labeled "cheap." Nothing wrong with minimally spending on the small stuff, to ensure your money is later available for the important things.
Spend less now = more money later.
2) I then hit the nearby Goodwill to scout stuff to resell. This blanket caught my eye, as it screamed "I am of better quality than my neighbors," so I looked up the brand.
Ibex cotton blend blankets sell for $120 new, so the $7.99 price tag made it an easy decision. I've listed it on eBay for $45, but am happy to hold onto it if it doesn't sell. Which invariably means it will sell.
Click HERE to see the full listing.
3) I also pulled over to the Mustard Seed Thrift Store, as they're only open a few days per week. I've only bought a couple items from them in the past, but this time walked out with three things.
Perhaps not as exciting as you'd hope, but I love these wide-mouth half gallon Ball jars, as they're the perfect configuration to store bulk food. They take up less space in the cupboard due to their verticality and make it easy to have my storage containers match. They sell for $7 new.
I do like it when Goodwill forgets to individually price them and I can score them for 49¢ apiece. Like so:
But $2/jar isn't too shabby.
I also poked around a back room, where they had a "Free/Gratis" area and found a pink tank top to bring home. Even though it's a color that would make me appear nude from a distance. Perhaps to layer?
4) I continue to eat up the leftovers from our baked potato buffet night. Not really a frugal sacrifice, as loaded baked potatoes really do hit the spot!
5) I donated around a thousand dollars of handmade art paper to my kids' high school art department. They belonged to my late mother-in-law and I think she'd be happy with this act, as she was also a high school art teacher.
Will we ever clear the basement of all the random items from my late in-law's estate? Inch by inch baby, inch by inch.
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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This blog post contains an eBay referral listing.
Bird by Bird, as Annie LaMont said.
Exactly!
That is nice the thrift store has a free area for their customers. The tank top will be great to layer under something if not to wear on its own.
Maybe under my embroidered denim shirt?
That would look nice!
YES! Would look great under that fab denim shirt!! And I LOVE some cheap mason jars for storage!
Portland's cooler temperatures are prompting the denim shirt on multiple days as the perfect light layer.
I love that you donated the paper to the school. I'll bet they were thrilled.
That's a really pretty tank top!
Looks like a nice thrift store.
Enjoy,great deal on the Mason jars.
Love mason jars for storage
1. Stopped at Aldi yesterday and bought a bag of 11 gala apples for &1.99, 97 cent hot dogs, sliced roast beef for $3.09 a package, sliced Swiss cheese for $1.49, pepitas but I can’t remember how much, container of grape tomatoes for $1.99.
2. Walked an hour today while I did laundry at the laundromat.
3. I am getting ready to clean my house…. maybe.
4. Ate a frozen noodles and tomatoes concoction with cheese toast for lunch.
5. Nap.It is Saturday and a nap is a luxury to me! Always!
1. We happy been picking a few figs everyday. Hubby is very happy.
2. My friend and I went to the local pizza place for dinner. I spent $10 on a pizza roll and a cup of water. I had the other 1/2 for lunch.
3. The chocolate cottage cheese cake was gross FAIL. My friend said lets go get ice cream. A small cup of carvel is $6.I said lets go to Stop N Shop to get some. Entenmann's were on sale for BOGO. I treated her to a box of donuts. We then looked around for sale items. The guacamole that was free was out so we each got a rain check. All summer stuff was 90% off. I got my sister a huge flamingo float for $3 for Christmas. I got 4 garden hats with the long backs to cover your necks for $2 each. I got 2 flag sets that are made in USA for $2.40 each. I got Big League chew for 12 each. I got 20 to give to trick or treaters. I got a few other items to put in the gift closet.
4. We went back to my house and watched a movie and ate donuts. Hubby was home and joined us. I love having a friend that is like us and happy with the simple things.
5. Hubby's free work shelf had a brand new ceramic travel cup. He grabbed it.
I just heard about the Portland Fruit Tree Project on NPR - the volunteers will harvest fruit from ppl's yards when it would otherwise go to waste, and I thought of your plum tree. Another cool thing ppl in Portland are doing!
A guy on my old mail route used to give me apples from his tree. There was also a pear tree in someone's yard on another street that had branches hanging over the sidewalk. Yes, I helped myself to those pears. Into the mailbag they went.
Years ago, when I was out of work, I walked my dogs through a nearby neighborhood. There was a pear tree about to fall over from the weight of so many pears. The next day, the homeowner had put out a huge box filled with many dozens of pears, marked "Free." I walked the dogs home, got some shopping bags and drove back over there. Got a lot of pears but still there was a lot leftover for others. I was eating the free fruit for weeks. I had a pear for breakfast and would eat them for snacks. Sure did help during a period of unemployment!
I do love that throw!
I went to Immediate Care this morning, and as I thought, I do have a UTI. I started on an antibiotic right away. It is making me a little queasy, but if I don't develop diarrhea I will consider that a win.
At the pharmacy, I picked up a few groceries while I was waiting. They sell only Wonder bread, but they do have my lactose free milk. I treated myself to cookies and chips, feeling so sorry for myself, but now with the queasiness they do not appeal.
Just to be doubly sure, I took a COVID test again and it was negative.
I took a brief walk to the mailbox this morning. It was lovely weather, but even that short walk wore me out. My son drove me around this morning, to IC and the pharmacy, and his help was very much appreciated.
Oh Beth, you've sure had your share of misery. I hope you can enjoy those cookies and chips soon!
Fingers crossed that you are on the mend soon, Beth!
1. I came into a bit more money today in a parking lot...a very shiny penny...where I was taking DH to the ER. He fell coming down a mountain yesterday and got really banged up but they Xrayed and CATscanned almost every part of him and thankfully no broken bones.
2. I hung out a load of laundry.
3. I also washed my sneakers on the heavy duty cycle and put them out to dry in the sun. They were getting quite grungy. They look so much better now.
4. I attended an art show opening at my friend's indy book store. It was of her own work and she is a talented artist so it was nice to view her work in one grouping. I bought a cup of tea and helped myself to cheese & crackers and fruit available to those at the art show. Great afternoon.
5. Some nights are getting cool so we don't need the air conditioner as much as we did all summer. I'm not hurrying winter but I do welcome the fall.
Fell on a mountain! Glad he's okay!
Thank you MB! To add insult to injury, he was on his way down so when he fell, he fell hard. I think after a few days rest, he'll be back to himself.
Free fruit is a *plum* good deal if you ask me! Ah, I crack me up.
1. We did indeed visit the library today! My kids each picked out a book and then a third about mythical creatures ended up in our bag, courtesy of our eldest daughter. Our youngest tried to follow suit and picked a social media literacy book off the shelf. It was promptly returned to the reshelving area.
2. I checked out two movies, one tv show, and three books. According to my receipt I saved $204.96 to date. Being that we've been in Ohio for less than a month, I'd say I'm off to a good start! My husband checked out the kids' books and a few other items under his account so I'm not sure what our total as a family is but I'm sure it's also impressive.
3. On our way back from the library we stopped at our apartment's clubhouse and the kids each picked up a small baggie of crackers that were in the lobby. They played some Pac-Man and each got a bag of popcorn on their way out. I didn't partake in either due to dairy ingredients, but they were happy campers.
4. We made a large batch of waffles and a gallon bag made it to the freezer for easy breakfasts.
5. My mom video called with the kids for a while and they showed off their spoils from the library.
In Ohio residents of the state can ask for a free library card at any library in the state. These can be added to Libby to access more ebooks and audio books in the Library. You can apply online at some libraries if you have an Ohio address. Also remember to check http://www.reciprocard for every library card you have to see if anylibrary have any partner agreements with other libraries so you do not have to apply for other library cards. This will all expand your options in Libby to borrow more audio books and ebooks in Libby for free.
Aren't you concerned with the pollution effect on the plums? Until the railroad in my hometown was abandoned, my mother never let us pick raspberries which were likely in the railroad's spray area. Same goes with wild asparagus near corn/bean fields - hard pass due to herbicides.
That’s a neglected plum tree in a neighborhood and it’s likely never been sprayed.
I would wager that every fruit and veg item in the grocery store has been sprayed. Certified organic means that they used organic sprays, not no spray. Industrial farming requires Industrial methods regardless of whether it's organic or conventional.
The railroad is notorious for spraying multiple, crazy harsh chemicals at rates 4-5 times normal application guidelines. You're absolutely right to be concerned!!!
1. Bought the husband 2 pair of shorts for $2 each. They are heavy khaki material I think he cannot destroy. The thrift store was clearing out summer items.
2. Used my Kohls cash to get some needed socks.
3. Sorted thru the veg bin. I juiced some lemons & limes that were on their last legs & froze the juice. Sorted thru some salad mix that was slimy. Found some crisp pieces & added shredded carrots to make a salad for dinner. Gave the wilted greens to the deer that roam about the neighborhood. Peeled & shredded carrots to make carrot salad. I didn't have raisins so I put dried cherries in the carrot salad. I saved the carrot peels for the deer. While I had the food processor out I ground up vanilla wafers to make a pie crust for future baking. (The vanilla wafers were a store brand & not tasty but will be fine for a crumb crust.)
4. Made a grilled ham & cheese sandwich for a work lunch. I can put it in the toaster at work to crisp it up at lunchtime.
5. Filled the gas tank at Sams Club. Then went inside for a hot dog & drink that cost $1.60. I loaded it up w/ mustard, catsup, and sauerkraut. Not a healthy dinner but it was tasty.
My dad would encourage my younger brother, 'Yard by yard, life is hard; inch by inch, life's a cinch."
Great deal on the free plums!
1. Put in for a tuna classaction lawsuit about six months ago, and received a check yesterday for $79 and change.
2. Pulled some chicken stock out of the freezer (small mason jar) and a small container of cabbage-sausage sauté that I had frozen. Soup on this rainy day, will be my lunch.
3. After going through my mom‘s things, I had a bin for my cousin, which I dropped off a few weeks ago. While I was there, her husband handed me a small bin of machining tool and die equipment that he ended up with from my father. I was going to toss most of the items, but decide to look them up on eBay. I’ve made $100 so far, with three more items left to sell. I have watchers on each item. One is up for $225. They are machine tool and die equipment that apparently, were quite valuable.
4. A friend knows me very well. She got a magazine at work with Harry Styles on the cover. So she put it aside for me. She gave it to me yesterday when we got together for game night, and I made sure to buckle the very large magazine on the passenger seat for the ride home. I have had a lot of fun posting pictures on IG since yesterday. The ride home with Harry (including a conversation of Harry telling me how safe and comfortable he felt in my car). And this morning, I posted a photo of me eating my freshly made coconut, chocolate chip waffles, and coffee, with the Harry photos in the background . My son responded “are you OK?“. I’m having so much fun with this magazine.
5. A new coffee truck opened yesterday. It’s about a 20 minute drive from my house. But I stopped by and treated myself to a brown sugar, cinnamon coffee. It was amazing. Had a lovely conversation with the two owners (bonus, incredibly handsome) I think they’re going to do well. Spending $8 for a well-made, iced latte to help a starting business, is well worth it.
Reading about your paper donation made me think about that old saying, "He/She who dies with the most (shoes, fabric, toys, etc.) wins!" Not sure what they "win" but those of us who have to clean up their hoards certainly don't.
My husband and I definitely do not feel like winners with his parents' estate!
Hard to believe summer is about over. Flew by. Our pool leak and new pool patio have been completely finished for a couple months and we've really enjoyed our pool this summer. My husband has made jokes about how much each swim costs, not so funny! The old patio was sand set and for the past several years I would spend countless hours removing the weeds that would grow between the pavers. It's wonderful not having that chore and the patio is gorgeous. Large trees on our property line at one side have been decimated by invasive vines and disease but still standing. Until one day this summer. Huge one from neighbor's yard fell into our yard. My husband, a lawyer, had corrected me a couple years when I said at least they're not our trees. Well, when they land in our yard they become our trees. Got a reasonable deal, due to the circumstances, to remove the tree and do lots of cutting way back and small tree removal, and trimming. All chipped and taken away. Another unwanted expense but again has taken away a lot of upkeep I took care of. About to order a new pool cover and that will be the final large expense. (The pool now owns us.) Until something else crazy happens. Buying to sell on ebay and selling some of my stuff on ebay and continuing to downsize from within. Living on tomatoes!
Sorry for such a long post, haven't chimed in for a while. I'm about to, once again, try to track all our expenses. Done it before, but I always had so many variables, gifts, eating out (not much anymore), unexpected stuff, travel and I would leave them out or estimate. Does anyone happen to know a concise, accurate and easy way to track this? I would take set expenses over a few months and average them. I'm not the most computer savvy. Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks!!
Saturday, I got a flu shot in one arm and a COVID shot in the other. They didn't hurt! Later at work, my arms got a bit sore but that was it....or so I thought. Woke up in the middle of the night with chills and fever. Every inch of me was sore! Did not go to church or work today (Sunday) due to feeling sick.
I had set up the smart TV and I am very sorry I bought it. I thought I could easily get the local channels and have some extras. NO! It is ridiculous. I am getting "local" channels from LA and NY,not Central Texas. I turned on some news and it was from Canada, on their CBC network. I got a whole lot of shopping channels and foreign language channels, and I've found it difficult if not impossible to lock those out so I don't see them. Lots of sports but I HATE sports!!!!!!!!!!!!!The channels 34 that I wanted to see are not coming through and I cannot call up the programs on 34 that I want to see. Worse, I can't access channel 6 and won't be able to watch Jeopardy. It really sucks!
Is there an 800 number to call for customer service? Well Monday anyway
Fun fact : Gratis, in Spanish, means "Free" (accordingly to Google), but in French Canadian it's our slang word for "gratuit"