Five Frugal Things — Note to Self, Keep a Blank Check in my Wallet!
by Katy on September 16, 2025 · 6 comments
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I drove across town to pick up my daughter’s repaired boots only to discover that my cobbler only accepts checks and cash. I recently used the single check from my wallet and only had $14 on hand. Far from the $45 that I needed. I’ll go back today with check in hand and have also tucked a second check in my wallet to avoid this situation in the future. Oh well, live and learn!
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I borrowed a library copy of Ruth Reichl’s The Paris Novel from a friend who just finished reading it. Reichl’s memoirs are amazing, so I have high hopes for this book!
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I bought a cantaloupe at Trader Joe’s last week, hoping it would be ripen on time to snack on while Kristen visited. (Heavy produce is a bargain at Trader Joe’s, as they charge per item instead of by-the-pound!) Such was not the case. This morning I walked into the kitchen and was assaulted by the scent of ripe fruit, which tells me the cantaloupe is finally ready to be processed.
How is this frugal? Cutting into an unripe cantaloupe is a form of food waste, as I know from experience that our’s sit untouched in the fridge, even if I take one for the team and eat a few crunchy bites. Do you overthink the simple process of planning fruit ripeness, or is it just me?
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I ate the last of Kristen’s restaurant leftovers that she abandoned in my fridge. I added extra “grape tomatoes” as I picked up a few on-sale containers when Kristen and I hit Winco last week.
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We’re low on milk, so I took 45 seconds to see if Safeway or Fred Meyer had digital coupons for it. Safeway didn’t, but Fred Meyer did at $1.39/half-gallon, so I tapped the in-app coupon and will pick it up this afternoon. They’re both close to the house, so neither store is inconvenient for me.
Now your turn, what frugal things have you been up to?
Katy Wolk-Stanley
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1. I took my oldest and my mom to the Goodwill bins. We had a great time. I found some nice clothing for me and my two younger girls who couldn’t come along. I also found a pyrex lid and a herding ball for my dog. I was just going to order a new one. Also picked up a couple things to sell on Ebay. The savings on the ball and Ebay sales will more than pay for it.
2. I bought a wool Ibex jacket from my daughter that she found and was planning to sell on Poshmark. It was exactly what I have been looking for to layer this winter.
3. I bought lunch at Qdoba amd used my discount gift card and also will receive cash back from a credit card offer.
4. We stopped into Duluth Trading Co. They had a lot of clearance. I bought clearance underwear for my girls for their stockings and my daughter bought a cute jumpsuit. I paid for everything with my credit card that was offering 20% cash back.
5. I finished up my leftover Qdoba for lunch. I’m mowing my lawn and reading a library book while taking a break.
1. While my clothes were swishing around in the washer this morning, I took a walk. I checked out the little free pantry and got tomato paste and caramel dip for apples. Then I found a $20 bill on the sidewalk! There was no one around, so I claimed it. Quite exciting — I don’t think I ever found a twenty before! I also picked up three books at little free libraries.
2. I made quesadillas for lunch from street tacos, cheddar and mozzarella cheese, black beans and tomato bits. Very good!
3. It was hot yesterday, but today it’s cool enough to enjoy a gentle breeze from the open windows. Free cooling.
4. A wooden angel that hangs over my kitchen door fell while I was gone and broke in two. I glued it back together with Elmer’s, secured it with a rubber band and after it dried, rehung it on a better hook.
5. My refrigerator door was popping open too easily, so I spread petroleum jelly on the seal, and now it’s much better.
1. Took my husband’s dress shoes to the local shoe repair store. Delighted to see it so busy!
2. Submitted evidence for $25 rebate for annual physical, which comes in the form of a reloadable debit card. Used it to reduce grocery bill.
3. Received stain and putty from Buy Nothing. I offered to take everything as no one else wanted it, and I will take what I can’t use to our county’s Reuse Room.
4. An apple from a neighbor’s tree fell onto the street, so I picked it up and brought it home.
5. Was invited to an impromptu dinner at my neighbor’s. It was a wonderful evening with vegetarian pizza from Papa Murphy’s, fizzy water, instant coffee, and ice cream cups for dessert. My neighbor jokes about her non-homemaking skills and it clearly doesn’t matter as we always have a great time at her place.
For those who enjoy Snuggly-Wuggly Dog updates, Snuggles is lying at my feet as I type this. He wagged his tail to tell you all hello (….and to remind me to give him a cookie. Coming right up, Snugs! He has me well trained….)
1. Last night was the last evening the store’s Blue Bell Ice Cream was on sale. Went and bought another half-gallon of Pecan Pie flavor. Being sad and out of work (substituting, not cashiering), I’ve hit the ice cream quite a bit. Especially on the patio each evening, when it’s nice and cool.
2. Paid my car payment at the credit union. Due to my new half-unemployed status, I only paid a little over the required amount. I had been paying a lot more, over double, as I want to get that sucker paid off. But I may need some wiggle room in the budget once the school checks quit coming in.
3. I usually complain about squirrels in the backyard, but not this time. One buried a pecan right near where the dead red oak was chopped down. It’s now sprouted into a tree, quite a bit tall, growing around a bunch of volunteer shrubs. Will cut back the shrubs so it can grow really big. A free tree right where I need it! And one that someday will yield nuts — my favorite, pecans, no less! — when fully grown. Planted no telling how long ago — by a squirrel. Thank you, God, for providing what I’d need long before I needed it.
4. Skipped getting a haircut, even though I have coupons for same. Maybe it’s time to let it grow longer. Much cheaper that way.
5. Got a free COVID shot, thanks to Medicare. Figured I should do this ASAP — I’m afraid RFK Jr. may decide to yank the benefit or something. You never know with that bunch in the Orange Ogre’s administration.
1. Found a bag of “Weed & Feed” to cover 8000 sq ft of lawn. My husband mentioned fertilizer had gone up in price. He got the bag at Restore for $20 which he said was a very good price.
2. Also got 9 oz bags of Lay’s potato chips for 4 bags per dollar at Restore. They are slightly out of date, but I think will be fine. Also got a 12 pack of Pepsi Zero for $2. I don’t drink soda every day, but I like to take one in my lunch on occasion. Junk food has gone up in price, which I think might be a good thing. People who eat too much of it may stop buying so much of it IMHO.
3. I redeemed fetch points to get a grocery GC.
4. Found a few discount items at Dollar Tree. 12 count box of freezer zip lock bags for 50 cents, 4 oz toothpaste for 50 cents, women’s sanitary pads for 50 cents. These will go to the homeless shelter.
5. I saw a cute craft idea to make a pumpkin garland with toilet paper rolls & twine. Now I am saving the TP rolls for this. I need to look in garage for orange paint.
1.Yesterday at the resort they had a free social hour for 21+. We went and met some very nice people from all over. Hubby had some complimentary wine and we each had a bunch of snacks for free. It was very well attended and I see why. Lots of free beer, wine and soda.
2. We then attended free Bingo last night. Hubby won a game. He chose a painted wine glass. Into the gift closet it goes.
3. We picked out a free movie from the lobby and chatted with some people we met at the social hour. Then headed back to our room to watch the free movie.
4. Today we went to the local botanical gardens. They are free on Tuesday. We did make a donation. We had a nice time and took lots of pictures. We also got lots of steps in.
5. We stopped at a small cafe for a late lunch. We had made breakfast in our room. We brought snacks and our Britta water bottles with us. It was good but $32 is a little crazy. When we were paying they told us to take a loaf of bread if we wanted. Trader Joe donates all their leftover food and they had gotten a lot of bread. Hubby grabbed a raisin walnut loaf. We will have some tomorrow with breakfast.