Five Frugal Things -- Pepper Grinders & The Periodic Table
1) My husband is slowly, (but surely!) reorganizing our basement and set a piece of pottery out at the curb. A lot of what's down in the basement is Stuff from his late parents, so it's an emotionally laden task and I'm proud of him for facing it.
He's got the momentum going and I know him well enough that it means he'll work diligently until the job's done. He's just that kind of guy.
2) I went to the Woodstock Goodwill to take advantage of the beautiful weather and their Wednesday senior discount, (10% off!) and came home with a pair of items to resell.
This discontinued Mario Batali Vic Firth pepper grinder was priced at $2.99, which means I paid $2.70. It looked brand new and they sell on eBay for around $30. It'll be easy to package up and it's been weeks since I put anything up on eBay.
I listed it for $25.
I also bought this $7.99 periodic table tapestry throw blanket. ($7.19 after my discount.)
It's just so quirky and I just know that someone out there is looking for this specific item. I listed it for $58 as they sell for between $50-$60.
I was tempted to buy this $2.99 Longaberger basket, but some were selling for as low as $16. I see the appeal, but I still left it for someone else.
3) My friend Lise texted to ask if I had any white cotton sheets for an upcoming volunteer craft project. Hello -- she came to the right person!
I ended up giving her the cotton sheet I'd planned on using to make pillowcases, as well as my torn fitted sheet. I still have one LL Bean cotton flat sheet, which is as new as I day it came with the set, so I'll use that one for my attempt to make pillowcases.
I believe that's the perfect example of serendipity!
4) I returned my library copy of Time Loops & Meet Cutes to the Woodstock library as A) it was on my way home from Goodwill and B) I wanted to peruse their "Lucky Day" books, as I'm hoping to score a copy of Yesteryear. You can see that there are over a thousand holds on just 101 copies and I'm hoping to get my hands on a copy before spoilers ruin the reading experience.
Sadly, I walked out empty handed.
5) My husband and I are planning a trip up to Vancouver, B.C. and were able to stack his first responder discount with a hotel's "club" discount for just mildly expensive lodging. We chose this hotel because it's centrally located, but it also includes breakfast and somehow doesn't charge for parking.
I choose not to stay in AirBnbs because I believe they play a role in the affordable housing crisis in many parts of the world.
This will be my first visit up to Vancouver and only my second time crossing into Canada, although I'm not sure the first one counts as I was only six months old!
I would love your suggestions of places to go and things to do. My husband's driven up with friends a couple of times for soccer games, so we're not complete newbies. Thanks in advance!
Now your turn, what frugal things have you been up to?
Another online sale. It’s not much however every penny counts.
Taking a paid trip to So Cal next week to help a friend dejunk to get his house into shape to sell. I suggested he procure a dumpster. I’m sure I’ll
find useful stuff to donate also
https://foreverlostintravel.com/33-free-things-to-do-in-vancouver-or-almost-free/
Lots of interesting things in this article.for your vancouver trip
Thanks!
1. Received a refund for a watermelon that I bought for my sister at BJs. When she cut it open, it was only liquid for the center 3rd of it. She cut it up for her chickens and goats, so a free treat for them.
2. While there, I filled up my partner's car at BJs, using my BJ credit card, which gets an additional $.10 cents off per gallon. I fill my car up at a different BJ's, which is equidistant between my home and work apartment. It is about $.30 cents cheaper per gallon.
3. On my long commute Tuesday night (3 hours, and the first hour was in the rain), I really wanted a sugar fix. I stopped into a grocery store along the way, and the Junior Mints were $1 each, which was in budget. (AND, my credit card gives me 6% back, so even less!). I also picked up a mystery shop to do during dinner for my long commute tomorrow night, so that will be a free dinner, plus $12 in my pocket.
4. I'm using my mom's Amazon account as she signed up for Acorn's .99 per month sale, allowing me to watch the latest series of Brokenwood Mysteries without paying extra.
5. A friend is using my work apartment this weekend, so that will be an extra $60 toward the utility bill to help cover the extra AC costs during the recent heat wave. It is also a great reason to give the apartment an extra clean.
This might be a frugal fail: I decided not to go into the office, as I figured that I would save money by not driving. BUT, it was hotter than forecasted, so I had to run the AC.
If you want a fun video, watch the chickens and goats eating the watermelon! https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Hg6Skf_5JTc
Too funny and cute!
Katy,
May I ask how you make up a bed You said you don't use the flat sheets and I am not understanding how you make up a bed without them....
I do mine with a bottom fitted sheet, then the flat top sheet then a summer or winter blanket then the bedspread or a quilt on the outside. So sleeping between the 2 sheets.
I assume she uses a duvet and washes the cover when she washes sheets.
We have a duvet cover, which we wash every so often.
I'm not katy, but I'll answer, since I also don't use flat sheets 🙂
I only use the bottom fitted sheet and a thick blanket to cover myself up, that both get washed regularly. That's it. Flat sheet + blanket is too warm and also annoying because they don't stay in the right place (the flat sheet). Hubby also has his blanket, so no fighting for it!
I hate how a flat sheet gets tangled under the blanket, which then wakes me up and end up with me unsuccessfully trying to kick it back into place. We use duvet covers and wash them as needed.
1. Continuing to read a library book.
2. Decluttering project: taking school supplies to Salv. Army for their back to school drive. They also collect teacher materials, which I will happily provide.
3. Drying laundry on racks outside on the porch or in the garage. Free hot air from Mother Nature!
4. Did some yard work early this morning before the heat set in.
5. I just got back from our county's Democratic hq. Bought some more campaign signs, buttons and bumper stickers. I reuse the metal H-shaped metal stakes; I save them from prior political campaigns and from church Vacation Bible School signs. So I only needed the signs, not the stakes.
En route there, I swung by the post office box that our not-so-illustrious carpetbagger Congressman (a Republican who showed the Jan. 6 riot crowd around the capitol building the day before, he's a Trumper through and through) had gotten the post office to install at the request of a certain Fru-gal constituent. I mailed my $250 donation, in honor of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, to -- you guessed it -- the Democratic National Committee. My check was dated July 4. Of course, one of my campaign signs is for the congressman's opponent!
I made another eBay sale on my sister's behalf. I took it to the post office this morning, and along the way I got gas at Sam's for $3.77, and a few groceries at Aldi -- coffee, shredded cheese, a Caesar salad kit, fresh mushrooms, and oatmeal cookies. $16. Coffee was the big ticket item. The salad kit was kind of a splurge, too, but as a single person I find it hard to use up all the components of a salad if I assemble it from scratch, and I hate waste.
It was very humid and uncomfortable -- this trip involved some walking -- but now that I'm home and rested I don't need the air conditioning.
We had an earthquake -- the epicenter only 13 miles away, in Lake Michigan! I didn't feel a thing, but others say they did. An unusual event, but not unheard of.
Today I'm wearing a top that came from my sister's pile of things to sell. At first I thought it was too tight, and that I would wash it and sell it after all. But after wearing it for a bit, I feel like it has loosened up and will be fine.
You have a Sam's membership? With just the two of us, we can't justify a Costco membership (which isn't that close to our house truth be told). For a brief time we did have a Sam's business membership but didn't find it to be an end all savings, even when the kids were younger.
I feel the exact way about Sam’s too. No Costco near us but I’d probably feel the same about it too.
The poop show with my trigger finger surgery is starting to settle a bit. The incision is 99% healed. Fingers still hurt and I can't make a fist but I'm counting my blessings that there isn't infection. Also loving 8 hour days.
Finally starting to make some headway with the mess that is my house. All clean laundry is on the guest bed. Got the used cat litter and a couple bags of garbage out the door.
7 months and 17 days until I retire!! I have one more week of vacation and several federal holidays off between now and then.
Suellen,
WooHooooo about your upcoming retirement! I have about 5 more months.
I CANNOT wait.
I will not spoil you for Yesteryear but I will be very interested in hearing your thoughts.
No spoilers from me either - partly because I couldn’t finish it. Just did not enjoy this book at all. I am clearly in the minority though.
No, I agree. Didn't like it. Don't understand the hype about it.
It felt very “reality tv” to me, and not the well-scripted kind of tv.
I didn't really enjoy it neighter (I finished it).
I lost my comment.
1. I walked this morning for 45 minutes and hopefully can finish the last 15 tonight.
2. I packed my lunch and breakfast.
3. I did my laundry at the cheap place.
4. I did not go to the Farmer’s market bc my neighbor gave me tomatoes and cucumbers.
5. I kept my air off until 2 pm when I got home but I have now caved and turned it on…. Sigh. Mid 90’s with heat index over 105.
Had a Poshmark sale!
Cleared out a closet and listed a few things on Buy Nothing, a few gone already! One is for puzzles, if someone does not claim I will put a few in my LFL, and donate the others to my library.
Donated a few DVD's and paperbacks to my library -- I alternate between donating books back to my LFL, and my actual library (they sell them in their book nook for a few dollars).
Got a bonus work at home day this week due to electrical work being done at my office - happy to save on gas and commute time!
Had to have my car in for an alignment, I dropped it off on my lunch hour and walked home since its only 1.5 miles away.
Your mother used to have Airbnbs that you stayed in. Now they're terrible?
This is what I choose to do. This bothers you?
What is up with all the recent snarky pushback from readers with names that don't seem familiar?
Same thought!
Katy’s blog means Katy can share her opinions. That’s how it works. Don’t like it? Go elsewhere, please.
1) Checked my paystub for tomorrow, and my check is much larger now that I've hit my 401k target. I also will receive the last part of my sign on bonus. I won't be staying the full year to get it, and my contract means it will be pro-rated. I will put it all into a HYSA, ready to pay back as needed.
2) Made lunch for DS19 to take to work, and special bonus for DS20, who randomly has the day off from both jobs. This helps me use up more of our fridge items. Finished off the last of the tortilla shells by making DS20 a quesadilla with carnitas from last night.
3) Made myself another yogurt bowl, which is an easy option between meetings & when I don't feel like really prepping anything more substantial.
4) Picked a tomato & some peppers from our backyard garden.
5) Still not needing any heat or AC at this gorgeous time of the year at our house. Enjoying the weather very much right now. Meanwhile, I'm heading to Tokyo on Saturday, where it's going to be mid 90s, chance of rain & a lot of humidity! Less ideal. 😉
Oohh, I love that free pottery piece. Vancouver is a fabulous city. I recommend Stanley Park and Granville Island.
1. Fulfilled someone's request on Buy Nothing for boxes.
2. Fulfilled another person's request for a plastic film canister.
3. A neighbor and her two teenagers heard about my fractured knee and stopped over with a gift of shortbread cookies and a kitchen towel set. They're a lovely family and it was nice to catch up with them.
4. Used the gifted shortbread cookies as part of a cookie tray that I brought to a family gathering.
5. Went to Trader Joe's and bought the $1.99 Joe's O's (a great value for eight 1.5 cup servings; 25 cents/serving), the $3.49 graham crackers (the best taste ever) and a ginormous head of green cabbage for $1.99 (which lasts practically forever). We get a lot of our basics at Trader Joe's for a good price, we avoid the higher priced specialty items, and it's just two miles from our house.
Oh my, also obsessed with the TJs graham crackers! They are dangerous for me.
Eat some Chinese food and find out why I think Portland’s Duck House is NOT good Chinese food.
I already know that we'll be filling our bellies with amazing Asian food!
We go to Excellent Cuisine on S.E. Division for Chinese food, specifically their dim sum!
Thanks! I’ll have to try that! The food in Vancouver is AMAZING!
I would have kept the periodic table throw for myself!
1. DH and I have changed up our grocery shopping habits, going to the store to see what's on sale and building our menu from that. Which means we'll be having pork sliders this week, as pork tenderloin was actually cheaper per pound than chicken or beef!
2. DH used Kroger fuel points to score gas for 2.12 a gallon...the day before the price hiked back up to $4 a gallon.
3. DS#4 wanted to go camping for his birthday, and we found a very affordable campsite in a local park I'd never seen, despite having lived in this city for 23 years! Bonus: it was accessible by bike trail, so the campers biked out there rather than use the car. (We did use the car to haul some heavier stuff out there beforehand.)
4. I stupidly got some bleach spots on my black shorts, but used a Sharpie to cover it up pretty well.
5. I have had absolutely no time to go get my hair trimmed, and the back of my stacked bob was growing long and looking odd, so I got my hair trimming kit and took care of it myself. Saved at least $20, plus the time to get it done, and it feels so much better.
You already know that I'll be visiting my namesake park!
In response to yesterday's question, I think beauty products are grossly over manufactured. And the industry press on women's insecurities particularly. I just moved my mother to assisted living and cleaned out her house. I cleared FIVE boxes of stuff from her bathroom. 99% of it my mother tried once and rejected. It was horrifying.
1. My husband does about 85% of any project he starts and then stalls out. I am a finisher by nature. I’m usually able to be grateful for the parts of the project I didn’t do.
2. We lost power from 7 pm until 2 am the evening of the 5th. Didn’t lose any food, but we have a new type of circuit breaker (which my husband has discussed with every man we’ve met all week) that required resetting at some of the outlets.
3. Our garden is producing vast amounts of green beans. At least a pound a day. I’m subbing them into all my favorite broccoli recipes with interesting results.
4. I got fruit from the dented produce bench and also scarfed up two elder eggplants. Roasted the first in strips last night and will do pasta ala Norma with the second one tonight. They are only a bargain if we eat them before they age out.
5. We sleep under a sheet in the summer. I wanted one in a nice color. I bought a turquoise sheet labeled “king fitted” for $2 at our community resale shop intending to transform it into a “queen flat”. Alas, it was only a double. I picked out the corners and tried filling them in with pieces of a matching pillowcase. Looks pretty shabby. They offered me a matching sheet for a dollar. This gives enough fabric for a more elegant queen flat and a couple of matching pillowcases.
6. I also got a Land’s End striped knit tunic for $2. This summer’s big upgrade.
7. I carpooled to a quilt guild meeting on Wednesday. Last time I drove and apologized for the worn condition of my 2005 Prius, so this time I complimented the driver on her new car, which turned out to be 2000 RAV4. The other two women admitted to cars that are 18 and 14 years old. These are my people! I guess cars look better if one doesn’t have dogs.
I bought a flat sheet at Goodwill a few months ago, which was in like-new condition but there was no indication of size. I asked an employee if it was a queen or a double. She measured it, and said it was a double, which is what I wanted. Got it home -- it's a twin! Sure looked bigger, but the proof is on the bed. I'm using it, however, because you really don't need the top sheet to drape so far down, I have learned.
If you do any water bath canning, can some dilly beans we can’t keep them in the house. So delicious!
Yeah, it's that last 15% that'll stump you!
We absolutely loved our Talking Trees tour in Stanley Park by Talaysay Tours. It’s not cheap, but it’s owned and guided by Coast Salish people. The tour, paired with a stop by the Totems in Stanley Park, was so informative and interesting. https://www.talaysay.com/ttours/talkingtrees-vancouver
Butchart Gardens is a lovely destination- but you would need to take a sea plane from the Vancouver harbor airport to Victoria (and then a bus) which is a fun adventure and surprisingly affordable. It’s a great day trip. High tea there is particularly lovely and requires a reservation. Do NOT take a boat from Vancouver to whale watch - you spend most of your time traveling to get to where whales “maybe” are. You may see nothing.
I always enjoy walking tours (food tours, history) to help orient me to any unfamiliar city. The guides are usually excellent. It’s a good value.
Had to go shopping today for pet food and antihistamine nasal spray and lucked out as the store was clearancing out large bottles of Astepro spray, usually $26.95, for $6.95. It was such a drastic reduction that I took a photo of the shelf sticker in case it rang up wrong. But the price was correct. Also saved a couple of dollars on dog food.
Sewed a couple of dusting rags from scrap material yesterday. Picked another couple of handfuls of cherry tomatoes from the container garden. The thick pork chop I threw in with other pork cuts to make crockpot barbecue cooked up fine but was rather tough. (The other cuts shredded up nicely.) I pulled the chop out of the sauce, diced it up fine, and sprinkled it on salads as the protein part. It was very tasty that way.
Your tip about the Airbnb made me think. Some big cities are in the news, like Madrid and Venice because they are protesting tourism. Madrid specifically because they have a lack of affordable housing. Choosing a hotel is an easy little something to support locals. I will definitely keep it in mind.
1. I got gas for $2.93 with Kroger rewards. My tank was really low too.
2. I put on our library's container gardening program. I got to bring home three of the containers I created as examples. Yay! Free plants.
3. I sold a casserole dish from the 1970's on eBay for a nice profit.
4. I am in charge of sorting the library's donations, and deciding what we will keep and catalog. We had a donation of 70 Guidepost mystery books. They are in beautiful condition and we have a patron base that will enjoy them. They have been in circulation for about two months now, and we had a patron complain that they have dust mites. Huge eye roll here! She's a chronic complainer, but it still irritates me. 70 beautiful FREE books for all to enjoy, and she cries dust mites...I also found out today that a library near mine is being asked to cancel their subscription to Book Pages because a group of concerned citizens thinks it pushes a certain agenda. We also get that magazine. I hope no trouble comes our way .
5. All the usual: eating from the garden, packing my lunch, taking free yoga class, resisting the siren call to buy things, even used things.
I hope no trouble comes your way, too. Generally, these "concerned citizens" do not actually use libraries, but they get riled up by right-wing hoo-ha's who tell them what to think and do.
I have read that when book banners are required to submit proof of their allegations they tend to suddenly lose interest.
Katy, have you looked into sites like Trusted Housesitters? People with pets offer up their house for people to stay in and look after their pets, so they get free pet-sitting while the sitter gets a place to stay. I've only used it once so far, to stay in Lake Oswego to visit my daughter at Lewis & Clark. It was really great - my kiddo came over and loved having some doggie therapy - the next best thing to being home! 🙂 It's a bit to join (like $250? I can't remember now), and a small fee for every sit ($12 I think). My husband and I are looking forward to when he retires and we can use it for trips all over. Vancouver BC is high up on our list, and there always seems to be a lot of sits available there. I can pass on a referral code for 25% off if you're interested (including it here feels too spammy).
My Son and Daughter Outlaw have been members of Trusted Housesitters for about a year and a half. it paid for itself in the first month - and THEN SOME - they were able to go to another city (Whistler BC) for a snow-vacation just before my DOL had to go back to work and when my Son was still working but could work remotely.
Some lovely folk came to stay for the whole month and looked after their two cats.
they do say it is a pain to do all the heavy housecleaning prior to the 'guests' coming, however I think the 'guests' are expected to leave the house in the same condition, so it simply is a lot of work for a benefit in a month.
They've taken lots of quick weekends since then.
it is a big relief for my middle son as he stayed there one time for what was supposed to be 2 weeks and turned into a month, and it was way too much for them to have asked of him (as he still wanted/needed to come 'home' most nights, too). So a win-win-win for all concerned.
I don't think all the 'guests' even use the service at their own homes, nor do they all have pets, but it all seems to work out well.
I haven't heard of that, thanks for sharing about it.
The Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge in North Vancouver is free to visit and there are a few totem poles near the entrance. If you have time, the sea to sky highway drive is compelling with several free to visit waterfalls and a fish ladder along the way.
Love the throw blanket! Vancouver is one of my favorite places. I worked there for 10 days during World Expo '86. Stayed in a quirky 1920's motel.
So many beautiful parks. The suspension bridge park is fun.
Today we went to 2 estate sales, came out empty handed.
My Franz bread outlet is having their $1 sale this Saturday.
What a fun memory!
My Franz Outlet is having their $1 sale tomorrow as well. I need a few things, so I'll be there.
Forgot to mention - the Persian food in Vancouver is fantastic. Would highly recommend you seek out a Persian restaurant (haven't been there in long enough my reviews are probably dated) & eat all of the kebabs & tadiq/polo (rice dishes) you can!
I love the throw blanket! If you're not familiar with Tom Lehrer's song "The Elements' please listen to it. It always makes me smile!
If you can get out to the UBC Campus, please please go to the Museum of Anthropology - if only to see Bill Reid's amazing carving of raven on the clamshell. It is a spectacular building, with lots and lots of West Coast Indigenous art https://moa.ubc.ca
There is also a really fun conservatory in another park
https://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/bloedel-conservatory.aspx
Ooh, thanks! Love a good museum!
Some of my favorite things to do in Vancouver:
-rent bikes and ride around the sea wall at Stanley Park
-visit Granville Island
-go up Grouse Mountain on the gondola
-Lynn Canyon suspension bridge (free!)
-ride the SkyTrain
-Queen Elizabeth Park
-ride the SeaBus to Lonsdale Quay in North Vancouver
Have a great trip!
Butchert Gardens in Vancouver is lovely! It’s been more than 25 years since we visited so no idea what it may cost.
We are in the final day or two of finishing the clean out of our mom’s small apartment at an assisted living facility in our town. She passed away peacefully Monday morning at 95. It was not unexpected but I am totally devastated. We had cleaned out her and dad’s house 5 years ago, which was so hard. Now we are doing it again.
Peg, I'm sorry about your mom. Death and the aftermath is so challenging.
I'm so sorry to hear about your mother, may her memory be a blessing.
Peg, so sorry for the loss of your mom
Aww Peg, So sorry to hear about your mom. Even when expected, we aren't prepared. Having to clean out right away is a crime, IMHO - grief flattens me, so moving my body and making decisions is close to impossible.
Enjoy your trip to Vancouver! Consider taking the train, which is how we travel (living just north of Seattle) when going there. Tickets are very reasonable and going through the border is so simple. Last December we visited and went on the Capilano suspension bridge at night which was all lit up and decorated for Christmas.
(first time poster, discovered you through Frugal Girl)
I'm getting more and more curious to read that Yesteryear book! Sounds like such an interesting premise, and I hear they are making a movie of it too. Gonna be a bit of a wait here too though, as our library had 800+ on the wait list as well! It's a popular one, for sure! Gonna be a fun read (someday). 😉
1. Made a birthday sandwich with basil from the garden
2. Putting less coffee grounds in each pot
3. Got 2 books and a basket from Restore
4. Tried a new okra recipe with the abundance of garden okra
More here: https://practicalwalk.com/2026/07/10/frugal-four-a-sandwich-from-history/
Well, my frugal thing is that I didn't buy the Longaberger Basket HQ building. It's back on the market in Ohio. (nytimes.com/2026/06/18/realestate/ohio-basket-building-for-sale.html) It looks just like the one you passed up, above.
It's been too long since I visited Vancouver but Granville island Public Market is a great place; take one of the False Creek ferries to get there. Burnaby Village is an nicely done open air museum; and... Vancouver has some terrific Value Village thrift stores, particularly appealing because the exchange rate is most favorable for us.
Go visit Victoria if you have a chance, it's lovely! I preferred it to Vancouver when I visited myself.
We love japadog and nandos in Vancouver. Also for coffee pallet and honolulu coffee for pastries.