Five Frugal Things -- Philippe Starck & Diet Shasta Cola
1) I did a big Winco grocery shop, which I do about every other week. Everything on my island here was $80.62, which isn't too bad. Especially since the $6.20 yogurts and $6.55 bulk gluten-free flour are on the higher end of things.
I got one dollar cash back so I could grab a 50¢ Shasta brand diet cola from the machine by the exit. Yes, it's disgusting, but in the very best way.
2) My Winco is just a few blocks away from a Goodwill, so I often pair the two outings. I scanned through all the non-clothing aisles, but brought home just one item. This $1.99 Philippe Starck "citrus squeezer." It stood out as decidedly different, so I ran through Google Lens to discover what it was.
Sadly, it's not the 12-inch one that sells on eBay for $90, but I put a quick listing together -- asking $50.
The Philippe Starck website describes it as:
"The most controversial lemon-squeezer of the twentieth century, is a topic of conversation as much as a revealer of ourselves and of our imagination."
Click HERE to see my listing.
This is an eBay listing for the larger version from a few days ago.
The purchase used up the very last 95¢ on my $100 gift card, which meant I had to dig though my wallet for the remaining $1.04.
I still have the unsold framed David Hockney print that I thrifted for $9.99 back in December. I've bonded with it at this point and am thinking that I should keep it and add an additional $9.99 back into the challenge. Because I make the rules and am not ready to stop this fun experiment.
The print looks good in our spare bedroom, so I guess she's a keeper.
3) Our daughter did her taxes at the house last night and I'll drop her state return at the post office instead of paying to e-file with the state. She was able to use TurboTax for free as she met the income requirements.
Poorly paying jobs are not a frugal win.
4) I continue to enjoy fancy oatmeal buffet breakfasts, even though my houseguests have returned to the east coast. Everything here is from the Winco bulk bins, which makes it extra satisfying!
5) I found a penny and two receipts at Winco. The coin went into the Found Change Challenge jar and the receipts got scanned into my Fetch app.
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 eBay referral links.
Keep the Hockney, it's lovely! And just from the little glimpses you share inside your house, I can tell it fits in beautifully.
I accepted an offer for a Beatles CD on eBay, so I'll be wrapping it up and mailing it this morning. I'm relieved that I sold something so easy to ship.
I'm having lunch with my ex today to discuss our son's upcoming visit. He is the one out in Oregon, who was let go by Amazon, and is looking for work. He is going to explore what opportunities there are here in Chicagoland, but mostly he just needs a break from the pressure. (Ex has funded this trip; son is not using his family's resources.) I expect we will discuss how to share his time, and how to help. I also expect that my ex will pay for my lunch.
I found some hair product in my supplies that someone gave me, and I neglected to use. It is a smoother, an anti-frizz product to apply and leave in after shampooing. I tried it yesterday, and I like it, so that's a win.
I checked out three more books from the library.
I went to the bank and "bought" quarters for laundry. I got an aggressive pitch from the teller to get a bonus by moving new money into my account. I don't really have other buckets of money, other than my retirement fund, which I won't be touching. Kind of annoying. The other day I called my medical insurer and had to listen to a pitch for a medical alert service before someone would answer my question. What happened to just plain service, without sales? Rhetorical question.
Today is payday. I might go to Goodwill to scout out potential eBay items.
Shasta was my go-to in college and my first job afterward because I put myself through school and had to pinch pennies until Lincoln screamed.
Have not had a frugal couple of weeks as the cat joined the Gold Plated Pet club here, which is how we refer to their status when vet bills hit a certain level. However, she is almost back in tip-top shape and our wonderful vet did give us a $120 senior citizen discount. We also had to change her food and Chewy had a good discount on that.
The grocery store green onions I resuscitated after being forgotten in the produce drawer and then planted in a big pot outside are thriving and putting up new shoots. Not bad for a 99 cent investment.
Katy, out of curiosity what is the count of your Tetley tea package? I googled the UPC from the receipt and it is showing me it is an 80-count. If so - yikes that's expensive! Just last week I bought a 216-count Tetley for roughly the same price ($8.97 CAD which is $6.51 USD).
replying to myself...oops I see that price is for two boxes!
I've been sick up until today which was not pleasant but it certainly was frugal. Work, eat, sleep, play with the cat, rinse and repeat. No trips to Safeway, no fast food, no Michael's runs!!
That citrus squeezer is crazy looking. It kind of gives me the creeps. I'll definitely keep an eye out for selling. I agree with Beth W that the Hockney will look great in your house.
1. I was without power during the night and my poor dog kept me up with the intense thunderstorms we had. Poor girl. Power came back on right after I made my coffee with the water still in my pipes and lighting my gas stove to heat it. No take out coffee for me but I was very happy for the caffeine because I am very tired.
2. I have an appointment this afternoon for a free oil change and service that came with my car when I bought it.
3. I plan to do a little thrifting in the town where my appointment is and afterwards I will stop at the large market that they have and pick up some produce and a few bulk items.
4. I also plan to indulge in the free sodas and snacks at the stealership.
5. I'm reading a library book on my Kindle.
Also, I know you don't have an Aldi, Katy where you are but their Diet Cola is really good. It's $4.50 for a twelve pack so unless their is a good sale on the really thing, that is what I have been buying.
That juice squeezer looks like a long-legged chrome insect from outer space!
1. Went to Spectrum and had them fix the little bitty SIM card I could not install. Clerk says lots of manufacturers are no long using SIM cards bc they are so fragile. Now I know why the phone was so cheap! The fix was free so now I can use the phone to make calls, not just to post FG and NCA comments. And play Wordle. (Solved it in 3 tries this morning!)
2. Used my senior discount at Goodwill yesterday and bought a hardback book.
3. My Woman's World subscription has expired. Will not renew it as I no longer substitute teach. I miss their crossword puzzles the most .
4. But I discovered that Boatload crosswords can be played on cell phones! And they're free! Worthy replacement for no. 3.
5. Did not trigger a worldwide recession via wars and tariffs.