Five Frugal Things -- Ralph Lauren & Falafel
1. I went back to Goodwill and bought both of the Ralph Lauren tartan comforters for $7.99 apiece. My initial impression was that they had a few condition issues, (loose threads) but closer inspection showed them to be in excellent condition. They're 100% cotton, which is quite nice. It looks like similar new ones sell for around $200 apiece.
My next issue is that they're too bulky to fit in my washing machine, but my mother offered to let me launder them in her high capacity machine. Thanks, mom!
Our house guests don't arrive until the beginning of April, so there's no rush.
2. My husband and I treated ourselves to takeout from Gyro House on S.E. 82nd Avenue. Their $12 falafel sandwiches are the best in town, with crisp falafel balls, plenty of veggies, garlicky pickles and the fluffiest pita bread. They're big enough to feed two people!*
We normally don't eat out so often, but when we do it's for things we don't/can't make at home.
3. I stopped at Walgreen's to pick up an over-the-counter medication, but balked at the $22 price tag and walked right back out of the store. I later walked to Fred Meyer (Kroger) and picked up the same medication for $7.29!
Not today, Satan.
4. Yesterday was a rare 71 degree day here in Portland, and the furnace was off and the windows flung open!
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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* Author's note: I ate an entire one by myself!
I'm so happy you sold your piano bench for the full amount you were asking. It really was a work of art. I know this was a few posts ago..
1. I picked up a brand new Bodum french press at an estate sale for $6. I've been on the look out for an extra for when I have a crowd. I can now put my old drip coffee maker in a garage sale. I also found a replacement side table and a three step ladder that looks new. Prices were very good and I found three things on my wish list and one on my mom's wish list.
2. I had dinner with my mom, daughter and sister. We shared a take out pizza and grinder from a local restaurant. My daughter had a $5 coupon on the app. The weather was crappy and nobody wanted to go out. This is our weekly "girls night" get together and worth every penny.
3. I canceled my subscription to Consumer Reports since I have purchased a car which is the reason I subscribed in the first place.
4. Today I will be listing a couple of items on Ebay. I haven't sold anything in a couple weeks.
My library gives access to Consumer Reports. Your’s might also if you need it in the future.
No school yesterday due to bad road conditions. Ds and I picked up his room and gave it a good vacuuming. We colored and played farm set. Ate left overs, did laundry, washed dishes. He was getting stir crazy, so we checked cows.
I still had to chore, so he stayed in the house to "excavate" an dinosaur egg. It's an clay egg that you soak in water then take a plastic tool to dig out a plastic dinosaur. There is a guide to determine what you unearthed. These were passed to us by a friend whose son out grew them. Ds loves them!
If your trashcan needs scrubbing, the next time you mop, use the trashcan instead of a mop bucket. The hot, sudsy water will do most of the cleaning by the time you're finished (;
I used to make and remake archaeologist and paleontologist digs for my son - a couple of sets of bones and some dollhouse things with dried clay mixed with a bit of plaster in a tray. So good for long winter days mostly inside!
I'm glad you went back for the comforters. That was a good deal!
I envy your weather. We are supposed to have real feel temperatures in the single digits. Really? It's March! And more snow later. I'm so over winter.
I finished the book that is due today, and later I will put on my heavy coat, clean off my car, and drop the book in the outdoor return bin. I was hoping to not use the car until the snow melted off of it, but needs must, as they say in British novels.
I could take the train instead, but that would involve walking for about 40 minutes all together, and I'm not sure I want that much exposure. Also not sure how slippery the walks might be.
Now that I've written all this out, I'm coming to the conclusion that I should probably just wait for the thaw that is inevitable and pay the fine, which will be small. Thanks for listening!
I asked Copilot to recommend recipes for the perishables I have in my fridge. The top choice was a Swiss cheese omelet with sauteed greens. So I think I will do that today. Not sure yet whether it will be breakfast or lunch.
My other big plan for the day is to glue the leg back on my toaster oven so it will be suitable for donating. Hope the super glue will do the job.
BethW,
Could you ask the library to waive the late fee since you would risk falling on the ice if you go out? IMHO, it's worth a try. The worst they can say is "no"...and "no" never hurt any one.
Agreed! I was ill and couldn’t return some library books on time and when I spoke to the librarian they forgave my fees
I will probably casually mention that it was too cold to venture out and my car was buried. We'll see!
I remember that Ralph Lauren plaid. Thirty years ago, a Ralph Lauren store had purses in that Watch Plaid pattern. I longed for one, but they were $300. It is a lovely plaid in a comforter or a purse.
Congratulations Katy on your new fancy iPhone! I think you got your $ worth from the old one before it gave up the ghost.
Glad you went back for those comforters - they look really nice.
1) It has also been really warm here, so we have all heat off at our house. It's going to be high 80s today! Unseasonably warm for northern California for sure. My line dried clothes (they sit in the sun on a drying rack, but inside) are getting dried very quickly, which is nice.
2) DH & I had leftovers for dinner last night, and DS19 got back late & availed himself of the pizza I'd pulled out from the freezer.
3) I made breakfast for both DS19 & DS20 (a rare treat from mom) with the hidden motivation of ensuring they ate through the bagels I'd defrosted from the freezer. Served with fruit & yogurt, for a more balanced meal.
4) Verified that I had two credit card offers for Turbo Tax. One was for $5 off a purchase, and the other was for 30% off. The 30% one was a way better deal, so used that credit card to pay the Turbo Tax fee. Also, taxes are submitted & processed! Paperwork is filed in our cabinet & out of my way until next year.
5) Optimizing car usage by ensuring whomever is driving the furthest is taking the electric car, between myself & DH.
Ralph Lauren uses very good fabric, which is becoming a rare thing. You got an amazing deal there.
Yay on the comforters! I would have done the same thing! Also, your sandwich looks yummy!
1. I packed my breakfast and lunch to work.
2. I am topping off my gas to work daily because the gas prices keep rising! Ugh.
3. I am eating the last of the corned beef/onions/cabbage/turnips/carrots, potatoes today for supper.
4. I am getting the cheapest estimate for the power pole electrical hookup to the mobile home for my kid. It pays to shop around.
5. I am calculating social security estimates as to if I can retire. With inflation, I think not at this point. It is frugal to have a grip on what is a realistic approach to retirement when in your mid 60's. Medicare actually costs more than my work insurance so that goes into the equation.
I'm with you Katy, on getting food while out that we don't cook at home. In our case, it's Chinese food to go. The restaurant we go to get it makes meal specials that are actually "2 to 3 meal" specials.
1. I made a large pan of corned beef, cabbage, potatoes, parsnips, carrots, turnips and onions yesterday which will feed us for 3 days. DH will more than likely make a sandwich or two from the corned beef. That guy is a sandwich fiend and can make a sandwich out of anything.
2. We've been enjoying the banana cake I made from my plethora of ripe bananas.
3. I stayed in yesterday due to the east coast rain and wind storm so no money spent. I had plans to walk up to my neighbor's house...up the hill a couple of hundred feet and into the neighboring state of Connecticut...but every time I got ready to go, a new batch of showers let go so home I stayed.
4. DH drove to the gym and told me the gas price at the gas station he went by went up by .04 from the time he spent at the gym to when he went home. So he topped it off before it went up more.
5. A friend lended me a book she thinks I will enjoy.
So glad you went back for the cotton RL comforters. What a steal! High quality and classic plaid. I found myself wishing you would go back for them long after I read the blog post. 🙂
I finally received payment for one of the ebay sales that I had sent with just using stamps for postage. I am not sure how to ensure that it gets reported as being delivered without asking the purchaser to confirm delivery if I do not pay for postage on the ebay site. This was just some bookmarks, so I hated making them pay the over $4 shipping so that it would have confirmation, but I also hate waiting so long to get paid (or not getting paid at all, as is the case with the other bookmark I mailed out this way). I am sure I am doing something wrong...
One more batch of bookmarks has been relisted numerous times, but it finally has a bid on it. I lowered the lowest bid amount allowed, in hopes that it would sell. It will and hopefully the bids will increase.
We are having a pot luck at work today, so I will eat my full of yummy things just for the cost of my homemade cake that I brought. I started my day with a piece of my cake and lots of spinach dip. LOL
A couple weeks ago, our Shop & Save store had a Con-Agra deal doing on if you bought four specific items, you received a free store brand item. They had the Banquet pot pies as part of this deal, on sale for $1 a piece. We bought 4 pot pies for $4 and received a 24 pack of water. We did this multiple times. Our timeshare's water, where we are staying multiple times in the coming months, has water that can be upsetting to my husband's tummy, so this is a good purchase. Plus the pot pies make quick, easy meals when we don't want to cook or buy take out.
Alice, I just (re)started selling on eBay and had this issue. I had a bunch of gifted stamps to use up so I did not use eBay's printed postage. When you go to the post office, save your receipt or email yourself a digital version. Then go into the eBay order and scroll down. There's a blue button that says Add Tracking Number. You can type it in from a physical receipt or copy paste it from a digital receipt. Then you'll get your payout without asking the buyer to mark it received.
Thank you! Can you get tracking when using stamps?
I might be way off here-- If you have stamps of your own to stick on, stop just short of the total and pay at the post office to make up the difference. This would be easier for the post office to scan, (as that print out has zip code and such), and would have a tracking number.
I might be completely wrong!
You likely can ship bookmarks as an eBay seller using the eBay standard envelope rate and requirements. It provides tracking and prevents the buyer or seller from having to pay a higher price for shipping. There are restrictions for dimensions and weight, but easy to find on eBay. I use these to provide tracking for the customer. A 1 oz envelope is $0.74 instead of the $0.78 stamp. Max weight to use this service is three ounces.
https://www.ebay.com/sellercenter/shipping/choosing-a-carrier-and-service/ebay-standard-envelope
Thanks Bonnie. That's great information.
Thank you, Bonnie! And Heidi, that's a great idea!
I almost never shop at Walgreens as I find their prices, regular or sale, to be high. My husband thinks Walgreens is the greatest thing since sliced bread, but it’s a store that he can still navigate, even with all his health problems, so that might be part of it.
Good call to go back for those comforters!
So glad the comforters were still there! A purchase you reflect on and decide to make is so satisfying.
1. I am 99% recovered from the never ending respiratory infection and have begun cleaning items that got me through (replacing toothbrush head, water bottle, CPAP)
2. Had enough energy to make meatball subs last night. Went to simmer meatballs in sauce and realized I only had diced tomatoes, no puree. Well, how do you get tomato puree but blending diced tomatoes? We made do without a trip to the grocery store to get yet another type of tomato.
3. Made enough meatball mixture to freeze some. Will form the rest and bake at my convenience this week to have in the freezer as quick and easy (and tasty!) protein.
4. Stopped at the produce market on my way home this weekend to purchase some produce that is way cheaper than in our grocery store. I scored some gorgeous grapes, ginger, parsley, blueberries, and peppers. For context, my total was $10.79 when at the store the grapes alone would be $7.99. We often pay this convenience tax to not be running around but this was a great reminder that on slower days, it's worth the extra step.
5. I did not purchase any new spring clothes or new swimwear, even though the brands I like are having great deals on some very cute stuff. I already bought the clothes I have at great deals, and I have a lot of very cute stuff!
Just finished lunch of corned beef, cabbage, and homemade garlic mashed potatoes that fed the 5 of us with left overs for less than the cost of purchasing the same meal at a restaurant.
Our one adopted son’s biological parents are from Irish descent so we celebrate him by wearing already owned green t-shirts, listening and dancing to Irish music and watching a movie about or made in Ireland.
Sent our other kids video of Jake doing the Irish jig. Free, no postage required.
Found a dentist who takes Medicare and had 2 crown done yesterday. Amount I had to pay was so low compared to what I have paid in the past.
Dryer repaired, heating element replaced and one prong on plug fixed so it now works for a total of $75. That’s the cost we pay our home warranty company. Yes, it was probably a do it yourself project, but not for my 83 year old husband with a bad back and bone marrow cancer.
Drinking delicious homemade iced coffee. Happy St. Patrick’s Day.
Using my Humana rewards cashed in for a $25 Walmart gift card. I’ll send to great nephew and his fiancé to celebrate their engagement and her graduation from PA school. Not an exciting gift, however they can find something they need or want
I'm glad you went back for those comforters, Katy! (and that they were there). One can never have enough blankets, however I find that thrifted fabrics often really smell of soap or fabric softener, and it is very hard to get that scent out. I have a bunch of Dog Towels from my thrift store buddy that were too scented for me - they are hanging on the line in the pouring rain and will stay out there for a few days, hopefully to air out.
1. Frugal for Future Ecoteri (reduced energy consumption and longer life for the appliance), my cleaning lady and I tackled behind the fridge. Eek!!! There is a shelf above the fridge that is totally inaccessible (although kind of visible) when the fridge is in its place. On that shelf were several piles of platters and plates (including one rather precious one for me that I have been wracking my brain about where I put it) and a bean pot (pretty but I don't bake beans). The cleaning gal got them down, I washed them in ammonia, and am going to regift most of them as if they are up there they are never used therefor I don't need them.
The back plate of the fridge was unscrewed - many dust bunnies vacuumed and brushed out. My fridge will be much happier now!
Surprisingly, there was no food pushed off the top of the fridge to the ground, and all the boxes of cereal and snacks were current, save one sad bag of granola that I neglected to give to #2 son. Chickens will be happy.
2. Two days ago I spent time slicing discount carrots, cleaning and dividing up a discount cauliflower, slicing and also dicing onions, celery and coloured peppers. The diced veggies were prepped for making hash brown pie the next day – fried up in my big frying pan then stuffed in the fridge. The sliced set of veggies were bagged up to make chicken fajitas, and the carrots and cauliflower bagged to roast in the oven. While getting these all in the fridge I put a bit of tape on the Costco Chicken remains asking that it be left for the next day's meal.
3. The next day I spent doing a lot of 'cooking' – roasted the veggies, pre-roasted the frozen hash browns, snuck a pan of brownies in. The fajitas were cooked in my wok, using some of a costco chicken and home made taco seasoning. Brown rice was soaked then cooked in my rice cooker. More onions chopped and a batch of refried beans (also with taco seasoning) was cooked up. Everything was packaged for easy access. Much joy was beheld when both Roommate and #2 Son came home.
4. The last of the vinegared eggs have finally been used up, along with the so-called 'stolen' eggs that were found in a hidden nest. I can't sell these eggs and they each need to be broken into a small bowl before being put in the larger bowl, so they are a bit tedious to use. I got the batch of hash-brown pie cooked and partitioned into lunch-sized containers. Plus there is a pie to be delivered to #1 son and his family (by my Roommate who was heading that way) The family all seem to have some kind of Norovirus. AHHH.
5. After a glorious binge, I finally have 'finished' my Fantasy series of books by Michelle Sagara - “The Chronicles of Elantra”. I think there are at least 15 books plus a short explanatory story available as an ebook. (she is still writing them, mind you, but we aren't left with really painful cliffhangers). My library has all but the ebook and ONE in the series (which I have purchased online used from AbeBooks). I think I will likely try to collect this series, it is is very complex and convoluted and it has held me spellbound for weeks... (lots of late nights). Thank you library!! for introducing me to someone who could perhaps replace Anne McCaffrey in my affections!
Wow, that was a HUGE savings on that medications from the Walgreen's price vs. when you went to Fred Meyer instead - impressively done!
1. For our last week at the Airbnb, I inventoried our food provisions and wrote up a plan to use up everything here or on the road home. Kristen at The Frugal Girl posted a Cilantro Lime Sauce recipe that came just in time as I had all the ingredients to use up!
2. Stayed in a hotel for an extra night to avoid arriving in Minnesota during a blizzard. Not frugal but more frugal than injury, death or a damaged car.
3. Stayed at hotels with reasonable pet fees. One of the hotels gave us a cute gift bag of dog biscuits.
4. Enjoyed the hot cocoa machine at one hotel.
5. We needed almost everything for the fridge, freezer and pantry when we got home, so I brought my entire master grocery list to the store with me.
1) Picked up an Oxo corkscrew from BN; I've never liked our basic el cheapo and we need more things that are kind to our hands.
2) My coupon group was on fire over a stacking B1G4 deal on shrimp at Kroger, so DH picked some up on a milk run - 2.75/12oz., or $3.66/lb, for Gulf shrimp.
3) A local tortilleria sells their housemade tortillas fresh from the press - far better than anything at the store and about the same price - which I've been eating with almost every meal because they can turn a bit of this and a scrap of that into a fantastic taco.
4) It's cold - we went from the 70s to 18 overnight in just a day - so the heat is on, but still at 65 (which is higher than we normally keep it in the spring, but with uninsulated brick, the house needs to be kept a bit warmer when it's really cold to keep the walls from sucking the heat right out of us). While waiting for the boiler to catch up, we were forced to snuggle-nap with the cat to stay warm. Terrible sacrifice.
5) I'm wearing a decrepit but cozy long ago thrifted cashmere sweater, dinner was 95% pantry/freezer with leftovers destined for said tortillas, and my DOJ didn't drop the requirement that new prosecutors must have at least a year of legal experience because it is so ethically compromised and disastrously dysfunctional that nobody with any options at all wants to work there.
1. I woke up to 5 sales on Poshmark! There must have been some buzzed St. Patrick's Day scrolling last night!
2. I was running low on boxes for shipping, so I brought some home from the library, and will grab some more today.
3. Working on the preparations for my brother- in- law's birthday party this weekend. There's 5 of us and instead of going out we are having a luncheon at my house. I planned to buy BW3s, but my husband wants to make the wings himself. Who am I to complain. Less expensive and less work for me.
4. Working to convince my husband to get some quotes on solar panels. Our electric bill has skyrocketed. $300 to $600 a month. The transmission fee is more than we spend on actual usage. Pretty sure the AI centers are getting a tax break and the rest of us are footing the bill.
5. No real number 5 just all the frugal things that's part of my DNA everyday.
1. A friend gave me a water table and outdoor sand table for my toddler that her kids outgrew , which is great because it’s going into the 80s this week !
2. Found a new planner at goodwill for 1.99 as well as an iron for 4.99. I had both of these in a target pickup order , so was able to cancel that and save myself almost 40 dollars. My mom also grabbed a planner and was able to use her senior discount , so we both scored great deals.
3. More hot weather on the way in CO . I got more seeds started using milk cartons, water jugs, toilet paper rolls, fast food containers. Trying to get seeds started for as little as possible and hope to share some plans with friends if they do well!
4. Signed my toddler up for free outdoor story time for 2 days next week.
5. Got my multi vitamins BOGO at the grocery store, which made them significantly cheaper than anywhere else (including Amazon).
I found some really good deals today.
1. 99 cent eggs at Grocery Outlet Bargain Market. I bought 5 dozen. I also bought two containers of icing at 99 cents each
2. I got a 10lb pork roast marked down to $15! I’ll cut it into three smaller roasts. One I’ll turn into pulled pork, second one will be pork and sauerkraut, third might be pulled pork in the summer. Also, if you have ever shop at Giant and have points you can get a free can of Friskies cat food for only 5 points. And of course I can earn points on the Purina app by uploading the receipt and also writing a review of the cat food. I just cashed my points for a $10 off coupon for dry cat food. My outdoor cat will be happy!
3. Dinner was leftover wings from last night and a bag of sautéed veggies with ginger and garlic sauce that I got on clearance.
4. Spring means I can feed my guinea pig spring weeds instead of buying them. We don’t use chemicals doesn’t have anyone our yard. And the Guinea pigs love them!
5. I combined picking up the cheap eggs with meeting my DH at the car dealer so he could drop his car off for servicing. Trying very hard to combine errands with these crazy gas prices.