Five Frugal Things -- Shelves!
1. My husband and youngest had plans to build a shelf yesterday and I happened to come across these ones at Goodwill, mere hours before they were about to buy the supplies! Priced at $3.99 and $4.99, I didn't hesitate to bring them to the register.
I stand by my belief that anything that has ever been manufactured is already at Goodwill.
2. I was super tempted to also grab this IKEA "Tullsta" armchair, priced at just $16.99. It appeared to be in excellent condition, but I wasn't feeling up to schlepping it home to ready it for resale. I've done well with reselling mass market armchairs in the past, so this was probably an error on my part.
I offered the project to my kid, but they weren't up for it either.
Here's the current version that's still sold at IKEA.
3. You know it's true spring season when "free piles" start popping up in the neighborhood. I pulled the car over to peruse this one, but didn't bring anything home. I was tempted by the OXO brand steaming basket, as my one is glitchy, but realized that mine still works and I didn't need anything here.
4. My husband and I washed and vacuumed out our cars yesterday, even though it was only mildly warm outside. They were both genuinely filthy and starting to grow moss, so it was due time.
My husband and kid also replaced a burnt out headlight bulb. My own minimal research found that it costs at least $150 for a mechanic to replace a Prius bulb and we spent $25 to buy one at the auto supply store.
5. I sold a washing machine motor for $25 that didn't work with our model, and had sat on my eBay shelf since December. We paid $37.50 for it last year, so the loss wasn't too bad. The best part is that it's out of the house and will be put to use.
Click HERE to see the listing.
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 link.
The interior of my car is disgusting. But I have not thought it worthwhile to clean it until winter ends. Winter seems to be still hanging on.....
Yesterday I went to a memorial for a close friend of my DIL. My DIL was one of the eulogists. Her talk was inspiring, heartfelt, and moving. I was proud of her.
Afterwards, our family went to a favorite casual eatery. I was in favor of getting refreshments at the church, but this is what the others wanted to do. I ordered my usual -- half of a barbecued chicken, coleslaw, garlic bread, and a baked potato. Today I made lunch from the leftovers, and there is still another piece of chicken for tomorrow. I had the potato for breakfast, with some added cheese. The garlic bread went into freezer to become pizza in the future.
At the memorial, friends had laid out many skeins of yarn, because the woman who died was an avid knitter, still in the middle of many projects. We were encouraged to take some and make something as a remembrance and to share with someone else in her honor. It was a nice idea. I didn't take any, because I don't knit.
Today I'll be going to my grandson's volleyball game. It is free entertainment, and loads of fun to watch.
This morning I washed my hair, using ordinary shampoo with a dot of purple shampoo. My silver hair started becoming too purplish, so I have to cut down on its use, but I still want to use it up eventually.
I made a triple batch of all purpose cleaner today, which cost 15¢
I continue to make my little dog his “pâté” style dog food by grinding up kibble in a 1980s era food processor (not the one we use for human food) and rehydrating it with water overnight. He’s older and was having issues with kibble, even rehydrated, so the pâté style was recommend by his vet, but that stuff is pricey! I grind enough for two weeks and then make a fresh batch of wet food each night.
I’ve been sick with a massive kidney infection, so I pulled a loaf of homemade bread from the freezer — current me is thanking past me very much.
Laundry is hanging from the line, as usual — free drying is best and we don’t even own a clothes dryer anymore.
Oh no. Feel better.
1. I took some egg salad sandwiches and homemade tomato soup to lunch at my MIL's house Sunday.
2. I had lunch with a family friend Saturday. I shared an entree with my mom since neither of us was very hungry. I drank water with my meal.
3. I walked with a friend for free exercise this morning.
4. I'm sorting through some of my old Ebay listings and putting a few in the garage sale pile. I fixed one listing that was incorrect. I found some Jim Shore items that need to be listed. I had bought 10 and listed them one by one as they sold and apparently I forgot about them.
5. I started watching the last season of Alone on the Roku History app for free.