Five Frugal Things -- Toast & Audiobooks
1. As always, I'm slowly making my way through a loaf of $1 bread from the Franz Bakery Outlet. This is their knockoff Dave's Killer Bread and it toasts up perfectly to accompany my morning eggs.
And that toaster? I curb picked it at least eight years ago and it's worked better than any toaster I've ever owned!
2. I started listening to Oona out of Order through the library's free Libby app. Someone on the blog recommended it and I'm always looking for my next great read!
3. I sent my youngest home with a large container of my homemade Mexican chicken soup, complete with side containers of chips, grated pepper jack cheese and cilantro.
4. I'd planned on hitting Trader Joe's with my friend Lise this morning, but she begged off as she's a bit under the weather. You know I'd have stuck to my list, (bananas, milk, scallion pancakes) but I still saved money by staying home. Instead I can grab milk and bananas at Fred Meyer and use my Red Cross gift card to spend no money out of pocket.
5. I pulled a container of what I thought was chicken broth from the depths of my basement freezer, only to find out it was leftover rice and bean enchilada filling. No worries though, as it was no big deal to work it into quesadillas and Mexi-bowls. The best part is that it freed up a glass mixing bowl that is otherwise in frequent rotation.
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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I will add “Oona out of order” to my Libby queue. I’m listening to “Ultra-Processed People” right now. I think someone mentioned it here. I’m definitely not a huge consumer of ultra processed foods, but I think I’ll eat even fewer after reading this book.
It’s been a dreich week so far, and I suppose that’s how it’s supposed to be here in the Pacific Northwest. This means I’ve spent a bit of time indoors.
1. I needed a nice comfy reading chair and found one for a shockingly low price during the last hour of an estate sale. Once I got it home, I detected a faint doggy smell, so now it’s sitting in the garage under a layer of baking soda. If the sun ever comes out, I’ll put the cushions outside for a sun bath. If I can’t rid it of the doggy odor, I’ll put it on the curb with a “free” sign and call it a frugal fail. It doesn’t really smell that bad, but I don’t have a dog, so it smells bad to me.
2. It was a spectacular morning at the scratch and dent vegetable shelf. I got two pounds of strawberries for $1.50, 1.5 pounds of cherry tomatoes for $1.50, and a whole cantaloupe for $1.50.
3. I found a redeemable can in the grocery store parking lot.
4. My husband suggested a trip to Chipotle on the way home from the grocery store and I said, “Not today, Mr. Rockefeller!” When we got home, I whipped up some very respectable chicken tacos.
5. Dinner tonight will be homemade soup and homemade bread. There will be a side and a dessert involving my scratch and dent produce finds!
Not sure if this already posted since it's telling me it's a duplicate post even though I didn't enter my name or email.
If you have a steam cleaner or can borrow one it should get rid of the doggy smell. Just be sure to make sure it dries thoroughly.
Try upholstery cleaning with Barbasol shaving cream. A small and cheapcan goes far. And the clean, soapy smell is awesome.
I’ve never heard of that. Maybe I’ll do a spot test with my husband’s Barbasol. Thanks.
You can also mix a little bit of rubbing alcohol with water and spray the whole thing. Then leave in the sun if possible.
Can I clean carpeting spots with shaving cream?
Li, Try Febreeze on the doggie smell. Works for us!
I'm always pulling surprises out of my freezer. I've got to get better about labeling.
1. I took an outside walk today, first to the post office, then to the little free pantry, and then to Walgreens. I like it when my walks are to real destinations.
2. At the pantry I got a loaf of bread and some cut-up green peppers. The peppers went to the freezer, and the bread will go there after I make a sandwich tonight.
3. At Walgreens I bought two bottles of Johnson's baby shampoo/wash. The second bottle was half off. I'll be using it for fine washables, mainly my bras, but also for a cashmere scarf I found (earlier) which needs a little freshening up in a mild bath.
4. On this trip I found a knit stocking cap with a fleece lining. It really needs a thorough washing, but I think it will turn out to be a nice cap. If I don't keep it, I'll donate it.
5. I also found a pair of New Balance shoes, sitting by the dumpsters, which is our version of a free pile. They look to be a little large for me, but if so, I'll donate them after a run in the washer. They're in good shape.
6. And I also found a plastic container -- perhaps for a cassette? I'm going to use it for keeping dairy pills in my purse.
Long time, first time and all that!
1. I just picked up two items off my local Buy Nothing group, a printer for my husband to use for work things since our last one died a few months back and a kids woodworking table for our daughter.
2. I also cleared up some room in my home office by posting items on that same group! Feels good to get them out of my space and make others happy.
3. I’m expecting our second later this year, and the medical bills until we hit my deductible for the year are pretty pricey even with our good insurance. Spent some time on the phone this morning calling the billing department to get a prompt pay discount of 15% off bills over $500. Saved us $110!
4. Had to cancel hosting dinner for family friends due to illness, but I’m used to plans changing these days with kids and picked a meal that will save well until we’re feeling well enough to host next.
5. In between starting this comment and the end, a third Buy Nothing person got back to me for pickup on a bag of crafting supplies, going to head out now to pick that up!
Avid reader here, just chiming in to say that I loved Oona! It was fun and quirky (I just love a good time travel book) but it had substance as well. Of course, I borrowed it from the library. Enjoy!
I wish we had free piles! They sound so interesting.
1. Hens have started laying, I made boiled eggs, potato salad with some of the boiled eggs and tuna-egg salad.
2. Made homemade bread ......with tuna salad is a winner!
3. made 1 gallon of milk into yogurt using homemade yogurt as the starter...so cheap.
4. 3 tablespoons of frozen pumpkin with the addition of honey and cinnamon in the yogurt is a great smoothie
5. laundry done and hung around wood stove for drying, I love my wood stove but getting to the time of year that I am tired of hauling wood in (great exercise) and cleaning up the mess. However the price of propane keeps me going....it is eye wateringly high and we are still in the depths of cold windy weather.
JC
A wood stove is overall great exercise. Cutting/hauling/splitting wood, wood into the house, feeding the stove, shoveling ashes/safely dumping.
Our heating bill is far, far cheaper than our electric bill. But I will say during the last cold snap we had, it was far more work than normal to use the stove as supplemental heat. But our a little over $100 heating bill was far less than most folks.
1. I fought the urge to turn up the heat earlier today. We've been keeping the house at 68 and that's usually fine but today I was forced to retreat under a blanket. I'm always colder than the rest of the family so I spend most of my time in hoodies anyways.
2. I'm caught up on my Libby account so I put a few more books on hold. I really enjoyed the last few books I listened to so I'm bummed I have to wait. Might be time to walk down to the library for some physical books.
3. My husband and oldest daughter went to Les Schwab yesterday and the punctured tire was replaced for free! While there they munched on 2-3 bags of popcorn and he filled up his coffee before heading home.
4. I had a craving for something sweet and decided to whip up some mini cakes with an "emergency vanilla cake" recipe from Pinterest. So far everything is stuck in the pans so it might be mini crumbled cakes, but hopefully still good! My husband also had a craving, but for something salty, and made a batch of popcorn with kernels from the WinCo bulk section. We've barely made a dent in our kernels so I feel like we're going to keep having popcorn regularly.
5. We "upgraded" our youngest's bed from a crib to a toddler day bed without spending a dime. We got the crib 5 years ago and have used it for both kiddos.
Not sure if you've hit menopause but I've found that I am no longer the coldest person in the house. The other day better half and I left the restaurant we patronize most weeks (it is also a social event). Better half had the chills, I did not. The leftovers resulted in two enhanced lunches (I ate light that night).
I'm so jealous you have a place to consistently get discounted bread. They start out at $4 a loaf where I live and prices just keep getting higher. (Harumph.)
1) Staff gets free lunch on Tuesdays so this is the one day I don't bring in my own lunch. I always opt for a huge plate of salad, so I get free food with zero guilt.
2) I just finished reading two Agatha Christie books- "And Then There Were None" and "Death on the Nile." I don't get to read often so this was so fun.
3) I didn't get in a car accident today. I'm going to count this as a win because it's snowing hard and I saw several accidents on my way home.
4) I just opened a new bar of soap for the shower. I think the last one lasted 4 months and I got it at the Dollar Tree- it's so much cheaper than liquid soap!
5) This evening's entertainment consists of helping my kids study for various tests. Not necessarily fun, but it is free.
I buy goat milk soap for my toddler from a small company in Oregon (had bad eczema. It’s a little more expensive than store bought soap, but it lasts forever! I bought 4 bars when he was 6 months only and he’s almost 2, only on the 3rd bar.
Not getting into a car accident is a definitely a frugal win! Here in Utah we had a bad snow last week and I saw 4 car accidents on the way home from my morning university class. I asked the professor of the evening class if we could take it from home and he said yes. His 15 minute ride home in between classes took him an hour! He readily said yes and no one had to venture out. That was my snow-related win last week. 🙂
1. I saw a 6-pack of Zevia soda at the grocery store for $7.49 and muttered Katy's line, "What am I, a Rockefeller?" Apparently I am, because I bought them anyway!
2. Crushed some tortilla chips to add to a leftover restaurant salad that became soggy. The crunch allowed me to finish it.
3. There was so much margarita lime dressing in this restaurant salad that I put the salad in a strainer and will use the leftover dressing in future salads.
4. Making our way through the almost two dozen books we brought on our trip. Reading the thicker hardcovers first to help lighten the load. Taking all to the Little Free Library as we finish them.
5. Made a simple salad of beets, feta, walnuts, olive oil and pepper.
Brilliant idea to strain the extra dressing from the salad, MB in MN!, and the salad sounds delish - did you grate the beets or were they roasted?
They were roasted. Next time I will try grating them!
I made a batch of lemon bars to brighten our gray, rainy days.
Repotted my baby sage, rosemary and thyme into 4 inch pots. Planted the hot pepper seeds. Prepared the Walla Walla onion bed, then covered it with black plastic to keep it weed free until planting.
Cousin came to the farm to take pictures of a pair of American Kestrels hunting in a vole infested field. Enjoyed tea, lemon bars and a visit.
Harvested broccoli for tonite's stir fry dinner.
Labeling food that goes in the freezer is what my better half *finally* learned (after 40 years of marriage). Some surprises work, others do not. And saves wear and tear on container lids.
1. Dh opened a can of black beans and only ate a small amount. The leftovers beans inspired taco bowls for dinner. Way better than Chipotle and I had everything on hand.
2. Dd works at the coffee shop in town. The one we go to for our weekend dates (coffee is a very cheap date!). She gave us our coffee for free both days we went. This does not happen every time and frequently she is not working when we go. It was a nice treat. And I tipped well.
3. When I browned my ground beef for the taco bowls, I set aside 1/3 of the lb of ground beef and used it tonight in spaghetti sauce. I love stretching a lb of ground meat into multiple meals.
4. A grocery store had the tea bags I like B1G1 so I stocked up for a few months worth.
5. We shoveled our own driveway - several times this week already actually.
MMMMM, Mexican Chicken Soup. sounds delicious!
1. Our library has updated their online catalogue and I have had a series of challenges with it. I was telling the librarian this and we ended up logging in to my account so I could demonstrate. I have a lot of things that I am taking issue with as this 'upgrade' has removed or degraded a lot of features that I actually used. The Librarian thanked me profusely and begged me to send my concerns to the library by email. I have taken 20 minutes to document and screenshot what I have found, and sent it off today. Not frugal but it IS pulling the threads available to me to make the world a better place.
2. I spent another 20 minutes calling 10 senators (Canadian) to encourage them to remove some sections of an omnibus bill – the sections have to do with Immigration and they are intended to give sweeping powers to random folk in government (always a bad idea, IMHO) to cancel the immigration papers or status of folk who are already here. I called at the end of my day so only could leave messages, but I knew that would be the case and just gritted my teeth and powered through the list.
3. My Roommate continues to bring home bread and bread-like items. Currently there is a 6 pack of Hot Cross buns calling my name (halved and buttered, and fried in the cast iron pan, is almost heaven to me), a loaf of sliced sourdough, and an apple strudel.
There was also a 4 pack of a large crusty roll (kind of like a panini bun, but bigger) that I was side-eying, as they are much better fresh than from-frozen. I didn't have the spoons to boil another dozen of the vinegar eggs, to make egg salad, but I could open three cans of tuna! Mixed up a respectable veggie-loaded tuna salad, and stuffed some in a sandwich for me for dinner. Roommate just ate tuna salad, #2 son had a very late day at the chemistry lab, so inhaled his sandwich as soon as he got home. I have at times neglected to eat through my tuna stash, but I am getting better!
4. Speaking of using things up, I had opened a jar of tomato sauce (pasta sauce) to use some for a recipe. The remainder of the jar landed in the fridge, however I remembered it was there and also knew that I had frozen tortellini. It took a bit of a search (we are moving things from one freezer to another) but I persevered and we had a tasty easy dinner, all of the hungry folk could eat at their own pace. Extras were packed up ready for their lunches, even! Go me.
5. The hand physiotherapist was VERY pleased with both my mobility and the healing on the surgery scar on my arm. Next week to the surgeon, then maybe we will begin to add a bit of muscle work. Not even at 2 months since I broke the arm, so I, too, am pleased. Whew. Doing the exercises as assigned really has made a huge difference.
Had some ground turkey in freezer to use up and poblano peppers were on sale at our Winco: VOILA ! My Turkey Enchilada stuffed poblano pepper recipe! It is labor intensive..have to char the poblanos on gas stove, make the enchilada sauce ( i HATE canned enchilada sauce from grocery—every brand tastes bitter and tinny to me!!) So I make my own,,cheap.. it makes double so I freeze half for another meal.. then, fry up the gr. turkey and onion,garlic,spices,etc..put it all together and bake and I have a pan that will feed us twice this week.it is low fat and soooo hearty tasting.. my fave kind of meal! I made a pot of brown rice in the rice cooker for a side and had a cucumber salad already in refrig from yesterday.Yum.
My husband and I had a date to the river.On of our favorite mornings.A 20 minute drive garners us MOTHER NATURE time at the foot of the Superstition Mts. in Mesa, Arizona.. Salt River was flowing slowly,birds were abundant.We brought books to sit and read at the river’s edge.. then home for egg salad on rye that I had prepared earlier. A nice day!
1. Income tax done! Waiting for federal refund (expected around March 11), state paid ($19), and broke even on local. Technically, I should get the entire federal refund for myself as DH gets SSD and his income isn't taxable. I'm not that shallow (at least not this year). I am splitting it with DH 50/50. Now that we have separate accounts (that started in April, so that's why I'm sharing the refund. Not sure I will do that next year. Do know I'm going to stop in the office on Friday when I submit my time card and have extra taken out of my paycheck for the rest of the year)., I am working on using the "snowball method" of reducing debt. My half of the refund will knock out 2 debts completely and a portion of a third. Won't be "debt free" until probably 2029; however, I will have a good start. Also, as I learn things here, I can work on "nickel and diming" my way out of debt. Hopefully, I can get out sooner than later.
2. Did a small load of laundry. Hung shirts on hangers on the shower rod. Rest of laundry hung on my make-shift clotheslines in our spare room.
3. Returned the transfer shower bench we borrowed for DH when he came home from rehab. Thankful we could borrow one; even more thankful it's out of the way and back with its owner.
4. DH announced this morning that he was going to start drinking his coffee black at home. He drinks it black when we are out somewhere, but at home with cream and sugar. That will cut down on the cost of 1/2 & 1/2 and sugar significantly.
5. Got the bulb we need for our headlight today. $36 for a pack of 2 bulbs. Nephew will put one in on Saturday and we will put the orher one in the glovebox until another b1ulb goes out. Would cost a lot more than $36 just to replace 1 bulb if we took it to the mechanic, so I consider this a win!
I'd just replace both of them at the same time. It has been my experience that the second goes out not soon after the first. Will save your nephew second trip.
1. Scored a bag of 13 very ripe bananas for $1.49. I recently made delicious raspberry banana muffins that were a big hit, so will be making more of those, plus other things. Deals like this are few and far between around here, so I hope this is something that I'm going to be seeing more often.
2. My cousin from out of town stayed with me for 5 nights while DH was away, and we did a fair bit of thrift shopping. She got some some tops and scarfs, and I got a few plus sized tops for a friend. The best thing I got was a Roots leather cross body bag that appeared to be new, for $20, less the 10% seniors' discount. I could probably sell it for $50 or more, but will likely keep it.
3. My cousin, sister and I went out for lunch after visiting my Dad, and although he is not up for coming to lunch with us, he insisted on paying for it.
4. Got a bag of the dogs' kibble for 50% off because the expiry date was this April. I had another $18 in rewards from the pet food store, so used that as well to reduce the cost.
5. My cousin was going to purchase a new expandable leash for her little dog, but I told her I had one at home she could have, as our dogs are too big for it. Frugal for her, and stuff out of my house.
I got a toaster that I believe was from the 1970s, since my grandmother had one, at a rummage sale and I used it for years. (Another clue was that its plastic handles were avocado green. Ugh!) Unlike a lot of today's models, it did not have some kind of ridiculous bar for bagels. Being a Texan, I have never eaten a bagel nor do I ever intend to; no offense intended for you Yankees who like 'em. I just wanted a toaster for what my mom's best friend, a Wisc. native, used to call "toast bread." (Regular slices of bread.) It lasted for many years and was the best one ever. It finally died and I found a suitable replacement at Olllie's, and I'm happy to say the replacement is like an old-fashioned regular toaster. Just drop in the bread slices, no need to adjust.
My frugals:
--Making my own ice packs for my sore leg, as per massage therapist's advice. Putting heat on it is not working, so goodbye heating pad. But I'm not going to buy an ice bag.
--Using library computer to look up League of Women Voter's voter guide prior to going to early vote. Again, all is free.
--Line dried the laundry.
--Took yet another box of donations to a charity thrift store.
--Watched Daystar television, broadcast over the air and free, last night instead of listening the incoherent ramblings of a wannabe dictator. Who I cannot stomach.
Frugal-lisa, you are awesome.
Avocado green! Reminded me of "Harvest Gold" -- both trips down memory lane.
1. My son and I went to a college open house. It was very informative and engaging. They also had a nice free lunch at the end. Thank you!
2. We have eaten in a-lot lately. However on a few busy nights we did fast food and utilized a $5 off 20 coupon at one restaurant, and a bogo burger coupon at another. I'm glad we figured out how to take care of our itch without blowing our budget.
3. Because we have been eating in a lot we are out of a few things. I messaged a friend who often sends things she's getting rid of over to me and asked her if she had anything she wanted to clear out of her pantry. She is leaving a bag out for me to grab tonight.
4. Someone left a box of oatmeal on the free table at work. I picked it up and gave it to my neighbors who I often give items to.
5. I received a $10 gc to Target from the Fetch app for scanning receipts. I utilized it for groceries we needed. Groceries seem to have gone up so much lately. It's crazy.
Frugal Fail....got a very very expensive ticket recently. So annoyed. I spent more on this than I did groceries this month. Must be more diligent.
Retirement lunch catered in for a coworker today, volunteered to clean up and was able to bring home extra for dinner.
Went through my files and cleared a lot of old/un-needed paperwork - all was shredded at work for free. Now need a smaller filing box. Reached out to Sisters/friends before even thinking about buying one, and now a FREE one coming my way!
Had an ebay sale, mailed in recycled mailer I had in my stash.
The usual autopilot things - scanned receipt to Fetch, used Upside for gas, eating out of pantry / freezer, reading library books.
I have to share about my frugal toaster! It's a little white two-slice toaster that has a sticker on the bottom indicating it was from Walmart (so not a top-of-the-line machine!). I inherited it from my grandmother back in 2005 (not sure how long she had it before me) and it's still going strong. My little toaster is old enough to be a college graduate!
1) Added the rest of the bacon & doctored up a pulled chicken tostada recipe for leftovers. (We made it earlier in the week & DS20 + DH said you couldn't "taste" the bacon ;-). Luckily, we had extra already prepped.
2) Remembered that I get a $480 (I think?) reimbursement at work for health & fitness related things. Entered my massage + my first month of gym membership, and will be getting cash back for those.
3) Opted to join the Y vs a specialized Pilates or yoga studio. I'm somewhere in the beginner/intermediate range for both. While I'm sure it won't be as advanced as dedicated studios, it's about 1/2 the cost & offers a lot of other options. Trying my first class today. Although, DH has vetoed the 7 pm yoga class as interfering too much with our evening routine. He's not wrong, so I'll likely prioritize the weekend classes. We are both super early birds that go to bed very early on week days. I'm sure the class works well for people on a more normal schedule.
4) Drove my electric car to work, costing $0 in gas. However, forgot my lunch & bought a work salad. I opted for the healthiest option I could find (a salad you could make yourself), so it wasn't a total loss. It is subsidized in cost, so it was $7 for a substantial salad with a lot of protein & fresh veggies.
5) Finally sold random Amazon items that were mailed incorrectly to us (our name/address) & Amazon didn't want back. Dropped the price a lot, as they were some sort of essential oil type thing that had an approaching expiration date. Made $6 whole dollars after shipping. 😉 Oh well, kept them in circulation & out of my house.
I am fortunate to be traveling with my best friend in Japan who I haven't seen for close to two years. Still being frugal!
1) My luggage is a fancy name-brand backpack that I curb picked and cleaned/inspected before putting into rotation. I'm impressed my middle-age back agrees to this treatment.
2) My favorite souvenirs are free ink stamps from train stations in my travel journal.
3) I brought some Oregon post cards from Fred Meyer to give as gifts to some of the kind people that we've met. They have been a hit and we even received some postcards back!
4) We have been eating out, but mixing it up with picnic dinners from grocery stores and konbini. I never thought I'd be eating and enjoying meals from 7-11 at my age.
5) And still taking the bus, rocking my second hand wardrobe and keeping an eye out for second hand stores for presents for family.