Five Frugal Things -- Used Toothbrushes for the Global Elite
1) I sold a lot of six heavy duty carabiners on eBay, just a couple hours after listing them. I pulled these out of a Goodwill bin, so I paid for them by the pound. My only thought was that they'd be handy to have on hand, but I looked them up through Google Lens after getting home and learned they're kind of pricey to buy new.
I'll take cash in hand over "they'd be handy to have on hand" any day of the week!
Click HERE to see the listing.
2) My daughter's childhood bedroom has this doorless closet, which I've always meant to cover up. I thrifted an adjustable tension rod at the bins a couple months ago and then picked up a velvet curtain panel a couple weeks later. (Again, from Goodwill.)
The width with right, but the length was just a touch too long. I set the curtain aside and got on with my life.
That was until the bins provided me with an unopened package of Stitch Witchery, which is essentially fabric glue. A lazy hack for people who want to avoid actual sewing. <-- me.
You just iron it into place. Why is my iron resting on a sheet of paper? My husband used our iron to wax his skis a couple years ago, so I just iron through paper now. Luckily I rarely iron anything.
There, that's better!
I'd estimate that I spent $7.50 to buy the curtain, Stitch Witchery and the tension rod. Not only does this hide the clutter, but it also covers the window, so my house guests can choose whether or not they wish to wake with the sun.
3) I saw an Instagram reel about how "money trees" are tied together below the soil's surface and should be cut apart. This "tree" was already on my vague I-should-transplant-that list, so I grabbed a bigger flowerpot and shook off the soil to discover that it was indeed being garroted.
Now not only is my plant now able to grow without strangulation, but should enjoy its larger accommodations. I'm looking forward to a growth spurt!
Needless to say, that's a curb picked flowerpot.
4) I stopped by the Goodwill bins and spent $5.05 to buy the following items:
A completely sealed Sonicare toothbrush head. This alone costs $5 to buy new. Again, it's completely sealed!
This Sterilite mini-organizer bin. I'm fiendishly devoted to this specific design and use them in multiple ways throughout the house. They click together perfectly and can be used horizontally, vertically, sideways, right side up and deserve a place in the Museum of Modern Art.
You think I'm kidding, but I'm not!
This kids' Daniel Boone cap with a genuine raccoon fur tail. I've listed it on eBay for $15.
Of course I also bought the heavy-duty carabiners.
I didn't buy this board game.
Nor did I buy this offensive vintage ashtray.
5) I didn't have my taxes raised due to owning a Pied-à-Terre in New York City. I guess I'm neither "ultrawealthy" nor a "global elite." Drat!
Now your turn, what frugal things have you been up to?
I didn't know Portland was such a randy city! Wonder if those two items came from the same home?
I took an early morning walk and picked up a book at a LFL. Also a receipt which I scanned to Fetch.
I made corn pone pie, which is cornbread baked on top of a baking dish of chili. I forgot a pretty essential step, which was to reduce the chili first, so it was too wet and sloppy -- but it still tasted good!
I finished reading a library book -- Go, Gentle, by Maria Semple. Very entertaining!
I didn't drive today. Tomorrow I probably will, as I have to go to PetSmart, and I'll probably get gas, too, at Sam's.