Five Frugal Things -- Voting!
- Portland, Oregon may have had just a single parks department measure in our election, but my husband and I dutifully filled out our ballots and I walked them to the county library! Walking ballots to the library is a habit leftover from when we had to pay for a stamp, but I still enjoy the ritual.
- I stopped into Fred Mayer on my way home to peruse their clearance priced vegetables and came home with a huge $1.50 bag of how do you say cucumbers. I immediately processed them when I got home, as some were broken in half. I then fixed myself a rather cucumber forward salad for my lunch.
- My daughter has come down with a nasty cold, so I assembled a quick pot of lemon ginger chicken soup using what we had on hand. (A Costco chicken, carrots, potatoes, fresh ginger, lemon juice, chicken bullion and spices.) I made enough to deliver a few servings, while also acting as our own dinner. Sadly not enough for leftovers as it really was rather delicious.
- I sold a Bose audio system remote control that I pulled from a free box last year. Not a big profit at $15, but . . . it was free! Part of why I sell items like this is that they're only useful to a specific subsection of passers by. How likely would it be for someone who wants this exact item to sort through this one free box? Keeps a useful item in use and out of the landfill.
Click HERE to see the eBay listing. - My friend Lise brought over two bags of apples from her tree, which is great as I can make pies for the freezer. Doing a favor for my future self!
1. I walked with a friend around her neighborhood and then stayed to chat until she needed to be somewhere.
2. My lunch included GF pasta bought on clearance, part of a can of tomatoes, part of a can of $.05 black beans, and a bit of leftover chicken.
3. Dinner tonight will be Impossible Burgers purchased at Grocery Outlet. I bake them in the toaster oven. They are easy and delicious.
4. I thought about stopping for groceries on the way home from yoga but there was no pressing need. If we run out of bananas I can walk to the closest grocery and buy a few.
5. We are using our library to access Ellis on hoopla!
Thanks for the reminder about Grocery Outlet. I used to go there frequently as it was near my kids' school, but it's been years.
1. After my trip I had some laundry to catch up on. I ran two loads in the coin-op machines down in the basement, but it turned out that one of the dryers I used didn't heat up or didn't run -- it took my money, though! So, instead of switching the wet load to another machine, I took it upstairs and hung it on the shower rod and over the radiators. It was dry this morning and I didn't pay any more than usual.
2. Last time I bought onions I bought a bag of Vidalia's, knowing I would have to preserve some of them. Today I chopped one and put it in the freezer. I sliced and caramelized another to use in French onion soup. The third, and last, I will bake this evening and have it in a veggie supper with green beans and mashed potatoes.
3. I saved all the onion skins to use in soup later (to tint the broth a deeper color). I do this in a cheesecloth bag, of course -- don't want them floating around in the soup!
4. Scanned a number of receipts to Fetch, two of which were finds on my trip.
5. Took a walk in the neighborhood today and picked up a book from a little free library. I noticed there were whistles in the boxes -- we had some unwelcome ICE activity in our city, and citizens are outraged. As they should be.
I freeze clumps of pre-sauteed onions, as I never just serve them raw.
I love the free whistles!
1. I purchased 20 cotton cloth napkins at an estate sale for $2.50. I've been wanting white cloth napkins for special occasions for forever and can never bring myself to pay for new and never find what I want used. I purchased 16 white and 4 coral color for everyday use. Just in time for Thanksgiving.
2. I sold another item on Ebay. I packaged it in a reused bubble mailer and it will be picked up tomorrow by USPS.
3. I walked with a friend two days in a row for free exercise.
4. I finished another library book on my Kindle.
We exclusively use cloth napkins, although they're mostly red and white gingham checked. I know that white ones would get dingy fast in my household.
Harvested remaining garden herbs from all the free plants I received this summer from Buy Nothing:
- Basil - made into pesto cubes for the freezer
- Rosemary - chopped and in the fridge for adding to various dishes
- Thai basil - uncertain what I'll do with it
- Sage - plan to fry it and serve with butternut squash
- Italian parsley - put it in the fridge
- Oregano - put it in the fridge
- Chives - chopped and dried
MB-- We got carry out pizza from a new place, so with the leftovers, our refrigerator smells strongly of garlic. I'm imagining how good it smells when you open your fridge door!
Delicious times ahead!
Great job on the continued updates to your blog!
- We're heading out of town Friday to visit my sister east of Cleveland and will be gone close to a week... Trying to use random food bits or remember to freeze things. Tonight will be easy pasta and salad.
-Received the new Richard Osman Thursday Murder Club book on hold from my library and have absolutely been loving it. Chuckling out loud and trying to read funny passages to my husband. Osman is a clever storyteller.
Picking up random groceries on sale to add to items I have to put in the little food pantry near us to make more of a meal, should someone need that. I keep a bag in my car and stop when I see contents are low. With freezes coming, though, I will move the bag to the garage and get back in the habit of taking with me.
I have been pulling items that were my parents and will bring to my sister as her grown kids have said they would like this and that. Out to someone who wants them...double bonus.
Love Thursday Murder Club, and the other series he has started too.
I'm glad to hear that as I couldn't get into the other book he wrote, yet a close friend said she loved it and you have enjoyed it as well - a good sign. I will persevere and check that one out again.
I love that you're giving items from your parents to the younger generation. There is more than enough stuff that is already manufactured to last for multiple centuries.
We voted as well, wish we could walk it to the ballot drop, but we did bundle the trip with appointments.
While in town we dropped off cases of soup, shelf stable milk, pudding, canned veggies and peanut butter. Took more kid friendly items to the middle school, charter school and community outreach center.
Tonight, for the community meeting regarding the emergency services levy, i'm making Hawaiian roll ham sliders, baked
beans and cookie sheet apple cranberry pie.
After the meeting is our barn basketball league☺. Go sports!
I'm sorry to hear your daughter caught a cold. It travelled around my family a few weeks ago. Your soup sounds perfect for relief.
Oh geez, walked away a few hours ago and forgot to post!
You've been busy! Thank you so much for your generosity.
I'm in a clear-it-out mood. I've given away something on Buy Nothing every day for the past week. It feels good. All of it was not mine, but excess I was given. Sometimes I'm in an "I'll use that up" mood but then all the bits become overwhelming.
I'm being intentional about displaying and/or using as many of the things that I've saved for sentimental reasons. They don't give me joy in a box. I do of course still have some sentimental things that are not used. And a curated box to give to current or future grandchildren.
1. Rode my bike to UPS to mail my sister's birthday present.
2. Sewed a gift bag for a friend's birthday present which I will deliver in person when I see her this week. Saves me mailing it next month.
3. Organized the large load of persimmons I received. Some to gift, some for our daughter, some that need used right away.
4. Sent a document to my dad for him to print in color. I'm visiting there tomorrow. Otherwise I get my free color copies at the library.
5. Donating coats and long sleeve shirts to the "Take a coat, leave a coat" rack at the library.
I love that your library has a leave/take coat rack, that's such a great idea!
1. I took a nap. (Hey, I was worn out after social events on two consecutive days.)
2. I ate dinner at a friend’s house last night.
3. I had “lunch” at a reception after a morning lecture.
4. It’s getting cooler, so I put another blanket on the bed and started turning down the thermostat at night.
5. I finished off a container of eggplant, tomato, zucchini soup that I pulled out of the freezer.
You are on a roll with free meals!
MEGA FRUGAL FAIL (OH THE HORROR)!!!
I had baked just short of a gazillion cookies last weekend for the election food sold at a local polling place that supports the therapeutic riding center DH used to volunteer at. Owner of the riding center gave us 2 $25 gift cards to Olive Garden. Went to OG tonight.
Ran the 1st gift card, ran the 2nd gift card, ran my bank card for the remaining balance. Ok, fine. Then, I get to looking...
I accidentally tipped on the first gift card and, not realizing it, handed the waitress $15 in cash.
My dad made the same mistake back in the early 1970's. Mom, dad and I (I was maybe 8) went to a restaurant and dad left a $1 tip...or so he thought. On the way home, we made a stop and he discovered he accidentally left a $10. He wanted to go back and get it. Mom said, "NO! Just hope she is working her way through college."
Percentage wise from the early 1970's and today's economy, I probably made the same mistake if you compate the two. I normally only ever tip in cash. Between the money I gave the waitress (who IS a college student - which we established between courses) and the accidental tip on the machine, this young lady ended up with a total $32 tip on a $65 meal.
That may not be a fail. God may have bleseed you with the gift cards, so you could be used to provide for her. She may have really needed that money. And it was free to you money, so that hurt less. Yay for you for making and contributing a gazillion cookies!
Just smile about it. Je shared your windfall with somebody who also could use the money. It will be good for your karma.
I meant to say "You shared your windfall...
You are now her favorite person!
1. I walked up to the town hall to avoid using a stamp or paying the convenience fee to pay my property taxes. I also walked to vote, and to go to the post office.
2. Someone left 18 cans of Fancy Feast cat food on our doorstep. To balance the universe, I just sent 4 bags of catfood to our local shelter. I got 10% off if I used my credit card rewards, so no out-of-pocket cost. I'm also washing some old bedding to bring to an animal hospital.
3. I made it until Nov. 3 to turn on the heat. But, I've programmed it so that it drops to 58 at night and 63 during the day.
4. Needed to replace the backyard teak table and chairs. I found one on FB marketplace for $300, which is far, far cheaper than buying new.
5. Hosting a girls' weekend at my work apartment. I'm shopping the pantry to decide on what to serve for two dinners....
"Girl's Weekend" sound like great fun!
A lot of food-related frugals:
I chopped a bunch of onions that had been hanging around a while and froze them. (I do this wearing my ski goggles, which makes my husband laugh, but it really does keep me from tearing up.)
For breakfast yesterday I made a fruit salad from random fruit that needed to be used up -- a single pear, half a banana, a small apple, some pomegranite arils -- and six pecans that had been languishing in the bottom of the fruit bowl since last Christmas. I finally got around to shelling them and picking out the meat. I topped this with homemade yogurt and some honey.
Dinner was likewise a stir-fry that used up multiple odds and ends -- the last of the frozen shrimp in a bag in the freezer, two tablespoons of garlic butter left over from making garlic bread, some cooked broccoli from another meal, the last small head of bok choi, a carrot, onions and peppers from the freezer and half a lemon that was drying out in the refrigerator. Delicious!
I will be away through dinner tonight, so I will pack a sandwich to take with me and my husband will eat a sandwich here. Cheap and easy.
I like the way you cook!
Me too! I love reading about the fruit salad and stir-fry concoctions.
Both your fruit salad and your stir fry sound delicious!
Maybe I’m a bad person, but I voted NO on my property taxes going up $700. One of my friends finally gave up on Portland and moved to Vancouver, and she’s ecstatic about all the money she’s saving. Another is moving next month. You need to teach the city of Portland how to be more frugal.
I will always vote for parks, school and libraries.
I’m always for schools and libraries, but I’m angry that my neighborhood has no community center. I knew it would pass (because Portland) but I sure wish I felt like my tax dollars were working for me. I make sure my library dollars work for me, but it feels like the rest of it gets squandered by silly people who have no idea how to budget. Anyway, it felt good to vote NO on a tax. I’ll bet they won’t even spend it on parks.
The blog looks fantastic! It's been a couple of weeks since I visited. I did use the subscription to the newsletter pop up, but haven't received the confirmation email in any of my mailboxes yet. It's been about 15 minutes so maybe it will still come.
I've continued being a good non-consumer while away from all the inspiration you provide here!
1) I've been taking full advantage of my public library meeting space, book borrows and Hoopla binge passes for enjoyment. The new binge pass to Puzzmo is my favorite.
2) Extended family is planning to come to town to visit. They are staying in an Air B&B and planned for us all to spend time enjoying the home with a pool (one perk of FL life), game room, etc. In exchange we are making a list of items to loan them while they are here (slow cooker, dog stroller, etc) so we don't eat out or do any unnecessary spending. It will be a super frugal week if we plan it correctly.
3) Bathing/Grooming the dog myself. I did stocked up on organic pumpkin while it's on deep discount for the holiday season. It's his favorite food topper and good for him too!
4) Took my Mom and teen to explore a nearby city we don't often make it to. It was beautiful weather. We enjoyed visiting a nature preserve, an independent book store, a free art installation, a no-entry fee community art house, and ended the day with a walk on the bay in a beautiful no-entry or parking fee county park. We packed snacks and had a very low cost day of entertainment.
5) I've pulled previously gifted puzzles and craft activities from the closets with an intention to use them all this season. I've already completed two puzzles that are beautiful and glued them for decor. I have a gallery wall I'm slowly creating and they were perfect additions. I've completed another that I've passed to my dad who loves difficult puzzles. My teen and I enjoyed an afternoon escape room challenge that we had been gifted. It was fun! I have a a few more items ready for cozy winter night entertainment. I love using what we have and passing it along for others to enjoy.
What great fun! I love how you supplied the AirBnb with a crock pot!
1. I discovered a bring one/take one book exchange area in a shopping centre. The shopping centre is not close to us but I park there once a week at the moment because I'm dropping my daughter to a weekly appointment nearby, so I'm planning on using the book exchange quite a bit in the coming weeks! I really only use the library but somehow still end up with books - mostly books passed on by friends and unusual/rare/interesting books that caught my eye in a charity shop.
2. One of my jog pants had a cuff that was too tight. They were also too long so I decided to cut off the cuff and take up the pants. I will actually be wearing those pants now!
3. My daughter had a fabric covered office chair and the fabric ripped a few months ago. She was still using it but kept complaining about it. When I recently saw a used office chair in great condition in a local charity shop for 20 Euro I bought it for her. I then decided to take her chair instead of my current one as it’s more comfortable. I'm using a coccyx wedge cushion and the rip is completely covered by it. My previous office chair is now up in the attic as a spare.
4. Recent favourite library read: The Undoing (Jean Hanff Korelitz). I know it’s a TV series, too, but I never saw it.
5. Recent expired but still good freebies from my son’s workplace: 4 packets of Keto bread (surprisingly delicious, especially toasted!), 6 packets of gluten free oat cakes, 2 packets of herbal tea
I love the series of office chair demotions!
I shampooed, conditioned, brushed out and trimmed coats on both dogs. Did the old dog's nails, which grow super fast. Clippered our long-haired cat's tushie to keep her clean and trimmed the nails of my son's grouchy old kitty. Gave myself a haircut, using the human tools, of course.
Spent nearly two hours on the phone getting a medical billing issue straightened out, as I refused to pay $755 for a service that was covered by my insurance. In the end, my effort was successful.
I was familiar with the Hilaria clip. You provided a good LOL moment.
Ha, you're the first person to mention my link!