Five More Tiny Frugal Things
by Katy on June 6, 2025 · 42 comments
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I picked up a free Abercrombie & Fitch sweater at last week’s neighborhood garage sale, as it was cotton and I like natural fibers. It was a bit fuzzy, so I pulled out my sweater shaver and got to work. It didn’t actually look that bad, but I was still able to remove a satisfying amount of fuzz.
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I spent a good twenty minutes weeding the parking strip in front of the house, which is a chore I’ve been procrastinating for at least three months. It sure would be nice to have someone else do my least favorite tasks, but it sure is cheaper to do them myself.
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My husband gave away an extra bike that’s been sitting in our garage for a couple of years. We could’ve sold it, but he wanted to do something nice for a friend.
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I watched a YouTube video from Frugal Fit Mom on why “Why looking poor is important in 2025” and paused the video to write down two different quotes:
“Admire, don’t acquire” and “When you try to purchase status through objects, it does not work.”
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I planted six summer squash seeds that I got for free, even though the packet was dated from 2022. Can’t hurt to try!
Katy Wolk-Stanley
“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.”
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{ 42 comments… read them below or add one }
I was able to get several tomato seeds that were about 10 years old to germinate! I also got some starts from a neighbor through my Buy Nothing Group. Aaaaannnnd as usual I have MANY volunteer mystery squash from using compost. Last year squirrels enjoyed a very nice spaghetti squash. I’m hoping that I get at least one squash.
I followed the link and viewed the Frugal Fit Mom episode, first time I’ve seen that vlogger’s stuff. I absolutely loved the people’s country home! So picturesque! Totally worth driving an old dented van to buy that!
When she talked about how it’s better to look poor, it brought to mind a news incident years ago: IIRC, Bill Cosby’s son, a young man at the time, was driving around in a Rolls Royce convertible when he had a flat tire. As he was changing the tire, another young man saw him, was filled with rage, and murdered the Cosby boy. I’ve often wondered whether Ennis Cosby would be alive today, had he been driving a more modest car. Not to blame the victim or anything, but it occurs to me that the expensive car made Ennis a target for crime. Truly a tragedy!
Meanwhile, I had a massive frugal fail, courtesy of Snuggles the dog. Because he shredded the hall carpet, I followed the advice of the dog rescue lady and got Snug a doggie crate. He is supposed to feel content and safe within the crate, she said. The first day, he stayed in his cage OK, although there were some wires bent. Yesterday was the 2nd day I put him in his “doghouse,” as I prefer to call it. I left him with a rawhide chew bone and some dog biscuits to eat. (Snuggles will chomp on a bone for hours at a time, so I figured that’d keep him busy and occupied.)
I ran some errands and then came home only to find Snuggles outside the crate. The crate’s door was still closed and locked, the zip tie was still on it, and there was a very small space that was bent. It did not look big enough for a 42-pound Rottweiler to wiggle through. So I have no idea how Snug accomplished his great escape. Good grief! Houdini has nothing on my Snuggles!
Should I take the (damaged) crate back to the store, or is there some way of fixing the problem? Anyone have any ideas?
Try to return the crate. He’s going to hurt himself, either get strangled by the wire or break his teeth bending it. Many dogs that have been rescued are afraid of crates and associate them with being abandoned. It takes a lot of work getting them accustomed to a crate as a safe place — a den instead of a jail cell — to get them over that.
Is there any way to keep him in the hallway, since he’s already wrecked the carpet?
I have had 3 rescues that did not do well in crates no matter what I tried to make them comfortable in them. I use the taller baby gate to confine them to the kitchen and make sure there is a comfy bed and a selection of toys.
Only two of our many dogs ever adapted to a crate, but baby gates worked great with them. All our dogs were 25 pounds and under, so a regular one worked fine.
When both our dogs were dachshunds, DH built a wooden panel just high enough to keep them in and low enough for the cats to easily jump. It attached to the door frame with screen door hooks and eyes.
One, lots of dogs hate crates. All of mine have.
Two, my former MIL bred boxers, so there were always dogs in crates. One of them was smart enough to learn how to unlatch the crate.
Three, Ennis Cosby was driving a Mercedes and the boy who shot him was waiting for his dealer.
Thanks for the info on why the murderer was at that location. I am familiar with that area and at that time of night it would be dark and deserted.
We have had four dogs over the years, two of them rescues. Not one of them could stand a kennel. One of them would get so upset he would literally do summersaults until he vomited or was set free. The fact that the rescues and non-rescues behaved the same made me think perhaps it was because all of them were giant breeds and somehow they felt being confined more. I finally decided it did not matter, if the dogs hated it I would stop doing it. We have all been a lot happier since! What finally worked for when they absolutely needed to be confined (like, don’t try to paint a wall with an Irish wolfhound who wants to lick the paint off the wall) was that we had a back room with a pocket door. Handy husband took off the top half, so we had only a lower half pocket door. Then he cut in some places the dog could look out of an we used it only when we had to leave one of the dogs—never as discipline or the place he had to go to get treats.
I’ve never quite understood why all my dogs hated crates. Someone said they were field dogs, which, I guess, but my beloved beagle Bertie looooved confined spaces. In the summer he would sleep in our small bedroom fireplace on stone, which I guess was cool but not as comfy as a dog bed. I also had an enormous display cabinet in one room which he loved sleeping under. I guess it waas the locked-in part he hated.
I’m just tired of the conventional wisdom that all dogs love crates because it’s not true.
1. I am staying inside for the second day in a row due to poor air quality from the Canadian wildfires. It’s frugal. I don’t spend anything. And I get things done, like vacuuming and mopping!
2. I have made a free potato into a side dish in three meals — baked, home fries and potato skins. All good!
3. I will be using up the last drop of my retinol night serum tonight. I googled to make sure that it was still a worthy thing to use of a woman of my age. It seems it is, so I will be replacing it when I get to Trader Joe’s again. It’s only $10 there — a real bargain and allegedly just as effective as the expensive versions.
4. I noticed that the caulking is pulling away from my bathtub faucet. I called Bath Fitter, who installed the shower walls last year, and they will come and fix it.
5. My fridge has a residual problem with a draining tube that freezes up. The tube has been replaced, but it’s happening again. Not going with another expensive visit from the repairman — online sources say that this widespread problem is solved by unplugging the fridge for 24 hours. A pain, to be sure, but free.
We had a similar problem with our fridge and we bumped up the temp a couple of degrees and it hasn’t frozen again. I think fridges are safe if kept below 40 so ours now sits on 38 and seems to have solved it
is it a samsung? If so there is a very inexpensive part you can order to fix it. Its a known problem.
It may not be frozen but blocked with a gel of bacteria. Run a pipe cleaner into the hole. I am able to disconnect the drain line on the back of my fridge so can easily pipe clean the connector. I removed gel this morning when I noticed standing water at the drain hole. I have a 2002 Kenmore all refrigerator. They don’t make them to last these days.
Thank you for the tip on the night serum. I’ll have to try it.
I hope the squash seeds germinate! I’ve had good luck with old seed, which I store in a baggie in the fridge from year to year.
I had a few frugal wins yesterday-
1) On Monday, my son’s fiancee asked if I could pick up a bookcase from Buy Nothing for her. It was located in a lake community that is 30 minutes from us. I had her inquire if they would wait until Thursday, as I had a gardening job in the same community then. They could, so I was able to combine trips to save both gas and time.
2) My wife and I finished building a loft bed for our son and his fiancee. They got the wood cut and stained, but weren’t confident in their drilling and bolting skills. We are a multi-generational home and they had been wanting more room in their cramped quarters. A sturdy adult loft bed starts at $1000. The plans for one are $15 and the materials were around $250, so an ample savings!
3) I needed a locking toolbox for my work truck. I drive a little Japanese Kei truck (mini-truck), and standard toolboxes don’t fit the bed. I popped into a thrift store and found a heavy duty locking mechanic’s box at the thrift store for $15 — these are $85+ new! I drilled holes to fit the pre-drilled holes in the truck bed, then bolted it on using carriage bolts left over from the bed project along with an old metal brace we had saved from something or other.
4) I’ve also been on the hunt for new work boots. I prefer older style Keen’s when they still had high arches and wide toe boxes (although I have heard the quality is improving again). I found a pair, in my size, with no wear on them at all, at the thrift store! They had the half-price tag color on, so I was able to get them for $10!
5) I bake our bread on Sundays, but this week we ran out early. Being strapped for time yesterday, I made a loaf of the NYT no-knead bread to get us through the weekend.
I’m recovering from Covid I caught from a selfish family member who has been brainwashed by FOX and Lars Larson into thinking that the Covid vaccine is more dangerous than Covid. Ugh. The fallout includes a nonagenarian who caught it! If you (stupidly) don’t get the vaccine, you’re not just endangering yourself, but everyone around you! Be careful out there. Selfish morons walk among us.
For this reason, my frugal activities have been limited.
1. I’m using the free Covid tests I got from the government before they shut down the free test program.
2. I found two serving bowls in a free pile. I have a stash of these on a shelf in my garage. When I go to a potluck, I’m not terribly worried about whether I get the dish back.
3. I cooked from my freezer this week. I should do it more often, since it’s nice to have the extra room!
4. I found 6 redeemable cans on my evening walk last night. That’s an impressive number these days, since my neighborhood is usually crawling with canners. Now that some of the rules about redeeming cans in Oregon are changing, it’ll be interesting to see if there are more cans up for grabs.
5. None of my friendships are falling apart faster than a cybertruck.
I planted some old “expired” summer squash and zucchini seeds a couple of weeks ago and every. single. one came up. I think they’re pretty indestructible. Now I have to thin the plants out.
Ah, nature! I planted some quite-expired bachelor button seeds and the last of the basil seeds package I have used for at least three previous years. Germination rates are pretty good so far!
Although the packages for name brand seeds look lovely, if I buy seeds, I stick to the Dollar General type generics, figuring that they will be pretty hardy and come in small amounts. I still have volunteer morning glories from DG from several years ago.
1. Had a lovely dinner with a pal who’s going through a tough time. Instead of spending dough on a fun night out after, we went on a looooong walk and talked the whole time. Extra steps, enjoying a nice night, and no extra cost.
2. Traveling for my nieces’ joint birthday party tomorrow. Staying with friends tonight to break up the driving and no hotel room cost.
3. Using up all the ugly vegetables in our fridge for lunch. This will save us two bell peppers, two tomatoes, and a tired onion that I swore were already past their useful life. Low food waste week!
4. Bought what I’m calling my “grocery store refugee” herbs the other week and thought I needed to buy planters for them. Last year I saved the large planter that I had bought a bunch of annuals in, which will do nicely. Going to pick up more potting soil and my poor thyme, sage, and basil (bought at $1 each) will finally be able to stretch their roots.
5. Pushing my luck on installing the air conditioner in our spare room where I work. It’s getting hot but I’m still making do with a fan. The utility bills are insane.
I don’t know where you live, but I live.in Northcentral Pennsylvania (about 1.5 hours north and slightly east of Harrisburg). Husband and I bought 2 louvered adjustable window screens for $25 and put in our bedroom windows. Air gets in; rain stays out. Usually by this time we’ve put in the air conditioner. So far, we’ve stayed cool enough to sleep. Used the air conditioner in the kitchen built into the wall 3 times, and only because I was baking or cooking and it got excessively hot. Current electric bill averaging $65/month and I hope to keep it that way.
FMTFT, Seed Saving and Other Things Edition:
(1) I store seeds in tightly closed containers in the freezer, with plenty of those silica gel drying packs that come with various things (new shoes, some types of pills, etc.). This works great for most seeds; my current records are 15 years for a few types of lettuce and marigolds. Nasturtiums, onions/leeks, and carrots are about my only exceptions–and I even got some 2-year-old carrot seeds to come up this year.
(2) I was torn between grocery shopping and setting out some more transplants this morning, and the transplants won out. Good thing, as a lovely light rain is now watering the transplants. Like the old-time simple living advocates Scott and Helen Nearing, I try to give priority to the weather forecast in planning garden activities. (Living in Maine, they had to.)
(3) Re: the “Why looking poor is important in 2025” theme: Anybody who saw me walking around in my grubbies picking up NY State deposit containers at 6 am would know I don’t have a problem with looking poor. But they might not know that I also have a paid-off house, a paid-for vehicle, zero debt, and reasonably comfortable savings.
(4) And re: the paid-for vehicle: I was talking with my yard/snow guy about my 2010 Honda Element. When he heard that it has only 78.5K miles on it, he whistled and said, “You have a unicorn!”
(5) Finally, I’m not squabbling like a kindergartner with my erstwhile best bud while accusing Russia and Ukraine of doing the same thing.
(4)
Regarding your #5: this IS at least very entertaining. 😉
Pass the popcorn, Kristen!
Re: your #2 — reading the names of Scott and Helen Nearing triggered a memory, and after a simple internet search, I recalled reading “The Good Life” some 10+ years ago. Perhaps it’s time for a re-read. Thanks for the reminder!
probably just a fake squabble to keep them in the headlines and increase their ratings
the reality tv presidency
We had a tornado alert at 4:45 am. First one since we moved to Central Oklahoma
in 11/2020
I spent $10 yesterday at rescue dog garage sale. All but one item was NWT inspired by Katy. I sold a 30 oz. Corkcicle tumbler for $20 on FB marketplace.
Frugal Friday eating from what’s on hand ground pork tacos
1) My freezer meals were getting low and the veggies were piling up so I made a tempeh chili and a green curry which both used a ton of vegetables. I’m now well stocked for work lunches again.
2) Yesterday was the last day of school. I took the day off work and picked the kids up and told them they could choose any fun activity they wanted to celebrate the last day of school. They chose a favorite playground and the library, both free activities and they have a great time! They did want frozen yogurt too, which was the only cost.
3) I’m going to have to pack the kids lunches all summer for camp (during the school year they get free lunch at school) So I went to grocery outlet and found some cheap snacks and lunch items.
4) My son was required to bring an extra pair of clothes to school at the beginning of the year. He didn’t end up using them all year and the pants were now too small for him but had not been worn much since they sat in his cubby all year. Luckily they will fit my daughter so I put them into her drawer.
5) I have a sparkling water habit which is not frugal compared to just drinking tap. I do limit it to one a day at least. Costco had a really low price on 24 packs of la croix though so I bought two 24 packs for about $12, which is normally what three 8 packs cost.
Aldi’s and Walmart both have flavored sparkling water less than $1 per 33.5 oz bottle. A great alternative to soda and the flavors ķeep it from getting boring. Zero calorie, too.
You can also buy just plain club soda and make your own syrups. It’s honestly super easy. Fruit + sugar + water and if desired, add some herbs. Peach & thyme, whatever.
I’m lazy so mostly I fill a large bottle with tap water and then glug in some bottled lemon juice. It works for me.
Just have to add my praise of WinCo. Ours is 40 miles away in Reno. We keep a running list and shop there once a month. I love Tillamok yogurt and can only get it there. There prices can’t be beat on staples or produce. We fill in during the month with our local Grocery Outlet or Costco (milk prices are the best, even though I have a hard time getting through 2 gallons myself before it expires).
Speaking of milk, you can keep drinking it for a week past its sell date.
You can freeze milk.
Why is it that everyone seems to think that those of us who have expensive things in our homes do it because we want to impress people? Maybe for some people but not me.
1. I made 7 Up muffins for breakfast with the gross 7 Up tropical flavor we unfortunately purchased. OK enough but I need to give away the rest of the 12 pack because gag.
2. Finally got the handyman to tinker with my hot tub so it gets hotter than 104. 104 is the hottest any tub will get because–I think there’s a law? But it’s so not hot enough for me. It feels tepid. Using my hot tub is…good for me if not exactly frugal. Sunk cost.
3. Leftovers for din tonight.
4. Sold a huge vintage sign (not the ice cream one).
5. The landscapers didn’t weedwack my pumpkin seedlings, for once.
Expensive things seem incongruous to a frugal blog. Impressive things here are dumpster diving, free piles, thrift stores, or look what I found in the dirt so I don’t know.
Rose,
《Whew》about the ice cream sign! Lol!
I wear expensive shoes because they last longer than cheap shoes and are a better value in the long run.
Adding two pieces of advice from YouTube (in this vein) that sank in for me: “if it had to be marketed to you, you probably didn’t need it to begin with”, via Alyssa Barber (newlifestyleabb) and “we have been trained that the only way to show appreciation for something is to exchange money for it,” but this is a lie, via leenanorms. I recommend both women for anti-consumption and eco-conscious content. Leena also does a lot of book reviews and considers interesting societal topics in a holistic but accessible way.
Oh yes, of course new books are never “marketed to you.” Sure thing. Let me guess, she reviews new (of course nonmarketed books) instead of say, Trollope. Not to mention most of us have to pay for new books instead of reading Trollope which is free.
Rose, it’s possible to take advice that resonates with you and politely quietly ignore the rest. You seem a little hostile.
No idea if this is true or not…….I heard that garden seeds diminish in viability by 10% every year. So, your seeds would have 90% germination success if planted in 2023, 80% if planted in 2024, etc
That is not completely accurate. There are some seeds that drop to almost zero germination after a year, while others are still viable after a decade. It also depends a lot on how they are stored. The best advice I have been given is to take a small number out of the packet of elderly seeds and wrap them in damp paper. Open in a few days to a week, and figure out your success rate. If only 50% germinated, when you plant the real seeds outdoors, plant them closer to each other, figuring you will lose about half of them. If 90% come back, plant as normal.
1. I paid off my new windows and door. Yes, it was no interest for 24 months but I paid it anyway bc I need to put in a sump pump and to much outstanding credit would make me have to pay interest on a loan for the sump pump.
2. I made dried pinto beans and biscuit bread bc I have to build my emergency fund. Of course that is a regular meal for me but I am going to be especially frugal the next few months.
3. I cut my hair. I did a better job that the whack job I did last time… lol.
4. It has hit 91 here and I intend to turn the air conditioner on when temp hits 90. I am trying to run it for only an hour or two and as it cools off in the evening turn air off and raise windows and use fans.
5. I walked in neighborhood.
While dead heading and weeding my front flower bed, I discovered a Japanese maple seedling from my neighbors tree. He had it removed last year because it was dying, and I always admired it. Anyway, it’s in a pot in my backyard and hopefully I will be able to grow it into sapling for transplanting! I was so happy when I found it