Five Not So Tiny Frugal Things
by Katy on November 19, 2024 · 8 comments
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I repaired my Birkenstock suede clogs using the last of two tubes of super glue and a couple of clamps. My sister gifted me these shoes maybe ten years ago, as they were too big for her, but the suede disconnects from the sole every so often. However, it’s just a matter of gluing them back together to get another year or so of use. Somewhat annoying, but time is going to pass either way, I might as well use fifteen minutes of it to keep these handy clogs in circulation.
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I signed up for a seven-day free subscription to the Hallmark channel through our Roku box, as I wanted to watch a specific movie. I then went into my account to “unclick” the auto-renewal. <– This is key to all those “free trials!”
The goofy part is that the movie I’d wanted to see, (Confessions of a Christmas Letter, starring The Office’s Angela Kinsey) was actually streaming over on Peacock, which we get for free through Verizon. Oh well . . . At least Hallmark always has a handful of Chanukah movies, which I feel contractually obligated to watch.
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I helped my son sell his $30 West Elm chair for $110. It’s easier for me to meet with potential buyers, so he lists just his things through my Marketplace account. He works a 9-5 job that doesn’t allow him to have his phone on him, (corporate espionage issues) so I’m happy to help. He sources his own inventory, takes his own photos and then lists by himself; I just do the communication if he’s at work and I meet with buyers at the house. Team effort, bay-bee!
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I got sucked into Simplysarahhart’s Instagram food prep reels, as she uses something called Super Cubes, which are silicon molds that allow you to meal prep single servings in a cuboid form. (I guess they were on the Shark Tank TV show, but I’m always little behind the times.) I looked them up and holy crap are they overpriced! Think $70 for a set of four for what is essentially a reconfigured ice cube tray!
However . . . my husband owns a pair of big silicon ice cube trays, (fork for scale!) so I used one to freeze some leftover pumpkin pancake batter. I then popped out the batter cubes, which are now stored in a ziploc freezer bag. I really like the concept of this product, but I’m not one to overspend. I guess I’ll start keeping an eye out at Goodwill and figure out how to use what I already have on hand.
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I didn’t buy a vulgar gold plated apartment in the sky!
Katy Wolk-Stanley
“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.”
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{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
I watched that Hallmark movie also! (On my free Peacock account) Because Angela Kinsey was in it, it was my first Hallmark Christmas movie!
Aldi had their version of “souper cubes” in the aisle of shame last spring, for a MUCH cheaper price – i have it and works great!
Found a dime at the gas station – into the found money jar!
Monday was our monthly luncheon at work, i was able to get 2 lunches out of mine as they were big servings.
A friend made soup and brought me some!
I used some E-6000 glue to glue the rake back into the handle. It rake kept coming out, so I looked for my tube of E-6000 and glued it back together and hung it in the shed where it will hopefully stay until spring.
I found a paper craft snowman that I can cut with my cutting machine as small gifts to give some acquaintances for Christmas. I have all the paper needed and the pattern cost me $3.00 from Etsy. I still have to buy some battery operated tea lights, but I have to find some inexpensive ones before I purchase them. And maybe a batch of cookies to go with the snowman.
1- Two little stitches and a dress that my sister was ready to give up on is back in circulation.
2- I’m knee deep in making Christmas pjs from recycled patterns and thrifted materials.
3- I made it through a month of jury duty with zero take out/ restaurant dinners with tons of meal prep and teamwork.
4- I’ve figured out how to alter a dress I made earlier to make it fit better- now I just need to find the time. I’ll get to it after the pj rush.
5- Still taking the bus, packing my lunch and making my coffee. It’s those constant little things.
Given how much soup we make/ eat, I need to keep an eye out for one of those gizmos. I hate tying up that many little plastic containers in the freezer. . .
I remembered to look for a coupon on something I ordered online, as it is not available locally in stores. Googled: Name of Company Coupon. Got free shipping.
Remade half of my Mexican restaurant lunch into a soup that is one of my favorite comfort foods. Dump everything uneaten from my plate into the container I quietly bring from home, (the restaurant provides styrofoam for doggy bags–hate that!). Prepare it by adding a can of chicken broth and heating.
Inventoried our major appliances. We know we will need some replacements in the next few years, yet even with discussion of future tariffs, don’t want to replace anything that is still working well.
Put all my outdoor flower pots away, except for the one with nasturtiums, which flowered late but are still blooming.
Appreciate the frequent postings here! You are helping me balance discussion of future uncertainties with routines and consistency and creativity and common sense. Thank you, Katy and all!
A friend recommended the real Souper cubes and I about fainted at the price. The slight difficulty of getting stuff out of our set of inexpensive shallow freezer cartons works for me.
I went to book club yesterday evening and had a great time for the cost of two used paperbacks. We had a rainy day today for the first time since Hurricane Helene, so I stayed home and did stuff around the house. My son needs new tires, wheel covers, and body work done on his car, and today I bought a set of wheel covers on eBay. Air dried some laundry.
Good job mom on the team effort. My youngest daughter does the same thing but she does pickup when I am around so she doesn’t have to do it alone.
1. My 2013 outback needed some work on it. I had seen a coupon for our mechanic and put it in my purse. I used it when we went to get it. It was 10% off services. $116.30 still in my pocket.
2. I went to the gas station a 1/4 mile further then our closest one to save 15¢ a gallon. They do cash for cheaper.
3. I found a penny at the gas station.
4. I brought leftovers for lunch to work with me.
5. I am down 15 pounds. Saving money on less snacks and hopefully future medical bills.
I am newly retired and have a strong plan for this “4th quarter” of my life. Success will be a life of Health, Service, Joy and Love. I am using some Frugal tools to pursue these goals.
1. I am listening to David Allen’s “Get Things Done” audiobook from Libby. A project, according to him, is anything that requires more than one step. Already I have identified the most important project I have through the holidays: Lower my A1C by dropping 5% of my weight through diet and exercise. I can work on other projects but NOT if they interfere with my primary project. $0 spent.
2. Everyday I identify the next immediate steps of projects. Today was TRX class (free with DH gym subscription) and a second opinion A1C test. Quest offers a fairly inexpensive A!C test without Dr’s note. I have an HSA high deductible which means I pay for a doctors visit and $200 for any lab. $32 spent.
3. One of my long term projects is to create stronger family ties especially with the “grand” generation. I was a music teacher (among other subjects) for 35 years. I housed my mother in law’s piano when she passed. I have contacted my nieces and nephews and offered free music lessons if they house the piano. I will then move my mom’s piano to my house in preparation for losing the Steinway when my 22 yo son finds a “real life” first home. Spent: $0 for offering lessons. $250 for piano movers which is well worth launching another 9 littles into the world of music.
4.Towards my service commitment and in honor of our good friends boy who just died of a drug overdose at 18, I am sponsoring more young people in the AA program. I am 37 years sober and have a way with the younger generation. I am uniquely qualified for this work. : Spent: the odd coffee at a coffee shop. Less than $10 a week.
5. In terms of the ” Love” project, I am trying to find ways to strength the relationship with my husband. We are empty nesters. Also, no two people could possibly be more different in terms of common interests, world view and love languages. So I need to be sure to intentionally find activities for us. Hubby use to be a fight fan and wanted to watch the Mike Tyson debacle. We don’t have Netflix. I called a couple who does and we enjoyed socializing with the homemade brownies I baked with leftover ingredients. Spent: $0
5.
1. My sister did my hair and makeup for a gala we attended on Friday. She gave me the foundation as it was a better match for me than her.
2. Rode to the dog show with a friend. Neither of our dogs won
3. Spent yesterday digging thru pockets, backpacks and purses looking for gift cards or money. All I found was 3 cough drops, 2 eye glass cleaning wipes and a small bottle of hand sanitizer. I used the hand sanitizer to clean the hard surfaces in the bathroom
4. Took advantage of the sun today to air dry 3 bath rugs
5. Sold an item for a friend. I dropped off the mailing label and her proceeds.