Five Tiniest Frugal Things
by Katy on August 3, 2025 · 42 comments
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I stopped into a Goodwill to see if I could find anything to resell or at least photograph for the blog. I found neither and left with my wallet intact. Poor quality crap in the stores = poor quality crap in thrift shops.
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I had more figs than I could possibly eat, so I chopped and froze them for some future mixed-fruit crumble. A couple of them were super squishy, but that’ll be fine in a baked dessert as the texture breaks down anyway. My step-mother’s fig tree is producing a tremendous amount of fruit right now, but there’s only so many fresh figs that I can eat in any given day!
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My daughter was working a later shift than normal, so I brought her some hoisin tofu over rice and a nice chilly can of flavored seltzer to get her through the dinner hour. I don’t normally buy canned water, but I had a pair of coupons for free cases of Polar water seltzers with “$5 purchases” last week.
My $5 purchase was precisely $5 of bulk spicy sausage from the meat counter, which I cooked up and froze for future use.
It’s been nice to have these drinks to offer up to visitors and gave three away yesterday when my husband stopped at the house midway through his work shift. He had two extra people in his vehicle, so I sent him out with a can for each of them.
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My mother’s cherry tomato plant is producing more than she can eat, so she sent me home with a nice big container of my own home grown tomatoes. I have a couple of tomato plants, but I must be doing something wrong as they’re spindly as hell and hardly growing anything.
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This one puts the “tiniest” in “five tiniest frugal things,” but I was getting ready to pull down and launder the curtain in our bathroom, as there’s one side that accumulates cat hair from Zelda jumping up to look out the window. Instead I cut off a piece of packing tape and used it to remove the offending cat hair. The rest of the curtain was fine, so it was just this one spot that appeared dirty. Bing, bang done!
Katy Wolk-Stanley
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We were away for the weekend so there was not a lot frugal to activity.
1. We went to visit relatives and stayed in a hotel using points we earned for opening a Hilton credit card a couple of years ago.
2. We packed snacks for the road.
3. We visited a shopping village my MIL liked to visit many years ago. I didn’t buy anything but enjoyed a bit of looking (and scoffing at the prices).
4. DD traveled with us so mileage, tolls, and hotel were essentially the same as it would have been for two people.
5. We traveled early in the day to beat traffic and somehow saving travel time feels like saving money (or at least your sanity).
1. Cut the husband’s hair.
2. Husband cut my hair.
3. Current self is thanking past self for planting a garden. We are currently overrun with cukes, tomatoes, zucchini, and peas, all but the tomatoes from seeds sourced for free in seed exchanges or door prizes from local garden club meetings. Water is pretty much all I spend on raising them, since I have excellent compost heavy soil that requires little fertilizing.
4. In the last two weeks we have gotten free mystery shop lube jobs on our regular vehicle, as well as the pick up we use only during the summer because we always have some construction project another going. One of the vehicles requires synthetic oil, which is really expensive, but was covered by the shop.
5. Husband collected his various birthday rewards this week, including a free popcorn at the movies (you don’t have to go to a show to get it, so he walked in and out), a free root beer float, and a free 6 inch sub.
A shout out to our credit union. We sent a $1000 check to someone, it was stolen in the mail and whitewashed. When we realized it had been cashed by a party totally unknown to us, we went to the bank, they sent us to the police department to file a report, and within 24 hours they had reimbursed us. THe poor clerk who cashed it had just started so, as the bank manager put it, “Looks like a training opportunity to me.” I was impressed with the fast resolution of the issue.
Coincidentally, I just used a piece of packing tape to pick up popcorn dust from the floor under my desk chair, after eating a big bowlful. I didn’t want to vacuum because lazy. 😉
1. Green beans are coming in–we ate a big serving last night but the next picking will go in the freezer.
2. I did some surveys from my health insurance, and they sent me some gift cards; one I gave to a homeless man for food, and the other I used to buy myself some secondhand books. Free gifts for me!
3. I have been making scratch pads from my used paper, because the other side is still blank. I need to write down my grocery lists and to-dos.
4. I picked up a new gig doing social media management, so I have another chunk of monthly income coming in. Good thing, as I am weary from riding the edge of my bank balance.
5. I am so weary with the barrage of news; it is making me literally crazy. But kittens, gardens, books, walks and music are all on my free list and are saving my sanity.
Nice of you to give away the gift card! The news is something I’ve had to greatly limit as I was physically sick. I know it’s a massive privilege to do that but if I’m not well my family isn’t fed. Congrats on the new gig!
Katy–My cat leaves his black fur on the white shower curtain, too! He likes to go in there and drink drips of water after someone showers. Thanks for the idea to use tape to clean it up. 🙂
I don’t have a recipe, but have heard that a mock strawberry jam can be made from figs. I’m sure there is a recipe out there to be found. Pretty sure it used strawberry jello powder.
Yes, you can make a mock jam with figs and jello. I’ve done raspberry. When I have a glut of figs, I make fig chutney and a fig jam … both are delicious!
The blog Simply Recipes has a recipe for small batch microwave fig jam that is ridiculously easy and can’t be messed up. Fig jam with crackers and cheese is the ultimate snack plate!
Figs are AMAZING on pizza. Tutta Bella in Seattle makes them seasonally and they are out of this world.
https://www.tuttabella.com/news-item/the-calabrese-is-back-and-its-figgin-good/
Just as an example. I’m sure readers can adapt as needed.
Pickled figs are good also…like pickled peaches but figs
Naturally frugal
I have a 7 foot Mexican Rat snake that hangs out around my chicken coop. She eats a few eggs occasionally but that’s much more frugal than rats and mice
BTW…her name is Zelda also.
Oh my. I’m not a fan of snakes but Zelda sounds useful.
I have learned from being a farmer for almost 40 years that I like nonvenomous snakes better than mice and rats. And she’s also good defense against the venomous no necks.
Yum. Fresh figs sound amazing.
1. I got a free large fry when I downloaded the McDonald’s app on my phone.
2. I took my daughter to the library to renew her passport. She was under 16 when her last one was issued making her ineligible to renew online or by mail. They also took her photo which was $10 vs. $15 at Walgreens. Additional bonus, they have weekend appointments.
3. I used a BOGO coupon for concrete mixers (frozen custard) at Culver’s.
4. I treated a grease stain on my shorts before putting them in the hamper. A little baking soda on the spots and then roll them up. It usually does the trick.
5. My daughter has a sore throat as do a few of her coworkers. She used one of my free covid tests. Thankfully it was negative.
We went to the post office for our last passport renewals, but it was a few years ago. They took photos there; don’t remember if there was an additional charge.
I think it’s $15
Received several useful things from Buy Nothing over the last couple weeks:
1. laundry detergent
2. landscape rock
3. body lotion
4. wooden crate
5. soap dish
6. toiletry kit for husband to replace the one that he lost out the window of his truck! In it was an expensive electric razor (which he had to replace new), along with miscellaneous items including nail clippers and a comb. Funnily, the toiletry kit from Buy Nothing contained clippers and a comb. Washed everything and now my husband is back in business.
1. Rather than make coffee at work apartment, I knew that I would pass by a Panera and my free sip club (already cancelled) is still in play. I stopped in for a free ice tea, where I realized the going price is $3.59! I’ve gotten 3 so far, so worth it while it is free.
2. I picked up a quick mystery shop [Lindsey, I think of you every time I do a shop!] for luncheon meat. It took about 10 minutes, and I was able to get $5 worth of food + $9 payout. While I was at the grocery store, I was able to pick up another receipt and scan it into Fetch.
3. Partner brought home a CSA that someone didn’t pick up. It is a special subscription for fruit and corn only. Hello, 1/2 case of corn & 1/2 case of peaches! I’ll turn the peaches into a couple of crisps for upcoming dinner plans, and I’ll make elote for multiple meals, including when I have company.
4. I’m making chicken stock from scraps, and drying laundry on the line.
5. Our house lock was really difficult to use the key. My partner’s immediate solution was to call a locksmith. I told him he was crazy, in that it is super easy to swap out door handles (and I did the last swap) but, first, we should try WD40. Sure enough, a quick spray, and the issue is completely resolved.
Frugal fail: I was driving back from my work apartment to home (3-hour commute), and I always stop at BJ gas, which is about halfway between the two. After filling up ($2.65 per gallon), I got back on the Mass Turnpike, and only realized that I drove in the wrong direction when I was BACK IN NY! (50 miles each way). I blame it on the audiobook I was reading! (Deborah Crombie’s series)
I once did the same thing but drove an hour in the wrong direction before I realized. Now that I use Google Maps that doesn’t happen anymore. GPS is a godsend for directionally challenged people like me!
Let’s consider it a quirk for people named Beth (my real name).
I have done it too.
I’ve TOTALLY done that AND my name is Beth! Lol
Ha! Years ago I knew an old couple (like 70’s or so). Their one son had moved his family to New Hampshire decades before. (Maybe because I almost set grandson on fire at a Christmas Eve candlelight service? Never give kids in choir robes lit candles!) Anyway, couple always argued in their old age, so when they traveled, husband drove, wife sat in back seat – tjey never talked during trips. They stopped somewhere between PA and NH for gas. He’s filling up the car and she got out of the car to use the restroom. He didn’t knowshe got out. He drove off and was about an hour down the road before he realized she wasn’t in the car. RIP Jim & Lillian.
My frugal are also of the tiniest variety today.
1) My SIL gave us a bag of nuts and a nutcracker for Christmas. Once the novelty wore off, the bag of nuts has just been sitting on top of the fridge untouched. I thought of throwing it away because of the effort involved but instead of slowing cracking my way through them and using them in my daily oatmeal. It is very tedious though!
2) I eat hummus with veggies as a snack almost everyday. Usually raw veggies like carrots, celery, radish, bell pepper. I belatedly discovered how good roasted veggies can be dipped in hummus though. I roasted some zucchini and beets (not so much to make them soft, still need to be firm enough to dip) and they taste great in hummus. Now I have a way to use up more veggies and get more variety.
3) Ate a single small tomato off my plant, the first of the season, tasted great so I can’t wait for more to ripen.
4) My sister is also getting interested in a plant based diet, we are going to exchange books on the topic (I got most from the library but I do own a few that I will lend to her, including one that belonged to our grandfather and has his notes and highlights written in it which I think she will especially enjoy)
5) Coffee brewed at home this morning and made a pitcher of cold brewed hibiscus tea
Love hibiscus tea. I make it with cinnamon chips and ginger.
Growing up, we just had a bowl of nuts and a cracker on the table for after dinner, to crack and eat while we chatted. It’s meditative and keeps the hands busy, taking the place of spendier snacks.
My town sponsors a “city-wide” yard sale weekend, which was this weekend. My niece has a small store in a different state where she sells vintage goodies and furniture. She came up for it with my grandniece, and my daughter and I went yard saling with them. We had a great time! I budgeted $106 for the whole weekend of sales, and I came home with $35! Plus I mostly stuck to my list – I found some good quality toys and clothes for the grandbaby, a couple shirts for myself, golf balls for my husband, and some miscellaneous things. I tried very hard to not just buy junk, but to be thoughtful about what I brought into the house. I made a big pot of chicken alfredo for all of us to eat on Friday; a fancy meal that is super easy and pretty inexpensive.
My son is going for an interview this week for a new job, so we picked him up a couple nice polos. With coupons, they were $12 and change from the sale price of $20.
I’m working overtime (again) today.
That’s about it. Nothing too exciting.
1. I went out to lunch with a friend and brought my leftovers home in my doggie bag kit. Only a few stares — from my friend and the waiter specifically.
2. I haven’t eaten the leftovers yet because I forgot about them. However, I have plans for them tomorrow!
3. Checked the little free pantry and brought home a yellow squash and a box of mac and cheese.
4. Returned a book to a little free library and picked up a book on hold at the big library.
5. My son works for the BLS and is a key player on the jobs report, one of many. I sent him a supportive, commiserating text message, and he responded positively, saying the avalanche of attention may actually inspire bipartisan support for the work of the Bureau. Also, he says the interim commissioner will do well in the role. Sigh of relief — at least until tRump finds someone utterly unqualified to fill the permanent position. (My son didn’t say that, I did.) What does this have to do with frugality? Well, he says that deliberately sowing distrust in the statistics that inform the country’s economic outlook could well disrupt markets and valuations, so I say we’d better keep on being frugal!
Thank you for telling us about your son and for his work and for raising him to be an ethical person!
I am not in a position to do much that seems of substance, but I make it a priority to thank the government workers who I rely on in ways I don’t know, especially the managers who keep on going when all is blowing up around them.
Gina from NY, we are still cheering for you.
I say we all buy lip balm (as frugally as possible) to our respective legislators so they can keep kissing tRump’s “rump.”
The tattoo I just got is positive motivation for me; however, tRump must have bear me to the tat I said I would get if I ever had the money (I have another small one on my chest.)
What would I get? A “tramp stamp” of a garland of mistletoe. (Think about it….)
The Orange Ogre obviously beat me to it.
Lol
Not buying any lip balm
PLEASE TELL YOUR BLS SON TO JOIN NARFE.
National Assn of Retired Federal Employees.
I joined probably 15 years before I retired. No one else will look out for us!
Commented in the wrong place. Please tell your son to join NARFE – National Association of Retired Federal Employees. I joined 15 years before I retired. They have great advice and no one else looks out for us like NARFE does.
Such a cheerful (dare I say cheery?) photo of the cherry tomatoes. Made me smile!
Found 50 cents while filling the car at the gas station.
Stopped at a free pile and came away with children’s sized hangers. I’d been needing those a while.
Packed snacks and bottled water for a mini vacation. Thanks for the idea! Brought all the complementary bottled water and tea bags home from our trip. Refiled our bottles for the ride home.
Borrowed a suitcase from my folks for our trip, rather than buy one.
I bought one new to me shirt for the trip at GW, $7. All my other tops were previous thrifts. Picked up a large, reusable water bottle for $7 as well.
My folks watched our son and did a few farm chores while we were away. It was much appreciated. Came home to a garden finally coming into its own and producing. Sent eggs and corn home with the folks. They’ll head to Cali to visit my brother this month and I’ll do their chores then.
Our fig trees are also going crazy. We have been giving so many away. It is a good problem to have.
1. Hubby and I went to a free car show this morning. It was beautiful weather. We each brought our Britta water bottles with us.
2. The car show was right near the mall so we went there after. I had a coupon for a free product at Bath and Body Works. I told Hubby to pick out a body wash for me for Christmas. I have another coupon for the end of the month and I will get him one for Christmas with it.
3. On the way home we stopped at several garage sales. Hubby bought a tool. I didn’t get anything. I did notice a Rubbermaid deck box by the curb a few doors down. The man was putting more stuff at the curb. We took it home. Hubby washed it up and it now has a bunch of our seat cushions stored in it. They had been piled on top of hubby’s work bench in the shed. I also took a flower pot.
4. Hubby made simple syrup and burgers. I made muffins, hard boiled eggs and dog food. We had leftover sides to go with the burgers for dinner. We had leftover pizza for lunch.
5. Bills were paid online. It saves us the cost of stamps.
6. My son came and did his laundry. He hung everything outside. He helped me clean my car inside. I gave him my empty bottles since he said he was going to do his own. I also sent him home with muffins, figs and 2 tomatoes. We played a few rounds of Sequence while he was here.
I have 2 cats & dreaded the summer and their shedding. My husband used his hair clippers & removed their outercoat. (They are short haired cats.) They still have fur, but the shedding is much less. It also helped with hairballs that they heave up from time to time. I think they are cooler too although they are indoor cats. I checked w/ Petco & they charge 80$ to shave one cat. No way am I paying that. The DIY worked just fine. The cats were mostly cooperative & did not seem to mind with their new haircuts. They also got a mani & pedi w/ nail clipping.
If I had it to do over I would only have Sphinx cats
Tiny Frugal Things …
1. I used at home supplies to make a thank-you card for a student who mailed me a hand made gift.
2. I organized the pantry and fridge and made my meals today all based on priority foods that were in danger of expiration.
3. I watched my favorite YouTube Sunday episode for free entertainment while folding clean laundry. Linen napkins and hand towels that have saved me tons of money over the years!
4. I planned for one of my tutoring lessons this week by creating a game using items I already had on hand. A little creativity and a free to us new learning experience.
5. I scrubbed and polished my decade + old crock pot to make feel it sparkly new.
My five frugal things:
1. A huge pain in the rear but hubby is getting reimbursed from Sunoco. He had rented a truck and stopped on the NJ Turnpike to get gas and the attendant (we don’t have self pump) put diesel in it instead of unleaded. Sunoco is reimbursing for the tow truck, over night yard storage, fee to drain the tank and 2 Uber trips. It’s about $2K in all.
2. I got a free scratch pad from a charity. I think I have enough to last me the rest of my life.
3. Also got free address return labels from a charity. No, I do not send them a donation. I have my own charities that I know of and give to.
4. With our burgers tonight (made of on sale ground beef) we had fried cubed potatoes that came out of hubby’s garden.
5. Monitoring the air conditioning as it has cooled down after another wicked heat wave.
1) I picked up some tin ceiling panels from Buy Nothing that may or may not work for a kitchen backsplash. If not, they’ll go back to BN. On the way home, curb-picked a plastic drawer unit for the garage and struck up a conversation with the homeowner, who was holding his newborn grandson. He offered me a redundant baby bouncer that I’ll put on BN.
2) Spent an afternoon with my bonus daughter and grandson. He’s doing wonderfully and is wildly excited about books, screeching with excitement at the turn of a page. Best possible use of my time.
3) On the way home, stopped by Kroger, checked the clearance shelves and picked up some BOGO chicken breast in a larger, cheaper size not available near us. These went right into single-meal baggies for the freezer and the Instant Pot, using the zero-minute method for chicken salad, curries, etc.
4) My son is about to have jaw surgery, so I’m pulling together the useful things bought in preparation, from food to comfort items, and have cleared my schedule. He’s met his deductible for the year, so it’s paid for.
5) I didn’t move my former bestie’s girlfriend, a convicted abuser, to a luxury prison with no cameras for no particular reason.
1. Dehydrating & canning figs at a fever pitch. They’re free from a neighbors tree…they don’t eat them.
2. Made more goat cheese. Own milk goats.
3. Bought turkey breast on great sale. Canned the meat.
Turkey carcass cooking into broth to can. Cats will get strainings.
4. Weather cooled..no AC running for 3 days.
5. Discount red onions for $1. Making pickled red onions to can…plenty of all else needed in pantry.
I just love all the suggestions that I see here!
1. My husband is on staff at our church and he brought home leftover snack food from game night, vegetable and fruit trays. I used the red grapes and celery to make chicken salad, and the carrots and snap peas went into vegetable soup. I also cut up cantaloupe that I got on sale at HEB, made blueberry muffims and banana bread with fruit that was on its last leg, so it was a productive day in the kitchen.
2. It is blisteringly hot here in Texas, so I’m keeping all the blinds closed. I really miss seeing outside, but I can tell it keeps the house cooler.
3. We put a thermal wrap across the back of the house, (where our bedroom is) as it faces west and it made a big difference.
4. I try to grocery shop just once a week, and started writing the amount spent on my fridge calendar. I know that groceries are costing more, so I’m trying to see what I actually spend each month and see what costs can be cut.
5. My husband takes coffee to work every day, and I brew tea and take it. We both pack lunches, today I had chicken salad, and he had vegetable soup.
This isn’t cost savings, but we donated school supplies to our local elementary school, and sent donations to Kerrville for those recovering from.glash floods. Being careful with our money, means you also are generous with those in need.