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I hosted a birthday dinner for my step father’s 74th birthday and kept the menu on the frugal side. I served marinated chicken quarters, (89¢/lb) salad, fried rice, roasted carrots and a scratch cooked pumpkin cake with cream cheese frosting.
This marinade recipe is from Frankie Celenza’s Struggle Meals YouTube channel and is in frequent rotation here at Casa Wolk-Stanley. It wouldn’t be cheap to buy all the ingredients at once, but I pretty much have everything on hand at all times. Measure with your heart and you can’t go wrong.
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I used my homemade frozen pumpkin purée for the cake, which added extra moisture and made up for the off-ness of the gluten-free flour. There were two gluten-free guests so I was strict with my ingredients, but I still cooked from scratch.
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I chatted with an author at my friend’s birthday party, and we ended up talking about one of her favorite books. (Geek Love) I happened to have an extra first edition on my bookshelf, so I sent it out to her in today’s mail.
I used Pirateship.com for discounted shipping.
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• My husband gave some unused baseball catcher’s equipment to a friend, saving him the cost of buying new.
• I’m sadly having to return to Nebraska for another family memorial service, so I pulled out the Master Travel List that I created last summer. This list should help keep the travel experience as organized as possible and avoid buying items I already have at home.
• I put up the hand crocheted “Happy Birthday” banner that my sister gave me as a Chanukah gift last year. Reusable birthday decor for the win! Click HERE to see it. -
I didn’t thrift any tiny Lear Jets.
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{ 61 comments… read them below or add one }
I am so sorry for your loss.
Great idea on keeping that list of things to pack. We travel overnight to our son’s so I keep a packed bag of toiletries so I don’t have to re-pack or remember what I have to take.
Yes, I keep a toiletry kit ready to go, although I’ll double check just in case.
Katy, I’m sorry to hear about the death in your family and hope you have safe travels. Our packing lists look very similar.
1. I just returned from Trader Joe’s, where I saw one of their paper bags in the parking lot, run over several times. Brought it home and used it to line my garbage pail.
2. In the bulk bins at a different grocery store, walnuts and cashews were on sale for $4.00 off per pound ($5.99 vs. $9.99), so I stocked up on both. Luckily I had extra bags with me so I didn’t generate any waste by purchasing extra.
3. Chose the lunch special when out to lunch with family, saving about $4 from my other choice.
4. Found more new poop bags on my walks in the park. Some people find change, I find poop bags. Although I did find a quarter on the walking track this week.
5. Signed up for a local restaurant’s loyalty program where I earn 1 point for every $1 spent and receive a $5 discount for every 100 points I redeem. This is gonna take a while, although the offer did include a signup bonus of 25 loyalty points.
I love that you brought home a road kill bag for reuse!
Me too.
Katy, I’m so sorry to hear of another loss for you. Have safe travels.
Thank you.
I am sorry to hear the sad reason for your trip.
1. Today I sent off a birthday gift for free by waiting until I had another post office mystery shop.
2. The gift was a used book from a series this person is starting to collect. I paid $2.00 and it is in pristine condition.
3. Another beach towel was fraying so I cut it up, the husband sewed up the edges, and now I have some very serviceable wash clothes.
4. One of the items our coming friend gave us was a case of Top Ramen. I have written down some ideas for ramen-based dinners and we are going to eat one a week until the case is eaten.
5. Came home hungry and instead of stopping at a fast food place, I made a quick meal of homemade tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches.
Thank you, luckily I got to see my 82 year old aunt almost every year over the past five years or so. She will be greatly missed.
I saw a recipe for a Thai peanut ramen recipe. I think that would be fun to try.
I have made this Thai recipe twice. The first time it was wonderful. The second time it was like a giant peanut butter ramen ball. Not sure what happen. I ate anyway, and it was delicious.
Lindsey, I love your washcloth suggestion: I am totally going to try that!
Condolences on your loss. I lost my last great aunt/uncle when I was 57. Pretty much only saw her at funerals but the end of a generation is hard.
Now I have to ask – what IS it with Aldi’s? We have a lot of them in our area (and for a long time). I think we’ve been there twice (closest one). Neither of us see it as a weekly shopping place. Is it just perusing for good deals? Family member stops there for turkey brand/price.
I know many people swear by Aldi as a budget friendly grocery shopping destination. I personally find their produce to be cheaper but also “off”. I would rather pay a little more for better quality. Some of their European sourced treats ((chocolate, cookies) are nice.
I know someone who worked there (2 different locations) and found the workplace to be dysfunctional and a sweat shop (they have since thrived at Trader Joes) so that has colored my perception of Aldi. I prefer to shop where employees are treated well.
I was not impressed by the Aldi near me for many of the reasons you have stated. I decided it wasn’t worth the drive. I know that I’m in the minority. I know many people who love it.
Perhaps the stars will align and we will be able to treasure hunt together one day. I can’t think of anything that I would enjoy more.
I’m so sorry for your loss. I love the birthday banner. I see that as something that could be used for generations.
1. I broke out a new bar of soap and melded the old sliver to the new one Amy Dacyczyn style.
2. I used my HSA account to pay for my dental cleaning. I also received my free toothbrush, floss and tiny toothpaste. I like to save the toothpastes for traveling.
3. I combined errands yesterday. I picked up some groceries after the dentist appointment. I used mperks rewards and several mperks coupons at Meijer.
4. My daughters and I made my Mom a birthday cake. It used brewed coffee in the recipe. I reheated the leftover coffee and drank it the next morning.
5. Frugal Win & Fail – I bought restaurant gift cards at Meijer which paid me $15 in rewards points. I planned to use some of these at the restaurant my mother chose for her birthday dinner but the restaurant had a soccer team come through at the same time so we went to another restaurant rather than wait.
I am sorry for your loss, Katy. Wishing you and your family peace and comfort. Safe travels.
The last two weeks have been a chaotic, unorganized, unplanned, unexpected and expensive. But as always, there are positives.
1. I attended my book club meeting. We read The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store – a brilliant book with many layers, but HEAVY! Book Club is always frugal and it’s wonderful to spend time with friends while talking about books. However, I am now in search of some light reading after digesting too many books that are emotionally difficult. Any suggestions?
2. I went to an estate sale down the street from me this past weekend. I spent approximately $40 on items for resale and a few items for myself for this house had some English antiques. My $40 purchase included:
* a 5 X 7 sterling silver picture frame
* four 19th century Staffordshire blue & white transferware plates
* 2 Copeland Spode bowls
* silk scarf NWT
* a set of 4 Rummers
* new kitchen glasses
* silver polish
* a hardback, design book
* a vintage 100% cotton nightgown.
3. I sold an item on eBay and listed a few new things. See above.
4. I bought toliet paper and paper towels from Target and received a $15 promotional gift card.
5. I accepted a large head of butter lettuce from my DIL who grows salad greens hydroponically. I used my HSA card to buy my prescription and pay for a doctor’s visit. I have been drinking primarily filtered water and home-brewed coffee. I have scanned my receipts to Fetch – no iBotta offers were available. I am reading a library book.
Wishing all good health and prosperity.
Bee, not for the first time, I wish we lived near enough to each other to be treasure-hunting buddies. Great scores at the estate sale!
Bee March 6, 2024 at 7:48 am
Perhaps the stars will align and we will be able to treasure hunt together one day. I can’t think of few things that I would enjoy more.
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I can think of few things that I would enjoy more. I have a cold and my head is cloudy. 🙁
Elinor Lippman, Jennifer Weiner, Emilie Richards–to clear your brain after Heaven and Earth.
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Thank you for the recommendations. I just downloaded On Turpentine Lane by Elinor Lippman.
I am selective as to what I pay for out of my HSA. I duly mark each eligible item as reimbursed/not reimbursed. There is NOT time limit on HSA reimbursement. There may come the day I go through my files and reimburse myself, tax free. Hence it royally ticks me off when I pay for crap care out of my HSA. My goal is having a healthy balance once I retire. At some point here soon (whether I think my time on this side of dirt is short or not), will make sure I go through my files and reimburse myself. Thus the kiddos won’t get zinged with taxes.
1. I am wearing jewelry to work that I don’t normally wear. There are three reasons wardrobe items fall out of rotation: forgotten, laziness (require effort like a certain tank underneath or mending) and incompatibility. Regarding the last category: some things just don’t work at the subconscious level so I don’t choose them. If I find things are in the this category this month, I am going to put them up for resale.
2. Two teachers have benefitted from my “victory lap” last two months of teaching. One teacher got six monopoly games complete with EBAY found speed dice. Kids play three days straight with different rules: free market, robber baron, and communist. The other teacher got desk maps and pens.
3. I put my matured cd back into 4% two month new cd. I made $64 last round, I will make $75 this round. This action will not fund the upcoming events you will see as #4 and #5 but many of these actions over time will fund my luxuries.
Keeping it real:
The rest of the week is not frugal but it is planned and well enjoyed:
4. I am taking Thursday and Friday off to ski the new powder and use my last Ikon ski day. I have no more sick days due in part to some trauma I experienced at school. Friday is a “no student day” so it is a good opportunity to take a breath while not worrying about the students. I will have to pay difference pay of $170 each day. This is why I have an emergency fund. My health comes first.
5. Sat and Sunday I am going to a bday weekend with the girls to celebrate the number 60. We have planned this for literally 6 months. We have spa appts, sushi and a movie. We are staying at my friend’s home. I have the money in my “entertainment fund” I have been building in my budget program.
Your monopoly game sounds intriguing, Ehat are the differences in the rules?
The free market rules are the regular game rules with a few modifications to speed it up for an 1 1/2 hour class. I teach that American dream is we all start out equal with money and we all follow the same rules with a little government intervention like a few tax cards and common prison policy. The next day I change the rule to reflect the 1900s Robber Barons who had such a monopoly it crushed small business and often human rights. There are 4 classes of people who start with four different amounts of money, the wealthy class class
can plus or minus their dice role and borrow from a trust fund. Lower classes are prohibit in buying in certain neighborhoods. ( ghettos) The kids really feel the need for government policy to protect from these abuses. ( There was very little intervention back then – child labor, no environmental or worker protections, etc. . . ) The American dream of starting with nothing and making your way to success was nearly impossible. Day 3 is an over compensation of government intervention: 65% tax rate of all income, complete rent control, all revenue goes in the middle of the board. Profit incentive is little and the kids become cranky and discouraged. If someone can’t pay their rent, they use the government money so no one goes bankrupt but then I also talk about the extreme “socialist/ communist) economy” usually becomes corrupt and only lines the pockets of the billionaires in China and, of course, Putin himself.
Mary Ann, what a great teaching tool! Teachers are so smart.
Very creative. I will never look at a Monopoly game the same way again.
Re your number 4: I’m so sorry for what you went through. Teaching shouldn’t have to be so high risk and require such heroic efforts.
RE Monopoly variations: Very creative indeed! If only this reflected reality: >> we all start out equal with money and we all follow the same rules <<
Would also love to see an adaptation that demonstrates “middle-out economics”.
Katy, I’m so sorry for your loss. Also glad to hear you’ve been able to have visits with your aunt over the years. The generations before us are very special and dearly missed, but sweetly remembered. Safe travels to you.
I also have a travel list and it makes my life easier.
1. I sold a minion costume on Facebook Marketplace. With the movie coming out I relisted it.
2. I made banana nut muffins with bananas from the freezer.
3.Hubby is making shelves for his new closet. He priced a premade set and him doing it himself is so much cheaper.
4. My big shopping order was mostly tuna on sale 10 for $10. Ibotta had a rebate also. I always keep tuna in the house for quick easy lunches.
5. My sister told me about the show The Gilded Age on HBO. I am enjoying it so far.
Katy, I join everyone else in condolences on the loss of your aunt. It’s never easy. And best wishes for safe travel.
Now, FTFT, One Cast-Iron Pan and Four Very Tiny Things Edition:
(1) My next-door neighbor was delighted with the winter boots I bought her at the Salvation Army on Monday, which are in very good condition and fit her very well. When she mentioned payment, I suggested barter: There’s been a cast-iron skillet on top of her refrigerator gathering dust ever since I’ve been visiting the house regularly. She seemed pleased to get rid of it, and I was delighted to have it. It had rust and a couple of scratches, but I’ve de-rusted it and am working on re-seasoning it. (And it’s one of those extra-deep Wagner Ware skillets described as a “chicken fryer.” So an experiment with fried chicken may be in my future.)
(2) I just finished another gallon jug of vinegar, so I’ve rinsed it out, filled it with tap water, marked it with the fill date, and added it to my water stash in the basement. Given my Rust Belt city’s Antiques Roadshow water system, it’s a good idea to store some H2O in case of a major main break (never mind the zombie apocalypse).
(3) For Xmas last year, my other next-door neighbor gave me (among other things) two small bottles of a product marked as a combination shampoo and body wash. In my experience, these combos are rarely satisfactory–and I did have an empty pump bottle for hand soap. So I decanted one of these into the pump bottle and diluted it with water, and it’s working well enough as hand soap.
(4) The dried mealworms I bought at Ollie’s as a bird-feeding experiment seem to be attracting only starlings, who think they’re filet mignon. So I’m passing on the remaining mealworms to friends who live in more bluebird-friendly terrain, since bluebirds also think that mealworms are filet mignon, and I’d rather help bluebirds than starlings.
(5) And I’ve found a dime and two pennies so far in March. Every little bit helps.
I’m sorry to hear of your loss, Katie. I hope your many years of memories bring you comfort.
1. My husband is moderating a school event tonight (paid), and I managed to get dinner in the crockpot tonight. I’ve been trying to get this recipe in the crockpot for about a week now, so I’m really happy for success.
2. Continuing patching my husband’s jeans as a hobby. I am inspired by sashiko style needlework, so I overlay the patches with geometric or random designs. He’s happy to have pants with no holes, and the kids at school are impressed by his sense of style — a double win. Best of all, I don’t have to find new jeans for him!
3. Picked up a movie from the library last night. Continue to watch Doc Martin from the library. We canceled our Britbox subscription because we have plenty of other stuff to watch.
4. The extended family finally decided to stop giving gifts for birthdays, except for the babies. We have our first no-gifts party Saturday. (I still need to make cards.)
5. I continue to knit socks while I’m subbing. Soon, I’ll use up all my yarn! I will have a pair to take to my son as a part of his Easter toiletries bag, and I’m hoping to have a second pair done before we leave.
Re: your #4 It can be quite controversial among gift givers in a family, but years ago we started doing this among my family and the amount of stress relief is immeasurable. When my husband and I were first dating he let me know that he doesn’t exchange gifts for holidays or birthdays and at that moment he didn’t realize he had met the right woman 😉
My mother was mentally ill and our Christmases were fraught with drama. One of her favorite tricks was buying the kids Christmas presents, smashing them up, wrapping them and then when we opened them telling each of us a list of bad behaviors that made Santa mad enough to smash our gifts. When she left, the first stepmother used to purposely buy me clothing that was too small to “encourage” me to lose my chubby fat. There were other weirder things, too. My husband heard about this history, from my sister since when I met him I was afraid to tell him what a crackpot house we lived in (my father was sane, luckily). I thought he might think it was genetic and leave me. He took it upon himself to make up for all those years by making a huge deal out of birthdays and Christmas. I know it is frugal not exchange gifts or to show cards to each other at the store instead of buying them for each other, but I love that for more than 40 years he has continued to make it his mission to, as he says, override those memories. And he certainly has but at this point for us it is a love expression; luckily he is a fine woodworker, so he has made many of the gifts, like a wonderful canopy bed and bookcases and picture frames, so the costs are somewhat controlled. Sometimes present are more than just presents and we both can live with that.
Lindsey, not for the first time, I’d be perplexed how you survived your childhood if I didn’t already know you are one tough lady. And, very much not for the first time, I send greetings to your absolutely wonderful husband. (Also to Houndini and Clobber Paws, despite their recent inappropriate display of their neutered parts. 😉 )
The nuns at the boarding school my father finally agreed to send me to for high school. You had to be able to speak Lithuanian and all of our parents had been either in concentration camps or displaced persons (DP) camps, or both. It was extremely small, about 20 of us total, but the nuns were fantastic and spent a lot of time helping the kids figure out why their parents were so damaged or maybe just odd. It was located in a rural part of Connecticut, a huge farm campus. All of the nuns had been impacted by the war, too, but seemed better able to cope than most of our parents. I think the place saved my life. It is now out of existence since the subgroup of kids it catered to aged out. In contrast, my much younger sister went to a regular boarding school and was summarily ejected for talking back having no fear of speaking up for ourselves is a gift from my father. (She could not speak Lithuanian because by the time she was three, my mother was gone and my father was marrying American monsters. His choices in women were appalling, to say the least, until the day he died.) I know there were monstrous nuns in some boarding schools and I am no longer a practicing Catholic except for Lenten practices that I always found character building, but I have nothing but gratitude and high praise for the nuns who ran our school and how they practiced their religion. I wish I had a million bucks to leave them when I die.
What a lovely husband you have!
Lindsey, your story brought tears to my eyes. I, too, am so impressed at how wonderfully you survived and turned out. I love that your husband has kept to his mission so creatively and so thoughtfully. It is just nice to think of such a nice relationship in this world.
1. Made another *cleaning out my closet* sale on Poshmark. I loved this jacket, but it was the type of jacket that was perfect for only one day a year and thus not earning its spot. My cut of the sale is the amount of the original purchase price.
2. Free really tasty hot chocolate at my credit union.
3. A new toothbrush, box of floss, and travel toothpaste from my visit to the dentist for a cleaning.
4. At the end of the month I’ll return to helping out at a local organic farm. This will be my second year and it’s a joyful place to spend one day a week with really fantastic people. In return for labor I am paid in fresh picked veggies.
5. I now have two working washing machine valves. Placing a cup under a drip is not a fix and long term that drip would have burst and caused water damage if left unfixed. It was not frugal to call in a plumber, but the task was beyond either of our skill set.
But what will you wear that one day a year?!
Shona, re: your #4: I’d take that gig in a heartbeat!
I met this young couple at the farmer’s market, theirs is the most beautiful stall and their veggies taste like magic. One day I asked them if they needed any help and gave them my tele#. A few months later I got a desperate text asking if I was still interested as they were coming up on planting season. I take the winter off, but spring through fall I commit myself to one day a week. Seeing what small organic farmers go through to get fresh, beautiful produce to market is eye opening.
Me too!!
I am so sorry for your loss. Your master travel list is awesome!
Now if I can get myself to follow it!
I’d splurge for an extra toothbrush to remove one item from the “morning of” list.
Sorry for your loss Katy. Reading this part of your post was very sweet, Measure with your heart and you can’t go wrong. Trying to find maybe emotionally soft places during hard seasons and loss can be a good thing and reminder as well.
1. I had a house inspection so I can change and lower my home insurance policy. I am working to make two tweaks happen to my home to change insurance. I will keep working toward this goal.
2. I am trying to be patient with a few things right now….I cant go into details, but send some good vibes my way.
I’m so impressed with how proactive you’re being with lowering the cost of your home owner’s insurance!
Ashley, I hope it’s not the arrogant neighbor who is trying your patience. Good vibes to you, always!
1. Subbed in the school office today. It was unusually quiet and I finished a book, cleaned up photos on my phone, made some lists and pondered some things. All while getting paid!
2. Brought home an apple, banana and 2 chocolate cookies from #1. Also ate 2 servings of fresh berries while I was there.
3. Bought a Baby Bjorn bouncy seat on FB marketplace for new granddaughter on the way. Sold an item on FM marketplace.
4. Ate leftover beans and rice for dinner. Glad my husband never ever complains about food.
5. Subbing again the next 2 days. Maybe more free food coming my way?
May the free food odds be ever in your favor!
Katy, I am so sorry about your aunt. It’s been a bad winter for the elderly and ill in my circle as well.
I’m sorry to hear that and thank you.
Here’s another thing I learned from the book called Frugal Seeds. Be sure to check your change. Dimes, quarters and silver dollars minted before 1965 have a high silver content and are worth more than their face value. It didn’t say what to do with them, but I would start by taking any I had to the local pawn shop where I have sold silver in the past.
Not to get too political but anyone else watching the “rebuttal”? I feel like I am watching an episode of Young Sheldon and character Mary Cooper (excellent portrayal by Zoe Perry BTW) is Mary Poppins rambling. Not to diminish Laken Riley’s death but I do take issue with ignoring all the other childrens’ deaths (mostly by gun violence) in this country.
Katy, I am sorry for your loss, but glad you are able to honor them in person.
1. Batched some errands, and found cheap seeds and some deodorant to try at the Dollar Store: a friend filled me in that their deodorant is much cheaper, and it is!
2. Lucky at the thrift shop. For DH, a pair of Brooks Brothers thick corduroys, (he’s loving the first pair I got him there), and a pair of Levis. Two brand new no-iron dress shirts from Nordstroms, were marked down to $7.50. Also scored a long sleeved Red Sox shirt that he loves. It was ½ price day. For myself, I scored jeans, 2 really nice cotton shirts, and a pretty green fair isle cashmere sweater, as well as a cute low metal stool to use outdoors while gardening, and a shadow box photo frame I had been looking for. I spent $103, but I got really nice things, and it supports a great cause. This thrift store is not cheap, but the goods are super nice.
3. Inspired by the “speaker uppers” here, I asked a friend to save her old shower doors when she redoes her bathroom next fall, to use for my cold frames, and she said “sure.” I priced plastic or acrylic, and this will save money: plus plastic out of the waste stream.
4. I washed and prepped old milk jugs for planting in. As we rarely buy milk, I scrounge them whenever I see them. Winter sowing native plant seeds is much cheaper than buying actual plants. I planted some seeds that are two years old, but am crossing my fingers…
5. I mixed up dough for no –knead bread to accompany a Ratatouille Cassoulet to bring to a friend’s house for a potluck, and made another recipe from the cool beans cookbook.
I just discovered Struggle Meals. Love it!
My sympathies for the death in your family. You made me realize that almost all my aunts and uncles are gone. There one Aunt and Uncle who still made be moving along in their 90’s now but we have no way to get in touch.
I have a packing list like yours only yours is typed and perfect.
Since I got my Bon Mamne jelly jars I’ve used them to store my Equal in, my Alka Seltzer and now cupcake papers.
Fascinating. I’m so sorry your childhood was so hard.