Five Tiny Frugal Things
by Katy on October 24, 2024 · 106 comments
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I will never get over scallions (spring onion) being priced at more than 33¢/bunch. So when I saw that Trader Joe’s was selling large bags for 99¢ apiece, I made sure to throw them into my basket. Luckily scallions they’re almost infinite, as long as you preserve some of the rooted bottom part. It’s as easy as placing in water and setting them on a windowsill, which is within most people’s skill set. The ones in the above photo are 1-3 days old and already showing impressive growth.
Of course my cute sake glass was nabbed from a stranger’s recycling bin. What am I, a Rockefeller?
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I stopped at Costco for cat litter and added two 30-ounce bags of Hi-Chew candies to my cart. I switched to this candy a couple years ago as A) The kids love them and B) I most definitely do not. (There’s nothing frugal about buying Halloween candy to only give into temptation before the 31st!) I was extra pleased to find the $3 “instant rebate” on the candy, as I would have bought it either way.
Happy Halloween to Katy!
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I finished up the last of some delicious homemade chicken soup this morning, even though chicken soup is far from a traditional breakfast food. What we eat for breakfast, lunch or dinner is cultural and a false construct. There’s really no reason why certain foods are only acceptable at specific times.
One example would be how cake is for after dinner, but a muffin is for breakfast. Think about how much food waste could be avoided if we simply ate our leftovers without regard to time of day.
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• I finished reading a library copy of Glendy Vanderah’s When The Forest Meets The Stars and then picked up a couple more library books that had burst free from my hold list.
• I didn’t buy anything besides the cat litter and candy at Costco, although I did accept a couple of samples. I paused at the food court, but then scolded myself as “we have food at home.”
• I let my son list a couple items on my Facebook Marketplace account, as he works standard office hours and isn’t available to coordinate with buyers as well as me. This meant that I was able to sell an $80 guitar pedal for him yesterday.
• I put together a big batch of fried rice which included carrots, onions, cabbage and eggs. I’m a big fan of less expensive produce, which are just as tasty and nutritious as their pricier counterparts.
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No candy covered Lear Jets.
Katy Wolk-Stanley
“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.”
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{ 106 comments… read them below or add one }
Thank you for posting. Am hoping you can post more than normal for the next 3 weeks. Even just a picture of a shopping list or some item that isn’t selling (or is) on line, or a house somewhere near you.
Know it is a big ask but the normalcy of your posts and the calmness are huge stress reducers for me (maybe for others as well.) and reducing stress, being grounded, is quite hard for several obvious reasons.
Your posts always remind me frugality is good, there is beauty around us, I am not alone , we can hold hands and move forward.
Rose, we are all in the panic camp with you together. Surely goodness will prevail. (???!!!!!!???!!!!)
In the meantime, I (like you) find so much comfort and grounding in Katy’s posts. Especially when the message seems to be: cake is for breakfast.
Cake always for breakfast.
In the simplistic words of Mr. Fred Rodgers’ mother when her son was worried when he was a child, “Look for the helpers.” Those people are there; they’re just not getting much attention.
As you said, Rose, look for the normal and calm. Peace be with you and us all!
Yes! Always look for the helpers.
I follow “sharonsaysso” on Insta the past 5 years, she is dubbed “America’s Govt Teacher” – and i find her very calming in our political storm. She gives NON partisan FACTS about news events. And, also just wrote a really awesome book that has been on the NYT bestseller list “The Small & The Mighty”.
Thank you for the book recommendation! I just put it on reserve at my local library. Stories of ordinary people who do extraordinary things, and ordinary people who just do what needs to be done because it is right, are so important to draw strength from.
I also follow sharonsaysso on IG and also receive her emails, always very interesting. So excited that I received her book from my daughter for my birthday. The birthday gift I requested was only that my granddaughters come home from college for my birthday so that they, my daughter and I could all go vote together. Since it was their first time voting (18 and 19 yo) I wanted to share that experience with them. I definitely remember my first time voting, and thought they would have more confidence with us being with them and answering questions on the way about the machines, ballots, etc. Then we all took a photo with our “I Voted” stickers on which I will always treasure. I think it may have been my best birthday ever!
Kathleen– What a wonderful voting memory and great birthday present!
Ditto to what Rose said.
Lindsey, I third the motion!
I agree! I find those posts comforting as well. Thank you Katy for posting as often as you do.
I think I can do that, as long as people aren’t expecting a full-on daily essay.
Western US Trip 5 Frugal Things
1. Sharing rental car with our traveling friends. Each couple pays every other gas tank fill up.
2. Staying in a hotel with free breakfast and a snack thing in eve that we call dinner!
3. Mostly driving tomorrow. Have lots of packed snacks and drinks in cooler.
4. No souvenirs at Graceland today. We enjoyed it. Something we’ve always wanted to do.
5. Scoped out a cheaper gas station on our travels today and will fill up there.
1. I started the week with 3 No Spend days, go me! I am trying to make a concerted effort to have No Spend days. Paying attention matters.
2. I cooked a huge batch of Aztec Chicken in the crockpot last weekend. I put several meal size portions in the freezer and dh and ds have been eating on it all week.
3. My school is doing a school wide costume of everyone dressing as rock stars. I will wear my dh’s Bruce t-shirt and call it good. I am so tired of having to buy costumes to go along with work I am just not doing it this year.
4. Found raspberries at Costco for $2.89 for 16 oz. Fall is raspberry season and they are so good.
5. We started on the new basement walls and spent a long time talking with an employee at a local rental/tool store. He helped us use what we had to attach the wall to the concrete floor. We only needed to buy the screws. Local is better than big box when you need real help with something.
I believe they recalled the green onions. Better check them out.
Thank you, I’ve checked and they don’t seem to be part of the recall.
That is one very cute sake glass. You could almost match it up with Goldie Fawn.
1. I met a friend at the library for a free program about strange happenings, strange creatures and strange folklore from around the world. We had lots of fun. Halloween for adults!
2. I made a crackpot full of Boston Baked Beans and hotdogs which fed us for two nights and there are still leftovers.
3. I was happy to see the oil truck drive past my house to drop off oil at someone’s house down the road. For a quick minute I thought he was stopping here. Whew.
4. I borrowed Mary Trump’s new book Who Could Ever Love You while I was at the library Strange Happenings show.
5. I worked a half day at the town hall for early voting today. I will work again on November 5th. Nice to get a paycheck. It’s our side gig now.
Darn autocorrect! I made a crockpot full of beans…not a crackpot…sheeesh…
I don’t know. I kind of prefer crackpot actually…
Spicy new recipe?
My crockpot does have a crack… it shall forever be known as a crackpot from here on out. Thanks!
I LOL’ed at CRACKpot……I might keep just using that term as its too funny!
Okay, I need to put together a small flower arrangement for the front porch to group my fawns together!
Thank you for working the election!
I had a really good laugh with your crackpot baked beans.
It gives me joy to see every new post! Thank you!
1. I volunteered at the community garden yesterday and at cheese (free) at snack there. I also came home with a cup of dried beans, 2 persimmons, and 3 kale starts. All organic!
2. I organized my freezer (won’t have to buy butter for the rest of the year) and made plum jam from one of the bags of frozen plums. It only costs me the sugar, it gets used a lot in my house and it also makes a great gift. Cooked vegetarian curry while I was making the jam. The curry uses potatoes, carrots and cabbage which are all very cheap.
3. I received a $5 reward from Best Buy, I don’t know why because I never shop there. But since I was at Costco which is right next door, I went into Best Buy and got 2 king sized Kit Kats with the reward. I will give them to the neighbor boy for his birthday next week.
4. We need a handrail for the steps out of our sliding door. My husband took all the measurements and drew a simple sketch and took it to the shop teacher at his school. The advanced welding class will make the handrail and will only cost us materials!
5. Walked 2 ebay sales and one return to the post office.
You’re the fun neighbor! That kid will never forget this gift.
That is genius to have the shop class construct the hand rail!
I too have a problem with temptation when there is candy in the house! For many years now, I have waited until the day before Halloween to buy candy. In my experience, there is always plenty of plenty of candy left — and it is on sale.
If you can find normal-looking candy, as opposed to that which looks like spooky eyeballs, ghosts, pumpkins, etc., you can stock up cheap for Christmas. Or for regular occasions needing candy throughout the year. I usually do this on Nov. 1. By then, it’s often 75% off if it’s packaged in a Halloween-themed bag.
I used to store our Halloween candy at the neighbor’s house as I have zero chill when it comes to bags of candy bars!
I second your idea, which makes perfect sense to me, to eat leftovers any time of day. Soup for breakfast? Sure, why not! My family has long enjoyed ramen with leftover meat and veggies for breakfast. We also think fried rice is breakfast food. Do you agree?
Traveling internationally is a good way to break up one’s beliefs about which food should be served at which meal.
A friend’s family celebrates birthdays with Cake for Breakfast! I would have to add a lot of protein to that meal.
Sandra, waving in agreement here! Just last night I had Cream of Wheat for dinner, and this morning, I had butternut squash soup.
100% agree!
Had to laugh. We have a family friend who is a Japanese University student visiting us for 10 days in November. It is his first US visit. I asked him what he preferred for breakfast and lunch. His response; “I want cereal! I want burgers! I want all of the American foods!” His wish is our command. We’re having family Thanksgiving 2 weeks early so he can experience it,
How generous of you to enable your exchange student to experience American food including a full-on Thanksgiving meal.
I think we should rethink how we use leftovers. Especially when they often can go to waste. I also like cake for breakfast. I’m excited for pumpkin pie leftovers. I never enjoy dessert on Thanksgiving day because I’m always too full.
1. I saved two peanut butter jars with the peanut butter leftovers clinging to the sides. I gave them to my dog and granddog. It’s cheap entertainment and snack for them.
2. I picked my daughter and son-in-law up from the airport. I parked in the cell phone lot and picked them up at the door to avoid the parking fee.
3. I took my mom for a ride in the country to enjoy the fall colors. She fed me lunch at home afterwards.
4. I’m continuing to clean out the third stall of my garage that has all of my husbands tools, garden tractor etc. I’ve taken two boxes of old chemicals etc. to the hazardous waste collection site which is free in my county. I found two bags of grass seed which I’ll spread next spring. I don’t know if it’s still good but it’s worth a try. I also found a handful of change.
5. My daughter and her husband bought dinner last night for me and DD#3 as a thank you for taking care of their animals.
Jill, Re: your #1
Watch your dogs if you give them plastic peanut butter jars. Don’t let them chew or eat the plastic! My dog once got a hold of the half-empty plastic jar of peanut butter that was on the kitchen counter. I came home and she had chewed her way down to the peanut butter and there were shards of plastic all over the place. But not enough to account for the size of the jar. Meaning she had ingested a lot of the plastic. I had to rush her to the vet lest the sharp points cut her stomach and intestines and other “innards.” Believe me, that was anything but frugal! Not to mention, very dangerous for my puppy-dog.
Oh no. Thanks for the warning.
DH and I have a tradition of having pie for breakfast the Friday morning after Thanksgiving. Even if I don’t host Thanksgiving, I will make a pie especially for post-Thanksgiving breakfast and often it is a pumpkin pie. We both love it.A pumpkin pie just seems to say: Thanksgiving.
I’d buy the Costco pumpkin pie for 5.99 right now if I wasn’t worried about gaining 157 lbs.
Doesn’t everyone eat pie for breakfast the day after Thanksgiving???
Had read once about planting grass seed by sprinkling it over a shallow snowfall. The theory was that when the snow melts, the seeds germinate better because they tip and go into the ground point down, rather than on their sides. No idea if that is sound botany or not.
It is a tradition in our family to eat pie for breakfast the day after Thanksgiving!
Our tradition is to eat my sausage/mushroom/sourdough bread stuffing for breakfast. We put scoops of it in the waffle maker so they come out all crispy. Yum.
Wow, that sounds delicious! Stuffing has always been my favorite part of Thanksgiving.
That sounds so good. Stuffing is my favorite.
Stuffing in the waffle iron? Thank you!!!
That sounds like quite the chore, at least you’re being paid. In coins.
Good point about the times of day and avoiding food waste! When I was still in school, I worked at a pizza joint and we could take home slices left from the lunch buffet. That was the next morning’s breakfast! Much better and faster than bacon and eggs.
Pizza for breakfast is always acceptable.
It was what my DH would have for breakfast any time we had leftover pizza.
Heated up I hope. I could eat pizza twice a year and be happy. Better half requires it far more often (happens when one is 3/4 Italian I guess). More often than not, he makes it at home. Better control of quantity of ingredients.
Pie for breakfast is the standard for post Thanksgiving and Christmas at my house. 😀
This week I am eating for breakfast some gluten-free pumpkin-walnut muffins made for my husband that he did not like. They taste fine but are not too sweet. He probably expected sweet, as so many muffins are just cupcakes nowadays.
I am trying to cut down on the family’s consumption of junk food and made them pudding with skim milk instead of buying ice cream, A side benefit is the pudding is more frugal.
Also sewed new cushion covers for our old Morris chair using some discounted upholstery fabric. It cost $28 and a couple of hours of my time,
which made it ten times less expensive than hiring it out.
Our family adds eating your leftover cake the day after your birthday to this list!! 🙂
Yes! hot coffee and cold cake for breakfast is a must for DD28 and I.
I’m impressed with anyone who does their own reupholstery work!!!
Thank you. It’s pretty easy reupholstery, just a bit time consuming. It’s the third time I’ve done that chair and just use the old covers as a pattern for cutting out the new. Each set lasts about eight years, which is a good life considering that the dogs and cats love lounging on that chair.
I have the same sake glass from a little gift bag a friend gave me last year! Every time I see it, I smile 🙂
1. I had the opposite candy solution as I am a peanut butter cup FAN so Halloween is my favorite time. I went to CVS to pick up a prescription and saw they had the Reese’s peanut butter bats and pumpkins on BOGO. I got a bag for myself and my husband’s favorite, the reese’s fast breaks. I then had a $4 off coupon on my mile-long CVS receipt, so I was able to get two bags of candy for about $1 a bag. I was so thrilled and enjoyed every last peanut butter bat!
2. We are going as Where’s Waldo and Carmen Sandiego for Halloween this year. I used this as a double purpose, as I am in the market for a new mid-weight winter coat. Instead of buying Carmen’s iconic trench as a costume, I got a new red double breasted winter coat. I am so excited to strut it around all winter and not end up with a cheap, wear-once jacket (that would have only been about $10 less).
3. I don’t mean to brag, but we finished all the food I made last week with NO food waste! This is a big moment for our on-the-go household who often ends up having to eat out last minute. Chicken soup, kielbasa, and japanese curry all were enjoyed and then I had the rest of the noodles reserved for the soup as a pasta salad with random vegetables last night. I am so pleased!
4. The library books keep coming – for anyone who is intrigued by the machinations of political campaigns, I highly recommend Boys on the Bus by timothy crouse, which is a retelling of the political reporters’ lives following around the 1972 presidential election. It’s a little smarmy and an interesting read!
5. In the “do without” category – our large nonstick frying pan, who has dutifully cooked eggs, bacon, and many quesadillas, showed metal and flaking teflon today. I am in mourning and have decided to not replace it right away. We have a beautiful set of stainless steel pans that we rarely use because the nonsticks are so much faster and easier to clean up. We figure that it’s worth holding out to see if we really miss it or can adjust before investing in another pan for the next 10+ years.
There is a series on HBO MAX called “Girls on the Bus” – also about print journalists on the campaign trail – it is VERY GOOD.
I know what you mean about the Teflon pans. I replaced most of mine with thrift shop finds of stainless steel and glass (remember Visions from the 80s?) pans but have held onto one Teflon pan I use to make popcorn. Like you say, no sticking.
Please do brag about avoiding food waste, this is right audience for that messaging! Woo hoo!
Love your Halloween costumes, all you’re missing is the “Wishbone” dog! So smart to buy a proper coat.
I too was gifted a non stick wok and fell in love with it despite having a large matching set. I have no frying pans, because one was over used to death, and my son forgot the stove top was on once and burned a hole through the other. I keep telling myself to buy a new set, but I keep avoiding. As soon as I buy something and use it and can’t return it, the item appears for free in my Facebook feed…..it’s a hard life
Ah, those nonstick pans. I am a fan of cast iron pans. getting them seasoned is a bit of an art, a bit of a science, and a bit of self discipline (put some water in to soak ,but not for too long…). AND I love how they don’t have teflon, they are sturdy AF and there is something satisfying about the endurance of the things. That being said, I have put a pan into my mixed metal recycling pile as it has split (!!) I suspect due to someone prior to me putting cold water in a hot pan. Sigh. am on the lookout for another one, but that one was a duplicate. it just makes me aware of how often I used two!
Congratulations on your no-food-waste week! WELL done, you give me hope!
Back in the 1970s, my great grandmother purchased a Le Creuset frying pan. Even we kids were expected to ooh and ah about it since it was So! Expensive!
My mother inherited it after Nana died, but she didn’t really use it. Probably because it was too expensive to use, or something. When Mom went into assisted living, my sister inherited what we now called the Sacred Skillet. (I got the Beloved Beanpot.) First time she used it, it broke in two. WOMP WOMP.
LB, Bon Ami powder does an amazing job on cleaning stainless steel fry pans (or any others). My mother game me a set of heavy stainless steel pans as a wedding gift, and 48 years later they are as beautiful and serviceable as they were on day one.
I have scallions on my window sill all year too.
1. I went to Aldi for some items that we needed. I needed a lot of sweet onions because I am making a triple batch of onion soup in my large crockpot. I also needed beef stock, eggs, carrots, celery and OJ. Aldi has the best everyday prices. I am giving some of the soup to my sister who’s kitchen is being torn out next week and some to my parents to make their life a little easier.
2. Walking to my car I spotted a crumpled up $1 bill. I put my groceries in the car and returned my cart. Then I went back to my car. I uncrumpled the bill and it was $100. I got out of my car and walked around the lot to see if there was any more money but there wasn’t. This is my 5th time finding a $100 bill. I hope the streak continues.
3. I am trying to lose weight. My daughter is getting married next year so that should give me some extra motivation. I hardboiled a dozen eggs, I cooked 2 pounds of asparagus with a little oil. I chopped carrots and celery for easy snacking. I did not make muffins this week.
4. Someone brought a case of dog treats into Hubby’s work and left them on the free shelf. Hubby has brought a bag home the last 3 days. He said it is almost still full.
5. I got paid $62 for 2 mystery shops, $17.50 in surveys and cashed out $25 from Ibotta this week.
Your #2…holy smokes! Your fifth time finding a hundred dollar bill? I think you were born under a lucky star!
My husband says I can smell money from a mile away.
You win the internet today!!!!!!!! Plus the “Eagle Eye” award.
Hooray for free dog treats!
I love it when apps like ibotta and fetch pay out after months of chipping into the pot to cash them out.
Me too. I am using the Ibotta GC as a Christmas present. I will cash out Fetch and Receipt Hog before Christmas too.
Good plan on the Halloween candy. I did the same by buying Tootsie Pops which I have zero interest in. Plus, our adorable neighbor girl said these were her favorite. [Side note: We’re planning on 50 kids; my niece in Sacramento lives on a street that gets up to 1,000!]
1. Finally rained – FINALLY – after two months of drought. We have numerous new landscape plantings, so this will save watering costs.
2. Got my free flu shot as one of several batched errands. Still getting up the nerve for the COVID shot, as it makes me violently ill even with anti-nausea meds, plenty water, etc.
3. Scooped out the last of the lip balm from various tubes and transferred to a tiny pot.
4. Found a use for all those rubber bands that breed like rabbits in our junk drawer. I’m using them to close the plastic bags that don’t tie well after picking up dog poop (like bags from frozen veggies, crackers, mail order prescriptions, etc.).
5. Bought a 2-year pocket planner from my local bookstore. Buying from them saved on shipping costs from an online source that would have been 1.5 times the cost of the calendar itself. I will use a paper calendar until I lose my marbles or die, whichever comes first.
Your #2 – consider scheduling the Novavax COVID 19 vaccine. DH77, DS30 and I all had that one and zero side effects – no aches, no soreness, no nothing.
MEM, thanks for the tip!
I was talking to a co-worker late afternoon yesterday (I’m remote) when he said it was raining in MSP area. I’m a couple of states south but we got almost .5 inch, much needed. Some areas got more but we’ll take what we can. Lots of impressive thunder and lightening starting around 10 pm. Enough to settle the dust. Farmers are having a great harvest – record yields and a majority will be done harvesting before Halloween, which is also a record. Be it corn or soybeans, harvest has the dust on steroids. Thankfully no field fires which has been more of a risk this fall.
I am “team paper planner” as well and also buy from a local store. I buy blank planners and write in all the info myself, which gives me more than a year and a half of calendar.
1000 trick-or-treaters? That’s amazing!
1. I am reading a library copy of Lost Connections. It discusses many causes and solution to depression. Connection is one of those and this blog is a type of connection. Another point is to do things for others instead of for yourself. The author also addresses the harm that the message to consume, consume, consume sends.
2. I joined friends yesterday to pack 305 hat/scarf sets for seafarers. They will be placed on ships that come into the port of Baltimore and given as holiday gifts to those on ships. Seafarers are generally from other countries and are not allowed to leave ships (security post 9/11) and also are away from home for months at a time. Many of the hats/scarves were knit/crocheted with yarn donated or purchased with philanthropic grants. We brought bag lunches and enjoyed a social time after the work was done.
3. A local grocery chain is offering $15 off groceries when you spend $50 on certain gift cards. I know there will be upcoming purchases at Lowe’s so I stopped in and “did the deal”. I may stop in a few more times in the next week as I can easily walk to the store.
4. I had a book and a DVD on hold at the library. Today was the last day to pick them up so I took a long-ish morning walk and checked them out.
5. I will walk over to a friend’s house after lunch for a visit. We occasionally go out but usually just get together outside.
I’m so happy that you’re finding connection here on the blog. I certainly have that as well!
My library is being rebuilt, so it’s closed for a couple of years. They have a pickup location in the neighborhood, but it’s a much less enjoyable walk.
Many of the Non Consumer readers post about their love of the local library. I enjoy reading also. Sadly, the local libraries in my city have been overtaken by the homeless. They come in to get out of the weather. Some of them are loud, smell bad, have bed bugs, etc. I know the homeless have to go somewhere but I wish it wasn’t the library. I work at a college so I can use their library. Many do not have an option like this.
Start hounding your local and state politicians to deal with it. Instead of just ignoring which is what I see from my state a far from yours. How many are veterans – which I find so appalling that I dare not type much more? How many have an untreated mental illness – possibly due to the state cutting funding for their meds? Be part of the solution, not the problem.
The Belmont library, Katy?
https://thenonconsumeradvocate.com/a-love-letter-to-the-belmont-branch-library/
Yup.
Used Upside to get cash back on my gas purchase.
Ate free snacks/lunch at work. (They provide snack items , but also individual oatmeal cups, yogurts, baby carrots, string cheese, and assorted fruit – which I make my lunch out of daily)
As always, rescued brown bananas from being tossed in trash at work to add to my freezer stash. These are upcycled in protein shakes and breads/muffins.
Brought my own coffee. Its also free at work, but I prefer mine 🙂
Reading Library books.
I love that you bring home overripe bananas from work, good for you!
Katy, I meant to add that I planted three green onion root ends in a big pot in my container garden in the spring and they rewarded me with a gallon bag of sliced green onions later in the summer that I popped into the freezer. I let them grow until they branched out and bloomed. They are STRONG but make a nice addition to pizzas and various sauces.
Plus scallion make very pretty flowers! I need to plant mine outdoors next year.
We had a tremendous snowstorm, followed by rain, followed by freezing temps again so trees began falling down from the weight of the iced limbs, the roads were impossible to drive, and pretty much everything shut down. Banks, the military base, schools, all government offices. So, for three days we didn’t leave the house, which is very frugal!
Once things opened up again:
1. Did a mystery shop for $100 and one for $90. Each took about an hour.
2. The day things opened up, I did my stint at the food bank. Someone donated 2 pallets of bagged ice, which made us all laugh; donating ice to Alaskans…No clients wanted them. Also brought home a loaf of rustic sourdough bread that no one wanted so it was about to be put on the pallet for the pig farmer to pick up. It went into the freezer to be used to make Thanksgiving stuffing.
3. Sold another gold necklace on eBay. I should have done this years ago. I am mailing it out today, using a post office mystery shop.
4. To the library for more books and to trade in a puzzle.
5. Stopped by Salvation Army to drop off a load of clothing. Made sure to get my tax receipt. While there, spotted two puzzles with the outer plastic wrapping still on them, so I snagged them for $2 each for a gift for another puzzle loving friend.
That doesn’t surprise me that Alaska is getting early winter weather. It went down to 36 degrees in Portland the other night. Flannel sheets were very much my friend that night as my husband’s still out of town.
Did you know that the surname of one of the women who founded the Buy Nothing Project is Rockefeller? No idea if she’s “A Rockefeller.”
1. Library books always! I just started State of Terror co-authored by Hillary Rodham Clinton and Louise Penny. Maybe ironic given how close we are to the US election.
2. I’ve been trying to reduce how much single-use plastic comes into our home. This translates, in part, to buying less prepackaged food, which seems to have saved me from the huge chicken/poultry recall since there are a couple of Trader Joe’s items on the list that I used to buy. I live in a state that has a lower sales tax on whole foods (aka ingredient types) than prepared foods, so I’m saving money on multiple fronts.
3. I have a Little Free Library and my goal is to have it be self-sustaining, not to purchase books. I just changed over almost all the books to Halloween or spooky-season-adjacent books. I’ve been setting them aside for a few months from donations people have made to the LFL.
4. Continuing my massive household declutter. I’ve given away almost everything through our Buy Nothing group, which only costs me the time to photograph the item, create a post, and coordinate pick up. This is more cost-effective than driving to the thrift store to donate, plus I prefer to know the stuff is going to people who can use it, rather than to a thrift store that might not be able to so it goes to the landfill.
5. Watching the new Moonflower Murders on PBS (love free public TV). I was behind so I watched some episodes on Passport which you can only access if you donate, but I contribute to PBS every year regardless.
New Louise Penny’s Inspector Gamache comes out next week, “The Grey Wolf”.
I’ve been on the library’s hold list for it for awhile. Still pretty far down the list, though.
Her books are among the very few I pre-order for my Kindle.
That’s a hilarious name for the Buy Nothing founder!
And hooray for decluttering, especially through Buy Nothin!
One of my favorite thrifty candy deals this time of year is to pick up candy corn on the “day after sale” and make https://infinetaste.com/candy-corn-butterfingers-a-copycat-recipe/
These go in my Holiday cookie/treat baskets and are begged for along with my homemade caramels.
I buy Hi-Chews and gummy bears for the kiddos. We do not have trick or treaters as we live in the boonies, so I go to my girlfriend’s home that gets hundreds of trickers and we sit on the front porch, drink tea and visit with the families. We dress in ratty old wedding dresses that I bought by the pound (Goodwill) I dyed black, black lace gloves, wear black wigs and gaunt make up. It is so fun!
Neighbor brought me 2 bunches of bananas. I sliced up one bunch for banana chips to go with the apple and pear chips that the great niece and nephew helped make in the solar oven.
Switched the ceiling fans to “winter setting – clockwise”.
Vacuumed out the ductwork, washed furnace filters (monthly).
Set up the box fans in the greenhouse for below freezing nights. Took shade cloth off, washed and dried it and stored in the garden shed for the winter.
Bartered apples for sweet cream so the littles can make butter with my Great Grandma’s butter churn.
Okay, I love your Halloween tradition!
I frequently eat dinner leftovers for breakfast – food is food! And like several others have already said, pumpkin pie is the traditional day after Thanksgiving breakfast at our house, too.
1. Line drying all our laundry (its still summer in North Texas)
2. Hubs bought a used pellet smoker a few weeks ago, and we’ve been cooking up whatever big chunk of meat is a loss leader each week. Last week was pork shoulder, this week was brisket, and I’ve got a turkey ready to hit the smoker in the morning as a pre-Thanksgiving trial run. It’s cut the grocery bill the past few weeks, as well as cut the amount of time it takes to get dinner on the table.
3. Hubs fave bbq sauce is from Dickey’s restaurant ($8 a bottle), and I tried a knock-off recipe I found online that used ingredients I already had. It’s not the exact same, but it’s close, and I had made lots of notes on what to tweak next time.
4. We didn’t finish all the brisket so I diced up and froze what was left to add to chili whenever we finally get some fall weather.
5. Remembered to check my grocery store rewards before they expire at end of month, and had enough to get a free bottle of creamer and a pound of butter.
Leftover brisket in the freezer, that’s like gold! And I eat pie for all meals after Thanksgiving!
My favorite thing to eat for breakfast is lasagna.
1. Trying to be creative to use up all of the produce from the free CSA and mystery shop, so I’ll make ribollita, “greens” pie (from Serious Eats), and pork and cabbage gyoza to eat for the next couple of weeks.
2. I’ve spent no money except on gas and mystery shops (the later will be reimbursed) for the last week.
3. I reapplied a patch on a pair of pants so that I can continue to wear them (purchased on Poshmark, as well).
4. I gave my parents a 20-pack of toilet paper that I got free from a mystery shop and they bought me dinner (okay, they would have done that anyway, but they get a kick out of the mystery shops and sometimes accompany me)
5. Going to a friend’s house for dinner. Bringing gougères (Gruyère bought on FlashFoods, eggs free from mystery shop), tarte au citron (lemons bought on clearance, eggs free from mystery shop), and a bottle of Prosecco that has been hanging around in the house for ages.
Bonus: partner of 20 years is starting to show signs of frugality! There was no great sale at Chewy, so he bought just enough cat food to get free shipping.
Yum, that sounds like a delicious breakfast!
I love all your mystery shops, please continue to share them!
Greens pie sounds wonderful!
OOOOO looked up that Greens Pie = loved all the tweaks and flexibility built in to the recipe. I have some filo in the freezer and arugula in the greenhouse, no feta though… but I would love to make this without purchasing something else, so may make do with other cheeses.
I love your mystery shops – and how you show us how you are frugal when you make food for yourself or for sharing.
I love the red clock in the background of the picture with the scallions!
* Recent favorite library reads: several cookbooks for gluten free/sugar free cooking. I bookmark the recipes I want to try and then copy them (by hand) into my recipe notebook.
* Paying it forward – gave a lemon thyme starter plant from our garden to a friend and several self seeded evening primrose plants to a local charity shop that also sells plants. I have more evening primrose starters to give away but am waiting for them to get a bit bigger before passing them on.
* I found an unopened vacuum packed packet of risotto rice at the back of the cupboard that had expired in 2021. Made courgette and mushroom oven risotto today and it was delicious.
* Got my weekly free donut through the Lidl app (well, the reward is a free pastry but I always get a donut for the teens). Their rewards have been getting worse, very few free items, mostly 30% off this or that. Hopefully this will get better again soon.
* Several of us are nursing a cold so I am making tea with fresh herbs from the garden (thyme and sage mostly) several times a day.
– I have about 5 items up for sale on several platforms but nothing has been selling so I just keep renewing the listings.
FFT Oct 26
1. I finally had a day for myself, and girded my loins and CLEANED OUT MY FRIDGE. All the way, you know? Shelves – scrubbed in, and then drying in the bathtub. Every jar interviewed. Chicken bucket filled. A pot of tomato sauce back on the stove and a dinner of sauce and noodles and cheese assembled. Drawers wiped out. Door shelves washed.
I deserve five gold stars, it has been a moment since that was last done. The other good news is that I didn’t have much in the way of vegetative mush, which had been a concern of mine. Stir-fry on the menu in a day or two, though!
2. I needed pasta noodles for the aforementioned casserole, so made a list from the flyer and bought only what was on the list (and needed). The noodles were on sale for a steep discount for a larger bag, so I stocked up – I had managed to use up both of those ‘styles’ so am feeling pleased about being back in the ‘pantry-black’, as far as pasta goes.
3. I spent 3/4 of an hour schlepping hosta plants that are no longer beautiful away from my front steps and put them into their winter parking spaces. I also moved some pots of better-in-the-fall plants onto the steps, and things are looking less faded and much cheerier. We have not had a hard frost, yet, so although the hostas are ending, other sturdier plants are still in fine form. No money spent on new plants.
4. I also clipped the tops of a lovely begonia that I had saved last year, and have put the cuttings into a vase, to see if I can save them over this winter like I did last year. The pink flowers seem to keep on happening, so I will enjoy the show and not complain when the petals fall onto my counter – more flowers will appear and brighten my day.
5. I got both my Covid and Flu shots this week – Free, of course – and other than a sore arm and sleeping through my alarm two days in a row (oops), I am feeling pretty good. Just groggy, which is the side effect i seem to get. Having had Covid this summer (I had avoided it forever, but went on a trip and was less disciplined about my mask wearing) I really don’t want to get it again.
6. Went through some of the bags in my cupboards and have found some baby clothes I had saved from my 35 year old son. Sweaters and hats made by friends, aunties and great grandmother, some oshkosh overalls, favourite sleepers – not much but a lovely trip down memory lane. I will deliver tomorrow along with some kind of ready-to-go meal, now that I have time to actually cook.
7. I am making pumpkin loaves from some of the bajillion squash that I grew this year. [Slightly present-time frugal fail: I was out of raisins, so went to the store with full intention to just buy raisins and cream. When I walked in they were having a one-day sale, and I ended up stocking up on a number of items that I usually buy – saving a lot of money, but spending a bit in the process. Oops, not a no-spend day today!] I came home and assembled the pumpkin loaves, which are just finishing up in the oven.
8. #2 Son has taken to making Squash Soup, with my full appreciation and support. He brought me a jar full and that was my delicious supper, along with a pseudo greek salad made with discount cucumbers, a half full jar of greek feta dressing, and some of my last tomatoes.
I present you with six gold stars — well done on the refrigerator clean out!!!!
@Katy, I feel like a SUPERSTAR now! Thanks for making me laugh. And thank you, thank you very much for the 6 gold stars…. gonna wear them on my crown.
1. I received a bill for $69 from my children’s dentist for their recent cleanings. I’ve never received a bill previously and nothing had changed insurance wise. I gave them a call and the girl said I shouldn’t owe anything and forwarded everything on to the billing department.
2. Made one more ebay sale for a profit of $10.42. Not much, but every little bit helps.
3. Redeemed grocery rewards for .40/gallon at the store’s gas station. I lost the receipt but estimate that I saved about $5.
4. This weekend I took my boys to a bunch of free Halloween events (Halloween party at the police department, trunk or treat on the town common and a friend’s Halloween party) and to a local national park that was also free. (Minuteman National Park – my oldest is learning about the Revolutionary War in school and is very interested so I’m hoping by checking out the sites he’s learning about, he’ll continue to love learning and history.)
5. I often get free products in exchange for testing them out and writing a review. This week I claimed a bottle of shampoo. a 6 pack of paper towels and some perfume.