Five Tiny Frugal Things
by Katy on January 30, 2025 · 103 comments
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I drove across town to pick up an $85 West Elm loveseat that my kid wanted for their minuscule studio apartment. They’d held off from this purchase until the coffee table sold, and began scouring Facebook Marketplace the moment the money hit their account. It’s very handy to have a mother who still drives her twenty-year-old minivan.
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I thrifted another $4.99 Goodwill dining chair, oddly similar to the one I bought last week. (Reproduction is on the left, actual midcentury one to the right.) I’ve listed it on Marketplace for $40, but will hold onto its vintage twin.
Edit: I sold the dupe for $40 within a couple hours of listing it!
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My sister sent me a hefty “Chutzpah” mug as a belated birthday gift, which triggered getting rid of a few extras. My cupboard was already at peak capacity, so I pulled out three dull colored Fiestaware mugs and offered them up in my Buy Nothing group. My chutzpah now has the breathing room it deserves and “Melissa” gets three new mugs!
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I was hungry and close to IKEA, so I stopped in to use their clean bathroom and grab a $1.15 veggie hotdog. These come with fried onions and pickled beets and are damned tasty. I also grabbed some cookie samples and enjoyed my meal in the car with some tap water from home. When I say I’m “cheapaf,” I literally mean it!
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I didn’t buy an election.
Katy Wolk-Stanley
“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.”
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{ 103 comments… read them below or add one }
Nice looking loveseat. I miss my van, it was so handy.
1. I took a short walk with my mom & dog. It was a little too icy still, so we turned around. Not breaking a hip for either of us is frugal. Afterwards she fed me some cheese and crackers and I helped her with her puzzle. I mention my mom a lot. She is 85 and I know I won’t have her forever. After the death of my husband, I try to spend as much time as I can with the people I love. Life is short and I know what’s important.
2. I had lunch with my friend who I normally walk with, again because it’s a little too icy to walk. She picked me up and we checked out the tea shop downtown beforehand. I didn’t purchase anything. I also had water with my lunch.
3. I ate leftovers for dinner last night and my daughter picked herself up some takeout.
4. I’m finishing up the book a friend lent me. It’s Never Lie by Frieda McFadden. It’s very hard to put down. I’ve also downloaded a library book to my kindle to read next.
5. I also didn’t buy an election. I’m limiting my news since the election. My desire to be informed is at odds with my need for sanity.
Jill A,
Be thankful your mom is still with you, and send her my love. My momma would’ve had her 100th birthday on Jan. 6 (which is yet another reason I am furious about what happened on the infamous Jan. 6, 2021) and the anniversary of her passing is coming up in Feb. There’s still a very empty place in my heart.
Meanwhile, I’m also mega-depressed/upset about what’s going on in the news since the inauguration. How could this have happened???? You expressed it very well: need to be informed vs. sanity. How we are going to endure the next 4 years is beyond me.
We pick a trusted one or two sources of news. We check it once or twice a day. We refuse to believe this administration’s BS when it comes to the constitution and generally being a good person – aka we don’t drink the kool-aid. The vast majority of us on this site are/identify female (so no offense to are/identify male) and we have bigger cajones than the current administration put together. We have more skills – you think orange pox could shop for food, prepare it, clean up after it? Do his own laundry, we know he can’t balance a budget, much less live with one.
Grateful Dead time – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzvk0fWtCs0
Elton John – https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=VwE6YCflpRTgZwBH&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bing.com%2F&embeds_referring_origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bing.com&source_ve_path=Mjg2NjQsMTY0NTA2&v=uCYVLVpiQJs&feature=youtu.be
Remember, this country had to live through four years of Hoover to get to Roosevelt. We did it then, we can do it now.
Selena,
You words about living through Hoover’s admin. to get to FDR greatly encourages me. Thanks for sharing.
Another historical look-back is to consider how the country changed, including with rights for workers and working conditions, after the robber barons of the late 1800’s. The pendulum will swing back!
And how could I forget Gloria Gaynor’s “I will survive”? Not the same root cause but same end game.
As I’ve said before, my 5G grandfather didn’t fight to have felon in the white house. Better half and I have already discussed this (disclosure – better half has finally woke up and smelled the coffee but realizes his caucasian maleness superiority is pure BS) – orange pox p-y boys show up at the house, all ammo will be spent.
Yes! Thanks for pointing out that we all have skills and we also have each other to learn more skills from! We need to be creative in our persistence and in our daily lives!
Jill A,
I 100% understand what you mean about not having our loved ones in our lives forever. I lost my dad 26 years ago, and because of the way he was, I never really got to know him, and I regret that. My mom will be 91 in April, but lives in Colorado (I live in Ohio), so there’s not much opportunity to spend time together….plus, we’ve always had a bit of a fraught relationship, so it’s difficult at best.
I’m at an age where I’m seeing friends and loved ones lose parents, siblings, and extended family, so I am trying to spend more time with the friends and family who are geographically (and emotionally) close to me.
Jill, I love it when you mention your mom and enjoy reading about your multi-generational activities.
yes, what MB said.
I have been reeling ever since I lost my mom last year–apparently Michelle Obama is the same. I have missed work and social occasions and it just seems so lame to say “I’m sad because I miss my mom.” Dad has been gone for 9 years now, which I can hardly believe, he was such a force of nature.
Rose, the grief is different when both parents are gone, and different again if one outlives their siblings. You lose not only someone dearly loved but a huge chunk of family history. There’s no longer a response to the call and response of retelling family stories. It’s very hard and it lingers.
My father died first in 2012 and my mother in 2016. I found when she died, I started to grieve not only her but my father again too. Although they were long divorced, I find it hard to think of one without thinking of the other. They were amicably divorced, thank goodness.
Rose, et al,
One thing I read somewhere that has stayed with me is that “grief has no timetable”. The 5 year anniversary of my mother-in-law’s passing just passed, and it was as if it had just happened. She was an incredible woman who was more of a mom to me than my biological mom.
Thanks, guys. I’m 59 years old, very tall, a published author 40x over, people are afraid of me, and sometimes I think simply I WANT MY MOMMY.
I know I did my best for her when she was alive but she should have lived longer.
Thank you. I’m glad I’m not boring you.
I share your desire! Here in Australia we have watched, in heart broken horror, as events in America have become more and more terrifying. Desperately sad for the families in the plane crash, horrified at the pre investigation public blaming and shaming which will add to the grief.
Thank you Coral. We appreciate your concern and condolences over the plane and helicopter crash. It is a particularly hard time for many of us here in the US.
I am with you on limiting the news. I did the same during early Covid. My sanity needs it. I have been watching lots of animal videos which makes me and my client happy.
All good things. I love the mug!
1. Packed my lunch every day this week for work. Today my fiancĂ© packed my lunch for me, which makes me feel very loved. It’s the little things!!
2. Canceled my Spotify subscription. It is a luxury, not a necessity.
3. Had the “dumpster spot” parking at the local library… didn’t even have to spend a quarter to park to pick up my holds!
4. Planned my bachelorette party… we are going to a (free) Nature Reserve and having dinner at a fun restaurant after. I don’t need a big weekend bash.
5. Spending more time at home. I don’t need to go places and spend money. I pay for a mortgage and I’m going to take advantage of every second of it.
Autumn, your #5: that’s a great way to look at a mortgage and time at home!
P.S. Kudos on a normal bachelorette party outing.
I concur on Autumn’s #5 – if you hate your house, why did you buy it? If you hate being at home, why is home “home”? Over the last 40+ years I’ve seen couples buy more house than they need (and sometimes more than they could afford – no furniture in a number of rooms). Both working, sometimes one had a second part-time job. All of sudden, lots of traveling for pleasure.
Also kudos on the bachelorette party being sane and actually frugal.
Proud homebody here. Since our homes are usually the most expensive thing we’ll ever buy, why not be in it and enjoy it?
In response to the wedding news, I spoke with an old neighbor yesterday who said his son and soon to be daughter-in-law are spending $70,000 on their wedding wedding. Even if I were 30 years old, I would still put that money towards a hefty down payment on a starter home. It’s just hard to believe people spend that kind of money on a one-day party.
Loving your “hen night”plans, sounds fabulous. In fairness it was my second time round, but I took nibbles and non-alcoholic fizz to my knit and natter group, we had a lovely chatty time and put together my bouquet, which I had asked for anyone who wanted to, to knit/crochet the flowers for. Simple and fun, have a fantastic time enjoy it all. Let me and best wishes for your wedding! Xx
Nice score for your kid! I appreciate how much you look out for both of your kids, especially as adults.
1. It’s been the hardest week my family has had in a long time as our beloved dog passed away on Tuesday. She was only 6 yo and we have a huge hole in our hearts. I’m doing my best to stay afloat, but it’s tough since I work from home and was with her all day, every day. Dogs really are the best. That said, we have the kindest friends and my closest ladies sent a large donation to the rescue where we got her. We also received flowers from my mom’s good friends who are dog people. This has brought a bright spot to a hard week.
2. In an attempt to keep busy and not drown in sadness, I worked from the local branch of our library yesterday. It was great — and free! I had a (zoom) client meeting in the afternoon and was able to reserve a “study pod” with enclosed glass doors for the meeting. I also found a new book to read – Long Island by Colm Toibin.
3. I’m donating high-quality dog food to the rescue where we got our sweet girl. They do amazing work in our area.
4. Rain is due to arrive this weekend and we need it after a beautiful, yet dry, January. I am getting a walk in today while it’s still relatively dry.
5. And lastly, I just want to echo the sentiments of many in this group in saying that I’m grateful for this space to share, learn, and grow. Thank you, Katy and all the commentariat for providing a “safe space” in this ever-growing s*it storm.
I am so very sorry to hear about the death of your beloved pup. Dogs really ARE the best. Your thoughtfulness to her shelter is a loving tribute.
Oh Lindsey G., I feel your sadness and am so sorry about your dog.
I’m so sorry to read about your dog, what a terrible loss. Sending all my love and a virtual hug.
My kid used to get afterschool Japanese tutoring in a library pod and it was such a great resource for them.
yes, what MB said.
I have been reeling ever since I lost my mom last year–apparently Michelle Obama is the same. I have missed work and social occasions and it just seems so lame to say “I’m sad because I miss my mom.” Dad has been gone for 9 years now, which I can hardly believe, he was such a force of nature.
I don’t know why that comment posted twice. But sorry about your pup, Lindsey. My sweet darling 6 year old dog died in October and it’s still hard. I don’t even know what she died from. She was such a good girl.
@Rose @Katy @MB in MN @Susies Daughter – thank you for your kind words. You all get it, I know.
I’m so sorry about your dog. That’s heartbreaking.
I’m so sorry about your dog. Pets are like family members to many of us. Hugs and more hugs.
Long Island is a terrific book. It’s a sequel to Brooklyn, if you haven’t read that one, although it’s not necessary to read them in order.
Lindsey G., I, too, am so sorry to hear about your dog. It’s so hard when they leave us. What a lovely gesture donating high quality food to that rescue – our dog is a rescue, and I know the lady who runs it does so on a shoestring. I’m sure they will appreciate it.
I am so sorry for your loss.
Losing a fur-baby sucks, pure and simple. She was loved and if like any fur-baby in my house, lived the life of Reilly. Give yourself time, sad to say more fur-babies looking for good homes than good homes.
So sorry for the loss of your beloved pet, they really are family to us. I read both Brooklyn and Long Island by Colm Tolbin and enjoyed them!
I am so sad to hear of the death of your doggie.
Thank you for mentioning the study pod that you used in your library. I am on the library board in my small town which has it’s library in an 1865 yr old house. A space planner suggested we put a glass door on one small room for someone to take phone calls. I was perplexed as to why someone would use that. Now I understand. I do think our library is too small and doesn’t have enough hours open to make this feasible.
I love that you’re close with your grown kids. Gives hope to this soon-to-be empty nester!
1. Found $10 under a car while picking up my dog’s poop!
2. Repaired my dryer myself with a combination of error codes, Internet sleuthing, and elbow grease.
3. Spot-cleaned, steamed, and pressed my son’s wool suit pants. I consider “Dry Clean Only” a challenge!
4. Stocked up on sale cucumbers. My teens go through a LOT of produce.
5. Did the math when buying tea and determined that the intermediate size was a significantly better value than the smallest or the largest, so that’s the one I bought.
Claudia, your #1 made me LOL. My late MIL used to say that when she dreamed of money, she got s**t, and vice versa–but you seem to have gotten both at the same time!
A. Marie, thanks for a much-needed laugh!
Claudia, We’ve been empty nesters for a year now. We were quite concerned going in, but it’s been really good to get to know ourselves again. In regard to your #4, you’ll be shocked at how much less food you consume!
Good to know, Roberta, thank you! Re #4, my husband and I joke that we’ll come out ahead after paying college room and board. 🙂
1. Had to drive my husband a few hours away to catch a flight. I made pizzas and teas ahead of time to take with us. I didn’t have my usual pizza toppings, so instead made chicken bbq (using up bbq I had) and Mexican chorizo pizza, which I think I’d make again. I also used some mint leaves from my windowsill garden in the tea.
2. Since I was up by an Aldi (don’t have any local), I stopped in and bought some groceries. I was tempted to stop in somwhere and buy coffee on the drive home, but didn’t.
3. Went on a walk yesterday…free exercise.
4. I helped my daughter dye her hair with a clearance hair dye. I think it was $4. I no longer dye my own, but let my silver highlights shine instead: https://practicalwalk.com/2024/11/25/bye-to-the-dye/
5. Last night was our first night of free electric rates. I put the laundry in, but didn’t set the dryer for long enough, and it wasn’t dry this morning…I’m used to just setting it for a little bit and checking it. All well, I’ll get used to it
1) I happily took home a carafe of extra coffee from church on Sunday and reheated it Monday.
2) I also happily served leftover chili and chips Monday night from our AFC championship viewing party on Sunday. Chili was made with canned beans and canned tomatoes with green chilis – both on sale. Poor Bills…
3) I twice talked myself out of buying a red tablecloth or runner for Lunar New Year and instead used our already on hand decorations and some red carnations. Dinner included homemade fried rice and soup with homemade broth.
4) Exercise is walking snowy paths or skiing on equipment I already own. Time with friends and dogs outside is very good for my mental health always, but especially these days.
5) I am continuing my commitment to collect more open space and went through the top of the coat closet yesterday. Several things went in the trash, a few to the donation bag and a couple to friends. We have enough head lamps to outfit our whole household twice and enough vacuum cleaner bags (they are stored there) for six more months. Good to know!
I love the inspiration of a commitment to collecting more open space!
1. I got my free birthday sandwich from McDonald’s before the offer expired!
2. I bought my eggs at Trader Joe’s. The price went up 50 cents, but they’re still the cheapest eggs in town. I think everyone else has discovered the deal, because I got the last dozen yesterday.
3. I found a nice frame on a free pile and now I’m looking for art to put in it.
4. I’ve been improvising soups lately, to use up random pantry and freezer items. Cheap eats!
5. I don’t have to pay my spouse to appear in public with me.
Your #5…same! And if I did, you wouldn’t see him with me. I’d be long gone.
1. We had all the kids and grandkids visit for a late Christmas weekend. I really wanted to cook for everyone. I estimate we spent about $200 on food for dinner for 11 and breakfast for 10 . For dinner we had lasagna, salad, garlic bread and dessert. Breakfast was bacon and ham, hash brown casserole, eggs, pancakes, biscuits and fruit salad. All homemade. It sounds like a lot of money, but that was 21 meals. Plus, two people took home cake, one took home lasagna, one grandson took breakfast foods for two meals, and husband and I had 2 or 3 meals from left overs. The price per meal kept going down.
2. A bonus of the visit was that we were able to rehome with family members some items that we weren’t using and weren’t going to use. Our visitors took away a large dehumidifier, 2 beautiful vintage glass trays, 2 blankets, 2 storage jars and a plastic pitcher.
3. I trimmed down my items listed on Etsy. A few went into the craft supply closet. Most will go to a friend’s yard sale. Now I have more room for things that might actually sell.
4. We were given a great chair that is more attractive and comfortable that the one it is going to replace.
5. We had a friend over for movies and leftovers. We had a lovely time with no money spent.
1. Gave away a pair of almost new winter boots on local buy nothing group. They are so cute, but impossible to get on, due to no zipper. Hopefully someone else can have better luck.
2. Found Simple Truth plant based egg replacer on clearance for $2,49 instead of $4,99. Equal to 35 eggs and usable for baking. I tested it Sunday with muffins and could not tell the difference, so returned today and bought the last two bags. I’ll stick in the freezer. 105 eggs for $8? Yes!
3. Growing spouts on my counter in a jar with netting on top.
4. Air drying laundry on rack after a 15 minute quick load.
5. Started reading Prophet Song, a Christmas gift from my son. It won the Booker Prize in 2023. The first chapter is reading like January 2025 in America. Anyone else read this? We’ll see if I can continute.
Jenni, thanks for putting the egg replacer on my radar.
I have not read Prophet Song, and after reading the description, I’m afraid I’m not going to be able to as it feels like we’re already living in a ghastly fictional dystopia.
@Jenni in Utah – thanks for the egg replacement tip! I’m going to see if I can find that in our local store.
Ground flax seed will also work as an egg replacer in baked goods. I’ve been doing it for years in muffins, pancakes etc for DS as a way to bump up the fiber content for him. But the first time I did I was actually out of eggs and I thought “Well, here goes nothing!”. Omega 3 bonus as well. 1T ground flax plus 3T water since the average egg is about 1/4c.
I noticed the spices in your obtained-from-the-neighbors Bonne Mamon jars. They look cute, all lined up there together, beneath your coffee mugs. (See? I pay attention!)
1. Took a loaf of bread out of the freezer for sandwiches instead of buying a loaf. It’s about time I ate the frozen bread up.
2. Even though my substitute teaching job didn’t start until 3rd period yesterday, I made sure to arrive in the morning before 1st period in order to get paid for the whole day. And as a bonus, they didn’t need me for a morning class, but didn’t send me home. So I ended up reading my paperback novel (gleaned from a free pile) in the library during 1st and 2nd periods. Sitting on a comfy sofa, no less! With my buddy the librarian looking the other way as I sipped my morning coffee from the faux Stanley cup I bought from Aldi. Nice!
3. The coffee was brewed at home, no Starbucks for me!
4. Collected rainwater and put it in gallon jugs for my houseplants. Rainwater has nitrogen but lacks chlorine so it’s great for plants.
5. Did not make an a$$ of myself ranting and raving about tragic aircraft collisions being caused by DEI policies. (How sick can he get?)
Fru-gal Lisa, answer to your #5: Sick and sicker (with intended riff on dumb and dumber).
Here in Brisbane Australia, sharing the heart breaking crash in horror. Can’t believe the very public, pre investigation, public blaming and shaming. What a dreadful burden to throw on grieving families. This administration will go down in history for crimes against humanity
That mug is so incredible!!
1. Made two nights of dinners out of the freezer to avoid takeout and grocery shopping when we aren’t home much right now.
2. Found a lunch special near my office that is within the realm of reality (midtown Manhattan is littered with $23 lunches) and was so relieved. $13 for soup and a half sandwich in most of the country is insane but I am just happy to have a backup plan if I don’t bring lunch that won’t bankrupt me.
3. Found our favorite protein shakes for buy-one, get-one 50% off so we stocked up.
4. It’s SO DRY. Suddenly remembered how effective boiling water on the stove is for increasing humidity. Put a pot on and the apartment suddenly feels like a tropical oasis.
5. Same elements as always – heat is low, coffee is brewed at home, tap water is drank. Keeping on, keeping on.
1. Reused foil, plastic bags, and 50 lb. dog food bags (for garbage) several times this week. Used rags instead of paper towels several times. Small things but I keep doing them.
2. Library for books and puzzles.
3. Mailed two eBay sales for free, using two USPS mystery shops that paid the postage plus $15 for doing each one.
4. Was offered two dozen eggs for free when the food bank got so many expired eggs that they could not give them away. Eggs last a lot longer than folks think so I snatched them up before they were sent to the pig farm.
5. Didn’t ruin my clothes by swallowing instead of vomiting when I watched Jabba the Hutt used his press conference about the crash to talk about how he restored the highest standards of air traffic controllers, overturning the Obama and Biden standards. Then went into a rant on DEI standards encouraging mentally ill and intellectually challenged folks to become air traffic controllers. He has no shame.
Lindsey, re: your #5, of all the s**t DJT has pulled on Jan. 20 and since, this was among the worst. I’m doing all I can do vs. Voldemort at the moment by donating to Planned Parenthood, the ACLU Foundation, and various environmental charities–but it still feels like spitting into the wind.
And face it ladies – these insecure white males just *CANNOT* deal with strong women. We are strong women and no A. Marie, you are NOT spitting into the wind. Think about it – for centuries, women received little to no education. Could not inherit estates. Well guess what, a good percentage of we women are educated AND can handle money (sorry duggar and other “quiverful” girls who were seen as nothing but breeding vessels). We can and will make a difference, we are the resistance.
Please know you are not “spitting in the wind” – you are doing THE NEXT NEEDED THING, which, according to my favorite author Sharon McMahon – is what we all should be doing, rather than just giving up. I encourage anyone to read her first, and bestselling, book “The Small and The Mighty” – to get encouraged that Americans have survived more troublesome times than these! (She is also the only place I get my news – her Instagram is @sharonsaysso – and she breaks everything down in a Non partisan way than a 9 year old could understand! )
Lindsey, “did not throw up on my clothes” may have to be my #5 for the foreseeable future.
I don’t think I’m going to get used to the shock of being freshly horrified every time I turn on the news on NPR.
We may have to start wearing bibs at all times in anticipation of a random word from or glimpse of the Oogling Orangeman.
Lindsey- I got an email from Sumo citrus saying they are looking for fans to do a 1 hour interview that will be paid $125 or 2 cartons of sumo oranges, I immediately thought “there is a person on nonconsumer advocate who needs this information” there is an application form https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScd2lTo2TC6h13PHXl3EuVqpmDakH_c2-lnEN6lFVnreWP6DQ/viewform?utm_id=01JJSV2YJB95EH0NANB5KXW28S&_kx=WnUoW_MJ4VOK3AqppCZ9xALPRTsLWJyU9RJEBCDqbAY.X8bzQj
Thanks! I am certainly going to apply! Here two cartons of Sumos would cost a lot more than $125! Appreciate you going to the trouble of posting the info.
I applied, too! Thank you for sharing this. I dont think I’ll be chosen, because I’m not available for the interview at any of the times they offered (during the hours I work). It’s worth a try, though!
Lindsey – if Katy allows it, can I ask her to give you my email? I’d love to hear recommendations for Vilnius! (I have had cepelinai, but I’m guessing you also have lots of additional recommendations!)
Sure, happy to have an email exchange.
Birthplace of “Red October” Submarine Captain Marko Ramius? His nickname was the “Vilnius Schoolmaster”, because he trained most of the Soviet submarine corps.
Thought Vilnius is inland on rivers, not on the ocean….
I’m with you, Lindsey! Funny, but the only mentally ill/intellectually challenged people I know of are the orange monster and his minions, esp. the ones he let out of jail and the super unqualified weird-ohs that he picked for his administration. If he wants to see a mentally ill person, he only needs to look in the mirror. Ditto, intellectually challenged. He thinks he’s a stable genius, but he’s the exact opposite.
He wants to put immigrants in Gitmo. I think we should’ve put the Jan. 6 rioters there, and given the nastiest cell to him. And we should’ve done it back in 2021.
And, A. Marie, I think we all should follow your example and donate to causes we want to see continue despite the ugly idiot’s opposition to them. What we’re saving by being frugal can be contributed to Planned Parenthood, NPR, and other good causes. Even small donations: pennies add up to dollars; dollars to tens of thousands. Selena is right. That’s not spitting in the wind: If a billion people each gave $1, a cause would have a billion dollars. Stay strong and keep up the good fight, sisters!
The Fiesta mugs are so cute, but those round handles are hard for me to actually hold onto, so I’ve sold most of mine, and the remaining ones are used as pen and toothbrush holders.
1. My super handy husband did a huge favor for the neighbors and refused payment, so they brought us a loaf of fresh baked sourdough as a thank you.
2. Cooked a repeat of Thanksgiving dinner the other night, everything came out of the freezer or pantry – boneless turkey roast, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberries, and baked the Frugal Girl’s crustless pumpkin pie.
3. Taking advantage of free outings with friends – attended a free “learn to play Mahjong” class at the community center with one friend today, and am hitting the gym with another friend tonight. Her gym is fancier than mine, and she can bring a friend anytime, so we workout and then visit in the hot tub and sauna. I’ll shower there and use their hot water instead of mine at home.
4. We have good weather in the forecast this weekend, so I’m taking the kids to the amusement park using the discount season passes we picked up last fall. We plan to get there right after they open, play around for a few hours until we get hungry, and then go eat dinner at an inexpensive local restaurant outside the park. The cost to eat inside the park is insane, and the food isn’t that great.
5. Just the usual – making coffee at home, drinking tap water, eating leftovers, avoiding food waste, reading library books, batching errands to save gas, etc.
1. I worked at shift at the deli for a former coworker who needed the day off. This occasional work at the deli where I was a former regular worker, working the elections in my town and my once a year yard sale have become my most lucrative side gigs in retirement.
2. I picked up a book for DH from the library he wants to read, The Tragedy of the Whale Ship Essex by Nathaniel Philbrick.
3. My grandson gave me a gallon of milk his father bought for him. I just bought eggs so I think a custard is in our future. So good sprinkled with nutmeg. I sent him home with snacks I had purchased but should not be eating if I want to lose weight. Fair exchange.
4. I purchased a Valentine themed cake mix and frosting at Market Basket (cheap-o store) that had a dollar off coupon attached to it. My Grandson16 ‘s birthday is February 14th as is my wedding anniversary so I will make it as a treat for us three and anybody who cares to join us.
5. I didn’t blame the national tragedy of an air disaster on disabled people.
“In the Heart of the Sea, The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex” by Philbrick is an absolutely wonderful book. It won the National Book Award in 2000. I was so impressed by it, I bought the junior bowdlerized version for my son (who was six in 2000) and he loved it too. Hm, it’s been 25 years, I should re-read it.
I read it years ago too and loved it. Especially knowing Moby Dick was based on this true story. So my DH watched the movie about the Essex and decided he wanted to read the book. We act had a copy. I say ‘had’. Nowhere to be found but I’m pretty sure I consigned it at my friend’s indy book store awhile back. Library to the rescue!
…we ACTUALLY had a copy…
1. I froze a bag of chopped kale since I was not going to use it by the Best By date. It will be fine in soups at a later date.
2. A friend was in town and DH has been home sick with a cold all week. She joined me for my charity stitching group and then we went to her favorite restaurant. I ordered soup and paid with a gift card I’d received for making a donation. It was the first restaurant/take out food I’d had in over a month.
3. The cashier missed my $10 off a $50 order coupon this morning so I stopped at Customer Service and found $.11 on the floor in front of the desk (and was refunded the $10).
4. I wore a so-so pair of tennis shoes for a walk. There’s no point in not wearing them out.
5. I washed a throw rug at home that has washing instructions that recommend a commercial washer. It is fine. I hung it outside to dry on a windy day.
I bought more coffee and cat litter this week at Ollie’s Outlet, since those items come from Columbia and Canada. Read a library book. Bought the next book for book club on eBay for just $4. Been eating all the homemade Healthy Choice meals I made up for the freezer. Ditto for the dogs with their homemade kibble topper. (I have one side of the fridge freezer shelf and their food is the other side, as the containers are identical.)
Made up a pitcher of slightly weak iced tea with a container of second time around tea bags. I throw them in an old cottage cheese container in the freezer until there’s enough to brew a second time. Have you priced tea lately? It’s $9 for a not large box here and I drink a lot of tea.
Cleaned my house with a stack of old rags and washable mop pads. Bathed, brushed, trimmed coats and did nails for all three pets. Except the cat, who got the full beauty treatment minus the bath, though I did wipe her down with a couple of pet wipes. This spared the expense of a couple hundred bucks.
That love seat is really cool! What a great frugal find.
I pulled up a very old political sign (local politician should have been fined by now), clipped off the zip ties, put the sign aside, and kept the very sturdy steel stakes that were holding the sign up. I use these stakes in the summer when I cover my garden on extremely hot days, tying an old sheet to several stakes for a tent-like effect.
Old campaign signs as well as yard signs advertising vacation Bible schools can be recovered or repainted and reused for yard sales. I also have some huge campaign signs from long-ago elections. I turn them over so the blank side is up, put them on sawhorses, and use them for garage sale tables.
1. My son was coming over to do laundry. I asked if he could stop and grab us a tomato. We were having BLT’s with homemade soup. He grabbed just the tomato.
2. My daughter came home from vacation and got her dog. She did not buy us anything because we don’t need anything from Disney. She watches our dog when we need it.
3. I have brought lunch with me to work like always. I go to make money, not spend money.
4. My son is taking my car to work with him tomorrow. Hubby ordered me new tires and my son is putting them on for me. He is a mechanic. Hubby will take his car because it’s a manual. I will take Hubby’s truck because it’s an automatic
5. I cashed out $30 in surveys. I won’t get rich doing them but it is extra income that I really don’t have to think about. It will go to the mortgage principal.
I recently discovered your website, Katy, and I am so glad that I did! I am no longer on social media, so it is great to be able to read your posts (and all the GREAT comments) here. I can tell that y’all are my kind of people!
I am a spender and always have been, but I am determined to change that, and I love reading all the great ideas here. One big frugal thing I’ve done was cancel Amazon Prime in December. When I added up how much I spent there last year, PLUS finding out about their one million dollar donation to Voldemort’s inauguration, that gave me the incentive I needed. I do think every small decision matters, and I am feeling really inspired-THANK YOU!!!
Welcome Amy C!
Amy C., glad you’re here!
Thanks so much!
We all should get a mega arse petition going for the NFL to *not* allow Prime to carry NFL football games. That would clear out another percentage of folks (including me – well I could deal with not seeing my team but better half gets quite whiny. And now that woman have reached equality, it is far cheaper to keep him than divorce him.
If the bully goes ahead with his 25% tariffs for Canada and Mexico on Saturday, (why is he announcing this before he does it? so those countries can try to stop him, so he can then call them cowards and prove himself as a great dealer?), I am not sure if it is prudent, or panicking, or hoarding to do any fast shopping now. Certainly we will make sure our gas tanks are topped up.
1. Only one more day to go on my no-spend week. I have not caved.
2. In two different walks, I have found a baseball and a stocking cap. The ball is in good condition, but dirty, even after scrubbing. Even so, I will put it in the Goodwill bag. If it were not winter, I would just leave it at the baseball diamond in the park, but …. It’s winter!
3. I reconstituted some dried-out wet wipes by dampening them under running water and storing them in a glass jar.
4. I mended a hole in my coat pocket, the better to not lose found change!
5. I started a project to sort and label a whole lot of photographs and memorabilia. This will keep me busy for quite a while. I resisted the urge — so far — to buy sorting baskets.
6. I am really trying to avoid the news as much as possible. I doubt my neighbors appreciate hearing me scream at the TV. Though they may sympathize (I hope).
One more day! One more day! Go, Beth!
1) Continued to fill out surveys, and cash out about $6-10/day. It’s easy & enjoyable & I like helping colleges with the studies.
2) Was selected for a travel user study, which pays around $150 (I think, can’t remember exactly).
3) I’ve been sick & not really eating a lot, so that saved money for sure!
4) Helped DS17 sell an item on eBay for $185, which will go towards his senior trip.
5) Used pantry challenge items for our dinner on Monday (coconut milk + curry & the last of some wilty spinach). Dinner was great, and made multiple meals of leftovers.
Where do you sign up for studies?
For the surveys, I use Prolific (they are typically studies run by college students).
For the user studies, I use Dscout. Good luck!
* Used a free ticket offer at the movies
* Picked up extra shifts the last couple weeks
* Also a homebody, as many here seem to be. I enjoy being at home in my PJ, quietly reading (public library/free piles books) or doing (free or cheap) puzzles, or playing boards games with the family. I never thought about it this way but it is true : this house is my most expensive purchase (paid in full for 5 years now 🙂 ), and I should enjoy it to the max.
* Been doing a personal low spend 2025 and so far my only personal expense was a 50$ cancellation fee for the gym, which will save me money in the long run (working out at home instead)
* Got a free small pizza claiming an online offer.
1. Was waiting for the bag sale at Hospice Thrift but it was cancelled by the rain. So I didn’t spend money there (although I waited all month for this event). 50% sale is tomorrow so I’ll try again, for stuff for house or my eBay shop.
2. Borrowing Katy’s idea, I had a coupon for a $3 Starbucks (any hot drink), so I got a venti chai latte and split it with my husband. A treat for both of us.
3. Am really working the electric company’s “avoid 4-9 pm” hours to get a better cost. So we are delaying the dishwasher until 9 pm and doing wash day and night, but not afternoon and evening. It’s raining, so I will hang some items in my living room but not the full on bedsheets.
4. I baked the last butternut squash and will be making soup this weekend. I’m currently making chili with half an onion, dry pintos, a quarter pound of gr beef from the freezer, and lots of random veggies from the crisper (winter) drawer. It will keep us warm all weekend. We will add tortilla bits from the bottom of the bag for a topping.
5. I used potato chip crumbs to bread some pork chops this week and they tasted delish. Like we were eating potatoes but none to be seen on the plate. Frugal wins!
I’m working on my taxes, and am thankful for the current Federal administration! I’m fairly certain that many who visit this site, being the frugal people that we are, have a small or no mortgage. Without the change in tax code, my husband and I would be sunk! We can’t itemize, since we have no mortgage. And we have no dependents that would have garnered a few dependent exemptions under the previous tax code. We would owe so much more in taxes without the huge standard deduction for married filing jointly. I’m much more confident that these tax provisions will be preserved under the current President, before they expire this year. I will survive inflation, because I buy only sales/clearance/thrift store items, and refuse to pay the high prices. I shopped around for affordable home/auto insurance, cell phone, and Internet plans. We are frugal with energy and water. But income taxes are unavoidable. Yes we can make fiscally responsible choices (IRA deductions, being one) to lighten the load, but we can’t shop for an income tax sale!
The paltry amount you’re saving on taxes – bank it as you’ll need at least twice that much to maintain your current cost of living for at least the next two years.
And to be frank, none of us on this board got more than a pittance from the “tax cut”, or should I say deficit accelerator?
I got my oil changed for free at the dealer.
I redeemed Fetch points for a $25 Ikea giftcard – am saving for a new Poang Chair pad.
A friend was coming over and brought me her leftover Cuban shredded pork bowl after she went to lunch. There wasn’t much meat left, but more than enough rice and black beans to make another meal!
Another friend brought me Asian turkey burger and pickled veggies she had left after feeding her family.
Reading library books and always making my own coffee at home and bringing it.
Continue to rescue brown bananas from the office trash and recycle them into bread, muffins and smoothies!
So many great tips from everyone with every post!
1. With the whole Colombia fiasco and the fact that that’s where most of our coffee comes from, I double checked to see how many bags I had from all the sales that occurred in November and December. I have enough to last me almost a whole year (or to even use a bag or two to barter with).
2. We had training at work on Wednesday, which included an amazing lunch. There was so much left over that I was able to have lunch again yesterday. Plus, they restocked a few snacks we get at work and I had a yogurt for dessert. I brought my own coffee.
3. The boy came over during the night Wednesday because he needed an oil change, but turned out, he also needed new rear brakes. So mom helped him out. He also brought his laundry and did his laundry while he was here. Not frugal, but at least my kid is safe.
4. I have been reading, a lot. I’ve also been listening to a lot of music. I’m not watching local television at all. I’m still on TikTok (which I adore) and blue sky. The best part is, I’m on world tok, so I have found many people who live in Europe and I am learning words here and there in Hungarian, Gaelic, Spanish, Italian, and German. I’mloving it.
5. I too, did not throw up on my shirt anytime the orange blob speaks. I am so disgusted by what is going on and so fearful for so many people. We all knew this was going to happen, but it has been so much worse in such a short amount of time. And I feel terrible for those families (some of the skaters were local to me) and I had watched the competitions that occurred last weekend. My heart breaks for this country.
I also stocked up on coffee during the great holiday sales. I also bought several boxes of Lipton tea (my husbands fav) just in case.
1. I made a gallon of yogurt in my slow cooker.
2. When it was time to let it set, I wrapped the cooker in a homemade wrap based on Wonder Bags, but mine use scrap quilt batting for insulation.
3 Made an apple cake using drop apples I got for free at a local orchard.
4. Made my own hummous, which i enjoy for lunches.
5. Mended some clothes- socks, sweaters, blanket binding, flannel shirt…
I’m going to correct you “handy to have her mother who still drives her 20+ yr minivan” to “da*$ lucky to have a mom who would drive a minivan, much less still have one”. Minivans – love them or hate them, there is no in-between.
I didn’t buy an election either!
1. Saved 90 cents a gallon on gas with grocery points!
2. Redeemed “coupons” for my birthday freebies: dessert at Arby’s, a car wash, Sephora lip set, Bath n Bodywork’s free item, $5 item At Michael’s, still have a few more to go.
3.line dried (inside on racks and indoor clothes line) 3 loads of laundry.
4. Bought the max amount of boneless skinless chicken breasts, and burger at loss leader prices. Am freezing most for later. Also got ribs on sale plus BOGO.
5. Bought clearance individual containers of cut up fresh fruit and made fruit salad. $3 for about 8 servings. Not bad!