Five Tiny Frugal Things
by Katy on June 14, 2025 · 59 comments
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I turned two Amazon bubble mailers inside out and taped them together to create a single envelope for my thrifted needlepoint eBay sale.
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My father’s neighbors went out of town and brought them an armload of produce, which is how I ended up with this hand me down bag of food. Thanks, Lindy!
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I started shampooing a grubby curb picked wool rug and am already four hours in. It’s still on the company’s website for $499, so it’s worth my efforts. Almost done except for a couple of stubborn stains, but I will prevail!
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I baked a loaf of overnight no-knead artisan bread.
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Katy Wolk-StanleyÂ
âUse it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.â
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Happy No Kings Day to those of us who celebrate. And may it rain on his parade.
Cynthia, I’m celebrating! I’m riding down to our local “No Kings” event with one of my Sunday morning walking buddies and her husband. My sign, using a big piece of Styrofoam as a base, features the June 10, 2024 New Yorker cover with a cartoon of DJT getting handcuffs put on his tiny wrists (don’t we wish!). I’ve embellished DJT’s head with a paper cutout crown. Above him, I’ve written “No Felons! No Kings!”, and below him, “LOCK HIM UP!” (Please take note that the sign was constructed entirely from materials I had on hand. A Frankensign, Katy might call it.)
I had relatives attend a couple different No Kings, I was on bail duty – yet another advantage of being frugal.
AND.. while the magats tried to spin all protests as violent – no, January 6, 2020 was the violent riot-insurrection, I didn’t see any arrests in my area. BUT if there were, please call me for jury duty. Jury nullification isn’t only an option during a Dem in the White House.
And I am crafting my LTTE re: our local dried up crone who thinks Bubba’s blowjob and Ted Kennedy’s consensual flings are worse than orange pox’s grab them by their pussies/adultery/adultery when wife pregnant/post-partum. Orange pox pulled the adultery when pregnant/post-partem in the town where I grew up, he’d have been castrated.
Iâm hoping for some well-directed lightning strikes.
The kids and I made our signs from supplies we already had! It will be their first protest, itâs in walking distance from our house so easy to get to and easy to leave if it gets to be too much for them.
Not only rain, but may a bolt of lighting knock him dead while he’s on his reviewing stand. Ditto, all the MAGAts standing with him.
Several months ago I was in charge of fulfilling orders for our fellowship’s page a day calendar. I learned that the Post Office doesn’t care what type of logo is on the package (including Amazon).
Be sure to obliterate any barcodes. Scanners get confused and pkgs delayed. Neighbor learned this the hard way: much-needed pkg took two months to get to her, when she reused a box
This is a change, because about 10 years ago I had postal workers refuse to mail my used Fresh Direct cardboard boxes! They eventually agreed to do it AFTER I used black sharpie to mark out ALL the logos. Ahhh, Rockefeller Center Post Office, I do not miss you.
I recently used a Chewy box at the UPS store and they didn’t even blink- I’m delighted to know the USPS got with the times.
Well, it’s raining in my part of Pennsylvania and the “DC Penitentiary” (I use that term loosely…) is 4 hours south. Praying for the rain to be redirected there. (I think maybe why Queen Elizabeth lived so long is because she wanted to outlive Chucky and pass the torch to William.)
The only anniversary I am commenerating is that today is the 15th anniversary of my mother’s passing. It’s also Flag Day. Unfortunately, a disgrace to our flag was also born on this day. I am pro-life; and there are only 2 women in history that I would supported abortion. Momma Trump and Momma Musk.
Finally getting the tattoo I have been saving for for so long this afternoon. I hate needles; however, I need the positive affirmation message it gives. Not frugal in the monetary sense, but important to my mental health. Kind of odd story how I came up with the idea (thanks to one of our local tv meterologists who is energetic, positive, and, although a lot of people consider him to be “cocky” like the “class clown,” I think he’s great!)
Strawberry shortcake for lunch, mystery meal for supper – meaning I need to dig through the fridge and see what I can come up with.
What about Momma Hitler? Dun dun DUNNHH….it’s OK, I know what you mean.
He was before my time, but you are right
Well, I’m 120 years old, so he’s contemporary to me.
Are we âblaming the motherâ now? DJTâs dad didnât win Father of the Century Award.
True dat. Daddy Trump was a sperm donor.
Mary used to ride around Queens in a chauffered pink Rolls-Royce, collecting coins from the co-op laundry rooms in Fred’s buildings. She was no prize either.
I too will protest with a Frankensign and wearing a chicken TACO costume composed of Marketplace purchases.
I will be speaking at the protest. Speech is printed on scrap paper
Last night I spent 4 hours babysitting my one year old great nephew. Iâm not sure who had more fun, Gus or Aunt Gia!
On the way home from babysitting Daughter and I stopped at Costco for a very cheap dinner
I also stopped at my favorite grocery store for marked down items. They never disappoint. A loaf of bread, 2 mango/OJ drinks, a Cesar chicken salad, several cans of diced tomatoes, total was $9.
Julia, if no one else does at my event, I may start a chant: “Chicken TACO! Chicken TACO!”
That would be amazing!
Yesterday was dorm move out day and I scrounged some free stuff:
Two mattress pads, a dispenser of soft soap and a big jug of refill soft soap, Some nice hangers, a laundry basket, a trash can, a first aid kit, a bath mat, an unopened box of mini wheats, assorted lightly used cleaning sprays, and a bag of redeemable cans.
There were other things, but I stuck to my list. Sadly, my stretch goal of finding a free crock pot was not realized. I passed on a griddle and an electric kettle.
It’s the weekend. Go search the trash bins around apt. complexes, esp. those around the campus. You may yet find your crockpot.
It will appear one day!
Students, in general, are not very crock potty!
You never know! I never expected to find a fancy first aid kit, yet there it was!
1. I, too, made a “no king” sign with supplies already in the house.
2. I picked up a mystery shop yesterday, for lunch on my way home, and tonight’s dinner will be a mystery shop with a 2nd one one route: not including the free food, that will be an extra $37 toward my goal of paying for a trip this fall with mystery shop money.
3. My breakfast this morning was leftovers. Dinner last night was strangolapreti, using spinach and [a now] loaf of stale bread from CSA (partner gets free), cheese that had been a gift, milk, free from mystery shop, and tomato sauce leftover from homemade pizza earlier this week.
4. I am finishing a grant application that will cover my travel, accommodations, and hotel to go to France this fall (for an academic conference). I’ll pay for my partner to come for part of it, and we will extend the trip for a few days to explore the south of France.
5. Our sage plant is huge. Cut some of it for a free floral arrangement in the house.
6. This week, I ate lunch for free at work, ate leftovers twice, and had a work dinner another night, so no grocery shopping this week.
Katy: I’m coming to Portland this week for a conference. If you are comfortable with it, will you share with me (us/your readers) your top 5 cheap eats in Portland?
File this one under You Learn Something New Every Day: Strangolapreti, a spinach and bread gnocchi. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to do a little bit of culinary research.
I always wonder about the food Katy says she makes, like the “okeydokeyartichokey” stuff for example. Never heard of it.
Iâm wondering if our strozzapreti is similar to your strangolapreti? Australian/ Italian for a pasta that would choke a greedy priest! This comes from a time when priests were fat, and expected to be fed when they called on parishioners, and children were thin!
I have made some pretty great frankenmailers for my eBay sales too!
NO surprise there!
Twinsies!
To those protesting, please be extra vigilant and safe. Minnesotans are being asked by law enforcement to stay home. I live a few suburbs away from where the Minnesota DFL lawmakers were assassinated and injured today. It’s an absolutely appalling and evil act of violence.
MB, my friends and I heard this on our way back from our demonstration. Absolutely ghastly. (We’re safe and sound, BTW. Only two unfriendlies showed up at ours, and both were escorted off by police.)
My son is in NYC protesting about our felon president. Unfortunately I am just too tired to deal. And since today is also the annual Pride parade, I am cringing about the probably traffic. But–good for my son anyway.
I tried for the first time to stretch ground beef with TVP. Gotta say, it worked flawlessly. The two pounds of ground beef for $10 easily stretched to three pounds, with critics coughsonifheknewcough none the wiser. I sideeye too much soy as it is so processed and I tend to think too much soy isn’t nutritious, but so far, I’m happy.
Gave away a completely useless Super Soaker water gun none of us could figure out how to use without leaking. The Internet agrees with us. I bought a completely ridiculous imitation Heckler & Koch water gun with a battery to propel the water and it works flawlessly. Why do I need a water gun? because I am at my wits’ end with the beagle puppy and his barking, which somehow is even more irritating than most because it’s high pitched and screamy. I gotta do something.
I had an Irish wolfhound who barked like someone being strangled, which I cannot explain because they usually have a low, menacing bark. I was in the garden watering once and when he started to bark, I directed the stream of water at him. He loved the new game! For the rest of his life, whenever I pulled out the hoe he would come running toward me, begging to be hit with water. If I did not, he would put his lips right on the end of the watering wand.
Beagles haaaaate water, though.
The water gun is for when he’s on the other side of the yard screeching. Faster than turning the hose on.
And yeah, all my other beagles have a deep AROOOOO. Jasper sounds like a rusty gate closing.
I’ve had beagles for 40 years. One of them needed consistent and gentle use of Bitter Apple Spray to get their barking under control.
Our younger dog is an Australian cattle dog/shih tzu/chihuahua mix, and erupts into the high-pitched chihuahua scream when riled up. It could crack glass.
According to genetic tests, my other young dog is a mix of beagle, chihuhua and pit, 25% each, and 25% other. And yet he’s bigger than a pit and hardly ever barks. He is so weird. His coloring is exactly like a Jack Russell and his body is shaped like a boxer’s, but he’s neither. Oh well, we love him.
Rose,
Respectfully, wondering why you think too much soy is not nutritious? As you know, its a source of plant based protein and provides fiber, vitamins, and minerals. My opinion, I would guess if you eat processed soy foods all day long, it might be an issue.
It’s an ultra highly processed food and I try to avoid them. I know a number of vegetarians who eat that processed fake meat every day and I want to shake them. That’s after they drink oat “milk” for breakfast and then boast about being plant based. Whoopee. I drink real milk.
I could stretch the meat with lentils but I have a bad feeling my son would notice. I really should get some lentils–haven’t had lentil soup in a long time.
Katy, have you ever posted your recipe for no knead bread? I just made some from a recipe I found on line. It is excellent for a first try. I would like to see your recipe to see if it is similar. Thanks.
I have not made it but I think this might be the recipe Katy shared.
https://frugalfitmom.net/recipes-1/2020/2/12/crusty-no-knead-bread
Yes, that’s it.
Thanks!
Thoroughly cleaned my house this morning, washed all the reusable mop pads, rags and dusters and have them hung up to dry. Turned a small can of tuna into three sandwiches by adding lots of chopped celery and pickles.
Getting physical therapy for my lower back and am being diligent about doing the exercises, thus getting my money’s worth for the expense and effort.
Bought discounted brown bananas to make banana-walnut bran muffins, which are delicious. Am delighted to see that the celery “stump” I planted is sending up a shoot.
Have not felt the need thrown myself a $48 million ego-massaging birthday party at the nation’s expense.
1. Digging up starts of plants in my garden so I can fill a new flower bed for free.
2. Fluffing up my home to help me feel better. The frugal part is I’m mostly reusing what I have and keeping a list of things that I will look for.
3. I was super tired yesterday and my husband was tired from painting interior of our house, so we went to In n Out for dinner where we can both eat for a total of under $10.
4. Our home insurance company tried to tell me I didn’t get a discount that they have clearly stated in their paperwork, and for which they acknowledge that I have submitted the correct documents. I told them to try again.
5. Doing ALL the routine maintenance during the summer while my husband is off school. It costs, but it saves.
Made a stock up run to Aldis. Dented veg store was closed, boo! Stopped in GW. Scored a salad master sauce pan with lid-$5- woot!Woot! Corning ware loaf pan, $5. I destroy loaf pans, either they rust or the coating scratches. Hopefully this one will hold up. 2 children’s shirts $3 ea. Old sauce pan will be recycled and the lid will be donated. The handle had rusted off a couple years ago, glad to see it go! I love salad master, reminds me of my grandmother….tap, tap, tap! Also went by dollar tree for Father’s day cards and disposable 9×13’s for an upcoming fundraiser.
I have pledged not to buy aluminum foil until the tangerine hemorrhoid leaves office. It’s darn near $5 a roll, wth!!! I don’t need it anyway.
Sent two bags of kids clothes to a friend via a mutual friend. Glad to see it finally out of my house.
Cooked pintos in the crock pot and froze for future me.
Stuck a box fan in the window and put off turning on ac a little longer.
Enjoying new potatoes from the garden, green onions, and mustard greens.
Dumpster dove a partial sheet of plywood and half a 2×4.
Dh fixed my 4 wheeler. The belt cost $60. I’m relieved because I thought I’d shredded the transmission.
Frugal fail, flat tire on cattle trailer couldn’t be patched. A new tire was required, yuck.
Took 3 yearling bulls to my Dad’s to be pampered and grow. Next year they will become herd bulls. I may sell one to a neighbor, we’ll see. It would be lovely to add rental ground and need all 3 bulls. They are very sweet, well mannered boys!
Spent the week helping out at vacation Bible school. A week off work and laughing at the kids’ antics, yes plz! The kids raised enough money to gift 6 families with flocks of chickens through Heifer International đ !!!!!
For one startled moment, I read that as HEFNER International, and was thinking Bunnyâs, not chickens!
Well, Coral, Heifer International does also do bunnies. Just not the Hefner kind. đ
1. Spent the day defrosting my fridge. Don’t know yet whether it was frugal or a disastrous frugal fail, because if it doesn’t get cool again I’ve lost two coolers full of food and maybe a refrigerator, too! But I think I heard the compressor come on. Fingers crossed.
2. Reading a borrowed e-book from my library after a few bad moments when I couldn’t find it. Needed to sync!
3. Did not attend the No Kings rally after hearing the shocking news from Minnesota. I live in a liberal town, but it’s famously liberal, so sometimes right-wing idiots from out of town think they need to show us how tough they are. And anyway, I had to babysit my fridge.
4. Ordered a birthday gift for my daughter in law, using credits from Amazon to bring the price down. (My son is an Amazon employee, so I am okay with giving them my business.)
5. With my food packed in coolers, I was tempted to go out for lunch today, but I made do with a peanut butter sandwich!
Got my tattoo today that I waited a year and a half for. Young man who did it cut me a price break. Should have probably charged me $200 minimum; charged me $150 instead. Gave him $200 and told him to keep the change. I did the design and took it to him…all he had to do was resize it slightly. The tattoo shop is on the main street of small-town PA and there was a “No Kings – Dump Trump” rally right outside the door. Had to walk a block to find parking. At least it was a peaceful protest as in no violence. There was an impromptu band with drums, cymbals, and kazoos going up and down the street. People yelling. Horns honking. Signs everywhere. I’m not a political person in terms of a protest. Both my husband and I contacted our legislators and gave them a piece of our minds.
I just want to say I absolutely LOVE your site!…… just really wish there wasn’t so much political stuff…..
I love being able to be myself on this site. Iâd never go to one of the more âtradwifeâ frugal sites and comment that I wish theyâd leave Jesus out of it.
@Li, thanks for this sweet and solid answer. I was allowing myself to get (ahem) annoyed. You nailed it.
As seen on a window sticker “Jesus loves us all. I am his favorite”.
My hubby wanted to go get Mexican for lunch. We discovered we can order our favorite appetizer and split it, which is plenty of food for us (sorry if I already mentioned this). While there, we saw the previous owner, who still helps the current owners. He taught my husband and both my kids, and he very nicely took care of our meal, asking only that we give our waiter a tip, which of course we were already planning to do. Such a nice surprise.
A lady I follow on Instagram did a declutter challenge in January: one item for the number of each day of the month. I decided to do that for June. It ends up being about 465 items. I thought Iâd end up having to count pencils, but just from the cubby where I kept long forgotten HBA items from my extreme couponing days, I found 90 items!! Some were too far gone to do anyone any good, but I gathered up quite a bit to donate to a local thrift store. Then I went through some greeting cards I had been given and took out the ones I had no need for and found another 25 items! In total, I already have 140+ items – Iâm keeping a list on my phone. May not save me any money, but it makes me feel a lot better!
Other than that, I stayed at home, enjoying some quiet time, porch sitting, reading, and working on my granddaughterâs stocking.
@Alice, The declutter challenge as you have written is fabulous. So then my perfectionist brain said that I could start in July. er, no sister, I can start today. 15 things TODAY! And with your 465 as a total (and description of counting pencils, LOL) I think I could find a way to do enough, as they say in AA, “Just for Today”.
And what a sweet thing for the previous owner to do for you and your husband at the restaurant. I bet the waiter got a grand tip that night! Paying it forward, one kind act at a time.
You can do it!! And even if we donât find 465 items, it will still be something!!!