Four Frugal Things, One Frugal Fail
by Katy on May 9, 2025 · 40 comments
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My minivan has been making a horrendous rattling noise over the past few months and neither my husband nor I had been able to figure out the cause. I finally took it to Les Schwab this morning, thinking it was a suspension or shocks issue and had already decided that I wouldn’t get upset as long as the repair was under a thousand dollars. It was . . . a pair of loose bolts which they didn’t charge us for. People, I’ve been actively angry with this noise since at least January! Whew . . .
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Les Schwab has free popcorn and espresso drinks, so I brought along a ziptop bag and travel mug. I grabbed my free bag of popcorn when I dropped the car off and another one when I picked it up. I also made myself a half mochaccino/half regular coffee drink, which I drank while walking home from the mechanic. I was willing to spend $1000, but I’ll also accept the free treats!
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I accompanied my friend Lise to an historic nursery open house last night, which was interesting and educational. I’d never heard of this business before, even though it’s been around forever. They had refreshments, which meant cookies and a beer for me. The Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden no longer has free or even pay what you will hours, so this garden tour scratched my itch to walk through a beautiful garden.
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My husband casually asked this morning if we’d paid our Arts Tax, which prompted an immediate uh oh feeling, as I’d completely spaced out this completely not optional Portland tax! It’s only $35 per person, but I’m always the person to take care of it. What’s worse is that I’d offered to pay it for the kids and there was a $15 late fee per person! Oh well . . . $60 has now been paid in late fees, but at least it’s taken care of and I’ll be sure to pay it in 2026. Crap!
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I found three 10¢ returnable bottles and cans while walking to and from Les Schwab.
Katy Wolk-Stanley
“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.”
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{ 40 comments… read them below or add one }
Ermagahd! An Art Tax is amazing to have but so PNW. Love it. And saving $1000 on your not-transmission-issue is a total win.
My wins today are from the freezer.
1. I found a single layer cake in the freezer, pulled it out and frosted it, using up the lingering leftover Betty Crocker chocolate frosting that has no best-buy date ever. It’s good for eternity! I used it up, mixed with the vanilla. Which is not finished yet, but it’s good forever so who cares?
2. I had the urge to bake (before pulling out that cake) and made chocolate chip cookies with oatmeal in place of half the flour, and using up part of a bag of very rock hard brown sugar. I microwaved it for 30 seconds and could scoop what I needed. Not finished yet. The cookie dough is freezing in scoop portions and will go into the former cake ziplock bag, now with a new label on it. (Permanent ink, not actual label.)
3. I always save the butter paper in a cereal bag in the freezer for when I need to grease a pan. I used one of the papers from the cookie dough to grease the cookie scoop so the dough wouldn’t stick.
4. Husband is eating leftovers from last night. I am eyeing the rest of the homemade hummus and some veggies.
5. Bit old FAIL: I did not get a paycheck I expected on the first, and it still hasn’t come. I was able to get money transferred from our money market account by TODAY. That money landed today and then disappeared with NSF fees (about 6 of them, ouch) and unpaid checks. I’m disgusted and talked with the money guy who will be sending that amount every month until I can get a more regular paycheck. I haven’t had a NSF fee for some time and I’m disgusted about the fail. Now we’re waiting for SS to land so we can buy groceries. LUCKY FOR MY FREEZER.
OH – I forgot to mention — watch the PBS Nature show on Hummingbirds in Hollywood — it’s lovely. An hour long. Wherever you get PBS. Perfect for bird nerds. Compassionate and poignant.
Go into your bank/credit union and explain the situation. Ask if they can lower or cancel the fees. In a different situation, I had fees forgiven by just asking.
Julia, thank you for sharing about the butter wrappers. Why do I never think of these things?! Sixty-eight and still learning!
Yes! The hummingbird show was amazing.
. Also the same night a PBS show on insects.
FAIL. I have cut my grocery bills by more than half since January (it’s embarrassing to realize how much I had been spending for one person.) Today I braved the schwanky grocery store to pick up some special items for a birthday dinner I’m making for my sister-in-law tonight. I budgeted ahead for the organic, pasture-raised local sirloins but I forgot the law of pent-up desire. I just spent more than half of my month’s budget at once, and didn’t get that much, but boy did I get some “items”. A gorgeous blue hydrangea as one of her birthday gifts, but for $31 I could have done MUCH better anywhere else. (Who needs an organic hydrangea anyway?)
Yes, she only eats organic dairy, meat, and vegetables, which accounts for some of it. But I didn’t really need a maitake mushroom at $22 a pound. Or the Bonne Maman raspberry mini-tarts. Or…. you get the idea. I spent $177 including the plant and steaks, and none of it involves stocking up on basics.
Live and learn. Tonight we eat like… Rockefeller’s! (of which I am not one).
Looking this over, I may have made my sister-in-law sound like a difficult person, which she is not. Many of her anxieties do focus on food, but she is always gracious and undemanding, which makes me even more willing to try to please her, especially on her birthday..
There’s nothing wrong with splashing out a bit now and then. Imagine how much the meal would cost at a restaurant!
I cut mine back to half over a few months, but then had a month of spending 50 percent more because we had run out of so many things. Balance is tough!
Oh Cynthia, I am so right there with you! Been really trying to “no spend” since January. Have gotten hit with surprises, not the good kind either, every month. I have been doing 1 big monthly shop on senior 10% off day. April I didn’t spend any extra. But 10% day didn’t come until the 7th so I hadn’t shopped in 5 weeks . I am pretty sure I lost my mind. I do have a year’s supply of cashews and stocked up on meat and other pre-billionaire apocalypse prices. But $448.42…for 1 person! never have I ever
Cynthia,
In my area, you’d be hard-pressed to find hydrangea for less than $30….trust me, I’ve looked! And we’re talking non-organic, nothing-special (though healthy and lovely) hydrangea. I know the total bill is more than you counted on, but what a great meal you’re making, AND honoring your sisters preference for organic food.
I went estate-saling this morning. I bought some frugal things and came home with a frugal lesson:
1. I bought some unexpired cans of beans.
2. I bought an unopened bottle of my face wash.
3. I bought a fancy purse for $10. (I’ve been on the lookout for a new-to-me purse.)
4. I bought a beautiful fancy wool sweater for $10.
5. The last sale I visited was in a hoarder house, and it was sobering. It was clear that whoever lived there was so disorganized that they couldn’t find anything, so they’d go out and buy new things, and when the house got full, they added on a huge storage room. The lesson? Being a minimalist is a frugal move! I bought NOTHING at that sale. I came home and started a box of stuff to take to goodwill!
I love that Portland has an arts tax! Every place could use that to benefit residents. Great outcome to only have some loose bolts and to fix them before they caused more than a rattle.
1. We are going to our 8 year old granddaughter’s first swim meet at a tucked away pool on the UC Berkeley campus. I spent the gas cost today to drive the route and scope out parking possibilities today rather than paying for a more expensive Uber trip tomorrow. She specifically asked us to come so of course we want to get there on time.
2. A kind neighbor is going to pet sit our dog for 2 days for free so I am putting together an info packet to include his care info, permission to seek treatment, etc. to make it as easy as possible for her. I watch her house when she travels. Good neighbor exchanges are priceless.
3. I have been wondering how to iron/steam a dress I am wearing to a wedding soon and realized my floor steamer has an attachment you can use to steam clothes. Now to find the instructions.
4. A neighbor invited me to go to a free art exhibit featuring a friend of hers. A very interesting gallery visit.
5. Continuing to not buy books & love the library instead, cook almost all meals at home, do our own yard and housework, walk our own dog, etc.
3.
Juhli, If you can’t find the steamer instructions, look online. A lot of companies post them there.
You can also try hanging the dress up in your bathroom and then taking a VERY steamy shower!
And give my regards to your very favorite competitive swimmer. Today UC Berkeley; tomorrow, the Olympics, right? LOL!
Since I wrote this I found a YouTube video (of course). I’ve never steamed clothing so I want to watch for technique. I did try hanging it in the bathroom and it softened the creases but some of them are really in need of steaming or ironing.
The Olympics – yikes. She is just 8 years old and UC Berkeley rec has a pre-swim team program that she has done. She actually is going to shift to a swim team in a small town nearby. I’m just glad she has found something she is passionate about for now and that her parents are so supportive.
You….you actually pay the Arts Tax? So many people DON’T! There’s 3 of us! 3!
My understanding is that it’s not optional, so yes I paid it.
We came through a tremendous storm last night — 60 mph wind and 1.25 inch hail — without anything bad except very minor damage to our little vegetable garden. So that’s a frugal fail avoided.
Today I tidied up the pantry, the baking cupboard, the area under the laundry sink and my stash of fabric for sewing (being organized is frugal). Labeled all the bins with some scrap Contac paper and index cards/tape from Dollar Tree. Am drinking a concoction of green tea with ginger that my doctor swears will help my arthritis. At least it’s inexpensive and not disgusting.
This weeks mega expenses: finished bathroom remodel, purchased new computer as the other was DNR and new TV as old one was DNR. Taking 2 hr drive to nephews son graduation dinner tomorrow and two hour drive back. Got him
a gasp Amazon gift card.
1. Husband and I trimmed each other’s hair.
2. I was gifted two tickets to a lunch with our U.S. Senator, Lisa Murkowski. She made the amazing public statement that she is afraid of what is going on in D.C., with threats and so on for republicans who don’t do what MAGA wants. She doesn’t always (often doesn’t) vote the way I want, and I am registered as a non-partisan voter, but I am attending to tell her in person that I appreciate her courage. I want to make sure she doesn’t feel like she is standing alone, that there are many of us cheering her on and thankful to her. It is frugal to support our democracy.
3. I cannot lie, I love stale Peeps. They were on sale for 10 cents a pack at the grocery store, and I bought a dollar’s worth. I brought them home and opened up the packages to assist in the process of going stale.
4. As the snow melts, we find all sorts of things lost during the winter. This is the first winter in a long time where I have not found underpants on the sidewalk near our home. But last week I did find a pair of socks, rolled together as if paired off to be put in a drawer. They have been washed and, since they are too small for the husband’s feet or mine, they are in the donation box for the Rescue Mission.
5. Made three birthday cards from existing supplies.
Yes, yes, yes! Peeps! Not stale, “air prepped” for enjoyment. Need to be yellow.
I’m also Patricia and I agree 100+% on the peeps!!!!!
I call the peeps crunchy. My favorite way of eating peeps.
1. This morning, Mr. Snuggles Dog barked for the very first time since his adoption last Saturday! He’s been so quiet, I was almost afraid he lacked vocal cords. But this morning, Snug barked a loud bark –only one “ruff,” but that’s enough — upon hearing a cordless drill going on in our yard; it belonged to the nice volunteer with the animal rescue group who was mending another place in the gate/fence where Snug could get out. This rescue group does these things for free, and they didn’t care that I got Snuggles from the pound instead of from them; it’s still free, they said.
2. No one took any Teacher Appreciation snacks from the upstairs teacher’s lounge today….until I came in, that is. Apparently, the regular teachers eat lunch elsewhere. Well, we wouldn’t want to hurt the PTA moms’ feelings, now would we? So I now have enough cookies and chips and candy for several meals, both at home and school. Sadly, I could not find any coupons this year; one year, I got a whole stack of coupons, which provided me with free fast food for a month. This helps tremendously during the summer when I don’t have any income from substitute teaching.
3. Put the lollipops and Jolly Ranchers (see #2) into my Halloween bucket. I collect candy all through the year.
4. Co-worker at store kindly offered me a bag of dog food that her pooch didn’t like. I said yes. She’ll bring it in tomorrow.
5. Didn’t let the billionaires talk me into once again freeing them from paying taxes like everyone else. (Darn, I’d had hopes that the head jerk was finally doing something right for a change. )
Oh, I need to say that I didn’t take all the cookies and chips and stuff — there was a ton of it — but just enough to tide me over for a week or so. I’m frugal but not overly greedy. Plus, the janitor will probably throw it all out tonight.
My rescue dog before the current not-a rescue one also didn’t bark. I was concerned that she couldn’t but she really found her voice after a while. Thanks for bringing up a memory of her. I hope you and Snuggles have many lovely years together.
Our old boy, a rescue, barked like a maniac in the pound and I was afraid he would not work out since we have neighbors. He stopped barking as soon as he entered our house and has barked only rarely since, usually when he sees a moose.
On Jolly Ranchers, if you keep them frozen until you need them, the candy won’t degrade and become glue-like and stick to the paper.
1. A friend stopped by to pick up a rabbit I kept for her for a week. She brought me 24 lbs of dog food her brother’s dogs don’t like. My dogs eat everything! She also helped me move a guinea pig hutch that was too bulky for one person to move. Win win!
2. It’s just me home this weekend. Spent the day cleaning the basement didn’t drive anywhere or spend and $.
3. Went to a free poetry reading last night with friends. Super fun evening
4. Sold a jacket for $5 on marketplace.
5. Sold a pair of boots on marketplace for $20.
1. I only spent 153 last month in food, but bought two more bras and two blouses.
2. I unpacked my spring summer clothes and put away my fall clothes. I have a lot of shirts and shorts to try on to determine what I want to keep. I’ve lost some weight and have gone down almost 2 complete shirt sizes. I was shocked when I bought the new shirts and I went from a 2X to an XL(in regular).
3. My company was giving tree saplings to plant and I chose a pecan tree. Hopefully I could plant it tomorrow and mow my lawn before it rains again. I also have a town committee meeting in the morning, so it will be a busy day.
4. I am loving my new boss! Originally she was supposed to move on to the next role, but she asked upper management if she could stay longer because she likes the Boston area. So my old boss, who is kind of a (I won’t say), decided to take the role instead. My stress level is so much lower.
5. I didn’t piss off a religious leader so badly, that he had to tweet about me.
I am keeping a clothing diary to see what I actually wear. Another month and many things can go away.
1~I am going to make some more deodorant and laundry soap tomorrow on my day off. (cheap!)
2~The fam and I are going to take a walk at the Errol Heights nature park in SE Portland (free!)
3~Ate a wilting leek by cutting off the bad bits and sauteed the rest with butter, salt and white beans.
4~I hung dry all the laundry in the basement (broken dryer lol!)
5~I stopped by the used bookstore in Kenton hood and only bought two used books and a locally made card for my Mama for M day.
***Katy, did you know the Rhodie garden is part of Clackamas County’s library Cultural Pass? You can get a library card at Clackamas even if you live in Multnomah. I actually have one for Washington, Clack and Multnomah ( I know, what a nerd ha!) This opens up opportunities on the Libby app a bit faster some times too!
1. I am cooking dried red beans right now. So this week’s menu for supper will consist of red beans and rice combined with various red peppers, mushrooms and cherry tomatoes which I bought on sale. I will mostly have oatmeal for breakfast and pbj or tuna fish sandwiches for lunch.
2. My sweet coworker gave me candy for Mother’s Day so that will be dessert! My kids are all working on Mother’s Day but have already called me and are sending photos or a hand painted picture. I requested that they buy nothing bc I think holidays force spending no one can afford right now.
3. My neighbor sent his friends over to put my large electric heating/cooling unit in my window. I tipped them generously. My neighbor is thankful I rescued their packages from the monsoon rain we are having. I kind of have a relationship with my neighbors like Katy does. Yay for good neighbors! I am especially grateful bc it is to soar to above 90 degrees next Friday!!
4. I am enjoying a morning relaxing at the house because of all the rain! It is rare I get to spend a morning at home!!!! So awesome! Errands can wait!
5. I intend to take a nap today!
1. Yesterday I made baked beans and cornbread for supper. Delish, and so frugal. This morning I am stewing apple cubes for breakfast which I will have with the leftover cornbread. I don’t plan to grocery shop until Monday (and then I will only spend $20), so I am making do right now.
2. Today’s lunch will be French onion soup. Using up onion and Swiss cheese. And so easy to make.
3. I keep finding books at my various little libraries, so many I now have quite a stack. I don’t want to hoard them, so I have made a commitment to stop using the library until I get through these books.
4. I bought gas the other day. My son has offered to reimburse me for gas purchases, since my grandson used the car so much, but I feel conflicted about that. They are sending him to college this fall, and they have encountered many bad surprises about funding this venture. It is not a time when I want to burden them with anything extra. (Also, my son is a government worker, so never knows when he might get the axe.)
5. Anyway, today will be a quiet day, with frugal food, frugal entertainment, and no doubt a walk in my lovely neighborhood. Kind of like the rest of my life!
I love a quiet day like that. That’s very nice of your son to reimburse you for gas, although I can see why you’re hesitant to accept his offer. You son like a nice motehr and grandparent.
Very glad to hear that the car issue did turn out to be something that can be fixed with a free repair!
1. Gave my son, daughter and husband a haircut. I have cut everyone’s hair – except my own – from day one. I always finish up a cut by saying “don’t forget to tip the hairdresser!” – funnily enough no one ever does though 🙂
2. A local charity shop had a sale for one week, everything was 2 Euro. I got a pair of shorts and a tshirt for myself and two pairs of shorts for my husband. We are now ready for the summer!
3. I also found a brand new pair of Asics runners in a different local charity shop – new with tags on, still in the box. They are my size which is so lucky (I am a half size!). 25 Euro, a bargain for sure! I am not using them yet, they will come out once I have worn out the current pair. I find I have to change my runners every year, otherwise I tend to develop plantar fasciitis.
4. There are lots of blossoms on the apple trees this year, here’s hoping for a bumper crop! There are also lots and lots of loganberry blossoms this year.
5. Our son brought home a whole box of free chewing gum from his workplace. We now have chewing gum to last us for a few months! We don’t normally buy chewing gum so this counts as a treat.
I love that you now have a backup pair of sneakers for when your current pair wear out! Here’s to your bumper crop of apples, sneakers and gum!
Used a frozen bread dough, left over BBQ chicken and assorted cheese pieces from the frig.
Great pizza
Cost about $1.50 for 4 people.
Since most were leftovers.
Ah the art tax. The year we moved out of Portland I sent it in on April 15th but apparently missed the postmark. They tracked me down but charged me $35 each because they had to come after me. So that year they got double the amount. The tax I really hated was the income tax that they had for three years. It might not have been so bad if we could have deducted state and federal taxes from our income but it was on total income before taxes. That one always hurt.
I fought the Arts Tax for my daughter one year as she was living away from Portland, but because she didn’t have the paperwork of a lease (was living in a dorm) they denied our appeal. Even though she spent the summer away as well!
Glad your vehicle repair was no cost, that’s amazing. We were looking at used cars at a couple dealerships last year, and I grabbed a fancy coffee and whatever treats were available at each one.
Sorry about your late fees!
If it makes you feel any better, I almost forgot to pay our income taxes on time this year. We usually don’t have to pay anything, and for some reason I was strictly focused on being sure the taxes were filed by April 15, and then realized on the 14th that I hadn’t paid them.
(50 is bearing down on my like a freight train, I tell you. Don’t know if its age or peri-menopause, but I’m not remembering everything like I have always done in the past)