Four Frugal Things -- Pizza!
1) I sold my de-monogrammed Land's End tote that I thrifted at the Goodwill bins a couple weeks ago. Not a huge profit at $20, but I likely spent buck-and-a-half on it, as I paid by the pound.
Click HERE to see the listing.
A reminder:
I think it's kind of cute with the plaid straps, so I wouldn't have been sad had it gone unsold. Without fail, anything I'd like to keep is what actually sells. Luckily, I have no need for additional totes, so it's probably for the best.
2) I pulled my last par-baked crust from the freezer and baked a pizza to share with my husband. Such an easy meal to pull together!
You're looking at artichoke hearts, spinach and feta for toppings. Plus dollops of pesto for extra flavor.
One of my free box tomatoes ripened, which made our dinner delightfully colorful!
3) I've been enjoying having homemade crusts at the ready, so I mixed up a new batch to throw in the freezer. I know this is antithetical to the concept of a "Freezer Challenge," but I like to have a few backup dinners at the ready. Keeps us from hitting restaurants too often.
Sorry, Kristen.
4) I spent a good hour or two leafing through my Architectural Digest library books in the name of inspiration and how relaxing it is to look at pretty things.
It's unlikely that I'll thrift a Mark Rothko painting, but there's often a seed of frugal inspiration hidden inside the million dollar rooms.
In this case a large ceramic urn, aside Candace Bergen's fireplace.
My fireplace tools hang from a curvy wrought iron stand that's never been my favorite. (Sorry this old photo is fuzzy, but I keep the tools in the basement during warm weather and I'm too lazy to bring them upstairs.) Is this a priority in my life? Abso-fucking-lutely not! No. But I can start keeping an eye out for a similar vessel to contain my tools.
No hurry, but my experience is that everything that's ever been manufactured will eventually show up at Goodwill.
You never know, I might be able to curb pick one!
Now your turn, what frugal things have you been up to?
Katy Wolk-Stanley
"Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without."
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The color of your hydrangeas in your last post is absolutely gorgeous!
1) Made dinner using a lot of things I wanted to use up. It was a one pan chicken & rice skillet. I used up: chicken broth, rotisserie chicken & peppers from the freezer. Instead of the can of Chiles, I used up 4 jalapenos from our garden. I also used yogurt in place of sour cream, as we didn't have any. I also was trying to use up some shredded cheese, so that worked well for the recipe. Finally, I tasted it before seasoning & realized it was still a little bland, so added a wing sauce from the fridge & that was perfect. It feels very satisfying when a meal requires no additional purchases, and uses up so much on hand.
2) Picked 17 pomegranates from our tree. DH made pomegranate martinis last night, and then started the process of picking out the arils for snacking. DS20 finished off the first bowl, so DH has more work to do. We left about 1/2 the pomegranates that were ripe on the tree, as it's going to take some effort to go through what we've picked so far, and we want to keep them fresh.
3) Shuffled around a bit more money to earn a better interest rate.
4) After almost two weeks of not meal prepping & cooking (a week of out of town vacation combined with a crazy work week) & I finally got myself together enough to create a menu & meal prep, including the dinner above, which also made leftovers.
5) I'd helped DS19 & DS20 sell some of their Magic the Gathering cards, and they've done two rounds so far (nicest cards to the card shop) & then I helped package & mail a bunch of bulk cards. Took a look today & there is still enough for at least one more bulk card mailing, which I will get sent off.
I kinda like your wrought iron fireplace tool stand. I also like the tall cactus plant in the Architectural Digest. (We Texans like our cacti. I have some in my flowerbed.) The earthenware pot w/ dried foliage is nice too. The rest of the items in the Digest are too modern for my taste. (Maybe a good thing since they are likely very expensive.) Some of your own home decor looks similar to items I got from my husband's grandmother. Most of my furniture and decor was gleaned from Craigslist, trash picked, hand-me-downs, etc. My decorator BFF helped me to arrange it all.
Next to the urn is a Fortuny silk lampshade, which is valuable. A friend of mine once thrifted one.
Definitely one of the very few spendy things I've never stopped wanting. I missed a slightly damaged, very affordable shade at auction, and have a knockoff from Pottery Barn in the attic that I bought from FB Marketplace, which I plan to stencil.
Rainy day, so I am decluttering until I go to work this evening.
Eating lots of leftovers.
Got to see Paul McCartney and Bernie Sanders on Jimmy Kimmel's TV show last night.
Also saw the Diane Sawyer interview with the sister of Nicole Brown Simpson (OJ's murdered ex-wife), and it had lots of information about domestic violence that everyone should see. For instance, if a guy puts his hands around a woman's throat, she is more than 700 times more likely to eventually get killed by him. And the numbers of women murdered by their intimate partners (husbands, boyfriends, exes) is absolutely staggering! The sister is releasing a book about all this, so hopefully we can all become better educated about this danger.
I'm glad people are talking about it - many people don't realize how serious even a momentary strangulation episode is. Side note, the risk increase is about 750%, or 7-8 times as much, and 11 times as much if there is a gun in the home.
The statistics are frightening but like you, I'm glad people are talking about it. I know of quite a few women who have been abused by a partner. Some stayed but others left. I don't pretend to understand their choices but I'm frightened by what could happen to the ones who chose to stay.
I was at a recent talk about youth and digital media (which was hugely eye-opening and frightening). During this the speaker got into a very small side-quest around youth and online porn. the percentages of youth who access this, and the ages at which they begin is also frightening. (!!)
Anyway, one thing she shared is that there is an uptick of strangulation situations happening, right now, among young people (highschool) who are having experimental sex. They simply don't know how dangerous it is, and it is normalized in what they are viewing. GAHHHH
You sure have been making a bunch of good-looking pizzas lately! I never thought about putting artichoke hearts on a pizza. I'm gonna have to try that, because I like a lot of veggies on my pizza.
I walked to the post office today, which is about 20 minutes each way. Ordinarily, that's not a lot, but I am noticeably more tired lately. So I took a breather in a coffee shop across from the PO. I bought some (overpriced) coffee, but I used a gift card, so didn't really spend anything.
On the way home I stopped at Walgreens and bought some Tums, second bottle half price. I didn't spend anything there either, as I used my flex benefits card.
Reviewed my Medicare Advantage plan for next year and decided to do nothing and stick with what I have. The biggest difference seems to be that flex benefits are higher, but cover fewer areas. That is, they will pay for dental, vision, OTC drugs and hearing costs, but will no longer cover copays, and other things I don't use anyway.
I found a penny, and also a little orange bucket that just needed to be cleaned up to be in perfect condition. I'm going to fill it with candy bars for my grandson for Halloween.
1. I walked 50 minutes so far today, at two different locations.
2. I did my laundry at the laundromat for $3.00. I also did part of my walk at the local river park there.
3. I made chicken/carrots broth soup
In the crockpot. I didn’t bother with the noodles. I have an oral allergy to
raw carrots now but can eat them cooked.
4. I stocked up on flour, baking soda, sugar, etc bc I was almost out. I use baking soda for a variety of things from occasionally brushing my teeth with it to cleaning things.
5. I am going to take a nap bc I am so excited to be home for the weekend! Driving three hours round trip to work every day has crushed any desire I have to travel anyway, even local DG store is a chore now. I am so happy to be home!
That is a horrible commute, I'm so sorry!
I hear you on the travel to work. I traveled 2 hours each way for three different jobs over the years. Family never understood the last thing I wanted to do is be in a car on my days off. It's been over a decade since I last had a commute and I still have little desire to travel. Besides, I like my house.
Two hours round trip - couldn’t have paid me enough for two hours each way!
I get why you didn't want to be in a car. Retired mail carrier (on foot) here. On my days off, I didn't want to be outside and/or walking. My friend who was a dispatcher did not want to be on the telephone on her days off. We all need a break!
I feel your commute pain! My commute was 90 min each way if traffic was clear. I hope you get to listen to audio books or podcasts for entertainment. Sprinkle a little happy on your misery.
I used to have a long commute, too, and audiobooks helped. One of my favorites was "Because of Winn-Dixie." And many times I just needed complete silence inside the car.
I would worry about someone dropping a fire place implement into the"vase" and breaking it. I do worry too much.
I would think that as well. Maybe put something to cushion them in the bottom, as long as the tools don't pickup any sparks when they are used.
Here's my FFT: Fancy Edition.
We're attending a fund-raising gala tonight and I am subversively looking forward to it.
1. I rented my dress. For $65, including taxes, shipping both ways, and cleaning, I'm wearing a $900+ Badgley Mishka dress. Best of all is that it goes back the next day and doesn't clutter my closet, mocking me to wear it again.
2. I had a DSW gift card, so I looked there for some new black strappy sandals. I couldn't find anything, so I decided to wear some cute (thrifted) booties from my closet. I'll polish them up with supplies on hand, and they'll barely show under my long, flowy dress.
3. DH is wearing a tuxedo that I thrifted years ago.
4. He hasn't worn it since the pandemic, and despite my nagging, didn't try it on until today. The waistband is a little too tight. I will get out my trusty seam ripper and expand the waistband for a cost of zero dollars. While the sewing supplies are out, I will adjust the plunging neckline of the rental dress. Easy-peasy.
5. I'll do my own hair and makeup for zero additional outlay of dollars.
Our thrifty (thrifting?) lifestyle will allow us to donate generously to a cause near and dear to our hearts tonight.
1. I made enchiladas using a rotisserie chicken last night for dinner. What was left of the carcass was frozen for future chicken soup.
2. DH and I visited the site of a four steam engine train crash that happened a few miles from here in 1891. The site has been excavated and interpretive signs have been added. It's remarkable how much has been uncovered. To add to my excitement, I found a dime from 1892 near the site of the old engine repair house. This is free to the public.
3. I hung two loads of laundry outside on my umbrella clothesline. I'm getting near the end of my laundry-hanging-season though, as the sun barely gets over the peak of my neighbor's house to the south and that part of the yard will be in shade.
4. I'm reading a library book about a case local to Massachusetts, Blizzard of Lies about the Karen Read trial. It was on the news constantly during the trial but I still learned a few things I didn't know before. I like true crime in moderate doses.
5. I'm making a banana bread with bananas that went overripe too fast. We had a very warm day yesterday and it turned them spotty.
Christine, the 1892 dime rocks! This one even pre-dates the Mercury dime, and I know you'll do your research on it.
I was so shocked to see the date on it! And yes, I expected it to be a Mercury dime but it's not. I can't believe nobody had picked it up before me but it was so dirty it looked like a small, flat stone. I guess my brain zeroes in on coin shaped objects from years of looking for found change for my jar. This one, however, will not be going into the found change jar! Lol.
My daughter and I went to a Fall Fest the next town over (with my beautiful granddaughter, too, of course). We took pictures of the baby around the decorations and in front of the historic hotel that was the setting of the festival. I bought nothing but had a good time walking around. We went to Olive Garden for lunch, which is not super frugal, but I got the never ending pasta bowl, ordered a second bowl, and brought it home for my hubby. We also stopped by Marshall’s and I found a present that my son had specifically requested for just $3.
I need to get to work on GD Halloween costume - she is going as a little gnome girl. I found a white handmade nightgown that will work as her outer apron, and I’m going to embroider some vines and flowers on it. Plus make her a pointy hat out of felt.
Now I’m sitting at home, petting my cuddly kitty, reading a book I own, watching Band of Brothers.
She'll look adorable in that gnome costume! Great idea with the embroidery of vines and flowers. I miss my grandkids being little. Have fun with her!
It took me a second to realize that GD stands for granddaughter, and is not a curse at the Halloween costume!
@Cynthia, Me too! lol
Finally got a taker for the 4 dining room chairs that I posted for free on Marketplace.
Been moving small stuff from inside the house to my back porch (in preparation for the flooring)which will be blocked off with a tarp and a metal fence panel.
Tried to use my $15.00 Michael's voucher but phone wouldn't load it. One of the clerks used a generic code and my total ended up being under $40.00
Cleaned out the front footwell of my car, while looking for missing debit and credit cards.
Not frugal but drinking unsweetened cold brew instead of full sugar pop.
FFT, Next Steps for NDN1 Edition:
(1) The BIG news here is that the junk cleanout at NDN1's house is finished, to both my and CF's satisfaction. CF and I are meeting with CF's realtor friend next week, and we hope to put the house on the market "as is" ASAP, pending answers to a few remaining questions.
(2) I will also be canceling NDN1's subscription to the local fish-wrapper newspaper, given that (a) her house should be going on the market shortly; (b) the subscription rate for the fish-wrapper has gone up ruinously; and (c) I don't think she's really able to read any more. (I take the papers out to her at assisted living, she pretends to glance over them, and she sets them aside.)
(3) And I've signed NDN1 up for the in-house vaccine clinic at her assisted living next week. I take vaccines for folks in congregate living totally seriously.
(4) In other news, I went to my local CountryMax store this morning and stocked up on various types of bird seed on sale. Betty cat and I are now happily watching the feeding frenzy on a lovely fall afternoon.
(5) And comic relief: CF has handsomely offered to accompany me to see the new Sense and Sensibility film, if/when it hits our burg (the small art-house cinema near CF's house should show it, if no one else does). CF, a historical-fashions buff, already disapproves heartily of the hairstyles and costumes as seen on sneak previews. And I'm 99.44% sure I'll hate the whole thing. So we should have a lovely snarky time together. Bring on the popcorn and the rotten tomatoes! 😛
Congratulations on finishing the job at NDN1's house. It must feel like such a relief. And I agree with you 100% about the importance of vaccines in congregate living. Especially flu and Covid goes through those places like wildfire.
No kidding - vaccines should be mandatory in congregate living - for residents and any staff.
Congratulations on finishing the Herculean job of cleaning out your neighbor's house and best of luck for selling it.
Congratulations on this milestone! You have done an amazing thing, helping your neighbor like this. Your generosity is very impressive.
Today I made up another jar of brown sugar by mixing molasses in white sugar. Am treating my sore back (arthritic sacroilliac joint) with a rice-filled flannel hot pad I sewed the other week.
DH gets the frugal award this week for watching YouTube videos to figure out how to read the error codes our cantankerous dishwasher produces before it decides to mostly quit working. Before we were calling our favorite appliance guy for $75 a visit. There's nothing actually wrong with the dishwasher except that it's designed to be very sensitive to temperature.
I have read elsewhere (and My daughter discovered this ) that some dishwashers need you to run the tap until you get hot, before you turn them on. it is VERY hard to remember to do, though!
My old neighbor had been a Maytag repairman and told me this tip a very long time ago. I've since passed it on to countless people.
I use a completely silly ceramic dog umbrella stand as my fire tools holder. I felted a knitted wool trivet for the base of it for a "soft landing". My husband was a hobbyist blacksmith and had made the tools and an ash bucket. Too bulky, the quirky dog is much more fun.
I think pizza shells are incredibly frugal. Any meal prep helper is golden when you really want to grab take out.
1. I'm staying with a friend while getting our first home (in another city) ready to sell. She's delightful company and even more frugal than I am, which is also delightful. She eats very simply - all whole foods, mostly local, plain but delicious, with planned-overs to eat in various combinations - very healthy, and how I imagine eating in my dotage. However... I also need a little dopamine hit sometimes while working on the house, so I bought a Boo Book from the nearby Wendy's, $1 for five Junior Frostys, the perfect size for a little treat.
2. My son lent what I needed from his cordless tool set, but couldn't spare the battery. They're spendy, but I ended up purchasing a tool-and-battery set that was cheaper than the battery alone, and I've been wanting the tool (an oscillating multi cutter) for a while. He'll keep the set as a "rental fee."
3. I packed in a hurry, and without a bra or workboots. Found NWT replacements in my size at Goodwill, plus two of my favorite, discontinued tea cups and a few items to sell.
4. While here, I'm using my Moviepass to see a few things that might not come to my city, but will be canceling it, because
5. DH lost his job - the startup he worked for is struggling. The timing is terrible and it's very possible he won't get unemployment due to the way the state calculates the base period. We'd be fine if we hadn't lost so much more time and money than we could afford to Long Covid, but unfortunately that cut deep into our retirement finances and we're still recovering, both physically and financially.
I am so sorry, about the job loss and about the long Covid.
I'm sorry to hear your husband lost his job and that you had some financial setbacks due to Long Covid. My neighbor has it and also my friend's neighbor and it's no joke. I wish you the best in your husband finding employment and that both of you feel physically beyter and closer and closer to 100%.
your #5? OUCH for all the reasons. I wish for your husband a fast turnaround to a great company that pays well, has super benefits, and offers him work he loves. I wish both of you a full recovery from Long Covid (the beast).
I've not been very frugal lately as I've been a bit stressed and ill and been overly focussing on retail therapy (not ideal I know!), though largely on vinted so could be worse.
The best thing I've done though was realise halfway through yesterday that if I felt hugely compelled to buy things online that day, then I could think ahead to Christmas and buy gifts that I will definitely need (a lot of my presents are yearly rituals so I know what they are). That way, I bought things I would have got anyway! Plus they were cheaper as they didn't have a Christmas rush markup!
Also I went through the fridge for stuff lost at the back and for once I was mainly chucking fairly empty things rather than things we've completely overlooked, so that suggests we are getting better at the food waste!
Every little helps!
Brilliant way to deal with that need for retail therapy.
I did the same, kinda, by buying cotton training pants and beginner underwear for my GS (whoo, exciting, I know)
and replacing a pair of slippers of mine that are two years past replacement date. I buy the same kind and wear them everywhere, replacing every 2-3 years. Usually I can the older ones to my 'travel' pair (for visiting friends), but my current pair is bypassing travel and heading straight to the garbage bin - literally worn out.