Four Normal Frugal Things, One Enormous Frugal Thing!
1. I returned to the Goodwill bins in search of high value lightweight items for my $100 Goodwill Gift Card Challenge, and scored this Coach card case. In a bin, mind you that had already been completely picked through by the professional flippers!
Yes!
I'm not sure of the value, as the only other recently sold one was on Poshmark, and they don't show their sold prices. However, Coach has a program where they'll do free "TLC" for any of their leather products, so I'll bring it into a store. Hopefully they'll have some information to share. It does have a bit of a perfume-y scent, so getting it cleaned up is a priority.
2. Our homeowner's insurance policy was ending, so I called up our auto insurance company (USAA) and switched our coverage over to them. I realize that we were grotesquely over-insured with the old company, so we're now appropriately insured. Like the old policy included a $25,000 reward if we became arson victims!
This single phone call is going to save us around $2000 per year in home owner's insurance, including $358 savings on the auto insurance, due to "bundling." It would be easy to obsess over the wasted money through the years, but instead I'm going to give myself credit for finally having taken of this task and move forward.
This happened because the insurance was always included in the mortgage payment, so it was too easy to not think critically. Learn from my mistake!
3. I saw a Instagram reel where a woman made "pizza croutons" by cutting up and baking leftover pizza, which she then served over salad.
Umm . . . yes, please!
My husband and I had enjoyed a Kirkland Signature frozen pizza the night before and were in possession of two pieces of leftover pizza. Let me just say that I'm categorizing this under the banner of "leftover magic!"
4. I grabbed this monogrammed Sferra brand hand towel from the bins, as I like to keep a deep stack of white hand towels in order to switch them out with frequency. Unfortunately it was monogrammed. However, I love nothing more than removing irrelevant monograms, which my sister refers to a "reverse crafting."
She's not wrong.
You can still see the monogram ghost, but that should diminish after a few washings. I'd estimate that I spent 30¢ on this towel, which is an enjoyable amount since this brand's hand towels start at $31!
5. My husband cancelled our Apple TV subscription as the first season of Plur1bus ended a few weeks back. We'd jumped on a $5.99/month Black Friday deal, but aren't interested in paying the $12.99/month normal price.
Now you turn, what frugal things have you been up to?
Wow, the insurance savings is a whopper! Better late than never is my motto. I'm going to review all of our insurance, too, to make sure we're not overpaying. It's been a few years since I did a thorough comparison. We've been with our current company for 45 years with only two claims (a tornado that whipped through our first apartment in 1984 and a hellish hailstorm that prompted a new roof in 2007) - oh, and a broken windshield - and there is no loyalty discount. Even a token gesture would make me less grumpy.
1. Removed a black ink spot from my light-colored jeans. I'm notoriously terrible at stain removal but Dawn dishwashing liquid worked for this.
2. Watched a free movie - Somewhere in Queens - on the ROKU Channel (we brought our own ROKU player to our Airbnb). Noticed that we receive three free months of Apple TV with our ROKU player, so we signed up and watched Still, the Michael J. Fox documentary. I'll make sure we cancel before the three-month trial ends.
3. Watched a PBS Nature documentary, Hummingbirds of Hollywood, on YouTube. Fascinating!
4. Signed up for Netflix for just $8/month. So far, we've watched the most recent Knives Out movie and we have at least six more movies we're interested in. At home, I almost never watch TV, so this is unusual and enjoyable.
5. Requested the annual RMD (required minimum distribution) from a beneficiary IRA from my dad who passed away almost 20 years ago. A nice remembrance of my wonderful dad.
@MB in MN - may the RMD over 10 years *not* push you into a higher tax bracket. That is my fear for my kiddos - both would end up paying far, far, far more in taxes if better half and I were to die at the same time. While I don't have an issue with shutting the door on the perpetual tax-free inheritance of large IRAs, I do wish there was a per parent exemption for beneficiaries. For far too many, this may be the only retirement savings outside of SS they have.
Yes to all of us giving ourselves credit for finally taking care of any task and moving forward! I see all this stuff like insurance shopping is now called Life Admin and it sure is a job.
1. Not frugal. We have to replace the dishwasher that came with the house 3 years ago (new but already breaking) so we are taking advantage of that to bring the electrical up to code and make sure everything else is properly done. That means hiring the appliance repair guy to remove the old dishwasher and fix anything he can and then an electrician to put in the right outlet in the right place. Then we get to buy the new dishwasher and have it installed. The frugal part is not waiting until the current one leaks and ruins the wood floor and insulation under the house.
2. We have not been going out to eat except for the occasional coffee and I bought a sandwich one day. I'm back to planning dinners.
3. I found 2 long sleeve tops to wear around the house and a scarf in the color I was looking for when thrifting. Total spent was $10.23
4. Our dog could stand to lose a bit of weight so we are feeding him slightly less. Saves a bit too.
5. Same old daily stuff.
Great savings on the insurance. It is a big win.
1. Spiffed up a toddler learning tower and listed it on FB marketplace. I picked it up for free.
2. I saw that there was a free estate sale yesterday just 2 blocks from me. They were giving away everything after a regular estate sale the weekend before. I walked through with an eye out for things I could sell. I picked up a package of new-in-box Brita water filters and sold them within a couple hours. I picked up a tension curtain rod for myself. I need to list a few more things I picked up.
3. Darned 2 socks.
4. Rearranged some furniture for a fresh feel.
5. Reached out to customer service at DSW about a pair of shoes I had bought a year ago that have rubbed my feet raw every time I wore them. They kindly gave me store credit for the whole amount! Sometimes it pays to ask nicely!
1. Wow you did great on reducing your homeowners insurance. We just reduced ours by $500 for the year which made us happy.
2.It is leftover day. I hade some chicken and broccoli from dinner the other night as my lunch. Hubby had some chili from the freezer on a leftover baked potato. Hubby is had beef and barley from the freezer and I'm had onion soup from the freezer for dinner. We each had an end of the loaf of sourdough with it.
3. I had a library class last night. It was a very cheap made craft. I wasn't a fan. I had one today and it was much better. I guess you can't win them all. Tomorrow there is a concert at the library that we are excited about. All free. I took out magazines too. My daughter lives right by the library so I went there after to talk and play with her dog.
4. Packed all of our Christmas decorations. Wrapped ornaments and breakables in newspaper that I have been collecting.
5. I hit Target earlier in the week for the Christmas clearance70-90% off. I only got food items like sprinkles, chocolate chips, and jam.
i think it's kinda funny to have monogrammed towels that have nothing to do with you
I agree, but I enjoy the process of picking out the stitches.
Very few things in life bring me greater joy than using my seam ripper >:)
I love a good seam ripping session too. The only thing that tops that is using my swiffer, (I use a microfiber cloth, not the ridiculous refills!) it is so satisfying to “swiffer” up any dust and pet hair! I enjoy low tech activities.
1. I have had USAA for car & home for 20 years. They have responded to a claim quickly & have paid for a claim w/o wrangling with me. This year I got a dividend of $149 which they apply to my upcoming bill. I think you will be happy w/ them.
2. I used some "off milk" to make pancakes.
3. Found 4 cents on my walk.
4. The cabinet man who is doing my renovation work for the insurance company (water damage) told me he would make me a replacement seat for my barstool & paint it. This is above & beyond the insurance work & he is not charging me. I am very grateful!
5. I got a free small Frosty at Wendy's w/ a purchase. I haven't used it but I plan to. I think I will pay for Jr. Frosty for my purchase. (I don't plan on eating both at the same time. Not frugal to outgrow your clothes.)
Katy, because of you I have successfully removed names of companies and people from items to give them a second life. My little sewing sewing scissors do the job for me.
I picked up a chambray dress for free that had a hideous embroidered design on it. I unpicked it all but the shadow was very visible. I appliqued a leaf design on top of it and it's hardly visible. I have trouble finding clothes that fit me that I have to pay for, so when I find something free that fits, I'll put some effort into it. I also enjoy practicing my sewing skills.
We quilters call the stitching removal process “having a date with Jack.” As in Jack the RIPPER. Just a little quilting humor for your enjoyment. 🙂
I like the idea of guests trying to guess what the letters stand for!
I too am a fan of leaving random monograms "as is" for fun and games. Back when we had an LL Bean outlet store in our area, DH and I picked up several Boat and Tote bags with random monograms. The one monogrammed "AGM" always gets compliments at JASNA Annual General Meetings.
My library book bag is a boat & tote I picked up at a thrift store, with Angelina monogrammed on it. The lady at checkout was so excited that someone had finally bought it, and asked if my name was Angelina. Nope, I just can't pass up a long handled waxed boat & tote for a buck!
I’m a fan of “reverse crafting”. My winter coat was brand new, when I found it at the bins, but it had a medical practice logo embroidered on the sleeve. I reverse crafted that logo off, and now you can’t tell!
1. Hold onto your hat! I found a penny on the sidewalk!
2. I made cinnamon rolls for my son this morning. Later, we went to the mall and walked by a cinnamon roll business. He commented that my cinnamon rolls were a lot more frugal. (Proud mama moment!)
3. I repaired a pair of underpants. Underwear is so cheaply made that the stitching comes undone. I got out my sewing machine and zig zag stitched the elastic back onto the waist! I’m investigating the possibility of making my own underpants. Surely, they’ll be better than what I can buy!
4. We are having flan for dessert tonight — made with clearance milk.
5. I scrubbed the tub with some homemade cleaner.
I answer #3 delicately-- Nana at Nana Pinches Her Pennies has written about sewing underwear from old t-shirts. It got me thinking about what underpants are for-- Modesty? Keeping outerwear from touching skin, both for comfort and to let the outerwear be worn more often? Hygiene? Lots of out-of-the-box thinking could go in to designing them. If I was sewing it, (though that's not my interest), I might not put elastic in the legs, just in the waist.
Unfortunately, DH ended up with his 4th choice on rehab facilities that had an available bed. The first 3 were full. Why? Because they're nice and provide good care. He has compared this experience, and I must agree, with The Eagles song "Hotel California" ("You can check in anytime you want, but you can never leave.") He has also referred to it as "Hotel Hell." I cannot wait until he rehabilitated enough to come home. Saw the doctor today...at least she was normal. I hate to think he ended up in such a place and, as a former college nursing program secretary, I have absolutely no issue registering a list of complaints with the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
Said facility was informed on upon admission that I would be taking DH's laundry home to wash and return it due to detergent allergies. What did they do? Washed his clothes. I had to bring them home, rewash everything, and have to return it tomorrow. They charge a fee for doing laundry there and that fee better NOT be on the bill ehen they were told NOT to do it in the first place. I swear they communicate with tin cans and a string.
On a better note...
I won 3 hot dogs from "The Squeeze-In." Yes, you do have to literally have to "SQUEEZE IN" because the width of the place is about the same as the width of a school bus. Very popular hot dog joint. Only 1 person will fit behind the counter. The other side of the counter has 6 bar stools and, unless you happen to get the seat right inside the door, you have to squeeze past people to get to a seat (if there is one). My wide girth would never fit. Anyway, I redeemed the coupons and got 2 for myself (ketchup and mustard only) and 2 hot chili and cheese dogs for DH. I had to pay $6 (an upcharge for 1 hot chili cheese dog, and full price for the second one). I took foil along, wrapped his in foil and put in an insulated bag until I got to the facility. I ate mine in the car. DH was forever grateful for the treat. While I was in the town where the hot dog place is located, I met a lady who sold me a used hand vac for a car for a lot less than the price of a new one. I need it for cleaning the seats in my school van. I'm tired of using an ineffective whisk broom.
Found $2 in our car I didn't know was there. Not sure who lost it, but it's mine now.
Snapped a bunch of receipts to Coin Out, Copper, Fetch, Frisbee, Pogo, Receipt Hog, Receipt Jar, and Receipt Pal. I tend to wait until I have several and snap them all at once.
Ordered a raised toilet seat for DH when he gets home only to find out that friends have one we can use. Fortunately, I haven't opened the new one, so back it goes.
Stopped at the Salvation Army Thrift Store while I was out and consider myself hitting the jackpot. The kitchen chairs we had were dry rotting and needed replaced. We already replaced 2 with restaurant style chairs we bought for $2 each. We wanted all 4 the guy had, but he sold 2 out from under us. Today, I hit upon 2 very sturdy kitchen chairs for $6 each. The guy was even nice enough to help me get them in the car. They don't match. So what? We have 4 solid, unmatched chairs. I'm about function, not asthetics. Quite pleased with my purchase.
Well done with your mini frugal actions this week Melissa!
I'm sorry your husband isn't in a great place but it sounds like you're taking care of him as you can.
And as for the chairs: I'm with you!! I have an also replaced imperfect kitchen chairs with what I've been able to get for free or cheap, including two that I picked up off the side of the road! They all have four legs so they match, in my humble opinion.
Perhaps you and Melissa are restarting a trend , with mismatched kitchen chairs. Matching seat cushions would “unite” the chairs, if desired.
I hope your husband can make good progress, even if not in first-choice circumstances! The facility my father was at was the same with laundry-- No amount of signs and baskets seemed to make it sink in that they were not to wash his clothing.
Having a raised toilet seat was one of my (few) favorite parts of knee rehab. Some toilets seem made for trolls.
1. I was able to pick up 3 mystery shops that corresponded with an annual sale that a grocery store runs. As such, I was able to get covered/for free by concentrating on loss leaders:
30 cans of beans/chick peas
5 12-ounce packs of bacon
1 30-ounce jar of Hellman's mayo
12 28-ounce cans of tomatoes
2 28-ounce shampoo & conditioner
2 small jugs of laundry detergent
2 12-ounce bags of coffee beans
2. I went out to dinner for my nephew's birthday and was treated by my bil and my dad. It was on my way home from work, so no extra gas used.
3. I'm back at work, after being on sabbatical in the fall. This means that I'm also back to my work apartment, but I've been luxurating with my heated mattress pad and I haven't turned on the heat last week, except for when I'm taking a shower.
4. As such, I'm also back to drinking their free, crappy coffee and getting my lunches for free.
5. I was invited to a friend's house for dinner and I brought cheese & crackers that we received as a Christmas gift. I'll also give her all of the sweet potatoes that came in our farm share, as we don't tend to love them and my friend does.
Frugal[ish] fail: I'd love to do a pantry clean-out challenge, but my partner is NOT interested, so I'll have to do it on the down-low.
Nice haul on the groceries!!
My home was destroyed in the Eaton Fire a year ago, along with the majority of my community of Altadena, CA. It’s really hard for me to read about you lowering your insurance coverage. From my own and my friends’ and acquaintances’ experiences, I’d recommend that most people increase their coverage.
I’d also recommend that you *really* learn about the actual coverage you have. There are three main coverage categories - dwelling, additional living expenses and personal property. And there are different ways each of those can be paid out or reimbursed. And there are subsets within categories like “increased dwelling,” and “ordinance or law (building code upgrade).” Hopefully you never need to use it but if you do, it’s really terrible to be wishing you had made different choices when it’s too late. And it’s also terrible to be trying to learn and understand the coverage you have in the aftermath of the most traumatic event you’ve ever experienced.
I'm sorry to know that you learned all this through the most terrible way, but thank you for sharing your knowledge with the critical reminder to carefully assess our coverage. It's something that we should do vs worrying about the rate increases. Another USAA customer, since my first apartment with rental and auto insurance decades ago...
I have always heard good things about USAA but we don't qualify.
I will say every state has different insurance rules/regs and navigating Florida hurricane insurance regulations and claims was a nightmare for someone from the Midwest who had never experienced wind damage or the public adjuster process and related fees. I am told that FEMA flood insurance is a whole different animal and process too. Unfortunately the main way to really understand insurance vagueness is to have a loss and discover how much is not covered, how depreciation figures in and the fact that despite delays in getting reasonable reimbursement don't earn interest. In my experience, you have to have the ability to pay much of damage recovery out of pocket and wait months/year plus for reimbursement.
Wise words, Eaton FS, and I too am sorry for your experience in the fire. I'm overdue for a review of my own insurances, but I will undertake this with your hard-earned wisdom in mind.
Oh OK what a great reminder, I need to sort out my car insurance since I have one car that's a right off now. It doesn't seem to be worthwhile to cancel the insurance on the standard vehicle (that I won't be driving for a couple of weeks) but it would be smart to get the money back for the other one!
1. I finally was able to gift the very large comfy armchair out of my living room- to someone who is a member of a Community group that I belong to. Turns out I know her from other things as well! She talked yet another friend into coming by to help carry the chair to her vehicle. I am rather glad to see it gone, there I a lot more light in that corner.
2. While she was here -and while I was making her a cup of coffee - that friend seemed to be taking a lot of time washing her hands at the sink... until I realized that she was actually washing a whole lot of the eggs that my roommate had brought in and hadn't got to cleaning!! So now that job has also been done.
It's amazing to figure out how much one CAN do with one hand, however there are some things that definitely require two; thoroughly washing eggs is a job best done with two hands.
3. My left elbow is developing a rather “Spectacular Purple Bruise” - which didn't make sense because it was my WRIST that I broke!! So I spent some time talking to people on the free Nurses Helpline, and then received a call back from the Free doctor (luckily when I had another friend visiting, who was able to unwrap the tensor bandage).
We all (very professionally, LOL) determined that it's probably just a result of the bandages preventing swelling - and the mess had to go somewhere. UGH I will keep an eye on it, of course.
It was very nice to be able to do that particular medical research at home, and helpful to have my friend to unwrap and wrap me up again. I must admit that I am not the world's best patient, however I am trying to accept the help I am being offered (from all directions) with grace. Wish me luck on this!
4. We all have enjoyed the lentil soup, however it was time for a change: I managed (with mostly one hand) to make a big pot of barley and mushroom soup. My family had cooked up and then frozen some mirepoix for me, on the day after I broke my arm, so I used some of that rather than trying to chop vegetables, plus I had some dehydrated vegetables to sneak in. I used turkey broth from our Christmas turkey.
I was able, with a bit of fancy knife work, to slice some aging mushrooms, and I had frozen chanterelles to add to the umami flavour. It feels really good to get things cooked from my stores and fridge, and the house smelled delicious.
5. I am involved with the annual walk called Coldest Night Of the Year; I contacted our local organizer asking for some supportive materials. She brought me three of this year's toques, as well as some buttons and postcards which I will be sharing with the church community where I am the leader of our team.
We are fundraising in order to provide housing for the under-housed youth in the community. In the last four years, we already raised enough money to attract some large foundation donations and were able to actually buy a building last year. Now we are going to raise money so that the youth who “age out of the system” will have a safe place for their younger souls to land. The community is really getting on board with this yearly event, and every time we walk we raise awareness, which is a big part of the effort, although the money is extremely important
"write-off". I'm using talk to computer right now and it ain't working perfectly!LOL
Ooh, removing a monogram (or other unwanted stitching) - perfect time to listen to an audiobook! Love Hoopla!
I "bought" a Coach purse at a yard sale (she threw it in with other items being bought for no extra money because I kept looking at it). It was yucky inside with makeup and general yuck. I took it outside, squirted some soap in it, and hosed it out. Drained it some and stuffed it with old towels until it dried. Worked like a charm. Saw this somewhere on the internet.
I have never had luck removing monograms. Kudos to you on that venture.
Wow on the Coach find!
1. It rained five inches in 13 hours so I have stayed at home and cleaned. We were in a severe drought, for us, so the rain is welcomed.
2. I also made Baba Ghanoush because I had an eggplant, olive oil, tahini, and plain yogurt. I only had tortillas and they worked fine for dipping.
3. I exercised in my house.
4. I made a stack of things to purge and give away.
5. I took a nap.
Had to smile... I always have Baba Ghanoush with tortillas, because I once substituted them, and now that's the way I like it!
1. My husband and I took advantage of the 40 degree weather and did a 4 mile walk outside. I picked up trash as I always do. Found many aluminum cans that I will give to a friend who recycles them for $$ vs. just putting them in our recycling bin. I also picked up 2 fast food bags that had unopened oyster crackers from Skyline Chilli. I fed them to my chickens.
2. My brother-in-law who has been dealing with disposing of my mother-in-law's estate gave me a several purses. One is a vintage Gucci which I hope to sell on Posh. I did find 70 cents in one bag and a hand full of Lance unopened crackers, which will also be going to my chickens.
3. My friend who scraps gave me a like new Insta Air Fryer he found in a free pile. I am not a kitchen gadget kind of person, but I have been wanting to try one out.
4. I am serious about using up what's in my freezer and pantry this year. I always say it, but this time I will follow through with it. I got fresh caught salmon, that a friend gave me for free out of the freezer, and successfully made it in the above free air fryer!
5. I have made it to day 12 of my no buy January challenge. I had how companies bombard with ads especially since the cookies make so they know just what you would be interested in. Staying strong!
Skyline Chili? I take it that you are in the Cincinnati area? I adore Cincinnati chili!
I am about an hour and a half from Cincy, there are some Skylines closer to me in the Dayton area I am way out in the country I don't know how some of the trash makes it to my road. I could write a paper on it. There's a demographic for sure. Cheap beer cans, soft drink cans, fast food trash, cigarette packages, and energy drink containers.
1. Made a playoff game food spread for a few of us with just food on hand, and I think I outdid efforts had I gone shopping.
2. Line dried sweaters and sweat shirts with just a tiny time in dryer to get the crunch out.
3. Finished, begrudgingly, the remains of rice crispy cereal for breakfast. Not my favorite but not enough to make bars and too much to toss. Better with a banana sliced through.
4. Used to the tiny remains from a sugar scrub by adding water in the shower.
5. Nudged heat down another two degrees overnight.
Line drying and machine drying-- I agree that it isn't all or nothing, not just one or the other!
1. I used a $10 off coupon on groceries.
2. I found a penny.
3. The top of my best water bottle ever (thrifted) fell apart. It seems to have a large number of pieces for a bottle top. I have not been able to put it back together. But I am not ready to give up yet. I am going to have my engineer son look it over before I throw it away.
4. I was thrift shopping for a purple tank top and told myself that is all I was looking for. Then I found 2 pair of the hard to find jeans I prefer, my size, half price. So for under $13, I got the purple tank top, 2 pair of jeans in excellent condition and a craft doodad I will need later. Not a frugal fail.
5. We have used cloth napkins for years. I recently reassigned the worst looking to paint rags. I have been looking to thrift replacements but all the napkins I found were either ugly or felt non absorbant. I bought 2 cotton dish towels and a table runner, cut them in halves and fourths and hemmed. Eight new napkins for $6 spent.
Try calling the maker. Many of them support their products and may provide parts/instructions. I've been amazed by what's offered even for items I've thrifted.
1) Returned some Christmas gifts that didn't work out. Keeping stuff you won't use out of your house is the first step! Joined a peaceful protest walk that I serendipitously bumped into during my returns.
2) Joined DH ask he was going through his watches (he collects them. I'm not a fan of collections, but not my lane). There were several he was ready to give up. I gave away one on Buy Nothing & will list a few on eBay. Nice to have stuff ready to get out of the house.
3) Made dinner last night (buffalo chicken in the crockpot, over homemade coleslaw) & they were the easiest recipes to prep ever. The coleslaw called for heavy cream & I am still working through the leftover fridge items from DS18's NY dinner party when we were out of town. Used up some of the heavy cream, and will use up more tonight in the chicken Alfredo dish DS19 requested.
4) DH incorporated some leftover bacon (again DS18's NY dinner party leftovers) in his breakfast. I also used leftover roasted veggies in my eggs when we made brunch after a long hike yesterday.
5) Said long hike took place in the nature preserve near our house, which we can walk to & access for free.
When I worked for a local university, there was a steady stream of monogrammed or single event pieces of clothing coming through our department. One day a fleece vest showed up. It was so tightly stitched on the cheap fleece that the monogram could not be picked out. It also was miles too big for me. I sewed a patch over the monogram and gave it to my son, who loved the "Take a Hike" patch. A few weeks later a directive came down that we were supposed to wear them to an event, but it turned out everyone had disposed of them.
1. I went out to breakfast twice this weekend with different friends. One time I was treated, the other time I did the treating. I wouldn't say I came out even, because the two different restaurants were very different in price, but that's okay because when I paid it was part of a belated Christmas gift.
I brought leftovers home once.
I managed to avoid paying for parking on both occasions.
2. I found a nickel.
3. I rearranged one of my storage closets to store my Christmas tree and made it more walkable and the items stored more accessible.
4. I ordered a free Oura ring as a benefit of my new healthcare plan.
5. I replaced the bulbs in my bathroom ceiling light with LED bulbs. So much brighter now!
1. Made a pot of vegetable soup with a variety of stuff, some of it pretty wilted, while I was cleaning out the fridge. Smells good.
2. Spent $20 of airmiles cash to buy sunscreen for our upcoming Mexican trip. Ended up having to use my debit card to pay the remaining balance of $.12.
3. DH and I were at the mall and he was headed to the bookstore to take books on vacation and I stopped him and pointed out that we have a lovely used bookstore in our neighbourhood. He will go there instead.
4. DH is quite snobbish about coffee, and didn't want to go to the cheap fast food chain in the mall for coffee, but agreed as that's where I was going, and I was buying. No way am I paying for Starbucks coffee anymore, and he said the coffee was fine after all.
5. Finally activated a rewards card for a grocery store I don't really frequent, and discovered I have $70 worth of points to spend. Not entirely sure how that happened. So will use that at a later date.
You have to watch your HO insurer - many times I've had them lower the "replacement" cost. I do not live in earthquake area hence my basement, septic, and well are likely to no be impacted by tornado or fire. Pushing (I'm being nice) for a lower replacement cost is much easier when no mortgage on the property. Their rates are based on worst case which is in my location, is likely not to happen. Face it, we're not going to lose land proper and every stinkin' outbuilding and personal property we have. And we're not located west coast, tornado and/or hurricane alley.
Besides our normal frugal habits, a not frugal monetary but uber frugal mental health wise is a new pet. There will be spay/neuter, shots, chips, exam et al but you can't put a price on the joy of a new pet. And ensuring the animal will have a fur-ever home.
I had a similar experience with Allstate. I looked over my policy and noticed the square footage was incorrect. My prior agent retired two years ago and I was reassigned to another local agent. I called and spoke to a CS rep who tried to tell me they pull the home's stats from website that estimates property tax. That was a lie as that site had the correct data. I dove deeper with the rep and they had so many details wrong but they didn't think to apologize. I'd been a customer for 15 years and decided to grit my teeth and look elsewhere. I ended up with a competitor that provided better service and more robust auto insurance/home owner's insurance coverage for a lower price. The process was incredibly easy.
You are so patient to take out those monograms! The stitching on them is so freaking tight, it's a tedious process.
It rationalizes watching silly TV programs, which in this case meant back to back episodes of "Ghost."
1. Had a lot of end of life produce. Chopped up bananas for smoothies and made strawberry compote with honey, vanilla, and some lavender. It was incredible with Greek yogurt. Currently mulling over solutions for grapes and oranges.
2. Spent a cozy evening yesterday crocheting and watching football at home, which led to a delightful nap!
3. Our duvet is too warm, even with swapping it out for a lighter one. Currently figuring out what combination of blankets is right for us without buying anything else.
4. Brought my lunch to the office today.
5. Finishing Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow so I can give it back to the friend that lent it to me. I am shocked I made it this long without spoilers - I was up until 1 am reading because I hit the major plot twist. Very sad and very poignant. I understand why so many people have read it.
The NYT has a great recipe for chicken with shallots and grapes that is my go-to when they're on the way out.
So, I just got a notice (from USAA ironically) that our home insurance policy is posted and low and behold the premium went up over $400!!! I'm taking your post and all the comments as a sign... time to possibly change companies.
BTW - we've done nothing to our home that would add enough value to justify the increase. I really do not like insurance companies - home, auto, health - all of them!!
I don't waste any of that pricey gf pizza. It can be cut into breadsticks and toasted for soup, used to make a sammich, layered in casseroles, sliced thinly and used in strata. I'll have to try croutons now!