Four Tiny Frugal Things & One Frugal Fail
by Katy on March 30, 2025 · 38 comments
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I used the discount postage website PirateShip.com to mail my father’s needlepoint artwork to New York. $14.18, which is a pretty good deal considering the box was 19″ x 19″ x 3″ and 4-1/2 pounds. I then walked the package to the UPS store.
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I passed by the above free wire shelf unit on my way to the UPS store and texted my daughter to ask if she could use it in her apartment. She answered that it would work in her kitchen, so it’s now hers!
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I received an annoying plastic $10-off-$50 Portland Nursery coupon in the mail, which I gave to my next door neighbor as I know she shops there for her expansive garden. I also passed a page of New Seasons Market coupons to my other next door neighbors as that’s where they do most of their grocery shopping.
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I made a batch of rice that I later forgot to put into the refrigerator and it sat out all night. I’m unfortunately aware that the specific type of food poisoning that you get from rice is particularly nasty, so I scraped it into the yard debris bin and moved on. I abhor unnecessary food waste, but I’m categorizing this one as completely necessary!
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I’m not rushing out to buy a brand new car in anticipation of looming tariffs. However, I am hoping that some random Portlander will impulsively buy a new car and sell their perfectly good Prius at a nice low price.
Katy Wolk-Stanley
“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.”
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Ending my Spring fling by trashing two old blushes and a well worn brush
1. Attended assistance league luncheon with a friend and my daughter in law
2. Lowered prices on some items I had online
3. Inventoried my lipsticks..I have plenty
4. Switched out bar soap with liquid soap (bar soap now in the shower)
5. Listed a couple of items online
Hooray for trashing unused cosmetics and figuring out what you already own!
1. We had three pizza mystery shops this week. We ate one and froze the other two for times we are in a rush or have a hunger for pizza. They were large pizzas that each will feed us for two meals plus a slice divided up for the dogs. No way I could stand pizza for six nights in a row, so freezing allowed us to take advantage of free food (plus $10 cash for each shop) without force-feeding us, let’s face it, less than the healthiest meals.
2. Persuaded the husband to go through several boxes of clothing. Alas, all of them were too big for him but we did donate and get a tax receipt for them. Glad he has lost weight, but these were some fancy and expensive duds.
3. Mended three supposedly indestructible dog toys.
4. Library for books and puzzles.
5. Had two friends over for a lunch of homemade soup and bread, rather than going to a restaurant.
mmmm, pizza! A friend of mine opened a new pizza parlor with super enticing looking pies, including one with hot honey and both fresh and pickled jalapenos on top of pepperoni. Alas, his restaurant is 40 minutes away, so I am figuring out how to recreate it with a regular pepperoni for my birthday next week. I was gonna do something more fancy but I am soooo tired and so are my kids. Whatever, it will be nice.
I like the pizza shops as well, but here we are over run with burger mystery shops. I’m frankly tired of them so I usually take my daughter and let her eat the meal.
I love people having each other to one another’s houses!
That’s a great free shelf!
1. My husband is combining errands today. He’s taking his brother and sis-in-law to rent a car and at the same time will return some things and purchase some items he needs for a job.
2. We had a meatless meal of broccoli potato soup today. Well…it did have ham broth, but no hunks of ham.
3. I worked on my plants yesterday, transplanting some cucumbers and planting some arugula.
4. I’m wearing thrifted clothes today…but then again, I do almost everyday!
5. I painted my toes with clearance nail polish. It was the same color and brand of one I already had and loved.
I bet the ham broth tasted great in that soup!
1. We had our kids and grandkids visiting. We didn’t spend a dime to entertain them, but we had a fabulous time. I did stock the fridge well so our treats were the best price they were going to be. Our grandson’s favorite activity this visit was a Busytown game that I saved from our own kids (so 25 years old).
2. We are now eating leftovers for the next few days. Yay!
3. The sun hat I made for our granddaughter fit perfectly. The free pattern I have has all the sizes age 1 to adult, so each summer each kid gets a new sun hat. It feels somehow magical to get so much out of a free pattern.
4. I helped my son (age 28) darn a thrifted cardigan sweater that he had bought. He does mending and darning but wanted to increase his skill. Of our 3 children (2 girls and 1 boy), he is the one that has taken up sewing. He expressed interest in some wool darning thread so we went on a family outing to the fabric/sewing/craft thrift store where he found wool darning thread for 35 cents a skein, as well as some larger eye needles and a few other bits. He was very happy, as was I.
5. We sent our son and daughter in law home with 2 bags of free kids clothes, a free puzzle for grandson, the sun hat for granddaughter, 4 bags of free compost and a free office chair. As well as the remaining snacks that I had bought for their family. That all felt really good too, and they appreciate it all. I am careful to give what is asked for, I don’t press free stuff on them just for the sake of giving stuff.
Richard Scarry’s Busytown? I loved those characters. My son watched the TV series, which is on YouTube in some forms.
Yes! Richard Scarry’s Busytown. It’s such a simple game but so cute and totally suits a 3 year old!
My husband’s mother taught all three of her boys to sew and it has been a great gift to me. He is so skilled, he can make me dresses, and has made curtains before. He cannot, however, seem to master mending/darning, so I do those chores.
I love that your husband is so good at sewing!
My son isn’t great at sewing, but he has his own sewing box, and he took it to college!
FTFT, Weekend Update:
(1) Katy, I have that same wire shelf unit (it was a freebie from one of DH’s rental properties years ago). It lives in my cleaning supplies closet and holds my collection of rags from DH’s old flannel work shirts and other sources.
(2) I found several Canadian coins in the coin machine at my Wegmans yesterday: a $2 coin (aka a “toonie”), two quarters, and a dime. I’ll give the “toonie” to my JASNA Panera friend (who travels to Canada often for War of 1812-era reenactments and English Country Dance events), and I’ll spend the quarters and the dime here. (As I’ve mentioned before, most merchants here–only 90 miles south of the Canadian border–will accept Canadian quarters, dimes, and nickels at US face value.)
(3) I got my tax paperwork from my preparer yesterday, and will sign the necessary forms and get those over to the preparer’s office tomorrow. I owe nothing and am owed nothing. Fine by me.
(4) I’ve just finished curing myself of an infected ingrown toenail through steady soakings in salty water (I used kosher salt because I didn’t have any Epsom salt in the house) and bandaging with Neosporin. Saved myself a trip to urgent care.
(5) And I’ve succeeded in engaging the #2 son of my eventual executor for some garden cleanup this week while #2 is on spring break. #1 son did a fine job when he was here on his spring break a couple of weeks ago, and I’m equally confident in $2. Plus, this particular spring, I need all the help I can get.
I have that wire shelf also. Don’t know where I got it but I didn’t buy it and have had it many years. They hold up well.
I have the shelf as well. It’s in my closet and holds my socks.
Me three! It’s by our back door and holds gloves and hats in the winter (and masks during COVID), garden things in the summer.
1. Had a dress taken in for my daughter’s bridal shower. I got it for my cousin’s wedding last year and weighed 30 pounds more. Wearing shoes that I already own.
2. We are reusing picture frames that we use at most parties for table numbers.We are using the hall’s table linens. They have white table clothes and 6 different colored napkins. My daughter picked pink. I got some of the mini vases free from FBMP. I also bought some through there. They will be the centerpieces and favors. Everyone gets some flowers. .
3. I used a 30% off code at CVS to print up pictures to display at the party.
4. I am making chocolate covered pretzels, chocolate covered Oreos and chocolate covered strawberries for the dessert table. We ordered donuts and black and white cookies too. My daughter is not a cake person so we aren’t having a cake.
5. My husband made an arch and my daughter and I painted and decorated it. She is going to use it at her wedding too. We already offered it to my best friend’s daughter who is getting married later this year. She was happy to get it. She will have to repaint it to go with her theme.
1) I accidentally bought a food item that may contain traces of something I can’t eat. Not the store’s fault, so I posted it to my local Buy Nothing Project and someone happily picked it up.
2) I’ve identified and set aside a few clothes that are too big for me, still in good shape, and will post them to Buy Nothing, too.
3) The amp I plug an electric instrument into daily suddenly started making a slight buzzing noise and intermittently cutting out. I have more than gotten the $20 worth paid for it in a pawn shop out of it, but hubby is troubleshooting and will likely be able to repair it for me.
4) A local grocery store had some $.99 sale items that were truly good deals. I made my list and stuck to it buying only the bargain items. The best deal was Carolina Reaper cheese, normally $5.99 for 10 oz. marked down to $.99. I bought 6. It’s about a week from the best by date and I’m the only big fan in our house of hot and spicy, so my plan is to grate it all in the food processor and freeze in small amounts to sprinkle over scrambled eggs or beans or combine a little with a blander cheese in quesadillas. A whole lot of flavor for pennies!
5) Our son went to a free program at a public library. The library had leftover pizzas from another program and offered it if someone would like to take some home. Son brought home enough for 2 meals, one that night and froze the other for an upcoming night he’ll be coming home late from work and hungry.
1. I chased down the mail-dude to ship my eBay sold needlepoint in a Franken-box, saving me a trip to the PO on a Saturday.
2. I made a batch of *Katy’s Gingersnaps* for my church refreshments today, and then walked to the church. I have been a Zoom attendee to the Unitarian Universalists in town for more than four years, but I went in person today because of the cookies. And I tell you what, I felt so much community support that I think I might start going in person every week. This is one of the few places in our red county that has a rainbow flag, a BLM sign and a sign saying Everyone is Welcome in all skin shades. I feel safe there.
3. I finished a big writing deadline so I am taking the next week to reorganize and clean out my office. Looking forward to shredding a ton of paper.
4. Speaking of shredding, I use a plastic-canvas reusable grocery bag to hold all my recyclable paper in my office. I used to use a paper bag and then dump the whole thing but I can re-use those grocery bags for wrapping my Franken-boxes. Since this reusable bag lost both handles, it is hard to use it for anything else, but a catch all for recycling paper is perfect.
5. I didn’t whine on social media that people are mean to me.
The ginger snaps!
https://thenonconsumeradvocate.com/katys-ginger-snaps-aka-heroin-cookies/
Oh, no! Now I’m in trouble. I found a jar of molasses marked down to 10 cents, and this is how I’ll use it!
(No idea why the molasses was so steeply discounted! I win!)
1. Bought my dogs’ salmon oil on Senior’s day to save 10%.
2. Went to my favourite thrift store on 50% off day, scored a couple of pairs of shoes to resell, and a dress for me for $6.
3. Picked some kale from my garden to give to my sister when I visit tomorrow.
4. My three oldest friends (we are all turning 63 this year and I have know them for over 50 years) came to my house to see my addition, and to bring me lunch for my birthday. It was fabulous. Everyone contributed something, I even made the cake. The recipe I use is Martha Stewart’s Classic Cheesecake and it is to die for.
5. My sister scored a huge lot of Fiestaware dishes on marketplace, and I will be getting a few pieces for my step-daughter as she has started to collect it. It’s not my thing, but I made the pick up as the seller lived near me, and I will deliver to my sister tomorrow.
1. Found three paperbacks at the neighborhood Little Free Library. They went in the bin for our winter trip next year.
2. Created a covered box to hide the jumble of electronic cords near our TV by taking a small pine box with cutout handles (for pulling the cords through) and having our carpenter build a top from leftover wood. Painted with leftover paint.
3. Received extra dinner rolls and cookies from an event. Made croutons out of the rolls and served the cookies to our carpenter.
4. While the electrician was here to install new lights, he fixed the frayed cord on my 50 year old sewing machine.
5. Was the lucky recipient of numerous items from Buy Nothing: puzzle, toiletry bag, sunscreen, milk, yogurt, bananas, chai tea, Windex, dried beans, chia seeds and farro. I get a lot of items because I’m not afraid of expiration dates or partially used packages.
1. Took a large bag of those fillable plastic Easter eggs, bought at Goodwill for 20% off on Senior Tuesday, to church in preparation for the annual egg hunt. The event committee will stuff ’em with goodies so that a certain bunny can scatter them around the church lawn. (Who cares if the eggs were “pre-owned,” as the car dealers would say? )
2. Since the Bishop was visiting, we had a brunch afterward of coffee (or punch) and cookies. One of our members, a boy in late elementary school, prepared the cookies. Not only did he bake several varieties, including Gluten-Free, but he also had little signs listing the ingredients so that people with food allergies would know whether or not a given recipe was safe. What a terrific idea! I thought that was super cool! And, yes, they were delicious — I think we have a future Master Chef in our midst.
3. During a slow time late this afternoon at my store, a lady coming through my cashier lane griped about the Orange Ogre and his South African sidekick. We were kindred spirits! I told her I had some spare “Deport Elon” car magnets and if she’d wait 15 minutes until I got off, I’d give her one. (She did, and I did.) She, in turn, gave me a book she’d written, I believe it’s something about how people are being misled by the aforementioned billionaires.
4. Back at home, I carefully took my grandmother’s crystal out of storage and hand-washed everything. Will put the set back into the china cabinet to display. (I’m letting it air dry overnight.) This stuff has got to be 100+ years old since she married the year after World War ONE. Back then, no proper bride started her married life without sets of good china, silverware and crystal — it was a big deal to have it. We’re missing one goblet, and I noticed one tiny chip on a water glass…but everything else is in perfect condition…that’s pretty good for an otherwise complete set that is a century old, IMO.
5. Did not shut down the Voice of America radio broadcasts after 82 years of excellence.
You made the right call with the rice. It’s good to b cereus about food safety.
I love Pirateship.
1. I had two butternut squash languishing on the countertop, so I cubed and roasted them to add to the dog’s meals.
2. Walked to the grocery store for the few things we needed, and returned my library books on the way. They had free Covid tests at the desk, so I asked for one.
3. Had a 5 foot length of butcherblock leftover from replacing our kitchen countertops. I resisted the urge to hold onto it “just in case” and instead sold it on Marketplace for $100.
4. Tornado warnings by me last night, so I spent some time straightening up in the basement while they rolled through. Our power blinked a few times but thankfully stayed on.
5. My son brought home blackened chicken ciabatta sandwiches from his restaurant job yesterday, and we had those for lunch. Only the dog was sad, because the chicken was too spicy to share.
1. Had an amazing homemade ham, bean and potato soup for lunch with BLTs. The soup turned out very delicious. The stock was the juice from making collard greens and ham hocks in the crock pot. The ham was from the freezer and was leftovers from our free Christmas ham, potatoes were on clearance and the chicken stock was from a friend who didn’t want it. Bacon was a big sake item.
2, had friends over to drink wine and make more protest signs.
3. Dehydrating all extra veggies from the clearance rack.
4. I’ve been freezing leftovers to take to my uncle for after his surgery. Took them all to his house yesterday. I had no idea I’d squirreled away so many meals for him! So he has meals for a few weeks and I now have sooooo much more room in my freezer!
5. Trying to use up what I have unearthed in the freezer.
You are the very nicest niece! That soup sounds delicious, I never buy ham but wish I had a bit for soup.
I have texture issues with ham, but Better than Bouillon ham base works well for various meals.
1. I went out for a walk early since it is forecast to be hot and stormy today. It is recycling pick up day in our neighborhood. I spotted a plastic three drawer storage unit and grabbed it before it was picked up by the recycling truck. I was closer to DD’s house than ours so I left it on her porch. If she and SIL don’t want it I’ll list it on Freecycle.
2. I am giving away a bunch of stuff on Freecycle. It is amazing what you forget about when it is behind closed doors. Crap out and serenity in.
3. We stopped at Grocery Outlet and I picked up strawberries and onions at a good price. DH picked up cheap snacks to share at work.
4. I baked chicken breasts then used the leftover liquid to cook quinoa.
5. We received Covid boosters at a local pharmacy. Who knows if/when they’ll be available in the future.
“Crap out, serenity in?” I LOVE this!
We need a car for my daughter. So stressed right now. Well and my family is brown so we have to deal with that stress right now too.
We are living in the hard times and every day seems to be a new hit.
Oh, I would have snagged that cart! Very handy.
1. We went to the Oregon coast for spring break and saved money by staying at a relative’s place.
2. Since we were in a house, we could cook our meals. The general plan was to have all breakfasts and dinners at the house, and some lunches at mom and pop restaurants.
3. I had a successful no-spend March, with one fail. I had to buy a birthday present for someone and they’d requested a specific new item. I didn’t purchase said item from a naughty corporation.
4. I found $1.08 in change during spring break.
5. I think I offended someone by calling Trump supporters “morons”. I don’t feel bad about it. Dear reader, if you still support Trump, then you are either a bad person, or you are a moron. It’s that simple. I’m proud to be on the right side of history.
@Li I deem it you can’t fix stupid. People who vote against their own best interests. I read some responses people have for their magat family/friends. First one is “You’re not in the right tax bracket for those people to care about you”.
The idjit temporarily in change of SS made the statement that people who call to say they did not get their SS checks are the ones committing fraud. Karma is a bitch with impeccable timing and will pay him back in spades.
Re your #5: Sadly, I don’t think it’s going to sink in for a lot of people until they, or someone in their family, or a close friend loses their job or social security or Meals on Wheels or Medicare or Veterans benefits. Or they plan a trip to a national park and then can’t get in, or they can get in but the bathrooms and visitor center are closed. And, as you know, I could go on. The more those things happen, then, just maybe, people will start to wake up.