Goodwill, Badwill, Questionable-will -- Almost All Badwill!
Today's blog post shines a light on the random things that come along my path as a regular Goodwill shopper.
Like this framed "Eddie's a Freak" cross stitch piece. Perhaps Eddie wasn't a fan of this unflattering gift?
Is this . . . Eddie? If so, then I agree.
This painting caught my eye. Not because of the trees and sunset vista.
It was this character peeking out from behind the distant trees. I knew he looked familiar from somewhere . . .
Nailed it! The alien character that got Lieutenant Riker hooked on a mind control game in the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode that featured a young Ashley Judd.
I guess she's a muse for the very best artists.
This Betty White sock was kind of horrifying with her stretched out face. I supposed it could be less disturbing on a 3D ankle, but the 2D version is a straight up hate crime.
Seriously, what's with the double chin? SO mean.
These leftover Goodwill bins"ember" characters numbered in the hundreds, if not thousands. (There were more in another bin.) I assume they were leftover from some marketing campaign. So effing wasteful!
I was tempted to buy this vintage Laurel Burch umbrella, but I actually have a terrific umbrella that' I also picked up at that's also from a Goodwill bin, from maybe ten years ago. It's a Elizabeth Taylor perfume piece and is the best quality umbrella I've ever owned. By far.
Nice and big, never flips inside out.
I'll be so sad if I ever lose it!
I believe the weird stuffie/plush in the picture is Red Huggy Wuggy..... a very popular character with the elementary aged kids. The things I learn as a school bus driver... 🙂
That's very concerning as it's part of a horror video game! Everyone loves plushies but kids should definitely be kept from this character.
Did you see President Obama on Colbert last night? For once, some uplifting TV watching!
My frugals:
-- Scrambled some of the 89 cents a dozen eggs I bought at our store, and had scrambled eggs and toast for lunch.
-- Took some mini story books I gleaned from the used bookstore freebie bin to the LFL outside the Mom and Pop breakfast place. The bookstore trashes everything after a day, but the LFL doesn't. Figure some little tykes can read their book waiting for their pancakes. Saved the books from the landfill!
-- Our city does not let us wash our cars outside except 2x a week, which does not fit my work or church attendance schedule. And also raises my water bill. Took my car to a very cheap drive-through car wash that allows you a free vacuum afterwards. While vacuuming the interior, I came into some free money -- a penny, to be exact. (I'm rich!) It was on the ground. Along with a nice-sized pencil that was still good, just needed some sharpening.
-- Got on the city government website to complain about a proposed law that would require us to buy large paper bags for yard waste instead of using the 96 gallon trash cans already provided by the city. We cannot use the former very well since, among other problems, they tear in the rain. Unsustainable and un-economical!
-- Read my bank statement and found out I have earned 3 whole cents of interest. Not 3 dollars, 3 cents. How generous of them!
I chuckled over you finding a pencil. I live near a middle school and have quite the supply of found almost new pencils. I'm making a point to write grocery and to do lists in pencil plus use the appropriate ones for sketching.
Juhli, I live just down the street from an educational nonprofit that offers tutoring, career counseling, etc. I haven't bought a pencil or pen in years.
True confessions time: I probably would have bought the "Eddie's a Freak" sampler as a gag gift for my own dear Eddie, aka my late DH. He'd have laughed fit to split and hung it in his bailiwick in the basement. I'd have been with you on turning thumbs down on everything else; the umbrella was actually quite nice, but the first thing I do with any umbrella is lose it. I'd rather just wear a raincoat with a hood.
And I've just come back from my first visit to my Salvation Army superstore (where all tag colors except one are 50% off on Wednesdays) in over a month. I came away with a pair of Skechers Step-Ins in excellent condition; two new pairs of black Hanes socks; a lovely Catherine 1X top for the very few formal occasions I still attend (a dressy top, a pair of black slacks, and a pair of comfy shoes are as dressed up as I get these days); six packets of seeds with a 2025 sell-by date (and I've described previously how long I can keep seeds going in the freezer); and a small lidded basket made by the Rindge basket company in NH, on which the young previous owner had scrawled his name in black crayon. (The scrawl certainly lowered the price, and I'll see what I can do about the crayon. Suggestions are welcome.) Total = $26.07.
I haven't heard of the basket company but my bestie lives in Rindge NH. Beautiful little town right over the Massachusetts border.
According to a 2005 online article in the Keene (NH) Sentinel, the basket company (which it called the "West Rindge Basket Company") went out of business over 20 years ago. Someone else bought the building but not the company.
But the basket is a charming little thing--about the size of a child's lunchbox, which I imagine is what young "Matthew" used it for. In fact, if I can't get the black crayon name completely removed, I won't be too upset.
I'll have to start looking for those gems in thrift shops, Salvation Army Store, etc. If I can't or don't want to resell, one or two would be nice for storage.
That cat umbrella is seriously cute! I would love it. I wonder if it was sturdy? Hard to find a good umbrella that doesn't collapse in the wind.
Those multitudes of Ember plastic toys reminded me of the Old Navy store I went to. Tons of unwanted, overproduced crap for sale.
My frugal doings:
1. Escaped from the "buy a lunch" pattern as my school has no cafeteria. Packed lunches & drinks this week for work.
2. Took home 2 large pieces of leftover cake from work. It was a blueberry & lemon concoction that was very good. Will portion it out over several days.
3. Found top tier Mobil brand gas for 3.87 per gallon. My husband is a mechanic & said not all gas is top tier. Walmart & Sam's club not top tier but I think Costco is. Cheap gas bad for your car he says. However since gas is so expensive now, most are likely going for the cheapest fuel.
4. Going to a retiree luncheon this week. I don't always attend but this one is close to home.
5. Finally got a library card in my small town. I was pleasantly surprised. The library is quiet & clean. No vagrants camping out there and/or disturbing the patrons.
Invitation to examine your privilege. The library is for everyone.
Very well-put, and, as a retired librarian, I feel compelled to repeat and reinforce your reply: now, more than ever, libraries are for EVERYONE.
Libraries are for everyone who engages in library-appropriate behavior. It isn’t fair when librarians become social workers, and people who want to read books don’t feel safe. My library has a security guard, and there’s a reason for that. So, get off your high horse.
Oh my goodness, it goes without saying that library users should have appropriate behavior. What I was getting at was that libraries should be available to all, regardless of status, residence (or lack of residence), income level, etc. All library users are welcome, and are given the opportunity to stay, provided their behavior is within an acceptable range.
What a very apt phrase. I so appreciate your comment. As the Pres of our FOL, I am constantly reminded of all our humanity. Libraries are for everyone
I was with you until number 5. Vagrant? "Camping out" by using free public facilities, the same facilities you have no problems taking advantage of? Really? How about human beings that do not have the same privilege as you? Empathy costs nothing and is worth everything.
As for top tier gas, it depends on whether your car has port fuel injection. If it's older than 2015 or so, it probably does and you do not need to buy top tier. Only newer cars that do not have port fuel injection need the extra detergents to clean out the carbon from lower tier gas. People like me, whom may be mistaken for a "vagrant" by some, have old cars and don't need to waste the money on top tier fuel.
Where I live, it got to a point where people were sleeping in the carrels (aka “camping out”), doing drugs and bathing in the restrooms, overdosing, abusing the employees, bringing weapons inside, etc. It got to a point where I didn’t feel comfortable spending any time at the library, and I’m happy that they’ve gotten it under control. It’s sad that this sort of thing is happening at libraries across the nation, and I wish we did a better job of providing social services to people who need them.
Perhaps I am overthinking the homeless issue. I have been harassed by seemingly homeless men at the library a few times. One of the library chairs had been urinated on. One person seemed to have mental health issues & was mumbling loudly. I volunteer at a homeless shelter, so I am not aware of the needs of the unhoused. I just avoided going to the local library for a long spell. I was merely reflecting on a pleasant visit to a quiet library with clean chairs.
Oops. I meant I am aware of the homeless needs.
That Laurel Birch umbrella is incredible! I have been collecting her jewelry since the seventies money used to buy lots of things, now I don't as I have a lifetime supply of Laurel Birch earrings. I don't think I could have resisted it.
Today was the appointment for a blood draw -- lipid panel. I made the major mistake of scheduling it at 10:45. What was I thinking? I had to fast until then, and it wasn't pretty. I packed a quick lunch to have right afterwards -- an energy bar, an apple and a canned latte. It was a lifesaver.
I took the train to the hospital to save on gas. On the way home I made two stops -- one at the library to return a book, and one at Target to buy Fairlife milk. I have caved on Fairlife. It's expensive, but it's lactose-free, it tastes good, and it's ultra-filtered. It lasts a long time. There is no waste, as there is with most milk, for me. I will have to cheap out on other things, to compensate.
I have quite a bit of cooked brown rice left over, and I had ChatGPT suggest a use for it. I'm going to make rice pancakes, which are savory. I'll be able to use up some cheese, as well.
I found SEVEN receipts today, all good -- that is, legible, and within in the right time period. They were all worth only 25 points, but I'm good with that.
I found a paper clip in the hospital -- talk about a tiny frugal thing, right? A nice sturdy one; it's in my paper clip jar now.
I will have to break my gas-free fast tonight, when I go to my grandson's volleyball game. It IS possible to go there on the bus, but it's a cumbersome trip, requiring a transfer. I'm opting to drive.
1. Decided I should have a stroller here for when I watch my great nephew. One less thing for his mom to have to schlep over. Went on marketplace and found a free Jeep stroller! Just picked it up. Yeah!
2. On the way to pick up the stroller I stopped and found Milano cookies in the FREE little pantry. I’ll take some to a party I’m going to tomorrow.
I got a book from the LFL that is right next to the LFP.
3. Making kabobs for dinner. Had the veggies but found marinated boneless skinless chicken on mark down cheaper than plain unmarinated chicken. I’ll be adding zuchini from the clearance section as well as peppers I froze also from clearance section. I’ll serve it with rice.
4. Gas is ridiculous. Filled up at Sunoco. Used my Sunoco app (3 cents off a gallon), uploaded receipt to Upside (3 cents off a gallon), and uploaded to Fetch for 600 points.
5. Will do my pt at home today and tomorrow to save copay and driving.
Little Free Food Pantries are for people in need, not mooches wanting free cookies.
They are for anyone to use. I could go to my local food pantry if I chose to, though I am not in need (at least, not at this time. One never knows what the future might hold.)
Oh, my. This is a week, but doing my best:
1) Drove electric car to/from work again. It's a 30+ minute commute each way, so definitely a savings.
2) Offered our spare room to another one of DS19's friends, so he has a place to stay before his flight back to the UK.
3) Got a free dinner (last night) & free lunch (today). I'd rather not be working super crazy long days in order to "receive" these, but whatever. Here we are.
4) Sold another watch on eBay. Will package it up & get it mailed out.
5) DS20 wrote an entire happy birthday message in my mom's Mother's Day card. Rather than tossing it & finding a new one, I mentioned it to my mom in advance & she thought it was hilarious & said it will be her favorite.
1. We are under a tornado watch but it feels too cool for it but what do I know. I managed to walk 48 minutes before the rain deluge began so I am almost at an hour. Will have to make it up marching in place inside I guess.
2. I am cooking dried split green peas because it seemed like a good time to try them.
3. I picked my salad greens before the rain.
4. Gas is now $4.00 a gallon here. Ugh. I filled up at the cheapest station and avoided the $4.29 a gallon station.
5. I did my usual of doing my $2.75 one load of laundry at the laundromat for the week bc I do hand wash a lot of things, rinsing out my bread bag I use to pack my lunch and breakfast, keeping air and heat off bc of the dreaded power bill, let nature water my roses, text and keep in contact with my kids long distance, and try to avoid the news bc it is anxiety provoking.
The college kid came home today, and brought back a 3/4 roll of toilet paper that was left over in his dorm. That's my boy! Lol
(He and his roommate take turns buying, and the roommate went home 2 days earlier and took the mostly full pack with him).
He also brought home his partially used toiletries and cleaning supplies, and some snacks.
He didn't get the research assistant job he was hoping for on campus, but one of his instructors gave him a lead on a job at a coding and robotics camp that's closer to home, and he's applying for that now. The job on campus would have involved a 45 minute each way commute during rush hour in the mornings, so this other one will be a more convenient option and save on gas.
The weird thing I saw at my last bins outing was a crocheted penis with an “emotional support penis” label on it. Maybe Eddie isn’t the only freak in town?
On another topic, I have been researching the average price per banana, when purchased by the pound at Fred Meyer. You will be shocked to learn that it’s just over 20 cents per banana. Unless the bananas at Trader Joe’s are big whoppers, I’m sticking with Fred Meyer.
I like your umbrella better anyway.
1. I found a penny in a parking lot.
2. I read the two weekly free newspapers a couple of companies in town publish. Lots of local news which is ok since I need a break from the national news.
3. I was craving Chinese food so I threw a bunch of chicken wings I had bought on sale in the crockpot with Teriyaki sauce. Slow cooked them all day and paired them with some Lo Mein noodles I had picked up at Walmart. Delicious and took care of the craving for a small cost.
4. I'm still reading and enjoying the library book by Doris Kearns Goodwin, An Unfinished Life. I had no idea her husband Dick wrote speeches for President Kennedy.
5. I discovered a paper bag full of Marigold seeds from last year's flowers I had forgotten about in the shed. Hooray for free flowers!
I may be twisted, but I kinda want the cross stitch piece.
OMG I need to go to the bins!
I am forever grateful for my cousin. He searched FBMP and found what I needed for my tractor at a phenomenal price and it was still under warranty.
So much love and support.
I made breakfast cookies for moms birthday week. Put little confetti candies on them for silliness.
I had an enjoyable weekend away with childhood friends. One friend and I had paid the rental for the timeshares, which I had reserved at a cheaper price since I am an owner at that location. I then planned a menu and purchased everything needed for 2 suppers and 2 breakfasts. I did not expect anyone to contribute, but my friends insisted on helping to pay. I put that money directly into my savings for a weekend trip my daughter and I are taking this summer.
CVS ran the RSV shot through our insurance for my husband and I to see if they would cover it, even though we are not 60 yet. It was approved, so we got that. I am now sick, but my nurse daughter swears it is not from the vaccine. LOL
I am mailing a book that I got for 12.5 cents to a sorority sister (books were regularly a quarter, but that day the thrift store had them for buy one, get one free). I wrapped it in a map of our town - she will love the nostalgia of seeing streets and places she recognizes. The book is The Boy, The Mole, The Fox, and the Horse. It is a beautiful book that my college roommate had given to me, so when I saw a practically brand new copy, I knew I had to get it for my friend. I really recommend it for gentle encouragement.
On the way to my girls weekend, my hubby and I stopped at a Dollar General for ibuprofen. They had their clearance an additional 50% off. I got 192 laundry tabs for about $12.50, and deodorants, body wash, and ziploc brand bags for super cheap.
The no beer purchase rebates have been hopping lately. I have sent off for probably close to $30 of them in the last couple weeks. I apply them to my utility bill, as they come as digital credit cards, then I add that money to my savings. I am not buying anything different than I normally would, so it is, as my mom would have said, "Free Money."
I love these posts!!
1. I made a cake using ingredients I had at home for a going away party at work.
2. I received a $20 gift card from the Walking Spree app for doing what I do every day. I cashed it out for a $20 egiftcard to Target which has a food section at the one near my home.
3. I went to Target and bought a ton of meat on clearance which is helping me significantly with meals this week. Very thankful.
4. I told myself very little shopping this week for food. I needed onions for a recipe and cleared my purse of all change and used that to buy a bag of onions at Aldi.
5. I got on the cooking horse this week and we have had homemade rice with discount teriyaki chicken, I made cupcake meatloaves and froze them, I made taco meat. I packed lunches. We are well fed!
6. I made two large payments on credit cards forcing my hand to use all those frugal skills.
Currently on a 4-day road trip with my husband to move our twins out of their college dorm for the summer. Very little is frugal about having twins in college, but years of frugality (and hard work) do make this time easier to get through.
1. For food, we’re eating down our kids’ remaining meal plan swipes so those don’t go to waste.
2. Found a cheapish (within the universe of surge pricing) hotel that offers free breakfast and free coffee and tea around the clock. Hitting those hard.
3. Using free hotel WiFi to work and get paid while I’m away from home. Also sold some shoes on EBay while here.
4. Did one of my favorite yoga workouts, long ago purchased and downloaded. At this point, the cost per use is probably something like 0.000017 cents. I mix it up with free YouTube workouts for variety.
5. Plan to celebrate “hippie Christmas” and scrounge the huge dumpster area outside the dorms. If there’s time, I’ll also hit the local Goodwill bins.
Frugal Fail: Forgot our device chargers and had to purchase some. Have vowed to add these newly-purchased chargers to my collection of Things to Bring on Trips that live in my suitcase, so this hopefully won’t happen again.
The catbrella is fantastic!