Let’s Take The Frugal Girl on Some Portland Adventures!
by Katy on September 12, 2025 · 63 comments
Kristen from The Frugal Girl is still visiting while we attend FinCon 2025, although we snuck out early today as:
A) The afternoon seminars weren’t up our alley.
B) A certain person wanted to see both Winco Foods and the Goodwill “bins” with her own two eyes.
Perhaps not as exciting as the $1000 bill I found in the parking lot, but here’s what I bought:
• My husband and I have been slowly breaking our velvet hangers and a fresh infusion was definitely in order. Three’s about right.
• A perfect lil’ watering can. I have one, but had been wanting a second one.
• A maraca, which’ll work as a darning egg. ¡Olé!
• A stainless steel utensil holder for my friend Lise, who just asked me to keep an eye out for one.
• But my most exciting find is the tiny remote control, which is for an adjustable bed and sells used on eBay for $75! Here’s my hastily assembled listing!
Total spent: $3.91!
What did Kristen buy?
• An Owala water bottle, which she’s promised to scrub within an inch of its life.
• A small whisk.
• A tiny black pumpkin for her daughter.
• A garage door remote control, which she’ll try and sell on eBay.
Total spent: $4.14!
Didn’t buy? This fancy toilet paper holder, although perhaps I should have, just to sneak it into her suitcase.
Next up was Winco Foods, as Kristen wanted to compare it to her beloved Aldi.
I don’t want to exaggerate, but Winco somehow knew today was her day to shine!
Seriously!
What?!
I paid $22.35 for my entire grocery haul, with neither coupons nor planning.
I think it’s pretty funny that two frugality bloggers would skip out on their finance conference just to hit the Goodwill bins and a no frills grocery store. Then again, we’re both nutty for some creative frugality!
How did we do?
Katy Wolk-Stanley
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{ 63 comments… read them below or add one }
Love this post. Frugal friends ❤️!
It’s been a frugal week for me.
1. Continued to shop our property. Eating from the garden and the freezer is keeping the grocery bill low.
2. I made a stock donation to a local fountain to prevent having to pay capital gains taxes. The donation is going to my library’s gazebo project. They are building a smart gazebo so the community has access to free wifi even when the library is closed, and the raised all the money through grants and donations. No tax dollars spent since the budget was lowered again this year.
3. We are in a very rural area and we only put our trash out about once a month because we recycle and try to not generate much waste. I think because of this the trash truck has recently missed our pick up twice. We pay for weekly service. Anyway my husband called both times, and they are going to credit our bill.
4. Taking advantage of free yoga class at the library. If it’s free it’s for me!
5. Going to a free music concert with friends tonight .
I love “If it’s free it’s for me”.
Love the idea of a library gazebo with free wi-fi! Even better than little free libraries. Thank you for supporting your local.
I can’t wait until it’s done. The WIFI in great but it is also going to used for programs like book club and yoga
I had to look up a smart gazebo. What a neat idea!
Oh how cool to hang out with a frugal gal-pal! Winco for the WIN! I would like one of these near me please and thank you.
Yes! I’d love a Winco in my neck of the woods (SW Ohio). Please and thank you.
I love how frugality can be fun. You did great and I appreciate this post and seeing how you and Kristen spent time together outside of Fincon.
I have a darning egg but find that my stainless steel soup ladle works even better.
Isn’t it funny what we use? I use a round glass paperweight!
Whoa, those prices at Winco are like a throwback to the 1970s! Very nice field trip for you frugal ladies.
FIELD TRIP!! Haha how fun. Love seeing your get together with The Frugal Girl. And you got some great Goodwill finds! Good luck selling your remotes – that’s a great idea for eBay listings. And I just have to say, Raisin Bran Crunch is SO good! YUM. (And the price? Even more delicious!!)
Sounds like a perfect day.
Love seeing the Dynamic Duo of Frugality together! Glad you two are having a great visit!
Our store sells Raisin Bran for 3 or 4 bucks, so 28 cents is a miracle price.
I haven’t been online recently as my computer conked out. It’s been broken for a couple of weeks now. Somehow, miraculously, it began sorta kinda working again this morning. Don’t ask how or why. I have another CPU, bought refurbished, that is going to replace it real soon. First, though, I have to clean off and move the big desk I’m using. I want it set up in my former roommate’s old bedroom, which is being transformed into a library/reading/computer room.
My big news (and frugal fail) is that I am no longer substitute teaching. At all. A special needs kid threw a mighty right hook and socked me hard in my left breast. (Yes, it bruised! Really bad. Kid packed a mighty wallop!) Not a single school staffer asked if I was OK, could they help me, or anything of that nature. I don’t need a job where I can be injured and nothing is done about it. So I quit. I thought I was just quitting their Special Ed part. I decided that’s just too hazardous, as there are so many of those kids who are out of control and the teachers only lock them in closets (officially called “calm down rooms”) and don’t have control of their classrooms, and don’t manage well. (Not all the special ed teachers, just enough to make it scary.) But then the HR head said don’t come back for anything in our district. In other words, I’m fired. I think it has as much to do with my age (70) as with my complaint.
I talked to a friend and fellow subbie, who surprised me by saying she no longer subs for that district. A teenaged boy screamed at her and said “you are in a bad mood, you must be in your period” and several other absolutely nasty things I won’t repeat here. (She is in her 60’s.) Then they fired her for raising her voice to him and sending him to the office. She said she is presently working for the inner city school district — and finds that it is not as bad as being in this district!
I’m not sure if I will go that far as to go into an “urban” setting, but I’m glad it’s not just me. I had noticed “my” (now-former) district kept saying they don’t have enough subbies; now we know why!
I still have my store job. And pensions. But still….
I may inquire at the Area Agency on Aging if they have any jobs for seniors like me. I still have a (new) roof and a (used) car to pay off.
So sorry to hear about your subbing experience! Hope you are feeling better! I would not work in that environment either. Perhaps try any local private or parochial schools. While you might not get called in as often, the environments will likely be better.
Thank you, Sue! Your words are a healing balm.
I am taking it easy this week, trying to get over the shock. (Will have the evening shifts at the store tonight and tomorrow. Fridays and weekends are always great.)
My friend came over yesterday to be with me, and we went shopping in my (very frugal) drug/general store, as she has never been there. (Much like Katy and Kristen’s shopping spree, come to think of it!) I’m always trying to get her to go there. She liked it! (Knew she would.) I introduced her to several of my coworkers and we had a nice time.
The subbie friend told me the local Catholic school is a good one, so if I want to teach again, I will contact them.
My sweet former roommate (living out of state) said maybe I should “work around grownups” from now on….she wasn’t referring to the students, but to the incompetent young teachers and principal.
Oops I meant 98 cents not 28. But the cost of the tuna is a miraculous 28 cents. Ours easily costs more than a buck, depending on the size…
Fru-gal Lisa– i’m so sorry for what you went through. Could you turn in a workers’ compensation claim? Another thought– perhaps you can check with your local church(es) to see if they need any help in their office or perhaps with children’s groups or Mom’s Day Out. My church just had one where they paid $20 an hour! Best of luck
$20/hour is way more than I’m making at any of my jobs. Thanks, Michele! And Liz B.
The Episcopal church I worked for paid its Sunday morning childcare workers $25 an hour. The kids were nice and it was a pretty easy gig for them.
Yikes! It’s not too hard to figure out why your (former) school district doesn’t have enough subs. Good riddance to bad rubbish (referring to that HR head! Rude and possible age discrimination!). I hope something else comes available for you.
Lisa, I’m very sorry this happened to you. A good friend of mine retired from a 40-year teaching career after receiving zero support from her administration when she was attacked by a student. I was shocked and saddened for her, just as I am for you. Take care.
My goodness I am so sad to hear that you were hurt subbing. There is just no amount of money worth putting yourself in harms way- especially not any amount they pay subs! I am a former public school teacher and have heard and seen a lot over the years. It’s no wonder they can’t keep teachers and subs in the classrooms. I hope you heal quickly and find enough frugal creativity to make up for the loss of income.
Thank you, Christina. I could take legal action, but it’d end up costing me more in the long run. As I said before, those young teachers are more immature than their students. Ditto, the principal and HR person….I think they may be a married couple (I didn’t get her name but I know he’s married to some bigwig in HR), so of course, such nepotism would rule out anyone listening to my side. Most districts (and businesses, for that matter) would not allow this, but in a smaller town, there are all kinds of crazy things like this.
So glad you are out of there. Nobody deserves to be treated like that. I retired from teaching 9 years ago and NOTHING could convince me to go back in any way. I won’t even volunteer. You hit the nail on the head. Small town corruption was rampant. There was so much illegal stuff going on. I never understood how it could continue without getting caught. God’s got something better for you, praying on it!
And legal action can be very stressful. Sounds like you got out of a bad environment. Good for you in the long run. Something better is sure to find its way to you. Enjoy a bit of a break and good luck!!!
Wow, Lisa, this story about the kid who punched you, and the aftermath, seriously sucks. Frankly, I think you’re better off outta there–but I also realize that you need alternative income sources. I wish you the best of luck in finding work that’s more congenial than getting slugged.
Lisa, I totally agree. Being injured on the job, and no one is concerned about it. Time to go!
Oh Lisa, I am so sorry to hear about this! That is assault and you could absolutely file an assault charge and sue the school district for several reasons. My son had a teacher who was assaulted while breaking up a fight at their high school. The kids would get suspended but the admin never did anything, so he called the cops and pressed charges against the kid. It got admins attention and risk prevention for the county. He still has a job years later, and the kids had to relocate to new schools due to restraining orders by the teacher backed by law enforcement. Another venue to call is the county if the school is run by the county which could superceede the school’s HR department.
I subbed for a few years and would never do it again. Teaching is a hard job, praise to anyone who can do it!
Feel better. And an idea, look for season jobs to help for the time being. Fall and the holidays are quickly aproaching .
You could file a workers comp claim and get representation at no cost to you.
I would do it for the principle of it,maybe they’ll learn something from it.
Sounds like hazardous duty pay is needed instead of sub pay.
That is definitely my kinida fun day!! Thirfting and groceries!!
I am fainting at the sigh of 28 cents a can tuna!!!!!!!!! And that cereal!! My winco will have these flash sales too..and I also love being able to shop and get good prices without digital coupons, paper coupons, having to “BUY 5” to get the best price,etc.Winco is just plain old good prices every single day! AND the bins! I get my flaxmeal,rice, spices, dry beans and steel cut oats fresh every 2 weeks.
Our ALdi is not worth the trip—poor selection,small store, and that 25 cent cart thing,ugh.Winco is our best store.
Lately I have been making a crock pot of beans every week, black beans,pintos,garbanzos white beans kidney beans (my fave!) and using it up all week in dinners or for lunches. I like a cup of bean with some chopped onions in them and a side of cottage cheese with fruit for an easy lunch. Tuna egg salad and home made cobb salads also in lunch rotations. Eating AT HOME saves so much money!
Sounds like a perfect afternoon. We frugal people know how to have fun!! Seriously. Playing “hookie” and going in a field trip was a much better use of your time. Kristin was homeschooled, right? So it was a Homeschool Field Trip specified to your needs.
Could you tell me how to verify that remotes like the one you bought are working? I see them all the time but haven’t bought them because I don’t know how to know if they work. Thank you!
Some fails and some wins recently. Big fail is that the dishwasher stopped working and needs a new motor. A pricey repair, but much less than a new one from same brand and keeps the rest of the machine out of the landfill. We had to buy a new fridge at the beginning of the year as that couldn’t be repaired, so I’ve spent enough on appliances.
And speaking of which…we took food with us on a short trip recently for picnic lunches. The mini fridge in the hotel room actually froze all our food, so we had to buy lunch on the second day! However we did take advantage of the free breakfast and had taken extra fruit, so we had that at least. We also enjoyed the free ice cream each evening! The sandwiches we bought for lunch were large enough to save half for dinner that even, so not a totally fail. And the frozen food thawed and was still edible.
I see some examples of that toilet paper holder on eBay. If you’d found the “cherub lid”, you could have gotten $15 for it!
I thought about hitting the bins yesterday, but I don’t have anything on my BOGO list. When I go, I can’t help but come home with a few cool, yet useless items. The BOGO requirement is a good way to slow my roll.
BOLO?
Acryonyms are never my friends, I have to look them up over and over, but I SUSPECT you were talking Be On the Lookout For, rather than Buy One Get One… ;-).
So on the nose to go to the bins and winco! Love it!
I always say when you have a need for a specific item, say it outloud, and share the need with the universe. She has not let me down!
We’ve had 4 separate incidents of trespassing and prowling this week.
The authorities are using drones and patrol our normally quiet county road. So scary. They also installed cameras and one was already shot out.
Have a wonderful Friday!
Yikes! That’s scary. We get lots of shenanigans on my street, but it’s in a high density urban area. I wonder why someone is seeking out your quiet street? Stay safe!
I second what Li said.
Blue Gate Farmgirl
This is how we handle things on our farm in a rural area
https://youtube.com/shorts/PCfmr5daFOc?si=80qtS8SJMaxao58k
lol That is hillarious!
Oh, I love that, Sugar Cat Farm! Then get that recording of deep dog barks that starts as soon as someone heads up the steps….
Good idea, Ecoteri!
There are also the warning signs posted…
” No warning shot, ammo is too expensive” and ” I have a shotgun and a backhoe”.
I was in Portland last weekend for a wedding. Imagine my delight when I read that the two of you, whom I’ve read for years, were hanging out and having frugal adventures! I love that you are frugal friends in real life.
Also, I did not stop at the bins or WinCo, but was excited to stop at Powells for the very first time! Bought a used book and loaded up on the free bookmarks and stickers.
Love a joint thrifting day! That maraca is going to make darning a festive occasion!
1. Went to our local Lidl for the first time last night. Some great deals (good crackers for $2 a box) and some terrible deals (meat was EXPENSIVE!). Good to know for future stock ups.
2. Dinner last night used up frozen meatballs made ages ago – and they were GOOD! A great reminder to keep some in the freezer for easy protein and quick dinners.
3. Meeting a pal for a walk this evening instead of going out to dinner or drinks. She gets migraines easily so loud restaurants and cafes are out. It’s going to be great walking around the neighborhood, enjoying the fall weather, and catching up!
4. Still using free youtube videos to supplement my gym routine. I love the flexibility and variety without adding another expense.
5. Perused Lands End’s website for any good deals as I am in the market for a few winter items. Found a winter jacket at 60% off. Highly recommend having a look at their clearance section if you are in need of anything and are willing to buy new.
You could send the gold toilet paper holder to Mr. Trump for his gold bathroom.
I commented on an article in the Washington Post about frugality. I commented “Read the Non-Consumer Advocate blog to learn new ways to save money & to use what you have. Shout out to Katy!
Frugal Friends are the BEST kind of friends!!
I’m delighted to read about the frugal adventures of the two K’s in Portland–and greatly amused by this sentence: “I think it’s pretty funny that two frugality bloggers would skip out on their finance conference just to hit the Goodwill bins and a no frills grocery store.” 😛
My favorite frugal win this week – I basically have no shame when it comes to venison, so I posted on Facebook, saying if anyone had any deer they needed to clear out of their freezers before the new season comes, I’d be happy to take it off their hands. No. I thought no one would take me up on it, but then a friend’s daughter contacted me that she had some! Nine packages of “ham” steaks, probably 2 pounds a piece. We cut it up to make soup or stew or deer tips and gravy. Yum!!
I’ve been working all the overtime I can, both to earn the extra money, and to prepare for my vacation. Our vacations have ended up being close together this year, but we plan on changing that next year.
I’ll work more this weekend, but we are also planning on a game night with our kids, spending some time at a friend’s property in the country, and decorating for fall (with things we already own).
Alice, good for you on the FB request!
I’d have cut out to thrift with you guys any day!
1. I needed a few items for family Renaissance Faire costumes so I went thrifting today. My first stop was a huge local thrift store. Found all the pieces I needed and picked up a NWT Minnesota Twins MLB t shirt to flip to cover the cost.
2. Stopped at the Goodwill Outlet and found some NWTs items to add to my Plato’s Closet drop off. This will be my first time selling there so I’ll let you know if it was worth it. BUT while at the outlet I found a new Spider Man Heely shoe. Could not for the life of me find the other one. I was about to toss it back but remembered Katy’s scavenging the chair back to sell. The shoe had a new set of Heely rollers and key, still in the packaging. So I bought it to list on eBay. Again, we will see what happens. I love experiments!
3. Went to happy hour on the porch of a local hangout. Three of my friends brought their dogs. I just had ice water with lemon so a great time with friends and zero spent.
4. Slept late and ate leftovers.
5. Sold $45 of items in marketplace. All from the Goodwill Outlet
Visiting my Indiana pal. Today we are going to a wedding about an hour and half away — the reason for my visit. I’ve been trying to make this trip somewhat frugal:
1. Packed road food instead of buying fast food on the way.
2. Brought my own coffee and creamer as we don’t see it eye to eye on good coffee.
3. Bought the kids meal at Culver’s last night. Tried to take a survey for free custard but the survey code was impossible to read.
4. Went to Goodwill and spent $3 on a Christmas tin and a Santa figurine.
5. Found two receipts to scan to Fetch.
6. Gassed up with my Kroger card, saving 3¢ a gallon.
Tomorrow I’ll report on how the wedding panned out. I’m guessing free food but expensive parking.
DH uses Apple Pay and in his statement they sent him a gift card for $125 to spend at a very fancy online homeware site. No minimum spend, but most things very pricy (one towel for $75 anyone?). Managed to find a lovely 2qt saucepan for $115. Guess they hope people will order things that are over the $125 and pay the difference, but no such luck with me lol.
Wow, I wish we had Winco in Texas – looks like you are both having a great time in Portland.
1. I have joined a running clinic this Fall – as although the weight training I am doing is making me stronger and more agile, my cardio fitness leaves a lot to be desired. And anyway, I haven’t run for 40 years, so time to pick up that old hobby. It is inexpensive, run by very keen volunteers, and an opportunity to perhaps meet new friends, always a challenge after the kids leave school. The other woman who is in my walk/run group lives fairly near me so we are conspiring to both run together on our practice days, and perhaps carpool together on the training nights.
I got more cortisone shots in my knees this week – the surgeon and I are both doing what we can to delay surgery. The shots really help with the pain of arthritic knees, so with that and weightlifting to strengthen the muscles around the knees I should be able to carry on for a while. So far the running causes no more pain
2. My neighbour had the sad day of putting down her 33 year old horse. She and I have been talking about animals, as I have an ewe who is aging and limping and I wasn’t sure if it was time, yet. Because my neighbour was having the vet out for her old boy, I was able to piggy-back on his visit and pay him less than half what a regular callout would be.
The good news for my old girl is that she still seems to be doing ok, although, as the vet says, she’s in the ‘end times’. A sad day for my neighbour, and a reprieve for me, at least for now. Animals, they are lovely and they are short-lived compared to humans.
3. Warm days suitable for hanging laundry are becoming rare, however I got a load out and on the line early enough that it should dry before the dew falls.
4. My belly button birthday was this week – I am officially a senior citizen. My lovely kids were going to take me to a fancy (expensive, local, delicious) restaurant and I realized that a) I would be uncomfortable with the cost and b) my social anxiety is ratcheting up so I wouldn’t really enjoy it for that reason, too, and c) my grandbaby is just 1 year old, and it would NOT be fun for him to be locked in a highchair or for my son/daughter outlaw to hold him for the entire meal.
I proposed we meet at a local park and boil hotdogs and play bocce ball. In the end due to all the working kids running late, we gathered at my house to eat hotdogs, play with the grandbaby, and hang out.
My mom (who didn’t come up) winced at the thought of hotdogs for my birthday, however I was really really happy to have a very low-key gathering that was no work for me and no work for all the hardworking young adults in my life, and additionally was SO much better for the grandbaby. They had a cake and candles, and I felt very very loved.
5. I visited my mom the day after my birthday and my daughter came as she lives down there (seeing her two days in a row? Priceless, although I did have to let her know that I really do love to see her any time I can. My daughter is sometimes insecure). We brought in pizza and I brought down some of my birthday cake, and after dinner we played rummoli. I lost, bummer.
6. I might have a handle on a new-to-me dog, the dog rescue has a lot of hoops to jump through (calling my vet and my references, doing a home visit, who knows what else) and they are going to do a visit this weekend. I’m not sure if I am ready yet however the universe provides me with a lot of things that are miracles, so this might just be another one.
Happy Birthday week! Now that you are a Senior Citizen you are allowed to start celebrating 2 weeks in advance and 2 weeks post birthday!
Good luck with the new rescue dog! Rescue animals often seem to know that you have saved them and are so grateful
Please DON’T TELL MY PASTOR how long “senior citizens” can celebrate their birthdays. He started doing that LONG BEFORE he became a “senior citizen.” His birthday is May 30 and he already celebrates for 3 weeks. Give him any more celebratory time and he’ll stretch it out 6 months!
This week has been very frugal and intentional with food and driving. I sat down and made a budget and realize we will have a lot of weeks like this before I can feel more loose with my money again.
1. We ate out once this week where I treated my son and I at his bowling practice. We split loaded BBQ pork fries and a drink. It was good, but almost $20!!!
2. Last night I went to a beautiful memorial for life. It was touching. We had about 80 people gather. The family had BBQ and cake, I enjoyed the gathering despite the reason.
3. I returned a DVD to the library without incuring a late fee!!
4. I made several appointments which were free or low cost with my insurance. Making the most of my medical insurance that I work so hard for.
5. I set up a Youtube channel two years ago, in the last few weeks I posted three shorts. So for I have just over 2k views and one subscriber. I am trying to learn more about the editing and uploading process. I also want it to be very soothing and almost self help directed. I want positive things only.
I have been a following both of you for years. It looked like a fun time. I have had nothing but frugal fails this week because I am in my 2nd week of Covid positive (never had it before and do not recommend). I have missed all my work/classes. I tried to Zoom and succeeded for one day, but then completely lost my voice. So I have been ordering takeout or grocery delivery for two weeks. I am too tired/sick (102.5 temp at one point) to cook much and then if I do I am too tired to eat. I had to pay for co-pays to doctor and medications. BUT because I am frugal other days, all these delivery charges and tips are covered and worth it (just annoying). I did sell several of my daughters books on Ebay that she didn’t want that will help cover her taxes next year because she works as a ghostwriter while in school and is paid as a contractor.
I’m so sorry to read this. I avoided Covid until 2023 and boy did it hit me hard! Sending virtual soup your way.
I have been following you and Kristen for years. With all the stuff happening this week, I wanted to say thank you for the wonderful example you both are. If someone was going to label you both, I know one would be ‘conservative’ and one would be ‘liberal’. Your friendship is such a wonderful example for us all.
You’d be surprised how much we agree on, specifically on the liberal side.
Looks like you’re both having so much fun. And those Winco prices are amazing!
Yes, Winco knocks every other grocery store out of the park!