Let’s Take The Frugal Girl on Some Portland Adventures!
by Katy on September 12, 2025 · 8 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.
Here’s what I bought:
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 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 Odwala 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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{ 8 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”.
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.
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.
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.