I have an on again, off again series on The Non-Consumer Advocate called Fabulous Frugal Finds. It’s quite simple. Readers send in pictures and descriptions of their fabulous frugal find and I publish them. We’ve seen some very cool stuff, but it’s been awhile since I’ve solicited for submissions.
But I came across the fabulous frugal find of a lifetime, and I want to sing it from the mountaintops. I have been keeping an eye out for a nice oriental rug for years and years. I always glance over at the rugs when I go to thrift stores, but I’d never found anything that really floated my boat. That is, until Saturday. The day that will forever be known as:
“The day I found that I found the brand new, 6′ X 9′ hand knotted wool oriental for for $49.99.” (Minus my 5% Goodwill Club Card discount.)
I’d been using a hand me down acrylic rug which sported a precise iron shaped burn that pretty much dictated my furniture placement. It looked okay, but I knew it was crap. It attracted cat hair and dust like nobody’s business, and truth be told, was kind of too big for the space.
I am guessing that it would cost at least $700 to buy this rug in a regular store.
I can now die a happy woman. Because this non-consumer is all about buying high quality/beautiful items that last forever and are as close to free as possible.
Do you have a Fabulous Frugal Find to share with The Non-Consumer Advocate community? Please send me your photos and description at nonconsumer@comcast.net and you too can sing it from the mountaintops.
Katy Wolk-Stanley
“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without”
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
Congrats!!!
Did you find a good place for the old one?
The old rug will now reside in our basement “band practice” room, which is the perfect place for it.
-Katy
Wow! That is truly amazing.
Katy, this post reminded me of one you previously wrote (in response to a comment about your living room): https://thenonconsumeradvocate.com/2008/08/capitalistic-brainwashing-a-response/
It’s two years later, and I am still laughing at the line:
“I must go now and place my kitchen colander, (second hand and lined with reused aluminum foil, of course) on my head to fight the capitalistic brainwashing.â€
You’re the best!
My happiest find probably wasn’t the biggest savings but it still makes me smile to think of it: the 2 volume Compact OED for $100.
One of my treasures is the long cedar chest found at a yard sale. The top’s finish was ruined from water, and it came with an old blanket still inside it. I snagged it , brought it home, and transformed it. The blanket was laundered then served as batting on the top. I covered this with a leftover piece of upholstery material to make a cushioned seat. On the underneath of the lid, I finished/covered my upholstery job with a dark blue satin lining (a scrap from another project). My cedar chest turned bench cost a whopping $3. (If I ever get a camera, I’ll send you a picture).
Take very good care of your rug! If it’s wool (standard) or cotton, you can clean it by using baby shampoo and hosing it down. I inherited many Oriental rugs from a Great Aunt and bought a couple in India and that’s the best way to care for them.
The rug envy I have is almost unbearable…
Bear it baby, bear it. 😉
-Katy
Great rug, Katy! Enjoy it in good health.
My most recent FFF is the wrought-iron three-tier grow-light stand my husband and I trashpicked a couple of weeks ago. (Actually, we gave the homeowner $10 for helping us load it onto my husband’s trailer. She said it hadn’t sold at a garage sale.) It does work, although it needs fresh bulbs. A comparable stand from Gardeners’ Supply currently retails for $569. Hee, hee!
Great rug! Congrats to you 🙂
One of the best finds I have ever made happened earlier this summer. I am so very proud to say I found a perfect oak rocking chair for a mere 5 dollar bill!!! I smile every single time I walk past it coming or going or sittin’ and rockin’. It also matches perfectly the wonderful Jack Daniels barrel (which I got for free 🙂 sitting right beside my “new” marvelous rocker!
I manages 12 dozen quart sized mason jars last year. Free. Just because I noticed them in the neighbor’s recycling bin. She noticed my wife and I taking them, and called us over and gave us all that she had. These jars had been sitting in her attic for about 15 years. Score!
Great rug. Know you will enjoy it!
Great rug. Great find!
Congrats! That is a lovely rug. What a find!
Kate, Goodwill is one of my favorite stores! How do I get a Goodwill club card?!