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I finished refurbishing my adult daughter’s old bedroom, which’ll continue as her personal space in the house. We already have a designated “spare bedroom,” so both kids get to keep their childhood rooms to chill out in when they’re here. We let our daughter take all her childhood furniture to her apartment, so I had to start from scratch.
My plan was to not spend any money and with the exception of a $2 thrifted frame, I met that goal.
• I curb picked the IKEA dresser.
• I scored the cozy rug for free by driving around a wealthy area after they’d completed their neighborhood garage sale day. It had a couple stains, but I used some spray-on Folex rug cleaner to remove them.
• I was gifted a tall bookshelf from my Buy Nothing group.
• The antique twin bed had been in our spare bedroom, but we no longer needed it there after friends handed a hide-a-bed couch down to us.
• The full length mirror is from a free pile.
• I found some organizing cube parts in a free pile.
• The vintage end table came with the hand-me-down couch.
• The vintage armchair is also from Buy Nothing, although it needs a few repairs to be functional.
This room was a messy disaster after my daughter moved out and I’m really happy to have it be a usable space again.
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I took the cardboard base from my four-pack of Costco cat litter and covered it with white Contact paper I already had on hand. I then cut a piece of foam to size, which I tucked it into a pillow case. The foam was leftover from when I cut a knobby mattress topper down to twin size, which made this a zero dollar project!
Voilá — free cat bed!
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I spent a couple hours cleaning and reorganizing the fridge in preparation for Thanksgiving. I only tossed a couple things, one of which is too funny not to share — a jar of Heinz relish, which expired back in 2016! I got it for free from my step mother, whose real estate agent gave her a three-pack of condiments branded with cutesy stickers reading:
“I ‘relish’ your referrals!”
“Just popping by to ‘ketchup’ ”
“From your real estate agent who really cuts the ‘mustard.’ “
Ick.
I’m never one to turn down free food, but apparently we don’t eat that much relish.
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• I foraged two New Seasons grocery coupons in a parking lot that were good for a “free 12-ounce bag of Portland Roasting Coffee with $5 purchase.” I used one, gave one to my friend Lise and handed the bottom half of the coupon to woman in line behind me, which gave her $5 off her $35+ purchase.
• I also found a carabiner on the ground in that parking lot. They’re handy to have, so I tucked it away for future use.
• It turns out that the turkey in our deep freeze is smaller than I remember, so I’ll buy a turkey breast to supplement the meal instead of purchasing an entirely new turkey.
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I didn’t buy a Lear Jet.
Katy Wolk-Stanley
“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.”
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It’s time for another Non-Consumer Photo Essay, which is especially exciting as my daughter needed her hairbrush repaired and I’m always happy to save something from the landfill.
Not front page news, but still worth a mention on a non-consumer blog!
There — pretty much as good as new! I already owned the glue, so this was a zero out of pocket repair.
I brought a receipt back to Safeway, as my husband shopped without making sure that our “club” card swiped properly. This meant that all the digital coupons I’d deliberately loaded onto our account didn’t activate. You might question the worthiness of this extra errand, but I was able to get $15.20 refunded back onto our credit card.
Slight pain in the tuchus, but worth it!
I stopped by Goodwill afterwards and browsed through the Christmas sweaters, finding these two specimens. I didn’t buy either of them, but they still gave me a giggle.
Very goofy, but representation matters — even if it’s silly representation.
Of course I scoped out the Christmas aisle for the “V’ and “Y” I need to complete my “Oy Vey” stocking holders I’ve been thrifting for.
Getting there . . .
Oy pey!
Katy Wolk-Stanley
“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.”
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Oops . . . it’s ricotta cheese!
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I picked up a discarded Winco receipt outside the store and later scanned it into my Fetch app. * I don’t earn impressive points as I rarely buy big corporate brands, but have scanned abandoned receipts here and there, which always do better than my own.
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I finally gathered the supplies to try out this two ingredient mozzarella cheese recipe and set to work. Unfortunately I missed that this recipe only works with non-homogenized milk. Instead I accidentally created homemade ricotta cheese, which is always welcome in my house. I also have two jars of byproduct whey, which I’ll use in bread baking and for my morning oatmeal.
I’m not done experimenting with cheese making and will pick up some citric acid next time I’m at Winco. It’s sold in the bulk section, which is another reason why Winco is the A+ #1 grocery store for me.
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I’m planning out which Thanksgiving sale items to pick up at which grocery stores this week. Safeway has $2.49 Tillamook butter and five-pound bags of potatoes for 79¢. Fred Meyer doesn’t seem to have impressive prices on any staples, so I’m crossing my fingers that Winco will round things out. I have a turkey in the deep freeze from that I for for free last year, so I’m good for the main course.
I try really hard to not stress out about hosting Thanksgiving dinner every year, so using frugal ingenuity and doing as much as possible ahead of time is my way of doing everything I can to not spin out of control. I truly cannot wait until the day after Thanksgiving and have all this behind me. Please tell me I’m not the only one.
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• I got coupons for $5-off-$30 at an expensive grocery store, so I slipped it into my neighbor’s mailbox as I don’t shop there.
• I scheduled a Facetime video call with an old friend from college, which was absolute perfectenschlag! He and I ended up talking for two full hours and I love that what was considered science fiction when I was a kid is now standard practice. Video phone call? What am I, Buck Rogers?!
• I found a dime on the ground outside of Winco.
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I didn’t buy any tiny Lear Jets.
“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.”
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My husband and I had a few errands to run yesterday, which we interspersed with trips to two different Goodwill thrift stores.
I always scope out the mugs, as they’re easy to sell and certain ones can bring in the Big Bucks.™ I didn’t find any worth buying for resale, but I do want to reiterate that there is an excess of already manufactured mugs in the world. Please consider making a “only used mugs” pledge, as there’s an obscene glut of them at every thrift store I’ve even been to. Cute ones, no sacrifice necessary.
Seriously, it’s beyond ridiculous!
November/December is the time to thrift for your holiday decor. There are always super cute vintage and modern era tchochkes to set the mood for your winter celebrations. Skip the Target “Dollar Spot” and instead head to your thrifts.
Y’all already know that I’m searching for silver “V” and “Y” stocking holders to complete “Oy Vey” for my mantle. I know they’re out there and I’m enjoying the hunt! Sorry, gold P.E.A.C.E., you ain’t it!
Here’s the baddest of “Badwill” for the day. Disney Magic Kingdom Crocs, all bright, branded and plastic-y. I know that certain Crocs can be worth good money; and I also know that “Disneyana” is a hot reselling category, but these were the ugliest damned shoes to ever infect land on planet Earth!
I checked my eBay app for “completed listings” and conformed my suspicions on their worth, but I just couldn’t pull the trigger. They didn’t pass the William Morris test of “Have nothing in your houses that you do know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.”
No use, no beauty. Might spread their ugliness.
Moving on . . . I was drawn by the sweetness of this carved stone rhinoceros chess piece. It was priced at $4.99, so I left it for someone else. I have enough pretty doo-dads and never enough five dollar bills.
I did buy this PlayForever car. Priced at just $3.99, it stood out from the shelves of cheaply manufactured toys and my suspicions were correct as it sells new for $45 and has a healthy resale value.
eBay confirmed this suspicion.
I did pick up one item to keep, which was a Fiestaware gravy boat. (I somehow didn’t photograph it in the store.) I already have one in their “Lilac” color plus a couple extra random ones, but Thanksgiving is around the corner and there are never enough of these for our extended tables.
$3.99 was the sweet spot on pricing and it’ll slot seamlessly into my Fiestaware heavy tablescape.
Something to sell, something to keep and something to mock. A satisfying day of thrifting.
Katy Wolk-Stanley
“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.”
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Bride of Frankenbox!
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My husband somehow nicked his car key with a landscaping tool, which resulted in the key being close to impossible to remove from the ignition. It still worked, but it was definitely hinky. He then got the idea to fill in the small nick with resin and then sand it smooth. I was skeptical and worried that this “fix” would actually make things worse, but he proved me wrong!
New car keys are expensive, so I have to give credit to my husband for fixing the key using what we already had on hand. Good job!
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My son needed to hit the grocery store for meal prep supplies, so I tagged along, but I first made sure to scour the Fred Meyer (Kroger) app for loss leaders. (I’m currently in full-on detective mode for flour, butter and sugar sales!) Those items weren’t cheap enough yet, but they did have 99¢ peanut butters and canned tomatoes priced at 50¢ apiece. So yeah . . . I bought the limit for both.
I’ll do a proper full grocery shop at Winco later in the week, but I’ll never say “no” to a tasty loss leader.
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I fell down a rabbit hole of binging How To Renovate a Chateau videos on YouTube. You might think that watching content centering on remodeling an historic French chateau wouldn’t appeal to my cheap-ass self, but you would be wrong. The owners, Anna and Philipp don’t actually have the budget to throw money around and have become DIY masters as a result. From learning to reupholster furniture to creating her own linoleum printed wallpaper, there’s almost endless inspiring content.
I may not live in an 18th century French chateau, but I’ll never tire of inspiration and fresh new ideas. Even if that idea is “I should sweep the basement stairs.”
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• I processed another free Halloween pumpkin for purée and baked a loaf of artisan bread.
• I sold a framed print that I’ve had up on eBay for at least three years. I’m deliriously happy to see it go, so much so that I wasn’t even annoyed when I accidentally undercharged the buyer on shipping. Buy-bye!
• I made a “Frankenbox” to mail out the framed print, which used three cardboard boxes plus a satisfying hodge-podge of styrofoam and bubble wrap. It was very cathartic.
• I donated my leftover Halloween candy to a middle school counselor in my Buy Nothing group. Many readers pointed out that returned candy gets discarded, so I bit the bullet and donated it.
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I didn’t buy a Lear Jet.
Katy Wolk-Stanley
“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.”
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I picked up a gallon of Safeway whole milk on sale for $2.50 and I’m working up my nerve up to try this recipe for two ingredient homemade cheese. I suppose this is a continuation of where I attempt to make things from scratch like an ole timey Alaskan homesteader.
These items wouldn’t actually get me through a harsh winter, (not even a harsh weekend!) but lately I have made my own:
• Blackberry jam made from foraged berries.
• Sauerkraut, which by the way turned out great!
• Apple pies and crisps made from the neighbor’s fallen apples.
• Pumpkin purée made from the neighbors’ leftover uncut Halloween pumpkins.
• Homemade bread, although I’m holding off from baking any more loaves until the Thanksgiving grocery sales kick into high gear. I’m going through flour too fast!
Next up — moose jerky! Probably not though, as the only big wild animals in my neighborhood are raccoons and nobody wants that.
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I sold a thrifted new with tags Gund teddy bear for $30 on eBay.
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I put up my Chanukah decorations early this year. Like Chanukah-doesn’t-even-start-until-December-7th early. Many Christians put up their Christmas decor a month in advance, so why shouldn’t I? There’s zero overlap of the two holidays this year, so we can properly enjoy them one at a time. Every single Chanukah item I own is from Goodwill, which makes it all extra special.
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• One of my neighbors texted asking if I wanted some homemade ginger cookies. Umm . . . yes!
• My brand new LL Bean replacement sheet finally came in the mail. I did have to go through mailing back the ripped one, but selling on eBay means that I have packaging supplies on hand at all times.
• I checked out a “Lucky Day” book at the library, but didn’t end up liking it. (It was confusing from the get go.) The great thing with library books is I don’t feel obligated to complete a book if it’s not my cup of tea. Perfection.
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I didn’t buy any tiny Lear Jets.
“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.”
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It’s time for another Non-Consumer Photo Essay, which is very much all over the map. Sorry, not sorry.
I roasted the pumpkin seeds from my free pumpkin using olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and maybe thyme. I was going for a “Thanksgiving stuffing” flavor profile.
Whenever I write about raking my leaves, readers will point out that it’s better for the environment to leave them in place. However, I already have tree mulch instead of grass in my backyard and the sheer number of maple leaves needs to be seen to be fully understood. They’re all pretty and yellow right now, but will soon turn brown and soggy/slippery.
Plus, the right half of my deeply shady backyard features a wooden deck and a brick patio.
Leaving leaves is place encourages mold and mildew growth, which my asthmatic lungs do not need. Sorry, but I’m going to continue raking up the leaves and setting them out in our rolling yard debris bins. Can I at least get credit for not bagging them up or using a leaf blower?
I had my annual physical yesterday and was left in the exam room for ten minutes or so while I waited for the physician. This was my view. A screen that ran constant pharmaceutic advertisements with the message to “Ask your doctor if blah-blah-blah medication is right for you.”
Sure, I brought a library book to read, but this bright screen was in my face and difficult to tune out. I did talk to the doctor about it, to which she replied that they started having them during the pandemic as patients wouldn’t be able to have the standard magazines to pass the time. She agreed that they were awful and we got on with my appointment.
I’m 100% certain that the practice of invasive dystopian advertising in such a private space is specific to The United States. I considered unplugging it, but didn’t want to be that person. Then again, I am that person!
Now the paranoid side of me is wondering if this enormous iPad device had a camera or microphone. Advertising should play zero role in how we receive our medical care.
I noticed that my next door neighbors still had a uncut pumpkin on their porch, so I asked if I could have it. She replied for me to “help yourself” and I now have another pumpkin to bake/puree/freeze for future treats. This neighbor and I have a mutually moochy relationship, so I feel perfectly comfortable asking for favors as I know they’ll reciprocate in time.
Katy Wolk-Stanley
“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.”
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I washed our towels after everyone was done showering and then hung them back up a couple hours later. The standard advice about linens and towels is to own three full sets so you can have one in use, one in the wash and one folded and ready to go. Instead we have one decent set, plus a variety of scrappy backup towels. So what if this requires me to run a full cycle of laundry on a single day? I don’t mind, and it means that I don’t have to buy and store multiple towel sets.
I share this “frugal thing” to let you know that you’re not required to follow traditional advice, you and you alone get to choose the household routines that make sense to you. Just say “no” to big towel!
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I ordered a free “Emergency Pizza” from Domino’s, which I earned from buying my daughter one of their gluten-free pizzas last week. Then when I went to pick it up, it took too long so they automatically sent me an email for another free pizza. A chain of free pizzas for the win!
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I only went through one of my bags of Costco Hi-Chew Halloween candy, so I’ll return the other (unopened) one back to the store for a refund.
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Just a ton of boring frugal things like cooking from scratch, batching all errands, raking my own yard, planting some grocery store garlic cloves in an unattractive backyard flowerpot, wearing sweaters on cold days, baking my own bread and eating leftovers.
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I didn’t buy any Lear Jets.
Katy Wolk-Stanley
“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.”
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I finally sold my last set of University of Oregon football eye stickers. I thrifted a 13-pack of them at Goodwill a couple years ago for just $3.99. They were super easy to list, easy to store and certainly easy to mail out. Each set of 200 stickers sold for $15, which added up to $195 minus the eBay fees. Not as exciting as selling a single item for $195, but I’m happy to take it.
I also sold a pair of Sorel ankle boots on eBay for $40.
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I used a Fred Meyer coupon for a free pint of Haagen Dazs vanilla ice cream and then scanned the receipt into the Ibotta app for an extra 50¢ back.
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I processed the free apples from earlier in the week to make three pies, two of which went uncooked into the freezer. I’ll bake them the day before Thanksgiving, so I consider this to be a favor to my future self. The third pie is for the here and now, as my present self also needs favors. Needless to say, the pie will be served with ice cream.
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• I baked my enormous free pumpkin, which’ll keep me in frozen purée until next year’s free pumpkins come my way.
• I made a big pot of chicken soup using just two leg quarters from the 57¢/lb chicken I bought a couple weeks ago. (Don’t worry, I froze them.) the last of some carrots, celery and an onion filled it out and just like every time I make soup, this one is best soup I’ve ever eaten!
• My son and I spent an evening playing gin rummy, and it was super fun even though he beat me soundly. I took the opportunity to point out that a simple deck of cards is the key to almost endless entertainment. I love playing cards and get really happy on those rare occasions when I can convince people to play with me. If not, I’m also satisfied to play solitaire.
• I saved the pumpkin seeds and will roast them for a frugal snack.
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I didn’t buy any tiny Lear Jets.
“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.”
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I wrote this blog post five years ago and it’s incredible how much my life has changed. Both kids graduated from college, I retired from nursing and my husband healed from the two injuries that required surgery. But the feeling of saving pennies while throwing hundred dollar bills into the fire still creeps in now and then. Luckily more “then” than “now.”
I’m going to describe a situation that I know is far from unique to my personal experience.
I create tasty meals based on bulk purchased dried beans, I pick up every coin, (even the grubby pennies) I source my clothing from the pay-by-the-pound Goodwill Outlet or neighborhood free piles, I dumpster dive at dorm move outs, I pack leftovers for work meals, I stalk the library for reading material, my haircuts are all freebies from the Supercuts’ training center; and I repair and mend anything that promises to last another day, month or year.
None of these things will individually ensure financial independence, but together they make a difference. An opportunity for financial breathing room.
Mind you, these are all sacrifices that I’m happy to incorporate into my life. These choices allow me to pay cash for my kids’ college educations, they make it possible to throw 16% of my income into retirement and to step away from the anxiety of a paycheck to paycheck existence. Plus, I firmly believe that over manufacture of consumer goods is an environmental nightmare as well as a toxic mindset. So choosing this lifestyle pairs well with my beliefs.
However . . . it can be exhausting. It’s satisfying when it results in financial freedom, but it’s frustrating to save 50¢ here or $2 there’s when an unexpected $538 dental bill or yet another medical bill infests my mailbox.
I feel like I’m celebrating a found nickel while simultaneously throwing hundred dollar bills into the abyss.
2018 has been a year of intense expenses with my husband having two (two!) surgeries, as well as kids in college and the general expenses related to home ownership and the audacity to stay on top of dental care.
So do I give up on my money saving efforts?
Nope. I renew my library books, grab my reusable bags (that save 6¢ apiece!) and head out to the inconvenient discount grocery store across town. I sell an item or two through Facebook Marketplace and pack up a bean based meal for tomorrow’s work lunch.
Do you feel like your scrimping and saving is hardly worth the effort when life is full of endless high cost obstacles? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.
Katy Wolk-Stanley
“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.”
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