Giveaway — The Non-Toxic Avenger: What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You

by Katy on July 23, 2012 · 126 comments

Update: This giveaway has ended. Congratulations to Ruby May who will be receiving a copy of this book!

Today I hosting a giveaway of The Non-Toxic Avenger: What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You. 

This book, written by Seattle native Deanna Duke (A.K.A. The Crunchy Chicken) chronicles her quest to eliminate toxic elements in her life. With an autistic son and a husband with cancer, Duke’s journey is far from impersonal. It’s a great read.

I read this book in December, and it’s very much stuck in my mind and I’ve made a few changes in my life as a result. (For example, I no longer paint my toenails.)

To enter to win this book write one small environmental change you’ve made in your life. I will randomly choose a winner on Wednesday, July 25 at 9 P.M. Pacific Standard Time. U.S. residents only, please enter one time only.

Katy Wolk-Stanley

“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without”

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Ignore the Formatting in the Pinterest Post

by Katy on July 20, 2012 · 5 comments

I am so frustrated with the Pinterest post below. Every time that I edited it, the formatting squishes up all the paragraphs. I want to scream and am simply done blogging for today. I even see a typo, but know that if I went in to go and edit it that everything, that would squish up again.

Sorry. Sometimes WordPress sucks.

Katy

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Pinterest Tips Found Worthy

by Katy on July 20, 2012 · 18 comments

If you’re on Pinterest, you’re already familiar with all the tips ranging from household, to beauty to cooking to lifestyle. They’re all so easy, so why-didn’t-I-think-of-that, so handy-dandy, so perfect. But are they too good to be true?

I decided to try a few and report back on their ease and success. And because I’m not interested making my own oreos and don’t give a shit hoot about hairstyles, I thought I would start with the stuff I like. Specifically, getting free stuff, fixing my household items using stuff I already own and creating new things from old things.

First off, those free Redbox codes that have been floating around. This tip is from Pretty Providence. And part of why this tip has had such staying power, is that it comes with a pretty graphic:

The premise is that there are Redbox DVD codes that do not expire and give you free DVD rentals, worth $1.20 apiece. I have a Redbox machine a few blocks from the house, so this was a nothing to lose endeavor. I tried three different codes:

DVDONME — Worked
BREAKROOM –Worked
REDBOX — Didn’t work
Verdict — Successful Pintest tip.

The next project was to remove water marks on my antique desk, which I my kids like to use to set their hot drink on. I ignored the Pinterest tip to aim a hot blow dryer on the water mark as that A) Is a waste of electricity and B) This is hardly a tempting mid-summer endeavor.

Here’s the water mark before its Pinterest intervention:

Here’s the during:
Here’s the after:
I left the mayonnaise on overnight, wiping it off in the morning. The water mark was still there although noticeably less apparent, so I repeated the overnight-mayo step the next night.
That water mark is still there, but barely so. Really not noticeable in real life. I had been tempted to combine this project with using up the Nayonaisse in my refrigerator, but wanted to follow the directions in able to report back to ya’ll. (Seriously, that stuff should be called “Natty-ass-aisse.” It is that disgusting.)
Verdict — Successful Pinterest tip.
The last Pinterest inspired project I attempted was to create my own version of the Urban Outfitters vintage doorknob curtain tie-back:
See? So cute, so totally ripe for a DIY lookalike project. I already had a pair of vintage glass doorknobs from Goodwill, so all I needed was the round backplate piece, some extra hardware and a tube to cover the center post. The backplate I found at an architectural hardware store down the street. I explained myself to the owner, and he helped me problem solve the project and even drew me up some plans.

This is again another reason to support locally owned businesses. Would the “owner” of Home Depot help you figure out a home improvement project?!
The only piece I was missing was the tube. I ended up dismantling a curtain rod and using a pipe cutter to cut off a few small lengths that overlapped in the center, which made me feel like a freakin’ genius. I used leftover gold paint from my chalkboard cupboard project to coordinate the metallic elements.
The Silver doorknobs, black tubes and gold backplate need a little coordination.
The Midas touch:
I still need to shorten the central posts enough to install the curtain tie-backs, but am otherwise done with the project.
Bow down to the awesomeness:
I’ll make sure to post pictures when they’re installed.
Pinterest project —  Successful!
Have you attempted any Pinterest projects? Please share your stories and links in the comments section below.

Katy Wolk-Stanley

“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without”

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Goodwill, Badwill, Questionablewill

by Katy on July 19, 2012 · 33 comments

Many Non-Consumer Advocate readers assume that the reason why I’m able to find so many great things at Goodwill is because Portland, Oregon thrift stores are magically superior.

Yeah, I wish.

I’ll let you see for yourself. Here are a few photos from a recent trip:

It’s a lamp styled like ancient cave paintings. And the woman has a kindergartener from her crotch right up to her clavicles. Perhaps it was designed to be a reproduction deterrent for teenage girls. Ouch.

A bronze painted plaster bust of President Kennedy. Bags under the eyes, check. A super wrinkly forehead, check. Hair like Justin Bieber, check. Even Marilyn Monroe would turn down this hot mess.

A crafted Mrs.Buttersworth bottle. Every thrift store has one. Go head and look in your own thrift store, I dare you!

 A hodgepodge of glass and pottery items. A few cute vintage items, but mostly overpriced.

I was momentarily enchanted by this “Job Jar.” My family used to do our own version of the job jar when I was a kid. The jar would be filled with slips of paper describing different household chores. And mixed in with the dreaded “Scrub the basement toilet” would be “Go read a book for 15 minutes” and “Go give mom a hug.” Of course, it’s not actually necessary to have a single-tasking jar for the job, which is why it’s at Goodwill in the first place.

But did you spy this lovely little antique Frankoma pitcher, perfect for my 1914 Craftsman home, and priced at only $4.99? I had  hoped it would be worth hundreds of dollars, but it actually only sells for $19.99 on eBay. (Hey, a girl can dream!) However, this puppy came home with me and now holds flowers on our entryway table.

Sometimes the best stuff at Goodwill is the stuff you leave behind.

Katy Wolk-Stanley

“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without”

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Decluttering and Happy

by Katy on July 17, 2012 · 18 comments

I have a wide range of friends. From my suburban coworkers to my city-loving neighbors. And there there are my blogging buddies, specifically Rowdy Kitten’s Tammy Strobel. She, of the tiny house fame.

How tiny? This tiny:

And even though I only had my very first tiny house tour the other day, I’d been to her previous small apartment a number of times in the past. And whenever I would spend time with her, I would come home and inexplicably have the urge to declutter. Not because I was trying to get my own family ready for tiny house living, but because I would love for my own house to only hold the things that we love and the things that we need. Which are actually pretty accommodating parameters if you think about it.

So yesterday my son and I spent the afternoon doing nothing but getting rid of stuff.

Here’s what we decluttered:

  • Did a sweep of the house for anything that could go to Goodwill. We filled a laundry basket with unworn clothes, plus a couple of grocery bags of miscellaneous items.
  • Pulled together a surprisingly large number of beat-to-hell sneakers to take to the Nike Outlet to be shredded for artificial turf.
  • Returned library books.
  • Returned a Redbox DVD. (Hey, I count it as decluttering!)
  • Collected all the returnable bottles and cans to be taken back to the store.

It may not sound like much, but it’s these small declutter sessions that keep me on top of the house.

And happy, like this:

Katy Wolk-Stanley

“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without”

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{ 18 comments }

Thrift Hall Baby in Need of Home

by Katy on July 17, 2012 · 13 comments

This is how I know I’m getting better about not buying every cool thing I come across in thrift stores. I didn’t buy this “Thrift Hall” baby bank!

However, it was mighty tempting.

Sniff.

Katy Wolk-Stanley

“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without”

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Ask Katy — Living Cheap in the Big Apple

by Katy on July 16, 2012 · 25 comments

I received this Ask Katy letter in my inbox about how to find the cheap in New York City. I lived in NYC from 1988 – 1990, and although a few years have passed, much has remained the same.

First off, here’s the letter:

Dear Katy,

I have just discovered your blog and I love it!  Just like you, I feel that being a frugalista is about being creative while directly benefitting from it.

While I love reading your blog, I live in New York City.  While I’m sure that Portland isn’t cheap, I’m sure that it isn’t New York in terms of the cost of living.  A lot of your advice seems to apply to people that live in smaller cities, in rural areas or the suburbs.

One thing that New York does offer that is free or very cheap are great entertainment opportunities.  Beside that, there doesn’t seem to be anything else that is cheap or free here.  I was wondering if you or your audience is aware of anything else that is cheap or free here and could maybe enlighten me about them?  I would greatly appreciate it.

Sincerely,
Tonica

Well Tonica, first of all I complete agree about the cheap and free entertainment available to one and all in New York. I don’t remember paying more than a few bucks for any entertainment when I lived there. And although I wasn’t officially frugal at the time, I almost always brought my lunch to work with me, hunted down cheap places for my haircuts and walked instead of taking the subway if it was less than a few miles. Cabs? Fuggedaboutit.

New York is unique, as the real estate prices are insane, but you really don’t need to own a car. You walk everywhere, so you don’t need to belong to a gym. The pressure to dress well is heavy, and consumer temptation is everywhere.

Working as a receptionist in a marketing office, I only made $18,000 a year, but at the time I felt like a millionaire. It felt like so much money! I even automated my savings because I always had money leftover!

My boyfriend and I had friends who liked to go out all the time, which we joined in on. However, I had my tricks to keep it cheap. When we went to a particular Mexican restaurant, I would always order rice, beans and tortillas instead of anything off the menu. And instead of downing margaritas all night, I would slowly nurse a single drink. It may sound dull, but I assure you that it wasn’t.

For Tonica I would recommend that she make sure to eat a little something before leaving her apartment, examine where her money is going, (daily coffee habits, etc.) and resist trying to have an expensively styled apartment. Also to take a close look at how she spends money while socializing. Also, keep possessions to a minimum so she’s not having to rent a bigger apartment than necessary.

But what advice so you have for Tonica? Have you lived in NYC or any other big city? Please share your tips and ideas in the comments section below.

By the way, the above photo is of my sister, a friend and I walking at night in New York City, circa 1989. You can see the World Trade Centers in the background.

Katy Wolk-Stanley

“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without”

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Like “The Truth” on X-Files, Free Stuff is “Out There”

by Katy on July 15, 2012 · 21 comments

As much as it would support my Non-Consumer Advocate story to report that I have impressive savings and fully funded college funds, such is not the case. I choose to work very part-time, so that I can be present with my kids and enjoy the now of life. It’s enough to keep us out of dent, and feels just right.

However, there’s not a lot of money leftover for indulgent fun, especially during this year of trips to Japan, (the three combined trips added up to around $8000) so I am on hyper-alert for free and close-to-free opportunities.

Luckily, free stuff abounds. And here’s what I’ve been able to glean over the past few days:

  • Starbucks gave away free 12 oz. servings of their new Refresher drinks on Friday from 12 – 3 P.M. My son and I stopped in on our way to his soccer game and each chose the Cool Lime flavor. It was too sweet for my taste, so I poured out half of my water bottle, (refillable, of course!) concocted my own version. Free drink!
  • Portland’s Grand Central Bakery has a Tweets for Treats program every other day, so when I saw that their treat for the day was a cinnamon roll, I brought my son in. It turned out that they were out of the cinnamon rolls, so they told my son to pick anything he wanted form the pastry case. My smart boy chose a chocolate croissant. Free treat!
  • My younger sister is an organic farmer, and brought me to her farm to show off her awesome farm-grrrl prowess. She told me to consider the farm my grocery store and to pick out anything I wanted. I chose two types of lettuce, basil and beans. Free vegetables!
  • I drove my son through Burgerville yesterday between soccer games, bringing with me a free milkshake gift card from a Timbers game, as well as a buy-one-get-one-free Tillamook cheeseburger coupon from The Chinook Book. (For those not in the Portland area, Burgerville is a local fast food chain whose tagline is “Fresh, local sustainable.”) Unfortunately, the worker repeatedly messed up our order, initially overcharged us, kept closing the drive-through window and standing with her back to us and then refused to give us a receipt so that I could make sure we were charged the correct amount. It was bizarre. When I got home I checked my credit union account to confirm the amount we’d payed, (I had used my debit card) but the transaction hadn’t posted yet. I later drove back to Burgerville to talk with the manager, who looked up the transaction. She confirmed the amount we’d payed and gave us a $20 gift card as well as a  free milkshake voucher as an apology. I had not been trying to get free stuff, I was simply trying to make sure I hadn’t bought any Florida swampland. But . . . the end result was Free Burgerville! 
  • I experienced the rare occurrence of being on my own last night, (one son in Japan, other son plus husband at The Timbers/L.A. Galaxy game) so I called up my mother who was also flying solo and invited her to come hang out and watch a movie together. I stopped into Fred Meyer to grab yummy snacks, ($3.99 packs of sushi plus store brand mango sorbet) as well as a movie from the Redbox machine. Luckily I had the code “BREAKROOM” which made the DVD free. I chose The Help, which I’ve been wanting to see since the movie came out. Free movie!

Today is shaping up as another soccer-centric day, even though the Oregon skies are currently grey and precipitous. Luckily Grand Central Bakery is tweeting out an offer for a free 12 ounce coffee, which means it’s free latté day for Katy. Just have to make sure I return that DVD before 6 P.M.

For those who may wonder, all of these businesses were within a mile of my house, and I made sure to leave tips when appropriate.

Do you make sure to take advantage of all the free stuff available to you? Please share your stories in the comments section below.

Katy Wolk-Stanley

“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without”

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{ 21 comments }

Happiness is . . .

by Katy on July 13, 2012 · 24 comments

Happiness is . . .

Sitting on a freshly shampooed Goodwill rug watching old “Buffy The Vampire Slayer” episodes while working on a craft project.

Your turn. What makes you happy?

Katy Wolk-Stanley

“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without”

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{ 24 comments }

Boo-Hiss Award — Denny’s “Midwestern Meat & Potatoes Sandwich”

by Katy on July 11, 2012 · 31 comments

It’s been awhile since I’ve presented any Boo-Hiss Awards, but Denny’s obscene new Midwestern Meat & Potatoes Sandwich from their Tour of America Menu has brought me out of retirement.

Why?

It turns out that “Grilled prime rib and wavy-cut French fries smothered in brown gravy topped with melted Swiss and American cheeses and mayo. Served on a Cheddar bun with a side of mashed potatoes and gravy” weighs in at 1030 calories and 51 grams of fat.

Because when you serve fatty meat with french fries, two types of cheese, mayonnaise and gravy on a cheese-crusted white bread bun, the calories and fat tend to add up. And the mashed potatoes and gravy on the side aren’t exactly balancing the meal out.

As the daughter of a midwestern Nebraskan, I’m kind of offended. We Americans are trying to fight the stereotype that our diets consist of this kind of over the top and ridiculous heart-attack-on-a-bun cuisine. It’s no surprise that this kind of food is on the Denny’s menu, but that this found its way onto their new “Tour of America” is what gets under my skin.

So Boo-Hiss to you, Denny’s!

Am I the only one suddenly craving a fresh veggie salad?

Katy Wolk-Stanley

“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without”

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