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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I made a batch of homemade pasta for the family which was both fun and tasty. It didn’t turn out perfectly as I coiled them into little nests before they were sufficiently dry. However, it was still a success as most of the linguini-style noodles separated just fine and I used kitchen scissors to fix the rest. Here’s the recipe I used.
I topped the pasta with chicken breast and Costco pesto, which was almost unbearably salty. (I won’t buy it again.) It made me think about how my summer pasta dishes were made with homemade pesto and store bought pasta, so this was an opposite meal. I loved having endless fresh basil this summer and need to remember to grow extra next year.
For those who might think I’m an impressive urban farmer, let me remind you that I just buy the $3.99 pot of Trader Joe’s basil and just separate out the twenty or so small plants that come in the pot. I’ll make sure to double my investment in 2024!
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I brought my friend Lise a small jar of the taco seasoning that I buy in bulk at Winco as she’d expressed curiosity about it. I use it to add a flavor punch to chili, refried pinto or black beans. She had three leftover uncut pumpkins on her front porch from a family jack-o-lantern carving party, and she sent me home with one. It was uncomfortably heavy and I thought my arms might drop off before I got home.
It reminded me of a story from when I was in kindergarten and my class walked to Lloyd Center Mall to pick out pumpkins. The other kids chose cute little ones, but I had my eye on a behemoth. I then had to carry it the full 12 blocks back to the school, which absolutely did me in. My mother began to worry when I didn’t come home on time and left the house in search of my five-year-old self. She located me sucking my thumb and sitting on my pumpkin a couple blocks away from the house.
So yes, that’s what I felt like yesterday. But without the urge to suck my thumb.
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I used a ziploc freezer bag for my pasta dough instead the suggested saran wrap as I try to avoid single use plastic. I buy “freezer” bags as they’re thicker and stand up to multiple gentle washes. I grab a box every four years or so and although I’m not precisely sure how many times I’m able to reuse them, it’s at least a couple dozen. This kitchen cabinet sits above a heat register, so the clipped inside-out bags dry efficiently in this spot.
I’ve tried the silicone ziploc bags, but they always pop open so I’m no fan.
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I didn’t carry a Lear Jet home.
Katy Wolk-Stanley
“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.”
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I made my own sauerkraut on Saturday, which is still in the fermentation phase so I can’t report on its success yet. However, I’m feel very optimistic as the process is so simple I can’t imagine how anything could’ve been done incorrectly. I wrote a blog post about it on Sunday, but am including it here in case readers didn’t catch it.
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I cut multiple armloads of flowers from my backyard hydrangeas as I didn’t want their blooms to be destroyed by an overnight frost. Instead of clogging my home with floral arrangements, I put together eight bouquets of five flowers apiece for various neighbors. Some of whom I know well, others less so. However all appeared happy to receive a surprise flower arrangement.
I even brought flowers to my backyard neighbors who I barely know as they’re renting the house from a family member. They weren’t home when I deposited the hydrangeas on their porch, so I texted their cousin so he could let them know who the flowers were from. (I didn’t want them to be weirded out.) They in turn surprised me with a thank you note and a heavy bag of apples from their tree!
This was so much fun, I know I’ll repeat the practice in 2024.
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I spent the week that my husband was playing baseball in Las Vegas visiting with friends and family, puttering around the house and garden; and indulging in the most delightfully low brow TV shows.
I’d initially planned to accomplish mighty tasks, but somehow somehow it felt better to chill out and not force myself to be performatively productive. It was cheap, relaxing and not too shabby!
P.S. My husband didn’t gamble a single penny.
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• I set out the very same Halloween porch decorations that I’ve put out every year since 2006 or so, when an old neighbor handed them down to us.
• I pulled a pound of sale price butter from the freezer as I’ve decided to make my Thanksgiving apple pies ahead of time. (Seriously — so many apples!) Stocking up on sale price food saves me a ton of money in the long run, even when it costs extra at the time of purchase.
• I raked my sidewalk and brick patio by myself instead of paying someone to run a leaf blower as many of my neighbors do.
• I made a huge pot of chicken soup with carrots, onion, celery and peas using the last scraps of a Costco rotisserie chicken. Cooking it down in the Instant Pot also supplied extra broth for the freezer, which is a favor to my future self. A perfect meal for this cold weather.
• I walked with my friend to drop her paper grocery bags at a consignment shop that’ll put them back into use.
• I haven’t touched the Halloween candy that I bought at the beginning of September at Costco. This, my friends is a true frugal accomplishment!
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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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In my unending quest to spend as little as possible on quality groceries, I decided to try making my own sauerkraut. I’d heard that it was easy, but the idea of doing my own fermentation was a bit intimidating. I looked for a recipe and settled on this one from The Kitchn and picked up a big ol’ head of cabbage from Trader Joe’s.
Why Trader Joe’s? Because they price per item instead of by-the-pound, so you can get bargain produce if that item happens to particularly heavy. Examples being butternut squash, cantaloupe, cauliflower and yes — cabbage. I paid $1.99 and you shouldn’t be surprised that I did my best to buy the biggest one!
The only ingredients in this straightforward recipe were cabbage and 1-1/2 tablespoons of kosher salt. I used the Himalayan pink sea salt that I already had on hand from Dollar Tree as it’s similarly chunky.
Once the cabbage was chopped and sprinkled with salt, it was time to get to work. The recipe described it as “massaging,” so that’s what I did. (Wow mon petit chou chou, you really hold a lot of tension in your shoulders!”) The amount of slivered cabbage was massive, so I assumed I’d need two quart-size canning jars, but the volume went down an absolutely tremendous amount.
From this:
To this:
All sauerkraut recipes call for it to be weighed down in order to ensure that the cabbage stays under the briney liquid for proper fermentation. I used a brand new Ziploc freezer bag filled with glass marbles and I also placed a single cabbage leaf between the two layers, which I saw in a different recipe. The top is then covered with a bandana so it can breathe while staying clean.
The recipe did suggest caraway seeds as an optional addition, but I didn’t have any and I wanted my first attempt to be as simple as possible. Other recipes include additions such as carrots, beets, lemon peel and even juniper berries.
The jar now sits on my counter and I’ll start to taste it after three days of fermentation, although it can take up to ten days. I’ll then cover it properly and stick it in the fridge once the flavor is right. I’m very pleased with myself for making my own sauerkraut, even though it couldn’t have been more straightforward!
I kind of feel like an ole timey Alaskan homesteader. Maybe I’ll go out panning for gold as my next frugal hack!
Have you made your own sauerkraut? 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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I continue to glean fallen apples from my neighbor’s apple tree. In order to get this much for a small apple crisp:
I have to cut away approximately 75% of the bruised, split, buggy and generally rotten areas. However, there are good parts on each apple, so it’s worth the extra minutes of effort. Especially since they’re FREE!
Portland is forecasted for a heavy frost tonight, so I harvested the last few scrawny tomatoes from my single plant. I’ll let them ripen on the countertop and make sure they get eaten. My mother’s gardening buddy gave her a couple tomato starts at the beginning of the summer, which is how I ended up with this mystery variety.
Home grown tomatoes are in a category all their own.
I saw a video where someone was growing their own sprouts and I decided to join in as I always have red lentils on hand. I started them last night with a good soak and then gave them a quick rinse this morning. You can see that they’ve already split. I’m keeping them covered with a bandana and will rinse them daily.
I’ve grown my own sprouts in the past, but it’s been a few years. Kind of a fun, quick and easy project. I’ll keep you posted.
I also started up some no knead artisan bread last night, which couldn’t be simpler or cheaper. It really is just flour, water, yeast and salt — stirred for a minute or so. It has a long rise time, (8-24 hours) which makes it very versatile. The recipe calls to cover the dough with saran wrap, but I use either a damp linen dish towel or a plate. No need for wasteful plastic.
Fresh baked bread is the perfect way to warm both your kitchen and your soul.
I hate wasting both food and money, but there are endless ways to get creative to when it comes to food. My opportunity for free scrappy apples (or parking lot peppers) is going to be different from your opportunities, but that’s great as we can all learn from each other. I love that there’s always new ideas and fresh inspiration in this world.
Do you have an extreme frugality food tip? Please share in the comments section below!
Katy Wolk-Stanley
“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.”
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My childhood best friend Carol had been wanting to get together and since I’m the exciting person that I am, I suggested we hit Costco together. She lives very close to the warehouse store, so the two of us were able to enjoy each other’s company while crossing an annoying task from our to-do lists.
Buying cat litter and a rotisserie chicken has never been so much fun!
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They didn’t have the 2-pound bags of carrots that I normally buy at Winco, so I bought a 5-pound bag and gave some to my friend Lise. She and I frequently share when we have too much of certain foods, so it all balances out. Last month’s excess cilantro becomes this month’s carrots.
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Portland’s weather has taken a dip into Autumn temperatures, which means my sieve of a 109-year-old house is decidedly chilly. However, it’s just me at home, (my husband is still in Las Vegas for his baseball tournament) so I’m hesitant to turn on the furnace for my big ol’ house until I’ve employed a few actions.
Here’s how I’m staying warm when the interior temps hit 58-60 degrees:
• I wear either a sweater or hoodie sweatshirt to preserve my body heat. Cozy socks and shearling slippers warm my feet.
• I plug in a heating pad for my lap, which I then cover with a pillow or blanket. Obviously, this is for when I’m seated on the couch. This really is pure luxury!
• I open the curtains if the sun actually peeks out from behind her cloud cover.
• Tea to warm my hands and tummy.
• I sleep on flannel sheets and under a thick down duvet.
I know nothing on this list is new or exciting information, but I still wanted to share how I’m choosing to preserve the natural gas that powers our furnace. Sure, it’s a I-hate-to-waste-money issue, but it’s also because the natural gas industry is nasty and a major contributor to climate change. If I can acclimate myself to cooler temperatures there’s really no downside.
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• I noticed that dried chives were $22.48/pound in the bulk section at Winco. This makes me extra pleased to have grown and dried my own chives.
• Safeway had another sale on Tillamook cheese, so I picked up two more 2-pound loaves of white cheddar cheese for $6.47 apiece. I also activated a $2-off-anything coupon in the “rewards” section of their app. This cheese is often twice this price, so I stock up whenever it’s on sale. Their expiration date is far into next year, so it’s no problem to stock up.
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I didn’t buy any teeny tiny Lear Jets.
“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.”
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It’s been awhile since I’ve put together a Non-Consumer Advocate photo essay, so I thought I’d put a new one together for y’all. Specifically all about food.
Last night’s black bean chili, which featured a wealth of refrigerator tidbits such as leftover marinara sauce, the last of some BBQ sauce from my daughter’s birthday dinner and two teeny cups of taco cart hot sauce. It packed a wallop!
Oatmeal with brown sugar and a scoop of my “foraged blackberry” jam. Oatmeal is 70¢/pound at Winco, which makes it an easy choice.
Cheesy grits with eggs and scallions. The scallions grow in my kitchen window and I’ve been trimming away at them since the end of August.
It’s as simple as putting your grocery store scallions in a jar and then just setting them in a sunny spot. It’s not enough for a scallion-heavy recipe, but it’s always enough for a garnish. Worry not, as they grow quickly and don’t create an oniony smell. You can see that I’m also rooting rosemary and a couple random plants.
It’s no surprise that I like free food. So when I came across this soggy box of abandoned produce in the Winco parking lot, I had no choice but to investigate. Slightly bruised tomatoes, wan Italian parsley and a single red pepper. I suppose I should have brought the whole thing home to compost, but instead I just grabbed the red pepper. Mind you, this parking lot has a dangerous vibe and is always littered with cigarette butts and random garbage, so mystery food isn’t necessarily so appealing.
Here’s the perfectly good pepper.
I didn’t need a pepper, so I sliced it up to freeze. And yes, I scrubbed the hell out of it!
What would you have done? Would you have grabbed the box to go through at home? I kind of regret leaving it there, but I didn’t really process these thoughts until I got home.
Katy Wolk-Stanley
“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.”
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