The Non-Consumer Advocate

1. My eBay sales perked up a bit. Not an avalanche of cash by any means, but most sales were higher value items, which makes my credit union account a wee bit happier. Sure, I get a serious dopamine hit with any little sale, but I’d rather sell a $70 pair of thrifted sneakers than a jumble of $15 tchotchkes.

   Here’s what I sold:

   – A pair of Chippendale-style brass drawer handles that I pulled from a free pile.

   – A like-new pair of of sample Adidas sneakers. (Portland is “Sneaker Town,” so it’s not unusual to find production samples at Goodwill.)

   – A studio art pepper grinder. (This went to Spain!)

   – A cross stitch kit that had been languishing in my “death pile.”

2. I’m working with my 24-year-old daughter to convert her room from its childhood configuration to something more like a studio apartment. Step one was to upgrade her circa-1960s mattress set to something more modern. I’d been eyeing the brand new ones from Goodwill for a couple of years, and finally took the leap and bought a full-size set.

   I had enough Goodwill gift cards to cover most of the cost, and since my husband and I have held onto our soccer mom minivan, we were even able to transport it home with minimal fuss.

   I put the old mattress set up on my Buy Nothing Group, and got a reply from a neighbor who’s coming by for it this afternoon. I do try to buy nothing new, but since the mattress is made in the United States (and supports a nonprofit) I think I can file this under “J” for “justifiable purchase.”

   Bonus: It’s really comfortable!

   Check out my Instagram feed to read more about it.

3. My daughter’s girlfriend showed up with a package of gourmet bacon which prompted a “breakfast for dinner” that used up a satisfying number of random refrigerator contents. Mashed potatoes, eggs and the end of a jar of gluten-free breadcrumbs transformed into potato patties; sautéed onions and peppers garnished each plate and the last of an 18-pack of eggs scrambled themselves up and were topped with the grated end of some hardened cheddar cheese. I also served everyone a tiny bowl of leftover butternut squash soup.

   I do love when a meal is able to incorporate the 10,001 tiny containers of leftovers that populate my refrigerator. And since the meal was delicious, absolutely zero sacrifice was required.

4. I reset our programmable thermostat to better reflect my family’s current schedule, I once again set out the Halloween decorations that an old neighbor gave to me maybe 15 years ago, (without ever feeling the need to add to the collection) I renewed some Craigslist listings, I dropped off our ballots at the library which saved $1.65 (the cost of three stamps) and my friend Lise just texted to ask if I wanted a half-bunch of cilantro.

5. I didn’t buy a Lear Jet or a vulgar gold-plated apartment in the sky.

Now your turn. What frugal things have you been up to?

Katy Wolk-Stanley    

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

{ 50 comments }

1. I’ve sold nothing, although I did pick up a cool midcentury kitchen clock and quickly listed it on eBay. I have a big blue Ikea bag of miscellaneous thrifted items to list, and may start on that task this afternoon. I’m scheduled to help my mother clean out her rental cottage between tenants, so I’ll definitely bring in some side income.

2. Yesterday was my mother’s 77th birthday, so we invited her and my step father over for dinner. I made meatloaf, mashed potatoes and peas, as well as butternut squash soup and an apple crisp. Nothing to impress an elite gourmand, but all perfectly satisfying for a crisp (aka “soggy” as I do live in  Oregon) fall celebration.

   I gifted my mother with a hand written voucher for a “Birthday Day of Adventures,” as well as a tin of stroopwaffels, which are her absolute favorite treat. We’ll figure out a date to venture out and experience what the Portland area has to offer, but for now I’m busy digesting a particularly heavy meal.

   At this point in my life, I’ve transitioned to giving consumables and experiential gifts instead of traditional store bought things. I may give a few thrifted items come the holiday season, but for family birthdays, it’s straight up experiences and food. Very few of us need more things, yet most of us would welcome an afternoon of indulgence, food and fun activities.

3. I grabbed a huge bag of packaging air pillows from a local shop, but around half of them were too big to be practical. However, they were big enough to serve as dog poop bags, so I spent a few minutes cutting the tops open. My friend Lise has a small-ish dog, and was more than happy to give these items one more life. This delays her next purchase of brand new plastic bags, which would trigger the manufacture of ones made from virgin materials.

4. I picked up a neighbor’s free framed poster, a old college friend came through town and gave me a half loaf of amazing bakery bread, (thanks, Diana!) a member of my Buy Nothing Group gifted me with a bag of bubble wrap and my daughter and I watched a library DVD of Hidden Figures.

5. I didn’t buy a Lear Jet or a vulgar gold-plated apartment in the sky.

Now your turn. What frugal things have you been up to?

Katy Wolk-Stanley    

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

{ 53 comments }

1. I haven’t sold much over the past week, although I did sell four yards of vintage Disney fabric, a set of Bob early reader books and a pair of Sodastream bottle lids.

   The lids were from Amazon, (to complete a thrifted SodaStream) but they weren’t the correct configuration. I tried to return them, but instead received a refund and was told to “donate or dispose of them.” Instead I put them up on eBay for $12, and they’re now on their merry way to the British Virgin Islands. Lucky bastards.

2. I invited out of town friends over for a dinner party and laid out components for a “burrito bar,” buffet, which easily accommodated everyone’s individual dietary requirements. It was almost embarrassingly too frugal, as I’d cooked up bulk purchased pinto and black beans in the Instant Pot. The other toppings were similarly inexpensive, as I’d picked up onions, tortillas, lettuce, green peppers, cheese, chips, sour cream, avocados and cilantro from employee owned (and super cheap) Winco. I already owned the salsas and hot sauces, as well as some random craft beers in the fridge. Most people actually chose seltzer as their beverage of choice, (hello . . . SodaStream!) which kept the budget ridiculously under control.

   But the best part is that we’ve been enjoying the leftovers for days! I then saw a picture of someone’s black bean chicken soup, which prompted the creation of a vat of soup that incorporated the last of the leftover black beans, as well as some almost forgotten diced tomatoes, a can of tomato sauce, chicken broth and a dash of this and a squirt of that. Topped with grated cheese, cilantro, a dollop of sour cream and some tortilla chip smithereens, and my family enthusiastically gobbled it up. I even recreated it the next night and received precisely zero complaints.

3. I’d been wanting a peace lily plant for awhile, as I’d read that they’ve been shown to increase indoor air quality. I noticed that a discount grocery store was selling them next to the register for $5 apiece, and had been mulling it over since. I prefer not to pay for plants, as they’re easy enough to root, but but still kept an eye out during my next shopping trip.

   Indeed they were still next to the register, although looking a bit worse for wear, with a few brown leaves and droopy flowers. However, I grew up with a greenhouse and know how to save ailing plants. I asked for and received a $2 discount and brought home the overwatered plant. I quickly snipped off the brown bits, wiped down the dirty leaves and transplanted it into a pretty glazed flowerpot that I already owned. I’m at peace with a $3 potted plant.

4. I accepted the offer of a coffee date from a friend of a friend who wanted blogging advice, I quickly put together three new eBay listings yesterday, I attended a free author lecture at a local university to coincide with the launch of Shedding Our Stars: The Story of Hans Calmeyer & How He Saved Thousands of Families Like Mine, I socialized with a friend by going for a walk, I grabbed a neighbor’s free framed poster, as I can have the glass cut down for a different project and my husband went into a different position at work which will save us $616 per month on our health insurance!

5. I didn’t buy a Lear Jet or a vulgar gold-plated apartment in the sky.

Now your turn. What frugal things have you been up to?

Katy Wolk-Stanley    

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

{ 51 comments }

1. My eBay and Facebook Marketplace listings found their groove this week and I sold a bunch of things! My favorite of which was the sale of my thrifted Patagonia roller suitcase, which as much as I loved it was designed for someone shorter than I. I also sold a 90-year-old cast iron skillet and a random assortment of eBay items including a clown clock, five bank zipper pouches, a Speedo nylon zip sack, a pair of Carhartt pants, a cribbage board and a vase.

   I sold so much stuff that I ran out of bubble wrap and had to disassemble a stack of Amazon branded insulated envelopes to pad my wares. (I get these free from a neighbor.) My packages might look like craft projects, but they do the trick and except for packing tape never include single-use shipping supplies.

2. We celebrated my daughter’s 24th birthday with a Birthday Day of Adventures that featured breakfast at a local restaurant with hibachi-style imbedded grills on each table. Their schtick is that you get to create your own pancakes with individualized add-ins and toppings. We also visited my daughter’s girlfriend at her gourmet cheese workplace, hit up a fun barcade, and then watched the original 1935 Bride of Frankenstein on the big screen. Lastly we picked up a gluten-free pizza to enjoy at home.

   This switch to experiences instead of stuff has brought so much joy into my family’s culture through the years. We really do look forward to this time together on one another’s birthdays.

3. My mother and I just spent four days in Houston, Texas to attend a NASA event honoring my uncle for his sixty years of service. (I didn’t have to employ any self control for NASA branded tchotchkes, as we never hit a gift shop because the event was held in the actual robotics lab!) I was able to wrangle a one-on-one tour from the “Space Exploration Vehicle Chief Engineer” that was a million giant steps beyond fascinating. I took an embarrassing number of photos, as well as videos for my sister’s high school earth science students. My brain is still buzzing.

   Is it too late for me to train to become a NASA engineer? I think I missed my calling.

   We also spent an afternoon with extended family exploring Galveston and the Bolivar peninsula. We took a free ferry between the two areas and got out of our cars to enjoy the sights of swooping pelicans and unexpected sprays of gulf water. But the true highlight was discovering a group of dolphins while driving next to an inlet.

4. I packed snacks and a library book for the flights, my only souvenirs were consumables, (pecan pie) and a flannel western-style Goodwill shirt for my husband, I mended a plastic laundry basket using zip-ties, I rearranged the furniture in my living room for a buy-nothing fresh look, I brought my scuffed up thrifted suitcase and I didn’t freak out when a seagull pooped on my shoe as I know it’s just a thing that can be washed.

5. I didn’t buy a Lear Jet or a vulgar gold-plated apartment in the sky.

Now your turn. What frugal things have you been up to?

Katy Wolk-Stanley    

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

{ 73 comments }

1. I sold an autographed copy of Katherine Dunn’s Geek Love that I’d found at the Goodwill Outlet, (I accepted an offer on the book, but still made a good profit) as well as four Mary Engelbreit magazines from 1992.

   I also picked up a set of four $6.99 vintage dining room chair for resale. I actually had them sold, (the person loved them so much that she Paypal’d me the money) but returned the funds when I realized they were wobblier than I first realized. I’m going to reglue a few joints and anticipate being able to sell them again without any problem. Meanwhile, my dining room is sporting that “furniture showroom” aesthetic that often invades my home.

2. My friend Lise and I took our laptops to Ikea so we could “parallel play” while slurping down their free coffee. I finished up an article I’d already drafted at home and then answered some important emails and sent out invoices.

   It’s certainly more of a schlep to go to Ikea rather than a local coffee shop, but the bean juice is free and we don’t feel bad about hogging a table for an extended period of time.

   Lise returned a set of twin-XL sheets that her daughter never opened, and then redeemed part of her store credit to treat me to a bagel with lox. Thanks, Lise!

3. My husband and I forked over two bucks apiece to see a movie at the Academy Theater here in Portland. They normally charge just $4 per ticket, but that price gets cuts in half on Tuesdays. (So yes, we see a lot of Tuesday movies!) We chose The Farewell, which was a wonderful movie about a family’s decision to not tell their grandmother she was dying of cancer. Set mostly in China, it was a moving and insightful glimpse into this family’s dynamics and culture.

4. I nipped into Costco for cat food, chicken broth and gasoline as it was close to Ikea, I picked up library hold books, I mended a sheet, I cooked up a huge batch of chicken soup with rice, I stopped into Trader Joe’s and bought nothing more than their 19¢ bananas, I wore the same jeans three (four?) days in a row, I’m cooking up bulk purchased pinto beans for tonight’s burrito bar dinner, I watched a couple episodes of Rich House, Poor House on YouTube, my husband attended a free social event through work that included an open bar and free hors d’eouvres, (I could have gone, but didn’t feel up for an evening of small talk) and I handed my packaged book over to the mail carrier instead of driving to the post office.

5. I didn’t buy a Lear Jet or a vulgar gold-plated apartment in the sky.

Now your turn. What frugal things have you been up to?

Katy Wolk-Stanley    

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

{ 71 comments }

Sorry to have stepped away from the blog for so long, but I was traveling over the past week and wanted to be present and in the moment. In fact, I went an entire week without actually opening my laptop, which may be a record! Okay . . . back to work!

1. I sold a few things on eBay including an electric typewriter, a mug, two Funko Pop figures, a stuffed animal/blanket, a mantle clock, a collectible spoon shelf and some Calico Critters.

   All of these sales were Goodwill finds, most of which were from the pay-by-the-pound outlet bins which means that I spent just a few pennies on them. (Especially the lightweight stuffed animal and the small hollow plastic Calico Critters!)

   When I travel I switch my “handing time” over to two weeks, which notifies potential buyers that their item will be delayed in shipping. However, it never seems to decrease my sales, as they trickle in at the same rate as when I’m home.

   I spent a few minutes yesterday cross posting some stale Facebook Marketplace listings over to Craigslist, which took no time as I simply cut and pasted all my descriptions and photos. No sales yet, but it puts stuff in front of a new set of eyes which should help.

2. My mother and I flew to New York City last week as my sister graduated from her intensive master’s degree program through the American Museum of Natural History. The ceremony was held in the Hall of Ocean Life, which is most recognizable as the room with a life-size blue whale hanging from the ceiling.

   I enjoyed the open bar.

   For those who’ve been counting . . . yes, I’ve flown to New York five times over the past ten months. Far from frugal, but my sister went through an avalanche of major life changes and family gathered around to support her. Some trips were on my own dime, but others were paid for by my parents. (Save money on the little stuff, so it’s available for the important stuff.)

   My mother and I also stopped off in Lincoln, Nebraska to visit with her brother’s family for a few days. I visited Lincoln countless times throughout my childhood including the entire sweltering summer of 1980. (It was over 100° every day for over a month, including at night!) It was a wonderful gift to spend time with my aunt and uncle, as well as my cousin’s family.

   Money was spent on travel and food, but not a penny was spent on things or souvenirs.

3. I spent my first day home resetting back into home life. (Like an Etch-A-Sketch that’s gotten scribbly and needs to be shaken back to its blank slate.) Essentially I cooked and cleaned, and got the house back to how I like it. Traveling is such an energizing treat, but coming back home is a luxury that no five-star resort, (or Nebraska hide-a-bed) can ever compare to.

   Money can’t buy the comforts of home.

4. I packed food for travel days, I shared my seat mate’s New York Times on the way back from New York, I took daily walks around Holmes Lake while in Lincoln, I accepted an armload of bubble wrap from a neighbor, I’ve been grazing from a huge pot of homemade black bean chili that I cooked up as soon as I got home, I picked up a few things at Goodwill on my way back from dropping my daughter off at her girlfriend’s house, I renewed library books and I’ve been making smoothies that strongly feature the sliced apricots that I got for free last month.

5. I didn’t buy a Lear Jet or a vulgar gold-plated apartment in the sky.

Now your turn. What frugal things have you been up to?

Katy Wolk-Stanley    

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

{ 51 comments }

1. I completed migrating The Non-Consumer Advocate over to a new hosting company, which’ll save $70 per month! I did splurge on $100 for them to handle the migration, but it’s money well spent as I wouldn’t even know where to start.

   I’ve now cancelled my crappy (yet expensive) old hosting plan.

   Huge relief. Yuge!

2. We moved our son down for his senior year of college yesterday, and as much as we try to be 100% tip-top organized with the process, there always seems to be a thing or two (or five) that gets left behind in Portland. It drives me bonkers, as I hate to buy things that we already own. No big items, but things like a bathroom wastebasket or a dish drain.

   How is this a “frugal thing?”

   I drew the line at buying, (or letting him buy) a simple yet necessary key ring, and instead removed every blasted key from my own key ring, thus creating a temporary rich jangle of keys in the bottom of my purse.

   Mom has her limits. Good thing he was such a perfect baby. (See above photo of him at age two days old.)

3. I took a thrifted $4.99 antique doll chair and swapped out the nasty fabric with some velvet I had in my sewing basket. The job itself involved no more skills than the operation of a staple gun, which is well within my skill set. I’ll probably sell it to a doll collector, but for now I’m admiring the incredible craftsmanship and imagining who the original owner would have been. My bet is on some coddled Rockafeller toddler.

   Click HERE to see the before and after!

4. I watched the third season of The Detectorists from the library, we stopped at Costco for $1.50 hot dogs on our way down to drop our son at school, I cooked up a huge pot of chicken noodle soup, (which served to use up some of my free CSA vegetables as well as a forgotten half-box of spaghetti noodles) I mended a pair of jeans and have been enjoying lots of lovely fizzy seltzer from my thrifted Soda Stream machine.

5. I didn’t buy a Lear Jet or a vulgar gold-plated apartment in the sky.

Now your turn. What frugal things have you been up to?

Katy Wolk-Stanley    

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

{ 77 comments }