The Non-Consumer Advocate

1. I went to breakfast with a friend who insisted on picking up the check as I’d paid the last round. My meal was hearty enough to provide enough leftover food for today’s lunch as well.

2. I sold two thrifted Thule rack component pieces to ReRack, and I’ve lined up buyers for two thrifted items that should sell tomorrow. (The people will come tomorrow to pick up their purchases, although I don’t like to count my chickens before they hatch.) One of the items I’m selling is a “Margaritaville” brand shirt, which I picked up as Jimmy Buffett is playing in Eugene, Oregon next weekend. (If I’m lucky that earworm might stop playing on a nonstop loop in my head, but that may never happen as it’s worked itself deep into my addled brain!) I also submitted another Clark Howard article that’s been vexing me for a couple of months as it involved math, which is not my strong suit.

3. My husband and I went to see the movie Baby Driver last night on 2-for-1 Tuesday, which brought the ticket price down to $2 apiece. I broke out two dum-dum lollipops as a treat, and to really solidify that I might be the cheapest date ever. I didn’t love the movie, as I find it hard to enjoy super cool and stylized gun violence right after a mass shooting. (Actually, I never enjoy gun violence.) Also, this film’s two superficially written female characters existed solely to play off the male characters. I kept leaning over to my husband and remarking how ridiculous it was that the lead woman was willing to die and/or be on the lam for the rest of her life for a man with whom she’d shared a single date! I need to see a good movie to cleanse myself of this shoot-em-up dum-dum movie. Maybe I should just stick to gentle narratives like Game of Thrones.

4. I rescheduled a mandatory work inservice after somehow writing the time down incorrectly the first time around. I was super annoyed with myself for this error, although I did take it as an opportunity to pick up my free work sponsored public transportation pass which would set me back $1100 were to buy it for myself. I don’t use public transportation that often as I’m usually running at least three errands at a time, but I do use it whenever I need to go downtown.

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.”

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1. My mother and I took our $3 stipends to the Goodwill Outlet to try our luck at recreating Bargain Hunt in our own cheap American fashion. I chose a number of lightweight items with an eye for resale, while my mother bought a single heavier item that actually cost $3.86. (She gave me the gift of life, so I let this slide.) The idea is that we’ll now list our items for sale, and the “golden gavel” will go to whichever of us realizes the highest profit. I am much more into the premise than she is, but I think I can lure her into my goofy game. (Silly woman kept wasting her time reassembling puzzles and chatting up the other shoppers. Mom!)

2. I sold a Tardis jewelry box that I’d plucked from an outlet bin, (not part of the challenge) I sold my North Face down vest, I almost sold a Trek trail-a-bike that I’ve been listing and relisting (and relisting) for the better part of two months, (I regret ever having bought it, but it’s a helpful reminder to not not invest too much money on resale items.) I miraculously sold one of my eBay items, which was a Marimekko latté cup that I’d picked up for $1.99 or so. Of course I packaged the cup using secondhand supplies.

3. My husband works night shifts, which means that I’m on my own most evenings. Because of this, I’m able to prepare dinners that cater to my own picky frugal palate. Last night’s dinner was the last of some refried beans with a sautéed onion, lettuce and salsa. Nothing I would ever serve to anyone but myself, but it was tasty, filling, healthy and frugal. Let’s just agree that this meal is unlikely to ever be featured on Pinterest. Beans smeared on lettuce? Mmmm . . . .

4. I went to lunch yesterday at a locally owned restaurant with my father, which was quite frugal for him as I’d filled up a punch card from previous visits to this same restaurant. Greedy (Id) me was tempted to save the punch card to treat my husband to lunch at some point, but rational me (Ego) took over and handed over the punch card since my generous father is the one who always pays for lunch. Damn you, Freud!

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.”

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1. I took the last bits of a Costco roasted chicken and simmered it all day in the crock pot. There turned out to be hardly any meat left on the bones, so I added carrots, onion, garlic, herbs and a half bag of dried tortellini. Such a delicious soup, which should last the rest of the week.

2. I sold an All-Clad pan that I’d picked up from the pay-by-the-pound Goodwill Outlet and have someone coming by today for a North Face down vest from the same source. The vest weighs next to nothing, so my profit from this sale will be around 99.99%. My eBay sales have been in the toilet, but the stuff that I list on Facebook Marketplace is mostly selling. There are zero fees, which I find delightful.

3. I did a grocery shopping trip where I bought sale apples, milk, peanut butter and general staples such as onions, bananas and lettuce. I then massively overpaid for a candy bar to support a fundraiser for the elementary school’s 5th grade Japan. (They were $2.50 apiece, but I gave them $5.) Because we live below our means, my husband and I are able to donate money to good causes. This might be through traditional charitable giving or just being generous with friends and family.

4. I watched a few more episodes of BBC’s Bargain Hunt on youtube, which has quickly become my favorite new show. (Okay, okay . . . it’s tied with The Orville!) My mother and I are seriously considering doing our own version, but instead of us each getting £300 to buy antiques to auction off, we’re each going to receive $3 to spend at the Goodwill pay-by-the-pound Outlet. We’ll then compete to see which one of us can flip our items for the highest profit. Stay tuned!

5. I didn’t fly to an Indiana football game at tremendous taxpayer expense to protest those who peacefully exercise their free speech rights.

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.”

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1. My friend Lise and I went to check out a new salvage shop, a store now deemed to be “where scratched up Teflon pans go to die.” It was yuuuge, so I had high hopes, but there wasn’t even a single item that caught my eye. Afterwards we checked in on her father’s apartment so she could bring in his mail and borrow a suitcase. I tore a Halloween candy coupon from his junk mail that I can double at Safeway. We treated ourselves to lunch afterwards at a locally owned restaurant.

2. My friend was about to dump some wrinkly peppers into her compost, but I swooped in to save them. I’ve since sautéed her yellow pepper with an onion to top refried beans and stashed the rest in the refrigerator.

3. I thrifted a new garbage can for our bathroom and then sold our old one, I sold my thrifted Bob Mackie scarf, I sold a big bag of vintage handmade Barbie doll clothes and I’m arranging sales of a few other items. I also worked two days and jumped through a couple of annoying RN competency hoops that allow me to keep my job. The amount of continuing education that RNs are required to do is no small task. I’ll attend a mandatory class about how to self-edit my time card in a few days. (Don’t be jealous of my glamorous life of used garbage cans and time card inservices!)

4. I got rid of a few random kitchen tools, some dress pants, a sweater and a blouse through my local Buy Nothing group, I bought a like-new board game and a vintage shoe polisher to resell, I mostly puttered around the house, (doing nothing is very cheap) I listened to free Dave Ramsey podcasts during a long dull drive and I’ve yet to turn on the furnace despite chilly weather. (Layers, people. Layers!)

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.”

{ 90 comments }

1. I sold the shoes through NextDoor.com that I’d thrifted on Saturday after attending my cousin’s housewarming party. I sold an extra cast iron pan, (also through NextDoor.com) I sold another garbage picked clock (Facebook Marketplace) and then sold a thrifted rotary phone through Craigslist. I made sure to deposit all this money into our college fund specific savings account.

2. I went through the annoyingly complicated steps of arranging to automatically pay my son’s rent each month, which will avoid ever having to pay a late fee.

3. I dropped off a library book and picked up a copy of You Are a Badass at Making Money, which I’d spied at Powell’s bookstore and put on hold.

4. I’ve been very content to just putter around the house lately, but my mother pried me kicking and screaming from my cocoon for an afternoon of Goodwill Outlet thrifting. I wasn’t planning on buying much as I’m no longer outfitting apartments for my sons. However, I found a number of things to sell, as well as a nice Land’s End sweater for myself. I spent $13.05 and bought:

• A Vera Bradley tote bag in perfect condition.

• A very large pair of fancy high heels.

• A Bob Mackie scarf.

• An adorable pair of dress up chaps.

• A fancy cloth diaper cover.

• An Anolon brand skillet that required an expert Katy level of scrubbing to bring back to life. (I’ve already found a buyer for it!)

• A metal garbage can to replace the one my husband’s been complaining about for years. (The lid is on a spring that requires you to use two hands, making it difficult to dispose of dental floss.)

• The Land’s End sweater.

      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.”

{ 89 comments }

1. My mother and I drove a couple hours to attend my cousin’s housewarming party, and unsurprisingly we were unable to resist a spot of thrifting. I spent $1.99 to replace the exact travel mug that went missing from work a few years ago. I then bought a new looking pair of Allegria shoes which already have a number of interested buyers. (I expect to sell them through the NextDoor app by the end of the day.) My mother offered to fill my dangerously empty gas tank as a thank you for driving, which only set her back $14, as I’d earned a 70¢-per-gallon discount through Safeway. Thanks, mom! Thanks, Safeway!

2. I sold a vintage telephone through Craigslist and a set of curtains through eBay. I also worked on Friday and I re-upped all my Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace listings.

3. I’m transforming leftover pot roast broth into French onion soup, I ate leftovers for last night’s dinner, I put out a free box of drinking glasses and clothing, I watched an episode of Bargain Hunt on youtube and I’m wearing my thrifted $5 Ibex hoodie.

4. The weather has taken a turn towards chilly autumn weather, which is attempting to seep into my summer warmed body. However, I’m simply adding layers instead of turning on the furnace in our 114-year-old house. Old houses are so wonderful with their craftsman details and unique character. However, they weren’t exactly constructed to modern day standards. What is this thing you call “insulation?” Tea, layers and lap throws will take the edge off a house with a high of 63°. Right?

5. I didn’t buy a Lear Jet or 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.”

{ 89 comments }

1. My husband recently enjoyed a rather delectable bagel with lox, garnished with thinly sliced pickled red onion. This reminded me that I’d refrigerated a jar of leftover pickle juice from some “Hot Dilly Green Beans” that my husband gifted me from the Twisted Fork Bistro. (My husband knows me well enough to know that my favorite gifts are consumable.) I thinly sliced my own red onion and left them to marinate in the chilled brine. They’ve been sitting in the fridge for a few days now, and we’re enjoying the freshly pickled onion with our home cooked meals. Frugal deliciousness!

2. I plucked a couple of midcentury style sunburst clocks from a free box and immediately listed them for sale on Facebook Marketplace. I quickly got a ton of interest on one of them and have someone coming over to buy it today. The time it took to put the ads together was less than five minutes. Free money, people! We just paid out to situate our sons in their apartments, as well as their university tuition and fees for the fall quarter. So building our pile of money back up again is a priority. Like winter, January is coming.

3. I worked yesterday, and although I did buy my lunch in the hospital cafeteria, I drank the free crappy coffee instead of spending any money. Actually, I drank four cups of crappy coffee through my 13-hour shift as I was floated to another unit whose coffee is marginally less crappy. I work again tomorrow and will make sure to pack enough food to get me through the day. After all, I’m there to make money, not spend it.

4. My husband and I took the afternoon to drive up to Mount St. Helens as the day was bright and clear and neither of us had anything pressing on our schedule. We’d been wanting to do this all summer, but work schedules, forest fires and cloudy weather kept conspiring against us. We picked up cheap bahn mi sandwiches for the trip and filled our water bottles. I made sure to grab our binoculars, as well as our downloaded Game of Thrones audiobook. The weather was perfect and although we did pay $16 to the U.S. Forest Service to explore the Johnston Ridge Observatory, it was money well spent. Although we were both increasingly hungry over the 2-hour drive home, we held out and fixed food from the refrigerator.

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.”

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1. My husband and I drove to the Ikea restaurant for lunch, as I had a buy-one-get-one-free Chinook Book coupon. The two of us indulged in salmon plates for an out of pocket total of $6.99! (There’s no tipping.) We also enjoyed steaming hot cups of joe, as coffee and tea are free with an Ikea Family card. We then walked downstairs where I redeemed a coupon for a free Frakta bag. By the way, those Flürben Fnöpprüft Frakta bags are perfect for transporting bedding and other soft gear when moving kids into their dorms. Cannot stress this enough! Of course, I found a penny on the ground. We then zipped over to nearby Costco where we topped off the Prius with cheap gasoline.

2. I’m selling a pair of sunglasses that I picked up from an Ashland free pile. I also listed a thrifted vintage suitcase on Facebook Marketplace and a couple items on eBay last night. I’d changed my mind about converting a big stereo speaker into my son’s bedside table, and convinced my husband to help me haul it to the curb as it weighed an actual metric ton. It was still out there flapping its “free” sign when we went to bed, but was blissfully absent by morning.

3. I wrote up and submitted another Clark Howard article, which felt good as I found it hard to focus this summer with the kids around. Getting back to paid writing will help to pay our mortgage, the additional rent on two apartments, as well as making sure we have enough money socked away for the next tuition payments come January. Of course, I’ll also be working my shifts as a labor and delivery nurse.

4. My husband and I have plans to take in a movie tonight at a local second run theater that features 2-for-1 Tuesday night admission. When tickets are two bucks apiece I’m not so picky about what film I’ll be seeing. Car chase dum-dum movie? Whatever.

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.”

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1. My family just spent three days in Ashland, Oregon getting our son’s apartment set up, and although we dined out for every meal, we kept our budget in check. For example, our son was not up for waking early enough to breakfast at the magnificent Morning Glory Cafe. But instead of ordering an extra to-go entree, my husband and I picked muffins with our meals and brought them to the motel for Sir Sleepums-McGee. We could have packed in our own food or bought groceries to bring down expenditures, but enjoying local restaurants is part of how we enjoy traveling.

2. I sold a vintage rotary phone through Facebook Marketplace, and the set of Garnet Hill curtains that I picked up at the Goodwill Outlet are enjoying a satisfying bidding war that currently have them up to $163.49! The auction doesn’t end until Wednesday, so that’s pretty exciting. Especially since I paid maybe three bucks for them.

3. My husband and I stopped at a chiropractor’s going out of business sale while in Ashland and scored a free office chair for our son. It needed a good cleaning, but that was but the work of a few minutes.

4. I set up a free 30-day trial subscription to Audible.com so we could listen to the audiobook of Game of Thrones while driving the 12 hours to my son’s school and back. I could have put it on hold through my library, but it would have taken forever to come in. I’ve programmed a reminder into my calendar to remind me to cancel before I have to pay.

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 }