The Non-Consumer Advocate

I sold a pair on Danskos through Facebook Marketplace as well as a Starbucks travel mug through eBay. I rewrote a couple of Facebook Marketplace listings and then cross posted them on Craigslist, and body surfed coasted on the momentum to list a few new things on eBay.

I was almost out of checks, so I stopped by my credit union to have them print out a dozen free “temporary checks.” Because I rarely write checks in the internet age, these ones will likely set me for the entirety of 2019. This may seem hardly worth the effort, but the cumulative effect of a thousand frugal decisions keeps me financially on track.

Whatever it is that’s the opposite of “death by a thousand cuts,” this is it. Maybe “success by a thousand frugal hacks?” Not as catchy, yet ever so practical.

I brought home and laundered a nicely hand-knit glove that I found in the library parking lot. (It looked like it had been there for a couple of days.) The sad thing was sodden and filthy, so I doubted the library could put it into their lost and found box. Now it’s nice and clean, so I’ll drop it off the next time I stop by the library. Hopefully it’ll make its way to its owner. If not, at least I gave it one last chance.

I stopped by my husband’s workplace to pick up free boxes for a friend  who’s moving, I’m repeatedly enjoying scratch cooked black beans with roasted sweet potato cubes for meals, as they’re damned delicious and ridiculously frugal, I went on a “Goodwill Outlet date” with my friend Lise, where I picked up two pairs of pants, (“trousers” for you Brits) as well as a nest of vintage curtain rings. I’ve listed the curtain rings on eBay, and have have already worn both pairs of pants, which miraculously both fit perfectly.

I didn’t buy a Lear Jet or pay $500,000 to bribe my kids’ entrance into college.

I sold a college diploma case and the inner canister to a Dyson vacuum cleaner on eBay. Both items were thrifted and I kept to the general rule of thumb to not list on eBay unless I can make at least $20.

I had to shell out money for packing tape, but I stood in the store aisle for a good five minutes figuring out which tape was the cheapest per linear foot. I ended up buying two three-packs, as there was a buy-one-get-one-half-off deal on tape, which hammered home the truth that broke people pay more for stuff. How? I paid a larger amount to get a better price per roll by buying a larger amount, but had I been financially insecure I would have picked the single roll which was more expensive per linear foot. I go through enough tape that I’ll actually use six rolls of tape in a reasonable time, and am happy that I’m at a point in my life where I can make these spending choices.

But I sure as hell remember paying more for stuff simply because I didn’t have enough money to take advantage of bulk deals.

I took my mother out for a Day of Adventures as her Christmas present. I won’t go into too much detail as I’ll write it up as a separate blog post, but it featured admission into the Portland Art Museum courtesy of a free library cultural pass. This alone would normally have set us back $37 for admission. She doesn’t need more stuff, and the day’s experiences astronomically outweighs a pretty scarf or sweater.

I got called off from another 12-hour hospital shift, but am sending out invoices for freelance writing and will easily be able to pay my bills. Having more than one iron in the fire or a ‘patchwork income” gives breathing room to my family’s budget.

I picked up organic Orowheat bread at the Dollar Tree, I wore thrifted clothes, I stopped into Goodwill while running errands and picked up a couple things to sell, I stopped at another Goodwill and bought nothing, I spent a couple days binge watching my library copy of Star Trek: Discovery with the family, I cooked up a big batch of black beans in my Instant Pot so I can create mixed whatever bowls from refrigerator contents, (rice, cheese, peppers, onions, salsa, sour cream, avocado, etc) I mailed out my eBay packages using second hand supplies, (other than the tape, I haven’t figured out a way to source used tape) and I gave a stash of plastic food packaging bags to my father for his dog’s poop.

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

I sold a snowboarding jacket that I’d picked up from the pay-by-the-pound Goodwill bins, as well as a vintage florist’s frog and a bizarre kit that converts food into a frothy substance that frankly looks like saliva. I’d received it as a gift, and it’s now on its merry way to Puerto Rico. I could easily have let it sit on a shelf or donated it to Goodwill, but instead I turned it around for $45 and some random dude across the world gets that one thing that he’s been wanting.

It may seem hypocritical for “The Non-Consumer” to sell things, but I’m pairing difficult to find items with people who would otherwise buy new.

Things were slow at my labor and delivery unit this week, and I was ordered to stay home for eight hours of a 12 hour shift. My phone rang as I was on my way in, but I didn’t answer it as A) I was driving, and B) I pretty sure they were telling me to stay home. I’d already confirmed that I was to come in, so I continued my commute. They were indeed giving me the opportunity to stay home, but my union has specific rules for these circumstances so I’ll receive my four hours of pay. And you already know that I enjoyed a cup (or two) of their free so-so coffee. Plus, there was enough work for me helping others with their deliveries.

My stepfather had a birthday, so we hosted the gang at my house for dinner. I made an Asian style chicken vaguely based on this recipe, as well as rice and broccoli. I baked up a gluten-free box cake that was not only dry but also flavorless, although I balanced it out with a polar vortex of icing. My gift was the meal, plus I deliberately prepared enough to send him home with enough leftovers for another full supper. Nobody needs more stuff, but we do all need delicious food!

I picked up the first season of Star Trek: Discovery from the library. (I think it put it on hold summer of 2018, which says a little something about how much Portlanders love both Star Trek and their libraries.) I’d binged it using a free 30-day trial last year, but wanted to watch it again. My daughter hasn’t seen it yet, so we now have three weeks to blow through it together. This newest Star Trek series really does hold up to the hype! I’m hesitant to make such a bold declaration, but I think I like it even more than The Next Generation.

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

After tremendous complaining, whining and stalking of Facebook Marketplace, I finally found a couch to replace the one my cat destroyed in December. Sure, some might classify it as a love seat, but it’s actually pretty big, and at the low low cost of fifty bucks it’s definitely on budget. I’m just crossing my fingers that neither of my cats mistake it for a litter box.

I was able to use a frequent buyer punch card to get a free entree at a local restaurant, which represented five lunches out with my father. Thanks, Dad!

My eBay sales have been a bit stagnant over the past week, as all I sold were a pair of napkin rings and some paper Fiestaware napkins. However, I took it as a opportunity to organize the corner of the spare bedroom where I store the eBay supplies, and discovered a half-dozen or so items that somehow hadn’t been listed. Nothing that’ll sell for a tremendous amount, but still worth the effort. Plus, the area is much less of an eyesore, which is a win in my book.

I dropped off a book at my local Little Free Library, and later took one which I gifted to a friend, I made dinner from scratch when all I really wanted was to get takeout, (please note that this is a daily struggle) I packed leftovers for work lunches, I bought two Container Store organizing bins at Goodwill, which I then used to organize my kitchen towels/rags, (weirdly excited about this one as they fit perfectly into my narrow pantry and utilize the vertical space in a way that the previous bin didn’t) and I’m getting a free beveled-glass full-length mirror from my friend Lise.

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

I sold a vintage Griswold popover pan on eBay, as well as a pair of Nike sample shoes. (Nike is a local company for us Oregonians, so speciality items hit the thrift shops pretty frequently.) I also renewed a couple of Facebook Marketplace listings, although I doubt that they’ll sell anytime soon as they’re warm weather items. (A bike, a lawn mower and bike rack.) I worked a 12-hour hospital shift and have two more scheduled this week, although one is just a mandatory on-call shift.

I was able to transfer a couple thousand dollars into my son’s college account, as the next payment is due at the beginning of April, which is just around the corner. March is a five-paycheck month, as my husband and I get paid on alternate Fridays. I cherish these months.

I picked up a few more items to sell on eBay, including some Pyrex ware, a vintage handmade cribbage board, a Furby and a set of educational anatomy flash cards. I’m trying to only sell things I can make at least $20 from. Plus I only want to spend a couple of bucks on anything that I buy for resale. Not smart to spend $30 to make $50 or $2 to make $8.

I arranged for a review copy of Gretchen Rubin’s latest book, as well as an extra for a blog giveaway. It’s called Outer Order, Inner Calm, and I’m more than a little excited to dive into it, as Gretchen’s writing is always in depth yet focused and concise. I know the book will provide both inspiration and researched backed data. A lethal combination!

I got a free 6-pack of McNuggets as our NBA team scored over 100 points, I brought leftover beef stew to work even though SOMEONE HAD PICKED OUT ALL THE BEEF CHUNKS, I took my son to Dollar Tree to pick up notebooks and coconut oil and didn’t succumb to any impulse purchases, (a Herculean feat!) I’m reading a library copy of Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products by Nir Eyal, I sent out all my eBay items with second-hand packaging materials, I listened to the How to Money podcast while driving and I continue to wear thrifted clothing, sleep on thrifted sheets and sit on thrifted furniture.

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

My friend Lise texted asking if I had afternoon plans, as her husband accidentally double booked himself and wasn’t able to use his ticket to see a theatrical production of Sense and Sensibility. Umm . . . yes! Because Jane Austen + live theater + free are all things I will 103% agree to. Add the three together and giddiness ensues. The play was superb, both hilarious and poignant. And since it was the final production, the actors chewed up the scenery and threw in spontaneous ad libs that added to the hilarity. Perfection.

I borrowed a productivity hack from Gretchen Rubin and set the stop watch on my phone for one of her power hours. Essentially to devote a single 60-minute period to completing the annoying tasks that normally don’t float to the top of one’s to-do list. And since I grew up taking dance classes, I add an extra layer to always be thinking two steps ahead, which eliminates the pause points between tasks. No “hmm . . . what should I do next?” which kills any momentum.

So while I’m wiping down the front of the splattered kitchen cupboards, I know I’ll clean the cobwebs from the hanging light fixture in the entryway. But I also know that I’ll sweep the basement stairs. As I complete one task I add another step, so I always have two more things to do. Like chess, but for household drudgery.

I was able to wipe down the kitchen cupboards, clean the entryway light, sweep the basement stairs, scoop the litter boxes, take out the recycling, put the cover back on the propane grill, wipe down the bathroom, start laundry, sweep the kitchen/dining room, cut forsythia for the dining room, tidy the entryway, (so many shoes!) vacuum the living room/spare bedroom, switch laundry and a couple other things that escape my mind. POWER HOUR!

Portland had been forecasted to receive an entire week of snow. Of course, people panic shopped and cleared the grocery store shelves of bread, milk and hilariously, kale. I shop for the pantry, rather than specific meals, which means that I’m pretty much set for general food prep at all times. Granted, I’m walking distance from two grocery stores, but the panic was still an overreaction. Especially since we received an inch or so of snow which has since been melted by Portland’s ever present rain.

I’m happy that my fridge isn’t stuffed with excessive amounts of wilting kale.

You can read about “the pantry principal,” (which I stole from Amy Dacyczyn) in this nine-year-old blog post.

I sold the top half of a Fiestaware butter dish, I put together a couple new eBay listings, I picked up a library copy of Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products by Nir Eyal, I invited my mother and step father over for a frugal yet delicious dinner, (hosting doesn’t have to be expensive) and I worked two 12-hour hospital shifts.

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

I sold the last pair of my new-old-stock 99¢ Spanx pantyhose that I picked up from the Eugene Goodwill a few weeks ago. I also sold a new-with-tags Goodwill Disneyland mug. (Both through eBay.) I worked three 12-hour shifts at the hospital last week, which sort of makes up for taking two weeks off to visit my sister in New York. I feel like I was hit by a Mack truck, but it’ll be worth it when I get my next paycheck. Needless to say, (but I’ll say it anyway) I brought my own lunches and drank the free so-so coffee.

I went out of my way to grocery shop at Winco, which has the cheapest prices in town. I then quickly stopped into Goodwill on my way home to peruse the supposed influx of KonMari-inspired donations and picked up a buttery soft Martha Stewart fleece robe for $4. I also popped into Dollar Tree to exchange a wavery pair of reading glasses and grabbed a few things including shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothpaste, knock-off Oxyclean, day old Orowheat bread and English muffins, pinto beans, olives and kosher salt. I bypassed the plastic impulse items and accepted the checker’s compliment on my $4.99 thrifted Queen Bee purse. We then had a short but satisfying conversation about all the great finds to be had at Goodwill.

I arranged a grown-up-lady play date with my friend Lise. Did we drink mimosas and get mani-pedis? Nope! We walked to the library and then picked up a few items at New Seasons Market. (Their beets were huge!) She told me how she’d heard an interesting statistic about how social isolation has been found to be equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes per day. I’m someone who values having time alone, but also need some regular social interaction. However, I’m happy to mostly have my play dates be a walk through the neighborhood or conversations with my co-workers. (Working at the same job for 24 years means that I have deep and honest relationships with the other labor and delivery nurses, even though we never socialize outside of work.) Having a limited budget for entertainment and socializing doesn’t mean that I sit at home without social capital.

I’m donating two grocery bags of miscellaneous items to Goodwill this afternoon. Doing enormous Marie Kondo style decluttering is great at the beginning of the journey, but I’ve whittled down my belongings enough so that it’s usually just a few things here and there. Included are a pair of pajama pants that fit weird, (I chalk this up to my lumpy abdomen, not the pants) a ceramic vase leftover from when my mother received an Edible Arrangements bouquet a few years ago, a sealing machine that a friend gave me as part of a load of shipping supplies, an oddly sized Pyrex leftovers container that doesn’t fit in my cupboard and a fake flower boutonnière from my son’s high school graduation. I simply keep a grocery bag in my dining room for donations and toss things into it when I come across unwanted items. This little-bit-here-and-there method works great for me.

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