Some Rambly Non-Consumer Thoughts
I sat down to write a "Five Frugal Things" blog post and I couldn't come up with enough unique things to warrant your attention. Sure, yesterday was frugal, but frankly it would likely come across as boring, especially when viewed from the outside.
Yesterday:
- I did some weeding.
- I walked to a friend's house to return something she left in my car.
- I leafed through my Terence Conran library books.
- I took a couple photos from the books so I can remember certain images.
- I chatted with a neighbor while in the backyard.
- I ran a load of laundry as my youngest dropped off a pair of grubby jeans to be mended.
- I gave my husband's thrifted lunchbox a good scrub while he was off playing baseball. This goes along with my general edict to buy things used and then treat them well to make them last.
- My husband and I walked to a neighborhood pub to grab dinner and split an order of fish and chips. I ordered water, which is no sacrifice as that's what I actually prefer as a beverage.
- While waiting for our food we played a hand of gin rummy with my travel deck of cards.
- We watched the Doppelgandland episode of Buffy The Vampire Slayer through my sister's Hulu account. Anthony Head (The actor who played the character Rupert Giles) recently died, which made me want to revisit a few of my favorite episodes.
I liked how this library book photo showed how these people were utilizing their Ikea "Sortera" bins, as I have an unused stack in the basement that I got for free from an after-garage sale free pile.
I did utilize one as a impromptu litter box when my daughter's cat came to the house in the middle of the night due to her apartment flooding.
I also enjoyed that this library book photo showed that I'm not the only person to reuse Bonne Maman jars as storage.
Mine are almost all from an old neighbor who'd set them (with lid!) in her open top recycling bin. Sadly she moved away. My jam is mostly homemade using the wild blackberries I pick for free.
Bonne Maman jars work perfectly for the bulk spices I buy from Winco.
I've been holding off on grocery shopping as we have a plethora of random food items at risk of going to waste.
- I broke up the last of some tostadas to dip into hummus. Also finished the hummus.
- I've been eating oatmeal as we're out of eggs and I want to avoid the grocery store.
- I roasted the last of some mushroom to accompany the other night's chicken.
Nothing all that exciting, nothing that'll go viral, just daily nonconsumerism.
Katy, most of the novels I post to your blog are not really '5 frugal things', more 'this is what I did today', LOL. The commentariat on this blog is so interesting, and I appreciate the varied and different things folk are doing to step lightly on the earth. Also, although you might think your list above isn't a buncha frugal things, I sure do!
1. My gardening buddy came by to catch up and help out. She had several trays of 'starts' and we set to work with enthusiasm. First, as it was supposed to rain, we chose 'outside' and planted many rows of beans and peas along the cattle panels. Put some pumpkins at the base of some, zucchini at the base of others. It was a big job and the rain held off so we felt very productive.
Then we went 'inside' to the greenhouse, where we pulled up MORE boltingArugula, prepped the beds, and then watered and watered and watered. The sections where we've planted now have nice moist soil, but anywhere that had contained only bolting arugula has been water-neglected, so we had some catchup to do.
She planted some tomatoes (she is a self-admitting OCD person, and I am NOT, however we both have big funny bones so there is a tonne of laughter about how particular she is when planting, and how un-particular I am.) I got some cucumbers and peppers thumped in. There's more to go in but that will have to wait a few days!
2. I really really wanted to run to the store for something sweet, particularly when my Daughter shared that she was having an ice cream float. However, I heroically restrained myself and made some boxed brownies (11 min from thought to oven). I've decided that they are almost as good as a float. Almost is close enough.
3. Harvested more arugula, kale, dill, nasturtium flowers, radishes and scallions. I even got everything washed and in the fridge. #2 son is now a huge arugula fan: he cadged the whole big bag of it from his loving mom, and I even threw in 1/3 of the washed kale – so heartwarming to see him enjoy food that I grow or cook.
The volunteer arugula harvests will be ending soon, as most of the greenhouse has been cleared – I do have lettuces transplanted to the outside raised beds, and have recently transplanted more, but we need a week or so of decent growing weather to get much more than a few stolen leaves from them. It has turned cool and rainy.
My kale is bolting, too, and the new crop hasn't yet taken off, so we are scraping the barrel to get greens from the garden. I refuse to purchase greens, though, now that we are in growing season. I just gotta up my plant-whisperer game!
4. My Mom has an MRI booked in a few days – this appointment is much faster than expected, as it was only requested last week! Of course, she independently decided that she could get herself there (!!) and is a bit sad that I refuse to let her try. I still shudder about the hospital losing her in February, and am unwilling to let her in there without me beside her. Her memory issues are becoming worse, and although she is mostly functional, she isn't so great in new environments or with following a series of directions.
I have had to duck out of a meeting that I had set up, but the other volunteers on the team are competent capable humans. I get to practice letting go of my control freak issues, and they get to practice stepping up without me around to direct the show. Wish us all luck!
5. I'm fighting a miserable cold, too – so no gym time, no grandson time, and I will be masked during the 'Mom errand' above. I will take a novel to read while waiting with and for her at the hospital. And she will be fast to pull out her credit card to pay for the parking.
I even put the heat on, as the temp went down to 14 Celsius and I was feeling chilled... However, the sun on my solar has increased the credit I've been racking up with the Hydro company, so the small expense of running my heat pump for a day doesn't really come out of my pocket.
Your gardening is straight up farming and very inspiring.
@Ecoteri, I agree! I come here to see what others are doing and get new tips and tricks too add to my Frugal tool belt!
Ecoteri: loved the arugula & kale part about bolting.
I have a handful of hair sheep that love bolting greens. I believe its the sweetness of the flowers.
Sorry for my dumbness but, what are bolting greens?
Bolting means that leafy green plants produce flowers and are setting seeds. Plant’s energy is going to reproduction and not to making fresh, young leaves. Leaves get bitter.
In that case, my rhubarb bolts every year. I never had rhubarb that flowered before but this bunch has 4 to 5 foot flowers.
Thank you.
My one remaining sheep, Jack, loves when we are pulling the bolting greens. I throw the entire plants in and he has a grand time cleaning up everything but the stem. He, too, loves the flowers.
Every once in a while I go into his field and chuck the stalks back over into my compost heap, as they start to pile up otherwise.
Thanks for the reminder that I should plant more kale if only for good ol' Jack to enjoy as treats this summer!
I share your love of Bonne Maman jars but my husband is partial to their jam so I fish them out of my own recycling when he inevitably puts them in there! Funny note- I was a background extra on Buffy during that season and was in a few episodes. A couple friends
of mine wanted to be actors and I didn't want a "real" job so I was an extra alongside them. It was good for reading library books and magazines, not so much for making a living unfortunately!
Which episodes and which scenes?!
Well, I am somewhat moved into my new apartment. I have to make 1 more trip back to KY for the last bits & pieces of my stuff, but it's going to wait until next week.
Frugal wins:
1. I didn't need to buy replacements for the bath tissue or cleaning supplies that accidentally got left behind. My new landlords offered me the remainder of what they used to clean the place & my aunt has a garage full of supplies that my late uncle hoarded.
2. Went thrift shopping for bedroom & utility room curtains. Succeeded at the 3rd store we tried. Sucessfully talked myself out of the needlepoint topped bench I saw. (Similar to the one you found a little while back) It was beautifully done and I know how much work went into it, but I couldn't justify $50 for something that doesn't really go with the rest of my furniture.
3. Bought a few organizer baskets at the Dollar Tree instead of the pricey set my cousin found at T J Maxx.
4. Scored 3 large containers of fresh cut pineapple for $1.75 on the markdown rack at the grocery store. The produce clerk told me that they do meat & produce markdowns late Sunday afternoon, so I now know the best time to go!
5. My new home is next to the town community center. I didn't have anywhere to park when I came home Saturday night because there was an event on & they didn't realize I had moved in so all the street spots were full. The center manager came to apologize on Sunday and gave me the password for their secure WiFi to make up for it! This was worth having to park 3 streets over for a night because my cell provider has very weak service & access to a strong Wi-Fi connection means I don't have to pay $100+ for internet when all I use is a tablet & phone.
Not sure if this last thing counts as a frugal win yet...they hold a farmer's market in the park across the street every Monday. I'm going to wander over and see what they have.
I like the comfortable everyday-days.
We are eating a lot of kale, arugula and blackberries from the garden.
I've walked and biked to various errands.
I reached a 2 levels up supervisor at a financial institution that is dragging their feet about transferring our money out. It is not earning anything where it is and we ARE going to get the money out.
I'm in a bit of a funk so I'm not full of money saving goodness right now!
I don't eat out a lot, and being on a trip where every meal is from a restaurant reminds me how much waste there is! Not to mention just general calorie overage, which I don't need.
While it doesn't save me money (I'm not paying for the food), I certainly don't need the huge portions, so I now have a bunch of leftovers in the fridge that will likely see me through tomorrow afternoon. It also saves time, as I can use the ordering & sitting/waiting to do other things that are more enjoyable.
Katy, this is a legit, frugal, not-at-all-boring post! Thanks to you, I'm also reading Terence Conran books from my library and thoroughly enjoying them.
1. Received food from Buy Nothing that no one else wanted: whole milk, real mayo, honey mustard dressing, and chow mein noodles that we'll use, along with a can of Beefaroni that I'll donate to the food shelf.
2. Bought some annuals at the local nursery for our front pots. Tucked some deer netting around the base of the plants to keep the squirrels from burying nuts in the pots and pulling out flowers in the process.
3. Was going to say that we had free dinner at a neighbor's high school graduation party, but then I remembered our cash gift. Used a blank card to write our own sentiments. I do this for all occasions.
4. Friend brought over lunch - pasta salad, sourdough bread, fruit, and lemon blueberry coffeecake. I supplied homemade iced tea and scintillating conversation. 😉 She also gave me leftovers.
5. Read two books from the library and would recommend both: A Different Kind of Power by Jacinda Ardern (memoir) and The American Queen by Vanessa Miller (a novel based on a true story).
Your #3 is still a free meal as your cash gift doesn't count. It was a gift after all and IMHO, one doesn't expect something in return for a gift.
Non-viral things are happening with me as well. I’m back in the country keeping an eye on the elderly relative, and this has slowed my pace of life for the time being.
1. I have a garden out here and things are growing! Today, it is raining, which is great for the vegetables!
2. I am furiously trying to use up preserved foods from last year before this year’s produce catches up.
3. I went to the Winco yesterday and found 6000 fetch points blowing around the parking lot in the form of receipts.
4. I also found a few redeemable beverage containers.
5. I’m entertaining myself with books and magazines I’ve checked out with my Libby app.
I have mixed emotions when people scan "free range" receipts. On one hand I hate the litter aspect but on the other hand, I feel like the system is being gamed. Like back in the 70s when people gave proof of purchase to those who were into rebates/receiving free items.
Those "scan your receipt" companies are mining data and I feel 0% guilt skewing that data.
They're also advertisements as much as they're deals. The brand exposure they get is worth far more than the rebate.
Lots of good fugal things in your post as always. Life is generally full of everyday things and they count.
1. A neighbor texted and asked if we wanted some of the cherries they picked yesterday. I've not been a cherry fan in the past but I said sure and they appeared on our porch early this morning. These are beautiful and just the right amount of sweetness.
2. We continue to be "masters" of cooking at home and using up leftovers so very little food waste here.
3. We reset our drip irrigation to match the water district's new recommendation which will hopefully prove cost effective. It certainly uses less water than hand watering.
4. I mended a seam in and washed my lined rain jacket so I could put it away and realized I bought it at least 15 years ago. Maintaining clothes if frugal.
5. We walked to the city's Maker's fair and enjoyed listening to music, watching kids have fun, and admiring the handiwork on display. Walked back empty handed.
5.
4.
I loved this post. Ordinary everyday frugality is what it's all about, in my opinion.
The first item of my sister's clothing has sold. A puffy jacket. I accepted a lower offer because I am anxious to get some movement going. I have to say I'm disappointed at how low the prices are that eBay recommends. Anyway, I'll pack it up and send it off tomorrow.
I listed five more today.
I cruised the student neighborhoods around the university this morning, but I didn't find much. A t-shirt -- which I'll donate -- two light bulbs in the box, a bag of switch plate covers, a hanging candle lantern -- but it turned out the hanger was broken, and it's a fake candle, so probably needs a battery. And a wooden drying rack, which needs some repair. This is the first day of move-out, but it's going to rain all week, so I don't know if the search will be worth it, if everything is going to get drenched.
Your second sentence: Ordinary everyday frugality...
I agree. It's consistent economic choices in our everyday lives that get us to where we want to be.
Rain today, torrential rain even. So, no garden work on my day off.
Went to Safeway for their just- for- you deals.
On the buy,nothing, group, I got a huge amount of free food. Another woman commented, so I chose what I could use, then met up and gave a huge amount to her.
She uses free food boxes to make meals at her church. Whereas, my grown son moved home due to finances.
So, we've turned off the heat pump, so wood stove or sweaters only. And using the toaster oven, instead of the electric stove oven.
Our pud rate went up 7%, so doing what we can, rehung the clothes line, so when it quits raining........
-I also scrubbed my lunch box this weekend. I try to do it every weekend.
-I made protein banana nut muffins with 4 very ripe bananas that hubby brought home from work on Friday. Never got to do them this weekend so I did them very early this morning. I used silicone baking cups.
-Our daughter, SIL and grand dogs went home. We don't have to feed them any more.
- A coworker of Hubby's gave him a jar of pickled eggplant. We trade things back and forth since we both like to garden and cook.
-Hubby was given a company hat.
-I was offered leftover pizza for lunch. I happily ate it.
-In the mail I received the library's quarterly catalog. I have been looking at all of the classes I want to take.
-I had a big salad for dinner with leftover chicken and lettuce from my garden. Hubby had tuna salad on one of the marked down bagels with lettuce from the garden.
-Hubby picked up a prescription. They said it would be $67. He had them run it through GoodRX. It came to $18.
-The windows are open. I did the guest sheets and they are hanging up outside.
- We excepted an invitation for the 4th of July. We don't have to go far...its our neighbors. We will bring something homemade I'm sure.
My sister tried GoodRX and it lowered her $147 prescription to $36! I was so happy for her.
Frugal travel post….
It’s my bday week and my kiddo and I typically travel to the closest ocean beach, which is of course ridiculously expensive. Rental homes start at 3k a week and go up….but not for me.
We flew here using points, I booked my car through a secondary service and saved $300, and we stay in little cabins at the state park for a fraction of the cost, with our own beach tram!
For meals, we hit up the grocery store for prepared food and some simple things like pasta, tons of fresh fruit and bakery treats. It’s WAY cheaper, still feels like “vacation food” and we avoid the crazy expense of the area restaurants. It’s a bonus for my kid who would rather not go out to eat multiple times a week. One exception to this is a wonderful local restaurant where we go for my bday dinner. Of course, it’s the early BOGO seating. We actually prefer going to dinner when they open and then getting home early to relax for the night.
I feel fortunate to have the financial ability to travel, particularly in this economy- and blessed that my teen likes to vacation in a frugal manner too. ☺️
SL, happy birthday! Sounds like a great trip.
Thank you! It’s our happy place.
Happy Birthday! Your special getaway sounds fun!
Appreciate your kind wishes. 🙂
My husband’s coworker asked him if he wanted a nice couch and loveseat. They are inky about six months old but his wife wanted new ones. We happily accepted.
While he went to pick them up, I had the opportunity to clean all the nastiness that was behind and under our old furniture.
I made myself a healthy breakfast and ate on the porch, which also gave me some good outside time.
I’m using up leftovers from my granddaughter’s birthday party. There wasn’t a lot, but I’ll eat what there is.
Adding my money earned from making tshirts to my savings.
We are short handed at work, and I have a planned vacation next week. I have tasks that have to be done before I leave, so I’m working overtime to get things done.
Doing all our usual things is almost always frugal for us Non-Consumers.
1. I stopped at Market Basket this morning to buy milk and the advertised $1.99 lb. boneless skinless chicken breast. The truck with the chicken on it hadn't arrived yet but they gave me a raincheck for up to 10 lbs. to be used within 30 days. Heck yeah.
2. I had my annual skin check at the dermatologist's office today. There was no co-pay. I had an age spot on my face. When I asked him how much it would cost to get rid of it he said he would just zap (freeze) it. Please and thank you. No charge.
3. I hung another two loads of laundry outside.
4. I can only describe the weather today as perfect...mid seventies and low humidity, sunny with a slight breeze...so DH and I took a walk around the neighborhood before dinner for some free exercise.
5. It was the last day of Sunday School until the fall and the teachers put on an ice cream social after church. Free Sundaes for whoever wanted one plus many types of pastry and coffee. I sat with friends and enjoyed the treats.
Katy, your blog today was anything BUT boring! Enjoyed reading it.
I don't have a lot of frugalities today, either. One decidedly non-frugal activity was going to the dentist for a filling and a crown. I wore my T-shirt that says "I won't be remembered as a woman who kept her mouth shut." The staff thought it was hilarious. Maybe that's why they dosed me with the laughing gas. I have dental insurance (what a joke!) but the co-pay was through the roof, $2,000. I bet King Charles' crown didn't cost that much!
I went home and pretty much crashed; took a long nap and got up just a few minutes before my evening work shift was set to begin. Miraculously, I made it in on time. (Note to self: don't schedule a dental appointment when they have me down for a 5 hour shift.) I got off at 8 p.m. but Long John Silvers is still open that late, so I used the survey coupon and got a 1 pc fish and waffle fries box for $3.89, the cost of the large drink you have to buy to get it "free". But I have enough Diet Pepsi left over for tomorrow's lunch.
How have I not noticed your enamel canister set? Love!
The sister of a neighbor brought me a thank you plate of Thumbprint cookies with lemon curd, on the sweetest English bone china plate with a cross stitch design. Swoon. She told me to keep the plate as her younger (90) brother picked it out for me. I did not ask her how old she is...I know, rude! But she was driving a red tesla that matched her red nail polish.
Everyday is a myriad of frugal choices that add up to a full happy life. I baked off a loaf of sour dough bread. Picked spinach in the rain. Made a vinaigrette.
Sewed a button on a new to me pants. Picked a bunch of roses that were getting beat up in the wind and rain. Washed the dining room light fixture.
Changed the oil in the atv. Replaced a running light bulb on the pick up. Made chicken veg soup for dinner.
Neighbor had a kitchen fire, which is why I'm writing so late, trying to wind down. The wind is blowing the stink into my bedroom, will have to sleep without an open window... The horror!
Make a request for the jars in your Buy Nothing group.
Toaster ovens save me $.
Did 3 loads of laundry and enjoyed the free solar drying.
Leftovers for dinner. My DH says "your leftovers are better than most people's firsts"
Sat outside and meditated and got my Vit D. Trying to do more of the "stacking habits".
Awww...what a sweet thing for your DH to say!
I came here to say the same thing - that man knows on which side his bread is buttered! And he's pretty good at buttering (Jann up) himself!
Thanks for posting your "rambling thoughts". I always learn something from you and the rest your frugal friends. I don't post often, but I am a faithful reader.
Frugal things lately include:
1. Cut and propagated and planted new basil plants from my basil plant bought at a big box store.
2. Dried some basil, in my toaster oven. I used the overnight drying method. Free basil for future Italian recipes.
3. Gave my husband a haircut. This saves 2 hours, as well as money. Of course, it sets off a "hair bomb". Swept up that night and deep cleaned the bathroom the next day. (Floors, scatter rugs, base boards.)
4. Used the library Libby ap to read a copy of Woman's World magazine. They have great new book recommendations.
5. Happy dance at the library, they had a copy of The Summer Share by Jenn McKinlay. It was a nice, fun summer read. I'm also enjoying a new to me author, Kristin Harmel. Love my library!
Happy Frugaling everyone.
I love the library too. I worked at mine for 5 years before I retired. Now I volunteer there once a week. I get to have fun and take home reading material. Win-Win!
I used a coupon from the free newspaper that comes in the mail every week for a haircut. Took a 20% off one item coupon to Ollie's Outlet and bought my husband a canister of cashews. Checked the digital coupons online for the grocery store, and found several for pet supplies we needed and an over-the-counter medication I use. That knocked about $8 off the total.
I have only one Bonne Maman jar, as my family are not big consumers of jelly or jam, but saved a half dozen glass jars that once held grated parmesan cheese. They are the perfect size for a generous serving of overnight oats.
I love these posts. And all the comments for these posts. It’s such good reminder we are all in this. The mundane daily tasks go along way, and you aren’t alone in our daily creative frugal endeavors! 🙂
Monday was my Hospice sewing group meeting. We sew for 4 hours, making quilts, aprons, pillowcases, dementia lap rugs, etc. Whatever the nurses ask for. Everyone also sews at home, so we stock up on fabric for the home sessions, and then bring the completed items in the next month.
I also received 4 bags of scraps from the group, as I make dog beds and stuff them with the scraps and donate to the animal shelter. I sew a pillow base that is stuffed, and then a cover that gets snaps (big strong ones, yes I thrifted them) so the cover is removable for washing.
Everyone at the group knows that I make doll clothes, so I was given fabric, elastic and lace pieces. I sew American Girl doll size and Barbie size clothes and give them away. I use sewing as my therapy, because I am still working through the grief of losing my adult daughter (32) to cancer.
Trish, I'm so sorry. What was your daughter like?
Sadly, my library system does not carry any Terence Conran books. Boo!