Three Frugal Things -- Happy 5th of July!
1) I wasn't planning on doing anything for the fourth of July, but my daughter and her girlfriend stopped by with hotdogs, sausages and buns. This prompted a makeshift barbecue that included mango slices, tater tots and deviled eggs.
The hotdogs were extra yummy with the addition of homemade sauerkraut!
2) I started reading a library copy of The Light Pirate, by Lily Brooks-Dalton. I'm only a couple chapters in, but it seems good so far.
Even if I don't finish, all I have to do for the library summer adult reading program is to read every day for 16 more days. Almost halfway done!
3) I sold a pair of cutoff jeans on eBay. I accepted a $20 offer because I'm happy to make room for thrifted items that'll sell for bigger profits.
Now your turn, what frugal things have you been up to?
Man I forget about deviled eggs. My toddler has an egg allergy, so we have not been eating eggs unless baked these days. How could I sneakily make and eat a batch?
1. Got a half a box of Costco granola bars from BN group.
2. Had neighbors over for DIY pizza night. They brought over a few jalepenos from their garden. Ours aren’t producing much yet, but hopefully soon!
3. Listed a handful of things on Poshmark and Mercari today.
4. Sold some random toys and such on marketplace.
5. Didn’t spend money on fireworks that is literally lighting money on fire, to set them off illegally and burn down the whole (already on fire) state of CO.
1. Likewise, a very quiet (until both the storm and fireworks) 4th. Lunch was cobbled together from scraps in the fridge, then I went to visit my mom who is still in the nursing home/rehab place where I snagged a free diet root beer. Then my sister and I headed over to BJ's, where I saved $37 on $48. Went out for Chinese (I know, random, but they were open) with dad, sister, and bil. Bil generously picked up the tab. I bought my sister a watermelon and yogurt at BJ's.
2. My partner was able to bring home a CSA berry share, as someone didn't pick theirs up. It was all local strawberries. I added free blueberries and raspberries from my parents' bushes, as it is a bumper crop this year.
3. I picked up 2 large bags of "dented" limes, juiced them, and froze in ice cube trays. They ended up costing 6 for .97. The store was charging 2 for $1 for the non-dented ones.
4. I picked up another mystery shop on my drive from my parents' home and my home, which paid for my lunch (burger & fries), made $20, and there were so many fries that I brought them home, and we had them as a side for dinner.
5. Ocean State Job Lot is also on the way home, so I stopped in and bought 9 bags of Confetti brand chips (made from veg & mushrooms). They cost $4.99 at Wegmans, but were $2.00 each, but then I got back a gift certificate for the total amount ($18.00) so would have cost $45 were, in essence, free.
This is only thrifty in the sense it isn't frugal to have your house burn down, but since Sunday is the day my side of the street is allowed to water our yards, I practically flooded my lawn this morning and I'm doing it again tonight. Not happy about changing the water sprinklers every half hour but since we had a rainy June, I had a month off before I had to go outside and water. Highs were in the 100s the last 2 days and the Saint Augustine grass is shriveling in the heat. With the firecracking idiots popping off their illegal fireworks next door, I'm making my yard a swamp tonight because my next "legal" day to water won't be until Tuesday. They keep on with the firecrackers for several nights, not just the 4th.
Bought a big bottle of PowerAde for 69 cents at the store; we had it on sale. It says it contains more electrolytes than other drinks. No wonder we're selling it cheap: it tastes like salty Koolade. Yuck! But if it keeps me from getting heat exhaustion.....
My July 4 observance was writing a nice big check to the Democratic party. The founding fathers would be proud of me.
I was glad to see that the cutoffs sold for $20 rather than $30, because the clothes I'm selling are not going for that kinda money!
I finally finished listing all my sister's clothes. The very last item I decided to keep myself -- a shiny quilted jacket that will be nice to wear when a hoodie just won't do.
I realized this morning that I had a book due today, so I hopped on the the train to return it. I took the opportunity to stop at Target where I bought wet wipes, tuna and sweetened condensed milk. Target is not cheap, but it is convenient when I'm taking the train. At least I'm not paying for gas! And I did find two extra receipts that I scanned to Fetch.
The lovely cooler temperatures have permitted me to go easy on the air conditioning. I got my electric bill and it wasn't pretty.
I made another jar of sun tea.
I found a baseball cap on my walk back from the station. It was wet and dirty from all the rain we've had. I'm soaking it in a bucket of dishwater, and when I wash darks again I'll throw it in the washer. It may not come out perfect, but I'm hoping it will be good enough to give to Goodwill.
Thank you for all the book recommendations! Right now I'm reading City of Night Birds.
1) Dropped off leftovers from our dinner last night to the room of teens, who apparently were willing to eat cold sliders & fries + tacos this morning, and were desperate for something to eat. Happy to save them money.
2) Enjoying this time of the year, where we don't need heat or A/C at our house. The bay area tends to have pretty moderate weather, although we definitely use the A/C when it gets hot over a week+. Particularly grateful, as I know many people have a heat wave right now.
3) Gave the teens my hotel room key, which was tied to my app & has "points/rewards" that they used for free parking. Many of them are on a very tight budget, so I know they appreciated the help.
4) Picked up a very discounted marinated tri-tip at Costco, which I assume was clearanced as it didn't sell for the 4th of July. This will be at least 1, if not 2 dinners during the week. (Depends on how many folks join us at the table.)
5) Had some travel wins before we left for our trip: booked DS19 on a flight to Seattle for a family event. Used miles, and 1st class was less than regular? Anyway, he'll be flying 1st class & maybe get a free meal. He has arranged a ride to the airport with a friend who doesn't have a summer job (got one, and then it got cancelled, as they didn't have enough campers in his program) to take him to the airport for $20 vs the Uber cost of $35-40. Win on both sides. Also used United credits to partially offset move back flight for DS19. Filled out status match for a car rental company when I'm in Boulder. Why? Because last time I rented a car on a busy weekend, they gave my car away. . . I'm hoping to avoid that by leveraging my credit card status & minimizing risk. Move in weekend is a peak time to rent a car, but I don't have any work flex on days off.
Those impromptu events with family are the most fun!!!! Sounds like a perfect holiday!