Three Frugal Things — Library Holds & Flying Cars
1) We hosted another “Family Dinner” with the kids, which I used as an opportunity to bake some potatoes that my husband picked up at Costco last week. (Or was it the week before?) I joke that my husband was an “army cook” in his past life, as that man is unable to cook or shop for less than twenty people.
So many potatoes in that bag!
Anyway, a perfect opportunity to assemble a baked potato buffet!
Potato + leftover black bean chili + grated Tillamook cheese + sour cream + scallions = frugal/healthy/delicious! Comfort food, baby. Comfort food.
Dessert was an apple crisp, made with both Fred Meyer $1.50 clearance shelf and urban windfall apples. The topping was nothing more than oatmeal with melted butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, ground ginger and ground cloves. Not too sweet and we even had the merest hint of some vanilla ice cream in the freezer.
I’d guess that this entire meal set us back less than ten bucks. It was gluten-free, high fiber and 100% hit the spot. I sent my daughter home with two “baked potato kits,” comprised of a baked potato, with sour cream, shredded cheese and a pat of butter on the side.
She’s been strongly encouraged to bring back any and all leftover containers. Or else.
2) I snipped those scallions from my windowsill farm. Scallions in water are pretty much an infinite free food hack. These ones have been going strong for around three weeks.
3) I put three more books on hold based on some Instagram recommendations:
- The Bright Years, by Sarah Damoff
- Cleo Dang Would Rather be Dead, by Mai Nguyen
- Retro, by Jessica Goldstein
As you can see, it’s a favor to my future self. Faaaaar into the future! Maybe I’ll take my flying car to the library when it comes time to pick it my holds.
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.”
Click HERE to follow The Non-Consumer Advocate on Instagram.
Click HERE to join The Non-Consumer Advocate Facebook group.
1) I borrowed The Calamity Club on audiobook from the library. I’m really enjoying it but it’s a long book and it returns in a few days and I’m only at 70%. Frantically trying to get through it as the wait is so long, I’ll probably forget what was going on by the time I get to check it out again!
2) I also got a physical copy of our October book club read from the library, The Haunting of Hill House. I’ve barely started it (because of needing to finish Calamity club) but it’s good so far.
3) I had an eggplant from my produce box that looked like it wasn’t going to last much longer. I tried out a new recipe for an eggplant farro bowl. It was fine but needed something a little more so I made a vegan tzatziki sauce from some cashew yogurt that I already had. Delicious!
4) I made a vegan mushroom risotto in the instant pot for dinner last night that everyone enjoyed. It was so creamy for having no dairy in it, the starch from the rice certainly helped as did the miso paste.
5) I cooked a bag of dried garbanzo beans, I plan to make hummus with some of them and I put the rest in jars and froze them for some later use.
Lisa, see if you can increase the speed of the audiobook to get through it faster.
I’m already at 1.5 speed! Afraid it’ll become indecipherable beyond that but could try.
The Haunting of Hill House, like all Shirley Jackson, is amazing.
I agree! I love all things Shirley Jackson.
I don’t know if this would work, but apparently ebooks can be kept long enough to finish reading by taking the device offline. I wonder whether it would work for audiobooks?
I thought of that as well.
I am often on long wait lists like that, but it seems like there’s always something coming in. I was surprised recently when The Great Mann became available in one day. It’s a retelling of The Great Gatsby from a Black perspective, and I’m looking forward to reading it. However, I have two books to read first!
I went back to Goodwill today, having decided that two bras I saw yesterday were worth checking out again. I ended up buying them. At $6 apiece they are much cheaper than retail. And they are new, apparently donated by a store. I was taking a chance, because I didn’t try them on, but they fit well enough and they will be fine.
The store was much quieter than it was yesterday so I was able to get a better view of what was on the shelves. I bought some gifts for a friend who likes thrifted items, and for myself I bought a Pyrex bowl, two little bottles I think I’ll use to make vanilla, a Paula Deen griddle in great shape, a spring wreath, and a small tray that coordinates with larger trays I already have.
I also stopped in at the auto rebuilders and verified my appointment next week to get new carpeting.
I have turned off all electricity for the next few hours in order to get a credit on my bill. It’s always small, but it’s something.
1. Went to the Minneapolis Institute of Art (MIA) with my sister to see the exhibition featuring the “cream of the crop” art from the Minnesota State Fair. Free admission (voluntary donation). Absolutely incredible exhibit. While we were in the area, we went to a local restaurant and a nearby food co-op where I refilled some bulk jars.
2. Brought home half of my restaurant lunch in my trusty stainless container. Took home sister’s jam in my mini jar; just enough to swirl into some yogurt for a nice treat the next day.
3. Went to Tare Market, a zero waste store in Minneapolis that also recycles unusual items. This time I brought in two plastic gift cards and two toothpaste tubes. They also took lots of empty spice jars that I had rescued from Buy Nothing, which they wash and set out for other people to use. I filled my own glass bottles with liquids like vinegar and oil and filled my cumin spice jar for just 84 cents. Used my birthday coupon for 10 percent off, saving $3.50.
4. Found a location that will accept various empty tubes, beauty containers, etc. that Tare Market doesn’t accept. Check to see if there’s one in your area: https://www.pactcollective.org/consumers
5. Created a house file using a portable file bag and hanging files from Buy Nothing. Made tabs for exterior, interior, individual rooms, etc. for everything that stays with the house – manuals, receipts, paint colors, etc. along with a master list of work done, purchases, service providers, unique features, etc. Whew, lots of etceteras in that sentence! I started this master list three years ago when we purchased the house based on conversations and documentation from the previous owners and have been adding to it ever since.
MB, I wish we had something like Tare Market in our area. The closest thing is our local food coop, which has gotten away from letting people refill bottles with liquids in recent years.
1) I ended up not having to drive to the office today, which saved me 90+ minutes of my time, which I’m thrilled about.
2) Made lunch at home, vs needing to buy lunch in the office. Logistics make packing a lunch hard for “reasons” I won’t get into, as it goes into too much detail about my work. 😉 I was a dedicated lunch packer for years, so I’m not opposed. Anyway, saved myself $8, although I definitely value the 90 minutes of my time more.
3) Cut up some cucumber for tonight’s dinner (Korean beef bowls) & added them to the jar of pickled onions, for a very quick & free light pickling. The Korean beef bowls are leftovers. With the price of ground beef, we are looking to maximize every ounce!
4) DS20 asked what would be good for lunch, so I pointed him in the direction of yogurt & granola, as well as some chicken I was reheating. Saved him the cost of grabbing food on his way to work.
5) Got a coupon code for selling some of DS19 & DS20’s collectibles. I’ve found 10% off promo codes, but just got a 20% off code. I will inventory what’s left & see if it’s worth making one final smaller package to ship off to the company.
Today was our last of 4 days in our camper. Beautiful out side and we had so much frugal fun.
1.Fire pit hot dogs and s’mores.
2. Found a turtle, fed it worms, picked fall flowers for our table
3. Gathered pinecones for free fall decorating
4. Packed all our leftovers to bring home.
5. Moved some lamps around the living room when I got home for a free decor change.
We’ve been eating a lot of baked potatoes too. So good.
1. I was craving something sweet so I threw together a batch of scratch brownies. I had exactly a half cup of walnuts in the fridge so in they went into the batter too.
2. I made a pot of 15 Bean soup. Hurst Beans sells the one pound bag of dried beans and packet of ham flavoring for 2.59. It calls for a 14 oz. can of diced tomatoes, an onion, garlic, lemon juice and chili powder. Added ham is optional. So delicious and goes a long way, 6 to 8 meals.
3. Reading another library book but I can’t think of the title, it’s upstairs and I don’t feel like going up to get it.
4. I picked and ate another cup of raspberries. We had a lot of rain on Sunday and I think it spurred them into ripening. There’s still a lot of berries that haven’t turned red yet though.
5. I ironed my old autumn themed table cloth and put it on the table. It’s faded and has a very small hole in it but I think it still has a lot of life in it yet.
That soup sounds amazing!
My husband also over shops if left to his own devices!
Tonight was pizza night and incorporated some frugal things:
1. It was homemade pizza.
2. I made my own crust. I swear this isn’t much more difficult than buying a dough ball at Trader Joe’s. And it tastes better!
3. I used my new-to-me baking steel that I bought for $2. It worked great.
Li would you please share your recipe? I am on the hunt for “the one” and thanks in advance!
add MAD MABEL by Sally Hepworth to your holds list!!
1. Cobbled together a lunch salad made of leftovers from the fridge.
2. The nearest public library has been closed for a month while they put in new flooring. It has reopened and I went in and used the computer. Also asked about the latest Stephanie Plum Mystery by author Janet Evanovich. I had heard it was supposed to be available some time in October, but the librarians looked it up and said the release date is now going to be Nov. 10. I marked that day on my calendar at home!
3. Took a bunch of plastic wrappings and product bags to HEB and put them in the recycling bin. That’s so they will be recycled into garbage bags. While there, I purchased a box of their store brand recycled plastic kitchen garbage bags that are made from 65% post consumer waste. Glad to know my trash is being used to make this product!
4. At work, I found out from a customer that my handyman/friend died last Labor Day. OMG, I did not know! Will be sending condolences and contributing to his favorite charity, as it’s much too late to send flowers.
5. Also at work I asked off for Saturday, and miracle of miracles, actually got the day off! I plan to participate in the local protest urging everyone to vote against the senile narcissist would-be dictator who is trying to keep people from voting, thinks he deserves the Nobel Peace Prize, and is also propping up Russia’s economy by purchasing their diesel fuel.
Meant to say the protest is to everyone to vote blue — and go against the senile narcissist. (Yes, I know he’s not actually running for anything this time.) Or maybe I should say we’re urging folks to vote blue — and therefore save the country from him!
Best of luck at the protest, a very worthy cause! I believe the protests are having an effect along with the bad behavior of the MAGAs. I’m looking for that blue wave to roll over our country in November 3rd.
…ON November 3rd…
Power and water was off for 7 hours. Raked leaves and cut firewood, came in at dark and made dinner as we still had Nat gas! Made fruit salad w/yogurt and granola for dessert.
We are one week away from getting the generator hooked up for power interruptions. I was not prepared for water being out.
Saw a cool rainbow at sunset, kinda like seeing a unicorn.
I finished sashiko visible mending my daughter’s jeans.
My friend dropped off a gallon of kimchi, brought her 4 grands to pick pumpkins and apples. Gave the kids a wagon ride loaded with straw and they each had a turn at steering the tractor.
Our Sunday family dinner was chili and baked potato bar, too! So easy to put together and good comfort food.
I have had success freezing mashed potatoes and twice baked stuffed potatoes. Your future self will thank you.
1) Our roll-around dishwasher was showing the dings and dents of daily use, but it still works well. I’ve put some atomic-age peel ‘n stick wall paper on the front of it as a pop of color and to cover up the chipped paint.
2) I planned the week’s menu (per usual) and planned three dinners for four people using one tray of chicken thighs. Stews/ soups/ shredded chicken wraps really help stretch it. We’ve even had leftover soup for lunches!
3) With some creative shuffling I’ve freshened up the living room (after 18 years!) with minimal (used) purchases. We have more space and there are fewer dark corners for the kids to stash wrappers/ peels/ garbage in. The dust bunnies are also easier to hunt. Wascally wabbits. .
4) I’m planning a dinner for guests directly after a soccer game. It’s tempting to order pizza, but the crockpot will be loaded before we go with some sort of stew, salad will be ready in the fridge, and maybe I’ll assemble a crisp ala Katy to pop in the oven once we get home.
5) Beyond that, the usual grind of packed lunches, homemade coffee, thrifted wardobe, taking the bus to work and generally being content with what I have. Minus dust bunnies.
My kitchen cabinets are cluttered and it’s been getting on my nerves. I finally got to work and made a shelf to house food storage containers. It’s better! No money spent. I think I’ll make another shelf to organize my teas out of the small scrap of leftover board.
Dh brought home a 8ft white board that was being thrown away. It was too large to fit where I wanted it in the barn. I cut it in half and removed the tray. Now it fits, I can track my hay inventory better, and I have a spare white board for somewhere else. A plastic container screwed to the wall will hold markers and the eraser.
We toughed it out and ran the fan rather than the ac yesterday. It’s 20 degrees cooler today and we had a much needed rain overnight.
Taking the day to slow down and organize the shop and house.