1. I replaced a bathroom faucet.
I walked into my kids’ bathroom and noticed that the faucet was steadily dripping. Ugh.
I did some googling, as one does when faced with a homeowner problem, and discovered that fixing a leaky faucet is quite do-able.
So I took mine apart, or at least I tried to, and I discovered that this particular faucet is nigh onto impossible to take apart.
It was a cheapie $35 faucet that we bought over 12 years ago when we were rather stretched for cash, and I think the cheapies aren’t really made for repairing.
I ended up taking the whole thing out and I trekked over to Home Depot, where I bought a Moen.
And then I came home and installed it.
I have a Moen in my kitchen (here’s the story of me installing that one), and I love it! It’s super easy to repair, and it’s definitely made for the long haul.
It would have been cheaper to fix the faucet that we had, but buying cartridges for a $35 faucet doesn’t make tons of sense to me.
Plus, it’s not like I’d successfully managed to get the thing apart anyway.
Here’s an Amazon link to the bathroom faucet I bought, but don’t buy it at Amazon! It’s cheaper at your local Home Depot.
On a related note: You don’t need whiskers to do that.
2. I asked for a discount on the faucet.
Home Depot had two of the faucets I wanted in stock, and the box of one looked like it had some water damage.
Initially I picked up the perfect-looking box, but then a light bulb went off in my head. What if I could ask for a discount on the damaged box?
(It still was sealed, so I figured all the parts were still there.)
I took both to the customer service desk, explained that I’d love to buy the damaged box if there was a discount available (but that I’d buy the better box otherwise), and she gave me 20% off!
It doesn’t hurt to ask, friends.
3. I used multiple discounts at Old Navy.
I got an Old Navy gift card when I redeemed my cashback at Ebates.
I waited until I saw a 40% off sale at Old Navy, for Gap cardholders, and then I helped my girls look for some clothes online.
I used the 40% off code, chose the free (slower) shipping, used a $5 credit I had at Old Navy, used my gift card from Ebates, and went through TopCashback for the whole transaction.
I got 8 items total, and my out of pocket expenses were only $7.47. Woohoo!
4. I’m getting a free windshield.
This is not exactly a frugal thing, but I’m adding it anyway. 😉
Unfortunately, a rock hit my van’s windshield and left a ding and a crack. I tried to see if it could be fixed instead of replaced, but no luck.
So, now I’m getting a new windshield through our insurance.
There’s a $0 deductible for this kind of coverage, but we’ve had so many claims this year, I can’t help but worry that this will cause a rate increase.
But for the moment, the windshield is free.
Also, Erie offers free wiper blades with a windshield replacement, so I’m totally going to take advantage of that and send in a receipt for reimbursement.
5. I’ve been eating skillet meals like they’re going out of style.
They’re so useful when you have odds and ends that need to be eaten! They’re pretty much never the same twice, but hey, that keeps things interesting.
(chorizo, pico de gallo, zucchini, lettuce, egg)
Also, I’ve eaten a couple using the quinoa from the freezer, so, yay for me.
chorizo, cilantro, quinoa, fried egg, avocado, and salsa
The quinoa had a little extra moisture in it in the form of ice, so I just thawed the quinoa and sauteed it in my pan to help dry it out a little. Then all was well.
Here’s how I make my skillet meals.
lisa
Sunday 1st of July 2018
What a great deal at Old Navy, Kristen! Way to go!
My fab five are: 1) I pre-ordered a college planner for DS2 from Amazon and with the free trial of Amazon, I got free shipping. When the planner was ready to be shipped, the price dropped. So, amazon has a price guarantee and refunded me about $5. Savings- $5 plus shipping
2) Took my car for an oil change. I won the certificate at a fundraiser. Reg price was $40 and I spent $25. Savings- $15
3) After my oil change, the mechanic asked if I had my scheduled maintenance done yet. I said no. He printed up a list of things that need to be done (as per manufacturer) and quoted a price of $1800 !!! I called my mechanic and he will install the items if I buy the parts. I paid $762 for everything. Plus, my parts have a year long warranty from the dealership. If those parts are faulty, I just bring them in to the dealership and get a replacement for free. Savings- $1,038
4 )My oldest had a set of bald and popped tires in the garage. The local tire place wanted me to pay $10 to dispose of them. When I got there, they decided not to charge me. Savings- $10
5) Got a couple of early holiday gifts for the kids. Someone alerted me to a website called super hero stuff dot com and they're running a sale. I got a t-shirt and hat. Savings- $15 plus shipping.
Deidre
Saturday 30th of June 2018
So inspiring you fixed your own faucet and thanks for sharing re asking for a discount such a good reminder, I cooked some special meals/treats for some friends special occasions so not so frugal but so happy to be able to treat others and see their smiles 1. Checked my receipt! overcharged on knee high stockings so got a pair for free 2. Checked my receipt! Sales lady told me it was buy one get one free but made an error telling me which items were included so I got the 2nd one free 3. Bought a box of oats to make porridge for brekky - its really cold here and its such a warm cheap brekky 4. Had my car serviced & no surprises! Yay! 5. I am packing to move & had trouble finding small boxes for all my books; drove past a lolly wholesaler & realised lollies are heavy so they would have small strong boxes - they were thrilled to give me as many as I could take for free :)
Kristen
Saturday 30th of June 2018
Ooh, good job checking the receipt!
MommaL
Friday 29th of June 2018
I read the comments above about the weighted blanket, and within hours I got spam email that said "are you in the market for weighted blankets?". The internet is creepy sometimes.
Kelly
Friday 29th of June 2018
This has not be a very frugal week for us, June has been expensive with school ending, a trip, and other end of the school year events. Here is what I can come up with:
1 ) Used a gift card to treat my girls to lunch at Panera 2) Decided to leave our camping trip a little earlier than planned so we could pick up our dog at the boarding place that day and avoid paying for one more night. 3) Switched vehicles with my husband one day. The kids and I stayed home and he used my vehicle which is better on gas. 4) Made a Summer Fun List with the kids and added a bunch of low to no cost activities. 5) Have decided to say no to summer camps for my kids. They don't really like them but sometimes wants to do them if their friends are.
We have decided to enroll our kids at private school in the fall due to some issues we experienced this year at their school. This means we will definitely have to be more mindful about frugalness, we've been slacking. I love these lists, I always find great inspiration.
Jennifer
Friday 29th of June 2018
Great job on fixing your own faucet!
We are just coming off of a long weekend so this has not been an uber frugal week for us. I made a hearty lunch out of leftovers before we left on our 6 hr ride home so we only stopped one time for ice-cream. I am busy today decluttering and packing "treasures" for a lawn sale tomorrow.What is not sold will be gifted the same day! Summer sales are on and I found two pairs for myself but thought the price was still more than I wanted to pay and asked if I could have a larger rebate if I bought both pairs. They gave me an additional 20% off the sale price- like you said, it never hurts to ask:)) Last night was a fridge clean out dinner which brings me up to four frugals for the week. Hopefully next week will be a bit better.