Mending shows up so often on my lists of Five Frugal Things; I guess it’s one of my core competencies. And it is a necessary skill if you tend to keep clothes for a long time.
Speaking of…
1. I fixed an old Old Navy sweater
I bought this classic black cardigan from Old Navy on clearance for $10 somewhere around 2010, so it is decidedly an old Old Navy sweater.
The sweater in 2011, when I didn’t have a smartphone and could only take mirror selfies with an SLR! These photos are from my trip to the Aldi headquarters in Chicago.
I have taken really good care of the sweater (wash in cold water, line dry only), and it has served me well, particularly as a back-up in my bag for cold restaurants/grocery stores in the summer.
But the other day, 15 years into my relationship with the sweater, I noticed it had sprouted a hole.
Hmmmm, I also see it could use a go-over with the fabric shaver. Ha.
Luckily, the hole was right on the armpit seam, which makes for an easy repair. I started trying it with my sewing machine, but quickly figured out that hand-sewing was the ticket.
And now we’re back in business.
2. I ordered a free transcript AGAIN
You know how I already requested a free transcript to be mailed to my BSN program?
Welllll, apparently I was too hot to trot after graduation, and I sent my transcript over to my desired BSN school before it was officially ready. Whoops.
I didn’t know I needed to wait for the transcript to update from classes-completed to degree-completed (first-time-college-degree things here!)
I almost caved and paid for the Parchment e-transfer service, but then I thought, hmm, no, it’s only mid-July. That’s still plenty of time to have one mailed for free.
So, I emailed over the PDF request, and a fresh paper transcript is on the way.
The BSN college already has my “passed the NCLEX” status on file, so I think the transcript is the very last thing that needs to happen before I can enroll in the BSN program. Yay!
3. I canceled my self-purchased health insurance
I thought my hospital health insurance wasn’t going to kick in until August 11th, when my new grad nurse position starts. But apparently my status got switched over to a different patient care tech category, which now makes me eligible for hospital insurance.
It also means I suddenly found out I have a minimum number of hours I have to meet, so I scrambled to pick up enough shifts for the next three weeks.
We seem to have had a lapse in communication about this because no one told me; I only happened to see it when I logged in. Ha.
Happily, my hospital health insurance is way less expensive than my self-purchased insurance ($150/month instead of $350/month), annnnnd the coverage is better.
And I suppose this is a double financial win because I will have a bigger paycheck from picking up these shifts for the next three weeks. 😉
I get paid so little for being a tech, this is not going to be a terribly impressive paycheck despite the extra hours. 😉
But soon, I will get a 75% hourly raise. The bump from tech pay to nurse pay is crazy!
4. I froze some Parmesan and some bread cubes
I had bought a big piece of Parmesan from Sam’s Club, and the last of it got some moldy spots.
Parmesan is a hard cheese, so it’s safe to cut off the moldy spots and carry on (this does not hold true for, say, cream cheese).
So, that’s what I did, and I shredded and froze the rest of the cheese for future use. Shredded Parmesan is very easy to use straight from the freezer.
I also cut up some random bread odds and ends and froze them.
I will either use them to make croutons in the future, or I will add them to other bread to make an overnight French toast casserole.
As we know, though, freezing is only half the battle. Sometimes the freezer is just a pit stop on the way to the trash can, so I need to be mindful to actually use the bread cubes and Parmesan. 😉
5. I sewed a new hook onto a bra
This one didn’t get put in one of those handy bra-holder laundry bags so of course it got snagged and pulled in the washing machine.
Bras are awfully expensive, so I figured this was worth a fix. I took the stitches out, using my seam ripper.
And then I hand-sewed a new hook into place.
It is not the same color as the original, but who cares? It’s not like anyone sees this hook.
Mary
Thursday 24th of July 2025
I haven't purchased paper napkins in over 30 years. I have a serger and can make commercial hems in fun all cotton fabrics. As a person who worked part time in fabric stores I have always had access to great fabrics. Also friends of mine who also fabricholics have shared their overload with me. It takes 30" of 45" fabric to make 6 napkins. It's fun to make them in holiday themed or special occasion fabric. With messy food, you don't have to have many paper ones. They are totally washable and if folded as they come out of the dryer don't need to be ironed. If you use darker all overprints, spaghetti and pizza stains are less apt to show.
Joyce from Arkansas
Wednesday 23rd of July 2025
Yes, mending things saves a lot of money. I've saved countless dollars repairing clothing and other thi is over the years. It's usually worth the time.
The topic of used foil came up here recently. I keep a few pieces of “used” foil to clean off the BBQ grill. It's safer to use than those barbecue grill brushes that leave bits of metal on the grill. I've seen stories where people are in the ER with unexplained pain and it turned out to be bits of metal from those brushes in their stomachs and intestines. I don't know why those brushes are still on the market.
I froze some colored bell peppers (which always cost more) that I bought at the store before they went bad.
We saved some $$ when hubby asked a vendor at a flea market if they charge more to use a credit card. They had a 3.5% fee for using credit or a debit card, so we opted for cash. Many places are now charging more to use a credit card so it's smart to ask before you use it. I have my husband use his credit card for nearly everything. We pay the credit card off each month and never pay interest. We recently received about $1,000 in earned cash rewards from our credit card that we applied to next month’s balance.
I bought a marked down loaf of Italian bread for 80 cents, and froze it. One loaf will make three meals of garlic bread for hubby and I. I cut it off the loaf as needed.
My hubby had a bunch of magazines perched on the bottom rung of a table in our den. I didn't like the messy look of it so I repurposed a flatter Amazon box by cutting off the closing flaps and tucked the magazines in it for a much neater look. My intention is to actually make a rope and fabric box for neater storage down the road when a better-sized box shows up.
Heather Mar
Wednesday 23rd of July 2025
This week: -Used a free $2 offer from Sheetz to pay just 60 cents for a snack mix that will work great for a long morning of doctor's appointments tomorrow. -My dad came to visit and treated us to a couple meals out and ice cream. We ate at home a little bit, but my frugal grocery habits made it all a win for everyone :) Yummy, nutritious, affordable. -I did NOT stop for more ice cream when I drove by my favorite place today even though I reaaaaally wanted to. -Topped off tank while I was going by the area where gas is significantly cheaper. -Didn't purchase any new clothes (as usual)!
Lindsay B
Wednesday 23rd of July 2025
It's been a few weeks, but here's a belated list of some of my FFT.
1. I rescued four extravagantly decorated cupcakes from work. My coworkers assured me they were over a week old, and the BB date was in fact 4 days ago… but when I had one, it was perfectly delicious and moist! I’ve since eaten the other three, since DH decided they didn’t tempt him. 2. I also rescued some pre-sliced onions and tomatoes from work that had likely been from a taco bar earlier. The tomatoes were *this* close to going off, but they were immediately eaten. 3. We unfortunately had to find a hotel instead of driving home 75 minutes from the airport due to massive rain and tornado warnings. However, when we drove home the following morning we stopped at our local gas station for breakfast and my app showed I had a free breakfast sandwich so that was a nice surprise. 4. I found two pennies in the gas station parking lot. 5. I compared prices online for some prescriptions and was able to request some via mail order for a much cheaper price than picking them up in town. 6. A friend grows flowers and sells them at the farmer’s market. She had an unsold bouquet that she dropped off for me–it’s stunning and would have cost about $30-40. 7. I received a T Mobile class action settlement for $56. I had saved a screenshot of my submission from 2022, and it looked like it was supposed to be for $25, so this was better than expected.
Kim from Philadelphia
Wednesday 23rd of July 2025
Also, I really liked your haircut in that picture! I like your current style, as well, but just thought I’d mention it
Kristen
Wednesday 23rd of July 2025
Thank you! I think I had some highlights then, and no grays. And also fewer birthdays under my belt. Ha.