Five Frugal Things | better scrubs
1. I bought two sets of scrubs at an outlet
For my PCT job at the hospital, I can wear whatever scrubs I want.
(So....definitely not my student scrubs!!)
I'm scheduled for 70 hours in the next week and a half because of orientation and training, but after that, I'm not going to be full-time.
So, I just bought two sets of scrubs, which, with strategic washing, will get me through this 70-hour stint.
I don't really want to invest a ton of money into scrubs because if I do end up working in Labor and Delivery when I graduate, I'm not even gonna need my own scrubs (they are provided as part of the job in that department, since you have to go into surgery sometimes).
2. I used an Amazon promotional offer
Zoe needed a new bottle of Cerave lotion (dermatologist recommended!), so I added a bottle to my Amazon cart.
Then I saw that there was a $10 credit offer if you spend $35.
I was already at $18.76, so I was like, "Hmm, if I add $6.25 of stuff, I'll get a free $10."
That seemed worth it to me, so I poked through the offerings and found a few other skin-related products we needed.
And I used my newly-found Amazon gift cards to pay for the whole order.
3. I mowed my yard
Yes, I am going to give myself credit for this each time I do it, probably.
I don't love doing yard work, and each time, I almost crack and pay someone to do it.
So when I don't crack, I am going to give myself a pat on the back, thank you very much.
4. I used my birthday freebie leftovers
You know how I got that free crab soup and bread with seasoned oil and Parmesan?
Well, I saved the extra oil and Parmesan, and this week I used the oil on some sautéed carrots, and I sprinkled the Parmesan on top.
5. I...
- made yogurt
- made coffee at home
- did a bang-up job of eating almost all the veggies in my fridge
- bought a big pack of chicken on sale and froze it into Zoe/me sized portions
I love your cute scrubs! I couldn't sell my student boxy scrubs fast enough!! Could you wear your student scrub bottoms with another top?
Good luck in the new job. So exciting!
I just joined a new department where everyone buys lunch....it makes me realize how frugal I am. I NEVER buy (well, maybe 3x/year as a big treat!).
@Ali M, I hate the rebuttal of "I can't afford a house by giving up lunches or coffee" when they absolutely miss the death by 100,000 papercuts that they are doing to themselves. Yes there are issues with housing costs that need to be dealt with but that doesn't mean you should spend every cent on luxuries.
@Battra92,
I agree. If you're spending, lets say, $20/day on lunch AND coffee, and that may be a conservative estimate, that's $100 per 5-day work week. Making your own coffee at home and packing a lunch costs a fraction of that.
My happy summertime frugal five:
Picking lettuce from my garden every day, salads for dinner and/or work lunches!
Gifting bags of lettuce to a vegan co worker. She says its the best gift. 🙂
Used some gift cards to go out on a date with DH to celebrate first day off for summer.
Dropped off some cuttings at our local little free plant library, picked up a new houseplant and some tiny bok choy plants. There were three so I gave one to my Vietnamese friend who introduced me to eating bok choy. I'm excited to try to grow it!
Brought home leftovers from a work brunch, we ate bacon and pancakes for dinner. I love breakfast for dinner.
@MommaJo, A little free plant library? How cool is that!
@MommaJo, breakfast for dinner is a once a week at our house. And yes to bacon! Have fried up 3 pounds in last 10 days & used with other meals. 🙂
@Suz, yes, there's a local FB group for it. When we leave a plant, we take a pic and post it, and say thank you for whatever we pick up. There are seeds and pots left sometimes too.
Got the bus from the airport to resort on holiday saving £150 each way . Got the train on the way to the airport saving £40 . Took an empty flask and filled with water after check in . Walked everywhere! Not really frugal as we stayed in a lovely hotel in Austria but it did include all the food so didn’t buy anything else .
Good luck with your new job
@Nicola, Ha, loved this, not least because I’m originally from Austria. Would you be comfortable sharing which hotel since it was walking distance to lots to do? If not, no worries.
--My husband brought home two free garbage bags' worth of mulch from his job, with more on the way as time and the heat index permit. Our flower beds are looking spiffier all the while!
--I've been turning free chicken wire into garden trellis, with my husband's help (my hand strength is shot, so he cuts the wires for me). The cucumbers and peas don't care what they climb. The brand new wire was thanks to a friend who is a garbage man / avid rescuer of all the new and useful things people throw away. Tell him what you need, and it WILL turn up on his truck's route eventually!
--My husband's electric coffee grinder finally gave up the ghost after 15+ years--he's had it even longer than me! 😛 We decided we won't be replacing it and will instead use our nice hand-crank burr grinder (a family Christmas gift) every day vs. when we're feeling fancy on the weekends.
--I'm still pursuing the medical bill that will not die. Three phone calls later, I *think* we might have conquered it by discovering that our insurance group number was off by one digit. The previous phone calls discovered both the billing and doctor's addresses were wrong, so whoever entered this in the system to start with was NOT having a good day!
--My husband is deservedly treating himself to a staycation by cashing in some paid time off this week. Since he prefers being a home body and won't be commuting, we'll weirdly come out ahead with him relaxing vs. paying for gas.
@N, what fun to know a resourceful garbage man. May he never retire!
@Central Calif. Artist Jana, My friend has saved us and many others SO much money. It also helps that he has a good eye for beautiful things, which is why our home has the good fortune of several antique gilt frames; a Victorian mirror; and a ginormous General Electric 1940s fridge that, while it unfortunately doesn't work, is still beautiful and makes for an excellent critter-proof storage locker in the garage.
@N, Using the vintage fridge as a storage locker? Pure frugal genius!!!
@N, your garbage man friend reminds me of my late stepbrother-in-law (I suppose that's what I should call him; he was the husband of one of my stepsisters), who drove a garbage truck in my former and Ruby's present hometown, and was equally resourceful with curbside finds.
@Fru-gal Lisa, you would appreciate the storage unit that was for 6 years in our garage. drumroll---1941 Packard trunk. !!I t was wonderful for drinks and boxed foods. It has a new home now to cover patients portion of future dental work.
We traveled to get together with family so these are frugal-ish:
1. The hotel where we stayed lowered the nightly rate so I rebooked and we saved ~$200. A thank you to my brother for passing along this information.
2. We booked our rental vehicle through Costco Travel.
3. We packed snacks for the driving and waiting for flights portions of the trip. I ate fruit and yogurt at the free hotel breakfast while packing my oatmeal "mixture" for the rest of my breakfasts. I feel better when I eat clean so I always pack this.
4. I borrowed a carry on suitcase for the trip since I have not yet decided what to do about no longer having a good carry on bag.
5. A neighbor watered the plants in pots and baskets so they would survive. They also picked up the mail that should not have been delivered.
Found a huge clearance on diapers at Kroger's. Got $80 worth for only $30. Also got good deals on clearance for coffee, oat milk, yogurt tubes, and bell peppers.
Found free puzzles for my toddler at a little free library type thing.
Cashed out Microsoft Rewards for an Amazon gift card.
Cut my own hair.
Books from the library.
@Jess,
I just bought diapers for my grands at Costco. Their store brand - made by Huggies - are on sale this month. 160 for $35. This is fairly inexpensive.
@Bee,
I know many people like those, unfortunately, the closest Costco to me is about a 2 hour drive one way.
@Jess,
I understand that the drive wouldn’t make it cost effective for you and dragging a little one along for a two hour trip in each direction just to buy diapers could be challenging. (Or just plain silly). I’m glad you were able to get good deals close to home.
@Jess, Costco.com has free delivery when your purchases reach a certain amount. Are you outside that delivery option ???
@Jess, not quite that far for me but the gas, time, and traffic aggravation (and always present accident risk) doesn't cover the price reduction for me. So don't beat yourself up over a costco "miss".
You look really cute in the new gear! Well done
No frugaling here the past week or so - it was a season - but back on the train today!
--I FINALLY finished off the roasted chickpeas I made at least three weeks ago. They don't go bad or anything, but they are sort of dry and mealy instead of crispy after they've been in a jar. Which they have, on my counter, taunting me. I put the last of them in my salad last night, though, so there. I win, chickpeas.
--Middle son informed me his cowboy boots were WAY TOO SMALL. Not sure how they go from fine one day to unbearable the next, but okay. Thankfully, I found eldest's boots from a couple summers ago and they fit middle son. These boots are at least a hundred dollars, so it's always a relief when they can be handed down. He's been wearing the boots to do masonry with his dad, a situation in which boots will actually protect his toes from getting smashed.
--It's been 100 degrees or more every day they've been doing this masonry. Plain water is not enough in such a situation, so I've been making switchel for them. Switchel is the forerunner to Gatorade--I make it with lemon juice, maple syrup, ginger, salt, and water. Not sure if it's a lot cheaper than Gatorade, but the ingredients are certainly more wholesome.
--Eldest son is staying at the ranch he works at in the bunkhouse during the week, and is feeding himself there. He requested macaroni and cheese, so I got some of that at Walmart for him, along with cans of tuna for more protein. It makes for a pretty cheap dinner, albeit not exceptionally healthy. I also bought a big roll of ground beef and made him pre-made hamburger patties. Those, along with the potatoes I microwaved and chopped so he can fry them in the pan with the hamburgers, make for a much less processed option. He's learning many things feeding himself. 🙂
--Youngest son will be going with his dad and brother today to help (and eldest son is there all week for work), leaving me with just my daughter. This means it's SPA DAY! And that means cucumber sandwiches on homemade bread, an Epsom-salt foot bath, letting her paint my nails and (attempt to) do my hair, and whatever else she comes up with. She's very excited, and an at-home spa day is pretty frugal this way. 🙂
@kristin @ going country, that is so cute about your mother-daughter spa day.
I read once long ago that children can actually grow that much overnight! I never noticed it with my son's clothes until his big growth spurt at 14-15 because he was small and super skinny until that hit, but he would outgrow shoes overnight throughout childhood.
@kristin @ going country, I am consistently shocked at how fast my son grows. He seems to be able to wear the same shirts for years but his pants and shoes seem to shrink by the day!
@kristin @ going country,
My 14 year old son had a doctor's appointment/follow up visit this morning.....he gained almost a pound and grew more than an inch in the past month. :-0
@Liz B., OH BIG DEAL. My puppy put on six pounds in six weeks.
@Rose,
Lol! Yeah, my son has been slacking, compared to your puppy. 😉
5 frugal wins:
$15 Target gift card
Cancelled Peacock TV
Cancelled Audiobooks
Free Gym Membership
Returned shoes causing blisters
I laughed about the boxy scrubs - I actually prefer the comfort of them. I buy a brand called Wonder Wink, and I love the crisp fabric and loads of pockets. My scrubs are strictly utilitarian - sometimes I get to wear fun prints. But they're just work clothes and have to be comfy. Frugal things lately?
*bought two pricey pair of tennies and am still deciding if I want to keep both pair, so that's not really frugal, but I had a bout of bursitis in my foot and I really need good shoes
*Served up leftovers yesterday for dinner
*Tele Health appt with my doc today will save me gas and time this morning
*got my hearing aids serviced for free - and they were actually past their warranty
*sold some jewelry I know I will not wear or pass down
*stitched a free to me ornament kit that a friend sent - will give to my daughter for her Christmas tree
*got some summer reads from my local Goodwill
*Scrubbing and sealing my deck this week, mowing my own grass, coffee at home, eating out only once. (:
1. I needed a vacuum cleaner and someone who moved out left one which I got for free, as well as vacuum bags! Extra pleased because it's compact and my place is quite small.
2. I got a too good to go vegetable bag.
3. I made mango chutney from fruit inside said bag. It turned out well (not perfect but still pretty good) which I'm very pleased about because I had never made chutney before.
4. I've started going running and downloaded a free running app. The actual shoes and clothes weren't cheap but good shoes are definitely an investment in health!
5. I have a Danish exam soon and used previous online tests from my module to study. These are free and supplied by the local council.
Finally, I...
Used half of a tin of beans for a recipe and will use the rest tonight.
Borrowed books from the library.
Got money back for recycling cans.
- I bought yogurt on sale & made granola at home for breakfast for rest of the month. Plan to make yogurt in July.
- I found a counseling student offering free therapy for his clinicals so am trying that this month.
- 2 dining table chairs broke unexpectedly so I am using our old chairs which don’t match the table, but they were free & serve the purpose.
- I’ve been on a vegetarian kick lately, so am cooking vegetarian dinners for the rest of June as well.
- I made 4 types of iced tea for my afternoon/eve beverage, and have had several friends over to share!
1. Biking to Mass--saves gas and free exercise. This time we biked to a different parish, thinking it was only a bit farther away. It turned out to be ten miles, round trip, our longest yet! I was pretty proud of us.
2. Library books; I've been reading some thought-provoking books like Digital Minimalism and Switch: How to Make the Change When Change is Hard.
3. I had to go back to the store to get pita bread (needed for shawarma night!), but was able to resist getting more than the bread and a couple of cans of chips I'd also forgotten. I was also able to finally remember to drop some donations off at a donation box by the grocery store.
(Frugal Fail: While at the store, I caved and tried an iced Americano from the Starbucks. It was, predictably, horrible. Regrets. I blame the heat, which always makes me think an iced coffee would be great, but I make better iced coffee at home with my instant decaf!)
4. I compensated for my Starbucks fail by picking some mulberries from our trees that are still producing.
5. Father's Day dessert was two mulberry pies--DH's favorite fruit because it's free! And the other ingredients we had on hand and are quite economical.
6. Inspired by my re-reading of the Tightwad Gazette, I am washing out my ziploc bags again.
7. Our insurance, thank God, covered the costs of DS's first hospitalization and surgery. That was 65K. Now to wait and see if they'll cover the second hospitalization, which is 99K. The hospital seems to indicate the insurance will cover most of it. They also refunded DS's copay for the first ER visit that started all of this.
@Karen A.,
thank God for good insurance coverage. Still waiting for teen hospital bills.
So I don't wash out my Ziploc bags, I put half gallon bags in freezer & then get out to put partial bag of raw bacon (in package) in to put into freezer. I only use these half gallon bags for bacon & have realized that they are now hard to find in addition to price increase. SO reusing ziploc bags as much as possible.
@Regina, And thank God that DS was still covered under our insurance for another year, since his work laid him off during his hospital ordeal. Partly because they had no more contracts for him to work on, but I suspect partly because he literally couldn't work for a month and they didn't want to support his insurance costs. 🙁
I can't believe he got laid off for that!!
@Karen A.,
Is that legal?
@Bee, He was a computer engineer working as a contracted employee on a government-funded project. Technically, once the project wasn't being funded anymore (somebody neglected to notice the money was going to run out and failed to apply to re-up or something, I don't know), he was no longer attached to a project. When he's not working on a project, or they don't have a project to assign to him, he doesn't get paid. He says he has had little to no communication from his employers regarding future projects, and they were completely incommunicado, practically, once he informed them he was in the hospital. So I don't know if they are just ignoring him and his need for work, or actively looking to lay him off. The last dr appointment we took him to, he asked for our insurance card, so presumably he already knew his insurance was no more.
He is taking it in stride. He was already looking to brush up his resume and look for another job, or possibly apply to graduate programs. Thankfully he is very frugal and had saved up a whomp-load of money in his bank account before this all went down, and as he put it, "right now I'm working on healing." He'd been working for this company since he was an intern in college, so maybe this is part of a good change.
@Kristen, it may be that he used up all his sick leave--in spite of the fact he'd never taken a sick day before (he was 100% telework), a month and a half in the hospital/recovering will eat up a lot of that. I really don't know the details about what's going on, just that he asked to use our insurance card at the last appointment. Trying not to probe too much, as he's still in recovery mode.
@Karen A., That is really rotten, the stunt that DH's work pulled on him. But I know a lot of companies do that and even worse. There is a book called something like "the evil HR lady" in which a former HR executive, who got the short end of the stick herself, switched sides and wrote about all the dirty secrets HR is keeping from workers so that we'll be more savvy in the future. Highly recommended!
@Karen A., if he's not working then he should possibly be eligible for unemployment, due to medical reasons. Son should find out when his official last day of employment is (email?) to prove not employed along with medical documents. That should help a little.
@Karen A.,
Holy cow! That's terrible that he got laid off like that. Grrrr.
@Liz B.,
But as I read more, also glad your son is focusing on healing. That's the truly important thing for him to do right now.
@Karen A., and keep this in mind when companies are whining about not being able to find help. You reap what you sow.
#1: Made an Amazon return (of very ill-fitting bras) at Kohl’s and used the resulting 20% off Kohl’s coupon to pick up some much better fitting (but pricey) Bali bras. I didn’t even notice they were also having a buy 1 get 1 for 50%. So $146.37 got reduced by 33% to $98.15 for 3 bras. And now I have $10 Kohl’s Cash so I’ll have to hunt around for something I need that costs $10…
#2: Stopped at Sprouts for baby bok choy which they did not have. But I always check their meat department and found boneless top sirloin for 35% off and lean ground beef for 25% off (which means it came back down to what prices were a week or two ago – why did hamburger just shoot up in price the last couple of weeks? Even at Walmart.).
#3: Timely canceled an out of state newspaper subscription. Got a 6 month trial subscription (just for nostalgia because I used to live there and wanted to catch up on people and goings on) for $4.95, but it was going to be $22 every four weeks going forward. So canceled just in time and saved myself $286/year. Apparently I wasn’t THAT nostalgic…
#4: It seems I have successfully disputed yet another $1,429.00 medical bill as an illegal “surprise”/balance bill. Only took several threatening letters, a few bucks worth of certified mail/return receipt postage, and a lot of teeth gnashing…
#5: Speaking of teeth, my $1,718.00 crown (for tooth, not royal birthday pageantry) is, in fact, costing me nothing because insurance is picking up the entire tab. Temporary in place, permanent installed next week, so I will be able to chew on that side once again.
So 5 frugal things of $48.22 savings at Kohl’s + $10 Kohl’s Cash + $20.74 savings at Sprouts + $286 savings on canceled subscription + $1,429.00 disappearing medical bill + $1,718 dental bill paid by insurance = $3,511.96. Not too shabby.
@JDinNM, I'm assuming that beef & chicken increasing due to Bird flu spreading.
I have found that Sam's Club has the best price by far on that Cerave lotion and they even regularly put it on Instant Savings for $3 off!
Six Frugal Things, A Yard Sale and a Heat Wave Edition (updated and condensed from two recent comments at the NCA):
(1) I made out like a bandit at the local peace-and-justice group’s yard sale on Saturday (to which I donated earlier in the week, and I was pleased to note that most of my donations had sold). For a total of $15 on two visits (one at the beginning of the sale and one at the end), I got the following: seven books (I miscounted earlier); a tea tin (which I will use for my homegrown dried peppermint tea); an Audubon bluebird box and two woven straw nest boxes plus nesting material; a picnic tablecloth (which I will put in with the picnic basket and utensils I recently acquired); an unopened box of holiday cards; a small working flashlight and a rubber spatula (you can’t have too many of either of these); a pair of gardening boots with images of farm animals all over them; and, best of all, a Duluth Trading flannel shirt in women’s 2X in pristine condition. And all this was in support of a worthy organization.
(2-6) Much of the US, including Central NY, is now in the middle of a 4- or 5-day heat wave. So here’s what I’ve done to prepare for it frugally:
(2) My garlic was ready to be dug Friday (2 weeks ahead of schedule, but then every green growing thing has been 2 weeks ahead of schedule this year), so I went ahead and dug it Friday afternoon when the weather was pleasant instead of waiting till this week. I’m now the proud owner of 17 fine, fat, healthy heads of garlic. (The variety I grow is a hardneck called Music, in case anyone’s wondering.) I let the plants (scapes and all) dry in the sun on my brick driveway for a couple of days, and then I toted them up to the attic and spread them on newspaper on the floor to dry further. The scapes actually grow a little more while the garlic’s in the attic, and they produce bulblets that I like to use in soup stocks.
(3) I managed to dig the garlic without putting a divot, nick, or scratch in a single head (a possible first for me). And I also managed not to drive over the garlic while it was in the driveway, though I came close once. 😛
(4) I'm getting in my usual early morning walks, despite the heat. I found $1.25 in deposit containers Monday and $1.35 today. I'm glad to note that everyone seems to be keeping hydrated. 😀
(5) I spent part of Sunday afternoon cooking so I wouldn’t have to do much in the kitchen Monday or today. With one 3-quart saucepan of boiling water, I did the following: (a) hard-boiled 6 eggs; (b) steamed some asparagus, using the Revere Ware steamer that fits into the the saucepan; and (c) boiled enough potatoes for a potato salad, into which I put 2 of the hard-boiled eggs.
(6) Also into the potato salad went a generous quantity of fresh dill. Dill volunteers all over my gardens, and I had to pull some of it just to make room for other stuff. I was also able to furnish a neighbor with dill at his request on Sunday (he was making his own Father’s Day dinner!), and I’ll keep doing this plus picking dill for my own fresh use and drying as long as the greens are usable. Once the flower heads start forming, it’ll be refrigerator pickle time!
@A. Marie, Regarding your #4, DS, who has been determined through his recovery to walk at least two miles day, had been walking after breakfast and then after lunch, but has switched to before breakfast and then in the evening, after the sun has sunk enough for some shade to return. We all go with him, so it's been good for everyone!
@Karen A., I'm glad that all of you have switched to a walking schedule that makes sense re: the heat. And I'm so glad (a) that your DS continues to recover from his long ordeal, and (b) that so far your insurance is coming through for him (although I think that his layoff at his work was shabby treatment, to say the least).
@A. Marie,
You did make out like a bandit!!! I’m in the middle of a good declutter. When I can’t decide if I should try to sell an item before giving it away, I remind myself the thrift store will be able to sell the item in question. In turn, the organization will use the proceeds to feed someone in need. This makes me feel good.
Early morning is the only acceptable time to walk these days!
With all that you do related to nursing, it's not surprising that you pay a lawn mower person. Glad you did yourself since you had the time, but that most likely will change back to being super busy !
Frugal things---
● found a used Chevy S10 pickup (for teen to drive) that is in fairly good shape. Was reasonably priced & was able to take to mechanic to look at to confirm needed repairs. Offered less & seller accepted less offer. Bonus--threw in 2 snow tires on rims (we will sell & buy 4 new tires)
● Postable had free card (for Fathers day) & sent Thank you postcard to high school office ladies thanking them for help & patience this last year with all teen medical absences
● found more clearance yellow flowers
● bought 3 six foot extra plush/thick beach towels (on sale with coupons) under $8 each
● found new Lodge cast iron pizza pan with handles (on Poshmark) $29 (usually $55) to use on grill
● free compost to fill in holes in yard from digging & transplanting flowers
● teen used free Hallmark Venmo graduation card for friend open house
● used (2) $10 bonus gift cards to get Applebees to go for teen & myself. $10 total
● too hot & tired, got 3 foot long subs $18 at Subway
● gave neighbor new grill sponge (type) cleaner for helping me with mowing grass. **Wire grill brushes come apart & the wires get stuck in food which can cause intestinal damage** We use it & works great! Picked one up for my dad too.
Online $60, paid $18 at Sam's club & has replacement head
● eating (mostly) at home, eating/finishing out of pantry & freezer
Frugal fail---
● birds & squirrels got burger buns (didn't even smell ok) & some weeks old no bake & chocolate chip bar cookies
● turned on air conditioner, even with closed blinds/curtains & fans got to 80 inside & too hot for dogs. Now Comfortable 75.
Stay cool, comfortable & hydrated this week everyone.
Those look like the Figs scrubs my son likes to wear. The fit and quality are much nicer than his other scrubs too.
1. We went hiking on a trail to a beautiful waterfall, free except for the gas to get there and tick spray.
2. We stopped at a rose garden on the drive back, also free.
3. I made a large batch of pancakes and we've been eating those with fruit each morning.
4. Free classic car show at the beach last night and $3 mini golf.
5. My husband bought some rock climbing gear 30 percent off and used a $10 rewards coupon at EMS. He was going to buy the same gear at REI, so he saved $40.
I mowed my yard too! It’s been such a wet year I really should mow every 3-4 days, but I can’t keep up with that pace. And each time I mow, I think about asking someone to do it for me. But I haven’t, yet.
Other frugal things:
1. Got $5 off $30 of needed health/personal care items. Usually I don’t need $30 worth of those items at once, but it just worked out that I ran out of toothpaste for all of us, conditioner for all of us and mouthwash at the same time and my shampoo was low too.
2. Have been eating down my freezer and fridge. Meals are simple. But nourishing.
3. I used money offered by the PTA for my classroom before the school year ended. Now I’ll be almost set for my new space next year.
4. I started grad school. Training required and paid for by MN will cover 4/11 classes and I’ll get a pay bump of $10000 the first year after completing my coursework, so it easily will pay for itself.
5. I’m making coffee at home. More than I should drink probably, but given grad school on top of single parenting and other Big Things, it’s a bit of a necessity. And I’m proud of myself for not grabbing coffee when I’m out and about with kids.
@Kaitlin, WOW! on a third of classes being covered & big increase in pay afterwards.
Suggestion--fill out FASFA & @Kristen could you please share that Instagram scholarship site I shared with you. 🙂 Also check out local community foundations for adult learners scholarships.
1. Gave away and received many items on Buy Nothing. Best score was a stick vacuum cleaner that we’ll use in the lower level so we don’t have to haul the larger vacuum up and down the stairs.
2. My husband cancelled his subscription to Sling TV once the Stanley Cup finals were on network TV.
3. Used homemade veggie broth for making brown rice. Added some chopped cilantro to use that up. Very tasty with or without accompaniments.
4. To keep the squirrels from upending the flowers in patio pots, we placed black, barely noticeable deer netting over them (the flowers, not the squirrels!). That looked fine for a while but then I realized I could just cut up some small pieces of netting and place those around the flowers. Much better. This was netting we had left over from when we grew pumpkins for fun.
5. Attended a high school graduation open house with my husband over the dinner hour. Had plenty to eat and enjoyed talking with new neighbors.
Frugal things
1. I'm on a mission to pay off a credit card that we put our Italy plane tickets on, so have locked down any spending that isn't basic living expenses. No out to eat that isn't coming from gift cards, no thrift store wanderings, no new clothes, no new shoes. I think I can pay it off by the end of July, if I can just hold on!
2. Played the Starbucks game using the free daily plays and almost won enough stars for a free handcrafted drink. I'm 5 stars short!
3. Went to Sams, Aldi, Family Fare, and Meijer and stuck completely to my list. Used the $10 off $40 that Aldi sent me as a welcome to the neighborhood. I tracked my spending so that I was just above the $40 mark.
4. Picked up my CSA box when I was driving through. I paid for the box in January, not realizing we would be moving. I happened to be out and about on Thursday (pickup day), so made it a point to only get my veggies. I did not get some yummy Chinese food from my favorite Chinese restaurant in my old town.
5. And a frugal fail. I ran over the robo-mower with my truck backing out of our driveway. I'm hoping it is only the wheels and bumper that I messed up. I was crying I was so upset that I did that. It was a brand new robo-mower and cost about $2500. I'm really hoping I won't have to buy a new robo-mower. It was a bad Monday morning.
@Angel, #5 - ugh! Our robot vacuum cleaner has also been the subject of accidental abuse, and it was remarkably easy to repair the different chunks, so here's hoping that's true for your robot mower too. (Ours is quite old and currently some parts are held together by regular old Scotch tape which has held up for a year now; more evidence of hopeful heartiness, fingers crossed.)
@Suz, thank you! I definitely feel a bit silly because I should have looked - I knew he was in the front yard and just blissfully backed out. Sigh.
1. I used coupons for eggs, frozen fruit, and frozen vegetables.
2. I used b1g1 free deals for tea and hot dogs.
3. I bought chicken on sale for a good price.
4. I did not go back to the store to buy more margarine after I found I had bought the wrong kind; I am making do without it.
5. I made pasta sauce from scratch, using what I had.
@Elizabeth M, I forgot a few things. I also had a library book on hold which is now available, so I'm reading it. I have started reusing plastic bags again rather than buy more. And I gave my Dad some fancy chocolate that I already had and a card I got for free on Father's Day.
Good for you for finding some cute scrubs! I am a large woman, square rather than rectangular, so the boxy scrubs were my standard. But I wore a fanny pack to carry all my necessities, so it did reveal a waistline. lol
I have had a mostly unintentionally frugal week, but I'll take it!
1. I scored some sweet things from my buynothing group: Got 2 clear canisters that match the 2 I already had; 2 Mario Brothers canvas pictures that I gave to our assistant pastor for prizes at Vacation Bible School, which was a "power up" theme with all things Mario Brothers; a Jim Shore ornament; a folding chair that hubby asked for; 2 small crocks that will house some artificial plants (I kill houseplants); and today will be picking up a scrap of landscaping cloth, and a portable grill that my husband had mentioned in passing he wished he had. He'll be surprised! Also gave away a few things that cleared up space in my shed and my pantry.
2. About a month ago, a friend in our ladies' bible group gave me, as well as a couple of other members, a trash bag of fabric from her collection. She is downsizing in anticipation of a move. Well, this past week she gifted me with FOUR more bags of fabric--some still in their wrappings from the quilt shop, and some with tags still on them. I weighed the bags: a total of 53 pounds of fabric! These are not hues or styles I gravitate to, but it will challenge me to try some new patterns, and to work these into my current stash.
3. This influx of fabric compelled me to go through my bins and closet in the craft room to reorganize and purge items to clear out some room. The end result was 3 bags of clothes, purses, odds and ends, and upholstery fabric I was never going to use, donated to a thrift shop. Two more bags of crafty items went to the art teacher at our Christian school. More space in my room, and more space/less guilt in my head!
4. My husband accidentally started a free trial of a trivia club via Alexa, and couldn't figure out how to cancel it. (They sure make it easier to get in than to get out.) So I got on the computer and tracked it down, and found out there were 3 other services Amazon was charging us for on a monthly basis. Amazon is sneaky: they only show order numbers on their monthly billing statement, so you have to go into your account on the computer and hunt to find the list of items on the bill. I cancelled those pronto, which will save us about $40/month. Some of these were initiated a year ago!
5. Our local grocery store has a good sale on several items we use on a regular basis, so I adjusted my order accordingly. One example: Diet caffeine free coke in the 12-pack usually runs $9.99. This week's deal is 3/$12, so I bought six 12-packs, for a savings of $36. It makes for a larger grocery bill this week, but it will even out.
You look great, Kristen. Best of luck with the new job!
I spent a lot at the grocery store yesterday, but more than half of the total was pet food (on sale) and OTC meds that are cheaper there than anywhere else. Plus that grocery will eventually send me coupons for what I regularly purchase. Cooked a pan of chicken that was a loss leader for our lunches with produce from our tiny garden on the side. I made a blueberry bread pudding for breakfasts because there were eggs and bread that needed to be used up.
My husband used a long plank salvaged from the attic of our house -- it was left over from some construction and had probably been there 50 years -- to build a panel for the corner of our fence. This blocks the neighbor's aggressive dog from seeing our pups and causing a ruckus.
Wow! This will be a rigorous week to start off your student career. You will absolutely crush it. And your scrubs are girly cute. Can’t wait to hear of your adventures. CeraVe has been my daily lotion (and cream for rough spots) for years, also dermatologist-recommended.
I love the scrubs too! I’m a little confused on the 18 and change plus 6 and change making $35. 🙂 $25? Or did I miss a step?
Thank you for all of your posts, and the way you share so generously. I’ve loved your blog since grad school (7 years ago) I’m going through a divorce at the moment, and I find your writing both comforting and inspiring.
@Kt, I was thinking the same thing, but then thought maybe my brain wasn't awake yet. 😉
Frugal divorce suggestion---cheaper attorney does not equal best option. Get attorney that is willing to do what's best for you & really listens to what you want. Hoping for your best situation.
@Kt, my ex got hosed because he went for the cheap lawyer. Get the best one you can possibly afford. Make payments if you have to.
@Rose, @regina
Thank you both. ❤️ we separated almost a year ago, and I had a great lawyer do my separation agreement. I’ll go back to her for the divorce. (I’m not in the US, so I’m not sure how different the system is, for us, the major paperwork hurdle is the separation agreement)
So, once I had spent $18.76, I only needed to spend about $6 more to reach the $25 level. The offer was for $10/$35 purchase, so once I'd hit $25, the extra $10 was basically free. I hope that makes sense!
I'm so sorry you are going through a divorce, and also I am glad that me sharing about mine has been helpful to you. Sending love!
I still wonder why Doctors and nurses no longer wear all white. It always felt cleaner to me when they wore white.
Well here's my list:
1. I sold two items on eBay. I used recycled packaging for shipping all of them. I have more items to list and hopefully they can go up and be sold relatively soon.
2. For Father's Day we went to a museum I enjoy and the total cost was a big fat zero. We did eat dinner out at Cracker Barrel but at least the things we did during the day were free.
3. Did a purge of some shirts that were too damaged to keep even as sleep shirts. I then retired some T-shirts to become sleep shirts. Now I can fit all of my shirts in my dresser drawer again. For a while it was getting a bit tight.
I did also retire a few to the sentimental zone. I'm not sure if I want to end up framing them or have a quilt made or just keep them but a couple are important to me and I want to keep them.
T-shirts are such a mass produced item and so many end up being made just to go in the trash that I feel bad about how the system works. It's why I keep mine so long and use them for both wearing and then as pajamas. Donating them is just a way to have them end up as trash. So they just go in fabric recycling or get used as rags.
4. Took advantage of a 99 cent Father's Day Ice Cream promotion at a local place. Yeah, buying ice cream and having it at home would've been cheaper per serving but whatever.
5. Putting some kids books in the Little Free Library to keep the system going. We love to own media and books (a house without books is a scary and soulless place) but we still use the LFL and public library system a lot.
@Battra92,
I've always heard that they avoid white because if the medical caregivers (doctors, nurses, techs, etc.) look long enough at red (blood), it will cause their eyes to see red when they look at white sheets, white uniforms, white walls, etc. So that's why they have green in the operating rooms and such. Maybe Kristen and other hospital workers can confirm if this is so.
@Battra92, Our local thrift store takes unwanted t-shirts and turns them into recyclable shopping bags. The thrift store is part of a ministry that also runs a food bank. Recently, all the local stores have gotten rid of plastic single-use grocery bags, so now they use the t-shirt bags for giving out the food donations at the food bank. Maybe there is something similar near to you that would use the t-shirts this way.
The new scrubs are about as cute & flattering as scrubs are going to get. Well done!
1) I've been making lunch for DS18. He's working in a summer camp. He also broke his finger at camp yesterday, but is able to work today. So, I guess that is a win. Although, Xrays & the trip to urgent care certainly wasn't a financial victory. Grateful he's fine, although we're all pretty sad, as he's supposed to go on a mountain biking & golfing trip to Bend for his senior trip next week. Both of those things are pretty challenging with a big splint. 🙁
2) Defrosted a huge loaf of bread (leftover from a Too Good To Go order) for sandwiches this week, which helped clear out the freezer quite a bit.
3) I eat leftovers for lunch, and we didn't have much protein leftovers. I've been topping my salads with edamame & nuts, which fill in nicely.
4) DH ate leftovers from his birthday dinner out, which helped to minimize food waste.
5) I sold some old reffing gear DS17 wasn't using, I picked up a few free things on BN (including a new box of Cornhole bags, which I needed to complete a gift) & three plants, which will replace the ones the squirrels ravaged from my garden bed.
I have two fleece zip-up jackets, both gifts. One is at least 15 years old, too short, and getting weird in the sleeves; the other is around 8 years old, with paint on the cuffs and sometimes the zipper undoes itself in the center.
Buying a new one sounds extravagant but this is frugal in several ways:
1. Space frugality: one new one will replace two old ones.
2. I only looked at LLBean's sale section. (Never mind the fact that this item was in the full-priced category. . . pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.)
3. Shipping is free with my LLBean credit card.
4. I had "BeanBucks" to spend (credits toward their merchandise from using their credit card).
5. LLBean sent a postcard to entice me to shop this month—15% off a single item
The new fleece will cost $29 instead of $60 plus shipping.
@Central Calif. Artist Jana, saving 50% on a high-quality item that will probably last years is quite an accomplishment. Space frugality is a new concept for me - I'm going to give it some thought...
Cute scrubs. In my hospital, we are allowed to show off our personalities with our shoe choices.
We've had very cool weather, so had a fire in the wood stove the last 2 days. Most of the back porch wood is used up, so now I can clean up that corner and get my summer dining table and chairs out of storage.
I made a batch of yogurt, granola, breakfast cookies and made applesauce from the last of the fall's apples. I also am making big batches of dried beans in the IP and freezing them. My bean section in the freezer was woefully waning, making dinners interesting.
I invited the neighbor over for salmon patties last night and he commented "you guys sure eat a lot of cabbage". I tried hard not to laugh out loud. Yes, we eat cabbage because it holds over so well. I still have about 20 cabbage heads in the "winterized" raised bed (hooped and tented with frost covering).
We shop about 1 per month this time of year.
Eating strawberries, lettuce, rhubarb, kale, chard, broccoli, cauliflower and pea pods out of the garden.
Sold some tractor parts and implements, almost have enough to roof the biggest barn.
I even sold the rusty old tin off the barn to a designer.
Purchased panels for the back porch cover @ auction, saving over $700. Also bought an electric dump wheelbarrow for pennies and bartered with a contractor friend to do some
road work/culvert placement. Saving about $800.
1. Used some herbs and garlic scapes from our garden to go with leftover potatoes. Paired the potatoes with Italian chicken sausage for dinners this week.
2. Got a free Starbucks coffee on my birthday last week
3. My cat needed a new antibiotic. I was able to order it from Chewy for $50 with free shipping. They also gave me a $20 gift card for ordering for the 1st time.
4. Used an extendable hedge trimmer we bought last summer to trim our tall bushes and trees. Paying someone to trim trees and bushes is pricey, so the price of the trimmer has paid off quickly.
5. Used some leftover bread and rolls to make my kids baked French toast for their breakfasts this week.
@Corrine, Happy belated birthday. 🙂
Yard work always counts. Most of my neighbors have landscapers. We do it ourselves. It saves a lot.
1. My daughter came and got me on the way to Whole Foods and Aldi. They are near each other. She is GF and Hubby is DF so WF's has some items that no one else has. I got 3 pizza's at Aldi with $4 off each. They each came to $2.99. They went right into the freezer.
2. My daughter hung out at my house after and we had leftovers for lunch. We made oatmeal cookies. While the oven was on I put in 6 potatoes. Dinner tonight for me is baked potato with what ever I have leftover to put on top.
3. Mondays is bagel day at Hubby's job. He keeps Smart Balance at work. I sent him with a hard boiled egg too. He had leftover French toast for breakfast today with homegrown strawberries. He took leftovers for lunch. Work is having a quarterly meeting today at 5. They are doing a huge BBQ. Hubby helps with it so he wont get home for lunch.
4. Did laundry on the cold cycle yesterday. Hung everything outside . It was dry in a few hours.
5. After dinner last night I worked more in the garden, planted spaghetti squash(1st time) and more tomato plants. Did a bunch of weeding. I have 2 more beds to plant still.
Do you still make homemade bread?
1. I batch cooked/baked this weekend. I cooked a whole chicken in the crockpot which will feed us tacos two nights for dinner and I will use the rest for a batch of Mexican Chicken Soup. I also baked two loaves of banana bread using some overripe bananas and roasted two pork tenderloins. I made some steaks for my hubby on Sunday and a large green salad which gave us dinner Sunday evening and two lunches.
2. I brewed coffee at home and enjoyed it ever so much. This is a frugal item I really enjoy as I don't tend to like coffee out much.
3. I have found that frozen chicken can sometimes be a great savings. I bought 3 lbs of frozen chicken thighs this past week for $7.99! Fresh were well over that price and the frozen tasted just as good in the chicken stir fry I made with them.
4. I used credit card rewards to save $7 on my Amazon order of a new door handle for my pocket door.
5. We visited my sister's pool for free entertainment. I am hosting a baby shower for my niece this weekend and signed up for free local day camp for my two pups. They will have lots of fun playing in the pool and with other doggos for free while I am serving finger sandwiches and oohing at baby girl clothes.
The scrubs are so cute! I like the oil/parm idea to use for another meal too!
On to the Fab 5:
1) Our raspberry bush has grown tremendously and I'm happy to dig up the sprouts and give them away to people at work. I may offer them to locals for a donation since selling them would cost me $170 for a license in my state. ugh
2) A crazy thing happened when we put dental payments on auto-billing. The monthly bills were getting paid but we don't know how. Nothing was deducted from our bank account and after almost a year, the office asked for a new acct number due to insufficient funds. We matched up all of the info and everything was correct. Hmmm
3) I found a side gig helping a farmer sell his fruit. My husband actually took the job since the schedule was not feasible for me. No discounts, however.
4) Our fruit trees are producing this year and i'm excited as the pests had gotten to them in years prior, so we never had the chance to taste any of it. I'm using natural things to repel pests and it seems to be working. I did have to buy a 25 lb bag of it, though.
5) I have a donation box filling up and will go thru the house to add more. I've been noticing many donation receptacles around the area and in the parking lots of stores.
@mommaof2, Pls make sure you are really donating to a charity that benefits folks in your town, and not a scam operation Our city in Texas has a lot of donation receptacles in parking lots, as well. But here's the kicker: none of the so-called "charities" is local. I've asked at the Salvation Army, Goodwill, two thrift stores benefitting two different food banks, and other real charities' thrift stores if they have donation boxes out around town. All say no. I've looked on the receptacles and most have vague wording; they may say it's for "children" or "veterans" or "animals" -- but show no street address and no actual charity name. Some may have 800 numbers but even this is rare. If they have websites....well, anyone with computer savvy can put up a website and make it look legit, that's a biggie with scam artists. Asking around about a "charity" box, I've been told it's for programs 100 miles from our cities, programs located in big metroplexes. My question is: if you're from a big city, why are you putting up boxes in our town? Do you not get any support from your fellow city-dwellers? I suspect this is some kind of front for a scam. This is not as far-fetched as it would seem, as the newspaper in Florida where I used to live did an expose' and found out that a lot of "charity" donation receptacles were collecting items that were later sold at flea markets, benefitting the con artists who set them out there. Personally, I take my donations to the actual thrift store, where they have a drive-through on the side or back of their place that is for donations. That way, I know that my items are helping local folks and local non-profits.
@Fru-gal Lisa, many of those donation boxes are for organizations that sell donations for material/fabric for sweatshops. I (also) refuse to donate to those boxes & only donate to local donation stores/organizations.
@mommaof2, in Ireland genuine charities have a registered charity number - it's an easy way for me to check if I'm donating to a charity or a scam artist.
I approve of your process of buying big quantities and then freezing in smaller, more practical quantities. We do that a lot!
Have not been frugal lately. But hopefully this will pay off for future Stephanie!
Spent 1500 to get insulation blown in by a professional. We could do it ourself and saved 450 but this involves us older people going up into attic snd renting a uhaul. We also helped the local economy. Got a 125 dollar rebate from power company after some paper work filing.
Spent 125 dollars on yearly plumbing and hvac inspections. But we learn a lot of good tips in the process from the kind and knowledgeable service people.
Spent 100 on a new thermostat. Ours went whacko after latest power outage. Will get a 50 rebate from paperwork filings.
Made coffee at home.
@Stephanie,
Asking out of my own ignorance: should you get your plumbing inspected annually, meaning your water heater? What else? Hubby and I try to keep everything maintained, but that's a new one to me. Thanks!
Yesterday I got serious about losing 10 pounds or 5% of my body weight. I am starting to show symptoms of pre-diabetes.
Frugal actions for my health:
1. I went through my cupboards and retrieved the smoothie making seasonings and powders I was using in my smoothies when I was 15 pounds lighter: Black Cumin, Tumeric, matcha, powdered kale. I made premade snack snack size baggies for 2 weeks. I will be traveling now in summer and I will take them with me. $0 spent.
2. I chose the annual the premium subscription of MyFitPal. Although their is a free version, I want the ad free environment and the ease of scanning foods while I am on the road. This will pay for itself in less than three days of reduced eating. $6.00 a month.
3. I cooked a instapot of lentils, rye, oat groats, and sorghum using powdered veggie broth. According to Dr. Greger's How Not to Age book, Legumes are the number one thing to do to stop the aging process. Pantry find: $0 spent.
4. I am cooking zucchini Mom gave me; $0 spent.
5. I am flying to Cleveland, Ohio tomorrow for a reunion of like minded hiking women. I am logging and packing all my food for the trip and bringing my erxpandable water bottle.
@mary ann, I've never heard of powdered veggie broth but that sounds interesting! Would you be willing to share the name, please? And congrats on making big changes for your health. All those foods sound delicious!
A lot of mine seem to revolve around food and beverages ;)....
*Hubby's coworker sent me a case of my favorite beverages because of all my husband and I do for him. I also was given some free donuts from a resident and also the food pantry that operates out of my work building.
*Hubby and I made and installed a gate on deck for friend's pool (friend injured in accident and not able to do it. He gave us a dozen eggs while there from their chickens.
*Trying to be cognizant of rewards earned when shopping. I redeemed $5 off at Tractor Supply and $6 at Petsmart.
*My neighbor is trying to get rid of a flower bed in her front yard. She's elderly and it's getting to be too much work for her. She said I could have whatever plants from it, so I went and got some to fill in gaps in my flower beds. I didn't feel bad taking any as I am always getting her mail and newspaper and watching their house when they travel.
*I donated blood and was given a t-shirt and also a $15 gas card. I donate regardless of if we receive items or not.
* I made Father's Day dinner for our dads, my husband and family. For $45, it was Way cheaper than eating out, plus we had plenty of leftovers to share with guests and I also froze some and had 2 lunches for myself.
@Gina, Thank you for donating blood. Thanks to donors like you, my dad was kept alive for maybe 6 or 8 years longer than he would have, with his terminal illness. You are very much appreciated!
* I took written inventory of my freezers and pantry content and have decided to do a minimal groceries challenge for the next month or so, in order to use the food I already have.
* After a month of recuperation from a car accident I am now ready to go back to work, on modified duties. So I'll ask my physical therapist to clear me for it today. I do get money through insurances at the moment but it's not 100% and I do not acquire pension and vacation time when not at work.
* favorite hobby still is reading. Still using my public library and free piles to get books. I did "splurge" at a book sale: 5 books for 8$. I'll pass them along when done with them.
* Decided I will try to combine errands when using the car. I'm pretty bad at this now.
* Got a Ikea Poang chair on FB Market place for 25$. Just the cushion on it, new at Ikea, is 80$. The chair goes with my thrifted 15$ curtains
@Isa, The Poang chair is legendary for a reason. It's super comfy!
It is! And very durable.
Those carrots with parmesan are making me hungry, Kristen! It's exciting to see you accomplishing another big step in your career goal, getting paid for beginning level nursing/student nursing work. You go, girl!
hmmm....I haven't done much the past week, so it may be sparse.
Today I had a medical appointment 2 hours away at 9am. I packed snacks for after the procedure and the drive home rather than eating out.
I shopped around for garbage pickup. Taking it to the dump myself would be free, but I don't have a truck and don't want trash in my vehicle....so, this service (which includes weekly recycling/yard waste/trash and big items if you call ahead) is well worth the $200/year for us.
I bought a brand new pair of Ted Baker casual shoes for DH for $6.
I bought a new pair of pants and a Brooks Brothers shirt at goodwill for my son (about $9.50 total). He's lost 50 pounds! He definitely needed new items for work, but as a single 25 year old guy...he doesn't care if his clothes fit or not. I, however, do care...so I buy things when I see a good buy.
We went to visit my parents for Father's Day and my mom's birthday. Planned our usual meal out with them in lieu of gifts.
Other than that...we ate our meals at home, precooked and packaged meals for the freezer for the busy nights in the future, got a refund check for my insurance, and found where I was charged $50 for an MRI that I shouldn't have had a copay for....they are mailing me a refund.
I started an early education class at my local community college! Much less expensive than a university. I can get my feet wet with out a huge bill. I’m nervous and excited. You’ve inspired me to jump in and see what the next season of my life may hold. I love little kids and now that my two are in high school I hope maybe I can work at the preschool attached to their school. But I need some early education classes under my belt. Here goes nothing?
Yay!!! A community college is SO affordable.
And I am so honored that I have inspired you. 🙂 Thank you for telling me, and I wish you so much success in your class.
@Caitlie, check with the preschool & you should be able to be teacher assistant while taking some Early Childhood classes. If Early Childhood is what you want, many community colleges should have Early Childhood Education programs/degrees that classes (mostly) are tailored around working staff/night classes.
1. Using freezer inventory for quick, easy meals (frozen tortellini, sour milk into waffles, etc.). Still adjusting to having a toddler and a baby!
2. I completed the online health assessment for DH, which adds $75 to an FSA debit card. We used to be able to each earn $250 per year (total $500!) but they significantly restructured the program so it will only be $75 each (total $150) for this year and likely in the future. But– it’s still free money and I’m grateful. I used this to pay for counseling and some other medical expenses.
3. Received a class action claim for $9.72.
4. Found a quarter at a park, a nickel in the parking lot, and a penny on the beach.
5. Cut DH’s hair.
Frugal fail/mishap: I mentioned in the comments few months ago that I found some unredeemed gift cards I’d purchased for a local salon. I could have sworn they were redeemed but when I called I had $120 (it was a buy $100, get $20 free deal). But, I was unable to use them at that point as I was pregnant and they didn't offer prenatal massages. Well, I had the baby so I could now have a regular massage. I’d been planning to call and schedule one, but… it’s been difficult to get that kind of time with a 2-year old and a 4-month old. Then yesterday I received an email that after 16 years of business they are suddenly closed. Seriously?! Such a bummer. I am going to try to see if I can at least use the gift cards for hair products (which I don’t specifically want, but I’d rather have something than nothing!). I contacted them via facebook and I see others are in the same predicament, so hopefully they will find a way to honor their outstanding gift cards.
Oh man, that stinks about the gift cards!! I hope they can do something for you.
@Lindsay B, maybe still ask if can schedule massage & make time. If not, get hair products if not possible. Unfortunately I've heard this from quite a few businesses (large & small).
@Kristen, thanks! It seems like they should honor them at the new salon that will be opening soon, so I will try to get in and use them right away. Fingers crossed!
I am completely on board with you giving yourself credit for mowing your yard every time. That's exactly how I felt for months of cleaning up tree debris after our big ice storm 2 winters ago. I did not enjoy it, but I knew we were saving a ton of money by doing it ourselves. So keep counting it, girl!
Five frugal things:
1. returned 2 pairs of jeans to Walmart via the actual store. We went later in the afternon and there was only one person ahead of dh.
2. went to Staples and picked up six of the .35 one subject notebooks. They look a little ragged so if dd doesn't want them I'll donate them.
3. got on my dneice for info for her wedding. It's in New Hampshire at the beginning of September so I want to make hotel reservations. I'm sure it will be leaf peeping season.
4. We got our first 2 zucchinis out of the garden.
5. Had dh fix my cord strip so it works now. Was wondering why I wasn't using any water in my Cpap and why my phone wasn't charging.
IDK if I can do five...
1. Solar energy might finally be cheap enough for me to invest in it. And New York State still has all kinds of incentives. I spent some time investigating a consumer wind turbine, since I live in the windiest part of New York State, but apparently they're really garbage and I should just get solar instead.
2. Trying to weed the backyard myself since I looked up what my landscapers charged us last year: $1100. Sigh.
3. Apparently I overpaid the budget plan for my heating oil company so that I now have a $4500 credit. That should work for free heat/hot water for the next year.
4. On the DL, found a cheaper cleaning person for the rental cottage. $200 per turnover works for me.
5. I've been selling excess belongings on eBay. I reserve the right to put out extra furniture with a FREE sign by the road, though.
Frugal fail: the puppies found a part of my antique silver dressing table set and chewed the tortoiseshell comb from the silver. My son suggested I put a piece of rubber in it and make a silver squeegee.
You rock those scrubs, Kristen! Looking good!
1. Instead of buying gallon jugs of iced tea, I got a new glass dispenser and Goodwill (with a 20% off coupon, no less) and am making sun tea. I got out of the habit of making my own iced tea when I had my surgery and need to stop indulging myself/being un-frugal. Oh, and the sun tea is delicious!
2. Frugal fail: my computer keyboard stopped working, so I took the above-mentioned coupon and went to Goodwill to find a new-to-me keyboard. Bought a super sturdy-looking one made by a well-known manufacturer. It was on final clearance so I got it for $4. Took it home only to find it had the wrong kind of plug. Could not find anyone who has any kind of converter where you could plug in a round plug and then have it fit the slot for a rectangular plug. So I got the wrong thing, and can't take it back. (Ended up getting a $12 keyboard at an office store.)
3. Made a call for home repairs under that home warranty program I have. A $50 copay is better than the full price the plumber charges for just coming out.
4. Yesterday was my day off but the store called. Another worker called in sick. Took her shift and made an extra $50. Before this happened, however, I got a lot of yard work done. Super productive day!
5. Dropped my landline telephone and it stopped working. Had to chase down a rat's nest of cords located under and behind my big desk -- but I got it working again! Didn't have to buy a new phone or pay a repairman.
@Fru-gal Lisa, do you mind sharing your home warranty company?
And 20% off coupon for Goodwill? Have only heard of half off color day.
@Regina, Around here at least, anytime you drop off a donation to Goodwill you can get a receipt, which has a 20% off coupon you can clip off the bottom. Handy!
1. I called to request changes to my Frontier package. (I live in a small house and don't need an extra eero to make sure we get wifi everywhere.) They did then find another charge/fee to add to the bill but at least it was smaller. :-/
2. I made coffee from home and used my Hanson razor (new blades cost about $0.05). These small frugal changes really add up.
3. I used a code to get an almost free photo book (we just pay shipping.)
4. I am buying some baby clothes at the used baby boutique.
5. I made more baby food (and found out that baby girl likes lentils).
1. I picked up three free water bottles from Nextdoor
2. Borrowed a hand sander, a tree looper and a saw from a friend to do a project. I made them cookies as a thank you.
3. Used a gift card to buy poison Ivy spray. I’m not fan of chemicals but the Ivy is coming from both yards on either side of mine. I have a contractor coming to do some deck work and it needs to be gone.
4. Despite slitting open a finger, falling twice and coming in contact with poison Ivy, I will continue to work away at these home projects myself. I’ve never considered myself clumsy but boy have I had an interesting few days.
5. Traded some homemade cookies for some landscaping fabric.
6. Frugal for a neighbor and myself - my 87 year old neighbor expressed some fear of the power going out. I have a battery operated lantern that I keep in my living room for emergencies. I gave her the lantern. When I told a friend I was going to order another one, she said she had extras and gave me one of them.
Well, we are back from vacation, so it’s time to get frugal.
1. We got back on FatherDay, and I hadn’t remembered to buy a card, so I recycled last years card in a new envelope. My husband said “You always find the best cards!” WIN!
2. I had a BOGO promotion from Subway, plus $2 in reward points, so we got two 12” subs for $10.
3. I donated blood today, and the credit union sponsoring the drive gave out nice water bottles as thank you gifts. I needed a new one for my air travel, as I broke the lid to my old one.
4. Returned bottles and cans for refund, made $6.
5. Forgot that I had attended a meeting for ballot clerks before vacation, so found a $30 deposit in the checking account today.
Kristen, I love your new scrubs!
When you do your yardwork, the yardwork you almost crack and pay someone, put that money aside for yourself to do something special or get something special you need or want.
1) It was my daughter & son-in-law anniversary. I made the card with my newfound art--zentangle.
2) I got some free perennials from my friend for the perennial garden I am working on for my daughter.
3) My husband has been complaining that our electric coffeepot was not making good coffee, so for father's day I bought him a new fancy coffee maker that my daughter suggested. The price was reduced with coupon and Kohl's cash. The club I belong to will be making snack bags for needy in Sept. We will be putting white socks in the bag. I used my Kohl's cash for that. The coffeemaker was not inexpensive but not the most expensive; but I don't generally go to coffee shops.
4) My library
1. picked lots of clover for clover tea. Mmmmm.
2. Volunteering for days for girls lifts my spirits. Plus, it helps women around the world.
3. Libby app (library )and Bookbub, Fussy Librarian, and Bookdoggy for free books.
4. Made beef roast barley vegetable soup.
5. Hamburger family packs on sale, portioned smaller for meals.
Is your yogurt like Greek yogurt?
So, it's more like traditional yogurt, but if you want to make it into Greek yogurt, you can simply line a strainer with a coffee filter, add the yogurt, and let the extra liquid drain out. It's quick and easy to do!
The scrubs look great on you!
My 5 Frugals
1) Unsubscribed from Amazon prime and watched movies we already have or from the library.
2) Used bowling gift card and kids free summer sign up to go bowling for free with my family on my birthday.
3) Cut mine and my girls’ hair.
4) Eat up free lunch leftovers.
5) Mended my husband’s holey socks and my girls’s dress.