1. I mended my curtain
I have some inexpensive curtains from Ikea in my bedroom (Matilda sheers), and I’m kinda glad they are inexpensive because…Miss Chiquita made a hole in one, and has caused some snags in others. 😉
I just sewed up the little hole by hand, and the repair, while visible, is not noticeable from a distance.
I also put some Fray Check on all the edges, since this loose-weave fabric is extremely prone to fraying.
noticeable while the Fray Check is wet…
I love having a little bottle of Fray Check on hand for things like this! One bottle lasts for a super long time, and it’s very simple to use.
Invisible when dry!
2. I made a little menu plan
I worked Friday and Saturday, had a day off on Sunday, and now I’m in the midst of a Monday-Wednesday string of shifts.
So on my day off in the middle, I made a plan for my breakfasts, lunches, and dinners for the following three days.
This way, I:
- will have a solid breakfast before work
- won’t need to buy cafeteria food for lunch
- won’t get takeout after work for dinner
Having an easy plan for dinner after work is especially important, since my time between getting home and going to bed is so tight!
3. I used my regrown green onions
I planted some green onion ends in one of my flower pots many months ago, and I’ve cut them off to use them lots of times.
And still, they regrow.
Obviously, this will come to an end soon (hello, winter!), but I will enjoy my free onions until we get a freeze.
This time around, I used them to make a lime cilantro sauce for burrito bowls for work lunches.
4. I bought some clearance conditioner
I was at CVS for something else, but noticed that one type of the Maui Moisture conditioner was 50% off. So, I picked up two bottles and also applied a $2 coupon at checkout.
(Maui Moisture products are supposed to be good for slightly wavy hair like mine, which is why I buy this brand!)
5. I…still have been too busy to buy a car
As it turns out, working a full-time job at the hospital plus doing a STUPID BSN CLASS (*#$@*%!!) plus running a blog is actually taking a lot of time every week.
Which means I still have not made the time to go buy my dream car*.
Which means I am still driving my trusty old minivan.
Which is definitely a frugal thing, albeit an inadvertent frugality.
Hmmm, you know what? Maybe I should go buy a car when this horrible BSN class is over! I will have more time then, and that would be a very nice reward for suffering through the class.
*Dream car = a Civic with a sunroof, if you are just joining us
Melanie
Wednesday 5th of November 2025
I think a new car would be a lovely and very well-deserved reward after this confounded BSN class you're slogging through! You have our full support. :)
Elaine T
Wednesday 5th of November 2025
5 Frugal Things
1. I prepped all my work meals except coffee which I buy at work 2. I upped my savings that I have automatically transferred to my online savings account each paycheck - out of sight out of mind. 3. I was craving an afternoon coffee last week in the midst of boring bill-paying, and though I live across the street from Starbucks, I pulled out my coffee press and made my own. 4. I planned mostly affordable places with kitchens on my upcoming birthday trip to New Zealand (long awaited) 5. I have been eating up odds and ends in my fridge because of the upcoming trip.
Selena
Tuesday 4th of November 2025
Chiquita informs me that she is to be called Ms. Chiquita. And being a feline, she is taking notes and handing out demerits. While working a lot greatly assists in the frugal category, I have to report year two of prairie restoration (not hard core - cedar, pine, fir of a certain size were *not* removed, none of my walnut trees were touched) has surpassed where I thought it would be. Purchasing the almost 60 years not-maintained acreage was not cheap. Nor was paying the restoration company. But enjoying the walk through the invasive-cleared acreage which has a fantastic view has no price. There was minimal "interruption" for the wildlife and it should be a pollinator friendly area. The acreage is close to our homestead which is a plus. Too busy to buy a car might be a plus for you. Regardless of the shutdown, the economy (IMHO) is in a recession. I'm sure you're doing your due diligence on what you want in your next vehicle. I do think time is on your side.
Lindsay B
Thursday 6th of November 2025
@Selena, I'm sorry to hear about all the work you did to remove the honeysuckles only to have the buckthorn move in! So much work. We also have a ton of buckthorn to deal with and something called bittersweet that is a woody vining plant. There's a house down the street with a huge patch of garlic mustard under their tree and every time I walk by I wonder if I should go knock on their door and ask if I can pull it!
Selena
Wednesday 5th of November 2025
@Lindsay B, I pretty much had the garlic mustard eradicated at my prior house. Have made good progress here with a plus of a new neighbor that knows GM is bad stuff. One south neighbor has some so I will watch "the border". Woody invasive plants are a challenge. We pulled hundreds of bush honeysuckles only to realize too late that buckthorns took their place. We're spraying and will have the restoration company hit our property to grind both down. Pulling the honeysuckles worked but then we had to get rid of the piles. We are not young any more. Between the acreage we bought and our property, about 10 acres worth.
Lindsay B
Wednesday 5th of November 2025
@Selena, I love hearing about your prairie restoration! We have only 3/4 acre but it's a lot of work. I've successfully kept the garlic mustard at bay for the last few years but we need to work on all the woody invasives.
Linda
Tuesday 4th of November 2025
I think you will enjoy the process and the car more after you are done this class you dislike. Sounds like you are knee deep in it but December will be here soon. I have one of those moonroofs and don’t open the shade much because the car gets hot. My mechanic says they are leak prone but so far so good.
Katy @ Practical Walk
Tuesday 4th of November 2025
I've never heard of fray check before! Always new things to learn! 1. Found some coins 2. Went to a new thrift store 3. Got some clearance candy and a free Dilly bar 4.Took advantage of being close to an Aldi and did some grocery shopping 5. Enjoy half price Taco Tuesday
Here's the unabridged version: https://practicalwalk.com/2025/11/05/frugal-five-17/