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1. I signed up for a free month of CVS’s CarePass.
I was in there using some ExtraBucks, and the associate told me about CarePass. It costs $5/month, and you get $10 in CVS ExtraBucks.
The membership also includes:
- free shipping at CVS.com
- a 20% discount on CVS Health brand products
- free 1-2 day delivery on qualifying prescriptions
- access to a 24/7 pharmacist help line
I mainly joined because of the $5 for $10 perk, though! That’s 50% off, which is even better if you combine that with sales/coupons.
ALSO: If you pay for an annual membership, the cost is $48/year (vs. $52 total for the monthly option), and you’ll get $120 total in ExtraBucks.
That’s a pretty fantastic deal!
To sign up, click here to visit CVS.com and click on the CarePass banner link on the top of the site.
(Be mindful when you shop at CVS, though. If you pay full price there, you will not be getting great deals. Use the app to get coupons, and watch the sales!)
2. I took a $10 CVS survey.
After I joined CarePass, they sent me a survey asking about the program. I filled it out (less than 10 minutes) and immediately got a printable $10 ExtraBucks coupon.
YES.
3. I got free shipping at CBD.com.
(That’s Christian Book Distributors. I’m sure they had no idea their domain would mean anything else in the future, but I bet they get a lot of hits from people not looking for books!)
I discovered I had forgotten to order Sonia and Zoe’s grammar and vocabulary books.
Which is apparently the kind of thing that happens when you are a veteran homeschooler? Geez.
Anyway, I loaded up my cart (CBD often has the best prices on homeschool books, even though these are not specifically Christian) and searched for a free shipping code.
The first one didn’t work (it said I used it already; probably earlier this year!), but I did a second search and came up with one that worked.
It took just a minute or so, and I saved $5.99.
4. I only used $4 of data this billing cycle.
We have our phones with Ting, which is kind of a pay as you go service. So, it behooves us to stick to wifi as often as possible.
(Frugal Girl readers can get a $25 discount by signing up with Ting through this link.)
I keep my data turned off as a matter of course, and I have data disabled for pretty much everything except the basic necessities.
This way, I don’t accidentally end up using data for things like Instagram or podcasts.
I thought my usage might be up because of needing some data on my FinCon trip, but I still did really well.
Here’s to sticking with the slightly crappy free hotel wifi!
5. I scrambled some failed eggs.
When we were making souffles on Sunday, a few eggs didn’t make it through the separation process smoothly.
So, they put those in a container in the fridge, and I used them to make some scrambled eggs for myself at lunch one day.
This tiny whisk is one of my favorite things. So handy!
What frugal things have you been up to? Tell us in the comments!
Marilyn says
We went to eat at local bagel shop, not frugal. While eating the girls were loading bag of bagel up. I ask if they were throwing them out. She told me they were donating the excess, You can have some, so when we left she let pick our flavors. We got a bag of 13, $22.00 worth for free.
lisa says
It’s been a solid week of savings with nothing super exciting to report.
1- Sold some stuff on ebay and will be adding a lot more as the holidays roll in. Savings – $40
2- Got a free $25 gift card from Swagbucks and gave it to the youngest so he could buy cards for his competitive league. Savings- $25
3- I received lots of nice body washes for my birthday and won’t need any for 3+ months. Savings- $50
4- Got a free bagel from Einstein’s. Savings- $1.70
5-We installed solar panels on our home and used to pay $150+/ mth for electricity. Not anymore. It’s only $28. Savings- $122+/mth
Lorraine Webber says
I have not been especially frugal the last few weeks but all is not lost!
1. I borrowed supplies from a friend to try a new craft technique to see if I would like it before purchasing my own supplies. Hobbies can be expensive! The test run was very much appreciated.
2. Used a gift card from my birthday to try a pour-your-own candle type place. It was fun but not worth the $50 it cost to make the candle. Luckily, the gift card covered $45 of it.
3. Used my museum membership to see the Georgia O’Keeffe exhibit at a local museum. Treated my friend by using one of the guest passes that come with a membership.
4. Happily accepted free zucchini, tomatoes, basil, grapes and peaches from a co-worker’s garden.
5. Bought some Christmas gifts from a favorite online retailer for 70% off during their summer clearance sale.
Corrine Wilson says
1. Made a large extra payment om our mortgage, which will save us about $300 monthly in interest
2. Scheduled flu shots for the kids, which has a preventive cost
3. Found a camping grill in someone’s garbage
4. Sold 2 house plants, I have had for 9 years (not enough sunlight in my new house), for $20. I don’t even think I spent that much on them to begin with
4. My husband started painting our house and grading our yard. I can’t imagine what this would cost to have done by a professional. He has saved us so much money on remodeling our new home.
Charlotte W says
1. Made a list of meatless meals and stuck to making two of those during the week to cut down on grocery bill.
2. Made my goal of only spending $125 a week last month. I have two toddlers in pull ups.
3. Bought next summer’s clothes for kids during a clearance event sale (lot of items were 60% to 70% off and spent $6 per item. I didn’t think that was too bad. But it sure does beat paying full price.
4. Turning in my baby’s carseat at Walmart to get a Walmart card for $30 on Sept. 16th. That will be used to pay for a gift for a teacher whose birthday will be coming up.
5. Bought up 6 All laundry detergent bottles (40 oz. each) for $3 a piece at Kroger and received 3 Snuggle dryer sheet boxes for free. Thought that was a good deal. The free Snuggle dryer sheets totaled about $9 saved. I don’t really use dryer sheets, but hey, it was worth it.
Becca says
1. Hubby and I sealcoated the driveway ourselves instead of paying someone.
2. Meal prepped a bunch for my weekend of working 12 hr nights so we wouldn’t be tempted to order out.
3. Froze a bunch of peaches before they went bad for later use
4. Timed a bunch of kids clothes purchases online to be able to use coupons.
5. Mended a few holes in my kids clothes.
Amanda says
1) I made a pinch of yum recipe Sunday night that made a whole bunch of burritos, which I froze. They are delicious and an easy, cheap lunch.
2) I put the reimbursement check I received for conference travel directly in our savings account. (We had planned for it to go in there as I spent saved cash for the trip, but sometimes these things end up bleeding out.)
3) I applied for a couple of grants and confirmed reimbursement procedures to make sure an upcoming trip is also paid for by someone else.
4) I know everyone is about their air fryers these days, but I am still loving the crockpot I got for our wedding sixteen years ago. I remember thinking as a young newly wed that I had asked for too big a pot. But now that we have four kids, I am so glad I got a big one. We load it up with meat or whatever the night before and pull it out of the fridge in the morning. Then in the afternoon we turn it on with our phones through the smart plug it is plugged into. And voila! Roasted chicken ready to eat when we all descend on the house at 6 pm.
5) I have thought of so many nonconsumable items that would make our life a little easier during the school year in the last couple weeks. I put them all on a list and have yet to buy anything. The older I get the more I realize that I don’t actually need so many of these things. If I happen to see an item on the list at the Goodwill I’ll get it. But then if we decide our life isn’t really better I will just be out a few bucks.
Kristen says
Air fryers and Instant Pots. Those are definitely the hip appliances at the moment!
Lindsey says
We received an instant pot and ended up giving it away. The only times it saved my bacon was when I forgot to defrost something. But when I used it for soups and such, I missed having the smells hanging around the house all afternoon as things cooked. After getting aggravated by decreasing counter space, I took an inventory and figured out what could go…and it was the instant pot. It was between that and the crock pot. I now set my phone to beep to remind me when to take something out of the freezer so my prime reason for having an instant pot disappeared. Plus I felt like there were too many steps to make simple things. I know I am in the minority with my disregard for it. I am glad I didn’t buy it but got it as a gift…and now my neighbor has been seeing them in the Goodwill store, so I really am glad I did not shell out any money for it.
AEW says
1. I used up some not so fresh strawberries to make strawberry sauce for a homemade cheesecake.
2. Our house could really use a power wash but for the time being I went out to the front porch with a bucket of soapy water and a rag, a broom, and some elbow grease and tackled it myself. Looks good for now and saves the power wash fee
3. I sold several things on our neighborhood resale page
4. I’ve been cooking at home all week
5. I cleaned out several more areas of our house! More is going out than is coming in!
Cyndi says
1. While standing in line at Walmart for my hubs rx I saw Robitussen cough & congestion which has the same ingredients as Mucinex on clearance for $1.50 a bottle so I bought 3 bottles and Mucinex is $11 a bottle so score!!
2. Used a Regal giftcard to buy 2 tix to the pre screening of Downton Abby and used points for a small popcorn and brought Dollar Tree Raisinettes.
3. Went through my “Christmas Shelf” to see what I have stashed and realized i dont really need to buy much. Bought .25 clearance cards and paper after Christmas last year.
4.Putting 90% of my paycheck towards paying off our Sleepnumber bed which was a totally un-frugal purchace i regret as it wasnt the miracle cure i had hoped it was..the bill isnt huge anymore but bothering me!
5.Have been hanging my jeans to dry instead of using the dryer but not loving the crunchy feeling…..
gjwitmer says
You can tumble them on low in your drier for five minutes to get the crunches out.
Kaitlin says
1. Didn’t eat out spontaneously this week. We did eat out with friends once this week, but it was planned and one of the friends we’ve only seen once in the last 6 years, so that’s worth it!
2. Shopped at Aldi for the first time in months, and found a GF bread that’s whole grain. Cheaper than getting it at the other store that has GF options. GF is not cheap though, generally speaking.
3. Cleaned out some toys from our playroom and am using the storage bins to organize my fabric collection (another not frugal lifestyle).
4. Made a weighted blanket for my son using extra pellets from another weighted blanket I made and fabric from my fabric collection. The project only cost me time!
5. Have been starting my runs at my house, rather than going to pretty parks to run. Saves on time and gas. And makes me run more!
Kristen says
Totally agree with your number one. Planned eating out to see friends is totally different than the times where I just fail to plan and we get takeout because of desperation. One is intentional and feels good, the other feels very not good.
Savannah @ Dirt Road Daisy says
1. We saved our lemonade cups and french fry bucket for refills as we visit the local county fairs this year! A normal bucket of fried, while not healthy, will feed the 3 of us and is only $5 with the bucket refill. It’s $10 to buy the bucket originally! I think my husband saves $3 per lemonade with his refill cup.
2. I really, really wanted to order pizza last night as it was just one of those day. I forgot to defrost meat, the dog ate something while we were at work, etc. But, my dear husband sent me to the porch with some iced tea to watch our chickens in the yard (it’s so funny to watch them run) and he made us a fancy dinner of grilled cheese that we paired with a makeshift fruit salad.
3. Our 11 chickens continue to produce 8-10 eggs daily. We are swimming in eggs! We are giving most of them away to family and friends. Some people I work with insist on paying me, we throw that money into a jar and use it to purchase feed and bedding for them.
4. Our garden is still producing like crazy. We planted 50 green bean plants and are up to 42 quarts of canned green beans! Our banana peppers, green peppers, and zucchini are getting eaten as we pick them and incorporated into meals. Our tomato plants are massive, but they just aren’t ripening
5. I shopped at an overstock store for a baby shower and wedding shower this weekend and was able to snag items that were actually on their registries for a fraction of the cost!
Kristen says
Aww, yay for grilled cheese sandwiches made by someone else!
Tracey says
1. I’m going to my niece’s wedding this weekend and part of my gift to her is the special things we are doing to the wedding dress (which are top secret at this point). The other part of her gift is a $50 gift card to Macy’s that I earned for free with points at my local grocery store.
2. Had a turkey breast purchased on sale for $69 cents a pound that we ate four meals out of and then I made stock from the bones and vege peels and ends I had been collecting in the freezer. I’ll get two soup dinners out of that stock.
3. Got two like new, worn-one-season Abercrombi & Fitch winter coats from a friend that had surface layer seam tears under one arm (apparently her daughter grew and needed a bigger size). I repaired both by resewing the seam and am taking them to my daughter in college this weekend. She will love them.
4. A friend is moving her retail home goods store from one location to another and was discarding some surplus merchandise (I work there on Sundays to help with college expenses). I am planning Christmas gifts around some of the cool stuff she told me to just take home.
5. My sister was getting rid of a garage beer fridge and outdoor patio set. We listed it on a local selling site and have gotten several interested bites.
Jennifer Y. says
I have not participated in Five Frugal Things in months even though these are my favorite types of posts. Truth be told I have not been living frugally the past few months, so this is a great way to get back in the saddle……
1. This past Saturday, I prepared a meal plan, shopped my pantry, and stuck to my grocery list at the supermarket.
2. I cooked dinner Saturday through Wednesday and have every intention of keeping it up through the weekend.
3. My son wears a uniform to school. I only purchased one pair of khaki pants and one pair of sweat pants for the start of the school year. We were able to re-use two shirts from last school year because they still fit and are in good condition.
4. “We saved a bunch of money by switching to Geico!” Seriously, we are saving $100 per month after switching at the beginning of this month.
Kathy Wolfe says
I tried to find the CarePass but apparently it’s not available at my store in Alabama. Will be in the lookout. CVS has so much red tape with their coupons sometimes!
Krysten says
1. Took stock of what is in my ‘Christmas drawer’ and made a list of gift ideas for everyone on my list. It’s so nice (and so much cheaper) to chip away at Christmas gifts early to take advantage of sales and hopefully be done shopping by the time December hits.
2. Sold some books to powell’s online for store credit.
3. Eating our way through all the pears from our trees. I’m glad everyone in our family likes them!
4. Doing a good job of staying on top of leftovers!
5. Resisted the siren song of takeout.
Linda says
1. I wanted a frame for a poem to hang on my wall. Found on that works great for 99 cents at St. Vinnie’s.
2. While I was digging through the frames I found a seascape watercolor (actual painting not print) for $3.99.
3. Used garden tomatoes to can Oven-roasted Tomato sauce
4. Decluttered & found new homes for my things through local Buy-Nothing Group.
I needed a 1/4 yard of red fabric for a project. Instead of going to the fabric store I bought a red shirt for 99 cents at a thrift store. Less driving and less money.
Linda says
1. I wanted a frame for a poem to hang on my wall. Found on that works great for 99 cents at St. Vinnie’s.
2. While I was digging through the frames I found a seascape watercolor (actual painting not print) for $3.99.
3. Used garden tomatoes to can Oven-roasted Tomato sauce
4. Decluttered & found new homes for my things through local Buy-Nothing Group.
I needed a 1/4 yard of red fabric for a project. Instead of going to the fabric store I bought a red shirt for 99 cents at a thrift store. Less driving and less money.
Irena says
I had been debating whether to sign up for the CVS Care Pass and your writeup was the final push I needed.
However, after signing up, there was an immediate problem that I think others should be aware of so they can call CVS if needed to have it fixed.
The CarePass dashboard said I had already redeemed the $10 for this month and the next one was not until 10/12. What? I literally had just signed up so there is no way I had used the $10.
After a 15 minute wait for an actual CS rep, it took another 10 minutes to get my account fixed so that the $10 monthly credit was on my card.
Also, just a reminder: You have to use that $10 credit all at once, one time only. That means you need to plan ahead. I’m not thrilled with that but it’s not a dealbreaker. Also, it cannot be used on any sales or promotional items. This means you have to buy something at regular price.
You’re right about watching CVS prices. They are generally higher, so you need to factor that into seeing how much you really save. So $120 minus $53 (with tax!) is really $67 I’m getting to spend. I’m going to track what I buy at regular price to see if this is really a deal.
To me, the free shipping is where the savings might be via orders from CVS.com. That is if it applies. (There’s a lot of fine print with this CarePass and you really should read the FAQs carefully.)
Jenny says
1) The biggest frugal thing these weeks by far was reducing our meat purchases. That sounds perhaps a little bit sad, but we had so many delicious meals and – although I spend notably less on food – there were so many leftovers that we hadn’t to buy lunch once. I never had the feeling to miss something.
2) I bought a squash on sale, roasted it and made it into pasta sauce und froze the rest for soup. I also roasted the seeds. I love them as snacks.
3) I found a bag in my basement with clothes and shoes that I obviously forgot to donate some time ago. In it was a pair of leather boots – the same kind I was currently considering to buy. They are only slightly worn and I think I will start to wear them again instead of buying new shoes.
4) I made a batch of oat cookies after roasting the squash. No need to heat up the oven twice and I won’t go out and buy more expensive cookies.
5) I bought several kohlrabis on sale, more than I could eat, but the price was too good. After cooking and snacking most of it, I gave the last kohlrabis things to our local „foodsharing“. No food waste for a good price.
Ruth says
So funny about the CBD stuff. I was intrigued by your title.
I hadn’t realized that they had to change their name over that! Makes sense, though.
1. Sold some of my kids’ outgrown clothes online. Made $7!
I did say no to the thyme plant, though.
2. My lunch today was a tomato sandwich, 8 grapes, a chunk of cheese, and a handful of potato chips to use up the last of a bunch of random things.
3. I diced up the remainder of the tomato and it’s in the freezer.
4. Last night I had a chance to be with just my 1yo for a little while, so I used up a free frozen yogurt coupon that’s been in my wallet for months. I didn’t want to use it at a time that would require me to buy some for my older kids, too. My littlest was thrilled to have nibbles of mine.
5. My friend offered me some ground coffee, garlic, and onions that she’s not going to use. I said yes to all.
kristin @ going country says
The most frugal thing I did was have my parents come visit. My dad brought the dresser he built for us, and my mom brought the entire inventory of Costco and Staples.
Or at least it seems like it. All I said was that if she was going, she might pick up some berries and seltzer–two items that are hard to get here and thus are big treats for us–and some drawing paper for the kids. She interpreted this as “stuff the car as full as possible with those things and anything else we might like.” I mean, I’m not complaining now that I have about a dozen avocados–another luxury item for us–but it was way more than I expected. Frugal for me, though. 
Deb says
https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2019/july/cbd-christian-book-distributors-changes-its-name.html
Kristen says
Ohhh, I hadn’t heard of this change! I accessed the website by going to http://www.cbd.com, which I guess must redirect now.
I bet they could get a LOT of money for that domain name if they ever decided to sell it.
JD says
It’s funny, I even shop Christian Book Distributors and have for years yet I still thought you meant the product when I saw that. You see that stuff advertised EVERYWHERE.
1. Ugh, took my husband back to the VA hospital yesterday, but I thought ahead and packed a cooler with snacks and drinks from the house. It’s a good thing, as the wait was seven hours, making us miss lunch and supper. Today they are running tests and we are waiting to hear what the problem is this time.
2. On my way home from the hospital last night, I grabbed a quick bite from the Publix deli rather than going through a drive-through, saving myself a couple of bucks and probably a few hundred calories. I had a two-hour drive home and the snacks were gone.
3. I rarely shop CVS, but I’m going there to get a flu shot at my doctor’s request. I already got my free Shingles vaccine there.
4. I found a cheaper-than-the-salon-brand shampoo that is sulfate and paraben free, is hydrating for my curly hair, plus it’s cruelty-free certified.
5. I’m using my hurricane preparedness tuna in a meal tonight, and feeling super grateful that I didn’t have to use it due to the hurricane.
kristin @ going country says
JD: I’m so sorry you’re back at the hospital with your husband. I hope it’s resolved soon.
Kristen says
Oh, JD, that sucks that you guys are back at the hospital. I’m so sorry to hear that! I hope it’s a brief stay this time.
JD says
Thanks! I hope this is brief and simple this time.
Shannon says
1. We had 2 turkeys and a ham in our deep freezer from holiday sales last year. I oven roasted a turkey on the chilliest day we’ve had so far. That has been our main protein all week. We will use the ham next month and the final turkey will be for Thanksgiving in November. Hoping to have an empty chest freezer to start the new year.
2. Talked myself out of buying a clearanced child’s chair at Meijer. Aldi has the same style of chair available this week, for the same price, with a more appropriate design for the room!
3. Used up some gift cards on cat food and lunch for myself.
4. I pass by Costco on my way to/from school now, so I’ve been filling up the gas tank there.
5. I’m making a list of house projects I want to do next year, with the hope that if I see bookcases/storage materials/etc. on sale in the next six months, I can get those things at a good price instead of feeling rushed to get something when I have time to actually do the projects.
Kimberly K Schrieber says
I giggled at number 3. You didn’t eat cat food for lunch, right?
stephanie says
1. Made a fritatta with bits of cheese, cottage cheese and grilled vegetables.
2. Continue to drink ice water instead of soda.
3. Went to a big sale and a GROCERY STORE that I do not like very much to stock up on meet for the freezer….pork loin, hard salami, turkey pepperoni, imitation crab meat.
4. Planning a going away party for my NAVY OFFICER CANDIDATE son using the items from #3 ( pulled pork, pepperoni pasta salad, crab dip).
5. Joined the CALM app for FREE ( for educators). I have been using it nightly at bedtime and really loving it.
Heidi Louise says
I hope you have a wonderful party! Good memories are made of such things!
Bobi says
I admit I saw “CBD” and thought you were going to give us some insight on this trendy item. I also admit to being disappointed you were talking books.
Ingrid says
Same!
J says
I was kind of shocked, thinking that I just couldn’t believe frugal Kristen got sucked into some fake remedy thing! You all know that NO scientific/medical studies have really proven that (the other) CBD oil actually does anything for any health problem. Ask your doctor before throwing away your money!
Kimberly says
But it’s taken away nearly all of my dear friend’s chrinic pain. Anecdotal, I know, but thrilled for her.
Rachel says
Politics have kept this from being well tested, it doesn’t mean it doesn’t help people. As someone who has severe chronic pain which is helped by it, it can be something that literally saves lives!
I always knew caffeine gave me migraines even though there weren’t studies that supported that happening. Now the studies support it (because it was actually tested). I’m glad I didn’t have years more of migraines waiting for the research to catch up!
olympia says
I’ve had a moderate amount of success with it, although certainly not enough to consider it a miracle cure and the cost can be substantial. The relentless marketing of all things CBD and infusing it in EVERYTHING (seriously- CBD jam?) is irksome.
Laura says
I did do a double take when I saw the title of your post lol
Our bulk purchase of beef comes next month so I’ve been planning meals around what’s in the deep freeze to clean it out.
Had a plumbing problem, called the plumber. Turns out the problem was something we could have fixed on our own. The plumber said he would have to go get some supplies to fix it. My husband politely declined, paid only for the service call, and fixed the problem for less then than the plumber would have cost.
Brought a Groupon for an indoor play place. Going to hold on to it and use it sometime this winter when kids are cooped up and need to get some energy out.
Switched internet provides, this will save $25 a month.
Julia says
1. I cooked up the duck eggs I got in exchange for duck/chicken sitting for a neighbor. Much bigger then chicken eggs and the yoke is richer. Free lunch! Over easy, yes please!
2. We sold the chicks we hatched from the eggs that were left over from our local fair. Fun, education and profit all rolled into one! So cute and fluffy!
3. I fixed our dishwasher and our toilet this week. Hooray for YouTube how to videos!
4. Decluttering and sold a few things I had listed on FB Market Place.
5. We really wanted a second hamster habitat to connect to the one we all ready have. Found one on FB Market with lots of extra stuff super cheap. It’s a bit of a drive for us but the town it is in has several snack factories so I scheduled two tours for our homeschool day, a pretzel factory and a potato chip factory. The seller is meeting us at the chip factory after our tour. Should be lots of fun and a super happy hamster with a bigger space to run by the end of the day!