Five Frugal Things | Some non-controversy
Woo.
Yesterday was kind of a day with comments, mainly on my Facebook page.
I knew masks were a little controversial, but I was perhaps unprepared for just how controversial they are on Facebook.
I love you all, regardless of your position on face masks. Virtual (and virus-free!) hugs to you all.
And now for a totally un-controversial post. At least, I think it will be.
1. I sold my old camera lens on eBay
I disclosed the auto-focus problem, of course. Luckily, there are always people on eBay who are happy to buy lenses with issues.
I don't know if they use them for parts or if they fix them and then sell them, but I really don't care. I'm just happy that someone wants to give me some money for a lens I don't want.
My old lens sold for $100, so my new one actually cost me $200 vs $300. I'm pretty happy with that!
2. I bought a used copy of the Everest Imax movie
After Sonia and I both read Into Thin Air, we really wanted to watch the Everest Imax movie again.
But it's hard to find a streaming version anywhere, so we bought a DVD copy on eBay for a few dollars. And after we watch it, I'll list it on eBay and probably get most of my money back.
3. I bought a half bushel of bruised peaches for $15
We've been eating them fresh, of course, but I've also been slicing and freezing them.
It's kind of a tedious process, but I know that when January Kristen want peaches in her oatmeal, she will appreciate summer Kristen's efforts.
Bagged frozen peaches from the store are pretty expensive, so it doesn't take many pans of frozen slices to reach $15 worth of peaches. Plus, these ones definitely taste better than the frozen ones from the store.
And I'm giving a home to peaches that otherwise might go to waste.
4. I bought replacement lids for my Pyrex containers
We are religious about hand-washing the lids instead of putting them in the dishwasher, but still, some of my lids have cracked.
So, I ordered some replacement lids.
AND I discovered that you can get silicone lids for some sizes of Pyrex. These are bendable, so they won't crack, and they shouldn't absorb smells either.
Plus, you can put them in the dishwasher. Woohoo!
They are more expensive than the regular replacement lids, but if they last for a long time, they will be worth the price. I bought a set of four for the 2 cup containers, and I'll let you know what I think of them after I've had them for a while.
5. I...
- bought two boxes of contact lens cleaner to get a $5 discount
- added enough soap to my Grove box to get a free gift (and now I won't need another order for a while)
- picked up library holds (so much cheaper than buying books)
- used a Starbucks gift card to bring Lisey a very big cold drink at work
I can't wait to hear how you like the lids. Some of mine, after 11 years of use at nearing the end of their life. I bought a set of Pyrex containers when Macys was going out of business (because it was cheaper than buying the lids online), but they have changed the material they make the lid with and if I microwave them they get warped and won't fit on anymore. I've tried melting them back into shape by putting in hot water and then immediately into cold water and it is a little bit better. Overall I'm so disappointed in the new lids. I've been meaning to write to them. They say microwave safe on them, but so far I've ruined 2 of 5 new lids that way.
Agree on the microwave. I have 3-4 containers that no longer have lids (not a fast learner!) That being said, my original Pyrex containers were a free gift with a checking account in the early 90’s , on their second set of lids, but still going strong!
At IKEA (and presumably other stores) you can get this upside down bowl thing with vents that you cover stuff with in the microwave. It's the best $2 or so I've spent in ages.
Good idea! I'll look for one next time. Do you know the name of it?
https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/prickig-microwave-lid-gray-blue-70186090/
My mom and MIL both use one - I think they have similar microwave covers on amazon as well, just pricier.
@CrunchyCake, They sell them also at the Dollar Store. Very useful!
I have this problem with Anchor-Hocking lids. Long-time readers may remember the many problems I had with Anchor-Hocking, including their ingenous and ultimately fruitless efforts to not stand behind their warranty.
I'll have to try the hot water-cold water technique. It can't make the lids any worse.
Ooh! The Sophico lids promise to fit Anchor Hocking containers as well as Pyrex, so maybe you want to give those a try?
I don’t buy Anchor Hocking anymore because I’ve had several glass measuring cups explode after being in the microwave. I think Pyrex is much better quality.
They also have these at the Dollar Store. Very useful!
@Isa, oops, wrong place! I was talking about the microwave plate cover
I'm often puzzled by people who buy books. I only use libraries because I read books once and then they just take up space.
I am just like you; I hate to buy a book because then I have to store it!
Sonia, however, really likes to own books. She loves the way the look on a shelf, she loves to re-read them...totally different than me.
Still, though, she is an avid library user. She reads so much, she couldn't possibly keep all the books on her shelf. She just likes to own her favorites.
For me it depends on the book. I like to own some, borrow others.
For fiction, I check the book out of the library first. If I'll reread then I buy. Known favorite authors are an exception - they're buy first.
For non-fiction, I'll either buy or buy as soon as I know I want to really learn what's in the book. Libraries aren't happy when you mark up and post-it their materials.
I had no idea I could purchase replacement lids-thank you!
My 5:
1. Continue to supplement our meals with food from our garden.
2. Used a restaurant giftcard for our one meal out
3. Engaged in free family activities-biking and tennis several times last week
4. Cashed in some reward points from our credit card
5. Scheduled maintance on our boiler-it's cheaper to maintain than to fix!
1. Started another eating from the pantry/freezer month. Our budget for the month is just $20 for dairy.
2. Used my Amex points to get home hair coloring supplies.
3. Delayed getting my haircut again. I haven’t had a haircut since October and it’s driving me mad, but I’m trying to make it to end end of summer. A ponytail is easier to manage when I’m working in the garden
4. Cut hubs hair.
5. Starting work on Christmas presents using materials I already have when possible
6. Still reading books I already own.
7. Garden starting to produce, so saving on fresh veggies. Yum!
@Carol,
I like it! I think I want to try it for november, supplementing only with fresh produce and dairy as well.
I will have to look on Pyrex, replacement lids, I have one that cracked myself! its still usable, but not leak proof, I am sure!
I look forward to hearing about how the silicon lids work; we recently had a ton of our plastic lids crack all at once (I'm guessing since we bought them all at the same time). We bought the replacement lids, but not the silicon.
Yes, thank you for the lid replacement idea. I have one that is cracked exactly like yours.
1. With this heat, I am trying to stay inside and keep all the doors shut and the lights off when it is daylight. Now that I am back to my office I am "attempting" to remember to turn the thermostat up a few degrees. (which I am not remembering I did NOT do this morning) Grrr
2. My kids' birthday (they have the same date just two years apart) is next month and I've been saving each paycheck to buy party supplies. It was great to know that I could go shopping for supplies and all the money I need was right there. It also gave me a budget to work with.
3. On the same note, I had some money set aside to pay my taxes with and ended up not needing it. I needed it for a vet bill. Thankfully the money was right there for me!
4. My poor kitten fell through our drop ceiling over 4th of July and broke her back leg to the point it needed to be amputated. The prices were just crazy so I called the shelter that I got her from and asked if they had any vets they worked with who may help out with a more cost efficient surgery. Low and behold the vet who does all of their spay/neuters did the surgery for only $250. I would have paid whatever because she's my new baby, but it was wonderful that they were so helpful. It never hurts to ask.
5. I balanced out my checkbook and found two charges that had gone on a credit card instead of my debit card...I needed that extra cash this week!
🙁 Poor kitten. Hope she is adapting well. That was a great idea to find a more affordable cost for surgery.
just cleaning out my refrigerator and seeing what's still good and what's not (I'm amazed as to how long or how short things last in the refrigerator) - knowing all of that, soon as I throw my garbage out, i'm gonna start planning my menu for next week..... 🙂
Somewhat frugal, but maybe more born out of the current situation. We are supposed to be moving to our first house next week so, for the past few weeks, I've been working on using up our freezer stash. I am down to one package of chicken drumsticks, some veggies, and a few leftover meals I've stashed away because I made extra when cooking. I made it my mission to clear up as much food as we can. We are only moving 30 min away so it's not that I can't transport the food, it's more that I want to start from a "clean slate" in the new place :).
Thank you for the tip on silicone lids for Pyrex! Will definitely order some to replace our cracked ones.
1. Tested a local (but expensive) coffee brand, and still prefer the much cheaper Seattle's Best for our drip coffee. After extensive research, we purchased the Bonavita coffee maker a few years ago, which has been excellent in being able to extract good coffee from cheaper grounds. Well worth the investment.
2. Sadly, we can't take a trip to see my family overseas this summer. We called the airline and insurance company, and are getting a full refund for both tickets and travel insurance.
3. A neighbor gifted us some reward bucks from a local nursery. We were able to buy several perennials for half off.
4. My boys had very big mops of hair since their last haircut this winter. My husband was able to cut it and make them look presentable again 🙂
5. Modell's is sadly going out of business where we live, but we purchased some baseball equipment for a large discount.
Kristen, sorry you had negative comments about your mask. I love its style, by the way! I don't think anyone is a huge fan of them, but I'm so glad I was wearing one when I had met my 96-year old neighbor, and that very evening found out my son had a fever and I also developed some symptoms to warrant us getting tested for Covid. Still waiting for results and already over whatever it was, but it frustrates me to know people are suffering and we are not doing all we can to stop it! Just the idea that my kids won't have school this fall or that I can't travel to see my mother who's had a stroke, and this could have all been prevented if we all had worn masks more and sacrificed some of our comfort for the common good.
Ah, it is really ok; my feelings aren't hurt when someone gives me grief for wearing a mask. But thank you for the sympathy!
Question on freezing peaches - I’m sharing a peach truck shipment with neighbors for the first time. When you freeze to use in oatmeal, do you thaw the peaches before mixing in? Or cook the frozen peaches in the oatmeal on the stovetop?
I usually just microwave the peaches or let them sit out on the counter a bit to thaw. If I put them in piping hot oatmeal, they finishing thawing and they help cool down the oatmeal a bit.
My son suddenly developed an interest in certain Japanese animation directors. He presented me with a whole list of movies he wanted me to buy because they weren't available to stream. Librarian that I am - I whipped out my library app and placed holds on all 4 dvds. Then I gave him the always check the library first lecture. You would think at he would know that by now.
hi Kristen - just curious: do you find it's worth selling DVDs on eBay? I have many I'd like to get rid of but wasn't sure it was worth the time/effort of listing them individually on eBay, especially once you buy padded mailers and ship them. Thanks for your time!
I haven't sold a lot of DVDs on eBay, mainly because we have never owned many DVDs! I did sell some out of publication Richard Scarry children's DVDs and those were worth quite a bit.
I think how worth it it is will vary vastly by title, so you'd have to do some searching to see what they go for. I would imagine that the value of DVDs has fallen as the world has moved to streaming video content. But as with the Imax Everest movie, some things are not readily available via streaming.
I always have buyers pay for the shipping, and I reuse padded envelopes from my own online purchases, so my only shipping costs are printing the label and taping it on. and I buy multi-packs of shipping tape to help keep even that cost down.
Thanks for the info!
Just one, but it was a pretty good one, I thought. I recently remembered how much I enjoyed "Sherlock," the BBC version of the stories with Benedict Cumberbatch (possibly the best name ever 🙂 from several years ago. When I looked online, I found that the usual streaming sites charged five dollars for each season--there are four--except season three, which was fifteen dollars.
Sooooo, thirty dollars for the entire show? Um, no.
But then! I discovered I could sign up for a free month of Netflix, which has all the seasons, and then I have a month to watch them before I cancel the subscription. Yay!
As an aside, I'm enjoying it just as much the second time around, although I actually find it sort of onerous to find the time to watch them. I do not have an hour and a half without children in a day without staying up until after 9 p.m. So then I stay up, and then I'm tired. I guess this is why I don't watch TV. 🙂
Absolutely a great name but my personal favorite is Engelbert Humperdinck
Those are great names, and what do you think of Alistair Buttersworth and Sheperton Montague?
I'm interested to hear how well the silicone lids work. I have a lot of Pyrex and had to replace some lids in the past. Of course it used to be easy to hit up the World Kitchen outlet for replacements.
Let's see ...
1.) Bought some green Converse for under $17. It was a "Seasonal color" and there was a sale on top of the clearance. The color is a bit "out there" for me but whatever. They had some other colors but Orange is a bit too far out, even for me.
2.) Did some plumbing work. In fact, I did a LOT of plumbing work. Let's see ...
I replaced my grandmother's toilet. The toilet itself was $150, the non-wax ring was $10 and the longer feed line (my only extra hardware store trip) was another $9. So for around $170 she was back in business.
The new one uses a lot less water (which is important as she's on a well in a drought) but more importantly this is a higher height for her so it's more accessible. Most importantly, this one is not cracked and leaking!
I also replaced the tub trip lever on her bathtub. Over time the spring corroded and would not go up and down easily. This was just two screws and a cotter pin so it's normally a super easy DIY repair. Unfortunately 40 years of hard water corroded one of the screws in place and I had to use a pair of locking pliers to gain some leverage to extract the old screw. The new lever was under $9 on Amazon from Warehouse Deals (I assume a return because it looked new.)
This was several hours of work so a plumber would certainly charge a lot more than I did (My mom and grandmother watched my daughter while I did it and occasionally handed me tools.)
3.) On the home front I got a new shower head and bought a damaged box item. It was a Moen with a "Lifetime guarantee" so we'll see how that goes. Installed it myself with nothing but some slip lock pliers, a rag and some Teflon tape.
4.) Got some new shirts on Amazon on clearance and returned most of them. I did find a couple that fit and looked good on me (at least according to the wife anyway.) The ones I kept were about $8.
5.) Did another repair on my jeans. I put a star over a small hole. My goal is to keep wearing them long enough for my kid to be embarrassed to be seen with me wearing them ... or some hipster or punk pays me top dollar for them as a one of a kind art piece.
Green Converse shoes sound great! I'm picturing a kelly green shade--lime green wouldn't be very appealing to me, I guess. Love your goal of wearing jeans long enough to embarrass your kid, although as a mother of teens, I think that the act of breathing does that ....
Does it count for frugal activity if, this week, I'm cooking up a storm to prepare meals for our socially distanced vacation at a VRBO (in the middle of nowhere) for the next 2 weeks? We've always done this but I feel an extra urgency to minimize trips to the grocery store/restaurants in an unfamiliar area.
I find your comments about plumbing encouraging, as I have a pile of small plumbing jobs to do and my roommate (who is handier than I) thinks we should hire someone rather than trust his skills. OTOH, he also says that replacing a toilet is a big job so maybe it's that you are just that good at it.
WilliamB : Watch some YouTube videos on the projects and decide for yourself. What sort of things need doing?
The worst part of replacing a toilet is cleaning up the old wax ring. If you get the non-wax ring it is much, much easier. Replacing a toilet isn't difficult but it does require a bit of sweat equity in lifting heavy things. The best advice I can give is to wear disposable gloves. I rarely do but this is one time when you want to.
I'll do repair jobs but not so much full replacement jobs (e.g. pipes and adding things and stuff like that.) What I do require is an open hardware store (I always seem to need one other thing) and someone there to help me or hand me things because it's often difficult to get out of position to go get a new tool.
I love your find of the silicone lids for the pyrex containers. They may be a little more expensive than the regular plastic lids, but I have several that have warped and are cracked. I will definitely be getting some myself as I have a good number of pyrex currently without lids.
Canning, canning, canning!! We have a modest garden but the pickles have been producing like crazy with the heat and rain we have had lately. Garlic Dill Pickles, Dill Pickle Relish and I also was the benefactor of some nice Georgia peaches so those were made into Bourbon Peach Jam and Zesty Peach BBQ Sauce.
Can you share what you buy from Grove? I love Grove!
Me, too, but I canceled my membership because they no longer reliable stock products
Carol G - I have the same issue with Grove. Every time I fall in love with a product, it seems to be discontinued. Very frustrating.
I have really only got one good one. And I know it can be any old normal frugal thing, but still. 🙂
My in-laws called to say that our town's senior center had one full and one partial "box" of USDA food that needed a home, and did we have room in our fridge? Um, yes? But only if someone else didn't need it? And they brought the stuff out.
"Box" is a total misnomer. It's three boxes per box, one of fruits and vegetables, one of meats, and one of dairy. I added up the food at grocery store prices and came up to almost $85.
I was a little shocked and happy to keep the food from going to waste.
I would like to know if you put lemon juice or citric acid (Fruit Fresh) or anything else on your peach slices before you freeze them. If you don't, do you have any trouble with them turning brown? Thanks!
(It must be the week for ordering replacement Pyrex lids -- I did the same.)
Fruit Fresh is great, but I don't have a lot of trouble with my peaches turning brown when I freeze them. I slice them and then freeze them on a tray right away. Once they're hard, I put them in a ziplock freezer bag and they stay pretty orange and fresh looking.
Fruit Fresh is more helpful when you're doing something like slicing peaches up for a fruit salad.
Kristen, do you have them draining on a paper towel before you freeze them?
Nope; I just cut them up and place them on a half sheet pan with a silicone liner. That way when they are hard and frozen, I can pick up the silicone liner and shake the frozen peaches into a bag.
Thank you!!!
There sure were a lot of comments yesterday!
Not pyrex lids, but I have some steel containers with silicone lids that I love. The lids wash in the dishwasher and keep on going. I'm trying to avoid plastic lids as much as I can. I've had these at least two years, and they look just like they did new.
1. I harvested some of my herbs and have them drying in the house. With the air conditioning running, my house is dry enough for them to actually dry without using the dehydrator.
2. I got my husband's dentist appointment scheduled with mine, so it's just one trip there. Our dentist is out of town, so combining trips is very frugal, but for some reason, it's normally hard to get them scheduled together.
3. I used Swagbucks to buy my husband some "buckle-less" belts. Belt buckles are such a struggle for him these days. This type of belt snaps onto the first belt loop on each side of the zipper, goes around the back and doesn't cross the placket in front at all, so it holds his pants up without having to be unbuckled and re-buckled. Bonus: they are adjustable, so I can use them and not have that ugly buckle bulge under a shirt.
4. I was looking for a threshold ramp, a small ramp to get one up over the entry door threshold when using a scooter, wheelchair or walker. They aren't cheap. Then I had a thought -- maybe the VA provides them. They provided the ramp to our front porch. I'll give them a call before I drop $150 dollars on one.
5. I finished "Secondhand", which took FOREVER to get because I got on the hold list just as the pandemic shutdown started. I just dropped it back at the library drop box, two days early. I don't know if they still have late fees waived, so I wanted to be sure it was not late. That was an interesting book!
There really were! Between blog comments and Facebook comments, there was a lot to read yesterday.
I thought Secondhand was such an interesting book. I loved learning about all the behind the scenes stuff that happens once we donate things. It really makes you want to use/reuse/repurpose what you have and buy good quality stuff to start with.
If the VA doesn't and the price is an issue, you could also try Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society or Army Emergency Relief or whatever the Air Force equivalent is.
Thank you!
Frugal:
1. I have been searching for a new vacuum for six months. I finally pulled the trigger. 199 dollars for 47 dollars. Much needed.
2. Paid off car! No car payments. Woooooo
3. Made banana bread from very soft bananas.
4. Continue to cook and eat at home.
5. Harvesting home grown herbs for winter use!
I wear a mask! It is my job to keep myself safe.
1. I sold an old, inexpensive cell phone from several years ago to an online place. After leaving it in my "sell cart" for a couple of days, they offered me a 10% bonus to complete the sale. That and free shipping sealed the deal. I used packaging I already had and dropped it off at UPS. Money in the bank for something I was just going to drop in a phone recycle bin.
2. Finally remembered to turn down the temperature on my new water heater. That water was crazy hot!
3. Using spray paint I already had, I painted the rusted tension rod on the window in my shower. Wasn't sure it would work, but it looks brand new now.
4. I signed up for a new credit card that was offering $200 cash back after $500 in purchases during the first 3 months. I used it to pay my annual homeowner's insurance bill (more than $500). I will pay the credit card bill in full when it comes, and I will have $200 toward my car insurance bill due next month.
5. I stopped in Kroger when I noticed a very empty parking lot and checked the clearance areas. I found Life cereal, Hamburger Helper, a dozen bakery croissants and 6 nice, big apples and paid only $4.07 for all.
Very excited about the lid options. I need to replace several of mine. As a side note, I love the bowls with lids, because it makes it easier to quickly see what's inside (tupperware is somewhat opaque) & reduces waste of plastic wrap for covering.
Here are a few frugal wins:
-Used gift cards & coupons to cover some extra grocery shopping for convenience foods. We're remodeling our kitchen
-Sold a bunch on eBay, including things that would have been directed to the landfill & not accepted as donations. Environmental & financial win.
-Have made all meals at home (despite no kitchen) minus two takeout meals on Saturday when we had no water on top of the no kitchen.
-Decided we wouldn't use an Instapot during our remodel (we'd bought one as an option for food prep) & returned it.
-Finally dropped off a few Amazon items we don't need for the house projects. Always best to decide to do that when you're still within the return window!
-Bonus. I bought my husband a Yeti mug for his birthday, and it rusted within a few weeks. Because I bought it ahead for his birthday, it was out of Amazon's return window. He reached out to Yeti directly, and they are replacing it. Lovely!
1. I froze more green beans this week from the garden plus what we ate.
2. I found a recipe for a zucchini/corn dish we really like. My zucchini is slowing down but I want to use whatever I can while it's producing. I also tried a new zucchini blueberry bread recipe that was amazing! I'm eyeing my zucchini on the counter to see if I can make both today.
3. My sister gifted us with Amish corn, a cantaloupe, two tomatoes, strawberry freezer jam and homemade pickles. She's such a gem!
4. My husband is still opening windows early to let in the breeze and cooler night temperatures. Most days have been in the high 80s so it really helps. With the ceiling fans, it stays very comfortable until mid afternoon when the air conditioner kicks on and we dash to close the windows.
5. I've been using Krogers free pickup gratefully. They sent me some coupons and today I put in the last order to take advantage of all of them plus the 5x sale. It took awhile to compile the order but so thankful for Krogers!
Thank you, Kristen, for wearing a mask. It's such a small thing to do to help so many people. My patience with no maskers is at an end. Can we just work together to end this thing so we can all get back to normal?
Good to know about the silicone lids! I look forward to your review.
1. We had a yard sale! We're done with our baby stuff and I'm happy that most all of it now has new homes to be used by new families. (Side note: It was so fun to watch people who are about to have babies or grandbabies and see their excitement.) We also sold a bunch of curtains and games and things that we used pre-kids or in other places we lived but don't need now. I'm so happy to see the stuff go to new homes to be used instead of just being trashed. And we made way more money than I expected for how cheap we priced everything. And there's more space in our house now! So many positives from this sale.
The rest is birthday edition...
2. My son turned 4 yesterday and he doesn't like cake, so I made an ice cream cake. Cheaper to make than buy!
3. For months my son wanted a $60 toy, which is more than we usually spend for gifts. But I saw it marked down at Wal-Mart mid-February for $35. I watched it and when it got close enough to his birthday that we thought he wouldn't change his mind, we bought it. I was surprised that it stayed on the shelf marked down for that long, but was grateful! He LOVES it and is doing great sharing with his older sister. (The younger sister, not so much.)
4. Since we only had 2 families over for his first-ever friends birthday party, I made invitations and printed them on our printer instead of buying a pack of invitations.
5. The leftover watermelon slices got the rinds cut off and the watermelon cubed to be eaten another day. Leftover hot dogs and blueberries went in the fridge. The kids are eating the leftover macaroni and cheese right now. There's not much ice cream cake left, but we will certainly not let that go to waste. 😉
Kristin,
Some see me as pretty "liberal" with my comings and goings during Covid-19, but the library is a place I'm not ready to go back to right now. Libraries in my area have book pickup and set books aside for a time before checking them back in for circulation. My thought is other people are handling these books, possibly sneezing in them or coughing on them, and there is no good way to clean a paper book. Are you concerned about going to the library right now? Maybe after hearing your thoughts I can return to the library. My children don't understand why we can't check out books anymore.
As an absolute book lover, I did research and found that Covid can possibly "live" up to 4 days on paper. Ask your public library how long they are waiting before putting the books back in circulation. Mine is 72 hours, which I am ok with.
Isa said what I was going to say! My library is quarantining all books for 3-4 days (can't remember which), so I'm not at all worried about checking the books out. It seems like they are erring really far on the side of caution, but of course, every library is different.
Definitely check with them; maybe once you know what their policies are, you could feel comfortable adding the library back into your routine.
I'm a librarian and most libraries are following guidelines from REALM: https://www.webjunction.org/explore-topics/COVID-19-research-project.html
72 hours quarantine seems to be most common.
* Using the public library like a mad woman!! I absolutely looooove books
* Cycling to work a couple days a week, saving on parking fees and gas
* Outings with girlfriends have all been to the beach lately, so totally free
* Got food from discount rack
* Rotating the same clothes instead of buying new ones, even if I'm bored with the choices. Summer is pretty short here (3 months) so there's no point in having a ton of summer clothes
1. I put a bunch of e-books on hold at the library, including one that's for a book club meeting in two months. It might be a few weeks before I get it, but I won't have to buy it new.
2. I'm (still) knitting a sweater out of yarn from a failed project, so my crafting continues without buying new materials.
3. I'm trying to keep the balcony herbs alive during a heatwave. So far, everything wants to bolt and/or is looking a little crispy, but so far, still alive.
4. I...bought some expensive fruit at the farmer's market last weekend. But, a) we caught half of it on an end-of-day sale, and b) we don't bother with buying imported fresh berries in the winter. I'm happy to splurge on delicious, delicious in-season fruit.
5. I made lentil soup this week and will make more today. This may have something to do with the fact that I bought a bag of red lentils from Costco three years ago, grossly overestimating my lentil intake. We'll likely move again in about a year, and I refuse to bring these lentils to a fourth apartment. In other news...does anyone need beanbags?
Look up easy red lentil flatbread. Super easy.
I sold an IKEA kitchen island for only $30 less than I paid for it new. We used it for 6 months while we had a temporary kitchen. I was quite pleased. I also sold a stainless steel kitchen trash can for a good price.
I got some freezer popsicles during the kitchen renovation as a treat, but I didn't like them. They were 100% fruit juice. I have used them to flavor the kombucha I make, and I LOVE it in that.
I made my husband chocolate zucchini cake from the over-abundance of zucchini that I have. We also need to eat our garden lettuce a bit faster!
We cleaned the garage and I found the hanging file folders my husband (teacher) needs to set up his work space at home.
I worked on items for my Etsy shop, a fabric banner for my daughter-in-law, and some mending. That has kept me very busy. I am happy to be spreading the love of cloth napkins! It's a good time to be less dependent on store supply chains for paper goods. And for me, they feel like luxury, right there in my own kitchen. https://www.etsy.com/shop/FabricSpeaks
I love it when I can buy something, use it, and then sell it for what I paid for it or just a little loss. This is often possible with second-hand items!
I once bought a math book for less than $5, used it with all four of my kids, and then sold it for $15. It's only a $10 profit, but I was just so pleased to have broken more than even.
This is a thing frugal hearts will understand. 😉
Yes. It is a thrill for a frugal heart!
I once found a book for a personal finance book at a book store for less than $7. I bought it because I knew it was still in demand. I had kept mine that I bought for $6 and my sister was using it, so this was an extra. I posted it and sold it in a day or two for $18. 🙂
Thank you so much for yesterday's post. I left facebook years ago because I couldn't take the political vehemence. My husband tells me it is a real dumpster fire right now. Thank you for being a rational voice and example of Christian love.
Here are my frugal five:
1) We got back to town late Sunday night, and I didn't have a chance to grocery shop during the day Monday, so Monday's dinner was slim pickings. But we all got enough to call it a satisfying, healthy meal. I did make it to Aldi after supper while my husband was bathing the little ones, so we have lots of food now.
2) We aren't vacationing this summer. (We were planning a home exchange in DC to visit the Smithsonian, but it is closed due to COVID, so we are pushing that out to hopefully next summer.) Instead I am working on a home exchange for fall or spring to visit my sister in law whose husband is stationed at Pensacola. One of the silver linings of virtual/home school is that we can do it anywhere. We can drive to Florida, and having a house to ourselves will allow us to social distance. For the cost of gas and groceries we will enjoy time with family and the beach every afternoon.
3) I am affiliated as a student with two universities. (I am finishing a Phd at one university and am a fellow at another.) I signed us up for the cheaper health insurance between the two, and was careful to waive health insurance with the other to avoid a charge.
4) I am strategizing which homeschool materials to purchase this year. (We are opting out of virtual school for our pre-K and 1st grade kids.) I plan to spend a little bit of cash to make sure that we are using top-notch math and language arts curriculum, but I am reading up and talking to friends who have more expertise than me to make sure I am not spending money where I don't have to. Thank you for your posts on the topic.
5) I listed my entire cloth diaper system on fb marketplace (the only time I do actually go on fb) because we are finally done with diapers (cloth diapers at least). No bites yet, but I'm willing to wait it out.
It is so interesting how various social media platforms react to politics; there's definitely a difference between, say, Instagram and Facebook.
Yay for being done with diapers! What a great feeling that is.
Thanks for the recommendation on the silicone replacement lids. I was just commenting to my husband a few days ago that I needed to replace some of our lids.
Me too!
Me three (four?)!
How much were you sold your camera eBay?
I didn't sell a camera; I sold a lens that was having auto focus issues. 🙂
Thank you for yesterday's post. I've backed away from social medial, too, because I can't stand the drama-filled controversy. Here are my 5 frugal things for the week:
1. I had $20 in rewards for Coldwater Creek. I shopped the online sale section and purchased a pair of $80 jeans for $9.52...including shipping and tax.
2. Redeemed a coupon for a $25 2-topping sheet pizza from our local pizza shop. With leftovers, I figured it cost about $3 per meal per person.
3. One of our local gift shops is having an after-COVID opening sale, so I did a bunch of Christmas shopping at 40% off my entire purchase.
4. Returned to Walgreens unused surgical dressings and, antibiotic ointment and gauze leftover from my husband's recent motocross accident now that he's cleared and doesn't need them anymore. Amounted to $62.
5. Our Barnes & Noble finally re-opened and I used my membership for savings on a couple of books my youngest wanted (she doesn't like e-readers and the waiting list at the library was forever). We'll pass the books around to family and friends when finished with them. While there, we used coupons for drinks and cookies at Starbucks.
I’ve been “knitflixing” which isn’t strictly frugal as good yarn isn’t cheap, but knitting while watching shows provides me with hours of enjoyment and results in handmade items to gift at Christmas.
Listening to drama on the BBC radio app which is free and saves me from buying audiobooks.
Using the speed wash as often as possible for lightly soiled clothes, and hanging them to dry in the laundry room (line drying at this time of year in Texas results in stiff as a board and bleached clothes!).
Tailoring favorite clothes which were too big for me after a recent 25 lb weight loss.
Giving myself a manicure instead of going to the salon, usually my monthly indulgence, but I don’t feel comfortable during a pandemic and haven’t been since March.
I love knitting, too, and it's hard to be frugal with yarn but I have a couple of tips.
1. I signed up for an Amazon Visa and it came with a $75 gift card. That was just enough to buy a really good set of interchangeable needles (Chiaogoo!) so I don't have to buy different size needles and cord lengths all the time. I knit in the round with Magic Loop technique so I don't need a separate set of double pointed needles. I pay off the Amazon card every month, and eventually earned enough points with my purchases to get the small lace needle set too without paying anything.
2. I don't buy yarn unless I have a specific project in mind, and then I shop and shop for a suitable yarn (rarely the one called for in the pattern!) at a good price. When someone in my knitting group is going to place an order, we check to see if anyone else wants something so we can usually have a big enough order to get free shipping. I don't "stash" so I have to buy for each project, but I'm very careful about finding good prices.
3. Sometimes a few of us will do the same project and share the materials. Several of us made the "Protest is Patriotic" scarves and shawls. I'm making a second one for my daughter, and using the leftover yarn and beads from knitting group friends. And we got a 20% discount plus free shipping for our original order.
4. When I'm between big projects like blankets and sweaters I knit dishcloths. Cotton yarn is inexpensive and I can always use more dishcloths or find someone who needs some. Before Covid Quarantine, it was nice to have a dishcloth on the needles for waiting rooms and meetings because they are pretty mindless. At home, I like intricate projects that get my mind off the things going on in the world right now. And I love watching movies or listening to podcasts while I knit, too--love the term "knitflixing" and plan to steal it!
5. When I have leftover yarn or unused skeins I list them on Ravelry for sale and sometimes people looking for a particular yarn or dye lot will purchase them.
"knitflixing" - love it
1. Ham and cheese with sweet onion sandwiches daily for lunch. Yum. Melon.watermelon and musk melon and blueberries with it. 2. Dermatology appointment....finally...thrifty to be worry free and catch things early. Free coffee in lobby. 3. Good books at st Vincent's. 4. Good records thrift store...I still have record player 5. Cuke salads.....easy.. cheap and good for you
Do you happen to live in Oregon. I saw the thrift store reference
When I had some Pyrex lids crack, I actually emailed the company that makes them and asked for replacement lids. They sent me 4 for free. I had no idea that the dishwasher was causing them to crack.
1. Picked up almost new Nike sneakers and new Timberland hiking boots for my son off Buy Nothing. They won't fit him for a couple of years. I also picked up the game Ticket to Ride off Buy Nothing for my son.
2. Found a large bag of cans on the side of the road. Returned them for $4.50.
3. Bought a whole turkey at Tops for $1.19/lb.
4. Bought a strawberry plant from a neighbor's vegetable stand for $1. Found a pot to plant it in in another neighbor's garbage.
5. Our local schools are only opening 2 days per week. I work full time, so we were thinking I would have to quit my job (I have a pension and good health insurance, so this is not preferred) or we would enroll my son in daycare. We found out that private schools in our state have different opening criteria, so I think we found a private school that will be opening full time that will be $2,000 cheaper than daycare. Hoping it works out!
I do hope the schooling does work out for you. How stressful is it that you (other parents) have these issues.
Our strawberry patch started from 1 strawberry plant that I found in the yard several years ago.
Thank you! It has been stressful. Being so frugal gives us the option of me quitting my job if necessary. I am so grateful for that. I feel terrible for parents that don't have that luxury/privilege.
Corrine (and all parents), there is a lot of talk lately about getting vouchers for school choice, especially if the school does not provide needs--under the present circumstances partial days, partial weeks. Keep eyes and ears open about this possibility which may help you cover your expenses. I just heard today that the school district my nephew's children are in is not going to open until Feb (?). I wonder if they are taking into consideration the current virus + flu season.
Made homemade birthday and graduation cards instead of buying them.
Have been line drying our clothes on hot sunny days to save energy and avoid heating up the house.
Kids were really hungry even after eating lunch at the zoo and I was very tempted to buy expensive snacks but I gave them the fruit bars in the diaper bag and went home instead.
We refinanced our home with a lower interest rate and shorter term, so we will be saving quite a bit of money in the coming years as well as paying off our house sooner.
Got peaches for free from my mom and made peach cobbler for dessert when they came over for her birthday, and made peach muffins and peach syrup for snacks and breakfasts for the kids.
Oh I love peach cobbler - yum
1) We are homeschooling this year, and given the dismal results of our 9th grader's assessment...probably permanently. I found our social studies book and workbook used for a substantial savings.
2) We went to a friend's house past weekend and packed up 3 coolers of food to avoid eating on the road or being tempted to order in when at their house.
3) Haircuts for all 3 sons in the dining room last week. I'm not the best stylist, but they are about equal to a Great Clips cut. Average, you might say.
4) Homemade pizzas and cupcakes for our son's 18th birthday on Thursday. The trip to the Waterpark was less frugal, but $90 for 9 people wasn't too painful and it was in the budget.
5) Paid our house insurance all at once for the savings.
Enjoyed reading everyone's comments; I can only think of one ft for me-
1. Getting better at washing & storing my baby spinach in a container lined with paper towel - keeps it fresh for the week & it's washed so I'll use it before it goes sad 🙂
Just a note on the silicone lids - in my experience, silicone absorbs dishwasher detergent, to the point that after you wash silicone in the dishwasher, anything that comes into contact with it will then taste like dishwasher detergent.
It was a big bummer to realize that after attempting to replace muffin papers with silicone muffin cups. I can't rinse or handwash the taste off the silicone, and ended up having to throw out the cups.
Now, anything I buy that's silicone, I wash by hand.
Oh! That is very, very good to know. I thought silicone had promised not to absorb smells. Bummer.
Every day I get the question what's for lunch, what's for dinner. Some days I am creative, some days not. Last Saturday I said order a pizza. For some reason my husband opened the 'frig and found leftovers ($$ saved).
Our library has curbside pick up: Making good use. I returned my last books to the library and picked up two more. I have also put on hold a couple of children's history to give the grandchildren a basis of where our country started.
Using up vegetables today will be zucchini brownies. Made tzaziki and a spread that we had for a light lunch with other vegetables.
New wooden drying rack: My wooden drying rack broke after 35 yrs. I looked online, debates "stainless steel" or wood. Reviews were questionable--stainless steel rusted, wood rack arrived broken. And wooden ones online were expensive. My brother lives in PA--he found one for me and his granddaughter was coming up for a vacation so she brought it to me. $60 vs anywhere from $100-$130. And a short visit from my great niece.
I honestly just throw my Pyrex lids in top rack of the dishwasher. They still last years and years before cracking. Hand washing is the detested thing in our household, so otherwise they'd never get clean!
Fun fact: If you also have Pampered Chef 1 and 2 cup prep bowls, the Pyrex lids fit them!
Thanks for doing these posts. While I rarely comment, I really enjoy them. They keep me inspired to find small ways in my life to be frugal.
I have been washing my pyrex lids since getting them 10 years ago, and none of them have showed any wear from that. We lost one when husband heated up leftovers with the lid on in the oven. And I melted a little lid by placing it on a very hot (but turned off) burner on a glass top range. I'm going to look into getting replacements.
I'm glad you were able to find lids! That can be so tricky for favorite containers.
I got some nice free items this week. I like shopping when it's free....
1) Two free magazines from airline miles. Savings - $19
2) Cashed in some CC points for gift cards. Two will be for a birthday and one is for Christmas. Savings- $ 125
3) Earned a $5 GC from Swagbucks. It will go towards buying a birthday present.
4) Got another 2 free magazines from reward bee. Savings-$18
5) Found ground beef in chubs 93/7 marked down to 99 cents. I got several and froze them. Savings- $9
1. Picked up 4 boxes of perennials from a nice lady on FB and was able to complete my 3X25 foot new garden bed. I had borrowed a tiller to turn the soil prior to planting. All the plants, veggies, herbs, and decorations were picked up free from FB. Since we live in the city and this bed is outside our fence I didn’t want to invest to much money as sadly sometimes things get stolen. I did spend $30 on mulch.
2. Picked up 7 huge round pavers free to start my next gardening project: a wildflower garden beside our small private parking area. Again, spending little since it’s accessible to things bring stolen.
3, helped a friend harvest garlic at her farm. Was given garlic for us and lots of carrot tops for our critters. Also got to eat some of her homemade goat cheese and spend several hours social distance chatting over rows of garlic!
4. Drove past Aldis on way home from friends farm so got lots of good food for $30.
5. Also stopped by the Goodwill Outlet on the way home from the farm and scored some t shirts and shorts for DS, storage items, wire fencing for new garden bed, a book, toys for dogs and rabbits, a new with tags wall hanging (might sell it) Small planter, and a few other things I forget. Paid by the pound total $16.