Five itty-bitty frugal things
I had my last weekend clinicals for this semester a few days ago. I gave my presentation on Sunday night. And this morning I have my final exam for my first semester.
So, my frugal things are on the itty-bitty side this week.
1. I wore a pair of nylons with a big hole in the thigh
I could not find any knee-high nylons in my drawer to wear under my dress pants.
But I DID have a pair of black nylons with a big hole in the thigh. I would not wear those with a skirt (ha) but under my pants, they worked fine.
And on the upside, they never slide down the way that knee-high version do.
2. I wore my repaired shoes yesterday
It was much nicer to walk to and from the parking garage with intact heel tips. 😉
3. I used the free version of Canva to make my presentation
It takes a little bit of searching to find the free graphics to use, but I made it work!
I was impressed with how many little body-related graphics I was able to find for all my slides.
4. I used the printer at the college to print my presentation papers
I had to bring a paper copy of my PowerPoint to my presentation for my professors, so I popped by the college to print out all those papers.
I also printed my clinical forms while I was there.
5. I used leftover rice to make some burrito bowls
A friend kindly dropped off enchiladas and some rice and beans a few days ago.
And we had some leftover rice, so last night I used that as the base for burrito bowls. I used a trick I saw online for heating it up; you pour boiling water over the rice.
And it DID work pretty well!
Good luck on your finals, and then *Welcome, semester break!*
FFT:
I dried and ground empty egg shells to give calcium to some plants
I ate leftovers for lunch
I played with our cats, with empty boxes and knotted together broken shoelaces
I removed myself from several newsletters and mailing lists (which incidentally is good for the plat too as newsletters are responsible for a lot of datacenter capacity)
We added veg and breadsticks we were given to our menu
FFT, Freebies and Savings Edition:
(1) The unusually mild December weather for Central NY made it easy for me to get over to the next city to the west for Saturday’s JASNA regional meeting. I met my JASNA Panera friend for lunch before the meeting, and she presented me with a staggering number of Panera souffles and pastries. I've been sharing these with neighbors and friends as fast as I can, since I’d weigh 300 pounds if I ate them all myself! (In particular, my elderly next-door neighbor has decided she likes the souffles--and her GP has said she needs to *gain* some weight.)
(2) I found a $5 bill in the street last week, surpassing the $1 bill I found in the street a few weeks ago. But, hey, if folks are going to throw money around here, I’m perfectly happy to pick it up.
(3) I canceled my subscription to our local hard-copy newspaper. The subscription rates just keep going up and up, and I finally lost patience with the idiot with the unmuffled car who’s been our inefficient carrier for the last year or so. (I don’t know whether my cancellation had anything to do with it, but I noticed that as of this Sunday, the street has a new carrier.)
(4) I let a few days pass, and then took advantage of the extended, extremely low Cyber Monday deal on digital access only to the newspaper website.
(5) And I’m practicing various forms of frugality with the $1.49/lb. spiral-sliced ham I bought at Wegmans last Friday: I’ve already frozen a pound of it for future use, and a ham and potato casserole and a split pea soup are in my shorter-term future.
@A. Marie,
Fun fact - my nephew is the head over baking for his area (I have no idea of his formal title) for Panera. He sure knows how to make good bread. Yes, folks, there are actual employees making that bread.
@JD, I once asked my Panera friend what her job title is. She replied, "I call myself a pastry wrangler."
@A. Marie, Maybe you should walk that street (#2) every. single. day. Somebody must have a hole in a pocket.
Almost to Semester Break!
1. I planned meals and the effect was visible on my grocery bill.
2. I found stocking stuffers on sale. “Stuffer” is a misnomer since I only get 2-3 tiny things.
3. I signed a kiddo up for after school tutoring that’s offered at no cost a few times a year.
4. The thermostat is set low since we’re not here a ton. When we are here and want it warm we use the fireplace. It’s helping to cut down on heating costs already.
5. I bought fleece lined wool mittens for a fairly good deal. If I had been able to wait until next year I could have saved more money, but the need was urgent, and I found high quality ones, so hopefully on top of the deal, I’ll get them to last 15 years like my last pair did.
Praying for you to make all A's on your final exams! You've worked hard, you've helped your fellow students (not to mention your patient), and you're certainly deserving of the absolute best!
I find myself in a tailspin this week, and hope my depression (both meanings) doesn't drag everyone down. The old saying "penny wise and pound foolish" seems to apply here. Although I've done this'n'that all along to be frugal, I find myself on the struggle bus this week. So pardon the negativity while I recount my frugal fails, some dating back several months:
1. I had been happily puttering along in my nice, reliable 15 y.o. car until last May, when I made a left turn I shouldn't have made and totaled it. This has set off a series of bad frugal fails, including getting ticketed, having to buy another car (I got a late model used car rather than a clunker, thinking that I'd save on not having car repairs --possibly a big frugal fail), and therefore having to swap liability insurance for full coverage. Although taking defensive driving helped mitigate the ticket, this all led to 2 recent frugal fails:
a. I tried to go to the credit union and refinance my car loan. Long story short, it didn't happen. I've been paying ahead on the car payments and really don't owe another payment until February, so that gives me some breathing room. Disappointed I can't make another big payment right now because:
b. I just got socked with a big insurance bill. I had been paying my insurance by the year, to save money, but this is going to be tricky. I will save almost $300 if I pay by the year again -- but I'd wipe out my emergency fund bank account. Another option is to take $$ from my IRA again. Which will be counted as income, and therefore taxed. (I already took some out for my eye surgery this summer.) I have another week or two before I have to write the check, and am pondering what to do.
2. I've had to paint and take up the damaged flooring thanks to the ex-roommate who hasn't paid a dime toward her damages. Even though I got discount paint and paid some retirees (they charged less than "real" painters would), this cost money. (I am physically unable to do the work myself.) My bank account is really low. Had to stop in mid-project and not buy the flooring yet. Credit cards interest too high, although the banker says I have one of the lower annual % rates -- you could've fooled me. Right now I'm walking on carpet padding in 3 rooms and wondering how to proceed.
3. Dirt was smeared (ex-roommate's filthy habits again) on the nice traditional draperies in the living room that I'd "inherited" from the former owners. Yes, I took them down myself. Yes, I asked the drycleaner how much it'd cost ("I can't really tell you until we do it," said the clerk. Red flag! But, dumb me, I said "OK," and went ahead with it.) The bill came to $102. And then I realized the painter had put the drapes for the 2nd window in another place, so I have to get those cleaned, as well.
4. Good thing: the voters in my state passed an amendment that lowers our property taxes; mine will be around $1,000 less this year. Bad thing: it's still too high, IMO, and it's going to be due in February.
5. I have delayed taking my Social Security, wanting to wait until age 70 so I can get more money per month. Each year you wait, you get 8% more money, so I thought that was a good thing....but now I may be forced to start SS. Very bummed out about that!
However, I'm working as many hours as I can in both my jobs. I did not buy any Xmas presents, decorations or other holiday items other than one small item for BFF's gift basket (I'd stocked up on gift items during previous years' after-Xmas sales and "shopped" from my attic.) and I've not bought any clothing or other items (other than groceries and medicine and gasoline) for myself. I will say this: my new-to-me car gets phenomenal gas mileage so I'm having to fill up a whole lot less than with my older car. And I'm toasty warm wearing the puff jacket I bought at Goodwill for $4.99 last year (it was new with tags still on! They'd gotten a truckload of those jackets and were almost giving them away!) And I took some items to the consignment shop. And resisted the temptation to go on a shopping spree at Ollie's with my discount coupon. So I am doing some frugal things; they're just not big enough to overcome the frugal fails.
Sorry for the long post, but I feel supported when we discuss all these things. I want to end on a high note, so I will quote to you the slogan on one of my customer's T-shirts: "In a world full of Grinches, be a Cindy Lou Who." I think Kristen, and all of you in this group, does that every day. Merry Christmas!
@Fru-gal Lisa,
What a whole lot to deal with at once!! Prayers that your load gets lighter soon. ♥♥ Your good attitude is inspiring.
@Fru-gal Lisa,
I’m sorry, Lisa. When riding through hell, don’t get off the bus. Keep moving forward.
I also had fender bender in 2022. My beloved 12-year old Volvo wagon was totaled for $5000 worth of damage — essentially all it needed was a fender and bumper. I fought the insurance company tooth and nail to have it repaired. They had undervalued the vehicle and overestimated the costs of repair.
Since I had owned this car since day one and kept it in excellent mechanical condition, I eventually chose to retain the vehicle. It was a paperwork nightmare with lots of hidden costs. I’ll never be able to sell the car because it has a salvaged title. To get to this point, it took a lot of energy and stole a lot of joy.
I finally have accepted that accidents happen. Insurance companies are unethical. Cars are too expensive. Repairs are too expensive and there isn’t a thing I can do about any of it. There were really no good decision when faced with a situation such as this. I still love my car, but I wonder if I did the right thing.
Wishing you the best and hoping that you can get off that bus soon.
@Fru-gal Lisa, maybe you should re-read what you wrote here. You sound like you're way more positive than you think you are and you're doing a great job of dealing with so many current downers! I'm no financial expert, but I wouldn't touch that IRA to save $300 and I wouldn't sweat having to take SS before 70. Yes, all the experts say, "wait!" but I've know more people who took it at 62 and are doing just fine.
Sorry, Lisa. I've had years like that too. Just one thing that snowballs and not enough money to fix it. Take Social Security!
@Fru-gal Lisa,
Go ahead and start the Social Security process. Despite what the web site says about receiving notification of benefits in a few weeks, it actually takes much longer. After I applied to take benefits at my full retirement age, I heard nothing for almost 6 months! And forget about calling them for any reason! I once waited on hold for 1 hour and 3 minutes only to be told they couldn't help me.
@Bobi, I agree. Fru-Gal Lisa, go to paying insurance monthly for a bit and don’t touch the IRA. The tax cost and lost opportunity for growth probably would end up costing more than $300 anyway.
@DCO, Completely agree with you. Don't touch the IRA.
Lisa, Social Security has COLAs. Take it now.
$300 seems an insane penalty. Is there a less expensive semi-annual payment option?
Finally, could you take the former roommate to Small Claims Court?
@Fru-gal Lisa, dang, dang, DANG IT! Wish I lived near you because I'd bring you cookies, help you figure out if you have anything to sell on eBay, figure out how to hand-spot those curtains, and tell you that it will all be okay, because it actually will. Enjoy that nice car, enjoy the nice things that you own that are paid for, appreciate your 2 jobs —wait—You are doing those things! Maybe look online for other ways to generate a bit more income from home. Ramsey has a ton of suggestions: https://www.ramseysolutions.com/saving/side-hustle-ideas
@Fru-gal Lisa, I signed up early or at 65 y/o for SS and am glad I did. I say do that! I have been able to spend down some debt as a result.
@Bobi, @Rose, and everyone else, I join you in sending best wishes to @Fru-gal Lisa for a better year--and in your collective advice: not tapping the IRA any more, taking the insurance monthly, and taking the SS.
Re: the SS, DH took his at 62 and I took mine at 65 (both our retirements were forced by DH's Alzheimer's), and these didn't turn out to be major game changers in the long run. Also, I've seen more than one case among people I know of hanging on till age 70 like grim death to max out the SS, and IMHO, it wasn't worth the sacrifices required in other areas of life.
@st, Thank you. Life has its ups and downs, and right now I'm in a valley. But I'm trying to look up and look ahead.
@Bee, Thank you. When the other car walloped mine, its frame got messed up. I found out the cost of repairs would exceed its Blue Book value. But I miss that Cobalt each and every day, esp. its CD player (and lack of payments). LOL!
@Dicey, and everyone,
Thanks for the advice.
Former roommate doesn't have the proverbial "pot to pee in." She was my BFF in elementary school, and got down on her luck, so I (mistakenly) thought it was a safe bet to help her. Thus started a downward spiral. At current time, she is in a nursing home and the administrators have guardianship over her. Because of a lifetime of not-so-smart choices, financial and otherwise, she is dead broke and even her adult children won't pitch in to help. Neither will any other family member; I think they've all been burned before.
@Fru-gal Lisa, A friend of mine's college friend, who I also know, still owes on his student loans even though he graduated in 1980. He went to Cornell (not cheap) and I can't even imagine how much those loans have compounded to by now. He lives a crazy life working for cash and living in a house with no heat or electricity. He showers at the gym. My friend said to me, "Maybe I'll invite him to come stay with me for a while until he gets on his feet." I said, "HE WILL NEVER, EVER LEAVE."
@Fru-gal Lisa, I still miss my 1997 Ford Taurus station wagon that I finally replaced last year (2022) -- it had a cassette tape player. ;-[
@Fru-gal Lisa, not exactly sure of your age (not asking) but if you are 59 1/2 & you had your first ROTH IRA for at least 5 years you can withdraw & not pay taxes on it. Considering you used your earlier ROTH IRA for medical I'm hoping that you have enough write offs/medical bills that exceed standard write off ($24,000 in 2022 but increasing for 2023 to $25,000 I believe but would need to double check---you can Google). IRS also changed income/tax rate levels which may actually help you.
If you bought new (to you vehicle 2023) you might be able to write off taxes paid on your state taxes. Don't forget license plates & drivers licence renewal.
Lastly, any insulation in your home/attached garage, new windows, furnace/wood stove are all federal write off/reductions which reduce your possible taxes.
As far as insurance I was told that ALL INSURANCE COMPANIES RAISED RATES nationwide (can't believe). Ask insurance agent to go over your policy with you looking for any additional savings (without losing coverage)--multi policy, recreational/low driving (less than 12,000 miles/year), whatever available.
Call insurance (multi seller) & ask to look for same policy but cheaper with different insurance companies. Maybe you might find another company with better offers. Good luck.
@Fru-gal Lisa, I am sorry for your financial stress and am joining the chorus of those who are encouraging you to take Social Security now. Taking reduced benefits now rather than waiting until age 70 makes sense given your financial situation. Life is short and there are no guarantees, so it is not irresponsible taking the benefits while you can and when you need them. Here is an article that you may find helpful: https://www.forbes.com/advisor/retirement/when-to-start-social-security/
@Bee, you kept it out of landfill, and that’s a good thing. Insurance companies are extremely unethical, legal form of theft in my opinion.
@Bobi, I agree with you about tapping into the IRA, don’t do it. And I did all kinds of math before deciding to take my SS at age 64. Yes, I may have lost some $$$ by doing that, but I don’t regret it at all. I mean, who knows how long we will live after 70? Will we even make it to 70? I say take it now and lighten your load.
@Fru-gal Lisa, I'm going to apply for social security in January. I may wait til March when I'll be 63 but I just want the dang money! Keep on truckin' things will get better. I know it would kill me to pay $300 more for insurance cause I wouldn't be able to pay it at a yearly price. But ya gotta go with the flow.
I hope all goes well for you today!
@Bee, I add my good wishes for Kristen to yours--although I think we'd all agree that her chances are excellent, given all her hard work!
1. We bought a skinny artificial Christmas tree in 2020 and the tree skirt we used when we had a wider tree was just too big. For the past three years I wrapped a scarf around the tree as a pseudo skirt. This year I wanted to do something different so I looked on Etsy but didn't see anything I liked in a price I was willing to pay. I later checked eBay but the skirt I might have bought was being sold by a seller "on vacation". I didn't want it badly enough to wait for it to come in (I'm not impatient about when items arrive but it is getting to be near Christmas). I decided the tree looks fine without a skirt and a few gifts placed underneath will go a long way to disguise the bare base. Money not spent is frugal.
2. I downloaded Libre to use instead of Microsoft Office. It is a freebie and it looks a lot like Office. I don't use it that frequently so I didn't want to pay for it.
3. I bought another box of "seconds" apples at the local produce place. Some are a bit damaged but I think some are just extra large, small, or not round. I used some of the apples to make a big pot of applesauce in the Crock Pot and froze most of it (no canning for me).
4. I ran errands with a friend and we stopped at the mall so I could return two coats to the North Face store. I didn't talk myself into keeping the one coat that was kind of okay since I didn't think it fit properly. I will be okay with what I already own.
5. I am about to roast cauliflower and sweet potatoes for a soup I will make for a friend that is coming over for lunch. It will be both healthier, cheaper, and more relaxing than going out.
@K D, Re: #1: I made a no-sew tree skirt out of sale-priced fleece. Lots of colors and patterns to choose from and only cost me about $2.
@K D, I use Libre at work on Linux platform and it performs quite well.
@K D,
A white sheet or fluffy white towels artfully draped or bunched at the base of the tree can make a pretty snowdrift.
@K D, I use a table cloth for a tree skirt.
@K D, I'm currently using a large piece of Christmas-y fabric. I've used it for years waiting until I make the tree skirt that I want. Like almost 20 years! I inherited the tree-skirt my mother used, but it does't work with our tree stand. This week when we got our tree, my young son noticed it would make a perfect cape for dress-up; I let the little ones have it because I'll never use it (plus it has a small tear in it).
@K D,
Libre works great for basic word processing. Anymore, it's also easy to switch file types, so you can open or copy a word document in Libre with ease. I use word, Libre, and Google docs depending on what I'm doing, so I have lots of experience with them all. They are so similar! I do miss WordPerfect though!
@Beverly, we use Libre and Linux at home and are very happy with them. No microsoft for us. Have used Linus for years and years.
Canva tip in case you didn't know: you can also search Google Images for pictures, save the file, then drag-drop or upload it on Canva to use. Obviously can't do this with copyrighted images if you're making something you sell (unless they're free commons images) but for school I think you could use them and site sources as needed.
Imagine me using my best cheerleader voice (learned from our tiny elementary cheerleaders): "Let's go, Kristen, let's go!"*clap clap*
Frugal things:
--We got our Christmas tree Sunday. Free as always, thanks to the generosity of our friend who lets us cut it on the ranch he works for.
--My daughter's casual dresses were all getting too small for her, and she also needed a Christmas dress. All of the fancy Christmas dresses I saw were either waaay too much for something she will wear maybe twice, or really ugly (none in her size on Thredup, either, boo). So I bought her a plain green Children's Place dress that is very nice quality, but only twenty dollars and she can wear whenever. She already has red tights, a sparkly red hair bow, and gold ballet flats to dress it up with for Christmas. She was very pleased with this. Especially when we did a trial dance party with it and discovered it flares very nicely when she twirls. 🙂
--The school Christmas program is tonight, and my youngest son is the father in his class's skit. We're providing costumes, and I found the jacket from a suit that fits him well enough. Very patriarchal looking. Middle son needed "Antarctic" clothing, and we have a giant puffy coat he can wear, plus safety goggles because he's a scientist. Daughter will wear her Christmas outfit to do the Reindeer Pokey (I can't wait to see this) and oldest son wears his FFA (Future Farmers of America) uniform because he's serving the meal after the program. Thankfully, his black pants for that still fit. Good thing I bought them a size up, because I think he grew another two inches last month.
--Also thankfully, oldest son has dark athletic shoes he can wear with his FFA uniform, and they still juuuust fit. I bought these New Balance for him before his foot surgery so he'd have something supportive for his always painful feet. I bought the dark gray/black ones just because they looked less goofy than the ugly neon ones. Now he's wearing them in lieu of the black dress shoes that are required for the FFA uniform, and they don't stick out too much. I didn't think of that, but I'm glad it worked out that way. (The FFA is kind of like the military with the uniform rules. His FFA teacher had to explain to the judges at the speech contest why his shoes weren't regulation, and they must have accepted that, because he won first place.)
--Despite a complete disinterest in eating the chicken soup I made for sick children several days ago yet AGAIN, I dumped the last of the canned Veg-All with the last of the soup, also the last of the rice, and ate that for lunch at work yesterday. Gold star for me. 🙂
@kristin @ going country, love that your daughter's dress twirls when she dances!
@kristin @ going country, Congrats to your son on the FFA first place! Especially given all the travail he's been going through with his feet.
And I totally get your uniform comment - my husband works in a military office, as a civilian now, and I can't believe they're all still wearing suits... Feels so 80's. But he has lots of joint problems so I bought him a pair of dark Asics, which he now often wears at work and is so much happier. AND, his coworkers liked the idea so much that one of them immediately went to the Exchange and bought the same pair, so in that office at least, maybe it's the new uniform..
@kristin @ going country,
Around here the cheer is "Let's go, Kristen, let's go! *clap, clap, clap*
Regional differences, maybe 🙂 I support the enthusiasm for Kristen.
@JD, Three fast claps instead of two on-the-beat claps, I presume? Otherwise it wouldn't be eight counts. Or maybe I'm overthinking this cheer. 🙂
@kristin @ going country,
Three fast claps, yes!
@kristin @ going country,
FFA is no longer an acronym for Future Farmers of America. My husband was an FFA advisor for 38 years - he says, "The name of the organization was updated in 1988 after a vote of national convention delegates to reflect the growing diversity and new opportunities in the industry of agriculture."
Congrats on your son's first place win!!
Good luck with your final- you've work hard all semester- you've got this!
Not very frugal this week. However, my ending semester means easy meals with stuff on hand- pasta or grilled cheese. So some savings there.
My son had a basketball game in the town I teach in, but timings were poor. I had to give a final. So I had him come with me and hang out in my office for a few hours before I took him to the game. This saved extra gas and time.
I drove to big city for an an appointment and managed a sams club trip while there. Batching errands is frugal, even if Sam's is not!
My kids are using the 3D printer they bought to make some Christmas gifts for the family. Fun, educational, and frugal for me!
We did a gingerbread house activity at the library- fun and cheap- and keeps the mess out of my house.
Firstly, Kristen, thank you so much for your consistent blog writing! Your words really make a difference in my world.
I found your blog because of your separation-related post (I’m going through a rough patch in my marriage myself). And now I’m reading your blog every day, and enjoying each article. I’ve told my friends about “the struggle bus” - I love that metaphor - and I’m trying to be thankful for the stuff that’s good even though I’m also buckled up on that very bus for the time being.
But - today was about frugal things! I’ve:
- Sold five items I no longer need on Finn. That’s our equivalent to Craigslist here in Norway. And it’s just Tuesday! Guess a lot of people are buying pre-owned gifts and clothing this season, due to the harsh financial climate.
- Made agreements with my friends that we’re not going to exchange gifts this year, but do something fun (and cheap) together instead.
- Printed some documents at work, instead of at a print shop (I don’t own a printer myself)
- Been eating out of the freezer, even though that sometimes means the food combinations is somewhat… original
- Cancelled a newspaper subscribtion I can do just fine without.
All the best to you and your loved ones.
Ingunn
@Ingunn in Norway, I'll be praying for you as your ride that struggle bus! Hugs to you!
Joining the throng in cheerimg you on! I know you will finish strong!
My fft are pretty standard this week:
1. Ate leftovers.
2. Got multiple wears from clothing.
3. Drove straight there and straight back when visiting my mother-in-law so we were not tempted to buy snacks or coffee.
4. Paid the house insurance bill right away so I wouldn't forget in the busy season.
5. Went to work every day even when I didn't feel like it because being reliable pays off in the long run.
I hope you enjoy every second of your upcoming time off!
-i sent in reimbursement requests for stuff like parking expenses at my job
-started planning summer vacation 2024 to make sure we get good deals
-requested extra shifts at work
-have cut back on my latte habit, partly because I think the daily dose was making me gain weight
-went for a big grocery haul on the day the store offers extra bonus points on all your purchases
1. I submitted receipts to my insurance. It was a huge pain and took multiple phone calls, but I did it.
2. Mr. B and I went for moderate gift-giving. We bought ourselves (very nice) new bed pillows for Chanukah, and bought our toddler one special new stuffie (a sea turtle that's about as big as her.) No one feels short changed, and there was no stress.
3. I'm in a good groove of (mostly) making tea at work.
4. I am bringing my lunch even though I don't want to. Again. Cracker and cheese and fruit. Again.
5. One of the hospitals I work at is having a fancy party, which I will attend in a fancy dress I made over the summer and a regular sweater that I "cropped" by folding it up and pinning in place. No new clothes needed.
@Meira @ meirathebear, about #4: maybe if you can view food as sustenance instead of a treat, the cracker/cheese/fruit won't seem so mundane. You can rob lunch of its importance by viewing it simply as nutrition. I know that is difficult, because when I read the WIS/WIA posts, I am very dissatisfied with my own cracker/cheese/fruit routines. But I'd rather not spend the time in the kitchen, so choices and consequences. . .
Or maybe you can pick one day a week to buy lunch. Pick the day of the week that you usually dislike the most.
Ugh. I'm so thankful that I work at home (but have to refrain from taking breaks while standing in front of the fridge.)
@Meira @ meirathebear, this time of year I always crave sliced apples and sharp cheddar cheese - which feels like a treat. I got some Ever Crisp apples from a northern Michigan orchard and they taste SO good to me. They also had a new variety called Candy Crisp which was amazing. I guess they both are “next generation “ of the popular (and pricey) Honey Crisp.
As to pillows I am so far resisting getting myself a “knot” pillow that I have been lusting after for years. They are decorative mostly but also advertised as stress relievers (which seems a bit of a stretch to me). But oh so cute.
-attended a free Christmas library program with the kids- Santa arrived on a fire truck, free hot cocoa and cookies, kids craft, and a small gift
-passing along clothes that are too small- they've been piling up in my room so it's nice to get them out!
-my husband got a deer on the last day of rifle season! He skinned and cut it up himself, which is frugal, but we're going to pay to have most of it made into cheese dogs (they mix the venison meat with pork to do that, which is the bulk of the cost)
-the usual stuff... Brew coffee at home, pack lunches, cook most meals, stay home if we don't need to go anywhere and plan errands around times I already have to be in town
@JP, I think Santa ought to ditch the reindeer and sleigh in favor of a fire truck full time. The firefighters would be much more useful if he gets stuck in a chimney. 😀
@JP, Congrats on the deer!
1. Found a lamp at a thrift store for $10 complete with a great looking lampshade. I feel like lamps are controlled by some sort of cartel or something because even thrift stores were trying to get $70 for a secondhand lamp.
2. Picked up the first of the Wingfeather Saga books from the library. My daughter and I really enjoyed the TV series (free on Angel Studios and I think now YouTube) so it was nice to read the book.
3. Sending out Christmas cards and we decided to use printed labels instead of hand addressing them. Maybe it's a little less personal but this is what we could mentally handle this year. The labels were so much cheaper on Amazon than at Staples or Walmart. I hate to buy everything from Amazon but I still feel like some places are just gouging for that "right now" availability.
4. Did not buy a really freaking cute stuffed chicken for one of the kids in my life because they all have enough Christmas gifts.
5. Got a few deals from the grocery store flyers and just buying as little as possible. Inflation has hit us all hard so I'm working to beat that as best I can.
@Battra92, 1. $70???! weird; 2. love the library; 3. Amazon, yeah, sigh, I share your feeling there; 4. excellent restraint; 5. keep going, there are almost aways less expensive work-arounds—nice job at not just caving to the easy solution of buying stuff at full price!
@Battra92, love that you found out about and exposed the lamp cartel. Keep up the good work. 😀
And regarding number four. I'm often horrified by the number of gifts some families give their children at Christmas. And that's before grandparents and relatives give theirs. I'm sure the kids are pretty overwhelmed and under appreciative.
@Anne, The Ask Amy Advice Column recommends you only give everyone our gifts: Something they want, something they need, something to wear, and something to read. As for the latter, she also encourages giving a book on Christmas Eve, which is also a holiday custom in Iceland (? I think). Methinks this is great advice!
@Battra92, Ooh! We haven't branched into the Wingfeather Saga yet, but I'm looking forward to it. My son was asking for a new audiobook to start in the car and that series came to mind, but I'm not sure if I want to give my older child a chance to read it on her own first or not. Maybe we will try it soon!
@Ruth T, It's a bit intense so definitely a watch/read with parents first depending on how small the kids are.
I am making leftover rice tonight. Will try boiling water.
I had an unfrugal but planned for ARTS weekend.
Saw Frozen Briadwsy show ( egads parking garage 25 dollars!), saw Broadway Waitress Movie and went to. TJMAXX for a white elephant gift. I only spent 18 dollars at the MAXX which is a win.
Wrapped white elephant gift in perused tissue and gift bag.
Made soup out of random odds and ends. Threw in a jar of pasta sauce and a jar of water and a jar of stock. It was good.
Good luck, Kristen! You'll rock it.
1. Decided I'd "think about" a pair of new shoes that caught my eye. (I somehow seem to have no shoes.) So I bookmarked them. Ten minutes later I got a 10% off coupon in the mail. Bought the shoes. Hmmm, is this frugal?
2. Eating leftovers.
3. Frugal fun at Cookie Day with my friends!
Frugal fails:
1. Supermarket out of name-brand chicken. I won't eat generic chicken so went to second supermarket. Only had no-name and D'Argtanan. Bought the expensive stuff for last night's finner. And for Thursday's probable dinner.
2. Organizing lady is doing an amazing job. I feel like a rock has been lifted off my shoulders. She's $45 an hour and worth it. (Again, it's not that I don't know how. It's that I don't.)
3. Purchased lights and a tacky gold garland to decorate the dumpster outside.
4. It's the time of year when I think, "Wait, is that all I have?" and buy more gifts. Yeesh.
5. The vegan lunch I made for Cookie Day (some of them are vegans) was terrrrrrrible. One person liked it, the rest of us hated it. Oh well, I wasn't out that much for some vegetables and dried beans.
I echo the support as you are finishing up your semester, You're doing great! and are in the home stretch. Hopefully the things that need heels and nylons will also wrap up smoothly and on the quicker side 🙂
We're going to try. I'm sure there are some things.
1. I split a pizza with a friend for a different friends birthday. She knows that I am working on keeping my spending low and offered to help make it easier to celebrate my friends birthday 🙂
2. I have been maintaining motivation to be intentional in my spending. I need to revisit my sticker chart, but have managed to not buy any physical new items for my home that are not a gift or related to my house projects for the month of December. Have managed to stick to my grocery list with the exception of one $2 item, and some salad kids....I forgot about the salad kits, but I'm still within grocery budget and nutrition is important.
3. I am going to supply my dad's birthday meal protein from my freezer stash. It is something he will enjoy as a group, something I have already spent money on, and will help me make a dent in my freezer. My dad is somewhat particular so I should make sure there not any freezer burn....
4. I cancelled my peacock subscription with the addition of the Hulu and HBO Max deals of black Friday/cyber Monday. It would only be $6/month but it is $6/month that I can use for other things.
5. I went to urgent care for a tetanus shot instead of risking tetanus following a cut on my foot. It costs something now, but will hopefully save great expense in the future. An ounce of prevention.
I find it helpful to try to remember life's unexpected moments and happenstance is why it's good to have a foundation of frugality and living within ones means. Starts to slowly turn life's speed bumps into just regular paved roads you can cruise along on. Or at least makes the bumps smaller and less likely to damage your car :). Baby steps to get there, slow progress is still progress afterall.
@ElbowGrease, your last paragraph perfectly sums up the "why" of frugality.
@ElbowGrease,
As per your last paragraph --
THANKS! I needed that!
@ElbowGrease, your #5 -- I did the same thing a few years ago when I cut a finger with pruning shears on a Sunday in the Spring. Honestly could not remember when I'd last had a tetanus shot but knew it was "too long ago" and, thinking about the dirt I'd been working in, headed straight to Urgent Care. Sometimes a few $ buys a lot of preventive care and peace of mind.
@Central Calif. Artist Jana, I agree. For me sometimes it's the difference between knowing and internalizing the concept and working on the practice. The big "why" if you will.
It's been quite important for me to remind myself that big life things are going to happen, and it's only a matter of when. So if I can be intentional on my spending to keep within my means and goals, than the ounce of prevention is worth it. It's not going to be perfect but I can move towards the target.
It's also had to be a recent mantra that a good deal is not a good deal if I don't need it. It's still a work in progress 🙂
@Fru-gal Lisa, I'm so glad it was helpful! You got this, and it will pass like a speedbump will and be in your rearview mirror 🙂
@JDinNM, I think that's brilliant! You're the second person to mention a garden incident, and for whatever reason I've thought about outside dirt as different than a dirty tool, but really they are the same thing. It's funny how brains work sometimes.
Good luck, Kristen!
This week wasn't very frugal thanks to Christmas shopping and a higher phone bill than usual. What I did manage...
1. Cancelled a streaming service
2. Did not get takeout
3. Got a brand of instant coffee I like at a cheaper price
4. Read library books
5. I bought some stuff for the kitchen. Not that frugal but I plan to use it for cooking and baking more at home, so saving money in the long run.
@Sophie in Denmark, oh yeah, I also got a flu jab (shot) which my workplace paid for
I'm sure you will ace your exam, Kristen. Then you can enjoy a well-deserved break.
FFT:
1) Packed snacks and drinks for our trip to Vanderbilt medical center for DH's appointment so we didn't need to purchase anything.
2) On our way home from Vandy, we passed a Christmas tree lot so we stopped and bought a tree for the deck. I'm allergic to real trees now but DH loves one, so the compromise is to put it on the deck. We also purchased an artificial tree on sale for inside the house while we were out. We have plenty of lights and decorations for both trees.
3) Using wrapping paper bought on sale after Christmas last year.
4) Gifting a few like-new items that I rescued from Mom's hoarder house. The recipients will not be offended that I didn't spend money on them.
5) Our microwave died on Thanksgiving Day, so I searched around to find the lowest price with free shipping. We will install it ourselves since it's not a difficult job.
Yay for end of the semester!! Enjoy the upcoming break.
I found cards and name tags in my Christmas storage boxes to use for this year.
I found cranberries on sale and a free printable tag for the simmer pot kits I'm making for neighbors this year...and I have an evergreen in the yard to cut little snips from for these simmer pots.
I sewed two dog toys from old fabric and stuffed them with a bag of craft stuffing I found at the thrift store for $2 (found probably 2 years ago...it has stuffed a lot of dog toys. I buy the squeakers in bulk online).
I took the collar off a dress that I love, but never wear because I hate collars (they bother my neck).
Came across large boxes of chex for $1/each. Used that and some peanuts I found on sale and pretzels (not on sale) to make a big thing of chex mix for my husband's work Christmas party. He's also taking a pie, but the pie is all ingredients I have in the house.
@Marlena, I hate collars, too. I feel like I'm being strangled in a turtleneck, and I don't like the way button-up collars bunch up behind my neck. My grandmother was like this, too, so I think it must be genetic and skipped a generation. 🙂
@kristin @ going country, I'm with you on feeling like turtlenecks are strangling me! I also hate tags in clothing so the first thing I do after purchase is cut them out. Even when it is 40 below, I won't zip my parka up to my neck because it feels too confining. Amazing how many neck-related issues I have!
I really dislike tight things around my neck. I don't mind a cowl neck or a hoodie, but a tight turtleneck is a NO.
@kristin @ going country, yes...and I feel like they are always falling backwards and then the neck is strangling me. I haven't worn a collared shirt in years. But, fortunately, I have found most can be altered if I love the rest of the fit.
I had a bit of a rebellion and had a shopping spree at Goodwill, so I'm not feeling very frugal. I'll see if I can find 5.
1. Had the shopping spree at Goodwill and used some loyalty points towards my purchases. I was looking for an ugly sweater to wear to a work party and found one, but I also found puzzles, a cross stitch kit, cotton dresses, books, and a full set of Tupperware measuring spoons. At least I didn't go to the mall....
2. Used up the travel sized personal care products we brought with us on vacation and washed out the sturdy plastic containers for future use.
3. Borrowed the book club book from the library.
4. Signed up for WW with a deal. I do better on healthy eating when I track my food and I really like the WW app. I also enjoy the facebook-like support message board because it inspires me.
5. Used Amazon credit to buy my significant other some wood clamps for Christmas. He has had to borrow them when he needs them from my step-dad, so it was time he owned some for himself.
@Angel, it is funny that you consider it to be a splurge to have a shopping spree at Goodwill! That in itself is a giant frugal win. . . congratulations on your restraint!
Wishing you all the best for your exam!
*I made soap yesterday with saved beef fat.
*I planned meals.
*We went thrifting for some Christmas gifts.
*I wore hand-me-downs.
*We ate leftovers.
Nothing glamorous. Just plugging along here and waiting for my son to be HOME! I'm beginning to think this college separation is preparing me for the final cutting of the apron strings.
@Jody S., ooh, let us know how the soap comes out!
@A. Marie, I'm kind of worried it cooled too quickly, but I don't want to unwrap it to look and cause it to catch cold if it hadn't already. We'll see. The suspense!
Good luck, Kristen! It's finals season for my teens as well, and everyone is stressed out with studying.
1) Used a $10/$50 grocery purchase coupon. Picked up some things we needed, after I was out of town for over a week. Used an Amex gift card to cover the full cost of the purchase, which was nice.
2) I finally replaced 15+ year old undergarments, and used a coupon code + a huge sale to get everything I needed. In fact, I had to spend a bit more to use the $25 off a $75 purchase, so I added a sports bra to put me over the limit, and it was more than free (allowed me to save the $25).
3) Used a $75 gift card to buy a few outdoor gifts for my dad. He does a lot of volunteering building bike trails, and it gets cold & rainy (snowed on them last weekend). I got him a really nice puffy vest & waterproof gloves for Christmas, which I think will be a perfect fit for him.
4) Used up a lot from the freezer, during this continued period of "phone it in" dinners. A delicious orzo dish (made a few sides), coconut shrimp (served as protein one night), meatballs (to make spaghetti & meatballs), etc. I serendipitously needed the space for my cardamom bread contribution for Christmas, so it worked out well to have extra freezer space.
5) My husband charged our electric car for free at work. We are one of the rare folks who don't have an electric charger at our home. We charge for free at our office, which is pretty close by. We kept this up even during COVID, which was admittedly a bit of a hassle, when we were all WFH.
Hurray for the end of semester soon! And I hope your other hard things will end soon as well.
Christmas time is one when I splurge a lot, similar to Julia and her husband from Monday's Meet the Reader. Now when the kids are older it's mostly mostly practical things, clothes etc., but it feels like a lot all at once. For me too this comes from the time I was growing up and my parents created a wonderful Christmas on small means. Looking back it wasn't anything extravagant, but the feeling of getting new things once a year felt special.
-For all Christmas shopping, have tried to use online deals and other coupons, or at the very least a credit card for awards and safe returns.
-Promptly returned some things that were unsuitable.
-Made Christmas swag and décor from items that grown in our yard.
-We have house guests and family in town for Christmas, for whom I sewed some stockings. I did buy a sewing machine for this, but it will be used for a lot of mending (in fact, already mended our old stockings with it).
-Carpooled with our neighbors to a memorial service of another neighbor.
@Kristina M., People always say, "Oh kids won't remember what they get for Christmas" and I certainly do! My parents always provided wonderful, thoughtful Christmases and birthdays for us and I hope my children will remember them that way, too.
@Rose, What I remember is that my father was the world's worst gift giver. He had to go to Italy one year, close to Thanksgiving, and said he was going to buy our Christmas presents over there. I was so excited, picturing chocolates and cashmere sweaters. He bought me a book in Italian, so I could use it to learn to read Italian, and a fringed silk scarf with a giant picture of the pope in the center. (I took the scarf back to boarding school in January and it was a big hit with several of the nuns...)
@Rose, I most remember the Christmas I got an Annie Oakley cowgirl outfit with a six shooter and boots, and a fake ermine stole and sparkly plastic high heels. A little schizophrenic but a lot of fun. And girls just wanna have fun!
@JDinNM, My brother once got a toy cannon with foam cannonballs. The balls were about the size of a grapefruit and they shot really far. All of us kids loved it. I remember most of the dolls I got for Christmas, the doll carriage, the stuffed animals, the Lite Brite, the rock tumbler, the candle-making kit, sand art kit, the soap decorating kit (remember those? so pointless) and lots more. THEN there were my birthdays where I got even better stuff.
I will have to try that trick with the rice!
1. I used up over-ripe bananas to make my kids banana muffins for their breakfast this week. I made a 1/2 gallon of vegetable stock using vegetable scraps and peels I had frozen. I froze left over sauce and meatballs for another meal.
2. I updated our auto insurance plan and took off some unnecessary items, which reduced our cost about $100/year.
3. We used up some meat we have in the deep freezer to make dinners for the week. We will make tacos with the hamburger meat we had in the deep freezer. I had frozen some home made salsa and a half a pack of flour tortillas, which we will use for the meal.
4. I reviewed my Amazon subscribe and save items (vitamins for me and the kids) and realized we did not need any of the items this month.
5. My in-laws are coming for dinner this weekend. Instead of ordering Chinese food, as my husband suggested, we pulled out a ham from the deep freezer. I have home made cranberry sauce and mashed butternut squash already frozen to go with the ham.
Good luck on the exam, Kristen!
1. I combined a 20% off sale with an extra 30% off coupon and my $5 birthday reward at Kohl’s to get my daughter a requested kitchen item. I paid only $3.27 out of pocket.
2. I used my $10 IKEA birthday reward to get a pillow, a 3-pack of scrubbers/sponges and a 2-pack of whisks and paid only $1.06 out of pocket.
3. My friend treated me to a Chinese food lunch for my birthday. I saved half for dinner that night.
4. I used my monthly $10 fitness reward from my insurance company to get milk, bananas and stocking stuffer candy for zero out of pocket cost.
5. I attended a free craft program at the library and made 2 nice wooden Christmas ornaments.
• I sold a piece of gym equipment that has been sitting around and not being used.
• I gave my parents a mini fridge that we haven’t used for years. We won’t need it at our new house and I know my parents could use it in their basement.
• Our dog-safe Christmas tree has new homemade Christmas ornaments this year: garland I crocheted from discounted yarn, dried orange slices, and stars I made from a book I picked up from Goodwill.
• We have a pile of items that need to go to the dump but no way to get them there. My husband reached out to our garbage service provider and they let us know they could pick up our items for much less than we thought (and much less than renting a trailer to haul the items)!
• The freezer clean out continues to go well. Most of our meals have at least one freezer item in them. Our grocery bills are a little smaller and the number of items in the freezers are slowly going down.
The end of the semester work is IN SIGHT! I sure remember that feeling - it's wonderful.
Let's see if I can find five frugalities. Most of them are Christmas oriented.
1. I ordered a 40# box of sweet potatoes from a farmer again, making them about 60% less than at the store. I've done this twice before and have been able to make myself peel and process them each time, so here's hoping I do it again. I eat sweet potatoes regularly.
2. I am, for the umpteenth year in a row, using the same old $5 white, outlet-store sheet for my fancy schmancy tree skirt.
3. I used a Christmas sale plus free shipping offer to get myself a new, quality leather wallet. I went through Capital One cash back and earned a bit of cash on it, too. My old wallet was literally falling apart.
4. I "wrapped" gifts by putting them in gift bags I made. There's an upfront cost of course, even though I bought the fabric and interfacing on sale, but they are going to be reused a lot.
5. I always feel good when I put out my strings of LED Christmas lights. They use so little electricity. I also used pine cones from a pile of cones downed by the hurricane and Spanish moss out of my trees to add to the holiday outdoor décor.
@JD, the second item in your #5 reminds me of the time DH and I were rambling happily around the town of St. Marys, GA, on a stopover during the long road trip we used to take yearly from Central NY to Central FL to see my mother. We started picking up some of the gorgeous Low Country pine cones and couldn't stop. A sweet lady saw us, pulled over, rolled down her window, and asked, "Honey, would y'all like a bag for those?" A fond memory.
@JD,
Years ago, on a vacation trip to Savannsh, GA, we were told several times NOT to handle any Spanish moss,
as chiggers love it and tend to hang out there. True? False? I had no desire to grab any Spanish moss for a souvenir anyway, lol.
@Liz B.,
Having said that, I love seeing Spanish moss in the live oaks down South.
Also tiny frugal things here, mainly because we're gearing up to buy one of our kids a car (they get a car to learn driving on, and then we sign it over to them when they're 18). We will be paying cash, and have saved up enough to do so outright, so that feels good! I like to think all my tiny frugal things have contributed to that savings.
1. Library books, and Kindle Unlimited--I realized I have only ever read Pride and Prejudice, so am determined to read the rest of Austen's works, and found Sense and Sensibility on Kindle Unlimited. I already have no idea what Elinor sees in Edward.
2. Resisting the lure of coffee shops while running errands.
3. Birthday kid (the one who is getting a car) said all he wants for his birthday dinner is homemade mac and cheese and roasted brussels sprouts, which is a fairly frugal dinner, so I'm looking forward to making that!
4. Our new cat, Clark, is providing lots of frugal entertainment (even factoring in the cost of catnip mice). I can honestly say the best way to acquire a cat is to volunteer at a cat shelter and get to know the cats. Clark's personality won us over within three visits, and I can't believe he was there for a year without getting adopted. He's a ragdoll tuxedo cat and just adorable (except maybe when he gets me up at 4 am because he's lonely!)
@Karen A., re: your #1, a lot of us Janeites have no idea what Elinor sees in Edward, either. It took Emma Thompson's screenplay plus the casting of Hugh Grant in the 1995 film version to give Edward any appeal at all for me.
@A. Marie, Ugh, Hugh Grant. He looks too much like a horrible ex boyfriend of mine. When we watched the new Dungeons and Dragons movie, he's in it, but not as a romantic interest, so that was refreshing!
Ooh, I managed to get another tiny frugal thing. My 12 year old has a laundry hamper that hangs on a door, and, as he put it, "Funny story, I kind of sort of broke the top strap while getting my laundry out of the bag." Indeed, the strap that hangs on the top hook had been ripped down to a thread.
I pointed out that there is, in fact, a zipper on the bottom of the bag for easy laundry removal, but as he pointed out, he had forgotten it. I asked how on earth could one put enough force down on the bag while getting laundry OUT, which is not a "pressing down" operation, but rather a "lifting out" operation, and he thought for a minute and said, "I guess sometimes I don't know my own strength."
So I clipped the strap where it had been ripped down to literally holding on to the hook by a thread, and sewed it back up by hand. It will hold for some time. This is a hamper we've had since my oldest (now 23) was about five, so it's survived quite a bit. Hoping to make it last a bit longer.
@Karen A., Clark Kent? Clark Griswald?
What is a "burrito bowl"? Just a pile of ingredients in a bowl instead of wrapped in a tortilla?
1. Chose to not buy a Christmas tree.
2. Asked a friend about a rip in a pew at church and she figured out a way to mend it using a snipping from a hidden seam allowance and some sort of fabric glue.
3. A veterinarian friend helped me get antibiotics for my unfriendly fat cat who will NEVER be corralled into a box or carrier for a long drive to a clinic. (Last summer I paid a mobile vet $500 to help my most skittish cat. . . still smarting from that.)
4. Two different friends shared their excess tangerines.
5. Made soup with potatoes that were on the verge, leftover celery trimmings, a smidge of chicken broth that wouldn't fit in the jar for freezing, and some garlic. Thickened it with flour, added milk made from powdered stuff from the local food pantry. It wasn't awesome, but it made 2 meals.
Best wishes, Kristen, for your final and anything that requires wearing hose. (((Hugs)))
There was nothing big this past week in frugalities. I spiffed up the unfinished wood shelves in the pantry with some very nice adhesive vinyl from Habitat ReStore, mended several items of clothing and dog toys, rack dried some sheets, ate leftovers from the freezer, and replaced part of the felt weather stripping on the back door frame that our old but still very strong kitty boy rips out to announce he's ready to come into the house.
Good to see Kristen, that you're making it to break time. Pray the "heel" time does not put a damper on it. Fru-Gal Lisa, that's a lot right now. Praying for you both that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Hmmm, five frugal things: First one is particularly funny. I ordered Mighty Mississippi postage stamps and used the default shipping. Tracking them was a hoot. They went from KC, MO to Richmond, VA and back then to two in state addresses and back to KC before coming to me. Ordered on Nov. 22 and arrived yesterday. I didn't need them in a hurry anyway, but...
2) Made a door decoration for one of the resident's at work out of construction paper that I already had. "Punted" on the holly berries by stuffing squares of red tissue paper with poly-fil into a ball appropriate to the size of the leaves. The holly leaves are oversized with a slit and taped in such a way to be three dimensional, gracefully arranged on the door with "Merry" in red cut-out letters. I did it several years ago for a large wall space with much larger leaves and the berries were red honeycomb balls. It is simple and cute. I find that rolled painter's tape is the best for hanging such things.
3) Bunched shopping and test appointments in nearby bigger city with my niece. She had asked me to take her as she needed to be NPO and wanted the security of having me with her. It just so happened that one of my specialists had asked me to get a test at same facility and he had an agreement with them to offer it at a particular price for cash, at much lower cost than anywhere and even with going thru Medicare and insurance. Her test took two hours, and my waiting time seemed less because of my own test. I had opted to take a Kind bar to eat in the waiting room rather than drive thru on the way and eat in front of her.
4) Went to Sam's Club, niece has a member card. Only bought what I saw that I could not get locally. Compared prices with Aldi at home saving money that way.
5) Bought a cute Christmas sweater on ebay, and also two tops for my niece. I find that if I put things on my watchlist, the sellers almost always offer a reduced price or even an allow a counter offer. Such was the case with all three of these items.
6) Gas is $2.79. Casey's Christmas giveaway is going on. Got a free piece of breakfast pizza with fill-up yesterday. Yes, please!
@Chrissy, There is such a whimsical quality to shipping, isn't there! Sort of like if a cat gets on the computer and sends packages flying in and out, or an eight-year-old chooses cities by the sound of their names.
I thought the Mighty Mississippi stamps were great. I used the MN, WS, and MO ones for cards for friends and family from those states. Perhaps the recipients don't notice, but I buy a wide variety of stamp designs and use them intentionally.
@Chrissy, Thank you. I appreciate your prayers.
@Heidi Louise, I'm intentional about stamps, too. My best friend is my landlord's wife and even though I don't even send a note with the check, she says the "stamps say a lot."
And for the record for everyone, gas is $2.69 here, not $2.79.
@Chrissy, I recently had something shipped that made 72, yes 72, stops while I tracked it. I could not believe it.
Regular is $5.67 a gallon here.
@Chrissy, #1? If that's how the Post Office handles its OWN shipping, no wonder it takes so long to get ours from one place to another... It's like an old Marx Brothers movie: "There ain't no sanity clause!"
@Rose,
Holy Moly on your local gas prices! My area has it for $2.49 -$2.69, depending on what part of town you go to.
@Heidi Louise, re: the "whimisical quality to shipping": At the eye doctor's office this afternoon, I heard a lady with a teenage son in tow complaining that she'd ordered some special type of winter hat on Amazon and they sent just a "random hat." I remarked that "Random Hats" might be a good name for a rock group. The teen actually laughed!
Frugal fail first-- (easy to remember)
●Friday I was put running errands & did impulse but if really nice looking jumbo (paper) stars with (plug in) light to hang up. Bought 8 (@$20 each plus tax) at local small business store. Got home & realized could not hang anywhere with light, so took light out. Still couldn't hang anywhere. So, I will be returning them (minus one donated to toy drive).
Frugal things---
● saved $10 on (real) leather insulated gloves for teen with Meijer Santa bucks
●used emergency tots (with additional purchase of $7.99) before expired in 2 days---teen sick & was last thing I ate since last Friday
●found 5x7 carpet rug(s) Meijer $20.99 (each)
● bone in spiral Meijer ham $0.99/pound (limit 1) then 10% off coupon
●spent $100+ Meijer purchase recieved $10 off next purchase
●teen exhausted turned out to be covid that I also got Saturday so both of us been down. Thank God I had all kleenex, drinks & meds already on hand. Teen having it worse this time & still exhausted where I am on downhill of sickness.
Great job Kristen on finishing semester.
I hope you get to go to Hawaii with your girls for holidays/winter break.
Praying for your final to go well!! I'm so happy that you are heading into a very deserved break! Also praying that some of the other struggles you have been dealing with will be solved quickly in the new year.
Here's my FFT:
1. I love long haired tuxedo cats. Every one that I've ever had has been very loving and just have had the best personalities. I had been watching the shelter pages, and one came up for adoption. The shelter was running a special, so she was only $15 to adopt. She came spayed, up-to-date on shots, and with a micro-chip. I left a donation for the shelter as well.
2. The credit for this one goes to my hubby: Due to new kitty and a one year old dog, we wanted to have a smaller Christmas tree that we could have up on a small table. My husband figured out that we could use just the top two sections of our artificial tree, and it would still fit in the stand! Yeah for no out of pocket.
3. We continue to use ornaments we have collected over the years. Our anniversary is just a few days before Christmas, so we have many that we received as wedding gifts. Each one holds a memory.
4. Have been buying just a few things here and there for stocking stuffers, and for our Christmas Dinner. Spreading it out, and buying items on sale is keeping it from making much of an impact on our budget.
5. Happened to find my boss' favorite coffee (Lavazza) for 1/3 the price it usually goes for. I bought 3 for him, as I figure that equals out to what one would normally cost! He is a fantastic boss and friend, so I love to brighten his day.
Everyone have a great week!
Oh, that's an interesting tip about the rice! I usually just add a little water to the bowl before I put it in the microwave. I may have to try the boiling water trick!
So excited for you to almost be at semester break! You can do it!
My FFT:
1. JoAnn Fabrics part 1 - I wanted some Christmas earrings and remembered seeing an endcap display of them at JoAnn's, so I popped in when they were 60% off. The set I liked (with lots of options) had one with a missing gem. I took it up front and asked if they had another set just like that and she said no, but she would give me 75% off. It was 75% off the 60% off and the whole set of lots of earrings came to less than $2!
2. JoAnn Fabrics part 2 - My daughter has some dress shoes with bows on them, but we lost a bow. I used a $5 off coupon at JoAnn's to buy new bows and superglued them on. A perfect, easy fix.
3. One of my new sweaters started coming apart at a seam (I knew I should have washed it on gentle! Ugh!) and I fixed the seam myself. I
4. I cut my husband's hair and son's hair and my husband cut my hair.
5. I searched for a promo code before printing our family pictures for the Christmas cards that I'm way behind on.
Lots of itty bitty things here, too.
I continued to read library books.
I checked out a library DVD instead of renting it. Now I need to figure out why my DVD player won't turn on. (To all the wise-crackers on this list: I did check that it was plugged in.)
I mostly ate food I already had; however I am getting my appetite back and so ordered delivery twice.
I continued to binge via the free month's trial of Hulu. It has Timeless!
Vital Farms (organic eggs and dairy) sent me more freebees, very much out of the blue. I contacted them about 6 weeks ago because 3 eggs in 2 boxes were moldy on the inside. Not a big deal to me but a big deal production-wise. They are a very generous, customer-oriented company. They offered to either send me coupon or Instacart me a replacement box. I went with the coupon. They sent me 3-4 coupons for up to 18 eggs each, 2 $1/off butter, and, um, something else. Since the coupons expire at the end of year and it was already November, they told me they'd replace any unused coupons in January. This weeks' free items were more coupons, a branded bandana, and a mini-spatula.
I gave the dog a treat of overboiled chicken from making stock.
@WilliamB, Vital Farms is a publicly-traded company that had a blockbuster IPO in 2020, giving it a market cap of $1.3 billion. So ... Next time ask for shares of stock. ;-}
@JDinNM, They do say that if you like the product, buy the stock.
@WilliamB, Closed at just a hair over $15, which is the max face value of each egg coupon. Hmmm...
Only one Frugal Thing:
Last month I made $423.48 of medical/diagnostic test charges disappear (shazam!) by correcting insurance information on the testing company’s website. This month I made $1500 of medical bills disappear by … waiting long enough for the out-of-network provider to “disappear” its own bill as a “surprise bill” disallowed under the federal “No Surprises Act” that took effect last year. (We also have a state “no surprise billing” law in New Mexico.)
The Acts protect you if you have health insurance but you get a bill for emergency services or “balance bills” from an out-of-network provider that works at an in-network facility. “Surprise billing” is an unexpected balance bill that happens when you can’t control who is involved in your care – like when you visit an in-network facility but are unexpectedly treated by an out-of-network provider.
So I paid my $90 deductible, but not the $1500 bill. Surprise!
@JDinNM, did not know that information about Surprise Bill Act. I have that happen a lot with medical providers/hospital & they are like "Oh Well!". Good to know for future. Thank you. 🙂
@JDinNM, The final pages of every Explanation of Benefits from my health insurance company are the information about how to appeal their decisions, and, fairly new in the last year, information about surprise billing.
I'm glad that it worked for you!
(Now if they could just believe me that I will continue to want my bills in English, rather than the 37+ other languages they offer. I feel bad every time I recycle those pages, and I know they are important to some people).
@Heidi Louise, Hah! I, too, end up recycling a lot of those pages by using the blank reverse sides as printer paper for drafts.
@Regina, What I am discovering is that a whole lot of the doctors you see (and are seen by) in hospitals are not employees of the hospitals. They are members/owners of physician practice groups who are "independent contractors" the hospitals hire on "as needed" depending on staffing or other considerations, or are such specialists that the hospital doesn't need their services around the clock. The problem arises because most insurers have negotiated reimbursement rates with the hospitals, but not with these independent doctor practices. So the hospitals (and the doctors they directly employ) are "in network" as far as the insurance companies are concerned, but the doctors are "out of network". But you, the patient, aren't told that. Hence the "surprise"!
1. Made a list of foods that need to be used. As I mentioned last week, I roasted a small decorative-but-edible pumpkin and its seeds. This week I managed to finish the fresh kale (some dried itself out in my crisper drawer but it seems I can still use it in soups etc.). I also started using some (free) cream of wheat cereal by adding small amounts to my steel cut oats.
2. I love beeswax candles and am struggling through some badly made ones, both ones that I made (trying to be frugal, because beeswax candles are expensive!) and some that I purchased. There’s issues with the wick sizing on both of them that makes them struggle to burn well. I’m hoping some persistence and creativity will let me salvage some beeswax candle “therapy” this winter!
3. I’ve been decluttering and giving things away on Buy Nothing. I also picked up a Christmas tree stand.
4. Picked up my free birthday dessert from Red Lobster (no purchase necessary).
5. Won another $5 GC from the Starbucks game. I'll save this for when I need a little pick-me-up!
Oof, good luck with finals!! I always took 18+ credits per semester and got sick after every single finals week from the stress. I'm sure you'll do great though! You work so hard.
My whole household has been sick this last week, so I felt like I was also scraping together frugal wins. But here they are:
https://www.toloveandtolearn.com/2023/12/12/weekly-frugal-wins-scraping-the-bottom-of-the-barrel/
1. Before we moved, I fished some things out of my apartment’s recycling bin and either kept (ceramic planter), donated (gift bags), or moved to trash (non-recyclable stuff).
2. Gave away several items on Buy Nothing before and after our move.
3. Bought beverages and snacks on sale for moving company crew.
4. Received new modem and intro discount offer for Internet service at our new home. Sadly, our ancient laptop wouldn’t work with the new modem so we replaced the laptop and I paid the Geek Squad to get everything transferred and set up (I couldn’t handle one more thing – especially technical – during our stressful move-in week, so it was an investment in my mental health, too).
5. Now that we have our crockpot back, I am going to try cooking beans in that rather than on the stovetop.
Kristen, I know you will ROCK that final exam! So glad you have a holiday break to catch your breath and relax.
I'm on the struggle bus today, after a not-great PT session.....was told my knee extension "should be better at this point of your recovery", but was then told (after I started crying out of frustration) that "you're only 4 weeks out from your surgery, we'll keep working on it." I have a very low pain tolerance, I'm trying to wean off of my pain meds, and I've been trying very hard.....without any measurable improvement. Sigh.
Anyway.....
Some tiny frugal things:
1. Hubby obtained the necessary explanations and receipt of my surgery pre-payment to submit for HSA reimbursement.
2. I found a new/unopened package of the underwear I like in my size on eBay at a good price - much needed. Also two much needed bras, new without tags, also purchased on eBay for a fraction of store or online prices.
3. Kept to our Christmas gift budget, using found codes, Rakuten, and Amazon credit card "points" to get cash back, cash off, or free shipping.
4. Canceled a Chewy auto-ship for bird seed in time....since I've been less mobile, the bird feeders have not been filled as often. (Now that I can manage it, they will be refilled as needed).
5. Received a beautiful jacket with a soft, fluffy wool-like lining (but not wool, which itches me) from my Buy Nothing group. I love it.....so soft and warm.
Bonus: I ordered 4 more free Covid tests from the government (US). I think I found out about that on here, so thank you, FG Community!
Happy dance for your end of the semester coming up!
Was able to qualify for FFT this week--except for a couple of things today, but I'd rather start over for next week, so I will include the Frugal Fails today.
1.) My handyman advised me it was less expensive to hire him for the half-day or for the day, instead of by the project. So I have saved up repairs until the last couple tipped the balance and I contacted him for a day's work.
2.) Sometime in the past year, a gifting group member gave me a box of old drawer pulls, that were porcelain and chrome. (My cabinets and drawers had no pulls, and no holes drilled for any, and were a pain to open.)There were just enough for my 26 drawers and cabinet pulls, but when I pulled them out, I wasn't as enamored of them as I had been, and hubby said they reminded him of 1950s hospitals. I went to Home Depot with a gift card to see if there were some I'd rather have, and I found one, but in looking at the choices, I realized it was the chrome I didn't like. So I bought 2 cans of Rustoleum's Hammered Metal spray paint in Dark Bronze, and the one handle I liked. Except, when I got it home, I didn't like it against my cabinets. However, I loved the spray paint, and even hubby liked it, so I spray painted all the handles with 2 coats, and a coat of clear protectant, and they turned out fantastic!
3.) One of the handles was slightly bent, and when my handyman tried to straighten it slightly, the ex-chrome broke at the crease, so now we were one handle short. Trying to decide what to do, we decided that the high cabinets over the stove and fridge are never used, because I am too short and the stepstool isn't quite tall enough to make it worth it, so we thought about just skipping the least accessible cabinet. Then I remembered some knobs I had bought more than 10 years ago for my last kitchen and never used. They were porcelain, with a faint flower on them, and a thin gold line--nothing that can really be seen from the floor. So, we used those on the 4 upper cabinets, and now I have 3 extra handles in case one breaks.
4.) Then I remembered that the 2 bathroom cabinets are identical to the kitchen ones, so while he was here, Kevin installed 4 of the knobs to my bathroom cabinets. Now the upper kitchen cabinets look like less of an afterthought.
5.) So my handyman drilled holes in and installed 30 drawer knobs and door pulls, fixed one grinding rocker/glider, replaced the door handle to the laundry room, replaced 2 broken window blinds, repaired one room's ceiling fan light sockets, installed sun-blocking film onto my front storm door that faces due west, and assembled 2 teak rockers for my front porch and hauled off all the trash boxes for $250.00. He was here from 9 am to 4 pm, so I believe I got my money's worth.
5.) Received a stack of Newberry award winner books from a group member for my granddaughter for Christmas.
6.) Gave away all my yarn (except what would be needed to repair the afghan I made daughter, if it needs it, and one last project I haven't touched since last winter), freeing up a storage bin for fabric.
7.) Shampooed my own hair before going to get it cut, despite the fact that I love to have someone else wash my hair. But it costs less.
8.) It was tacky Christmas sweater day at church Sunday, and I had nothing that qualified. Bought a red glittery sweater at the thrift store a few weeks back and meant to make something, but was just too busy with more important things. So Sat. night, I still had nothing done, then inspiration struck. I sewed or taped bits of ribbon, tissue paper, crumpled wrapping paper, an old partial crocheted doily, candy wrappers and tinsel all over it, and a handmade Dec. 26 calendar page on the back, and went as Christmas "passed"--the day after Christmas. We didn't have judging, but once people heard the explanation, I got lots of laughs, and all it cost was about $2.00.
Frugal Fail: I had a hair cut this morning, a rescheduled one due to her daughter having a baby the day I was supposed to go, and it was just too early to get my husband up and dressed and the dog cared for as well. So I boogied to the next town over, got my haircut, back home to pick up the hubs, and back to next town over to get some documents notarized at the bank. It was free, because it was our bank, but it did cost me an extra trip's worth of gas. Then I discovered the label was a FedEx label and thought I had to go back to Next Town to a Fed Ex store, because I didn't have a mailing envelope, and I was so mad at myself. Luckily, I stopped by our Walgreen's which is a Fed Ex drop off, and they assured me they could just seal the mailing label to my manila envelope and it would meet the qualifications. And that cost me nothing as well. Last minute Frugal Save again!
Sorry this was so long, but it was an eventful week!
@StephanieLD, oh, and I returned the extra can of spray paint and the single handle to Home Depot, and got some light bulbs for the repaired light fixture instead.
Small things, or even spending money right now, are/is frugal. Because your earning power is going to increase significantly when you get your RN, allowing you to save much more. So don't denigrate your efforts to do well in your program, even if you have to spend a little more in the short term.
I'm sure you're going to ace your finals and then I hope you can relax and just take some deep breaths during your break.
Hang in there.
My daughter signed her sister, herself and me up for a free library program where we made a lovely and simple-created centerpiece for any time of year.
I picked up a free Take & Make from the library to make a gnome. I haven't had a chance to start it yet.
I am creating a gift for a friend from "stash"
I snagged 5 W&S cookbooks for a gift for my sister-in-law to give her granddaughter. And I am going to create an ornament (won't be ready this year) for said granddaughter making miniature books
I used a 40% off and a $5 Kohls cash to get my son the large pan he wanted for Christmas.
He is also frugal at heart, he has a new All Clad pan and he waited for a lower price before he bought it. Nice pan.
Stocked up on veggies and some stock at the Meijer Sale. It should keep us till next summer. I dropped a case of green beans and they rolled all over the isle, a guy was nice enough to help me pick them up.
Meijer had a display of holiday candy for $1. regular $5 so I picked up a couple for the grands.
Frugal in the end.. my eye doc said insurance no longer covers one of my tests so I got a bill from them. When I looked up the EOB it showed it was in dispute and that I should not get a bill. In the end my insurance covered it, that was $156. saved.
Love the feline proofreader!
1. I printed our own photo Christmas cards and used thrifted envelopes, saving more than $100 and so much time! I used a free Canva template and it was so nice to make them just how I wanted, besides printing on both sides, which was always too pricy before.
2. Used $1 Aldi clearance kits from Easter for our annual gingerbread house decorating night with friends. We use hot glue to make assembling easier, and old/clearance icing and sprinkles, then blow them up on New Year’s Eve with firecrackers. Kids are ages 7-18 and it’s still a BIG deal for them.
3. Tried a new chain grocery store pharmacy (Kroger) for meds after my son had his wisdom teeth out last week. The receptionist mentioned that the Walgreens I was going to use was known for taking hours to fill prescriptions. Even with being a new patient, they were ready before he was out of surgery, and all 4 prescriptions were less than $10 total, a significant savings from Walgreens. Plus, they were friendly and courteous!
4. My MIL loves Pioneer Woman bakeware and I wanted to get her some casserole dishes. The current ones for sale have very flimsy, breakable handles (there were ones with handles snapped off new on the shelves). I found a NIB set like I wanted on Etsy with shipping for less than the going price for the breakable ones. It came in great shape and I was able to support a home business, plus not buy new.
5. Our main thinking-of-you goodies this year for friends, teachers, neighbors, etc. are handmade fabric bags filled with handmade goodies (strawberry jelly from free berries with free jars/lids), crocheted dishcloths and scrubbies with clearance yarn) and even the tags are printed on cardstock from when a neighbor moved out and told us to get whatever we wanted in the house. The gifts look beautiful and expensive and are always really well-received, and it’s fun because we can give more out since the cost is minimal.
@Amanda P, I LOVE the idea of blowing up gingerbread houses with firecrackers!!
* Thrift store : got a pair of jeans, a bra, a shirt and a blazer for DD, all for 20$. Then, I found 2 woman dresses for 1$ each. 1$!!! Like, this never happens. So I guess I'll be wearing a dress on Christmas eve after all.
* Did 15 extras shifts at work since June. It add's up.
* I will NOT grocery shop until the end of the month. Repeat : I will NOT.... Well, I'll try. I sucks at this, I stock pill and the freezers are once again sooooooo full.
* Holding off on buying new clothes until I get to my maintenance weight (I get some from my Buy Nothing group). 55 pounds lost so far, hopefully another 25 will follow 🙂
@Isa, congrats on the weight loss! Awesome!
1. Redeemed my free birthday drink at Starbucks, getting a venti size, of course! Had to order another drink for my monthly church meeting before that and redeemed my stars so that it was also free.
2. Redeemed my free birthday treat at Chick-fil-A for a milkshake when we stopped in to pick up dinner for my son after his choir concert.
3. Redeemed my free birthday teriyaki bowl for lunch.
4. Picked up a free full-sized body lotion from Bath and Body Works during their sale, so got 3 full-sized lotions and a hand sanitizer for about $13. Using the free lotion as part of my white elephant gift, along with a set of face masks bought very cheaply after last Christmas and a bag of bath bombs gifted to me earlier (which I won't be using).
5. Used Swagbucks to redeem a $5 gift card to include in another white elephant gift that my son will be using.
6. Got selected for a Belgian waffle taste test, and bought 2 brands which will payout $7 each, making them free with a couple dollars extra on top of that.
I am in the process of recycling old downspouts from the garage to repair the ones with issues on the house.
I really need to work on being more creative in my frugality 🙂
A little late to the party, but I like the accountability...
1. We made all of our meals at home. We started holiday baking (and putting the treats in the freezer).
2. We donated a couch to a local organization and a friend helped us move it.
3. We enjoyed free entertainment, including a great concert with professional musicians.
4. We rearranged furniture and decor, so the house seems new. I'm working on decluttering. Some items have been thrown out; some are waiting to be sold or donated.
5. I rented a carpet cleaner instead of hiring someone.
I need the accountability, so I enjoy this just to keep track! I sure haven’t felt very frugal lately, but I have frugal moments!
1. I bought some Chobani coffee flavored yogurt for half price. Wasn’t sure I would like that flavor, so only bought two. What was I thinking? Mixed with granola, absolutely delicious!
2. Bought a package of Swiss cheese for half price. Everything is better with cheese!
3. I bought a little zip up sweatshirt for my granddaughter for $3 at a thrift store, so cute. And then I found a little pair of jeans for $5. Cute as can be. $8 Christmas gift, yay!
4. Last year I had bout a string of red and a string of green lights after Christmas for $2.50 each. Today we wrapped those lights around upside down tomato cages, added a red bow from my aunts leftover Christmas decor on top, Voila, Christmas decorations for $5. And they look so pretty. End of season this year, I will buy another of each color, because they are a little sparse.
5. Picked through all the “discarded” Christmas stuff of my aunts, salvaged what I could from what everyone else thought was garbage, had enough to make a new wreath, offered it to her. Nope, didn’t want anything. Well I’m not a hoarder, but I can’t throw away perfectly good stuff. I donated some to the festival of trees, which I volunteer for, and added some to my “stash” I always say I’m saving it from landfill. Don’t get me on that soapbox!
If you paint the edges of holes in hose/tights with clear nail polish they won't get any bigger!!
Made soup from leftovers.
Made my own shampoo.
Congrats on getting thru your first semester in nursing school! We're all cheering you on. With Christmas in less than a week, I'd love to hear your frugal tips, or the best from past holidays? Christmas makes many of us lose our minds, and I always look forward to your posts about Xmas gifting, wrapping and baking!
Itty bitty still counts! My FFT this week:
*Cooked B,L,D at home including lunches for DH packed to go.
**Used pantry ingredients to make green sauce enchiladas in the crock pot (subset of * above, I guess)
***Found fabric to copy a beloved old nightgown, with plans to patch the old one with new fabric. It's too beloved to toss!
****Gave new boots to neighbor, as the seller wanted $80 to return them and offered only $8 refund when I discovered I couldn't get them on my feet (too narrow). I had paid $50 for them originally, so neighbor's daughter benefited and I didn't count them a total waste--I would have taken them to Goodwill. Neighbor is having a financial hard time getting unmarried, so a small good deed and everybody wins.
*****Enjoyed wearing a warm sweater I had bought on sale last May. It was an end of season bargain with ugly buttons; I removed the buttons and now find it warm and welcome. Goes well with ancient silk scarf already in my drawer...
Happy holidays, everyone! It is a lovely season no matter what you spend or don't spend. I enjoy the music and especially the fine singing we hear from local college ensembles, and live concerts from instrumentalists. Most of the student concerts are free of charge.
Whoo last week hubby and I were sick with some kind of respiratory virus. I did 2 covid tests and they were negative. I used my free Covid tests. One test that was from the government was all in Spanish and lacked some of the parts
1. Frugal thing about being sick was we didn't eat too much. Fortunately we had a good supply of home made soup, canned soup and frozen egg bites for me.
2. Before the sickness invaded hubby took the molding off the wall in the very small bathroom (our only bathroom) and painted it as well as the heat grate. He spackled a few spots and painted over them. Looks very nice now.
3. Today after the huge rain storm hubby spent his day in the basement shopvacking water out and doing the laundry at the same time. He's great. He also made dinner so we had real food!
4. I'm trying to get as many prescriptions filled before the end of the year as my deductible is met and they are free for me.
5. Trying to be frugal in making a couple of dinners while the kids are home for Christmas. I don't want to spend a lot of money going out to eat. We are going to have roast chicken on Christmas Eve and prime rib (bought on sale at Shop Rite) for Christmas day.