August Frugals

Saw that the list of all the places I want to go on sales tax holiday was getting too long, so today I went to Dollar Twenty-Five Tree. Paid $1.56 in tax but got good deals. For $1.25 each I got four toothbrushes, two packs of sponge brushes, sage, post-it notes (which were close to $10 at Staples), a double roll of scotch tape, and 15 pairs of reading glasses. While I hit a bad batch a year or two ago lately they have been holding up a good length of time though I abuse them by pushing them on and off the top of my head.

Looks like their supply chain from China issues are over. Only sunglasses were in scant supply, and that probably due to the season and heat waves.

We stayed well within budget again on groceries this week with the same strategy: reviewing list together, trying to make sure list was complete, figuring out how much list would cost, and agreeing on a certain amount of "wiggle room." This made us more aware of the impact each time we put an extra in the cart at the store.
We just had a $525. car repair bill (included an oil change) that we weren't really expecting (other than the oil change), so if we can control costs in other areas, it will help offset this at least somewhat.

Cars are a money pit, but better than riding trains that catch on fire.

When my foundation runs out I am thinking of not buying more. Without primer it doesn't feel good going on my skin.

Reassessing what to buy on sales tax holiday. Many items are overpriced due to inflation so even without the tax I may be better waiting for future recession sales than stocking up now.

My Toyota Corolla is 14 years old and has never needed a repair. Just routine maintenance such as brakes, tires, oil changes, etc.

Had a back porch spotlight that was hot-wired by previous owner and kept coming on unexpectedly so decided to pay an electrician to fix it once and for all. It had been disconnected from the switch too. The electrician came by and spent 45 minutes putting wires in order, reconnected to switch and then said... NO CHARGE. All he asked was that we give him a good review on yelp. Free is frugal.

Only bought a few basics I will use over the coming year on sales tax holiday. No temptation to overspend on outrageously priced items.

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Originally Posted by Yppej

Only bought a few basics I will use over the coming year on sales tax holiday. No temptation to overspend on outrageously priced items.

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We did our monthly bird food run for us and Mom, and saved about $12 on sales tax. Yes, we do spend a lot on feeding the birds these days since switching to all the hot pepper, rodent-deterring options. We did avoid doing extra spending in order to reap sales tax savings, so that's a win. :)

Was told I am due for a brake fluid exchange. Came home and checked the owner's manual and that was a lie. Glad I did not get it done.

Made another year's contribution to my Roth IRA including catchup contribution.

$5 off an oil change today. Hanging a small load of clothes to dry on the drying rack that lives in a corner of my kitchen.

A couple from church downsized and was giving away a lot of stuff. I got a NIB Ninja food processor with a dough blade, plus a nice 6qt pot.

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Originally Posted by Tradd

A couple from church downsized and was giving away a lot of stuff. I got a NIB Ninja food processor with a dough blade, plus a nice 6qt pot.

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Nice score!

I expect to finish the month within budget. Next month I want to hit another big expense - either get some home heating oil or pay my property taxes due 11/1. Will see what oil prices are like.

Asked a coworker if she wanted to try carpooling. Won’t work as she shares a car with her partner and he starts much earlier than she does and not close by our office either. Was worth a shot.

Had a little extra in my budget for the month so got some clothing basics:

A second pair of sneakers so they have a day to air out between wearings

Underpants as the ones I have are wearing out/ripping on the side

Two long sleeved shirts to get me until it's pullover sweater weather. I used to wear short sleeved shirts with cardigans, but most of the short sleeved shirts are stained and the cardigans wearing out (sleeves so loose I could put the upper part of my leg in them, holes in the neck). I have been wearing company shirts but City meetings will be starting again in the fall and I don't want the company logo on cable access TV associated with my activism. I do that on my own.

So nothing extravagant and I now have $20 in Kohls cash so I can get something free or nearly so.

Welcome back lunch for the teacher resulted in a ton of untaken/unwanted leftovers. I now have enough chicken parm for several meals, as well as trying to come up with some other ways to use. Definitely helping ease the grocery bill!

Tried Spray 'n Wash again on some old tops and some I think I can now wear, at least on the weekend, if they are not too tight.

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Originally Posted by Yppej

Tried Spray 'n Wash again on some old tops and some I think I can now wear, at least on the weekend, if they are not too tight.

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Try Brake Clean... spray on and immediately wash. Cheap and VERY effective.

Nice score, Happy!

Jeppy: A 50/50 mix of hydrogen peroxide and blue Dawn is one of the best stain removers I've ever found. I actually think I might have learned that one from this group.