Recent Frugal Accomplishments

I like to list my frugal accomplishments for a few reasons. One, I like reading these when other people post them because I get new ideas. Two, it shows that frugality looks different for everyone, and that’s ok.

A few recent frugal accomplishments …

My dryer (which we purchased used two years ago) is broke, and the repair will cost more than the dryer is worth.

Our new house has a washer and dryer and the sellers are leaving it behind, so we decided not to replace the dryer (which doesn’t come with our rental and belongs to us).

So… I’ve been hanging laundry.

I don’t mind doing it, but because it’s winter, the clothes take HOURS to dry, even thin items like t-shirts and undies.

We take hubby’s heavy work clothing to a laundromat because by the time his clothes dry, they’re starting to sour already. I’m not new to dryerless life. I have been without a dryer by choice or circumstance a few times in the last several years.

When something breaks, I often don’t rush to fix it. It’s a fine way to step off the Hedonic treadmill so that I truly appreciate the time and labor-saving device once I have access to it again.

(Our dishwasher, which belongs to our current landlord, has been broken more than fixed in the last few months, requiring much hand-washing of dishes. But you know what? I’ve discovered that my 4 year old daughter doesn’t do a half-bad job of dishwashing, and she thinks it’s fun!)

Here she is with 6-year-old sis rinsing.

That said, I do see certain advantages to the coin laundry. It’s more expensive, but with all of those washers and dryers at your convenience, you can do ALL THE LAUNDRY, washed, dried and folded, in two hours.

Then you don’t have to think about it again until you run out of clothing and towels a week later!

There’s something to be said for batching activities.

I got a free hand lotion and hand sanitizer, courtesy of Grove. (Look for another one of those whiz-bang free offers coming on January 10, I’ll post here to let you know!)

I love this company. They treat their loyal customers so well. Freebies, just as a way of saying thanks.

Since, unless something unforeseen happens with our home purchase, we’ll be moving in a few weeks, I’ve made it my aim to use up everything in the pantry and freezer.

It starts with making a freezer inventory.

These bread crumbs came from a bag of heels I saved. With them, I made a Vegetable Gratin, something I had never made before, but with the help of my trusty Bonne Femme cookbook, whipped up quickly. C’est tres delicieux!

(Eating a cupcake with a fork. Such a gentleman.)

We went to IKEA to buy a new mattress for me and hubs (long overdue). This particular day, IKEA took the price of our dinner off the price of our purchases. Free dinner!

My sister, knowing that I am a frugal weirdo, gave me a bunch of travel-sized bars of soap (she’s a travel nurse and often stays in hotels for weeks at a time). Since liquid hand soap works much better with little kids, I melted it down to refill our soap pumps.

I don’t think I’ll have to buy hand soap for a year, at least.

What frugal activities have you been up to lately?

Read more posts tagged “my frugal accomplishments”.