Carrie Willard

putting the HER back in motherhood

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August 20, 2023 by Carrie

Five Frugal Things

I like to share how I’m saving money. It inspires me to read these posts by other frugal bloggers, and keeps me accountable.

I got a $7 Starbucks gift card and a cute glass water bottle from Women in Money, a FinCon conference.

Of course, my ticket wasn’t free. But since the information and networking are so valuable and it’s a tax write-off, it’s a wise investment.

Most swag is junk and I avoid it, but glass water bottles get used constantly around here. And a $7 Starbies gift card? Yes, please.

We watched a free 3D IMAX movie about the blue whale.

Yesterday I took the kids to the natural history museum. I have an annual pass, which is definitely the frugal option for a large family. A perk of membership is admission to the IMAX movie every visit.

I loved it so much, I cried.

On the way home, I trash-picked a bookcase someone had put on their curb.

It’s in excellent condition and was very clean.

I put it in my closet to use as a shoe rack. Yes, those are all my shoes (missing: my beloved black Birks). I for sure have a minimalist wardrobe.

I’d wanted a shoe rack for a year, but couldn’t bring myself to buy one. I have two shoe racks in other areas of my home that I trash picked. And I knew if I was patient, I’d find a free or low-cost solution for my shoes!

I applied for and got my internet bill reduced, courtesy of the Affordable Connectivity Program.

It was simple and quick to apply. Once I was approved, I called Xfinity and gave them an application ID number. The credit will be applied to my monthly internet bill. I’ll save $30 a month!

I made broth from a chicken carcass.

First, I roasted the chicken. After we’d eaten, I pulled the meat off the carcass to save for another recipe. Then threw the bones into a large pot and simmered them on low for a couple of hours to make this beautiful broth.

Free food makes me very happy!

I ordered a book my 7th grader needed for a language arts project at school from PaperBackSwap.

Not technically free, since in order to use a credit in the PaperBackSwap system, I have to mail a book I’ve listed to another member.

But certainly cheaper than buying it new, or even used.

Oh wait. That’s six, not five frugal things. Oh well!

What frugal tricks have you been up to lately?

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Filed Under: Frugality

About Carrie

Carrie writes about raising a large family frugally and simply, surviving a cult and healing from cPTSD. More about her here.

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Welcome! I'm Carrie, and I write about raising my large family frugally as a single mom, mental health, and surviving a cult. I hope you find value here! Read more about me

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