I have completely dropped the ball on recapping frugal wins from our time in Europe. I wanted to post at least a few times a month. Oops.
I did manage to share Europe on a Budget: Dispatch #1 and Europe on a Budget: Dispatch #2, along with a Frugal Things: Travel Edition before we left. I may or may not find the energy to write up more money-saving hacks from our trip. There are not enough hours in the day for all the blog posts I have to write.
In the meantime, while waiting for a curbside grocery order (!!), I made a list of nine recent frugal wins that have all been simple ways to save some money this summer without anything feeling overly restrictive. I ran out of time to get to an even ten; sorry to any completists reading this blog post.
CURBSIDE GROCERY PICKUP
Overall, I think curbside grocery pickup has been a money-saving win.
For starters, I got a welcome offer: three $15 coupons for orders of $75 or more. I will happily accept $45 off groceries! (And I think John will sign up for his own account, which would come with another $45 welcome bonus.)
Second, it is physically impossible to toss random things into my cart when I’m not inside the store. There’s no risk of wandering past a display and suddenly deciding we urgently need three kinds of chips. Of course, that last situation is purely hypothetical. (On a related tangent, if you live in Canada, there are now limited-edition Ketchup DORITOS for sale!!!! I spotted a bag at Dollarama and they were amazing. I now feel like it’s my duty to inform everyone I know about the Dorito situation.)
Third, the app I’m using lets me sort by price per unit. It’s game changing! If we’re out of chocolate chips, for example, I can search for them, organize the results by unit price, and choose the best deal.
I LOVE this feature.
INEXPENSIVE SUMMER CAMPS
There is no shortage of summer camp options. Some require a lot of driving, and some require a lot of money.
My kids don’t typically love day camps, so I try to be strategic and not overdo it.
Indy is doing three weeks of tennis lessons. They’re only one hour a day—and each week there is almost always at least one lesson cancelled because of excessive heat or rain; sigh—but they cost something like $25 per week TOTAL. Such a great price!
He also did a week of sports camp at a local church. It was mornings only, but they played a different sport each day, and the entire week cost $40.
YES, PLEASE.
Sleepaway camp is a bit pricier, but even that works out to just under $400 for the week. That feels reasonable considering the price includes accommodations, food, and activities.
This year, Belle decided not to attend as a camper. Since she’s now a more senior leader, she gets to attend (and work, haha) for free. Next year, she can apply for a paid staff position.
CAA ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE
Our CAA membership is mostly about peace of mind for me, but it has also saved us a substantial amount of money. Win, win.
Between our recent car trouble and a separate issue a few years ago (does anyone remember when my car literally would not turn off??), we have needed FOUR tows in the last three years.
Tows are… not cheap.
In addition to the peace of mind, thanks to discounts on things like travel insurance, and reduced gas prices at a local station (3 cents off per liter at Shell), we have more than recouped the cost of our annual membership.
CONSIGNMENT STORE PAYOUT
Last week I took a bag of clothes to a children’s consignment store.
This particular shop accepts out-of-season items, which I LOVE. We had several winter coats that will no longer fit next year, and I wanted them out of the house.
While I was there, I checked to see whether anything I had dropped off before our trip had sold… and I walked out with $40 in cash.
Almost everything I take to the consignment store was either purchased secondhand or given to us as a hand-me-down. That $40 makes it feel as though we nearly broke even on the clothes in the first place.
THRIFT STORE COUPONS
Speaking of secondhand shopping, I had three bags of donations to take to our local thrift store.
It was convenient to drop them off while picking Indy up from sports camp, so I made three separate trips and received three separate 20%-off coupons. (You get one coupon with every donation, regardless of the size.)
Now I have three coupons ready for the next time we need clothes (Indy is in desperate need of shorts, so a thrift stop needs to happen this week), household items, or some other secondhand treasure.
BOOKS FROM THE LIBRARY + KOBO
Aside from a few special books—Laura’s Big Time, SHU’s Best Laid Plans, and Nicole’s Inhale Exhale—I haven’t bought any books in the last 12 months.
That is entirely thanks to the library, which supplies me with both paper books and free e-books delivered directly to my Kobo.
I read a lot, so borrowing library books instead of purchasing them is one of the simplest ways I save money consistently.
MAXIMIZING FOOD/MINIMIZING WASTE
One of my favourite ways to save money on groceries is to limit food waste. The statistics on how much food the average household throws out each week is mind-boggling.
We recently bought a rotisserie chicken. After the first meal, I simmered the bones in the slow cooker for a day to make stock.
I turned that stock into soup using the remaining chicken, an entire bag of mini carrots that was nearing the end of its life but still completely fine, and the last few handfuls of spinach in the fridge. (The noodles were on sale.)
For about $15 total, we got a full family meal of chicken-and-veggie wraps, plus a GIANT pot of soup.
FREE SUMMER ACTIVITIES
Aside from inexpensive camps, most of what the kids do during the summer is free.
They walk with friends and ride bikes—free after the initial investment of buying the bikes, of course. We’ve also used public tennis courts and gone bridge jumping.
There will still be room for paid activities. We usually go to the movies a few times each summer, generally on “Cheap Tuesday.” The kids also love mini-golfing, so that may happen.
But overall, there are so many free or inexpensive summer activities that are also genuinely fun.
WARRANTY REPLACEMENT
We are big fans of warranty replacements.
The rolling suitcase John had used for about a year—which was itself a warranty replacement!—was in rough shape during our trip. I ended up using it while John invested in a sturdier option because he travels so frequently for work.
So… I contacted the company about another replacement.
The suitcase has a 10-year warranty, and because it’s a carry-on, it always stays in the cabin. It isn’t being tossed around in the cargo hold. (In other words, it should not be breaking down this fast.)
At first, the company said they couldn’t replace it because their warranty fulfillment provider had changed and they now shipped only within the United States.
I sent a polite but persistent email back. And they reconsidered and shipped us a brand-new suitcase.
Persistence for the win!!!
And that’s a wrap on this random assortment of recent frugal wins.
It had been a while since I sat down and thought intentionally about the simple ways we save money, and it was fun! I need to put these frugal-life roundups back into the regular rotation.
Your turn.
- What are some of your recent frugal wins?
- And, because I am apparently always interested in durable luggage: what’s your go-to luggage brand?
Discover more from The Optimistic Musings of a Pessimist
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
You had a lot of frugal wins! I’m glad online shopping and pick up works for you. I seeem to impulse buy more when online- I’ll follow suggestions and think of something else, and then still need to spend more later in the week.
Not much frugal lately ( replacing tires, buying a new oven, landscaping, feeding the always hungry members of my household). I mean, these are necessities, but no huge savings.
The oven was on sale, but the salesman said the griddle came with the oven, and it didn’t. And my husband didn’t want me to go to the store to complain. Humph. ( he’s very thrifty but a little randomly shy about making a fuss.)
I did get 20% off one order at target- so I make sure to include some standard items like shampoo and vitamins- I don’t need them now but 20% off will help stock up my pantry.
Hmmm. Yes, I can see how online shopping can definitely not always be a cost-saving hack!
Most of the time I’m happy to “complain” pleasantly about things like the oven situation, but randomly I will also get very shy about particular dynamics!
I love that the chicken didn’t just become wraps, but also a giant pot of soup. That’s a serious return on investment — and a great way to get plenty of protein in as well!
We hardly ever throw food away, but I think that’s mostly because there are only two of us and we tend to shop little and often rather than doing one big weekly grocery trip. As you know, in Zurich we walk past shops all the time during our daily routines, so stopping in for a few things is really no extra effort.
I had a small frugal win this week too: I bought a sports bra that was 30% off. It had a little bit of make-up on it (which came out in the wash), so I asked if there was any additional discount, and they gave me another 50% off. Instead of CHF 70, I paid only CHF 24. Definitely a win! 🎉
That is one thing I REALLY miss about Europe. Being so close to grocery stores (always within walking distance), so shopping often but in small quantities. It’s much easier to avoid waste that way.
That’s an AWESOME win! I do the same thing with clothes that have defects I know can be remedied!
Ketchup Doritos!!! As you know, I was obsessed with ketchup cheetos last year. I need to get back to Canada ASAP!
Congrats on getting the company to honor the warranty. Too bad that they needed the extra push, but yay that you did it.
Well, friend, our guest room is waiting for you ANY TIME. I’ll even make sure to stock it up with some Ketchup Doritos for you <3
I always think of grocery pickup/delivery as being more $ but I see that ordering ahead can (strategically) work out better financially. Will keep that in mind!
I have an Away carry on suitcase and when I had a problem with the zipper a few years ago they sent me a brand new one. TBH I wish I could’ve brought it into a store (there’s one nearby) to have them fix it because it seemed wasteful to get a new one… but it was unusable so I’m glad I was able to get a replacement for free.
It is frustrating that most things now don’t get repaired they get replaced. That said, we are at the mercy of the system, so I’m very glad you got the replacement!!!
I had one major win recently. My oldest stubbed a toe really badly, and he was supposed to go to sleep away camp next week. A track and field camp. So I called about cancellation, but instead they offered to let me push the registration to next year. Yes please! As I didn’t have cancellation insurance and it was too late for their policies. Anyway. He’ll have spot next year, and I’ve sorted out a new programme. Which involves him going to his grandparents, which all around I know they will all enjoy.
First – OUCH! I’m so sorry for your poor kiddo. No fun.
Hooray for being able to move it to next year AND for sorting out a replacement option that sounds equally fun.
Wow, you get some great perks that I don’t. LIKE, I can donate to our Goodwill store, but don’t get anything- like discount coupons- in return (I’ve always thought they should do that though!) Also we’ve recently been embracing curbside pickup from Target, but we didn’t get any “welcome offers” like that. However- I agree that’s a money saver. Especially from a place like Target, where you can go in to get cat food and seltzer, and walk out with pajamas, a tablecloth, books, a shower curtain, and just about anything else you can think of. That store is dangerous.
The library is the greatest money saver of all!!! I do buy used books, and occasionally new, but most of my books come from the library.
Department stores (and increasingly most stores; like one of our local grocery stores has a clothing label and all sorts of household products) are a money sink! It’s so easy to walk in for one item and come out with 10!!!
I love the donation coupon; there’s only one “chain” of thrift stores that I know does this, so while I don’t always shop there for all my second-hand items, it’s where I do all my donating.
You are a frugal superstar! I can see how curbside pickup would be a great way to save money and time. It’s so easy to buy impulse items in the store. Sometimes that’s nice, but I usually regret it!
Superstar; I’m dying of laughter over here, Michelle. But I’ll take the compliment 🙂
$400 for a sleep away camp sounds cheap to me! We pay $250/week for the program at school which has 1 field trip/week and $350/week for the program at our church which can have as many as 3 field trips. Both programs provide snacks but we pack a lunch. Eventually I hope Paul will go to the sleepaway camp that our church puts on but he’s not quite ready for it so I haven’t looked at the cost yet, but I’d assume $600+? We’ll see if I am right!
I have a Travelpro suitcase. I bought that brand because it is the brand that so many flight attendants seem to have. I figure that’s as strong of an endorsement as possible! I’ve only had it for a year, I think, but so far I likeit!
Yes, overall I think $400 is quite reasonable. It costs A LOT of money to run a camp!
[…] week I shared nine simple ways we’ve saved money this summer… and immediately came up with another […]
It’s really mind-boggling that with a little bit of planning and foresight, you can really save some money (or make some money) with very little effort. You have some great examples here! And I feel like you can always come out on top if you’re willing to file a claim or just “ask” for some courtesy.
I also am a big proponent of “saving money” by not overbuying in the first place (especially when it comes to food!).
Yes to asking! You get zero without a simple request and sometimes a bit of polite persistence can really move the needle.
[…] know I love talking about simple ways to save money. Last week I talked about thrift-store coupons and a free replacement suitcase. Yesterday I talked about cash-back rewards and […]