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Let me say this upfront: I spent money.
Before you think I’m a lousy frugal role model, let me say that this is a low– or no-spend February. Spending is allowed. On paper, the things we bought (duvet cover, a few groceries) look like purchases we might have been able to postpone. But this wasn’t just technically permissible shopping – it was strategic shopping.
My old comforter was starting to fray in ways that couldn’t be reliably repaired. Not before time, mind you: I got it for $5 at a rummage sale in 2004, when I arrived in Seattle after fleeing my marriage. It doesn’t owe me a thing.
Its replacement was a new-to-us down comforter that we bought at Value Village at the end of January, using a “30 percent off bedding” coupon that DF got for answering the customer satisfaction survey on a purchase* of new-to-him work pants.
Bonus frugal points: I paid with my Chase Freedom Unlimited® card because Value Village happened to be on their special offers list. That meant an additional 10 percent off. The final price tag was about $16.50 for a queen-sized down comforter. All it needed was a couple of days on the clothesline to remove that faint thrift-store fragrance.
I was delighted with our find, but realized that a cover would help keep it clean. (Too big for our washer, and dry cleaning would cost a lot.) Trouble is, I didn’t realize that until February, and I wanted to take advantage of that Chase Freedom Unlimited® deal. Additionally, DF had learned that we could get an additional 20 percent off by entering our phone number at the cash register. (Using our VV “Savers” membership cards would have worked, too, but we don’t carry those in our wallets.)
We had seven more days to use the credit card option. Besides, I wanted to get that cover on as quickly as possible. I’ve never owned a down comforter before, so it seemed extremely valuable to me despite – or perhaps because of – its frugal origin.
A couple of days ago when the weather was too lousy for DF to go skiing, I took a break from work (yay freelance flexibility!) and we headed to Value Village. It took only a minute to find duvet cover of our dreams: a very dark blue (bedroom curtains are navy) with a non-overwhelming floral pattern and a price tag of $10.99.
Make that a price tag of $7.91, thanks to our phone number and the Chase Freedom Unlimited® rewards deal. While it wasn’t a no-spend day, it was definitely a low-spend one.
No-spend groceries, gift-card breakfast
About those food purchases: A combination of short-term deals at a couple of stores plus strategic (there’s that word again) use of shopping apps meant some free or nearly free shopping.
Most** of the free stuff – toothpaste, razors, Annie’s mac ’n’ cheese – went to the food bank. I also used sale-plus-rebate combos to get cereal for 49 cents a box and a 12-pack of no-sugar Starry soda (Pepsi’s new replacement for Sierra Mist) for my great-niece and great-nephew. (No one needs cereal or soda, but what’s life without a little sin***? I like to snack on dry cereal now and then.)
Seriously: The shopping app/sales cycle combo can be very powerful. See “Rewards programs FTW!” for the how-to.)
In other low-spend news:
My friend Linda B. and I have lunch out and spend the day together every Saturday. It was my turn to buy, but I kept it a low-spend week by using a gift card I already had. (Every few months I buy a batch of them from a local restaurant.)
Of course, I could have just said, “I’ll come over after lunch,” but we all get to make our own rules regarding low- or no-spend February. I did leave a good tip, because I always leave a good tip.
My great-niece and I went to see the Billie Eilish concert movie. These tickets were bought in January, so no problem there, and Chase Freedom Unlimited® gave me $2.54 back (turns out Cinemark was on the same deals list as Value Village had been). I used a previously purchased gift card to pay for the popcorn.
Although I’d never heard Billie Eilish’s music before, I enjoyed the concert and the chance to share the experience with my great-niece. (Six degrees of separation moment: The performer’s parents met while doing theater in Alaska.)
So what have we learned?
Before a low- or no-spend February, stock up on gift cards (or take stock of those you already own).
Try not to shop during a low- or no-spend February. But if there’s a short-term killer deal, don’t let it get away.
Get the popcorn, year-round. It helps keep movie theaters open.
Readers: How did your first week go? Any frugal hackery or clever make-do moments to share?
*Those slacks were a stirring tale of thrift all their own: new or barely worn “fire hose” work pants from the Duluth Trading Company. Normally these super-tough britches run about $75. He got them for $4.99 – and the purchase led to us getting that 30-percent discount on our comforter.
**I did keep one toothpaste for our basement store. The price jump in even the most plebeian of dentifrices has left me breathless. I want to build a stash as cheaply as I can. Free is even better.
***Sinless.
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DON’T dryclean the down comforter. (A good drycleaner will tell you to take it home and wash it!) If it doesn’t fit in your home machine, take it to a laundromat. You can buy special laundry detergent for down (according to my daughter) but it’s not necessary. You can dry it in the dryer (with tennis balls, if you want).
Signed,
The daughter of a drycleaner
Thanks for this. Earlier today I told DF that if it ever did need cleaning, we’d head up to the nearby laundromat because it has some extra-large machines — and we have tennis balls stashed over the dryer for just such an emergency.
What a fantastic deal on the pants, comforter and duvet! I have a down comforter that I brought 18 years ago. Regular price at the time was over $200, with clearance and coupon, I paid $47. With careful washing, line drying and a quick fluff in the dryer, it still keeps us warm in the winter. I love my local SA, I get most of my jeans for $7 or less and get several years out of them still. I try to do low-0 spending every January and February. So far it’s just been groceries( which is enough to make a gal cry) and gas, although I did splurge on a fleece lined denim jacket priced $108 that was on clearance and with coupon and a small store credit I had I paid $11.38.
Still eating out of freezer, only having to replenish milk and fruit. With the doctor bills still rolling in, this challenge has been helpful!!
First, Donna, congratulations to you and DF on the Duluth pants. I rarely find Duluth at my thrift stores, but am always happy to snap it up when I do. My DH was, and I am, a fan.
I can recommend having a dental implant on Jan. 31 and enduring the vagaries of a Central NY winter as two good ways to start a low-spend February. I only did one small grocery run last week (and that was because I had to pick up Rx at my Wegmans anyway) and should only need one this week.
But now that the weather has improved, I’m about to start a round of errands that will include a stop at my local Salvation Army superstore (the home of last year’s “It’s raining LL Bean pants” bonanza). My most recent find there in late January, as noted in this morning’s Five Frugal Things over at The Frugal Girl, was a pair of Cozy Earth bamboo jogging pants for $4 that retail on the CE website for $124.
And as also noted at The FG, I’ve just learned that I cashed in over $1900 in Amazon points in 2022. (As I may or may not have previously noted here, I run all of DH’s nursing home bills through our Amazon Prime account.) Most of these points go toward boring necessities, but I did just indulge in a new bird feeder to replace one I trashpicked a few years ago.
Great info, I keep No Spend mostly to wants, not needs like food. But no frivolous spending and low spend when I can. I admire your creativity and willpower😊.
Hi Donna! I do love reading about your and my fellow readers “stirring tale(s) of thrift.” They are inspiring. Thank you for sharing. I will be coming back to the comments on this post to see what other readers post.
Me too!
So far, so good this February. I did need to pick up some perishables but I had stashed a grocery gift card away for this very purpose. Have been using up odds and ends in the pantry and learned how to make some new marinades for some of my freezer finds. And not going out keeps me from spending money and getting projects done that have been stacking up! I feel pretty productive being day 6 into this!
It will be interesting to see how much you save this month. Kudos for getting things done as well.
Great deals Donna!
I think we did fairly well. We had to spend the week of Jan 30 through Feb 3 at our daughter’s house to take care of the children while their parents were each on separate business trips. That involved several treats for the grandchildren that we would not ordinarily purchase. However, that was compensated for by the fact my daughter planned the meals and left food so we did not have to buy groceries for the week. We did pickup about $40 worth of odds and ends like milk etc on the way home but that also included a special deal I wanted. Our grocery store had a BOGO on a laundry product that my daughter uses for her son who has bad eczema. Not only was it BOGO but I got back $1.25 from Ibotta as well as getting points when I uploaded my receipt to survey site My Points. So overall pleased!
Well, mine did not start out great. DD is living with us right now, and started having some major foot pain. She walks a lot for exercise and her mental health and also works standing on her feet, so foot pain is a big NO. I took her to the best shoe place in town to get some new work shoes and inserts to help support her flat feet. I am also starting to run again and needed new running shoes as well. My shoes will last a couple of years. I also found a high support sports bra for $12! Total for all was over $350, but the long-term save in doctors’ bills will be worth it. On all other fronts, we did well, keeping it to necessities and buying only on sale.
Never neglect your feet!
Down comforters are the greatest! I got my queen size one at a garage sale for $2 about ten years ago. I put two thermal blankets and a hand made quilt on my bed, put the comforter over them, then add a wool afghan on top. That has allowed me to keep my thermostat at 50 or 55 degrees at night, and I am snug as a bug! Great investments!
Now that was a deal. They are very cozy indeed.
DBIL and his DP gave us a *very* generous gift card to Stop & Shop for Christmas. I got a coupon for $5 off a $55 purchase so I paid $0 out of pocket for about $70 worth of groceries. Oh, and I bought a quart of liquid hand soap on closeout for 40 cents. So off to a good start. Really enjoying everyone’s posts!
Amazing! Good deals are few and far between in my area.
I planned a luncheon with a friend prior to the challenge. To my surprise this friend picked up the tab. 😊. Win win.
So far, I’ve only spent on medical.
Did not do as nearly as well this first week as I hoped in the grocery department. Groceries purchased were mostly fresh fruits and veggies and some stocking up items (rice, basic canned goods). We did keep away from the Meat Manager bargain bin as our freezers are full! The heavy-duty welding gloves we use when stoking up the woodstove had developed serious holes and needed to be replaced. Previously purchased gift card to the rescue so no out-of-pocket expense. We turn off our ductless heating units at night but sleep toasty warm under a blanket and our down comforter topped with a handmade afghan.
I’ll try to make February a low spend month but I have(d) doctor appointments and need to buy under garments to wear with my dress that I got to wear for my son’s wedding.
Good:
Ordered new pillows from Macys.com on deep discount. I like to have new pillows every January but I put it off to Feb. due to no spend Jan.
Got 2 packs of diapers for my friend’s granddaughter at CVS. The deal was spend $20 get a $10 extra care buck. I used my $10 monthly extra care bucks and got $10 back. I have a $2 ECB, also, so I’ll use my $12 for another good deal this month.
Hubby picked up 2 packages of big boneless, skinless chicken breasts for $1.99/lb while grocery shopping.
Bad:
Got myself some Godiva chocolates for Valentine’s day.
Not really bad but…had both my eyes lasered for glaucoma last week, had a cardiologist appointment today and scheduled a stress test and echocardiogram for later in the month.
I’m glad you got yourself that chocolate. With everything that’s going on (good and bad), you could use a little treat.
Although living in Central Texas makes me a rank amateur compared to you dealing with the cold in Alaska, I discovered that layering comforters on the bed keep me warm and toasty on super cold (for us) nights. I used to rely on electric blankets, but found that they last maybe 2 years at most — and then one day I tripped on the electric cord and fell. Since there’s no good way to plug in such a blanket in my room without risking more tripping/falling, I decided not to replace it. Turns out, 2 or 3 comforters + body heat = a lot warmer bed than the electric blankets used to provide. And if our Texas electric grid goes down again, the comforters will still work.
Love all the posts and how folk are remaining frugal this February.
I gotta admit that I am anything BUT frugal this month (or last month, actually). However, much is because I am going on a dream lifetime trip to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands and the trip, flights, insurances and general getting ready is just more and more money. I have the money (and am using the cash back cards to recoup a teeny bit) and it still hurts to see it all going out….
I also am spending on my health – as I need to be stronger/fitter/with more endurance on this trip, so although my at home workouts are either Youtube Free, or an already paid for program that was a purchase (not a subscription), I have been choosing to purchase a few additional tools for the programs.
I picked up some soft velcro wrist weights at my favourite thrift store for $3, and soft 1 pound dumbbells for $2, which made me happy.
My mats are extra thin ones I purchased at the dollar store years ago, they have been rolled up behind some doors in my house as I have realized Yoga isn’t for me. Saving them has meant I didn’t have to purchase new, and I just pile them all up (three of them ) to get a bit of ‘give’ to the mats.
I have, however, purchased a new weighted vest that I can wear when I walk the dog. I was using my backpack and a ten pound bag of rice, however it has been pouring rain a lot (threatening the rice) and the pack was also quite uncomfortable. This vest fits closely and comfortably so I know I will wear it.
When I go to the gym for my training, I will be wearing the random clothing I wear at home – some old tights, a Tee shirt, (and a bra that hopefully I can find in my drawers… eek!). I do need indoor shoes, however even those should be available in the back of my closet.
We are still almost totally eating out of the freezer, fridge, pantries and even the garden. I’m working really hard to use up food in the fridge; I am bad about getting bored with food after a couple of days and then making something new. Applying a bit of mental discipline is doing wonders to my ability to eat something until it is gone….
I keep reading these blogs then leaping up and turning down my furnace! And I am getting $3 x 2 back from the hydro company for reducing my hydro use by 20% during a peak saver challenge. Since we got a $100 rebate in the fall from our province, and I have a solar power credit with hydro, I am going to be looking at an even bigger rebate from Hydro for the solar power I sent them, when they do the reconciliation in March…
That sounds like a fantastic trip, and well worth the expenditure — but how nice that you’re finding frugal hacks to prepare for it.
My first week went well. Grocery shopping was only perishables and I got lucky and found eggs for $1.99/dozen! In the category of strategic shopping I made 2 purchases. There was an unexpected death in my family last week and in lieu of flowers my brothers and I made a contribution to the fund set up for the surviving children. One is in her last year of college and one is a special needs young man who will never live independently, so I consider it money well spent. A trip to the funeral didn’t cost me because my brother drove and refused any gas money. However, we did stop at a little hole-in-wall hamburger joint that has fond memories for our family growing up, and I bought a few burgers. I paid with my spending cash (Brother wouldn’t let me buy his.) and since this is a treat I have about once a year, I’m fine with it. I’ve lost significant weight over the last year and it seems I’m always cold now., but I kept delaying buying sweaters at full price. Finally my favorite online shopping site had some marked down for 50%. I bought a nice one in a neutral color that should last me for quite some time.
This weekend I will spend the day with fellow crafters and there will be a meal out in a sit-down restaurant. I have the cash for it tucked back and if I order my usual there will be enough left overs for another meal. The day out with good friends is food for the soul, too, and I consider it well worth the cost.
I always buy Amazon gift cards with money earned from various cash back apps, so I almost always have a little fund available for gifts and life’s little pleasures. Grandchild #5 had a birthday this week and her gift was paid for from there. No. 6 will have one in a couple weeks and, again, I’ll shop for her gift then, too. They live in another state so I save the shipping costs by sending packages directly to their house and my daughter wraps them for me.
If the rest of the month goes this well, I’ll consider it to be a success.
Low spend February has been just that…I tried for no spend but am more at low spend. This is due to my part time retirement job at a deli where the snacks flow and the brownies and fruit squares stare at me all day just begging to be bought and consumed. Today I caved and bought $26 worth of salsa, chips, squares and chocolate caramels for the weekend. I can’t consider this part of my grocery budget due to the sweet and salty nature of these yummies. What I need is a pair of blinders like racehorses wear to omit distractions…
Assuming that these were for the football game? Chalk that up to the momentary insanity/entertainment section of your budget.
Some hits and some misses. Going to be low spend, not a no spend month.
As of today. 2/11: less than $50 for food so far. Did find the large plastic containers of mixed salad greens at Aldi for 1.29, and 99 cents each, instead of $5.99 each, so got 4, and the baby tomatoes. Some days you walk in there, and they are practically giving away lots of the produce. Have been buying two bananas at a time, and eating 1/2 at a time, to reduce waste and over eating them.
85 – 90 % ground beef at the meat market for $3.39 per lb, so got 3/4 lb for large burgers for one night’s dinner, and two lbs for the freezer for chili (already have beans, frozen chopped green peppers, and fresh onions, frozen and jarred tomatoes).
Eggs were also on sale for $3.35/ dozen so picked up two dozen. Have been using reduced amounts of eggs for months in recipes and cake/muffin mixes, and instead have been using sour cream or Greek yogurt for the baked goods. Left them out of meatloaf and used some milk to moisten the oatmeal in the mix. Left them out of the crabcakes and used extra mayo.
Otherwise have been eating out of freezer, fridge, boxed, canned supply.
Will have more planned over spiral ham for dinner tonight, and them freeze the rest, with some broth. Then will try and get to Grocery Outlet for boneless, skinless chicken breast; eat some and freeze some.
Limited as to what I can carry as I fell and injured both feet.
Met a friend for lunch but used a 20 % off coupon at Perkins. McDonald’s use is limited to what is covered by the fundraiser coupons purchased from the library ($2 per coupon which can be used for one of five sandwiches for free at the store) or the $3.50 special of the McDouble burger and small fry. Arby’s happy hour for a $1 per item purchases are no longer an option as they have discontinued this. Burger King on our side of town is out of business and lines are too long at the remaining one on the other side of town. Valentine’s Day dinner will be after the holiday, to avoid the crowds and increased prices. Coffee from Royal Farms is being purchased from build up of points. Instant coffee purchased from CVS with Care Pass Coupons. Other purchases from CVS made with manufacturers coupons, CVS 10 % off coupon, and a gift card. Annie’s Bunny Snacks were reduced from $5.99 per box to $1.99, and the coupon took $1 off of a purchase of two boxes (look on the inside of your Cheerios boxes; they expire in June).
Gym memberships are suspended due to the foot injuries and supposed to be off of my feet. Which also means less payment for parking.
Unable to get the correct dosage, quarterly, of Trulicity for the diabetes, so have been paying by the month for two lower dosages. This has tripled the cost, even with the two prescription coverages from $50 per quarter to $50 per month, which usually arrive late. This is on top of the usual $200 per month set aside to cover other prescriptions. Health insurance is so far covering all other medical bills, but eye exams this month will have a copay and glasses will have copay and deductable.
Have not been able to empty the storage container, so that money is still going out.
We will see what the next week brings.
Sounds like you’ve been canny thus far. Sorry to hear about your foot injuries.
Do you use rewards apps like Ibotta, Coupons.com and Shopmium? The latter two have current deals for 50 cents off Annie’s products (although with Shopmium you had to buy two). You couldn’t claim this deal now, but if this is a product someone in your household likes then definitely check out the apps. They send the money to your PayPal; Ibotta will send it to your bank or PayPal, or let you trade in the earnings for gift cards.
If you aren’t an Ibotta user yet and decide to sign up, hope you’ll consider using my referral code: gtotprb.
Have not tried Ibotta yet. Have been using fetch, receipt hog and receipt pal for past year. You can use the same receipts for all three, in almost all cases. Will look into Ibotta.
Ibotta is pretty great. Shopmium is a new one, along the lines of Coupons.com; both pay cash directly vs. points.