Month: May 2020

A few more frugal things. Because what else are we doing these days?

/ thefrugalportlander / Leave a comment

Anyone else starting to get quarantine fatigue? Same. I miss my people. I miss grocery shopping. I miss silly things like going for a margarita with friends. That being said, I am completely good with staying home for as long as it takes to keep my loved ones (and all the other idiots out there) safe.

So here are some frugal things I have been up to lately!

  • I’ve been making some slightly unconventional meals in order to use up the food in my fridge. Today for example, I needed to use 3 celery stalks and an avocado. So I whipped up a tuna salad with canned tuna, celery and smashed avocado. Actually this is one of my favorites so it’s really not weird to me!
  • I took Holden to have a couple of lumps checked. This in itself isn’t frugal (it cost close to $400). However, knowing that they are benign instead of cancerous tumors that are growing free reign all over him is really a peace of mind that I am willing to pay for.
  • While at the vet he also got his rabies vaccine required by the county. I did this on time so I will not have to pay any fees!
  • Libraries here in Portland are still closed for the foreseeable future. le sigh. I read A LOT. So this has been a huge bummer. Luckily my mom is also quite the avid reader so I have still managed to maintain a supply of new to me books to read. They might be different than what I would have automatically reached for, but I am really enjoying trying something new!
  • Almost every weekend my parents go to their local farmer’s market and buy a flat of strawberries. I then always end up with a pint or so. I love strawberries, but my tummy doesn’t like me to eat copious amounts of them. So I’ve made quick jam just about every week. It’s just berries, sugar and lemon juice. And we eat it on toast and it’s gone within the week or so. Saves on wasting the fruit and making sure it doesn’t go bad!
The ever elusive Holden. Rarely pictured because a) he rarely sits still b) he doesn’t always photograph well!

Day 9,325 (ok but really it’s week 12 of quarantine)

/ thefrugalportlander / Leave a comment

Does it feel like we’ve been at this forever? or that we have forever left to go? Ya, I’m right there with ya. But realistically, that’s not the case. I have been working from home (and not going to the store, or seeing friends, or hugging LITERALLY ANYONE for 12 weeks). Cabin fever hasn’t really set in, but I definitely miss my people. I miss Wayne, I miss going for drinks with friends, popping into my mom’s office at lunch time. But here we all are, and here we shall remain for some time longer!

So, what frugal things have I been up to lately? Funny you should ask!

  • I have not gone to the grocery store in a LONG time. And as someone who loves grocery shopping, this is admittedly pretty difficult for me. But my brother and my parents deliver care packages on occasion, and I food swap with friends/neighbors from a safe distance. So I haven’t set foot in a proper market in over a month. I have instead, been using what I have in my freezer, getting delivered in my weekly CSA (yay fresh produce!) and getting creative. And double plus bonus, it’s going just fine. I definitely end up with repeat meals (hello gnocchi or garlic bread pizza) but I am not complaining. I only freeze and make food that I know I know i’m going to enjoy and I’ve always been one to eat repeat meals day after day.
  • I have spent exactly $0 on gas this month. I think since the beginning of the pandemic (so say March 1 here in Portland) I have put maybe $30 of gas into my vehicle? Other than occasionally going to look at houses, because house hunting right now is a great idea, I’m not driving to work. I’m not driving on fun adventures. I’m really not driving much at all. So that is definitely saving $$$
  • Because I am working from home as opposed to being in the office at all, I am not paying for parking or snacks while at work. Because no matter how diligently I pack my lunch every day, I always end up “needing” a coffee or a bagel.
  • I have not cut my hair or had my brows waxed in MONTHS. And though I don’t get my hair cut that often, I easily spent $25 a month on my brows. So it never seems like a lot in the moment, but I’m realizing how it definitely all adds up!

The above (socially distanced photograph) was taken on Mother’s Day last weekend. My brothers planted tomatoes and lemon cucumbers for my mom per tradition, and we ate an early dinner of her favorite pizza on the porch. It was toasty warm (almost 90 degrees) and it was lovely. I couldn’t hug my mom but we were able to be together while still being safe. It was days like that that I am reminded of how good I really have it. I have such an incredible support system, a family that would move heaven and earth for me, wonderful friends, a safe roof over my head. I am really one lucky gal. And let’s try to remember that during these difficult times, we do have a lot to be thankful for.