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Five Frugal Things | A straw, a clock, a frame, a hospital bill, and more

homemade yogurt

1. I used Strawesome’s guarantee

We love our glass straws from Strawsome, and we’ve had very few breakage problems. Our straws weather the dishwasher and daily use with impressive durability.

Unfortunately, Sonia dropped her new turtle straw the very first time she used it, and it broke right by the turtle.

turtle straw

She was heartbroken, but I remembered that Strawesome does actually offer to replace any broken straws, since they don’t want breakage concerns to keep people from buying their product.

So, I filled out the form, submitted a photo of the broken straw, and got a code emailed to me for the value of a replacement straw.

You do have to pay shipping, so it’s not a completely free process, but it is way better than paying for a new straw AND shipping.

Our new turtle straw should be arriving any day, and I’m quite certain that Sonia is going to be super-duper careful with it now.

2. I replaced a clock for $4.88.

The clock in my kids’ bathroom had a paper backing, and after years of hanging in a humid bathroom, the paper had curled up and was preventing the clock hands from moving.

There was no way to fix this (I tried!) so I had to get rid of the clock.

Sad face.

clearance clock

I stopped at Target to find a new one, and I specifically looked for one without a paper backing so that I don’t have to throw another clock out.

Luckily, a plastic-backed clock was on clearance for $4.88.

Perfect.

3. I bought a frame for 50% off.

Mr. FG was wanting to hang a quote up on the wall, so I typed it up in PicMonkey, printed it, and bought a frame from Michael’s with a 50% off coupon.

printed quote

(I pulled the coupon up on my phone so as to avoid printing a copy.   Handy-dandy!   And Michael’s does offer free WiFi, so you don’t even have to use data to pull up the coupon.)

I feel like the words on the print are too close to the edge now that it’s framed, so I’ll redo it with a small font and more white space.

4. I paid a hospital bill. And I tried to get a discount.

I got the resubmitted bill for the sleep study back, and our insurance paid a whole 2% (largely because we haven’t met our 2016 deductible yet.)

When I called to pay the bill, I asked if there was a discount for paying in full, and sadly, there was not.

But I paid the whole thing, using a travel rewards credit card, so at least we earned a bit of cash back on the transaction.

And paying it off is certainly better than not paying it off.

5. Miscellany

I cooked dinner, even though I didn’t feel like it, I made a batch of whole wheat rolls for lunch, I bought nothing at Target besides the items I came for (yay, me!), and I returned a sink strainer that didn’t fit my sink.

pork cubans

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How about you? Share your own five frugal things in the comments!

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Susie

Saturday 2nd of April 2016

รขหœโ€ went to farmers market for 1st time in a long time, paying cash for great food รขหœโ€  made yummy kale & potato soup, lots of leftovers รขหœโ€  made organic chicken stock, 2 quart to freeze รขหœโ€  only spent $40ish on non market items รขหœโ€  did a local hike with family instead of going to the movies

S

Friday 25th of March 2016

Can you tell me which travel rewards credit card you use?

Stephanie L

Saturday 19th of March 2016

1. I'm pulling out the Spring/Summer clothes, and ordered a ThredUp bag to sell whatever doesn't fit. 2. Saw some great deals at the thrift store, but decided to forego them all until I see what my warm weather wardrobe looks like. 3. I've packed my snacks for the week, except for produce.

Preparation is part of frugality, right? I have hand surgery coming up, and DH and I are brainstorming ways to rearrange the kitchen and other rooms so I can do things one-handed.

jeri

Friday 18th of March 2016

WHOOP!!! I just got off of the phone with the Hospital and because I am using our tax refund to pay off the hospital bills from hubby's cancer they reduced the amount by 20%! Praise God! I knew you would understand the thrill....

Susie

Saturday 2nd of April 2016

That's awesome! Took 3yrs for my hubby. We did get a blood work bill reduced after chemo when we offered to pay off at once.

Kristen

Friday 18th of March 2016

Oh, that's so great! Yay!!

Ashli

Friday 18th of March 2016

1. We are in the process of selling a house and found foundation problems. (A very pricey repair!) I got the estimates and asked if they did a discount if paid by cash or check and they did, so not only did I save 2% on the cost of the repair work but also an additional 4% surcharge that would have been charged if paying by credit card!

2. Found a book I wanted to read at the library instead of on Amazon

3. Cancelled the gym membership we really don't use

4. Got a free jacket from American Giant when they accidentally sent the wrong thing ordered. (I offered to return it and they told me to keep it as an apology for the mix up!)

5. Got DVDs at the library instead of purchasing them on iTunes

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