Trader Joe’s Plums, Thrift Finds, and a Basement Clear-Out

I stopped into Trader Joe's to grab some 23¢ bananas and took a moment to photograph their $4.99 “Honey Plums.” Six per plastic container.

I then walked outside to my car and grabbed a handful of the plums littered under their plum tree.

I am completely and unabashedly cheap without apology.

And yes, I choose to label myself as both “frugal” and “cheap,” as I feel that many people pressure themselves to overspend due to a fear of being labeled “cheap.” Nothing wrong with minimally spending on the small stuff, to ensure your money is later available for the important things.

I then hit the nearby Goodwill to scout stuff to resell. This blanket caught my eye, as it screamed “I am of better quality than my neighbors,” so I looked up the brand.

Ibex cotton blend blankets sell for $120 new, so the $7.99 price tag made it an easy decision. I've listed it on eBay for $45, but am happy to hold onto it if it doesn't sell. Which invariably means it will sell.

I also pulled over to the Mustard Seed Thrift Store, as they're only open a few days per week. I've only bought a couple items from them in the past, but this time walked out with three things.

Perhaps not as exciting as you'd hope, but I love these wide-mouth half gallon Ball jars, as they're the perfect configuration to store bulk food. They take up less space in the cupboard due to their verticality and make it easy to have my storage containers match. They sell for $7 new.

I do like it when Goodwill forgets to individually price them and I can score them for 49¢ apiece.

I also poked around a back room, where they had a “Free/Gratis” area and found a pink tank top to bring home. Even though it's a color that would make me appear nude from a distance. Perhaps to layer?

I continue to eat up the leftovers from our baked potato buffet night. Not really a frugal sacrifice, as loaded baked potatoes really do hit the spot!

I donated around a thousand dollars of handmade art paper to my kids' high school's art department. They belonged to my late mother-in-law and I think she'd be happy with this act, as she was also a high school art teacher.

Will we ever clear the basement of all the random items from my late in-law's estate? Inch by inch baby, inch by inch.

Now your turn, what frugal things have you been up to?

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This blog post contains an eBay referral listing.