YaYu participated in a car wash fundraiser last weekend and brought home a huge bag of empty water bottles for us to recycle.- Other than our trip to the farmers’ market, we had a no-spend week.
- While I had my eye appointment yesterday, Brett headed over to nearby Costco and made an appointment for a free hearing exam. They will also help him figure out what cost savings he can receive as a veteran.
- It turns out I also need new glasses. I found some frames I liked at the eye doctor’s office, but came home and found them online for $30 less, including free shipping. I’ll order them in November, and have the glasses made at Costco.
- We put $18.20 in the change/$1 bill jar this week: $3.86 from recycling, $8.84 change from the gas bill, and $5.50 left from the farmers’ market.
What frugal wins did you have this week?
The Occasional Nomads 
We’ve just been informed they will no longer take water bottles for recycling. This makes no sense to me since there are so many of them, especially after the hurricane.
Haven’t had any frugal wins this entire year. Slowly restocking the refrigerator and freezer. Hoping for a better year next year. Had the electric wired so that I only have to plug in the generator and it will run the house sans air conditioning. (Beats utility cords running everywhere and no way to close the door). I am thinking about buying a larger generator but will have to price things once hurricane season is over.
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You really have had a tough year. I am really hoping things will start turning around for you now. Fingers are crossed and good thoughts going out that you find a good , affordable generator, and that things begin to turn around for you (and your parents).
I agree not taking the water bottles is ridiculous.
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Well done, Laura! My frugal wins: 1) Got missing miles credited to my frequent flyer plan. 2) Watched Wonder Woman movie for free. 3) Saved on train tickets in Ireland by booking online, in advance, and standard class. 4) Saved 40% to get our rugs cleaned by using a promo coupon. 5) No unplanned spending.
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I was just thinking about you and wondering if you were traveling again! Ireland!!! When are you going? It’s on our bucket list.
You had a terrific frugal week!
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You can’t beat Costco if you need a hearing aid. My DH had his hearing checked there and they let him try two different aids. But he was right on the line and really didn’t hear any difference walking around with or without. Amazingly, they’re not pushing anything and told him he really didn’t need them. So I guess his real problem is selective listening. haha
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I am glad to hear this! Brett’s hearing was damaged when he was in the navy, working around too-loud jet engines for so long. He wore protection, but it wasn’t enough. We’ve noticed his hearing deteriorating at a more rapid pace this year, and he doesn’t want to travel without hearing aids.
Funny story: Both Brett and I had our hearing checked when he retired from the navy – he already had signs of hearing loss. I went first and passed. Then it was his turn – he came home and said, “There’s no hearing loss – I heard all three times.” I told him there were five tones. “Oh.” I have hearing like a bat, at least for now.
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Try this for frugal. I needed new glasses – even with the family discount (my Sister-in-law is an ophthalmologist) the no-line bifocals were going to be ~$600. I asked her about the on-line glasses which are much cheaper. She said the single vision are ok but she is not comfortable using them for bifocals as It can be tricky to get the location right for your specific eyes. And even on-line these are $200-300
I usually only use the bifocals for things like menus and when shopping since I can never find the sweet spot well enough for book reading and I have to keep moving my head. I usually just use inexpensive off-the shelf reading glasses ($1 at the Dollar Store) for long term reading- I have a pair in every room of the house and garage.
It is a pain to have to carry an extra pair of glasses around just for occasional use. I had almost decided to buy the glasses from her. But then I saw ThinOptics. They are a pair of glasses without real frames like a pince-nez (Hercule Poirot wears them) that are really slim and fit into a holder that is attached to the back of my iPhone. 2 pair for $20. So I got these for menus and shopping and such. And paid $83 for a nice pair of single vision from Glasses USA.
So for basically $100 I solved my problem. Upside is I can also read for short periods using the Thinoptics glasses to check messages and read on my phone.
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I would so do this except I need to use both lenses constantly. I’ve been wearing bifocals for over 10 years, and could not do the constant switching. But, this is a terrific frugal idea for those that don’t need them.
BTW, the price I was quoted yesterday for progressive lenses plus Transitions (which I need here) was from $425 to $700, plus frames – way too high. I can get the same thing done at Costco for around $200.
I sure wish we still had vision insurance . . . .
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I bought progressives at Costco earlier this year and was amazed at how much cheaper it is. I was able to buy two pairs of glasses (I also bought sunglasses) for less than what one pair costs at other places! I have vision insurance, but it is only accepted at Lenscrafters. Costco is still cheaper by far, even without using my insurance.
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I was very surprised too when I had glasses made there last year. I heard they charge an additional $18 if you bring in your own frames, but worth it to me because the selection at our Costco is very limited.
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Yes, I actually brought my old frames for both my everyday glasses and the sunglasses and had to pay a small fee, but it was worth it. Costco’s selection is definitely limited, but I later bought a pair of backup glasses from them using one of their frames and have been happy with them.
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I am going to get new glasses made there and keep my current pair for back-up. I’m also going to check if I can re-use my old red frames – I really miss them!
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I was gone for the week, so no gas for work driving, and all food/drinks covered. I also dealt with our ridiculous trash service bill (hopefully for the last time), and got our final rebate for our Audi recall. ($1500).
And, I made dinner last night, vs going out. I was SO jetlagged, and had planned to go out, but Nick decided to go to an optional soccer practice, so dinner was going to be later, & I just couldn’t hack going out. Turned out to be a frugal option. I heated up leftover lasagna for some eaters, and then threw together some “freezer food” (panko chicken, and mini tacos).
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Jet lad is THE WORST, so major props for getting dinner on the table and not spending to go out. You had lots of other great frugal wins too. Hope the re-entry from jet lag doesn’t take too long this time.
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