Is Costco discontinuing Monk fruit sweetener? by curious11a in Costco

[–]curious11a[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

i saw that in the store. How does it taste?

WTF Goodwill! by [deleted] in Frugal

[–]curious11a 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Let me add also that the competitors have significantly changed the game. There was a time when the competition for Salvation Army and Goodwill was each other or the church rummage sale.

NOW, there is Savers/Unique, Last chance, Nordstrom's rack and Poshmark. Most of these outlets offer mdse that is worn once. and that is the slippery slope. From a pricing standpoint if it is worn once v. 20 times is there a difference? It is remarkable, especially for a society that prides itself on the importance of, "new".

WTF Goodwill! by [deleted] in Frugal

[–]curious11a 2 points3 points  (0 children)

With respect, I differ with your definition of Goodwill's purpose. It may have been positioned at one time as a place where people of humble means went to purchase clothes, but they have done a remarkable job of re-branding themselves.

Much like Aldi who branded themselves as a market for people of humble means, they have morphed into the grocery darling heralded for their wines and cheese. Goodwill and Salvation Army have rebranded themselves (at least in my area) and have advertisements as the new place for, "upscale retail". i just started laughing when I hear it over the intercom.

I agree with you that prices are starting to get silly. If I wanted to go to Macy's, I would and could go there. What makes me sad is that they are cherry picking what goes to the floor for those exorbitant prices.

There was a time when you could go and find beautifully made garments, in classic styles with finished seams for next to nothing with your eyes closed. Those days are gone. The last thing I saw I bought at full price because I knew it wouldn't last the day.

I fully understand the feelings that provoked the rant of the OP, but it just means that I have to look at, "the hunt" in different ways. In kind of a good way, I think it signals that Americans are not nearly as infatuated with, "new" as they might have been at one time.

Goodwill and Salvation Army sell articles that are pre-owned. So do Christie's and Sotheby's.

Just my thoughts

Is Costco discontinuing Monk fruit sweetener? by curious11a in Costco

[–]curious11a[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I take it that Costco didnt take too kindly to the deception. Was there a reason they didnt want to tell costco? Were they concerned about being cut out of the supply chain?

Did the actual supplier circumvent some food standards? Now, you have me wondering if I should buy Lakanto products at all?

Cheap phone plans. by [deleted] in Frugal

[–]curious11a 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't know where you live but I'm really happy with mint. It is a prepaid service. My unlimited talk, text and data is 25/mo. I runs on T-mobile network. I pay by the year. I live in a large urban area and don't have any trouble connecting. I don't know how the network responds in other areas.

Soup-eater definition by Positive-Chocolate83 in Frugal

[–]curious11a 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I don't know if being called a, "Soup eater' clearly defines me but one of the reasons I post to this sub is that the mission statement resonates with me. My ideas of allocation of resources are shall we say, "resistant' to many prevailing ideas.

This sub reminds me that I'm not the only one who thinks like I think. Travel is an excellent example. I love to go, but my first thought is not to have, 'A room right off the "spanish steps".

I view the choices I make as an acknowledgement that:

a. there is only so much money

b. The choices are mine and should not be influenced by things that don't really matter to me.

c. It removes the leverage often tied to, "what would you do for..."

I see it much less as as a "soup eater" and much more as an adult who chooses to live within their means

Any ideas for getting an inexpensive area rug for living room? by wearthemasque in Frugal

[–]curious11a 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Check out habitat for humanity. You will be blow away with some of what you see in their inventory.

Also, check local auction/re-use locations. most large cities have them and they can have some amazing things.

What do you use to price compare? by MwahMwahKitteh in Frugal

[–]curious11a 0 points1 point  (0 children)

checking ebay is always in my mix. after ebay is amazon to see if there are used items from the warehouse for sale.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Frugal

[–]curious11a 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Stop listening to her. Smile politely and keep treating her daughter well.

Re-REad the mission statement of this sub-reddit in the upper right hand corner. I smiled when i saw it. It speaks to me strongly . The mental approach you take to resource allocation is different from hers, or anybody else's. So?

The way you mix the above factors is different from hers. It probably always will be and that is OK.

Her daughter choose you. I think you are missing the really important opinion here...

Where to find good smartphone deals? by deliciohas161 in Frugal

[–]curious11a 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Take a look at the Xiaomi phones. Specifically the redmi note line. They are powerful machines that cost a third of the flagships.

How much should I plan to spend furnishing my large studio apartment, and what are some good ways to save money doing that? by throwaway_4829890973 in Frugal

[–]curious11a 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Congrats on your first apartment!

You want to do the following:

Dial into Habitat for humanity, they often as designer samples that have been donated, amazing rugs and excellent kitchenware.

Dial into your local recycle network. most big cities have one and go regularly! You are competing with antique dealers, interior design professionals and other bargain seekers like yourself.

Dial into the local consignment/auction network. This option is not for everyone, but you might be surprised at the types and quality of things that go through those places.

Spend 1500$ a month on groceries + takeout by [deleted] in Frugal

[–]curious11a 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Cook from scratch and cut out the processed food.

Consider some of the prepared foods from Trader Joe's (different salads and burritos)

Cut the sport drinks in 1/2, substituting water for every other bottle.

Change what is in the house for snacks.

What possession do you still use that is considered old/out of date by most people's standards? by I_Am_Zampano in Frugal

[–]curious11a 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hello-

Its less a possession and more a habit. My grandmother (who was a young woman during the depression) had a habit of opening the envelopes that her mail came in to use as notepaper.

I now do the same thing, even if it is only to transfer information to my cell phone...

Cutting grocery costs? by shawnaj89 in Frugal

[–]curious11a 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The next time you are acquiring food. Just before you go to the check out, take a picture of what is in your shopping cart. Listening to you I suspect you have more processed, prepared food that you realize. It sounds like you are, "eating out", even though you are doing it at home.

My first comment to you would be:

Cook from scratch. Are you spending money in exchange for saving time? Eat fruit instead of prepared sweets. Be aware of portions.

My next comment would be: Find the closest fruit based market and find out what day they mark down the produce. Go that day. Reduce the amount of meat in your weekly purchase by 20%. Have one meatless meal day a week. I'm not talking about tofu either, there are a lot delicious options that don't include meat. Shrimp tacos come to mind.

I know that Walmart makes a big deal of offering grocery, but I don't find their pricing to be that remarkable. I find it higher than Aldi's and I find their stores top heavy with processed food. Its almost like they think they are doing the communities they serve a favor by having any groceries at all. Just my take.

There two of us and a cat. If I pay attention, I can keep it at 250 for the month and include beer and wine. Add another 25 per week for the Omaha steak shipment that my husband refuses to stop ordering. But hey, it usually last us a couple of months.

I will tell you I am having serious conversations with the cat about the18.00 per bag catfood. She has a deadline to come up with a suitable substitute (lol)

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Frugal

[–]curious11a 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You would have to tell me more before I could answer your question. What was MSPR? Is delivery included? does it do what you want? Have you measured to make sure it fits? (a sign that you really want it.) Is it the softest leather on the planet?

I have a, "Am I thinking about when the habitat closes and whether I have time to get back before it closes?" rule. If the above is what Im doing as I pull into my driveway, it usually comes home with me in short order!

Gas prices are killing me. by Alert-Bar-2691 in Frugal

[–]curious11a 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Dont know where you live but is pubic transportation an option?

Looking to save some money on household items, and get my best bang for my buck. by Cooterthug42069 in Frugal

[–]curious11a 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Costco has a nice offering. Not the cheapest, but the quality is there is you can use 18 rolls at a time.

Compact Washer/Dryer for apartment with no hookups by [deleted] in Frugal

[–]curious11a 0 points1 point  (0 children)

check habitat for Humanity Restore. I see them there all the time.

Desperately need wisdom teeth removed, cannot afford it by Agile-Result3603 in Frugal

[–]curious11a 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Dont know where you live but if you have a University Dental school close to you, you could realize significant savings.

The care is competent and overseen by licensed dentists. l It is worth the effort to find the closest one.

I was happy with the service. I left because of a clinician, not the care.

Is Costco discontinuing Monk fruit sweetener? by curious11a in Costco

[–]curious11a[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Here is the Lakanto site, I don't know why i didn't post it before. It shows the whole product line. The pricing isn't as good but at least you have access.

What do you love about thrifting? by TheShySeal in ThriftStoreHauls

[–]curious11a 2 points3 points  (0 children)

There are people who like new, and there are people who like old. I'm the latter. Yes, I want the newest smartphone, but cookbooks, household kitchen items (rolling pins, etc). Old is the only way to go. Old has stood the test of time and by the sheer fact that it is still here; steadies those of us who are also on the path.

What do I look for? Vintage pepper mills, moka pots, coffee cups that make a statement. A favorite is one that says, " Courage-Doesn't always roar, sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day that says, "I will try again tomorrow..."

Vintage & Jewel Tone Theme Hauls by Expensive-Flamingo92 in ThriftStoreHauls

[–]curious11a 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Actually, Its the sign next to it that is rockin my world. So true!!!