Yard Sale Freebies

While driving to the bookstore to look at the magazines for free rather than subscribing, we passed a roadside yard sale.  There were two piles. One said 'free" and one said "make offer."  Above is a picture of what we picked from the free pile. One shovel in excellent condition, two fishing poles, one unopened package with 5 rolls of Christmas paper, 2 brand new lights that we will use to replace the old lights on our front and back porch, and 3 bottles of brake fluid in a little bin.  We think back on it and we should have taken a couple more of the things that we didn't really want and try to resell them.

Free Stove

On Thanksgiving Day 2009 my flat top stove died with a turkey in it. We were able to use an old stove my husband had in his garage (that he had planned to start using to powder coat metal) to salvage the day. After that day I spent two full years without a stove. The one in the garage was not fit for the house. We did not have the cash for a new stove and we did not want to add to our credit card debt. I got creative and actually enjoyed using the microwave, slow cooker, toaster oven and grill. After two years my father said he knew someone who was remodeling and they were getting a new stove to go with the new decor. Their current stove was free for the taking. There was nothing wrong with it and it was clean. We said we would take it. He did neglect to tell me that it was from the 1980s!  Since it was free, I didn't complain. It has been working fine. I guess it is easier to use the stove, but I have tried to keep creative with the other appliances too.

Free Coffee at McDonalds

Free small coffee at McDonalds from September 23-29th. I just found out yesterday, but I got mine today. I didn't even have to pay the tax on it. Great deal and now I have a to-go cup as well.  That will get at least 1 more use I am sure!

Wildflower Arrangements

I love having flowers in my house, but I refuse to buy them. During the spring, summer and fall I will pick flowers from around our property. I have lilacs, tiger lillies, black eyed susans, daisys, and some that I don't know the names of. I have made arrangements with cattails, branches, greens and pine boughs too. If you have none on your property, buy a packet of mixed wildflower seeds and sprinkle them in an area you don't mow. If you can't do that, sometimes a walk or a drive will take you to a place to gather your arrangements. Just be sure not to pick on property that you shouldn't.

Fun Free Finds from Walks and Scrounging

Ed goes on walks in back of our property and around the neighbor's old farm property. These are a few of the things he has brought back from these walks. He found the old dump that was used through the years by the farm.