16 responses to “Summer thrift-list”

1. 

   cam May 3rd, 2009 at 11:47

   Cast iron pans are great for the bbq! I’ve wanted to get one myself but they are usually pretty expensive. Good find!

2. 

   Saver Queen May 3rd, 2009 at 11:51

   They had a larger size for $2 – if I had known, I could have bought an extra for you! Sometimes I think it would be a good idea for everyone to share their “wish lists” so we can pick up good deals when we see them!

   What can you put in the cast iron frying pan in the BBQ?

3. 

   Amber May 3rd, 2009 at 12:30

   I completely agree with you about thrifting – good for the planet, good for your wallet!

   I’m in search of cast iron and kid’s clothing. The kid’s stuff is the constant on the list, those little ones grow quickly!

4. 

   Christine May 3rd, 2009 at 17:19

   Nice Cast Iron. Have you tried Freecycle? I am thinking about checking them out.

   Happy Thrifting!

5. 

   Melaniesd May 3rd, 2009 at 18:42

   Wow! Great scores!

   I didn’t know you could make popcorn in the a paperbag in the microwave??
   I have an air popper – I LOVE it – plus it’s fun!

6. 

   Saver Queen May 3rd, 2009 at 20:55

   Christine – it’s embarrassing to admit, but I’ve tried freecycle and can’t figure out how to get in on a forum. I’ve signed up but still couldn’t figure it out. Now that I’ve moved, I should try again.

   Melaniesd – yup, you just put the kernals in a brown paper bag and staple it with 2 staples. (This amount of metal will not spark in the microwave.)

7. 

   Bee May 4th, 2009 at 05:09

   Great deal!

   I wish garage sales were a bit more common over here…

8. 

   Tracey McBride May 4th, 2009 at 09:55

   Great post and what wonderful bargains!! I just love rummage/yard sales!! I too am a huge advocate of thrift shopping with a list. My strategy is not to inhibit the joy of the treasure hunt, but simply to remind myself of the items I currently have a need/use/desire for. My own strategy is to look through the sale for items that catch my eye, after that I will pull out my index card to remind myself to look for the listed items as well. I truly think it’s the best of both worlds–practical as well as a lot of fun!
   Warmly,
   Tracey

   P.S. Again, I’m amazed at the deals you found! One dollar for the cast iron skillet…Amazing!! I use my own (yard sale) cast iron skillet daily, as well as our thrift shop Mandolin slicer (especially during the summer, for salads and the like).

9. 

   Erran May 4th, 2009 at 10:29

   My dear! What are you doing?! Popcorn popper and a rice cooker?!? So easy to do it in a pot. A friend showed me how to make popcorn in a pot and I’ll never go back to anything else. I thought I wanted a hot-air popper, but no more. Granted, you need to use oil, but the popcorn is so much more filling and flavourful! As for rice, check this prep table I found on the web:

   http://www.grandtimes.com/Whole_Grains.html

   Great post on Gail’s today. Le sigh.

10. 

    Saver Queen May 4th, 2009 at 10:52

    Tracey – I think that’s a great idea. I should write my notes on an index card too. I agree with your strategy – it doesn’t mean you can’t be flexible but it’s a good idea to have a running list so that you don’t overspend or wind up with a bunch of stuff you don’t really need!

    Erran – I would not have bought a popcorn popper if it wasn’t for $1.50. That low price was worth the convenience. Like I say, we did make our own popcorn before. As for the rice cooker – it is a luxury, and normally I am really against “uni-taskers” as Alton Brown calls them. I make an exception to this rule because I use a rice cooker probably 3 or more times a week. I used to use a pot until we got this handmedown a couple of years ago. Now instead of having to watch a pot I can just carry on with what I’m doing and forget about it. Ours was free, but it’s wearing down. I’ve heard you can get them for about $10, so for this price, it’s worth the convenience.

11. 

    Kate May 4th, 2009 at 11:19

    The rice cooker doesn’t have to be a uni-tasker. I also use it to steam veggies and things- just put it in the steamer basket while the rice cooks. I’m planning to try an experiment this summer- fried rice in the rice cooker…

    This article from CHOW has tips for using your seeming “uni-taskers” for other things: http://www.chow.com/stories/11092

    It doesn’t include tips for rice cookers, but lots of commenters have.

12. 

    Erran May 4th, 2009 at 11:44

    Hey, can’t argue with cheap or free. Didn’t intend to offend or anything. A friend gave me a toaster oven – something I wouldn’t have bought myself – but now that I have it, I use it a fair bit. I don’t have a microwave and still see no use for it. Anyways, I can appreciate a rice cooker. Wanted one for a while, but realized that it’s not a priority for me.

13. 

    C - The Asian Pear May 4th, 2009 at 22:45

    This summer, I’m not planning to buy anything. I am, instead, gonna be doing the selling.

    Our family has TONS of old/new & unused stuff around. Like 3 rice cookers, 2 television sets and whatnot. Maybe you should pop over and visit our garage sale this summer.

14. 

    Saver Queen May 4th, 2009 at 23:16

    C – where are you located? Are you in Toronto? I may very well come by if you are!

15. 

    FrugalChick May 5th, 2009 at 10:39

    Excellent deals!

16. 

    Sonya-Dime Store Thrift May 6th, 2009 at 14:32

    Ohhhh, I had a list going earlier and seemed to be able to find most of it, so still need to get another list going…I am SUCH a list person:)

    I am on a kick of Oil Lamps right now…I would like to have one for each room and use them to cut back on electricity. That is my big look-for items right now. (And I am just loving them for decor, too!)
    Sonya