Six Frugal Things

I finally had a one on one dinner with my son this week. While it doesn't fall under the "frugal" heading as we headed to Texas Roadhouse, it's something we don't get to do that often with various schedule issues. I'd like to say we can do this once a month but I'll be happy with every six weeks.

At lunch today, we had a couple interesting conversations. One was on hobbies, and how many of us find our interest waxes and wanes and we don't necessarily have the passion for "one big thing" any more. I definitely fall under this umbrella. While I still knit, quilt, sew and occasionally draw, sometimes I do none of them for a week-and sometimes I spend a day doing all. I find myself more interested in doing things with others (In small groups rather than large most of the time), and quiet times like reading. Obviously I'm still expanding as I am in the process of teaching myself to do art quilts and fabric decoration (see below), but my "creative" hobbies often take a back seat to other parts of life which are either more social, or more relaxed, depending.

Meanwhile, a few frugal things this week:

1.  I broke my no summer style clothes spending fast - which may not seem frugal as such. but as many of us from very warm weather climates know, dress are always the coolest thing to wear. It's 94 out and these dresses were on deep sale as well as being buy one get one for five dollars. I'm now back on the no clothes until fall band wagon (that clothing inventory shows I have total of five long sleeved tops including the  casual ones and one heavy cardigan). Exceptions will be accessories to go with wedding dress if needed. 

2.  I'm still looking at ways to hem the wedding dress but I've decided it's a keeper even if I have to pay for hemming-the darned thing was only sixty dollars. I may even be able to cut around a layer of lace with small scissors and use fray check leaving a scalloped egg. Which would be the ultimate frugality considering I will never wear this dress again.

3.  After thinking the larder was bare, we have somehow bought almost nothing in groceries this week. I bought some additional chicken, we had enough ham to make a ham and pasta salad this evening and I added some fruit and lettuce. This will admittedly probably mean a big shop next week for fill-ins. And maybe some pre-cooked chicken and burgers to avoid the stove.

4. In another ode to the library, I am sitting here with at least six books on mixed media and art quilts, as well as a group of books bought from the library sale for pennies. While I may have gone to the kindle dark side for regular reading, I've yet to turn down an almost free book in any form and for crafts and other instruction I prefer a large "real book".

5.  Except for a senior lunch menu item and a single drink at happy hour my entertainment and enrichment for the week has included books from the library, three free classes at three health clubs (thank you Silver Sneakers), playing with craft supplies on hand, knitting at my local independent book store and other no out of pocket costs. Next week should be more of the same with the exception of the food to go with my five dollar movie fee when we go see the new Quentin Tarentino movie on Tuesday.

6. Frugal because my time is equally valuable and I am trying to limit online time: I have removed myself from almost all of my "deal" websites, as well as their attendant emails. I am still big on saving money but I appreciate calm. I kept the best website/app (KrazyKoupon Lady) which I can go to without being emailed. I have apps for the places I shop the most so I can get rewards and I use a couple shop through sites. Other than that, I prefer to make my money saving about not buying, re-using and up-cycling and cut down on digital time.S

Happy Weekend Everyone!