Things I've Been Spending Money On

 

     In my journey to save where I can and spend when it matters, I'm reaching a healthy balance I think. A month ago I was being a little batty about minutia savings, and worrying about money spent on everything, and posted Questioning Too Much Financial Worry. I had come off two expensive months in August and September, had paid not jut for books, tuition, and room and board, but had additional  music fees for my daughter. DH had  an OK, but not overwhelmingly good months and  was starting to get a bit of the weight of the next four years on my shoulders. I was even debating about a relatively small splurge for our 32nd wedding anniversary. Well, as usual good readers, you all gave me  great thinking points about it being OK to spend occasionally, and reminders, that I am collectively paraphrasing, that money is a tool to support a happy and productive life and not to obsess too much. 

     Lately I have been working both ends of the thrifty/frugal and money is for spending spectrum. I love my H&G challenges. I'm buying more whole foods that actually have to be cooked and pushing  my skills to make a touch more variety in our meals. With just the two of us home, leftovers are plenty. I'm either incorporating them into the  supper menus, or putting in smaller portions that I can grab and go for lunch. While doing this at home and saving a lot of money, we have not shunned eating out or take out, in fact we are spending  a higher percent than ever of our overall food budget on meals out of the house. The difference though than in past years, other then DH's  lunch runs on the fly, our  meals out have been for experiences and special occasions rather than just not wanting to cook. For example, my daughter and I wanted to try the vegan restaurant, J Selby's, and what better way than together and for a late birthday treat since she had been busy the weekends surrounding her birthday. 

     I realize I also spend  money at the brewery. Not a huge amount because occasionally I pick up the beers, sometimes my daughter, or a friend does. it balances out, but I think it is well spent. Trivia is a nice brain escape on Wednesdays', and last  night it worked out well for my daughter and I to play Bingo there from 6-8. She was getting up early to work out and then head to a college friends for the weekend as they were attending  a gala fundraiser, and I wanted to do something, but still have an early night. They have live music most weekends. The brewery has been a great community addition to our town and we want it to do well and prosper. 

     I added Acorn TV to my streaming services, at least temporarily. I like that  a membership can be stopped and started anytime. I've loved getting caught up on the 9th season of Doc Martin, but I won't share any spoilers! There's a couple other shows I've seen the preview for that look quite good as well. I prefer British crime dramas over US because they are more realistic, show the real time and effort it takes, and are not one and done in 60 minutes. I've heard about the issue that might be coming with different smart TVs and streaming services so we'll have to see if we have those issue with the large TV downstairs. We have already decided to get a new TV for the bedroom, so if we have the issues, we'll just do without those downstairs. We need to decide if we are going to ditch our current satellite package because of the various streaming services, but for now, have them all. Call me dull, but in the coldest of cold in the winter, a nice night out for me, is a nice night in with a take out meal, wine or beer and something entertaining to watch. 

     I'm been meeting people for coffee a bit more in the last six weeks. I'll gladly drink coffee at home using $3.49 Aldi vanilla or hazelnut (both are very tasty), while at the  same time spending the same or more on a single cup of coffee at an independent coffee shop meeting a friend or work colleague. It's just what it is, a necessary part of work life for me now. I met my friend N on Tuesday, who I have not seen since August, and we had a good catchup on our kids and family. Life just slows down in a coffee shop. Will I swing through a Starbucks for  morning coffee? Not likely, but I seem to not  hesitate to spend $7 on a cup of coffee and tiny muffin at the Dancing Goat.

     I don't claim to be a frugal zealot, but I don't like stupid spending. I know I could host more, have people over and not spend nearly what I spend on food and beverages outside of the home, but for now, this is working. If things get tight budgetarily, beer, coffee, and meals out are easy places to cut out expenses. I don't really have them in other places. People close to me know I am not putting money into my closet or house right now, other than a few candles. Saving and splurging is a balancing act. I hope I can keep things steady as I head into the great season of holiday spending.