Thrifty Thursday Again

      In the end, nothing remotely Irish consumed yesterday. I did live vicariously through old school buddy, trivia team member J. He makes St Patrick's Day buttons and you'll find him at every Irish bar in St Paul  handing them out, having many a pint bought for him and ending his day with a big steak dinner. No worries about driving as he arranges a ride and a vacation day off teaching the following day as well. He started this when he first moved back to Minnesota, young bachelor, with a crew of friends. Over the years as the grown ups married and had kids, his circle got smaller but new friends made each year. Even when he settled into family life pushing 40, his lovely wife A was a full on supporter of the St Patrick's Peter Pan. With a bunch of us now being empty nesters, last year a few more would have joined him. I will some day too, but maybe late afternoon- the all day beer fest would be wasted on me. I'm still trying to make good with my  time, resources, and money, but I could make a case that a day with J can tick all the boxes.

Time

• Still loving my walks-even when we get the overnight and morning snow, non freezing temps is a god boost to me getting outdoors more.
  
• Reserved tickets to the Minneapolis Institute of Arts for  a week form Sunday. It will be a one directional  tour, socially distanced. I figure it will be the equivalent of when I have gone grocery shopping so if health protocols are followed, I feel comfortable. 
• No success yet, but each day I unt for vaccine slots for DH. We'll get our turn eventually. 
• I had the first of two Bible studies on Monday. I'm less enthused about the lack of discussion so far, and more Q&A. It might not be my thing as the format is a bit literal and less applicable to how to discuss in a modern world, but I'm glad I am trying it out. 

Resources  

• Did some freezer rooting and used up a couple deep in the corners prepped leftover meals for lunch. 
• Ate a can of soup I rescued back in February from my office desk before it hit it's best buy date. 
• I'm getting some positive responses from the May 1 Park Clean-up Event form various family members. Someone had the idea that we should bring a separate bag for can collection to drop off for the clubs in town, I think just Boy Scouts, that saves cans for their organization. 
• Used up a handful of  older baby carrots in a crock pot pasta dish last night. It was yummy and a little boost to our goal of five a day. (It had zucchini and tomatoes as well).

Money

• As I mentioned last week, we are hat losers-well, DD2 in particular. The inexpensive clearance hats I ordered came, and they are lovely, thick, and  of good quality. 
• When DH went to pick up our take out, a little issue happened and he was missed and missed with the car side delivery. They ended up thinking perhaps our order was sent with someone else. They rectified it quickly, plus through in a freebie pint of potato salad, and the owner gave him a $10 gift card. We will be back-the food was very good. Even though we ate to stuffed, we had leftovers that I used for lunch.

    

     Yes, we gave in and splurged on the take out, but we are still trying to support  small and local businesses. We'll continue to belt tighten where we can to make up some of our negative cash flow due to increased tax burden and DH's lower take home. We're exploring free and low cost activities for when my daughter is home in a little over a week, lie the MIA reservation above. How are you all doing with any thrift goals you have? Are you finding new ways to spend your time with frugal activities?.