Thrifty Thursday-Staying Afloat

      I've not done  a Thrifty Thursday post for a while-though in honesty, even recapping the last moth might be challenging. I've mostly tried not to be wasteful with my time, resources, or my money. 75% of the ime I think I get it right for me, and then there are moments I chuck good intentions aside and binge watch something on the TV and order take out, without eating the entire food and some goes to waste. We are staying afloat in our thrifty  journey-nothing  spectacular in our savings, but we're not drowning in expenses, even with a lot of gift  giving events this time of year. We have some events and activities, but our calendars are still slowly rebuilding with a fair amount of caution. Sine so much is outside, the social aspect of life has greatly improved.  Here's a few highlights  of where I feel I used my time, resources, or money well. 

Time

• Time was well spent with my immediate family, of course without DS, at the cabin.  
  
• Had nights out with each of my daughters-free entertainment (See below.)
• Stopped stressing (well as much as my  Type A brain allows) over  projects that need done in the house while I am so buried at work. 
• Got approved to carry over hours into the new fiscal year. I also scheduled two days off in July, and two weeks in August. Work survived when I was out of the country in 2018 for two weeks in this same period of time, so I have decided it can work this year. 
• Attended my friends son's graduation party. It was nice to talk with her a bit-has been a month since we last met up for a walk, and her daughter who was my younger daughters violin lesson partner. 

Resources  

• We splurged financially on Chipotle on Tuesday. I had a brutal day, DD2 had burrito envy after a coworker had it for lunch, and DH was stuck late at work. The burritos are massive, and neither DD2 or I could finish, but we both ate the next  day, so did not water. Surprisingly, taking the chill out of the burrito was enough to  keep the cold items cold, but not bite into ice cold  veg rice, and beans. 
• Rescued broccoli that got pushed to the back of the refrigerator-this happens too often as it doesn't fit in my veggie drawer. It went into a chicken salad, a chicken hotdish, and eaten raw with hummus. 
• Used up the last of my hard seltzers before we buy more. I found a 6 pack of mixers on clearance ($2.00) and we had some other alcohol at the lake so we had a few cocktails on the cheap. 
• Despite the draught. we have not  started watering our grass. Fingers crossed for rain that is desperately needed, but to use for lawns when it is needed for drinking and agriculture seems wasteful. 
• However, I am keeping my  flower pots alive with watering from a pitcher each early  morning. 

Money

• We had two rounds of free entertainment with the Improve by the river by the local theater group, and the city sponsored Thursday concert series. We made a donation to the theater bucket, but brought our own water and did not buy anything form the food truck at the concert.
• DH did a lot of calling and comparison and found boat bumpers for a lot less than even Walmart and Fleet Farm were pricing them at. 
• The gas mileage on the boat is much better than average, and that will help keep the cost per use affordable. 
• I filled DD2's gas as I had used her car quite a bit running errands when mine was blocked in. I didn't have points, but they gave me a 5 cents per galon credit, saving a bit. Every nickel helps, right?
• DD2 was eligible for the stimulus since she filed herself She didn't get the $600 paid last December, but the $1400. It will go as intended, living expenses in the fall. Lesson for anyone with college age students-really do the math as to how taxes and filing work. We are in a much higher tax bracket of course but if we can save for her  college with tax benefits now, I'll take it. I might sound hypocritical as I believe in fair and reasonable taxes for the good of society, but while paying a boat load of tuition and being eligible for no financial aid, I'm happy she can get the  resources for her college years. 

     Chipotle aside, I am using up fresh items that needed to be used in dinner meals and eating leftovers for lunch. I've not set a budget challenge for June since  my schedule is erratic and with DD2 starting her new job, we weren't sure how lunch opportunities would play out. I'm happy she has access to both a refrigerator and microwave so she can have more variety than sandwiches. This is not much different than when she was eating lunch at home, so a good way to keep the little to no food waste going. That's my list for this week. Have you had any new ways to save or any opportunities for free entertainment? WHere are you prioritizing your time and money this summer?