Thrifty Thursday-New Look at Frugality

     

     I hope the week has been good to you. I'm past the hump day of my work week, so already thinking weekend. I want it to be a productive weekend after all the playing I did last weekend. Well, not playing too hard but I didn't get things done that I need to. Besides getting nearer to the end of my work week, it's the day I capture the ways I embraced thrift and frugality, according to my own definitions. I'm always trying to find the balance between spending on needs, adding in a few wants, and saving for the future. Sometimes not buying or spending is just dumb, so I try to take new looks at frugality. 

     Lady's will understand this, so men, bear with this example. I could have gotten by with the ordering the same practical bras I always go for-do the job, but are not pretty and quite frankly, don't do much for my busty shape. I took the chance and ordered one practical, but splurged on a second version that had good reviews. And guess what-I feel a bit better wearing it and it makes my clothes feel more stylish and not just coverage. I plan to order at least another one. Frugal, no,. Thrifty, no.  Feeling a bit better about my appearance? A steal. That's my new look at frugality. Not buying something because it costs more and going for the less expensive option isn't necessarily the good choice. I'll still look for other ways to maximize our families funds, but undergarments'-no scrimping anymore! The girls aside, here are my thrifty moves/gains for the last week. 

• Used a $5 coupon to defray a little of our night out dinner last Saturday. 
• I wasn't the bill payer this time, but compliments of my friend S, we enjoyed $2 taps and a $5 shared appetizer. Sort of undid our river walk, but hey, beer and friends on a Sunday afternoon.
• In efforts to stay under budget and apply March funds to Easter dinner, I shopped with just a replenish mode, and as of this morning, I'm at $340 for the month in all those grocery/household areas with very few needs to close the month.  
• I had waste this week of a old cucumber and some hummus that got pushed to the back of the refrigerator, but we utilized all leftovers for lunches, and for DH snacks. 
• Bought a 10# bag of basmati for $9.99, so just $1 a pound, the best price I find. Also picked up 7 ounce pouch of curry powder for $2.49, less than the cost of a.7 ounce in the standard stores, at the same Indian market
• Shopped my mini stock pile for a new bottle of shampoo, bought for peanuts last fall when I had a windfall of coupons for H&B items
• Passed on buying both a pretty Easter egg plate, and a shelf that wasn't quite right. I don't need items in my house that do not help organization and just add more clutter. 
• Free to us entertainment was both The Adam Project, which I enjoyed, and a remake of Cheaper by the Dozen, which was mildly amusing. To One Family...I must not have a soul either, as I did not cry during the movie, lol. 
• Reused a few Easter wood cut outs for the porch to get a little spring vibe going. It felt good to have the porch swept, the chair cushions cleaned, and a nice place to take advantage of those little snippets of warm weather to read a book, listen to a podcast, or just chat with neighbors. 
• The Diet Coke 12 packs at over $5 gave me a shock. A good month to keep on breaking my soda habit. 
• Compared Cascade in Sam's Club and determined quantity will save us roughly $7.25 over 5-6 months. Not a ton, but who wants to spend more doing dishes?
• Did some gift shopping for future bdays, taking advantage of winter clearance and 30% coupon. 
• Earned additional $20 Kohl's cash, plus $5 for store pick up.

     Thrift isn't glamorous, but it helps get us where we want to be with our money. I'll keep looking for the ways to enjoy our life, maximize all our resources, including time, and make a good life.  I still remember our friend Cheap Chicks motto, "Living rich on the cheap with occasional sips of champagne." She had it right.