Thrifty Thursday- Simplicity

     

     I've not been in a peaceful state of mind and trying to figure that out. It was good to have three days off, one of which was a holiday so no one was filling my in box with emails like last week. In some moments of rest, I started to think about my current stress load and the why. Yes, it's work related, and I need to try harder to keep that compartmentalized at work. But I hit on, through my pondering, that much of my stress is in mentally comparing or trying to keep up with what other people have going on in their lives or what I feel is expected of me. Time to time this needless energy zap creeps in. What I most need...is nothing. I need simplicity. I need calm. I need to not care that other people choose to load their personal calendars with things, then act so much virtuously busier than me. Let them have at it. I just need to inward look at what makes me happy and what suits my family best. 

     Thrift should never be about nothing but money. It should represent how I live my life in ways that are not wasteful, but also where time is invested in things that are productive, creative, restful, meaningful or just make us happy. Growing our savings helps reach that mindful independence sooner, so back to my old mantra on thrift. It's maximizing our time, resources, and money to simply live a life that's true to my values. Here's where that was applied this past week, though I wasn't as conscientious of it as I'd like going forward.

• It ended up being a rainy 4th. DH and the girls went to a matinee of the Elvis movie, saving a few dollars a ticket. I used the time to do a little laundry, prepped dinner, and general tidy. Then, caught up with various blogs, vlogs on YouTube, and relaxed. It was good to truly take the day at my own pace.
• Since DH spent an absolutely atrocious amount on groceries trying to help me out, I've vowed to make sure I use up what we have. Part of my Monday was refining the meal options into a more concrete plan. 
• Uploaded Fetch receipts and played MS Rewards trivia. I'm getting closer to earning some bonus gift cards. 
• It was terrific having my daughter's friend join us Sunday. Youth flies so fast and being able to spend time with our kids friends is a great opportunity with our time. 
• My Aldi brownies and broccoli salad were winners at my sister's. They're such generous hosts, it's nice to find sides that people enjoy. The salads not cheap, but there's simple pleasure in having your potluck items enjoyed!
• Also, I was generous, but budget conscious with what I brought to the lake cabin. Remember this is the place with the teens and young men with huge appetites. My nephew and his friend were thrilled with the old fashion hotdogs rather than the pork loin his dad made, and my niece was excited about watermelon. The inexpensive pasta salad went over well. The rice Krispy bars were devoured. Again, a simple pleasure to feel like my efforts are appreciated and enjoyed, but also I was budget frugal.
• Free entertainment this week was Stranger Things, tennis, and taking pup to the river. I also had a Mike's at home on the deck. Tonight's another concert downtown and even if no one else wants to go, I'm planning to.
• We used a $5 coupon for dinner out last Friday. DH also used a $5 coupon on the expensive shop, which helped. These were from one of the highschool "deal card" fundraiser last summer. They expire at the end of the month but we'll likely be sold a new one. 
• I splurged, but had fun, meeting friends for Trivia last night. It's been a busy summer for one with their sons graduation. We finished 2nd so have $20 towards our next tab. I've missed being out with friends.

     That's where I think I made good use of time, resources, and money. DH has been coughing up a storm all night. I'm pulling out the Covid tests and hoping he's negative. I'm supposed to go to the office to find and scan files, but not if he's exposed me. Fingers crossed. How was your week in thrift?

Edit: His test was negative. It's a bad bark but I've got soothing tea, honey, and lemon. We still have Musinex from DD2's bought in late spring. I will mask up regardless, and I'll have him use the other test in the box Saturday to be sure.