Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Grateful
Today I am grateful for: fresh, local produce, my Bose earphones that My Heart's Desire fixed, reading lots of magazines and books, cleansing rain, having four seasons of approximately equal length, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (I'd never seen it and splurged and spent $5 at Best Buy), making conscious decisions, and being able to make myself useful.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
My BFF is Getting Married!
My BFF got engaged in August and has already planned her wedding! Let me give you a hint:
That's right, Hawaii!
She will be a spring bride with her toes in the sand at sunset when she weds. It could not be anything but spectacular. Her wedding (I guess I should say their wedding) is really small, only about 20 people. So it'll be really intimate and special.
I am so excited for her!
And My Heart's Desire and I are thrilled that we're going to be going to Hawaii! I've been to Maui and the Big Island before, but My Heart's Desire has never been.
Hawaii really is paradise on Earth. I really can't wait for this:
Of course, we're going to really have to step up the thriftiness between now and then to afford this trip. One of my girlfriends works for a hotel with a destination in Hawaii so hopefully they'll have a friend price. I'll also be seeing what I can work out with travel miles. And I'm already on the list for the Fodor Guide from the library.
That's right, Hawaii!
She will be a spring bride with her toes in the sand at sunset when she weds. It could not be anything but spectacular. Her wedding (I guess I should say their wedding) is really small, only about 20 people. So it'll be really intimate and special.
I am so excited for her!
And My Heart's Desire and I are thrilled that we're going to be going to Hawaii! I've been to Maui and the Big Island before, but My Heart's Desire has never been.
Hawaii really is paradise on Earth. I really can't wait for this:
Of course, we're going to really have to step up the thriftiness between now and then to afford this trip. One of my girlfriends works for a hotel with a destination in Hawaii so hopefully they'll have a friend price. I'll also be seeing what I can work out with travel miles. And I'm already on the list for the Fodor Guide from the library.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Thrifty Girl Report
Curl up and dye
So in the late spring I started coloring my own hair once a month for about $10 instead of spending $65 + tip for one color at the salon. Doesn't last as long and sometimes doesn't come out as good, but I'm basically just coloring the roots and grown out highlights so it's all right. Last month I braved an inexpensive haircut by a hairdresser recommended by the local magazine and spent $21 + tip on my new 'do. I didn't like it that much at first, but a few weeks later I was loving it.
Coupons
Even though it takes some time to cut out and organize, then actually use coupons, I've been doing it. The grocery stores I like double coupons and I usually end up saving more than $10.
Ca$h
Instead of charging, I've been taking out cash and spending it. This is something I have definitely not been in the habit of, until recently. It's interesting how I see things as either/or instead of both.
Holiday
Yes, it's really early! I've already made my shopping list and checked it once for what I'm going to do for holiday gifts. This way I can have a few more months to buy. I also love, love, love holiday music and make a CD to share with friends. I've already started this as well.
So in the late spring I started coloring my own hair once a month for about $10 instead of spending $65 + tip for one color at the salon. Doesn't last as long and sometimes doesn't come out as good, but I'm basically just coloring the roots and grown out highlights so it's all right. Last month I braved an inexpensive haircut by a hairdresser recommended by the local magazine and spent $21 + tip on my new 'do. I didn't like it that much at first, but a few weeks later I was loving it.
Coupons
Even though it takes some time to cut out and organize, then actually use coupons, I've been doing it. The grocery stores I like double coupons and I usually end up saving more than $10.
Ca$h
Instead of charging, I've been taking out cash and spending it. This is something I have definitely not been in the habit of, until recently. It's interesting how I see things as either/or instead of both.
Holiday
Yes, it's really early! I've already made my shopping list and checked it once for what I'm going to do for holiday gifts. This way I can have a few more months to buy. I also love, love, love holiday music and make a CD to share with friends. I've already started this as well.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Favorite Things
This month, my favorite things are:
1. Fage. This Greek Yogurt is so good, it's become my standard breakfast. It's not at all sweet like regular yogurt but is full of creamy deliciousness.
2. Used bookstore. The friends of the county library offer steals and deals. I recently found Never Let Me Go book on CD for $8 in great shape. I go to the library at least twice weekly, but when I'm traveling I like to pick up cheap books I don't have to bring back.
3. Gratitude. I joined a group of women where we each send out 5 things to be grateful for each day. At first, it was hard to think of 5 things to be grateful for. Now I'm looking for things. It's also served as a slow but sure and steady attitude adjustment.
4. Gym. I've been going more often and doing weights and strength training, as well as using different cardio machines (I'm looking at you, StairMaster) to ramp up my cardio. This month I've gotten a big push out of my comfort zone -- ow ow ow, in the best way.
5. So much to do, so little time. I have standing commitments and often want to do other stuff, for fun or education or socialize or whatever. What I've realized is that I really need to look ahead when I'm scheduling because otherwise I end up busy and overwhelmed. Commandment #8: Create a schedule that works for me is really something I've been working on lately. I've decided not to add anything regular to my schedule for a while.
1. Fage. This Greek Yogurt is so good, it's become my standard breakfast. It's not at all sweet like regular yogurt but is full of creamy deliciousness.
2. Used bookstore. The friends of the county library offer steals and deals. I recently found Never Let Me Go book on CD for $8 in great shape. I go to the library at least twice weekly, but when I'm traveling I like to pick up cheap books I don't have to bring back.
3. Gratitude. I joined a group of women where we each send out 5 things to be grateful for each day. At first, it was hard to think of 5 things to be grateful for. Now I'm looking for things. It's also served as a slow but sure and steady attitude adjustment.
4. Gym. I've been going more often and doing weights and strength training, as well as using different cardio machines (I'm looking at you, StairMaster) to ramp up my cardio. This month I've gotten a big push out of my comfort zone -- ow ow ow, in the best way.
5. So much to do, so little time. I have standing commitments and often want to do other stuff, for fun or education or socialize or whatever. What I've realized is that I really need to look ahead when I'm scheduling because otherwise I end up busy and overwhelmed. Commandment #8: Create a schedule that works for me is really something I've been working on lately. I've decided not to add anything regular to my schedule for a while.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Commandment #9: Complain less, compliment more
This commandment is something that I've been working on for a while. It's definitely a challenge for me to let go of stuff that's bugging me and not complain to everyone who will listen - especially when I feel like I've been wronged.
Here's the thing that I've realized (and hence created the commandment): it doesn't matter. And nobody cares. In the long run, will I remember the details of feeling annoyed? Nope. And complaining is not how I want to spend time with my friends and family.
It's hard not to complain to My Heart's Desire though because we are around he each other so much. But he's a great example of how to act - he lets 99% of annoyances roll off his back. "Ah, what are you gonna do?" is something I hear from him a lot.
I've been consciously trying to complain less - not always succeeding but being mindful about it. Also, when I feel like complaining, I make sure to really listen to the person I'm talking to and asking follow-up questions and just forget about the whatever it was.
Compliments cost me nothing to give and can really let someone else know the good things I think about them. I think nice things about people all the time but it's taking the additional step to tell them that makes the difference.
Here's the thing that I've realized (and hence created the commandment): it doesn't matter. And nobody cares. In the long run, will I remember the details of feeling annoyed? Nope. And complaining is not how I want to spend time with my friends and family.
It's hard not to complain to My Heart's Desire though because we are around he each other so much. But he's a great example of how to act - he lets 99% of annoyances roll off his back. "Ah, what are you gonna do?" is something I hear from him a lot.
I've been consciously trying to complain less - not always succeeding but being mindful about it. Also, when I feel like complaining, I make sure to really listen to the person I'm talking to and asking follow-up questions and just forget about the whatever it was.
Compliments cost me nothing to give and can really let someone else know the good things I think about them. I think nice things about people all the time but it's taking the additional step to tell them that makes the difference.
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