live frugally, but richly and deliciously.

I mean – too broadly defined to actually know it is completed or not. I’ve decided to mark it as ‘done’ although it is something I want to remember about while making minor dcisions and choices. It is always work in progress…

Dollar Tree: pasta, raisens, trail mix, condiments & spices, a notebook, q-tips, 4th of July beads… lots of good stuff for $14 and saved me from spending too much on my walgreens trip.

Walkgreens was a bit more expensive but I had to get foundation & hair dye. I went for the $7 Clairol and the foundation was buy one get one free (thank you cool walgreens chick for hooking me up with the coupon!)so I was able to score some free blush. =)

Goodwill: I found all sorts of things, including this fantastic dress, but my normal size is too big! Instead I got a sweet purse (I didnt bring any purses to Portland, just an over-the-shoulder bag) and two new tops for $15. Nice!

plus frozen veggies plus grilled chicken strips equals cheap and yummy!

A fun day of thrifting was had. Got two shirts, a pair of pants, and loads of books for a steal. Got lots of craft supplies. Thrifting supports charities, is recycling, and is easy on the wallet. Delicious!

I am a bit overwhelmed with my “stuff” right now. I successfully cleaned out my closet by being honest about my clothes. How many coats did I really need? When was the last time I wore those uncomfortable but fierce shoes? Yet, I have over a 1000 books in my apartment (even though I cull through them every 3 months) and I feel overwhelmed for lack of storage. And workspace! I feel like part of living deliciously is not being overwhelmed by STUFF. This is a work in progress

I got hard core for two weeks to see if I could do it. I didn’t eat out at all….and surprisingly didn’t miss it. I cooked more and came to enjoy that. I just added to my savings account. I did have to do errands today and I actually had a jolt of anxiety about having to spend money! I was nervous about it after abstaining for as long as possible. This has been hard but well worth it.

I need to continue to let my savings grow. Don’t eat out. Bring lunch to work every day. Stop buying magazines. Take photos instead of buying stuff like souveniers, momentos, or impulse buys at street fairs.

my goal this weekend was to go as many days as possible without spending ANY money. Eating out is a wallet-killer! I have brought my lunch to work everyday. I did get groceries yesterday, but I only spent $28 thanks to coupons and those should last me almost a week if I’m careful. I am trying to eat up what’s in the pantry. Those boxes of pasta just sit there.
What I will give up this month: Magazines. I am a magazine-aholic. Yummy eye candy please! I read it once, then recyle it. So that’s $4-$8 that’s minimal in entertainment value.

Oh, I know I can do this. With the plethora of thrift stores in my area, I can live beautifully. what’s tough is being frugal on phone service, internet service, cable, utilities, gas, cat food….

- Being fully aware of the present moment. Noticing and enjoying the small everyday things. Reveling in nature, the outdoors, sunlight, the night sky, and all those things that come for free and which we often take for granted.

- Understanding that life is made up of moments, and that it’s experiences and not possessions which make life fuller.

- Getting rid of anything unnecessary, not beautiful, or which could be put to better use by somebody else.

- Spending my hard earned money wisely: Buying experiences (quality ingredients for a delicious meal, a book, dinner out, museum tickets, wine to share with friends, travel) rather than things (clothes, shoes, purses, souvenirs, cable TV).

- Filling my days with good company, good food, good music.

- Enjoying my own company. I am the only person I know for a fact that will be with me from now until I die.

- Learning, being, accomplishing, and experiencing rather than getting, buying, and taking.

- Honoring my body: Making a statement through it by running miles with it and celebrating my mobility, rather than by using it as a billboard to advertise brands.

It’s so close to an oxymoron, but it makes perfect sense; grounded and sensible, yet decadent. And it makes me laugh :-) so I like it even better.