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Thursday, May 4, 2017

Indulging My Champagne Tastes on a Tap Water Budget

So, I ran through our budget the other day. Having the roof repaired, the car repaired, a new water heater installed, 4 new tires put on the car, an unexpected medical bill paid, and a lost pair of glasses replaced, all since December, has put our budget in a tight bind. But I refuse to live like a pauper. If all I can afford is tap water, well, then, I'm going to make that glass of tap water taste fantastic!

Yesterday, I made myself a wonderful pot of tea, using a tea bag that I received free in the mail, a while ago (a Twinings offer). I also made another batch of dark chocolate almond bark, using chocolate chips and whole almonds from the pantry (yum!). In the evening, I packed a dinner and met one daughter on campus, and the two of us had dinner and a show. My other daughter was able to score two free tickets to the production she's in and gave them to daughter number one and I.

And today, daughter number one and I are going to the Seattle Art Museum together. It's the free day for the month, so no cost on admission for either of us. There are tables just outside the cafeteria there, for us to have a nice lunch together; so I've packed us a bite to eat. My daughter had to visit an art museum this week for an assignment, and she has the morning free. This worked out well.

My glass of tap water is tasting might fine, today.

13 comments:

  1. Tap water budget 😂 Yes, we've more than a few months like this too.
    You made me laugh and smile both.
    I think your awesome.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Rhonda,
      Awww, thank you! I hope your situation loosens up in the future.
      Have a great day!

      Delete
  2. Hi Lili,

    I thought we were the only ones going through difficult times. We're struggling mentally and a bit financially right now.

    All the house projects was costly. Youngest daughter bought a new computer in Dec. and only began using it Feb. 1. On Monday, she was doing homework at a table at her college when someone put down their iced tea and threw their backpack on the table spilling the ice tea on her brand new computer of 12 weeks. RUINED. I sort of feel the irresponsible gal who did that is responsible. My daughter is emotionally drained, tired, weepy, and we have to live this nightmare with her. None of us can afford a new computer and that is what it will take. She got it to a repair store but there's a lot wrong with it. She thought she bought the warranty only to be told that she didn't buy the specific one, WHAT? We were sure we got the disaster accidental coverage.

    Maybe I should have a nice cold glass of tap water or two.

    Alice

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What a mess, Alice. Sounds like a mess both physically and emotionally. Here's hoping there is some peace around it soon.

      Delete
    2. Hi Alice,
      Oh no. I agree this situation is awful. My daughter's laptop suffered water damage, and the charge to have it fixed was almost as high as buying a new one. Water damage is not a cheap repair. What is your daughter doing for the meantime? Are there computers that she can use on campus, while she figures this out? It's a tough lesson in life, when someone who is supposed to be responsible doesn't step up to actually act responsible. Is the person who knocked their tea over willing to help at all with repair or replacement costs? I feel for your daughter (and you). This is a tough situation. Sending hugs!

      Delete
  3. Do you refer to your daughters as No. 1 and No. 2? In my family, my sisters and I all have our numbers and are called that almost as often as our names.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi live and learn,
      no, I don't. It just happened to be the easiest way to differentiate them in this post. I never even referred to them as "the twins" when they were young. That's interesting that you and your sisters are numbered!
      Have a great day, live and learn!

      Delete
  4. How wonderful that you have a very interesting week after all those expenses. And what a wonderful blog, reminding all of us that no matter what situation we are in financially, we can still live the good life in a frugal way. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Jayne,
      thanks! There really are a lot of ways to entertain and treat ourselves without spending money. Even though all I packed for our dinner last night was egg salad sandwiches, carrot sticks and corn, it was a tasty dinner, and I honestly would not have thought a purchased dinner from the SUB would have been better, just different.
      Have a great day, Jayne!

      Delete
  5. Love it! When a person gets creative a multitude of opportunities open up.... plus such a sense of satisfaction minus the stress of spending on something you can't afford. Your day out sounds so very special...I know you all will enjoy immensely.
    I think using our creativity sparks more of the same. It is a skill that becomes more second nature if exercised regularly. Plus...I have never, ever liked champagne..ha!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Linda,
      I think that you're right, using our creativity begets more of it. In truth, I don't like champagne either, or any alcohol. That in itself saves a lot of money. Have a great day, Linda!

      Delete
  6. Ouch. That does sound like a lot of expenses, all unexpected too. I like your attitude, of gratitude, that despite having a financial setback, life is still good and it doesn't take money to know this.

    We have been having some months of heavy outflow too. But most of the expenses were self created. I reason that we need to do this or spend on that to prevent future problems. I think I'm a worst case scenario kind of person. Sometimes I'm right, but I also know I can waste time and money that way.

    Recently, my big epiphany moment was a realization that money can't solve all of my problems. I know this is not a new concept, but these past few years I've been behaving like such a frugal tightwad that I became so convinced of the opposite, that with money I can overcome most of life's difficulties. And another thing, almost everyday I remind myself now that life is too short, so don't put off anything that I really want. Stop denying myself. Sometimes, frugality can have its own life force if we let it. I have to remind myself that the practice of frugality is just a tool in my toolbag, not the end product to desire.

    Have a beautiful day!!

    YHF

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi YHF,
      I don't think it is just you, re: thinking money will solve a problem. I think our culture tells us this, constantly, so it becomes embedded in our subconscious. What a shocker that is when we come across problems that money can't fix. But spending the money, in hopes the problem will be alleviated, makes us feel like we're doing something toward that goal.
      Have a great day, yourself, YHF!

      Delete

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