Author Topic: What small things did you do TODAY to save money? (Read 3918227 times)

4alpacas · « **Reply #8450 on:** February 17, 2017, 12:44:17 PM »

Quote from: tyort1 on February 17, 2017, 12:18:12 PM

Going on a trip to the mountains for my daughter's birthday - packed snacks & made fresh hummus rather than stop and get crap along the way (which is our usual behavior).

YUM! Homemade hummus is so much better than anything you can buy!

Brought tea from home. I had a salad for breakfast with a side of eggs because we're out of traditional breakfast foods.

tyort1 · « **Reply #8451 on:** February 17, 2017, 01:04:20 PM »

Quote from: 4alpacas on February 17, 2017, 12:44:17 PM

Quote from: tyort1 on February 17, 2017, 12:18:12 PM
Going on a trip to the mountains for my daughter's birthday - packed snacks & made fresh hummus rather than stop and get crap along the way (which is our usual behavior).
YUM! Homemade hummus is so much better than anything you can buy!

Brought tea from home. I had a salad for breakfast with a side of eggs because we're out of traditional breakfast foods.

Tastier AND cheaper :) I found the same to be true with home made yogurt, too. Next on my list of things to try is home made "nutella", just need a good recipe for it.

soccerluvof4 · « **Reply #8452 on:** February 17, 2017, 01:32:30 PM »

Adding to this today- My son needed his check cashed so I walked to the bank. Double benefit a little over 4 miles around trip and that adds to the 7 miles I put on this morning.

mustachepungoeshere · « **Reply #8453 on:** February 17, 2017, 02:13:39 PM »

Having people over for dinner tonight to celebrate a certain forum member's birthday tomorrow.

I had already decided what I wanted to cook and when I went grocery shopping yesterday most of the ingredients were half price, so I bought what I needed for dinner plus extras for the pantry.

One friend is on an elimination diet while she gets to the bottom of some food sensitivities, so dessert ingredients were slightly more expensive, but still cheaper than going out.

1967mama · « **Reply #8454 on:** February 18, 2017, 02:10:39 AM »

*Made a loaf of bread from refrigerator dough

*Made a bean soup for lunch with chicken stock and beans I made yesterday

*Cooked a chicken in the crockpot all afternoon for healthy, tasty weekend meals

Armer Student · « **Reply #8455 on:** February 18, 2017, 07:41:35 AM »

Biked into the inner city instead of taking taking the metro.
10km / 6mls of "sport" and saved 5,40€.

Linea_Norway · « **Reply #8456 on:** February 18, 2017, 08:02:43 AM »

Chopped and clove some trees that have been laying under a plastic sheet in the garden, left by the previous owner of the house. Free fire wood for the stove. Therefore we can keep the central heating on 18 degrees C.

LindseyC · « **Reply #8457 on:** February 18, 2017, 11:35:40 AM »

Such a simple one today. I needed some more oil for my butcher block counters. Hardware store, food grade oil $22 / 500ml, mineral oil in the health department at Walmart $4.67 / 500ml. That's a no brainer.

I was going over my 2017 budget where I track every expenditure in detail and I can not believe how much I was able to cut back already just by being super aware of every dollar spent. Knowing exactly how much I am spending and on what specifically has made me rethink every purchases before I make it. I have always been frugal, but it's pretty amazing how even a frugal person can make small mindless "want" purchases that easily add up to bigger numbers.

Vibrissae · « **Reply #8458 on:** February 18, 2017, 01:53:49 PM »

Today for the first time I used digital coupons and close attention to sales while grocery shopping. (Before I would just buy whatever, whenever.) I saved $25 off what would otherwise have been a $125 trip. And the only thing I bought extra of "because it was on sale" was chicken, which will go in the freezer and feed me well into next month.

Also, today was such a beautiful day--61F! which is weird in February! but still beautiful--I really wanted to go out somewhere and walk around, but I couldn't decide where to go. In the end, I stayed home and took a long walk around the neighborhood. So I didn't spend money on gas--or on the drink and/or snack I would inevitably have wanted to pick up on the way home. Victory!

PJ · « **Reply #8459 on:** February 18, 2017, 02:20:29 PM »

Quote from: Vibrissae on February 18, 2017, 01:53:49 PM

Today for the first time I used digital coupons and close attention to sales while grocery shopping. (Before I would just buy whatever, whenever.) I saved $25 off what would otherwise have been a $125 trip. And the only thing I bought extra of "because it was on sale" was chicken, which will go in the freezer and feed me well into next month.

Also, today was such a beautiful day--61F! which is weird in February! but still beautiful--I really wanted to go out somewhere and walk around, but I couldn't decide where to go. In the end, I stayed home and took a long walk around the neighborhood. So I didn't spend money on gas--or on the drink and/or snack I would inevitably have wanted to pick up on the way home. Victory!

That all sounds like a very good day! Well done...

Well Respected Man · « **Reply #8460 on:** February 18, 2017, 04:25:01 PM »

Wednesday, made chicken broth. Today, crossed it off the grocery list. Friday, made spaghetti with jar sauce instead of ordering takeout, despite having many available excuses. Today, got DW's iPad (5 years old) fixed for free at the Apple store (she wanted to send me to the app store at first, lol). DD16 remarked that she now doesn't like the mall either. Woohoo! Tonight, having leftovers instead of cooking or takeout.

Not buying any meat until our freezer is empty of meat, and then only one pack at a time, no more stocking up.

Step37 · « **Reply #8461 on:** February 18, 2017, 08:52:47 PM »

I put red pepper jelly on the shopping list last week for an appetizer I want to make next weekend. My husband picked some up and I was shocked at the price ($5.79 for a 300g jar!). Since we had time before it was needed, and he really enjoys doing this kind of stuff, he made a batch today. Red peppers were on sale, so less than $3 for all ingredients (the balance of which were on hand anyway),under two hours of total time including cleanup, and we have SIX x 300g jars of the stuff. Might be our go-to contribution for family potlucks for a while (with crackers and cream cheese, of course)! And now we can take the overpriced jar back to the store...

Linea_Norway · « **Reply #8462 on:** February 19, 2017, 12:32:26 AM »

At work, we get a bowl of fruit twice a week. This week, at Friday afternoon there were lots of apples left. I took the apples home and made an apple cake.

1967mama · « **Reply #8463 on:** February 19, 2017, 01:29:54 AM »

-made chicken wraps for dinner from leftover meat from a whole chicken cooked the day before. Will make soup stock tomorrow with the bones in instant pot

-daughter made a triple batch of banana muffins with 1/2 priced spotty bananas I bought Thursday.

-finally figured out a way to keep an accurate grocery list. I'm terrible at remembering to bring my list to the store. I've found a free app called "Buy me a pie" and it's been working great for me for around 3 months now. (No I don't work for them - it was a random find)

Linea_Norway · « **Reply #8464 on:** February 19, 2017, 01:56:09 PM »

Quote from: 1967mama on February 19, 2017, 01:29:54 AM

-made chicken wraps for dinner from leftover meat from a whole chicken cooked the day before. Will make soup stock tomorrow with the bones in instant pot

-daughter made a triple batch of banana muffins with 1/2 priced spotty bananas I bought Thursday.

-finally figured out a way to keep an accurate grocery list. I'm terrible at remembering to bring my list to the store. I've found a free app called "Buy me a pie" and it's been working great for me for around 3 months now. (No I don't work for them - it was a random find)

Can you share it with your family? My husband and I found an app called Wunderlist, that can be shared between iPhone and Android and we keep the shopping list on that. I find it a bit bothersome to have to type stuff on my phone while cooking, but it is very practical when shopping.

Today we filled the car with fuel on the cheapest day at a cheap petrol station, while we were driving past anyway.

And I ate some self picked mushrooms that I found in the freezer.

rebecca527 · « **Reply #8465 on:** February 19, 2017, 02:41:42 PM »

We went through our book and DVD collection and pulled out anything we don't think we'll ever read/watch again, and yesterday I sent the things that were eligible in to Amazon Trade-In to get a gift card we'll use on stuff we would have bought anyway, and took the rest to Goodwill, getting a receipt for a tax write-off.

Today we listed some stuff around the house we want to get rid of (shelving units we don't use, snow tires that don't fit our current car) for sale on a Facebook yard sale group, and they've already sold. I also did my grocery run and bought dried beans instead of canned and a head of romaine instead of pre-washed bagged salad greens, and noted down some more prices for the spreadsheet I'm building up of which items are cheapest at which stores.

Of course, I also bought some new houseplants for the kitchen, and ordered new valences for the kitchen windows off Etsy. I'm justifying this to myself based on the fact that we save a lot of money by cooking most of our meals at home, so it's worth making our kitchen a pleasant place to spend time.

I'm a red panda · « **Reply #8466 on:** February 19, 2017, 02:49:48 PM »

Decided against the fancy kiinde breastfeeding system.I had gotten a starter pack for $6 shipping only. Sold it for $15.
The system still seems cool, but spendypants and wasteful.

mustachepungoeshere · « **Reply #8467 on:** February 19, 2017, 05:34:56 PM »

Completed a supermarket survey to earn 50 loyalty points.

plainjane · « **Reply #8468 on:** February 19, 2017, 05:35:16 PM »

My work shoes were looking rough, so I brought them back to the store and they polished/reconditioned them. Now they're looking quite sharp again and I don't need to replace them.

One of the great things about buying quality is that the brand stands behind them, polishing is free, and the shoes look great for years.

1967mama · « **Reply #8469 on:** February 19, 2017, 08:46:06 PM »

Linda Norway,
I haven't tried sharing the list with family members so I'm not sure! One thing I like is that it remembers my things as I type.

-made pancakes, bacon and hash browns for dinner even though I didn't want to cook.

jengod · « **Reply #8470 on:** February 19, 2017, 10:38:20 PM »

Cooked instead of buying for a potluck.

Harvested lemons and eggs from the yard.

Collected .35 of recyclables from the roadside; the funds go to a Cub Scout recycling fundraiser.

LindseyC · « **Reply #8471 on:** February 20, 2017, 07:30:53 AM »

Went to a party on Sunday, brought pot luck items that I bought on sale, with coupons, using my grocery points! (so free)

At work today (it's a holiday) to catch up on stuff and work in a super peaceful environment. So I am not only savings money, I'm earning some extra money today!

4alpacas · « **Reply #8472 on:** February 20, 2017, 10:31:42 AM »

I'm having friends over for lunch rather than going out. Even though I'm cooking for 4, it will still be cheaper than an inexpensive lunch out.
Made tea at home with homemade biscotti (made using gifted dried fruit)

I'm a red panda · « **Reply #8473 on:** February 20, 2017, 11:09:54 AM »

Well... it was on a spendy pants thing, but it will save us money over the year.
My dog gets a barkbox ($20 a month, which is insane- but keeping him with good toys means he doesn't chew up the house- and good toys cost a lot, it's hard to find anything that will last more than a day for under $10, and bark box toys usually last a week, a month if I mend or trim them, so it is cheaper to get the subscription than find something every month).

They offered me a discount to $17 a month if I paid the remaining 8 months now. So I did.
That's $24 saved.

rebecca527 · « **Reply #8474 on:** February 20, 2017, 01:43:10 PM »

Had half a red cabbage leftover from making vegetable soup, so shredded and quick-pickled it so that it'll keep a good long while in the fridge. This'll probably make its way into rice bowls for lunches next week, along with the leftover black beans that will produced by another meal in our plans for this week. (Why cook one can's worth of dry black beans in the crock pot when I can cook a whole pound of beans and freeze the rest for later?)

1967mama · « **Reply #8475 on:** February 20, 2017, 06:03:24 PM »

*Made some more noodles for the kids to use up the spaghetti sauce in the fridge at lunch

*Made my own Nak'd bars (a health food store item - $1.79/tiny bar in Canada) In the food processor, combine 1 3/4 c. medjool dates, 1/4 c. raisins, 1 1/2 c cashews, 2 Tablespoons cocoa, 2 teaspoons vanilla- push down into parchment lined 8x8 pan and refridgerate. Sooooo good!

*Kids are using up yesterday's pancakes for snacks today - one covered his in Nutella

*Chopped up fresh veggies with our casserole for dinner (made a double batch so we could eat it again in 2 days)

Kitsune · « **Reply #8476 on:** February 20, 2017, 06:34:31 PM »

My mom made us roast beef on Sunday (aka: I'm pregnant and a week overdue and not really up for going anywhere, so she brought ingredients and cooked in our house, which was AMAZING and so kind of her and so appreciated). So a) yay free Sunday meal and good company!

And then we wound up with a half-jar of mustard-heavy pan gravy from the freakin' amazing roast beef. So savings b) I fried up an onion, the mushrooms that were starting to look dubious, and the spinach that'd been in the fridge for a week, added the pan gravy, and added a smidge of cream. Made a thoroughly excellent pasta sauce, used up all the leftovers AND dubious-looking fridge veggies, and provided a fantastic dinner that was ready in less than 20 minutes. Omnomnom.

And this is a 'make the best of it' 'not really savings but at least less spending than it could have been': I had a pre-induction appointment at the hospital today. At 8am. Which was supposed to take half an hour, so we didn't bring lunch. By the time we finally got seen and were able to leave (in summary: this kid ain't in a hurry to move but he's doing fine and if he doesn't budge before then they're inducing Thursday THANK GOD GET OUT), it was past 1pm and we were both starving and an hour from home. So... we went to a Vietnamese restaurant we both adore, and for the price of ONE fast food meal we got a thoroughly amazing beef and lemongrass salad to split. AND it was something I could eat without the gluten-induced Rash Of Doom. So... Kinda like a half-priced lunch, AND it was healthy and amazingly good and pleasant and with good company? I mean, we'd have brought a lunch if the appointment was later, but a half-hour appointment at 8am didn't lead me to think it was necessary, so: next-best!

jordanread · « **Reply #8477 on:** February 21, 2017, 08:06:22 AM »

Quote from: Kitsune on February 20, 2017, 06:34:31 PM

I'm pregnant and a week overdue

I did not realize you were that close. For some reason, I was thinking around 6 months. Now I'm excited. Must find your journal.

brute · « **Reply #8478 on:** February 21, 2017, 08:14:02 AM »

Made sauerkraut! Cabbage and salt, both crazy cheap. Now to let it sit in the basement for a few weeks.

frooglepoodle · « **Reply #8479 on:** February 21, 2017, 09:50:02 AM »

Quote from: Kitsune on February 20, 2017, 06:34:31 PM

(in summary: this kid ain't in a hurry to move but he's doing fine and if he doesn't budge before then they're inducing Thursday THANK GOD GET OUT)

Been there, ugh... I hope the delivery goes smoothly and you have a healthy baby and quick recovery! The food all sounds divine, too. You have the best food posts.

I used BookBub to find an eBook to send my brother for his birthday for $1.99. Also got him an Amazon egift card to put towards an Instant Pot. Still money spend but the eBook let me add something more tangible onto the gift I was going to get him anyway for minimal cost.

Making a new batch of Instant Pot yogurt today. Milk has been the big loss leader at our Aldi lately ($1/gallon, holy cow) so the cost savings over store bought are pretty big right now.

mustachepungoeshere · « **Reply #8480 on:** February 21, 2017, 04:14:57 PM »

I'm using up the toiletries my husband gets in his first and business class flight kits.

Had to laugh when he asked me, "Why do you smell like Old Spice?"

Dollar Slice · « **Reply #8481 on:** February 22, 2017, 12:57:29 PM »

Used Amazon's "BIGTHANKS" coupon code to get $8 and change off a gift card to a grocery store I like, using Amazon credit I'd bought when trying to meet a minimum credit card spend.

Kitsune · « **Reply #8482 on:** February 22, 2017, 02:50:58 PM »

Quote from: frooglepoodle on February 21, 2017, 09:50:02 AM

Quote from: Kitsune on February 20, 2017, 06:34:31 PM
(in summary: this kid ain't in a hurry to move but he's doing fine and if he doesn't budge before then they're inducing Thursday THANK GOD GET OUT)

Been there, ugh... I hope the delivery goes smoothly and you have a healthy baby and quick recovery! The food all sounds divine, too. You have the best food posts.

I used BookBub to find an eBook to send my brother for his birthday for $1.99. Also got him an Amazon egift card to put towards an Instant Pot. Still money spend but the eBook let me add something more tangible onto the gift I was going to get him anyway for minimal cost.

I'm so done with this pregnancy nonsense. So done. Fortunately, it looks like I can actually BE done soon, since I'm at the hospital at 6pm tomorrow at the latest. So done. So ready to have a baby instead of hobbling with hip pain.

And thanks! Food is kind of A Thing for me and my family, and definitely also my husband, but we're on a budget right now (well, we always are, but my husband is currently unemployed and I'm on maternity leave and so income is tighter than usual) and so there's some joy to be found out of making amazing food out of next to nothing. Feels like the hight of luxury. Especially when you add candles in candlesticks on the table.

Seconding Bookbub as a resource for ebooks - so much of my reading is from there, from free to occasionally 1.99 for a book I've been wanting to read... definitely good value!

dandypandys · « **Reply #8483 on:** February 22, 2017, 03:20:31 PM »

Quote from: Dollar Slice on February 22, 2017, 12:57:29 PM

Used Amazon's "BIGTHANKS" coupon code to get $8 and change off a gift card to a grocery store I like, using Amazon credit I'd bought when trying to meet a minimum credit card spend.

cool, just used this coupon code too!
Was so annoying though trying to get things that were eligible. ahh

Bracken_Joy · « **Reply #8484 on:** February 22, 2017, 03:23:36 PM »

Quote from: dandypandys on February 22, 2017, 03:20:31 PM

Quote from: Dollar Slice on February 22, 2017, 12:57:29 PM
Used Amazon's "BIGTHANKS" coupon code to get $8 and change off a gift card to a grocery store I like, using Amazon credit I'd bought when trying to meet a minimum credit card spend.

cool, just used this coupon code too!
Was so annoying though trying to get things that were eligible. ahh

Doesn't it just need to be $50? Am I missing a requirement?

Dollar Slice · « **Reply #8485 on:** February 22, 2017, 03:25:26 PM »

Quote from: Bracken_Joy on February 22, 2017, 03:23:36 PM

Quote from: dandypandys on February 22, 2017, 03:20:31 PM
Quote from: Dollar Slice on February 22, 2017, 12:57:29 PM
Used Amazon's "BIGTHANKS" coupon code to get $8 and change off a gift card to a grocery store I like, using Amazon credit I'd bought when trying to meet a minimum credit card spend.

cool, just used this coupon code too!
Was so annoying though trying to get things that were eligible. ahh

Doesn't it just need to be $50? Am I missing a requirement?

There were some eligibility requirements, e.g. it can't be an Amazon gift card. I didn't read the whole thing since I knew what I wanted and it worked fine.

ETA: the list

"Offer expires at 11:59 p.m. (PT) 2/22/2017.
Offer only applies to products sold by Amazon.com.
Offer does not apply to digital content, video games, or Amazon Gift Cards.
Offer does not apply to orders placed through Alexa, Prime Now, Amazon Restaurants, or any mobile application other than the Amazon Shopping App.
Offer limited to one per customer and account.
Offer may not be combined with other offers.
Items must be purchased in a single order and shipped at the same speed to a single address.
Taxes, shipping and handling, and gift wrap charges do not apply when determining minimum purchase amount.
Shipping charges and taxes may apply to discounted promotional items.
Offer is non-transferable and may not be resold.
Offer discount will be allocated proportionally among all promotional items in your order.
If any of the products or content related to this offer are returned, your refund will equal the amount you paid for the product or content, subject to applicable refund policies.
If you violate any of these terms, the offer will be invalid.
Amazon reserves the right to modify or cancel the offer at any time."

horsepoor · « **Reply #8486 on:** February 22, 2017, 04:26:04 PM »

This weekend I used Uber for the first time for $8.55. They emailed me a code for $20 for a friend's first Uber ride, so DH used that for a free ride to the airport yesterday, and they sent me a $15 off code for the referral. I'll be needing to take a car a few times on an upcoming vacation, so this will cover most of that.

Bowed out of going to happy hour for National Margarita Day today. Too much food and alcohol at home needing to be consumed and I didn't really feel like hanging out in a noisy restaurant anyway.

LindseyC · « **Reply #8487 on:** February 22, 2017, 04:32:25 PM »

A local drug store is having a promotion this week, spend $30 get a $10 GC. I found an early copy of their flyer online and checked out what was on sale. I need some toiletries and household items, so I figured out a plan to spend $32 for items I need on sale, using coupons. The gift card will give me another 33% off, as long as I don't spend more than the $10 when I use it.

About 5 minutes of effort on my lunch break, pretty good savings I think.

Bracken_Joy · « **Reply #8488 on:** February 22, 2017, 04:38:32 PM »

-Signed up for a couple genetic studies relating to fertility. If I'm accepted and fill out the questionnaires, I'll get $110 from one and $75 from the other.

-Rode my bike to the library to check out a book. Double mustache points.

-Using old bananas to make 2-ingredient cookies. http://www.theburlapbag.com/2012/07/2-ingredient-cookies-plus-the-mix-ins-of-your-choice/

-Trader Joe's got some nice new cards in, so I bought 4 for various upcoming events- 2 birthdays, a baby, and a wedding. $0.99/card, love their cards.

G-dog · « **Reply #8489 on:** February 22, 2017, 05:49:38 PM »

There must be a glut of old bananas - like Bracken Joy I needed to use up old bananas (7). Double batch of banana bread in the oven now!

Erma · « **Reply #8490 on:** February 23, 2017, 02:29:41 AM »

Bought milk, eggs and potatoes at the farm shop. I calculated that this is 25% cheaper then at the grocery store and I know where it is from. Also I won't have to carry those items later when I will go to the grocery store for the rest on my list.

4alpacas · « **Reply #8491 on:** February 23, 2017, 10:23:19 AM »

Packing snacks and sandwiches for our flight this evening.
Used up most of the perishable food items before our trip

rebecca527 · « **Reply #8492 on:** February 23, 2017, 11:04:09 AM »

Husband biked to work today, which means our single car is available for my use during the day for a change. So, I went and bought all the groceries we'll need through the beginning of next week today, because my favorite grocery store (already the cheapest place around by far for produce & dry goods) offers an extra 5% off everything on Tuesdays & Thursdays, I guess to get people to come in on slow days. Going to finish February averaging about $3.50 per meal for the two of us!

1967mama · « **Reply #8493 on:** February 24, 2017, 01:22:59 AM »

My 11 year old son put down a hardcover novel he was reading from the library on something sticky on the counter. Hours later, when we lifted it up, the page stuck and a chunk of it stuck to the counter. I carefully removed it and used clear packing tape to verrrrry carefully tape the chunk back on, aligning it almost perfectly.

Today, we took the book back and we showed the page to the librarian (honesty is the best policy...smile) and she showed it to her supervisor and they both agreed that the repair was excellent and that they wouldn't charge us for the book and returned it into circulation.

Since it's a brand new book, it would have been expensive! I just looked it up and its $17.99 on Amazon now, so the price has come down a bit, but I'm so happy! It was a win/win ... didn't have to pay for the book and taught my son a good lesson.

Linea_Norway · « **Reply #8494 on:** February 24, 2017, 03:21:57 AM »

Brought lunch from home even on a Friday. All previous Fridays I spent a lunch on myself in the cafeteria at work. Not today.

PJ · « **Reply #8495 on:** February 24, 2017, 10:17:08 AM »

Well done, Linda! Now you've broken the habit, and maybe you'll do that again, at least occasionally. :-)

horsepoor · « **Reply #8496 on:** February 24, 2017, 01:22:34 PM »

Planned to go to the Newseum for my last weekend here in DC and complained to a Mustachian co-worker about ticket prices. She emailed me a source for $8 off the ticket. Score one for whining.

LindseyC · « **Reply #8497 on:** February 24, 2017, 01:31:46 PM »

I requested a free pack of wildflower seeds to support bee life. I usually plant a section of windflowers in my hard, so this will save a few dollars.

I realized today I have a massive amount of yard projects to do this year, but in the spring I also work an insane amount of overtime so I am hoping I can use some of the "extra" money to accomplish some of my yard plans. I'm also very lucky that I got two free rain barrels last fall so will be able to avoid any additional water costs by setting them up as soon as I can.

pbkmaine · « **Reply #8498 on:** February 24, 2017, 02:45:05 PM »

We had 20-year-old beige carpet in our walk-in closet. I replaced it with these carpet squares:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Versatile-Assorted-Pattern-Commercial-24-in-x-24-in-Carpet-Tile-10-Tiles-Case-NCVT002/204594243

1967mama · « **Reply #8499 on:** February 25, 2017, 12:57:29 AM »

Sold some old winter wear today and made $60. Used it to buy some groceries and had an ice cream sundae party for the kids!

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Author Topic: What small things did you do TODAY to save money? (Read 3918227 times)

jordanread