Haven't posted in awhile since frugality has been on autopilot (yay!)
A few shining examples over the last few days, though:
* Gave each child and the spouse a giant-size cookies and cream bar. Each bar costs me 25 cents on December 26. They featured a nutcracker on the wrapper, but the addition of a few taped on paper hearts made him Valentine's themed ;)
* Needed something suitable for public viewing to take advantage of the free gym passes at the YMCA. Thrift store and less than $5 later and I'm set. My at-home workout rags needed an update, anyway, before they became indecent.
* Made a phone armband from one of DS's old socks, after googling for solutions.
* Pressed an old tote bag into service as a gym bag. Bonus, deep enough to slide my yoga mat into so no need for a fancy yoga mat bag or straps.
* Entertainment spending is sitting at less than $20 for the month. This is big, huge, giant!
* It's Friday adventure day with DS12. Snow and ice in along most adventure routes, so we are heading downtown for some "urban exploration." I'll use my student parking pass to park for free at the satellite campus downtown. Packed lunch for a picnic in the free art gallery at the mall (it has dining tables and is the brown bag hub for downtown office workers). May spend up to $5 on a treat, such as an ice cream or fancy cupcake, for the boy-child.
In not-so-frugal news, I may give in to the temptation to get a YMCA membership. It's a sliding scale fee, so for our income level it is about $40/month. The entertainment options for the whole family are mind-boggling. Trying it out this week with the free passes. I have a week to decide, since I wouldn't sign up until next weekend when there is no Join fee.