Spending log (Saturday) - $13 brunch
Spending log (Sunday) - $3 coffee, bagel + $19 groceries
A routine weekend - DH and I walked to the library to read magazines and browse. Up until a free years ago, I used to have a serious magazine addiction at the news stand - I'd pick up at least 2-3 wk every week - easily $500/year! At least I read them! I think its because I enjoyed the experience of reading in coffeeshops: coffee, sweet dessert, and something to read while I ate it. It was a poor trifecta - read the magazine in 45 minutes as I was doing something sedentary while inhaling about 500 calories, probably blowing about $15 (1990 dollars, even) for the privilege, and then I had to think about keeping the mag for awhile, then tossing.
I still enjoy browsing but I pick up only one particular magazine/ month to keep (Saveur). The rest - read at the library which I walk to. Supposedly you can bring coffee into the library, but I haven't seen it recently and as long as you are breaking one habit, you might just as well break the rest too. So now the experience has changed, stripped down: a free walk, free reads, no calories consumed, no paper waste. Probably not as much total fun, but cheaper and more sustainable.
Sunday was a cardio day at the gym. My trainer was there in her civilian clothes - she and her DH were repotting some of the interior landscaping. Nice - not only did I show up, I was seen - after cardio, all red and sweaty - showing up.
magazine addiction
November 12th, 2007 at 01:56 am
November 12th, 2007 at 02:12 am 1194833574
November 12th, 2007 at 04:30 am 1194841834
November 12th, 2007 at 02:04 pm 1194876284
Although I work in a library, I also like having magazines at home. Reading an article or two at a time is a nice way to relax for just a few minutes. But I can't pay a lot for them either.
I've had success with getting free subscriptions through FreeBizMag.com, and some really low prices using MagazinePriceSearch.com (the place RetireAt50 recommended awhile back). Right now we're getting Workbench, Dog Fancy, and Cat Fancy for free, and Weight Watchers and Kiplinger's very cheap. Free Better Homes and Gardens and US News should be starting soon.
About FreeBizMag - when they ask about what you do for a living, answer Other or None for everything. Seems to qualify you for everything, whereas if you give a specific profession it can rule you out.
November 12th, 2007 at 04:49 pm 1194886190
November 13th, 2007 at 04:00 am 1194926431
November 14th, 2007 at 08:18 pm 1195071491