THIS IS BY NO MEANS AN EXHAUSTIVE LIST:
Example 1) Recently, on an outing to our nearest Jack In The Box (my priorities have sunk from eating healthy meals at home, to simply ensuring I don't go to bed hungry) this was made manifest in full form. After inhaling a delectable sourdough jack (*favorite) and on the way out of this fine dining establishment, I dumped mine and Matt's tray contents in the handy swinging door marked 'waste'.
It was then, with a look and tone insinuating high treason, Matt said, "Did you really just throw that away?!" I felt panic rise up in my chest and confusion muddle my mind.... "the drink... did you throw it away?!"
Like a forlorn puppy with an untrained bladder, I answered, 'Uh, yeah....' Matt rolled his eyes and shook his head, leaving no question he disapproved. Naturally, we had paid for a drink and Matt did not plan on leaving the restaurant without his free 20oz refill to take home and place in the fridge where it may or may not become flat and watered-down. We did leave. I, without regrets, and Matt, without a drop of diet Coke to rub my nose in.
Example 2) My last, um, 4 haircuts have been at ISU's trusty College of Technology Cosmetology program. (And the one before that, I made Matt do) Today was no different. It was only when my student-hair dresser was removing my protective cape, that my suspicions were fully confirmed and she (with a smile as big as Ronald McDonald's) revealed I was her '1st-ever real haircut on the floor!'. She actually did a good job-- it just took forever and my head hurt afterwards. I would expect a bit more R&R from a haircut, but hey, I'll take what my $3 will buy.
Wait, there's More) I bought Matt a nice, white, church shirt yesterday... on clearance for $12... Memorial Day sale making it $6... and then I brought a dust smudge to the attention of the sales clerk and got it for $3!
My first cell phone was kept in a 'case' I made from fabric and duct tape.
It took us 2 years to cowboy up and purchase mountain bikes. (something worth getting my hands on 8 years ago when I first moved to Pocatello)
We shop at WinCo. Yes, even the produce.
If yard-saling were a sport, we'd be state champions.
We don't have a single piece of furniture that was not pre-owned (unless you count the bookshelves we built)... let's not even talk about the clothing in my closet.
Sometimes I feel fabulously frugal, and sometimes I step back and think we're stingy and silly. Regardless, it's fulfilling to have some self-discipline in these matters. That, and a good bargain gets me high.
