Thrifty Finds

As promised, I present today's bounty...

I visited 4 thrift stores, and bought 10 things:

I got the boys two stuffed animals, and a nice blue sled for Arlo and I!

We tested the sled (as in we both sat in it on the floor), and we both fit! 

I think we're too late for this snow, but we'll be ready for the next!

The alligator was clearly the popular choice.

A bottle opener and a cheese/fruit knife peeler thing!

We were tired of using the hinge on the can opener.

(For opening bottles, not cutting cheese!)

Three books (from left to right): 

1. The Pacific Crest Trail by Nat Geo from the 70s. Arlo plans to

hike the length of it someday, so I thought he might enjoy this!

2. Another Nat Geo book, but this one is about the Sierra Navadas.

It has a lot of pretty pictures. I like Nat Geo books.

3. Enduring Patagonia - to balance out the purchase of two picture books.

I don't know anything about it yet, but I'll be sure to share what I find later.

 

2 shirts for Arlo, one of which is not pictured because he was 

sleeping in it when I took these. The shirt not shown says 

"Easton Farmer's Market". Seems to never have been worn! =)

Total Spent: $22.21

And so I would say my finds for today would rate as very good. The pick of the day would definitely be the $10 sled (though the boys may argue it was the alligator). I looked it up, and it's a Pelican Mega Snow Runner - $25 on Amazon. Not bad! Looking forward to the next snow!!!

Amazombieeeeeeeee Pirates!

This whole night shift thing is really turning me into a restless disaster. On my three days (nights?) off, I end up with this 8 hour block of time during which I can do almost nothing but sit at a computer or eat food. No one is awake, and no stores are open (except for Giant, which is nice, but one can only go food shopping so many times). I sit itching, writing to do lists, and planning out the few hours of daylight I have the next day. I sleep at odd hours - 3 hours here, 5 hours there. Nothing is allotted for a certain purpose. There is no lunch or dinner time, and no bedtime. There are the couple hours of fading daylight after I wake up, in which I cram whatever I can, and then a gradual shift into hours and hours of structureless dark.  Such is the life of a night shifter, an amazombie.

But I'm fighting it. I've already had about 3 hours of sleep tonight (this morning?), and I plan on sleeping for a few more after I finish writing this here blog post. THEN! It's thrifting time. Every so often I hit up the local thrift stores for treasure. This is really about two things: the hunt, and the booty. I've gotten much better at not buying things unless I need them, or really, truly like them a lot. But any treasure hunter will tell you the best time to buy something is when you see it. Balance is key to avoid hoarding everything you see.

I'm actually looking for a few things this time: a tripod, digital photography books, and travel books. I'll be sure to post my bounty later!

Arrrrr! Brainss!!

The Results Are In!

I've been sitting on this information for a while, but decided to share it because I'm proud and want to boast. ;D

When Arlo and I took our 7 day journey from Portland, OR to Easton, PA back in October, I meticulously recorded every expense made on the trip from gas and meals to packs of gum and guitar shaped bottle openers. This is what I came up with...

7 Days of Travel

$277.59 for food
$329.79 for gas
$341.89 for hotels & misc

=$949.27 Total

Before we left, we made around $1,000 from selling things on craigslist, so that alone was enough to get us across the country. But we stayed very frugal on our trip, sometimes eating things that were not so good for us, sometimes sleeping in the car overnight, sometimes driving straight through the night, and always avoiding money pits like retail and thrift stores. Having a car that could get around 40 miles to the gallon helped a heap. Keeping track of our money helped a lot as well, and it even became a bit of a game. Avoiding most conveniences and having the will to be physically exhausted made those few splurges on a hotel or dinner at a nicer restaurant all the more rewarding. But most of all, the generosity of friends and family got us through. I look forward to the day when I can give back. =)


I'm so lucky to be with a guy that values frugality as much as I do!

The Busy Bee Rests Her Rump

It's that time of year again. That time when consumers and retailers come to a mutual agreement that the consumer gods have been appeased with the season of rampant holiday spending. And all resolve to stop buzzing around frantically like bees from an angry, disturbed hive. 60 hour work weeks are no more. Gifts have been given and received. The holiday season is over (though I admittedly listen to Christmas music through February).

Time  To  Relax  Plan!!!

That's right. I may be resting my rump, but an open-ended trip to Australia in May doesn't plan itself!! Arlo and I just got approved for our Australian Work Holiday Visas, which means we're now legally allowed to enter the country and work. We have jobs lined up at a resort in the Outback. Our next step is to buy plane tickets! After that, it's smaller research type of stuff, like setting up a bank account, getting a tax number, finding a hostel to possibly stay at for our first couple of nights, and making final arrangements with our future employer.

We're also trying to brush up on the local lingo. Lemonade is called lemon squash, because their lemonade is something closer to 7-up. If you just got into a bingle (car accident) with another bloke (guy) who happened to have his wobbly boot on (be drunk), he'd be tinny (lucky) if the blue heelers (police) didn't make him blow in the bag (take a breathalyser test) and take him away in the booze bus (police car used to catch drunk drivers).

The work visa lasts for 12 months, and if we spend three of those months picking fruit, we're eligible for a second work holiday visa to extend our stay for an additional 12 months. I'm not sure how long we'll stay. I know that we can only stay with one employer for a period of 6 months, so maybe we'll be fruit picking come November? We'll see.


Only four months left in the states before heading to the land down under. Brilliant!