Making Do

 It's the little things... 

-- Regular gas is now $4.759 per gal at my favorite nearby station.  It's $4.999 at most other places.  I top off my tank $10.00 worth of gas at a time to lessen the sticker shock.   A top off lasts 2 to 3 weeks.  I live on a small island, try not to drive much, combine trips based on proximity.   

-- Groceries.  Living alone is a plus.  Don't have to feed or please anyone but myself.  I'm easy.  Eating the same thing daily doesn't bother me.  Yogurt/wheat germ for breakfast, simple salad (green leaf, scallions, mini sweet peppers, diced boneless skinless chicken breast) with homemade dressing for lunch.  Dinner varies:  some nights it's soup and crackers, other nights microwaved Mex topped with sour cream.  Saturday night is burger night.  I make my own patties with 80/20 ground beef, keep a stash in my freezer.  Frills are OUT.  No more chips, no more "oh, I think I'll try that" indulgences.  Latest splurge: whole watermelon at $0.59 per pound.  

I have a budget and I'm sticking to it.  I'm also still wearing my mask when I'm out and about.  I can't afford to be sick.

Penny Pincher

Beanie Weenie Time is Here

Since my last post two months ago, gas is now $4.259 per gallon, condo fees have gone up 5% (instead of the 2% inflation fighter increase mentioned at the March annual meeting).  

Every time I shop prices have inched upward.  Simple things like fresh limes... not too long ago 3/$1.00, now 3/$1.99 (no thanks, they're hard as rocks).  I make my own salad dressing.  I've switched from a lemon/lime combination to all lemons at 3/$1.09.  Takes 9 to make one jar of dressing which lasts for a week of daily salads.

I feel like I'm treading water and my legs are beginning to tire.

Penny Pincher