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I had a nice morning this morning and it didn’t cost me anything. I woke up and packed a breakfast and lunch for Neff. I do this every morning. He would prefer to buy his lunch (and breakfast for that matter!), which of course I think is a huge waste of money. The unspoken compromise we’ve reached is that I’ll wake up and pack a breakfast and lunch, and he’ll take it and not buy anything :).

This is much nicer than it sounds though, because it gives us a way to connect in the morning. Each day, in addition to getting his sandwich and drink and cereal bar, I also leave a fun sticky note with his lunch. When we’re rushing around in the morning I don’t always get to tell him to have a good day, or to really chat with him; so this sticky note is a good way for us to start the day off on a good relationship note. Sometimes its an inside joke, sometimes its something “inspirational” and sometimes its as simple as “Have a Great Day!” but its always a cheerful and positive message to start the morning. Plus, this is the sort of Love that you can’t get with store bought (and more expensive food).

I had a great breakfast of cereal (free with coupon after Extrabucks at CVS) and bacon (.50 for a package after Coupon at Wal-Mart) and some fresh fruit (we buy whatever is in season at a local farmers market). I sat out on the deck and ate my breakfast while I browsed a few sale flyers that came in yesterdays mail. I like to price match some things at Wal-Mart if I don’t have a coupon or if my coupon is over .99 (since stores here only double up to $1) because that allows me to save gas.

After that, I hung out some sheets and towels to dry that I had put in the wash. I love to hang out our linens because then the whole night through I smell Springtime. This is a habit even my non-frugal family members adore because there is nothing better than sheets (or towels!) that dried in the sunshine.

Then, my dogs and I took a long walk through the neighborhood. This form of exercise is much cheaper than joining a local gym. It is much more fun too! I love to see the way the dogs approach the walk with gusto and it inspires me to do the same. They are just cheerful and happy and delighted to be out in the world… smelling the grass, greeting other dogs, barking at a duck… each activity is so simple but it brings them such joy. Its a wonderful experience to walk with dogs because everyone stops to say hello and pet them, and you meet so many of your neighborfs that way. It really is a great hour out of my day… not only do I improve my health (they say walking an average of 30 minutes a day can reduce your risk of some breast cancer by as much as 25%) but I bring great joy to the lives of my furry friends, and get to enjoy a nice spring day.

Now, after I check in on this blog, I’m going to sit in the sun and read a book from the library while the dogs nap at my feet. All in all a great way to spend a day, without spending a cent.