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| view from my computer |
I have been going to the same place to have my hair trimmed for the past twenty years. It's a small shop with a sign in the window that reads, "Haircut $10.00." The owner is a little lady from Korea, and she has a steady stream of loyal customers.
I stopped by there today on my way home from the store. I had an Etsy order on my dashboard this morning, so I wrapped and packaged the soap at the kitchen table, and then drove to the library. After printing out the packing slip and shipping label, I dropped it off at the post office. I had them scan it for me and give me a receipt. Etsy sent the customer a shipping notice.
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| I love seeing the woodpeckers here this time of year |
I found some great bargains at Food For Less. I bought four large round steaks for five dollars. Pineapples were on sale for $2.00, and they had marked down the berries. I bought a large carton of strawberries, and a couple of small boxes of raspberries. I splurged on a pint of whipping cream, too. It's so delicious sweetened with sugar and a splash of vanilla extract.
I like to combine my errands, so I stopped off at the hair salon and got my hair trimmed. I think it's a pretty amazing price for a good haircut. The owner works alone. She's fast, but talented. I always get compliments on my hair after seeing her. I gave her $15.00, cash. She smiled and thanked me. I came home, tenderized the meat, dipped it in flour, and pan fried it in olive oil. It was delicious seasoned with salt and pepper, alongside a buttered baked potato. For dessert, I whipped up the cream and enjoyed it with the fresh, bright red strawberries. I was glad that I decided not to buy the tempting Easter candy that I saw at the store. I also found a pair of tennis shoes on sale for $20.00 at Ross. They fit me perfectly! I have needed a new pair of walking shoes, but didn't want to pay full price. It's such a rewarding feeling to find bargains on what you need. How are you doing?
You did so well, Stephanie! I'm in need of new trainers--thanks for the heads up on Ross. :-) I semi-retired late last year, so frugality has become a more essential part of daily life. It was not planned, but I was in so much pain from sciatica that I could not focus at work. Thankfully, it now is under control--as long as I do certain things and avoid others.
ReplyDeleteAlso love the view from your computer. It's much nicer than the view of my printer!
You have a gem of a hairdresser! When I moved from Los Angeles late in 1978, I was paying $75 for a haircut (long hair at the time), plus a tip. The first hairdresser I liked when I moved here (after a year of trial and error), charged $35. Three hairdressers later (we have a rather transient population), I have been paying $25 for a cut (no styling) for about nine years. My hairdresser has an unusual pricing policy: he will not increase the price of your haircut as long as you remain his client! Price of chemical processes does increase, as he cannot control those prices. I have very thick hair that feels like a fur hat unless it is thinned and feathered within an inch of it's life! I have extended the time between cuts from six weeks to eight weeks. Scooter worked with me to modify the style slightly so it looks good those final two weeks. He is located across town from me--he is about as far west from Central Avenue as I am east. A bit of a drive, but I usually combine it with a visit with a former colleague and his wife--and include a visit to a lovely quilt shop. :-)
Your food prices are great. And your description is making me hungry! I usually do most of my grocery shopping at Fry's (Kroger), but Safeway has had good prices recently. Last few shopping trips have been about 50/50. They are located within about two miles of one other, so combining the two into on trip makes sense.
BTW, thanks for the tip on tax preparation. I ended up using the online option, primarily to verify my manual calculations. State was spot on; federal has a refund difference of +$30 using TurboTax. Refunds were larger than usual (not huge, just larger), due to my employment changes. I try to estimate federal income tax withholding (or estimated payments) within about $200 and state within about $50. I don't like unpleasant surprises! lol
Hi Taja, What a great comment. I love your writing. I'm glad to hear your pain is under control. That makes all the difference. It's fun to combine errands and get out and about town. Enjoy.
DeleteSounds like you had a productive day! I really like how you combine errands. I used to, but now, I tire after a couple of stops!
ReplyDeleteYou got some good deals at the grocery store and your meal sounds delicious! Fresh strawberries and cream! Yum!
Hi Bless, You carpool and budget very well, though. We have different energy levels at different times of the day. Yes, the strawberries and whipped cream were delicious!
DeleteThat sounds like such a nice day! Your posts give me a glimpse into what my empty nest years can look like... a peaceful and happy life. (I’m in kid chaos at the moment.) I love that you cook good, nourishing food for yourself. If it weren’t for my desire to feed my family well, I think I’d eat all junk.
ReplyDeleteHi Courtney, Yes, they will be. It can be a very peaceful and happy time of life. I used to buy junk food, but am training myself to replace it with special fruits and homemade treats.
ReplyDeleteThat is a very good price for a pineapple. I love pineapple but just cannot justify spending $4 or $5 for one. We bought a strawberry pot this spring and just planted a dozen small strawberry plants in it. They are already starting to make berries! We just don't have the room to grow them in the ground so the pot is the answer. It is nice to support local business owners like your hairdresser. Mine, while not that inexpensive, is the owner of a small shop with a few other stylists. Good price on the sneakers!
ReplyDeleteI thought so, too, Anita. My mom used to have one of those strawberry pots. I'd like to get one. I have strawberries that need to be put in the ground.
DeleteYou have found the nicest spots/businesses to shop at, including getting your hair done! I'm craving strawberries but ours shipped in to our cold areas, are not too yummy! Andrea
ReplyDeleteThat's true, Andrea. It really makes a difference to have local places that charge reasonable prices. I hope you get some sweet, ripe strawberries soon. They are so delicious!
DeleteThe cost of living where you are is really modest compared to Sydney. It's very difficult to find the same price deals here for food and clothing. I'm a total cheapskate when it comes to haircuts and I go to a local Japanese lady who is the cheapest stylist around, if you make the exception for Old Lady Hairdressers (and I'm not in that camp yet!). I pay $70 for a wash, cut and blowdry and I always think she could win gold at the Olympics as I'm in and out in under 45 minutes! Sitting around in a salon for twice that amount of time was always the norm for me before I found her. She does a lovely job but I only get a haircut about twice a year so it's very good value. One day, at the place I used to go to before, the girl ahead of me had very short hair and was in getting a colour done as well and when she was done and asked how much?, the stylist said "that's just $350 today" ... Just!!!
ReplyDeleteIt's only because I know where to go, Pipistrello. I live in a less expensive part of town. This lady is an "old lady hairdresser," but she does a lot of men and children, too. She's fast. I wash my own hair. She sprays it with water, cuts it, and that's it. I let it air dry. Her other services are more expensive, but still reasonable. She's probably in her seventies. Such a bargain!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a successful trip. The steaks were an amazing price; we'd never get them so chap. However, we pay about the same as you for a pineapple. Raspberries and strawberries are my favourite fruits. Although we can buy them all year round, the smaller, sweeter British ones are my favourites but they have a very short season. My daughter in law is my hairdresser and has been for about 12 years. We have an arrangement - I get a wash & blow dry twice a week. I pay her for one (a very fair rate from my point of view) and do a basket of ironing for the other. We both think we get the best end of the bargain!
ReplyDeleteYes, they were really tasty. I tenderized them breaded them in flour, and pan fried them in olive oil. Your trade with your daughter in law sounds ideal.
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