I am starting to wonder whether I need a 5-step program. I seem to buy more stuff every day – although it is all “necessary”.
Take today, for example. I bought:
- A diet coke. Actually, I bought two, because the second one was only $1 instead of $4.20. And I will drink it tomorrow. Total: $5.20
- Lunch for me and my mum. She was in town so we caught up for lunch. I had a salad plate and an orange/passionfruit mineral water, she had a panini and a flat white. Total: $24.50
- German textbooks for the Bigster. Bought online as I couldn’t find local copies (they were cheaper online). Total: $78.90
- 5 free books for my Kindle. Total: $0. Yay!
- A $500 “gift card” for the supermarket. As we get a 5% (or so) discount on these, I am trying to use them for grocery shopping. Technically, Fraser bought this, but it was at my instigation.Total: $477.
- Another $500 gift card for the other supermarket. Being shipped. Total: $478 (who knew that there were so many variants on “5%”?)
- Bigster’s remaining text books for next year. (Had ordered some online at a discount). This is a bit of a scam. If you want them in February, you have to order by December 16th and they take the money as soon as you pay. Total: $258.25
Total for today: $1321.85
Not included:
- Morning coffee (boss bought it) – approx. $3.50
- Tram fare (on smart card) – approx. $6
- Postage of Secret Santa gifts (Fraser’s) – approx. a lot.
- Bigster’s lunch (“Dad made me a DISGUSTING sandwich so I bought something.”)
- Paid cleaner $160 as Fraser forgot to leave money last week.
Then I got home and discovered evidence of an attempted breakin. Fortunately they did not get inside and did not steal anything, although there will be a Glazier’s bill tomorrow. There is something weird happening in our street – our neighbours had a sort-of breakin last night, and Fraser thinks that he heard our gate open around that time. It’s deadlock time!
Advertisements
Gerald
December 13, 2011 at 2:59 am
Love those free Kindle books! They represent most of the collection on my Kindle 2, especially since I enjoy history, poetry, and 19th century writings in general.
Melissa
December 13, 2011 at 2:12 pm
I’ve had a wonderful time going through to find all the freebies. Some rather odd choices, but lots that looks good including – as you mention – some of the classics. I’m currently re-reading The Importance of Being Earnest (for the umpteenth time) as I am seeing it early in January.
jackryder
December 13, 2011 at 7:47 am
Glad the break in wasn’t serious. We found someone had got into our backyard (not difficult) and removed *ahem* a section of garden hose. So we’ve now got a padlock on the side gate. We’ve also now got lockable bolts on the patio doors. But it’s a terrible feeling to know that someone’s tried to get into your private space without your knowledge.
I should have guessed you would have a Kindle. If you haven’t got calibre yet – download it. It’s kind of like iTunes for e-books – it allows conversion from one format to another, magazine and newspaper downloads (so you can the morning’s Age on your kindle for free) and access to Project Gutenberg and many, many other e-book sites. Oh, and it’s free. I wouldn’t normally spruik software, but I think calibre is mandatory for Kindle owners.
Melissa
December 13, 2011 at 2:13 pm
Just got the Kindle while F was in the US. I find it has increased the amount of time I have to read considerably although, as I am mostly reading the freebies, it has not necessarily improved my choice (I did read The Billionaire’s Pregnant Bride or something similar on the way to work the other day … blush …). I have found some German eBooks too, which is good – and will definitely look for Calibre. Thanks.