Frugal Friday

We started our Friday with a free tasting at Waterford Wine on Brady street-6 tastings to get our Friday going. Then off to Kiku's on Wisconsing avenue. We had a $40 groupon which allowed for much sushi tasting, and of course, some sake to wash it down! Next, we headed to the MKE Art Museum for their MAM after dark event, where the art museum is open until midnight. We took in the French posters and had some free appetizers. We get in free because we are members-the low member fee is well worth it to be able to go anytime we want-and we do! While we were close by we went to Discovery World for their Fish Fry and Flick-free outdoor movie on the lakefront. The movie was Grease Sing-a-long, lots of fun. We also bumped into a vendor we know and got a huge bag of seasoned popcorn free which went well with the movie. Total cost for the night was $12 for extra cost past the groupon at Kiku's.

Fish Fry & Flick

Heading to Frisco

Getting ready for our bi-annual trip to San Francisco and wine country and other nearby places. I'm using points to get my flight back, but had to spend real money on the way out. :( The plus is that we always stay with a friend, so cheap lodgings. We buy transit passes to get around. I will update this entry once we head West. Just checked in and upgraded to business class-includes free drinks and baggage and shorter lines. It's cheaper by hundreds of dollars to get coach and upgrade the day before-it's a gamble that there are seats, but I do it just slightly before 24 hours. and snagged some today. ;)

Latin American Film Series returns to UWM

I saw the film “DAY OF BLACK (DIA DE PRETO)” last night as part of the free film series. Unfortunately, the popcorn machine was broken, so couldn't have their great cheap popcorn. Although, I did get free food because Roger was cooking at the public market for a class. :)

A.J. Jacobs Quest

I was reading about his book Drop Dead Healthy, the third book in Jacobs' literary "triathlon devoted to upgrading my mind, my spirit and my body". It's inspiring because it's sort of an ordinary guy's quest. The article in USA Today seemed like something I could do. I'll start by not having apple pie today at work-which I've been doing since they keep bringing that stuff in. :) My financial quest could dovetail into his quest-healthy living should payoff with decreased medical bills (which I still haven't gotten from my last medical appointment!).

Save Money Every Day: 10 Painless Tricks

Another great link I found on Yahoo!

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/save-money-every-day--10-painless-tricks.html

Now I just have to follow them. :)

Today I'm going to the doctor for my annual physical. Not sure how I'm going to cut costs there, but I'll try my best and keep you posted. :)

Steve & Todd Meet Frankenstein

Steve and I went to the Times Cinema, the last day they were open to see "Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein" for $5. We then went across the street for lunch where we shared some sandwhiches. Dinner was at Ned's for an Oscar party-plenty of good food and wine and company. Back to work today so I can make some money to buy some Groupons. :)

Mardi Gras at Turner Hall

Last night we saw Paul Cebar at Turner hall for free. We got to the VIP balcony section because Roger works at the Pabst. There was free food from Maxies and free beer/hurricanes. We stayed until 10:30pm, which made for a slow Wednesday. :) I parked 2 blocks away so I wouldn't have to pay for my free night. :)

A Frugal Weekend

We went to Molly Cool's for fish on Friday using a groupon-it alsmost covered the bottle of wine with dinner. :) Then we went to a free French film at UWM. Splurged on the popcorn-reasonably prices at $1.50. Saturday we went to see the Oscar nominated animated shorts-$6 for seniors. Went to dinner after, no groupon unfortunately, but a great dinner at Canaveral on 26th & Greenfield, the old Benjamin Briggs. Finished off the night with sparkling wine at Thief Wine in the public market with a gift-certificate. Sunday was the opera in Chicago. I found a cheap (for Chicago) parking garage at $10. After the opera, went to a BYOB place, where we saved lots of money bringing our own wine. Tonight Roger is going to a concert, so I'm going to a friend's condo for pizza-which he's picking up. Free pizza in wine-excluding car fare. :)

How to live well on $40,000 or less

This is also a good article. It explains my basic philosophy and what I'm striving for.

http://money.msn.com/how-to-budget/how-to-live-well-on-40K-or-less-freedman.aspx?gt1=33029

40 Most Useful Travel Websites That Save You Money

This seems like a good resource for future travel arrangements. We'll see if I actually take advantage of any on my next trip. ;)


http://www.wisebread.com/travel-resources

A Frugal & Spendthrift San Francisco Vacation

Well it was both last week in SF. We went to free museum days, but spent $9 on parking and $10 on the special exhibition. We rented a car and also used mass transit. I used a voucher to fly home, but paid $500 for a ticket out to California. Hmm, we have to be much more frugal on our next vacation. Maybe a New Year's resolution?