Cheap as Chips

Tobie and I have been savoring these last few days of freedom before the great education thrust begins again. I am back to school tomorrow and am pretty excited about the new start but also slightly dreading the immediate loss-of-having-a-life that comes with it.

We're both poor, and that isn't fun. But we've figured out low budget ways to enjoy our pauper-dom.

Right now I am on the 10 year window shopping plan. We go to these lovely grocery stores, artisan boutiques, art galleries and I pick out all the things I'm buying and then say "I'll be back in 10 years to pick those up".

At the liquor store which is only a 40 min walk away, they sell these mini bottles of wine (not half litres, they are actually 300mL) at the bargain price of 3 for 5 Euro. We make a large batch of popcorn, walk to the liquor store, get our three minis, and go to the movies (about another 10 mins walk). Flash the student cards and voilà! it is a cheap night at the movies, with wine.

I am getting groceries on-line these days. That has significantly improved my quality of life. When you don't have a car, bike, or reliable bus service you have to somehow get to and fro your closest grocery store (2.6 km away). I know that doesn't sound far but when you have to carry them back (and you're not a masochist like AMG) it is not fun. Plus you don't want to buy heavy things like vegetables and fruits and beans...you want to buy pringles and twinkies because of their weight. Turns out, healthy things are heavy things. Who knew? I guess the Northern stores...

This week our patient has chronic heart disease. I am going to hit the 'Rapid Interpretation EKG' book for a few hours while Tobie practices. Life marches on.