Frugal Fun With Mr. And Mrs. Friend

Mr. and Mrs. Friend visited  from California this week, and we had a great time.  They are wonderful people, and guess what, they are Livin’ La Vida Frugal.  So I guess that makes them extra wonderful!

We didn’t have a lot of time together, but we managed to pack in a whole lot of fun.  And barbecue.  It’s what you do when you’re in Texas.

They took me and my husband to our very first professional hockey game.  Our team lost, but I was glad the other team won, because the Friends came so far to see them.  Hockey is a lot of fun.  It is so fast and furious you really have to keep your eyes peeled or you might miss something.  Also, it turns out that there are times when the refs just stand there and let the players duke it out, and other times when fighting is an absolute no-no.  From what I can gather, fighting really close to the goalie is a bad thing.

Also, Mrs. Friend and I discovered that we have a mutual passion for antique stores.  This is interesting, because we have been buds for 20 years, and I did not know this.  So I took her to one of my fave local places and she picked up a few bargains.  She got me a sign to hang in my guest room that says “Guest Room Limit 2 Days”.  That’s funny.  Because she got it for me.  But really I was sad they only stayed two days.  I wished they could have stayed longer.

I scored, too.  And what’s more, the Big Score happened to be in the sewing arena.  I got a little tiny electric iron for 12.95 (seen on ebay for 92.00) and a bunch of patterns dating from the late 60’s and early 70’s for 1.50 each.  The iron will make a cute, and apropos, decoration for my sewing room and I’ll frame the patterns and hang them up in my sewing room to lend it some genuine vintage flair.  Yes!  I even found a pattern for a manly leisure suit, circa 1971.  It’s awesome.  One of the models has a big mustache.  He looks like a Village Person.

Heck.  Maybe I’ll go ahead and make up some of those patterns too.  I’ll resurrect the 60’s, right in my very own sewing room.

Mr. Friend got a great deal on the airline tickets to come out and see us.  Because of circumstances (i.e., Life), they had to get their tickets at the last minute.  We’ve all been there.  And so we all know that this is generally a very expensive proposition.

But not for Mr. Friend.  He got their tickets on Southwest.com.  They had one stop in San Antonio.  They paid $109.00 each for two one-way tickets.  That’s the best I’ve ever seen.  And I know, because I fly between California and Texas quite a bit.

Then they caught a ride on a passing motor home and drove to Nashville to see another hockey game.  One way tickets home from there were $136.00 each.

Phew! Now that’s Advanced Bargain Traveling!  I am impressed.  Yes, I am.  Traveling all across the country for a measly $490.00.  And it just goes to show you, the opportunities for learning new Frugal strategies in every area of life are never-ending.  Thanks Mr. and Mrs. Friend.

Come back soon and visit!