Save Gas - Combine Trips

A few months ago my husband went on a business trip to San Francisco. The timing of this trip also happened to coincide with the unfortunate event of me running out of some of my favorite spices and herbs. I like to cook with spices, because they go a long way toward covering up the fact that I’m not the best cook in the world. But I have enthusiasm.

Anyhoo, it turns out that his hotel is only two miles from one of my favorite places to purchase spices on the web, the San Francisco Herb Co. The prices are great, but of course shipping is always hefty. I made a list of the things I needed, Mapquested directions from my husband’s motel, and told him “if he had time” maybe he wouldn’t mind making a little side trip.

I knew he had a tight schedule, though, so I wasn’t too hopeful. His days would be filled with important meetings. When he came back, I was more than a little surprised (and very happy!) to discover that he had, indeed, managed to get the spices on my list.

Even better, he WALKED, and so saved taxi fare! I applaud this, because my husband is not a walker. Plus, he had to walk there in his dress shoes and business-casual attire. Double-plus, apparently this place is not in the best location, either, so my husband was treated to a view of the gritty underbelly of San Francisco. Talk about spicy!

If I’ve given you the impression before that my husband is not too much into the Frugal-thing, that’s because he isn’t. But once in a while he has these spurts of Frugal genius. He really surprises me sometimes. Imagine - walking four miles to save taxi fare and shipping on my spices! I was very impressed.

Oh, and he also brought back for me (as my souvenir, I guess) the world’s best cream puffs. Oh, my goodness they were delicious. Even now I can remember them - 2 coffee flavored, 2 vanilla, 2 chocolate, and 2 pumpkin. And being a Frugal, I of course didn’t let them go to waste. What a great trip!