From NASA excitement to free food all around town, it has been a great frugal week! Here’s what’s been going on at Chez Recessionista.
1. I reserved a free ticket to see the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope at NASA’s Goddard Spaceflight Center!
Now, this is easily one of the highlights of my entire YEAR so far. A couple of months ago, I saw a notice in the NASA Goddard newsletter offering up free tickets on a tour to tour the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope before it’s packed up and shipped down to Cape Canaveral in June. As a lifelong space geek, I jumped at the chance and scored a ticket for April 29. Friends, I was DELIGHTED by what I saw. On our two-hour adventure we listened to a great talk by one of the scientists working on the telescope, then took a bus ride out to the building where the telescope’s cleanroom is. Standing at the observation deck looking through the glass into the cleanroom, I was simply in awe! Here is a telescope that is the same size as good old Hubble, but with so many new components AND a field of view that dwarfs Hubble – oh, and did I mention it will be taking up residence 1 million miles away?
I could geek out all day about this, but I’ll simply close by saying it was well worth a day off work to attend.
2. I attended a volunteer appreciation party and scored a free meal! (And took the free bus to and from.)
Like last year, the animal shelter I spend time at had an appreciation dinner for the volunteers, and I was delighted to attend. UNLIKE last year, I came rolling up 15 minutes after the start time and the food was almost all gone! I was despondent at first, but quickly recovered after enjoying some of the remaining food, several mini-desserts, and a final round of late-arriving heavy appetizers. And as the offerings were all vegetarian and/or vegan, I did NOT go home hungry, I can assure you. It feels nice to be appreciated! ;)
3. A local pizza shop gave me a complimentary slice of pizza.
The free food run continues: On Sunday I went to Cat Tai Chi at our local cat cafe, Mount Purrnon. (While said class did cost money, it was an absolute delight!) On my way home, I decided to pop by one of our local New York-style pizza shops to get a slice or two. When I got there, the server had stepped out momentarily, but he returned within about one minute. He was so apologetic that he comped me one of my two slices of pizza, rendering my entire meal $4.99! I relished every morsel.
4. My favorite running shorts went on sale for 50% off and I cleaned up.
I was calculating this the other day – before this year, I don’t think I’ve purchased new running shorts in literally a decade. But the shorts I had lovingly bought back then are beginning to finally show signs of wear, so I’d found a new style earlier this year that I really like. I hadn’t bought many pairs at first because I wasn’t sure I was in it for the long haul, but they quickly became my go-tos. Imagine my surprise when I got an email saying they were on sale for 50% off! I don’t mind telling you I bought three more pairs – two for rowing, one for running. And by my calculations I should now be set till 2040. ;)
5. The Leftover Revolution continues!
Last weekend I made two meals – spaghetti pie and chik’n divan – with the express purpose of having leftovers, which carried us through the first two workdays of this week. There is just nothing better than finishing up a hard day only to realize dinner is already waiting in the refrigerator!
What frugal wins have you had this week? Let’s hear ’em!
:)
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