I know. That title sounds crazy doesn't it? It was, however, the best way to describe what I'm doing. I'm a proud Gen Xer. My dad worked for IBM as an engineer, and we actually had a Commodore computer in the house. No internet then. We played computer games on it: Shamus and another space game I forget the name. Daddy used it for grown up responsible stuff. You know BORING! Lol. It's not like technology was absent from me as a child or teenager. However, I was an adult of 31 before my husband and I got a computer and dial up internet because he was going to college and needed it. We thought it was cool. I was a woman of 53, I think, before I got a cell phone. I only did that because our then pastor told us we would need one since we were part of the leadership. SMH. I got one. UGH! Talk about being tethered. Where's my phone? I need to charge my phone. Don't drop the phone. Etc.. Crazy. I've said ever since I've had this phone that as soon as it breaks I'm getting a land line. As an aside, the best way to insure longevity for your cell phone is to say that very thing. It will never stop working! So my phone is going(hopefully) to be replaced by, not the landline I grew up with, but some form of internet phone. That's what I'm looking at. I miss being able to talk on the phone and still do a task at home. Now, with my cell phone, I have to stop what I'm doing if I'm going to talk for any length of time. I'll probably get a little prepaid number for when I'm away from home.
My phone isn't the only thing I'm changing. My husband travels a lot. When he's traveling, it's easier( and cheaper) for him to eat healthier if he can have groceries delivered to the house in which he temporarily resides. For that reason we opted to get a Walmart Plus membership. It does help him considerably. He says he feels better eating normal food instead of the junk he has to get at restaurants or continental breakfasts. That's all well and good, but I have to say I use it here as well. I've been looking over finances and I'm rapidly coming to the conclusion that this membership, with my using it too, is costing us money. All in the name of convenience. So while we're keeping it for his convenience, I'm laying off it. This morning my kitchen is cleaned and ready to receive the groceries I'm going out in person to purchase. My freezer is defrosted, and my refrigerator is cleaned out and sparkly. I'll be going by our bank to draw out $600 dollars in cash for my grocery budget for the month. That month starts today. I used to could do this for $400, but inflation you know. Some prices are coming down, but still this will be snug. I'm drawing out cash because it's too easy to whip out a debit card. Cash will make me think twice about purchases. In fact I've cancelled autoship/subscriptions as well. There's something about having to get up and go to the store to make you think twice about how bad something is needed or wanted. I also plan to have my phone off and in my car while I'm shopping. I'm taking a techno break.
Fast forward to this afternoon. I'm Back! SO refreshing! In addition to the satisfaction of getting my own groceries, I chose to not go into Gainesville and instead opted for the mountains. There's both an Aldi and a Walmart across the street from each other and I decided to patronize both. It hasn't been ruined by construction yet, and so I got to enjoy the mountains as I left the store. Not to mention the staff at the Walmart there were wonderful.
So what were the plusses of doing things this way?
1) Saved paying a tip to the person delivering my groceries. Don't get me wrong, if someone delivers groceries; they deserve a tip. By doing this myself; the tip was mine.
2) Saved myself from accumulating crazy amounts of bags, and boxes for those items I had on Autoship
3) Added steps to my day for a little more movement for me.
4) Got out of the house!
5) Saved more money by making myself get in the car to go get what I need. As a result of that, I'm less likely to order things willy nilly. It's like avoiding all of the last minute buys in the check out line.
6) Saved more money by being able to shop mark downs in meat and produce. I got drumstick chicken legs for .66 lb! Plus I got to determine what meat and produce to buy.
7) Saved more money by using cash for my purchases. Keeps me using my list.
It felt GOOD!
Now that I'm home I'll get started making the fill in things I didn't buy: bread, mayo, and chocolate syrup. I might make yogurt. Haven't decided yet. I have some milk to use up.
Sometimes advances aren't necessarily a good thing for every person. There are pros and cons. for instance my mom can't drive. Being able to have her groceries delivered gives her some independence. That's awesome for her. It helps my husband when he travels. Another good thing. For some of us, this is a crutch we shouldn't have. I haven't aways been frugal. I don't need to fall back into bad habits. o for me this is something that doesn't fit. Who know. Maybe I'm just an old fuddy duddy.
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