Meet a Reader | Julie, from Colorado
After Julie saw that last week's interview with Dorinda was the last one in my queue, she wrote to say she'd love to participate.
So, funny enough, we are meeting two Colorado readers in a row!
1. Tell us a little about yourself
I, like Dorinda, live in Colorado, but I'm in Western Colorado which looks nothing like the "typical" images of Colorado.
We're a high desert area, so we have lots of cactus and juniper, red rock, and dirt. It's beautiful. We get a total of 9 inches of rain a year on average and are a tourist mecca for mountain biking.
Me on my bike
I grew up in the south, so living here, even after 15 years, still feels like some sort of magical world. I didn't know a person could ever see so far in any direction! I really cannot imagine living anywhere else.
My partner and I have been together for 14 years, and we love to camp, mountain bike, ski, and golf.
We have two cats, Monica and Phoebe, who, like Kristen's kitty, are tuxedo cats. We adopted them four years ago as kittens.
I work in digital marketing and up until 2018 had been working for our local newspaper in their digital marketing department. My partner, who is considerably older, retired and I decided to strike out on my own.
So I manage many social media accounts for local businesses, build websites, blog, etc. all on my own time. I love being my own boss and working (on occasion) from a campground.
This is Phoebe!
I really enjoy cooking and baking bread, though I don't always have time for bread baking. I like experimenting with new recipes and I love reading cooking magazines and cookbooks when we're not out and about.
Magazines are definitely a favorite thing of mine. I like being able to read them and recycle them or pass them on to others, and using our Amazon Prime account I can get very cheap subscriptions to several good magazines!
My frugality really is in the form of just not buying stuff. I rarely go into a store unless I need something and I just don't have a desire to have a ton of stuff I'm not going to wear or use.
For Christmas, since my mom loves to give things, I often ask for practical items like grocery store gift cards, clothes I actually do NEED, or outdoor gear.
My partner biking on some of our favorite trails with the Grand Mesa and Mt. Garfield in the background
During the pandemic, I quit going to any networking events or out for coffee with people from networking groups. I ended up saving so much money!
Those two and three times a week coffee dates to "get to know" someone and their line of work really add up! I haven't gone back to doing any of that and I don't miss it. My morning at home mocha (hot chocolate and instant coffee) works just fine!
2. How long have you been reading The Frugal Girl?
I started reading the Frugal Girl probably around 2010? A coworker and friend mentioned you and so I found your site and have been a fan ever since.
It's just such a friendly and happy place! Even when something sad happens, your supporters rally and everyone supports everyone else. I love that.
Random photo from our favorite bike trail system
3. How did you get interested in saving money?
The short answer is that I reached a point in life where I needed to think about money.
The long answer is: I was very fortunate growing up. My family was frugal, but not necessarily because we had to be. My parents have always had a garden and my dad hunts each year. So we always had preserved vegetables and a freezer full of meat for the winter. But there was no "this is the budget we have to stick to" it was more "you don't need that." I learned to save for things I wanted, but also learned about credit cards and how to use them responsibly.
But...money just wasn't a thing we talked about.
There was a long period before I ever had to really stop and think about what I spent money on. I'm sort of ashamed of that. All my bills got paid, and I was never in major debt or anything, but I could have been much savvier with funds long ago.
SO when I found myself needing to think a little bit more about money I was glad I had sources like you to turn to! These days I am frugal more because I like to be than because I have to be. I don't like the idea of wasting money.
A photo from our favorite "vacation" spot 2 hrs from home. The biggest mountain, in the middle, is Mt. Sneffles. It's over 14,000 ft high and lots of people hike it in their attempts to hike all 54 Colorado 14ers. I have no plans to hike that!
4. What's the "why" behind your money-saving efforts?
I want to be able to retire, travel more around the country with my partner and spend more time on my hobbies.
I'm in my early 40s, but by 50 I'd love to be only working for one or two clients. So, saving for that now is one reason. Because I work for myself I know there will always be ups and downs.
Another "why" for me is being prepared for those times when I don't have as many clients. I can still not worry because I've been frugal and smart about what I spend money on.
Our little ski resort, Powderhorn!
5. What's your best frugal win?
Well, this is small, but I really enjoy asking people over to dinner and then giving myself the challenge of using ONLY things I already have at home for dinner: appetizer, meal, dessert. It's a fun way to be a little bit frugal.
Having people over is always cheaper than going out, and not having to buy any special groceries is a great plus!
6. What's a dumb money mistake you've made?
Well, honestly just not paying attention to money soon enough. I hate thinking of the money I wasted in the past. That money could have gone to a non-profit or towards any number of useful things - appliances, etc., and it didn't.
Specifically, many years ago my ex-husband and I spent $3000 on a bedroom suite when two mismatched nightstands from Goodwill and a plain bedframe would have sufficed! I still cringe over that one.
7. What's one thing you splurge on?
Good recreational gear. We are outside a lot. The trails we bike are rocky, the skiing is awesome, and the sun shines 300+ days a year. So we need good outdoor gear that can hold up to all the use it gets!
A photo from a campground near Salida, Colorado at O"Havre Lake. If you plan right, camping in Colorado offers a great option for less-expensive adventures!
8. What's one thing you aren't remotely tempted to splurge on?
Clothes, anything like massages, pedicures, etc., dinners out
9. If $1000 was dropped into your lap today, what would you do with it?
The boring answer: pay my quarterly taxes! The fun answer: give myself carte blanche at the grocery store until that $1000 ran out!
10. Share a frugal tip with other Frugal Girl readers
Oh, there are so many things you can do!
I think it really depends on the person and what's important to them. Everyone has to save in a way that's right for them, if that makes sense.
But in general: get a spare freezer and buy in bulk. It's so much cheaper to be able to buy things on sale or clearance, or in bulk at your warehouse store! Food waste is so easily prevented with a spare freezer too. In fact, tonight we're having random leftovers from the freezer. I had one container of pasta and one of jambalaya. They got put in the freezer when no one had eaten leftovers after a few days.
Also really just stop and think before you buy something. Leave it in the cart online. Walk around the store for a few minutes before you purchase. Make sure it's something you either really need or really really want.
This has nothing to do with freezers but is a great shot of one of our city golf courses. City courses tend to be much less expensive than private courses!
11. Is there anything unique about frugal living in your area?
We have so much public land where I live that recreating can be unbelievably cheap.
If you just want to hike, or already have your own bike gear, then the entire Western Slope of Colorado is your playground. We have a little local ski resort just 45 minutes away and we get a pass there, which gives us benefits at some bigger resorts too. If you've got outdoor "stuff" it's easy to go camp, cross country ski or snowshoe, bike, etc., for just the cost of gas and snacks.
__________
Julie, thanks so much for participating.
A few things:
- I love your kitties (of course!)
- I love that you have a Mount Sneffles...that's such a funny name
- I think your idea of doing a dinner party from the pantry/freezer contents is awesome!
Hi Julie
The skies where you live are absolutely beautiful. What a great place to hiking in!
What I'm curious to know is how water supplies and sewage are done in such an arid area? (wells for water? Dry compost for bathrooms? Where goes the soapy water from the washing machine? Etc.
Those networking coffees do add up don't they? We've also managed to save more than pre2020.
@J NL,
Such good questions! We do live in the largest city between Salt Lake and Denver, even though I posted zero pictures of it...ha! So in the city limits we have "city" water for everything - house, yard, etc. It mostly comes from the rivers on the Grand Mesa, just east of town. It's 10,000 ft tall and gets a lot of snow in the winter, so water runs down into the water plant, etc.
For those in the county, irrigation canals run all through the city. It's neat to see. That water comes from the Colorado River usually and is used for watering plants, etc. Believe it or not, for the longest time it was ILLEGAL to collect rain water at your home because water rights out here are precious and anything that hits the ground goes to the river and water rights holders downstream. Crazy stuff.
So because we live in the city we don't have to worry about soapy water and all that - it all filters into the water system and magically disappears 🙂
Many people, including us, have "xeriscaped" yards with little to no grass and lots of beautiful drought tolerant plants.
And yes, the networking coffees add up in terms of both money AND time!
@Julie,
This is so funny, here I was thinking you lived a very rural life based on these gorgeous landscape pictures, and my very limited knowledge of US states (my excuse is that I am from Europe...
Yay for clean tap water!
BTW I quite agree with you on FG's supportive reader community.
Hi Julie,
So nice to meet you. We sound a lot alike in the frugal department.....simply not buying things I don't need is my biggest frugal win. I also have a few purchases from years past that still haunt me too. Nothing too outrageous, just spending more than was truly necessary when looking back. I really don't have to worry too much about being financially frugal either, but the thought of wasting money bothers me as well. I'm also big on not wasting food and making meals out of leftovers or breakfast type foods. On that note, would you be willing to share your morning mocha recipe??? Thanks.
Vicki
@Vicki Skonieczny,
It's literally your favorite hot chocolate mix with a spoonful of Nescafe instant coffee! After that I switch to two cups of black tea 😉 But the sugar buzz is lovely first thing in the morning. Haha.
Hi Julie,
It was wonderful to read your interview. Like you and Vicki, much of my frugality is passive (what I don't do).
Congratulations on becoming a freelancer. It sounds like a great way to earn a living.
You make we want to visit western Colorado, it looks gorgeous. Have you had to deal with wild fires or drought?
@K D,
We do have to deal with wildfires. Last year was particularly tough as there was a massive wildfire in the canyon where the interstate runs between here and Denver (Denver is 3ish hours away). This caused so many issues: detours add up to 3+ hrs to anyone's drive and not all the detour routes were safe for big tractor-trailers. THEN once the fire was finally out the summer rains came this year and caused massive mudslides in that same area! Though the DOT is doing all they can, we're all prepared for avalanches there this winter. Scary stuff. Usually when they happen (every year, sometimes several fires at once) they're off in the distance and burning in areas where homes aren't affected. It's still devastating for the wildlife and, in dry seasons, all it takes is a lightning strike to get one going!
Thank you for sharing. The beauty and the diversity of the American West is awe-inspiring. Many years ago, I had a client who moved to Western Colorado and loved it. It was a place where he could ski in the morning and golf in the afternoon.
@Bee,
It is absolutely that! We've had many weekends that involve skiing one day and biking or golfing the other.
Your tip about just waiting a little before buying something is spot on- this has helped me so much and this is a great reminder for me to re-up with it. I love all these photos! Thank you for sharing all of it.
@Stephanie in Brooklyn,
Thanks for reading!
Hi Julie! Those western skies really do get into you, don't they? They never leave, either. I spent ten years of my late childhood/early adulthood in Arizona, and after fifteen years in the northeast, I was surprised when we moved to New Mexico how much I had missed the open skies of the west.
@kristin @ going country,
And see? I assumed New Mexico had those too!
@Julie, Oh, New Mexico most definitely does have the big open skies (more so even than Colorado, which I know is hard to believe). What I meant was that I didn't realize I missed it when we were living in New York, and then when we moved to New Mexico and the western scenery was all around me again, I realized that I had it missed it when we were living in NY.
Julie, thank you for sharing your story and beautiful photos. Kudos on leading a mindful, intentional life. I dislike wasting money, too - wasting anything really - and also enjoy the challenge in using what I have. I bet your dinner parties are just as enjoyable for your guests!
@MB in MN,
Thank you!
Actually, I'm haunted by the things I didn't buy, versus the things I did! (Opposite of frugal.)
Rose, one of the things I love about you is how honest you are! 🙂
I'm trying to think if I have ever been haunted by something I didn't buy. I do remember one time when I was maybe about 10 years old, I bought two little clown toys at a fair, intending to give one to my sister and keep one for myself. But before I left the fair, a friend was crying about something, so I gave her the clown I'd intended to give to my sister.
So then for days afterward I really regretted that I hadn't bought three clowns because I did really want to give one to my sister! I suppose it didn't occur to me to give her the one I'd intended for myself. Ha.
@Rose, I really regret not buying Mystery Science Theater Vol. 8 when it first came out because there ended up being a rights issue and it was pulled from shelves. I did get a first release eventually but it cost me a stupid amount of money.
@Rose,
Me too Rose! I have several instances of "why didn't I buy that?" that haunt me.
@Rose,
For me this happens with food! Like, "Ah, I should have ordered the carnitas!" Ha!
@Rose,
I recognize the regret and it is something to take into consideration: what will I regret more: doing this or not doing this?
Years ago my husband and I visited an antiquarian bookshop in Edinburgh Scotland and decided against buying a 16th c vellum bound book of sermons, because we had not budgeted for the expense.
It took us decades to get over our stupidity, the more so because my husband is a fairly experienced amateur bookbinder who could have done many necessary repairs by himself and a considerable number more together with a very experienced friend bookbinder.
So in case of doubt we pass expenses by the "book of sermons" yardstick. If we do not buy now, how much will we regret? Can we get something similar later?
@J NL, I know your pain. A bunch of years ago I was bidding at Christie's for an embroidery I had to have for my collection. It got up to (mumble mumble) ᵉⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵗʰᵒᵘˢᵃⁿᵈ ᵈᵒˡˡᵃʳˢ and I let it go. And now and again I come across the piece on Google or Pinterest and I think "I should have sold my car and bought it." Sigh.
I dunno...it seems like keeping your car was probably the right decision. lol
@Rose, my brother and I have a saying, "Don't be thrifty to the point of regret!" When we were talking about souvenirs or unique things we saw while traveling that we wouldn't be able to get anywhere else. Sometimes it can be used to justify buying things we don't necessarily need, but overall it is a good yard stick to measure when trying to decide on buying something!
Hello, Julie! I'm waving at you from over in Ouray County -- not that far. My daily view is of Mt. Sneffels! I agree that Colorado is wonderful for free recreation.
@Cindi, Ah! I'm sure you recognized my photos of Ridgway then 🙂 Your area is our favorite for quick 2-3 night getaways!
@Julie, Maybe I will run into you some time!
@Cindi, we stopped in Ouray (well, and, @Julie, in Grand Junction and Montrose) (and then also Durango, Cortez, and the Valley) for our years-delayed-til-we-could-afford-it, midwinter, low-key wedding trip. Just driving around isn't as cheap as public lands biking, certainly, but we simply loved looking around.
What a beautiful place! I love your thoughts on entertaining. I'm from a family that had guests infrequently (though not for lack of wanting to), so when we entertained, it was a lot of work and little bit stressful (joyful! but stressful). We've started to invite people over by just telling them what we're making for dinner and inviting them to join, which is much lower stress.
As a guest, I'm so happy to join people for simple meals, and I think most people are the same! Last night, we had my cousin and his girlfriend over for beef stew, a salad kit from Costco, bread, and grapes. It's exactly what we would have eaten if we hadn't had guests.
@Meira@meirathebear,
Exactly! I love it! We had friends over for "friendsgiving" and I pulled a chicken out of the freezer to roast, roasted 2 pans of veggies (a little bit of everything) and put out cheese, crackers, grapes, etc for appetizers. Then we all raided the chocolate candy bowl after! It was great!
Julie,
You are an instant coffee girl after my own heart!!
@Jenelle,
I grew up on it 🙂 These days my dad grinds his own beans, but there are always still multiple canisters of instant coffee in their pantry! Have to buy it when it's on sale!
Hi, Julie,
I love your idea of entertaining. You know, just the thought of someone else cooking and cleaning up for me for one night is enough for me to be a happy guest. I don't need a fancy meal, just a chance to relax and eat without being the one cooking.
I agree with waiting before a purchase -- it has saved me so many times from making a purchase I didn't need! My sister got an idea from her friend, then passed it on to me: when in the store, if you see a gotta have item that isn't a planned purchase, carry it in your cart around the store as you put the things you actually came there for in your cart. When you are ready to check out, 95 times out of 100, you will put the impulse item back on the shelf, then go check out. Or at least, that's how it works for my sister, her friend and me.
p.s. - the friend who gave my sister this idea is the daughter of multi-millionaires.
The pictures were beautiful! Thanks for joining in.
@JD, dang it. I think I'm doing it wrong. Once it's in my grocery cart, it tends to go home with me. 🙁
@JD,
I was just saying that same thing to my spouse! "Most of the time I end up putting it back..." sometimes I'll do that even if the line to check out just looks too long! If that's the case then that impulse item is truly something I didn't need! "Nope, line's too long...I don't need x that badly..."
@Julie and @JD, I do the "putting it in the cart" trick in thrift stores all the time, when I'm tempted by something but having trouble deciding if it's a need or a want. It's prudent to put it in the cart while I'm thinking about it so that someone else doesn't nail it first--but if it isn't a need (or a really serious want), I can put it back.
@JD, When my friends and I get together to go shopping we always stop before check out to decide what we are keeping and what to put back 😉
Hi !
I love your idea of leaving the item in the online shopping basket and thinking about it first. Definitely going to try that one.
Beautiful views where you live and play!
@Zina,
Thanks! We like it!
Your recollection of the bedroom furniture set really hit home with me. I am also a happily frugal person but about 7 or 8 years ago, I became slightly consumed with the idea that I needed/wanted a matching set of bedroom furniture. I bought it too quickly (not enough shopping, comparing, researching). Within months I intensely disliked it. I over spent on it, the quality was poor and I realized I didn't even like the way it looked. Such a waste of money. I am slowly getting rid of it and replacing it with pieces I like - which are usually found at thrift stores and refinished or reworked. Buying that furniture was a huge mistake and I still can't quite understand why I did that. Strange experience...
@Bernadine,
It's funny how we go through those phases isn't it?
@Bernadine, I am just the opposite! My parents bought me a bedroom set when I was 15 years old. I spilled nail polish remover on it at some point, and the sun has damaged the side of the big dresser over the years. I am now 82 years old and still using it! I think it is too late to consider a new one!
Well, I am very impressed this dresser has lasted so long. It must be a very well-made one!
@Vivian, I would have to keep it as well. I have two things like that. The coffee table we use is a drop leaf maple and my parents bought it in 1955 when they married. Somehow I was the lucky one and have had it for many years. I love it and it will stay in my living room for as long as I do.....
Hi Julie, Nice to meet you. Love all your photos. Especially the cats. I have been to Colorado and it is beautiful. We are getting a puppy from the crossing guard at my son's school. He was born on Halloween and we named him Snuffles. A cross between Snowball and Waffle. It took 2 days for the fur of us to agree on a name. Thanks for sharing. Don't beat yourself up over the bedroom set. It probably costs triple that now.
@Anita Isaac,
I LOVE that name! How cute!
I meant four of us. Not fur sorry.
@Anita Isaac, I thought it was an intentional play on words since you were discussing a future furry pets name, which btw, very cute name.
@Ranee, Thanks for your kind words. I am the world's worst typist. And I once was a newspaper proof reader at The Macon Telegraph while I was in college. I didn't las t very long.
Hi Julie, I really enjoyed reading your post because my son and daughter in law live in Colorado in the high desert in South Central Colorado.
Before they moved out there 4.5 years ago we had no idea about this area. The first time we visited we loved it. This area has so much beauty. Love love love the sunsets.
My son and daughter in law have much in common with you. Every weekend they are outside hiking or mountain biking. And they are trying to climb all the 54 14teeners, in fact they did Mt. Sneffles is summer while we were out there.
Also my daughter in law's business is exactly what you are doing.
I think a lot of young people are starting to find out about this "other" part of Colorado.
@karen,
That's a big feat, hiking the 14ers! Good for them! And yes, the sunsets can be pretty spectacular 🙂
My aunt and cousins live in Grand Junction and we got to stay a few days with them this summer. Agreed, it is beautiful out there! My aunt keeps trying to convince me to move out there!
@Jenni,
Ah! How awesome! Glad you got to visit at least.
Very nice to meet you. I love the names of your cats. You seem to ge missing a RACHEL. LOL
@Stephanie,
There were 4 of them...the shelter named them: Monica, Phoebe, Rachel and Joey. Monica and Phoebe were at the pet store I work for (digital work) and when I saw their names we had to have them! We'd been wanting a pair anyway, so it was perfect! Probably best I didn't see ALL FOUR of them or they'd all be here.
Hi Julie! Cool to see the parallels in our lives—my partner is also significantly older than me and we’ve been together for 6 years. I laughed that we had the same answer for what we would do with an unexpected $1000! Self-employment is always a roller coaster.
@Susannah,
I am grateful for every month when I still have a full client load! Phew!
I thought the same thing...as a fellow self-employed person, those quarterly taxes are a thing I dread!
Our kids live in a stupid expensive resort town in CO. We have taken to visiting other places in CO and UT on our way to/from our visits to them. One of those "in-between" places is Moab, UT. Moab is a fabulously beautiful place and everyone should go there. Oh, wait. Nevermind.
Anyway, should you happen to find yourself in Moab, check out their cute public library. It is the home of Cosmos, the Tuxedo Cat. A library with a cat is always an excellent library. He has a bed on the circulation desk and an outdoor "catio"! His humans are also incredibly helpful as well. One shining example: they have lots of curated lists available, including a list of all the places one can get a shower and another of all the places to do laundry in town.
Thanks for sharing your story and your kitties, Julie
@Dicey,
We LOVE Moab! I'm thinking the rest of the country must too because it is always so packed these days...I will definitely check out the library the next time we're over there!
Beautiful pictures. We have been to Colorado only once and for a very brief time and only saw some of the many things it has to offer. We really enjoyed it and if we were to move there, my husband would be able to transfer jobs as his company is linked with a division in Colorado. It has come up in discussion. (we're in MN )
With regard to putting items into your online cart and waiting to see if it's a need or a want, not only do I do that, but I ponder for a few days and then if I remember the items in the cart, I consider it to likely be something we need. If I can't remember, I empty the cart until another day.
I think the open blue skies in one of the things that has stuck with me the most, from our time there. Oh, and the wildlife was fantastic.
@Ranee,
Plus sometimes when you put the items in the online cart and you don't buy them that day the company will send you an incentive..."Hey, still want this? 10% off!"
How cute are those cats!!! Between the pictures of them and your gorgeous landscape pictures, my eyes are happy. 😉
We've been to Colorado a couple of times. During our second visit, we stayed in the Mancos area and visited Mesa Verde, along with several other locations in the area (including Hovenweep National Monument in Utah). The variety of landscapes in that area was fascinating. We would be in hot desert valleys on one day, and the next day we'd be hiking in the mountains amidst waist-high flowers. I have enjoyed all of our trips but that one has a special place in my heart. Thanks for sharing your lovely area with us and reminding me of happy vacation moments.
@Kris,
Ah, we love Mesa Verde! It's such a unique place and I'm always fascinated to think how the Ancestral Puebloans lived there. What a fun place to visit.
Thanks for sharing, Julie! Like other readers, I love your idea of entertaining. To a lesser extent, I do the same in that I serve simple meals, but I still have to pick up some ingredients occasionally. It really hit home, though, because recently a new couple moved into our little town, and it's pretty obvious that they are quite well off (more notable in a poorer rural town). They have a magazine perfect home on the lake, and when they invited us to dinner, the table was set with more dishes than I probably own. It was lovely, and very much appreciated. Our intention is to return the favor, but I have found myself putting off the invitation simply because nothing I have will be as "nice." I don't consider myself to be driven by comparison, and I generally don't think anything of having people over to our "simple" home, but this made me realize it may bother me more than I think! I know they will be gracious....so I'm just going to go for it and serve a meal that I would normally serve. Thanks for the inspiration.
Just wanting to give you some encouragement that you are definitely on the right path here...yes, invite them over!
@Tricia,
Yes! Absolutely just go for it! Pasta, Grilled chicken, whatever! They'll enjoy the invite, the company and the food.
I will!
Hi Julie,
I loved your post, especially all the scenic views. Colorado is such a beautiful state! I moved to Arizona from Michigan in 1996. I love the mountains and the desert and being able to see for miles. 🙂 Your cats are adorable!
@Beth B.,
Thank you 🙂 They ARE fairly adorable!
Incidentally, Mount Sneffels was named after the volcano Snæfell, which is located on the tip of the Snæfellsnes peninsula in Iceland. That mountain and its glacier, Snæfellsjökull, which caps the crater like a convex lens, were featured in the Jules Verne novel A Journey to the Center of the Earth. An area on the western flank of Mount Sneffels gives the appearance of volcanic crater. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Sneffels
I had no idea that's where it got its name!
Wow! Julie, great to read this! So glad I have met you through Alice and Andy Hayes...this was an amazing read for me! I struggle living in Colorado, where it is so expensive to survive, but I admit, I chose this lifestyle and it rocks. I'll attach myself to this blog...it looks like just what I need right now in my life. Thanks for sharing on FB.
And thanks to Kristen, for this as well! Maggie Lore from Fraser, Colorado...6 1/2 years here from Maine.
@Maggie Lore´,
I'm so glad you read it! Kristen (and all her readers) always has lots of great tips. If you get ready for a break from snow head on over 🙂
Love this! I've been to Colorado a few times, since my partners family lives there. But I have never been to Western Colorado and had no idea it looks so different and beautiful in its own way. Same impressive skies, though!
When I started my business, a friend gave me good advice: go for coffee instead of lunch. He said I will have neither time nor money for a full lunch, and turns out he was right. I actually have a new temporary rule for myself - no coffees out when I'm by myself (I like to sit in coffee shops and read on weekends), but I am allowed to go out for coffee when it is for work. Of course, if that's not something you miss, then it money "well saved"!
@a curious reader,
It IS much better to just go out for coffee than lunch though! That's a smart move. I do like the aspect too of supporting local coffee shops by having meetings there when I need to.
I'm from New Mexico, and your pictures look like home. <3
I am so thrilled to be the recipient of #5! I can attest that Julie's dinners from what she has in hand are fabulous, but the company is even better.
@Blythe Rusling,
My HEART! I love you! Have fun this week. Enjoy your free time.
Thanks Julie, from Colorado. Beautiful photos & cats.
yup, put it in the cart, think about it,... then take it out. Don't need that after all.
Good idea to just have friends over, no special occasion needed. It's not about the food, it's a social connection.
Thanks Kristen for sharing school, very interesting.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Hi Julie, I enjoyed your story and photos. I have a daughter who lives in Colorado so your beautiful pictures reminded me of good times. I too was raised with the “you don’t need that” budget and it's such a good thing to automatically think that way now. Here’s to your career and life plans!
It really takes talent and creativity to create meals from what you have -- I totally admire (and lack) that skill. Your life sounds so lovely -- doing the things you want, being where you want, and planning for your future -- so excellent! Thank you for sharing!
What amazing countryside! Thank you for sharing your frugal life with us.