Meet a Reader | Sarah from Ohio
Hey everyone! Today we're meeting a reader who found her way here because years ago, her mom sent Sarah a post of mine.
I think you'll enjoy her pics of all the stuff she fits into her little hatchback, and...I think she's the first reader who chose to answer the, "What's your funniest frugal story?" question!
Here's Sarah:
1. Tell us a little about yourself.
My name is Sarah, I’m in my late twenties, and I live in Ohio with my partner and our cat.
I was born and raised here but have been fortunate to have traveled a lot when I was younger partially due to the fact that my dad is from England.
I’ve been to eighteen countries, mostly in Europe, and hope to visit so many more!
I studied history in college but have worked as a librarian for a long time in a variety of capacities - university library, public library, and now remotely for a business after getting my master's.
As folks could probably guess, books are quite important to me and I read about a hundred books per year.
In addition to reading, I also love to play and watch soccer, bike, take pictures, do puzzles, hike, and, of course, travel.
COVID definitely put a damper on the travel in the last few years, but it also pushed us to explore areas closer to home which resulted in some wonderful adventures.
2. How long have you been reading The Frugal Girl?
I remember my mom sent me one of your posts after I moved out so my guess would be about six years. I’m not sure if she still reads this blog but if she does - hi, Mom!
3. How did you get interested in saving money?
Frugality and financial wellness were well ingrained in my upbringing so it’s always been a part of my life.
I remember my dad teaching me about compound interest when I was maybe in kindergarten and my mom regularly taking me to sell our used books at Half Price Books and shopping at Goodwill.
When I eventually moved out of my parents’ house, saving money was already second nature.
4. What's the "why" behind your money-saving efforts?
This is a hard question to answer but a great question to ask. For me, the connection between frugality and sustainability is probably where my answer lies.
My parents highly emphasized sustainability to me - we didn’t buy new if possible, we repaired and reused what we could, and we recycled as much as possible to reduce our impact on the planet.
That, in combination with my parents’ frugal mindset, made me realize how important both of those things are and I’m honestly happier for it - I hate unnecessary stuff and try my best to reduce my consumption of things because it’s better for the planet, myself, and my wallet!
5. What's your best frugal win?
Libraries are always my go-to answer for this but given that’s an obvious answer for me, I’ll say that working remotely has also been a big frugal win for me. I’m saving hundreds in gas and insurance, not to mention reducing the wear and tear on my car.
Because of its flexibility, I’m also able to save money in small ways, like not needing to take sick time for a brief doctor’s visit, doing laundry while I work, making phone calls that need to be made during business hours, not eating out for lunch, etc. - it all adds up!
A close second place definitely goes to my local buy-nothing group - I love that it saves so much stuff from the landfill and I’m able to find a good home for things I no longer need. I’ve also gotten some great stuff from it.
I almost always look there before I go thrifting for something I need before trying to find it new, which is how I’ve gotten a bookshelf, rugs, a workbench, chairs, full towel sets, gym flooring, lots of household goods, and more.
I always enjoy seeing what Kristen has gotten from hers as well!
6. What's an embarrassing money mistake you've made?
When I started making my own money at my first job, I regularly over drafted my checking account (which pulled from my savings) and was hit with a bunch of fees because of it.
It took me a bit, but eventually, it sunk in that I was losing a fair amount of money that way (especially after a talking-to by my mom).
7. What's one thing you splurge on?
Travel, the occasional massage, and concerts. If I splurge, I try to make sure it’s on experiences or on good-quality wares that will last me for years.
8. What's one thing you aren't remotely tempted to splurge on?
Make-up and haircuts. I don’t wear the former and the latter is mostly done in our backyard with our trimmer. I’m also not a huge foodie so expensive restaurants don’t really tempt me.
9. If $1000 was dropped into your lap today, what would you do with it?
Invest most and donate the rest.
10. What's the easiest/hardest part of being frugal?
The easiest part of being frugal for me is being surrounded by like-minded people in regard to frugality, whether that’s my family, my friends, or my partner.
On my first date with my partner, one of the first things we talked about was saving for retirement and good financial goals. As our relationship grew, that shared basis of understanding and openness around finances facilitated later discussions and decisions that we did together around money.
It even trickles down into smaller things, like date nights. One of my favorite things we’ve done together is bike to our local pizza place, pick up a pizza, and then bike to a park to eat.
The hardest part about being frugal for me is constantly questioning my consumption of things and being intentional about my consumption, purchases, and impact on the planet.
While I try my best not to buy anything new if I can help it, that doesn’t always work. I also try my best to support small, local businesses and/or companies that I know are sustainable and ethical, but again, that also doesn’t always work.
I can not make all my purchases 100% in line with my values and budget 100% of the time. I’m also human and susceptible to purchases that don’t end up being worth it for me.
There’s a quote that I try to remember - “We don't need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly. We need millions of people doing it imperfectly” - Anne Marie Bonneau.
Progress, not perfection, is important.
11. Is there anything unique about frugal living in your area?
Ohio has really great libraries.
The local libraries around me have things like:
- free puzzle exchanges
- tax assistance
- plant exchanges/seed libraries
- access to telescopes, driver's ed kits, sewing machines, tents, pieces of art,
- passport applications
- notary services
The list goes on and on!
The libraries also provide access to services with free e-books/e-audiobooks/e-magazines/movie streaming, resources like Consumer Reports, language learning, databases for homework help and research, and more.
I can’t even fathom how much money I’ve saved by using my library but I’m sure it’s at least in the tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands.
I really love the Peter Golkin quote, “My two favourite things in life are libraries and bicycles. They both move people forward without wasting anything. The perfect day: riding a bike to the library.”
I take that to heart:
12. What is your funniest frugal story?
My partner and I were looking to purchase a new media console for our TV. I looked on Facebook Marketplace and found a used one that was in good shape and matched our existing furniture.
I messaged and asked if they’d be willing to come down a bit in price. They responded and declined my offer, saying they really wanted to get the full price they listed for it (even though it wasn’t in perfect condition and it’d been listed for over a week).
I moved on to other options but while I continued to research, my partner found the exact same posting on Craigslist. My partner then reached out via Craigslist (his last name is different than mine) and respectfully offered a price, but one that was even lower than my original offer.
Lo and behold, they declined my partner’s offer but then promptly messaged me on Facebook and were willing to take my offer. We picked the item up that same day. It did have more cosmetic issues than the person let on, so I don’t feel too bad.
And in the end, everybody involved seemed pretty happy. The media console works perfectly for our space and the price we paid was fair.
13. What single action or decision has saved you the most money over your life?
When I went to grad school, I decided to go with the cheapest online program possible. I knew it would have some drawbacks but I didn’t have to take out student loans and the final degree was the same as if I had chosen a more expensive school.
14. What is something you wish more people knew?
How much hatchbacks can haul!
I have a Mazda3 and I’ve hauled so much stuff in it, it’s become a running joke between myself and my partner to see what we can cram into it.
When we moved, we fit almost everything in it (across multiple trips), except for the obvious things like the couch and the mattress.
There was even one time I was picking up a dresser from a Facebook Marketplace listing; the seller didn’t believe me when I said it would fit in my car and lo, and behold, it did!
15. Which is your favorite type of post at the Frugal Girl and why?
Five Frugal Things are what got me hooked on the blog, but I’m also fond of the Thankful Thursdays.
Both frequently remind me that it’s often the small things can count the most, like a warm cup of tea.
16. Do you have any tips for frugal travel or vacations?
I’m a big fan of the Going newsletter (formerly known as Scott’s Cheap Flights) for flight deals and Rick Steves for reasonably priced recommendations on experiences, accommodations, food, and more.
We also try to shop at a local supermarket when we travel for simple things like snacks and breakfast - if we’re traveling closer to home, we stay at places with a kitchen to save money on meals.
__________
Sarah, thank you! My friend Budget Girl (whose name is also Sarah) is always instagramming about all the things she fits in her hatchback, so your post made me think of her. 🙂
I love your cat! She looks almost identical to our cat, and so of course I had to show the pictures to my girls.
You look very tall in your photos; is that at all a challenge with a hatchback?
What's your favorite genre of books? and do you have a favorite book of all time?
(One of my faves is When Breath Becomes Air, which is on my list of favorite medical memoirs.)
Sarah - I lived in Ohio for more than twenty years and I agree that the libraries are the best. We miss them since we've moved away. Luckily, we can still access their inventory for online ebooks and audio. Not quite the same as visiting our friendly local branch though, or the fabulous downtown Cincinnati main library. It's nice to hear from someone who also appreciates them.
@Gardengoddess42, I live in Cincinnati and agree -we have fantastic libraries. I just visited mine last Thursday!
@Debbie H. and @Gardengoddess42 - that's the wonderful thing about accessing online collections! Location doesn't matter!
@Debbie H., and @Gardengoddess42,
Yes! I live in Lebanon (Ohio) now, but lived in Cincinnati for many years. I still have access to Cincinnati's library system, as well as the Lebanon public library (which is a Carnegie library). I am grateful to have so many library options!
I love that quote about bicycles & libraries, thank you for sharing!
@Diana, Me, too. And so true!! I love my library!!
@Lauren and @Diana - I'm glad folks appreciate it and also glad to hear from fellow library lovers!
From one librarian to another, thank you for sharing, Sarah 🙂 As someone who doesn't often hike to the top of hills (but probably should), I'm curious about the painted rocks in your photos. Is this something done by people who have made the trek (ie. celebratory graffiti) rather than being seen as vandalism? Really just curious, hope I don't sound judgy.
@Shelagh, Go ahead and sound judgy. It's okay not to like something, you know. And it's okay to express your opinion. I don't like graffiti on pretty rocks. I do like graffiti on train cars. I'm sure others have different opinions. Don't apologize for your own. (Not that you actually expressed an opinion, only implied?)
I feel the same way about graffiti in nature; in an urban setting, it's one thing, but it does feel a little like it spoils a hiking destination.
But it wouldn't stop me from hiking there, of course!
@Jody S., Sarah, Where are those rocks? I think I've been there. I dislike graffitti, too, especially on something in nature.
@Jody S., The problem with the graffiti on train cars, as I well remember NYC in the 70s, was the filthy interiors. Unidentifiable liquids spilling everywhere was the least objectionable. Ha and eeeeew.
@Jody S., I do like graffiti but only when it's done on one's own property, like an artwork you've done and own and it's there for others to enjoy/ appreciate. But it doesn't feel great/ right when it's done on someone else's people/ nature property- done without the owner's permission! I especially feel terrible since nature has to endure this toxic paint seeping through and harming it :(.
@Jody S., I like your reply, and have never heard of anyone liking graffiti on trains before! I dislike all graffiti. Yeah, yeah, some people say it is "artistic". Nope, looks trashy. My opinion, so there. (Insert a face with a tongue sticking out here.)
@Central Calif. Artist
I agree, no one should paint on public property without permission to do so.
@Jody S., I used to like graffiti on train cars, but I just got home from a visit to Portland, Oregon, and I've decided I don't like graffiti at all. I wish they were all Banksy but they're not.
@Gerri, I don't think it should be on public property either. My point was that it looks okay (sometimes) and not out-of-place in certain places. It mars nature.
I've also wondered if spray paint on the outside of train cars keeps rust from damaging the cars. Does anybody know?
@Jody S., @Shelagh, @Kristen, @Live and Learn-Toss and Turn, @Rose, @Farhana, @Central Calif. Artist, @Gerri, @Jean - an interesting discussion!
@Shelagh - glad to have a fellow librarian in the comments!
Since there are two photos of graffiti location in my post:
The first one is at Dan's Rock Overlook in Maryland and the entire overlook is covered in graffiti and carvings from the 1800 and 1900's - people have been making there mark there for at least a hundred years, whether through paint or otherwise! It's a really cool spot and only about a fifteen minute detour off I-68 if you're ever heading through there - I highly recommend it.
The second one is High Rock Overlook, also in Maryland, and it's an old hang gliding launch point. It's also covered in graffiti.
Personally, I don't mind graffiti in certain areas. In these two specific places, it makes the whole thing feel like one big communal art installation!
@Central Calif. Artist, I don’t like any graffiti. It’s a form of forced assault. Sure some perpetrators have talent but quit bashing me in the face with your work and buy a canvas.
My favorite graffiti is the really old stuff, like the stuff from Pompeii or even the medieval stuff. We humans can't resist the urge to carve "Rose Wuz Here" anywhere.
@Rose, when I was a kid, anytime we saw graffiti, my dad would say, "Fools' names, like fools' faces, are often seen in public places."
@Tiana, a visual assault! Your reply made me laugh- thanks!
@BookishSarah, I feel silly because I've never heard of those two places, but both are within a little more than an hour's drive or less! (And where I live, going anywhere is at least some drive.) In fact, I've passed right by them in the last year without realizing it 🙂 I'll have to check them out.
@Rose, there are Viking graffiti runes in the Maeshowe burial chamber in the Orkney Islands, Scotland, of just such a tenor! From the 1100s, I believe.
Sarah- Thank you for sharing. I love libraries, too, and I wouldn't mind (would love) working in our local library when my homeschooling days are over. I love people taking advantage of all the library offers.
@Jody S., Glad to hear from a fellow library lover!
Go mighty hatchback! I have several friends who have accomplished amazing feats of moving with their vehicles, so it’s really a question of familiarity, determination, and physics. It’s always a bonus when one can conquer onlookers’ skepticism, too, like with your dresser or the tall book case I fit completely into my Buick’s trunk!
@N, Yes! We actually did a hardware store run yesterday to buy a ton of eight foot long plywood for a project. I pulled up next to all the big trucks and SUVs in my tiny Mazda and got some weird looks when folks realized what we were putting in my car. Those looks quickly turned into amazement when we got it all in with no problem!
@N, my husband and once fit 10 fruit trees plus the 2 of us in a Saturn hatchback. It was pretty comical but it did the job.
@N,
I was able to fit two Delta toilets into my Ford Escort hatchback. The boxes didn't have any room to spare but it saved me from making two trips! I have also camped in my hatchback. Fortunately I am very short and it was only myself but it was so much warmer and dryer than pitching my roomy tent on that trip
Dang, hit post too soon! Which foot ball teams do you follow, out of curiosity? We were hooked during the 2010 World Cup and follow both Tottenham Hotspur in the PL and AC Milan in the Seri A.
@N, I support England in the World Cups, but I'm also fond of the US Women's National Team. I also support my local MLS team and the semi-pro women's team. In terms of EPL, I'm still figuring that out! I watch it a lot but haven't fully landed on a team yet - I do like Leeds and Wolverhampton, but we'll have to see how this season ends!
So fun to read about you, Sarah! It is amazing what all libraries offer. Some of the unusual things mine offers are mobile hot spots, cake pans (the unique-shaped ones), Kill-a-watt meters, light therapy lamps, access to Consumer Reports and newspaper articles, and a telescope. That's in addition to all of the regular books, movies, music, magazines, audiobooks, puppets, and e-library goodies. I love that the ones around you have a plant swap and seed library! I'll have to ask around to see if any near me offer those. (I make my own plant and seed swaps with friends and was just offering some to a friend on Saturday.)
Thanks for sharing with us, Sarah!
@Ruth T, Sounds like our libraries have a lot of similar services! And if your library doesn't have a plant swap or seed library, suggest it! They're always on the look out for new programs and would probably appreciate hearing that there would be potential demand for one!
@BookishSarah,
Thanks for the suggestion! We just had a gardening author visit last week (earlier this month he released some books about growing great vegetables in our portion of the Midwest - I'm in southern Michigan) and the program was very well attended. This could be a great time to consider something like that and I know some of our librarians well enough to feel comfortable suggesting it.
I love your stool-as-plant-stand shown in the picture with your tv stand. I need places to put plants that are taller than my dog (he likes to eat little mouthfuls of dirt) and that is a brilliant idea!
@Stephanie, hah, thank you! It's been used as a plant-stand, a place to stand when painting a ceiling, and all sorts of stuff! A very handy piece of furniture!
Sarah,
Thanks for sharing such an informative and upbeat look at your life. I love how you embrace the sustainability side of frugality. You're not looking to get as much stuff as possible for as little money as possible, you're looking to keep your environmental impact small.
@K D, Thanks for your kind words! I'm nowhere near perfect - it's impossible not to buy somethings new but I do my best!
Hi Sarah! I miss libraries so much. 100 miles is just too far, and so my bookcases are getting overloaded with purchased books.
Also, I second your love of hatchbacks. I mean, nothing carries as much as our giant 12-passenger van with the back row taken out, but I loved my Subaru Outback. My favorite car ever, and I was always impressed with how much I could get into the back of that thing.
@kristin @ going country, We had an Outback too, and we liked it so much my mother bought one for herself. After that died after long and honorable service, she bought another one. Now my mom's in a nursing home so my sister drives the second Outback. Great cars.
@kristin @ going country, I had an Outback in the brief period of when the family would fit in it after a bench seat, single-cab pickup was a thing of the past. Ha. But holy cow, I put a whole dryer in it. And once a sheet of plywood. Don't really recommend the second, but I could do it.
@kristin @ going country, @Karen., @Rose
I have heard such wonderful things about Subaru's - I have a sneaking suspicion that it might be my next car. This discussion reminds me of Kristen's "Don't need whiskers" expression - we almost need to rework it into "don't need a truck!".
Hi, Sarah. Your points about saving money and gaining time/life flexibility through working remotely resonated with me, since I always felt the same about my telecommuting back in my working days.
And I also like the Anne Marie Bonneau quote (one A. Marie admiring another!). As a lifelong perfectionist, I'm glad to have realized in my older years that it's not as important to do good things perfectly as just to strive to do them.
Hi @A. Marie! Thanks for your comment and kind words! 🙂
Hi Sarah! You seem to have very thoughtfully created a very satisfying and happy life.
Your hatchback photos make me miss my minivan! I couldn't believe the amount of stuff I could cram in there when the second and third row of seats were flattened. So handy!
I feel the same about my minivan. It's wild what you can fit in those things!
@Kristen and @Rose - Thank you for your kind words! I am also a fan of a minivan! My dad has driven one for most of my life as a company car and he loved it so much that he bought another for himself when he retired. We've hauled so much in that - I've lost track of how many times I used it to move during and after college. Sometimes when my hatchback doesn't quite work (i.e. plywood sheets), we ask my parents to help us out with their van.
My hobby, passion, "thing" in life is reading. I read anywhere from 100 - 150 books a year and I haven't bought a book since the 90s. I have always been a patron of whatever public library in whatever town we've lived in - we're in town #13 now. I bought my first Kindle back in 2008 and am on my third one now. My vision is poor even with glasses, so I love that I can adjust the font on my Kindle to fit MT needs.
My library allows 10 checkouts at a time and I can have 6 books on hold at a time. I read a multitude of popular authors and while I have to wait, it's no different than if I wanted the actual book. I also have almost 250 on my wish list.
@Jennifer, Am I the only one? It never even occurs to me to list reading as my hobby. It's like breathing to me: I enjoy breathing every day! I'm not sure how many books a week I read--I also read a lot of newspapers and magazines online.
I think a sign of a really good hobby is that it's like breathing! 🙂 I often say that bread-baking is like breathing to me, actually, so I smiled when I read your comment.
@Jennifer, wow, 100-150 books a year! I am impressed!
@Rose, Nope, not the only one. When my kids were tiny, it was a very busy season of life and I didn't have time for much reading. My husband laughed about how I obsessively read cereal boxes to try and whet my appetite for reading. I discovered that collections of short stories was more satisfying, but I was SO glad when I could devour novels again.
@Kris, @Jennifer, @Kristen, @Christine81, and @Rose - That is true, I do love the idea of reading is like breathing. My mom was also a librarian, so it's always something that has played a huge role in my life. I always have at least one book going!
Hi Sarah, I very much enjoyed reading your post. I was born in Ohio and a few years after college a girlfriend and I decided to move South, a days drive from home. We were going to move in our cars.
I carried the first box down from my apartment and figured out that was going to take up most of my Nova (anybody remember these cars). So I dumped everything out of the box into the car and proceeded to do the same with the following boxes.
I felt my car was a rolling suitcase. But I needed to get it in there or throw it in the dumpster.
I love all the amenities your library has. We just have books, ebooks and audio books. But I love my library and use it often.
@karen, My first-year college roommate had a Nova. Cue "Memories" from the musical Cats.
@karen, Thanks for your lovely comment from a fellow Ohioan! What an interesting story about your old car.
@karen,
I once bought an office chair at an estate sale and then realized it wouldn’t fit in the trunk of my nova. By rolling it to make it shorter and putting the front passenger seat as far forward as possible, Mom & I got it in the back seat.
Hello Sarah, would you recommend the Going newsletter? Is the subscription worth the cost/ worth it for occasional travelers? Thank you.
@Farhana, I have not paid for the subscription - I use the free version. I've gotten a month of the premium when friends have used my referral link, but I don't really travel often enough at this point to have noticed a difference and/or to justify the cost of a subscription in the future. The free version works well enough for me - I think the main point is being willing to be flexible with your timing and travel locations!
Born and raised in Ohio, but now living in Michigan - so I have a soft spot for Ohio!
I loved our library near us in Cincinnati. While I like my library here, I'm not as in love with it as my previous one. Oh well!
I love that libraries now have "libraries of things" instead of just books! Ours sometimes even has passes for the local zoo and such! It's fun to explore.
@Kristen - her hatchback love made me think of a recent post from The Budget Girl, too! 🙂
@Emily U. Thanks for your wonderful comment from a fellow Ohioan!
Hi, Sarah! Thanks for posting! Ohio was a foreign country to me (ha) until I married my Florida native DH, who nevertheless spent several years growing up in and around Ohio, thanks to his father's line of work. He also had two sisters who married and stayed in Ohio. I've now made a number of visits to Ohio and there is some really pretty countryside there. If you are still trying to travel closer to home, may I recommend Garden of the Gods in Southern Illinois and Mammoth Cave in Kentucky if you haven't been there?
I was surprised to find your library has a sewing machine! Do they give a quick lesson when they loan it out?
Hi @JD! I've added those two suggestions to my travel list! Thank you!
When you borrow the sewing machine, it comes in a bag with the basic supplies, some books, and a reference to a crafting database, but no personalized lesson!
@JD,
I grew up in Cincinnati and one of my favorite childhood trips was to Mammoth Cave! I loved the bacon drop stalactite (stalagmite?) I hope one day to take my own kids there. Now I'll add Garden of the Gods to our list!
Sarah- thank you for sharing! I love your reasons for frugality. We love to travel too but Covid and a compromised immune system for one of our family members set some hard parameters. Because of this, we have explored so many parts of our home state of California- camping, in an RV, day trips and I feel like we've really seen so much we otherwise wouldn't have seen. We are also looking forward to taking plane trips again and are saving up for when we're given the ok to fly:)
Libraries are some of my happiest places! We did a road trip to look at colleges for our daughter and the one thing on my must-see list was the library. Like how the quality of the bread at a restaurant can tell you how the meal is going to be, to me a library says a lot about a school.
Thank you for the insight into your frugal life Sarah and JD thanks for the Ohio/tri-state travel tips!
I'm not sure I could go back to a non-hatchback after exclusively having them 20 years. Exception would be for a Miata.
@Jen, Miata's are pretty cute and fun cars, but not very practical. 🙂
@BookishSarah, Miatas are totally adorable, but I'm too tall for them. I HAZ A SAD. I'm also too tall for my friend's Mini (which is a real UK 1960s Mini with a Union Jack on the roof, such as I've wanted my entire life).
I guess I am cursed into having a 60s Mustang as my cute fun car someday.
I don't live near Ohio but I have a library membership that I use all the time. It is one of the few libraries in the US that you can pay a yearly fee and get access to all the digital resources. Worth it!
@Jenny, That's awesome! I'm glad you found a system that works for you!
Sarah, I really enjoyed your delightful post. The stories about your dad teaching you compound interest in kindergarten and your partner discussing finances on the first date made me smile. And I loved the shout-outs to libraries and Buy Nothing groups. That inspired me to find a group in my new neighborhood.
@MB in MN, Thanks for your kind words! I hope you get some good stuff from your Buy Nothing group!
It’s nice to meet you. I am also a believer in acquiring previously owned items whenever possible. I think that I am successful 80% of the time. I use my Buy Nothing to re-home items and have gotten a few from there. I love the concept although ours is not without drama.
You reminded me how many beautiful and unique places are close by and would make wonderful weekend trips. I have flown across the country to go to The Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, The Tetons, Denali and many more. However, I have never really visited the Everglades which are 4 hours from my house. I think that needs to go on my list of winter trips next year!
Wishing you peace and good health.
@Bee, Thank you for your sweet words! I wish you continued good luck with your Buy Nothing group and safe travels!
Sarah, every time I look at that picture of you on the rock, dangling in mid air, my stomach does flip flops.
@Anne, Ha! Good thing I submitted the cropped version of the photo because there's even more of a drop than shown. 😉 Heights don't bother me but I can totally understand why they would bother others.
How lovely to visit with you, Sarah! I have a hatchback Honda Fit, which we refer to as the Tardis Car because it's blue and far bigger on the inside than the outside. It's amazing how much stuff will fit in there.
@Ruby, Tardis Car! I love that reference!
Sarah, I wish I'd been as smart as you are when in my twenties.
Excellent quotes!
My first 2 cards were hatchbacks, but I decided a hatchback was too dorky, so I went for a coupe, much cooler, but only possible because my husband had a pickup. So silly, because the purpose of a car is transportation. And yet, I still love my coupe, as if a '96 with 247,000 isn't dorky. Good grief, Charlie Brown (quoting Lucy here, which probably confirms my dorkitude.)
@Central Calif. Artist, hah! I appreciate the compliment but I've definitely done some dumb stuff too. 🙂
When I purchased my current car, I was hesitant about the hatchback to be entirely honest, but after about a year, I knew it was the best choice I could've made!
YAY for libraries and librarians! I have moved many times in my life, and the local library was often my first step in getting to know a new community! Also YAY for people who can do puzzles with a cat in the house! Thanks for sharing your life with us -- I'm so thankful that sustainability is reaching to every generation.
@Jean This is a lovely comment - thank you!
You can borrow a sewing machine from your library? How cool is that?
Nice to meet you, Sarah. I'm a Michigander, but I lived for 3 1/2 years in the Sandusky, OH area for my first professional job and I have many fond memories of that location. I was just thinking about how much stuff can be crammed into a hatchback--my son has a summer internship in IL and will be discovering that for himself soon. Thanks for sharing a slice of your life with us.
@Kris, I love Sandusky and the Islands! I have a lot of fond memories there too. Thanks for your kind comment!
I’m also a librarian:) I’m curious about the work you are doing remotely.
@Karen I focus on metadata for our content and improving our catalog!
Add me to the list of admirers of libraries and librarians! Thanks for sharing today - your pictures are beautiful and I love how much you can fit into your hatchback.
@CrunchyCake thanks for your comment and kind words! 🙂
Hello everyone! Thank you so so much for all your comments and kind words! I've largely been a lurker on Kristen's posts and rarely a commenter but that definitely will change after interacting with all of you today! What a lovely community Kristen has fostered here with you all. I've tried to respond to everyone's comments (the site even warned me that I was commenting too quickly and put me in a time-out session, lol!)
I'm so appreciative to hear about fellow library and hatchback lovers! I've started following BudgetGirl on Insta so I can share in the hatchback joy. 🙂
As to Kristen's comments/questions:
Cats: Yes! I always have that thought that our kitties are so similarly looking when you post pictures of your cat!
My height is not an issue with my hatchback. I wouldn't necessarily recommend it if I was a backseat passenger in it more frequently, but the front seats have plenty of room!
My favorite genre of books is probably expository nonfiction and romance, but I read all sorts of different genres to try and expand my horizons! I do not have a favorite book of all time - that's too hard of a thing too pick!
I haven't read When Breath Becomes Air but it is definitely on my to-read list! I did recently finish Being Mortal by Atul Gawande and found that very well-written and thought-provoking. I also have slowly been working my way through "In Case You Get Hit by a Bus: How to Organize Your Life Now for When You're Not Around Later" which has been very helpful in getting situated to prepare myself for the inevitable.
@BookishSarah, Because of BFF's recent demise, I have been trying to put my affairs into better order. I have my passwords etc in an Excel spreadsheet which is itself password protected, and I finally told my kids the password. This is less way fun than specifying the songs to play at my memorial, if there is one.
@BookishSarah, I read on Being Mortal & gave it to my elderly parents to read. I have been a nurse for decades & thought it was very provocative- they found it depressing.
@Diane, I am a former RN in her seventies who read being mortal several years ago and now have my own copy. I find it very thoughtful well written and compassionate.
Wow, your local libraries sounds amazing! Our library has asked for tips to make the library more than a place of books so I can pass on some great ideas now 😀
I can absolutely relate to what you’re saying about difficulties with frugality/sustainability etc. It took me some years to figure out the balance that it’s right for me and my values and it’s still a challenge, but it was inspirational to read your thoughts about it.
Back in the 1980s we checked out artwork from our local library in Minnesota. They also have museum passes. Now I only read ebooks because it's hard for me to get to the library.
I am glad we have a hatchback--Honda CRV--because my TravelScoot mobility scooter fits in it when I need to go to medical appointments. I rarely go out for anything else now that I am old.
When we had a minivan, my daughter borrowed it to move antique furniture. We could lay an entire sheet of plywood down in the back of it which came in handy when we were building model railroads.
Hello! I always hope to live in an area with a great “buy nothing” community as I hear about fabulous finds! We move every few years so I have the opportunity to try different library systems. When I lived in Washington state I worked at one and loved it! I wholeheartedly agree that audiobooks & eBooks are a great frugal resource. Where I am currently, they offer museum passes.
Dear Sarah, Loved this glimpse into your life with the photos of travels and sweet kitty. Fascinating!
I’ve arrived late due to making a sick visit and one thing that struck me is your librarian work, your love of books, and especially that great phrase of reading being like breathing. Thank you @Rose for making this connection.
It fits me perfectly though it never occurred to me. The public library is a very happy place that allows me to have more books than I could ever afford. And to try new kinds of books that I wouldn’t if I had to buy them. Even second hand at the amount that I read.
Several years ago our kids gifted us a Little Free Library, my DS2 saying, "Now you’re a librarian." I beamed. I could not have imagined the hundreds of books we get (my husband and kids are also major readers). All kinds are constantly being swapped in and out. It’s a serious treasure trove for a family that finds reading as essential as breathing.
Sharing my love for Ohio libraries as well ! I am lucky to work in a great one in SW Ohio. I love the check out receipts that show how much money you have save by using a library.
My husband and I love hatchbacks, too! We bought a dishwasher and when my husband pulled our Ford Probe to the loading dock door of the store to pick up the dishwasher, the employee didn't think it would fit. It did!
Sarah, shout out from Celina, OH! Loved your post.
Yes to the hatchbacks, and Mazdas!
We have a Mazda5, and I love that car so much. I can put an entire bike in the back if I have all the seats down!
Technically, it's a "mini minivan" - it has sliding side doors like a minivan, but it was built on the chassis of a sedan, so the "footprint" of the car is much smaller than an actual minivan. It has 3 rows of seats, but there's no way you'd fit adult-sized people in the third row - I occasionally transport some early-elementary-sized children in that row.
I'm kind of sad, actually - because of my genes, my kiddos are adult-sized at just 14 & 11, and the reality is that we're going to have to get a bigger car, probably before my younger child is in high school, as they barely fit in the middle row bucket seats right now, and they're both still growing.
But we'll definitely keep this car, and replace my husband's Toyota sedan instead (it's older, and can't hold nearly as much).
What a fun post! Thanks for sharing, Sarah. I wish more people knew about hatchbacks too. There are way too many unnecessarily huge vehicles on the road!