Money, Part 6 - Frugal Fest

I went to a business lunch yesterday in Brentwood

at a very fine, stylish restaurant

and I had a $17 cheeseburger.

After the ice tea, tax and tip the lunch came to $28.00.

The restaurant was full of people,

businessmen and women, as well as families with young kids,

and I thought, 'Well, no recession here!"

And yet, at our table the conversation turned to the fact that each of us has a brother or sister that had recently lost their job and was looking for work.

So today I think it is time to join

Frugal Fest:

the celebration of clipping coupons,

having dinner at Happy Hour restaurants

or better yet eating at home,

and re-using those plastic bags, turning off the lights, etc.

The Latin root for frugal, "frui", means to enjoy

and it refers not just to being "cheap"

but it reflects economy in the use of money and other resources as well.

Today I can remember that it feels good to live within one's budget;

it feels better than

any $15 martini

or $17 hamburger.

It is hard to set a budget and live within it,

but today I am willing to enjoy being economical.