Bargainous Morning in Town

I had a few hours to spare today while LB went to the gym, so I had a mooch around my local town. In true frugal style, I am getting low on reading material, and since my days of ordering books on Amazon are long gone, I went and made peace with the library.

I say made peace - I have been avoiding it for ages because I stupidly ran up some hefty fines. The fines, along with the reservation fees on three books I am looking for, came to £8.50! Not frugal this month, but in terms of the long game this is a good investment, as I will be able to borrow books for free (or the £0.80p reservation charge, since our little local library is a bit restricted in its choice of reading material). Still much cheaper than £5 each at the supermarket or online.

It was a bit of a revelation - libraries are BRILLIANT, use them!

 

I just drifted from shelf to shelf, flicking through anything that took my fancy. It did strike me as amazing that we can just walk into these places, and for absolutely nothing (for responsible borrowers anyway!) walk out with several books to read.

 

They even have magazines to read - if I didn't work, I could spend hours in a nice comfy library soaking it all up - for NOTHING! I will definitely be using the library much more, and came out with two books I have had my eye on in the shops for ages, which will keep me frugally entertained.

 

As it is payday, I treated myself to a snoop around the charity shops too. Now, while I am totally in favour of charity shopping, I think to reap the benefits, you have to be really strict with yourself. Before I went in, I braced myself and promised only to buy something that a) I need b) that fits perfectly and c)I am really sure about.

 

 

 

I was a little seduced by the silk Boden top for £4.50, but it was a size too small. It fitted - just, but in truth it was a bit on the small side. The thought of what it cost new (at least £35 I would guess) was very seductive, but it would have contravened rule b). So, rather than promise myself I would 'slim in to it' I put it back on the rail. I did however buy the dark denim skit, barely worn, from Oasis and a really good fit. I can wear this in summer or with tights and boots in winter, so at £4.50 I think it was a good find. I can't say I went out with a denim skirt in mind, but the random nature of charity shops does mean that you have to be a bit open minded about what you are there for.

 

A fairly expensive morning then at £13 in total, but a miniscule payday splurge compared to days of old.