Now that I have vented the negatives, I would like to share all of the positives that I experienced during the last month as well. I did not abandon my frugal activities altogether. It’s amazing how many things you can do to save money when all you can do is lie on the couch!

We will be driving to St. Louis for two weeks in October for a family reunion, even if my foot is still in a surgical shoe. We’ve been planning this trip for several months, but I hadn’t made the detailed trip plans or motel reservations. Sitting on the couch with my laptop, I mapped out our trip and planned destinations that would enable us to see parts of the country we’ve never visited before. I checked a variety of online reservation sites to compare motel rates. I selected excellent accommodations, averaging $40 per night over the duration of our 12 day trip. I was able to view pictures of the accommodations and use map locators to ensure that they were located in safe and clean surroundings.

I ordered lots of great audio books from our library’s online site for the trip. They are able to access 20 branches, so by doing this early we allowed enough time for everything to arrive at our library before we leave. The variety will be wonderful and there is enough to keep us occupied for the 3200 miles we’ll be driving without paying a penny.

Paying bills on time is never a problem for me, but I was actually looking forward to getting a bill or a bank statement in the mail so I would have some responsible work to do! Be careful what you wish for. One day we received a $600 medical bill that was 2.5 years old. Not only was the bill not itemized, it also involved Medicare, which is never easy to sort out.

We checked out and watched several free videos from the library, many of which are currently new releases in video stores.

I listed many items on Ebay and made about $400 during the last month!

I am guilty of not taking the time to read much fiction. I generally read non-fiction books. I checked out a great Grisham novel from the library and that kept me absorbed for a few days. It was a good reminder for me to take the time to read more novels, and not always be so task driven. The mind needs a good escape for balance, and sometimes you have to be forced to slow down in order to remember that.

We were invited to several of our friends’ homes for dinner. Nothing like surgery to feel loved and cared for by your friends!

I had plenty of time to catch up on email letters to several friends. This saved money on our phone bill because it’s generally easier and faster to call with our busy schedule.

There’s absolutely nothing like being stuck on the couch and unable to walk that will keep you out of the stores! We didn’t spend any money shopping during the last four weeks.

More important than any money I saved, and in spite of my pity parties, I had the opportunity to reflect about some of the things I take for granted in my normal day to day life. I was extremely grateful that I have the ability to walk and that the nature of my injury was temporary.