Avoiding throwing money out the window

The UK is known for a lack of preservatives in their food .  Hence, it was recommended that we buy food every couple of days. This has been an adjustment for many of us Americans. We tend to buy extra or what we need for the week. My mama’s philosophy - the more trips to go to the grocery store to get just one or two things the more you spend and you come with a bag full. I think many of us are on the same page here—less trips to the store. Sad to say food has been thrown away this past week. Who would know that a whole loaf of bread could turn into a science project in two days? Yes, probably could of lasted a bit longer in the frig but who wants to eat a cold, hard peanut butter sandwich? Not this girl. As previously blogged, an excellent way to save money is shop with a friend. Shopping with a friend, is also an excellent way to avoid multiple baguettes cluttering up the counter and getting hard. Being grocery store savy will help prevent the feeling of standing there and  throwing pounds (British money) out the window.

Free------ I am always looking for ideas to get free deals  Recently,  some friends invited me to join them for dinner  at their flat – free meal and great company. But it does not stop there. I commented on the bag of marshmallows that was sitting on their bookcase. They told me that got them free…. FREEEEE……. I say? Apparently, if you cute and flirt with a street vendor you can get free marshmallows.   Hmmmm……...

A tip from my friend Danielle : Don’t go to the grocery store when  hungry because you are apt to buy extra STUFF! Yes, most of us know that, but felt like I needed to share this shoe string tip .

Watch out for those sly postage stamps that look innocent. Here in the UK a stamp to mail a postcard is $1.71 not to mention the price of the post card. Sadly, enough my postcard list had to be slashed drastically. I found an alternative way to let loved ones know I was thinking of them, taking pictures that remind me of them and posting on social media.

Perhaps a top way to save money while traveling – stay out of the souvenir shops. This could be tricky, so I recommend having an idea what you are looking for. When you have achieved your mission stay strong and prevail! Just say no! I learned it was perfectly alright  to wait outside of the Harry Potter gift shop. Some of you may gasp in disbelief. Hopefully, my 229 pictures will provide lasting memories.

Lastly, adhering to my shoestring budget, I bought the cheapest theater ticket to see the Crucible. Sometimes, a person has to sit back and ponder, do I want to save money and take the risk for crummy seats where you cannot see the actors on the stage? Or do I want to forgo some other expenses, save money and buy better seats. I suppose, it all comes down to priorities.