Cheap Skate..Trimming the fat.

My home and car reflect some much needed changes I undertook this past year to scale back on expenses. Since I am not working consistantly had to move into a 5th wheel trailer and get rid of my Miata. I decided as penence to buy what many consider a giant mistake by General Motors; a 2003 Pontiac Aztek. I guess in light of what has happened lately, that can hardly be called the kiss of death.. This car is really a great small crossover and has been a great car for me.

I live in a small RV Park in what was once a prosperous mining town 60 miles east of Phoenix, AZ. It's a town in which several movies have been shot, most notedly, "U-Turn" a 1997 movie by Oliver Stone. The whole film was shot here in Superior and while cosmetic changes were made for the movies, the town still reflects the images shown in the movie.

Today I have $00.00 dollars in the bank. I guess that is a true reflection of my riches at this time. But, my dog Pappy and I have plenty of food, and lots of sunshine. It is a good life. Granted she isn't getting her "Greenies" for doing her duty since I gave her the last piece (I have to cut them in half) to her last night after she went out to pee). I am rewarding her with small pieces of cheese until we can afford to get her regular treats. She loves cheese. If I mention the word I can hear her little bell ring as she moves to check out the possiblities. I bought bell in a mountain town in Switzerland a couple of years ago. It's a small "cowbell" and helps me keep track of her if she gets loose to sniff out cats or lizards near our trailer. Pappy has several things from my trips to Europe. I think that makes her a bit worldly herself. She has a collar I bought in a small pet shop along the Seine in Paris, as well as a rain jacket from there. I felt a bit snobbish about her accessories until I saw they were all made in the USA. Go figure.

Let me know how you are cutting corners or trimming the fat. Times can be tough, but cheap can be fun. 'See you soon. Tim