Cheap Gas Anonymous

I had another cheap episode last night. While returning home from a lovely dinner with Mr. Diva’s Aunt and Uncle in Orangeburg, SC, we decided we needed to stop and get some gas before we got back home. This would have been an easy task if the gas on the road was not 10 cents higher then back in Columbia. Keep in mind, O-burg to Columbia is only 45 min to 1hour drive, but I really don’t want the gas light to flash at me when I am between exits.


Mr. Diva decides to stop at the gas station and quickly informs me he is putting $25.00 of mid-grade gas in the car. This was his way of putting enough gas in the car to get home and hold off visiting the gas station for a couple of days.

SN: Yes I am spoiled! I hate pumping gas so Mr. Diva does it for me.

At any rate, I almost had a coronary! I quickly figured the amount of money I could save if we just put enough gas in the car to get us home then fill up the tank in Columbia. After a 5 minute price comparison argument and against my better judgment, Mr. Diva gets $20.00 of mid-grade petro. Needless to say I was hot! Didn’t he realize it was the principles of not letting the oil companies rule our life? It’s not the 10 cents that really matters. It’s the satisfaction of saying you got cheap gas! Finally at 10:30pm, we are on the road again with an additional 10 gallons of gas.

In the dark of the night, as the 18-wheelers rocked the car, I began to realize I needed help. I am addicted to cheap gas. My mind could not wrap around paying in total an extra…..$0.96. Yes, just 96 cents for the entire savings. It’s time for me to call the support group Cheap Gas Anonymous.

Here's to Recovery,

The Shoestring Diva

Los Angeles or Bust – Part 1

Don’t take the train!

I’ve just begun to plan for the perfect summer vacation to Los Angeles. The City of Angels displays an allure and mystery for many Southerners. Hollywood, movie stars and Rodeo Drive appear so fascinating on TV. Heck, California is all the way on the other side of the country. Who wouldn’t want to visit? There are three ways to get to Los Angeles; plane, train or automobile. My goal is to get a family of 4 to Los Angeles from South Carolina in the most inexpensive and less stressful way. In the Los Angeles or Bust series, I will examine the best method of travel for my family. Let’s start with a train.

Step one: See if there is a direct route from Columbia to Los Angeles on Amtrak. Answer: Of course, NOT! My best bet would be to catch the train in Charlotte. Cool… we love The Queen City. Fortunately, Amtrak offers two routes. Unfortunately, both choices take over 65 hours one way! Can you imagine 65 hours with a 9 and 13 year old asking you how long the trip is going to take? All I see in my future is pure torture. The train does offer family suites to make the ride more comfortable but that adds an extra $2500 to the overall cost. So... we can either sit upright in a chair for over 130 hours or purchase a very small moving apartment.

The layover on the train is FAB-U-LOUS. We would switch trains midway through the trip in New Orleans. The layover is about 13 hours. We would arrive in NO at 7:38pm and leave the next morning at 11:55am. That gives time for a great dinner, shopping and sightseeing. FAB-U-LOUS… until you consider you would need a hotel room to sleep until the train leaves in the morning… more money. Not to mention a hotel in Los Angeles and another 65 hours return trip.

Diva Conclusion: Traveling by train from Columbia to Los Angeles is very costly and not time efficient. For a family of 4, using the train would cost upwards of $5,000 for a one week trip. Most of the trip would be spent in a confined railcar. I know there is a theatre car and a dining car but who wants to be confined for 65 hours. Heck, it only takes 21 hours and $1,800 to fly to Africa. I think we will use Amtrak for short trips to places like Florida. At least there is a direct route from Columbia. Looks like the train is out for going to Los Angeles. I think I’ll try the plane next.


Smooches

I will not compromise!

Recently I was shopping at the grocery store and came across an advertisement that claimed –make the switch to generic and save money. Being a true frugal-nista, I made the switch. After all, the ad claimed it would save me money without skimping on the taste. I made the decision and tried the challenge with my purchase of American cheese slices. Who can mess up cheese slices? It’s a simple food-like item. I left the store, proud of my purchase, all the while dreaming of my delicious grilled cheese sandwich I would make when I got home. At home, I unwrapped the generic cheese slices and immediately noticed the difference in color. Instead of a creamy pale buttery yellow, the generic cheese was bright yellow. No worries, I thought to myself. It’s just a different brand.


I began the process of making the perfect grilled cheese sandwich. For some reason, my cheese wasn’t melting as expected. This was cause for concern. How can I have the perfect grilled cheese sandwich if the cheese didn’t melt over the entire sandwich? Now, I’m worried. The true test is in the taste. Bite one… Bite two… Now swallow. Oh my GOODNESS! This is NOT cheese! I want my money back! It tasted like …I can’t even describe it.

From my dastardly experience, I learned that it is ok to have a “I will not compromise" list. Everyone has to have one. For me, it’s Kraft and Borden cheese all the way. I just can’t compromise. There are just some things you can’t buy generic. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t search for the best bargain or use coupons. Try to find coupons in advance of your shopping trips. That way you won’t be forced to pay full price. Here’s a sample of my list. In your free time, comprise your own.

Shoestring Diva’s “Brand Name (no generics) list”

1. Kraft or Borden Cheese

2. Heinz not Hunt’s Ketchup (Thank Tracy)

3. Miracle whip

4. Spanx

5. Lotion- Suave is the cheapest I will go

6. Perfume

7. Applewood bacon

8. Dove Men's Care Soap

9. Alka Setlzer

10. Ramen Noodles