Living on the Edge........

.....Of poverty. That's an exaggeration, but we continue to make adjustments to our lifestyle to compensate for the meager pension checks that are replacing the huge sums of money we used to receive as a teacher and a business mogul. (Those were the days.)

We have been fairly frugal most of our lives, especially once we set our goals for early retirement. Frugality is now reaching new heights, or lows.

We've switched from fancy gel tooth polish to simple tubes of toothpaste. I meticulously get every last squeeze out of every tube.

I buy less expensive cuts of meat. I especially enjoy finding discounts for not so red beef and not so yellow chicken.

(We haven't switched from tuna to cat food yet, but it is being considered.)

I bought socks this week; a necessity that developed because of my daily 40 mile (or is it 40 minutes?) walk. My favorite store is Goodwill, but I draw the line at socks. I'm not really sure where that line is; I do own a bathing suit purchased at Goodwill. ( I couldn't resist - bright yellow with velcro fasteners.)

I planned to buy "no show" socks, figuring they would be less expensive. Not so! Half the material, same price. Somebody is getting rich off of this style. (I bought them anyway; it's cool to be wearing socks even though everyone thinks you're not.)

I did buy new sneakers recently,the most expensive pair I've ever owned; a medical requirement.

Oh, and I also recently purchased a DVD/VCR recorder, but that's so I can transfer all my home movies to DVD.

When we get back from our Canada vacation, we're heading for Florida. We plan to buy a car there. Probably a tv too; maybe a home theatre system.

Hmmm...I guess suggesting we are on the edge of poverty is more than an exaggeration. It's a misconception. (It's a lie.) Truth is we are closer to the edge of....well, we're comfortable, content.

Health, family, snowbirding, a few toys........And so it goes.

Hey, I got a haircut today. Just one.

It was tickling my ear.