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Optimizing Our Errands 2

marketplace This is part 2 of a 2-part series. If you missed the first article earlier today, click here: Optimizing Our Errands.

After lunch, we visited the library to return books and stock up on enough reading and listening material to last us six weeks (the maximum amount of time we can hold items). I estimate that getting extra books and CDs shaved off at least one extra library trip. I decided not to take out any DVDs, since these are due in three days time and would require an extra trip back to the library. We have plenty of movies at home and on demand to watch, anyway. I did get to take out a brand new Martha Stewart cookbook, an audio book, a book on tudor history that I was looking forward to reading, an opera book and CD, two children’s CDs and several children’s books. This is not bad for free, even through I have to give them all back when we are done.

Heading back toward home, we went to the local Target, where we purchased the contents for the class gift basket. We also stocked up on some iced tea for my husband (they have the best price on the brand he likes) and some household supplies. Picking up the household supplies at the same time saved us another trip.

After Target was a quick stop to pick up some items from a fellow freecycler. Since it was on the way, this was almost a free trip to us. Free items for us and no special trip to be made.

And lastly and closest to home was the Giant food store, we combined out coupons, sales and good deals to get our groceries. With the exception of milk and maybe eggs, we shouldn’t have to grocery shop for at least another three to four weeks. I could probably stretch it even longer, if I cook more from our pantry.

All in all, I would say it was a successful day. I think the best part of it is the fact that we will actually be freeing up our Sunday, as well as following weekends for fun or household projects. We plan on optimizing our errands whenever we can. I’ll let you know if we see a significant change in our gas costs.
Do you optimize your errands? Have any frugal tips?

Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, technology in the Computing Blog, and creating a home in the Home Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here.

Related Articles:

My Bakery Stockpile

Storing Your Stockpile

Paper Back Swap vs The Library

Using Combinations to Save Money

Solutions for A Frugal Weekend

Keeping Your Children from Feeling Deprived

Snowflake Your Way to Savings

Becoming a Hermit

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About Mary Ann Romans

Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, online content manager, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania in the middle of the woods but close enough to Target and Home Depot. The author of many magazine, newspaper and online articles, Mary Ann enjoys writing about almost any subject. "Writing gives me the opportunity to both learn interesting information, and to interact with wonderful people." Mary Ann has written more than 5,000 blogs for Families.com since she started back in December 2006. Contact her at maromans AT verizon.net or visit her personal blog http://homeinawoods.wordpress.com