Rare is the day that I spend no money at all. I can be good all day, bringing my lunch and eschewing the cookies from the cafe in the library, but then on my way home I realize my tank is almost empty and that I need to stop for gas. Bam; I've spent $25. Maybe I should be happy just with not spending any money on superfluous things. I've gotten much better since I read "Your Money or Your Life" and started calculating how many "life-hours" my impulse purchases cost me. (However, there are days when I want a latte anyway, dammit.)

On a happier note, we're entering the season of cheap eating for me. I love vegetables, and fall/winter vegetables especially. I've been making a lot of veggie soups recently--I'll throw some chopped vegetables (always with some potato, for body) into a pot of chicken stock, boil for about 20 minutes, and then puree the result and season to taste. The other day I made a carrot and ginger soup, and last night I made a broccoli and parsnip soup. It was an odd combination--basically I was trying to use up what I'd gotten from the farm last time I went to pick up my share--but it turned out quite well, the parnips giving the soup a sort of "peppery" flavor. Add a salad and a chunk of bread and you've got a good, healthy meal for hardly any money. Don't forget to make enough so that you'll have something for lunch tomorrow!