Here’s a budget fail story. We had the Sam’s Plus membership and I think it was $100 per year plus, through Vince’s employer, we got some kind of discount. When it was time to renew probably in October, Vince decided we don’t use it enough to keep it. I didn’t think that was true but figured if we decided we needed it, we could always get it again.
Today when we were in Abilene, HE wanted to go by Sam’s so he decided to renew our membership. We got just the basic membership which was $45 and we had a $10 credit for having spent something so we got the membership for $35.
There isn’t a Costco around here and the closest Sam’s is in Abilene so we don’t go a lot but I do think it’s worth the membership costs. So, we’re back to having a membership and I’m happy about that.
This was my big find today. Hatch Valley Flame Roasted Green Chiles. For dinner, we had okra cooked with garlic, and leftover pork chops and collard greens from yesterday.
We both used the chiles on to of everything and it made the food so good. For breakfast tomorrow, we’re going to have the leftover quiche and I’m sure we’ll use the chiles on that too.
We also got tuna and salmon at Sam’s. We’re going to grill the tuna tomorrow so I can hardly wait for dinner. We’ll smoke the salmon in a few days . . once the temps warm up a bit. Tomorrow is going to be near 70 but after that, it’s going to be cold. I think our high on Sunday or Monday is going to be in the low 30’s. Chad just told me that one night this weekend they have a low of -2. Brrrr! That is not helping with my attempt to convince Vince to move back there.
Oh . . another funny story. Addie had a dentist appointment today and Nicole said everyone in the dentist’s office, all at separate times, came to her to tell her they had heard we were moving back and wanting to know when it was happening. She said she kept saying “They were looking for a place to buy or rent here so they’d have a place to stay when they visit but so far that hasn’t happened.” They all were sure we were moving back. Dang . . I hate to disappoint the folks at the dentist office so we should just go ahead and do it, right?
Carolyn says
Why not have a second house? People have two vehicles, two of this, two of that ….so why not buy a second house where the rest of the family lives. It’s just money and it’s going to be spent somewhere at some time.
Judy Laquidara says
Two reasons: (1) Chad has no idea where he’ll be a year from now or probably six months from now and (2) Part of what we love about being here is having chickens, a big garden and the orchard. If we were there enough to justify having a second place there, we could maintain a garden or an orchard and certainly would have to give up the chickens, as well as Boots and Cat. If we gave up all that, we might as well give up our place here and we aren’t ready to do that.
Houses there are very reasonable so buying a place there isn’t an issue . . it’s just having to give up so much here to make it work.
Elle says
Oh so true. We have our primary home and a mountain cabin near where we winter downhill ski. Both are small and we’ve set them up easy to maintain. And most of all: we’ve known since we bought this home in 1991 and then the cabin in 2003, that this is permanently home for us.
At the cabin we can’t have: live houseplants, a produce garden, a mailbox, or anything inside/outside that requires regular attention/maintenance as we may be away 6-8w in a row. We pay for regular snow removal because arriving to 30 inches of snow prevents entering the driveway/garage/cabin.
When we go to the cabin, we need to pay a sitter to monitor our primary home: cats, mailbox and deliveries. When we’re gone more than 3 days during garden season she also needs to attend the gardens. If we’re gone 7 days, add caring for houseplants. And in winter add snow removal.
We have to stay in our primary home while harvest is on so we don’t waste the produce. I grow our food organically to cook/preserve for year round consumption.
It’s a balancing act. Deciding what will be done in each home and its associated cost/enjoyment balance.
We do keep it simple even though it sounds complex. And we enjoy the life we’e set up for ourselves having made this decision years ago. We look forward to retirement and having these options week to week and month to month.
Shirlene says
WOW $100 for a Sam’s Club membership. Ours has always been $35 and recently went to $45.00. Love the 505 Flame Roasted Green Chile. I usually put away 3 or 4 bushels during the fall. When I run out my “go to” is the 505 Flame Roasted–hot, of course!
Judy Laquidara says
The regular membership is $45 but the $100 is for the Plus membership and I think they all have that. With the Plus membership,you can order with free shipping and you get to go into the store earlier and I can’t remember what else.
Rebecca in SoCal says
I keep seeing that big ol’ jar of Hatch chilies at Costco, and keep feeling tempted, but I know I can’t use the big jar before it would spoil, and don’t really have the equipment to repackage in smaller batches.
Yes, I think not disappointing people at the dentist’s office is a valid reason for moving. *ha!*
dezertsuz says
Sounds like you are definitely welcome there, but -2??? No, I don’t think so.