The Art of Being Frugal: Tip #3

For the first time in my adult life, I have a library card.

It's not that I didn't enjoy reading. I looove to read -- but I almost always paid for the books that occupied my night stand.

Those days are over. Now that I'm extra frugal, I am taking advantage of the Evanston Public Library. And almost as much as I love to read, I love checking out books for free.

Last week, I checked out Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell, which basically taught me that to be really good at something I must do it for 10,000 hours. Curious by this, I checked my running log to see how many hours I had run since I started keeping track of my miles. I'm nowhere close to 10,000 hours. In fact, I don't know if I ever could -- without being a high-paid elite -- run for 10,000 hours. I would post the actual number of hours I've run, but the Web site where I log my runs is malfunctioning. Another post, I guess.

Today, I picked up Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott, a book on writing, and Frida by Barbara Mujica.

By checking out these books alone, I've saved approximately $60. That's a trip to the grocery store, a date night, an electric bill, or a few outfits from the recycled clothing store.

Dog mom

Indie is sick.

He's had severe diarrhea for the past 12 hours. His four movements during that time have all been in our house -- he is unable to make it outside on time, and I have difficulty interrupting him in the act.

I called our old clinic, Lake Harriet Vet, and a technician urged we take Indie to the doctor ASAP. We hadn't established a relationship with a vet here, but I called a clinic based on a recommendation of a dog owner I met a few weeks ago.

I'm putting off everything I had planned to do today to watch Indie and take care of him. Besides, I'm too afraid to leave him for more than a few minutes on the chance that his ailment is serious. And every few seconds, I glance at him to make sure he's OK.

This is what parenting must feel like.

The Art of Being Frugal

Having gone from two incomes to zero in my household, I'm honing my cheapskate skills when it's practical. And I thought I'd share a few spending tips I've been practicing:

Tip #1: Drink at home
Where I used to go to a coffee shop at least four times a week, I now brew Dunkin' Donuts at home. And, I would argue, I've mastered making coffee at home and it tastes better than a cup of Starbucks. If I'm inclined to stop at my neighborhood coffee shop, I question whether I really need that grande coffee with a steamed skim topper.

Tip #2: If you can, buy second-hand
When it comes to clothes, I've never been able to stomach spending a lot of money. So being frugal in the dressing room comes naturally. One might argue that I shouldn't step foot inside a clothing store until I land a job. But last week, I really wanted to look cute and impress at a Kellogg event for students and spouses. I was able to pull together an outfit for a night on the town (actually, it was a dance club boat) for $20. How was I able to do it? I went to a recycled -- or second-hand -- clothing store near campus. There, you can find Coach shoes, designer jeans and beautiful dresses on average for $10. (Thank God for students with deep pockets!) I bought a pair of skinny jeans and a cute top to match for a total of $23 with tax (see photo above).

Diversify, diversify, diversify

There is a "help wanted" sign in the window of a pet store just three blocks from my house. I first saw it when I moved to Evanston and joked to myself that I should apply. Who doesn't want to play with fluffy puppies all day?

When I walked by the store tonight, I thought about my career path. Seven years ago I decided to be a journalist, and it never really occurred to me that I should do anything else, with the exception of becoming a lawyer. I enjoyed writing and was decent at it. Great, no. But good enough, and I really, really liked seeing my words under my byline.

Along the way, I never questioned my future as a journalist. Between internships, classes and eventually jobs, I didn't pause and seriously ask myself, "What else?" I didn't practice the same skepticism I do in interviews with sources.

So here I am, a month and a half into unemployment, wondering, "What else?" What else could I be doing?

Friends and former colleagues say good writing and reporting skills can apply to jobs in most industries. But my resume is filled with newspaperin', and not one employer is biting. And I'm looking in a lot of places -- universities, health associations, hospitals, public relation firms, non-profits.

We're told when investing that we should diversify. Don't have all your eggs in one basket. And I think I should have taken that same advice seven years ago when I started taking classes at the University of Minnesota.

I printed an application today for a job at a well-known running store. Diversification, right?

Wanted: Income

I am wondering at what point I pause pause the serious career search and find any job I can get. (There's a running/walking store three blocks away, and I'm so tempted to stop in and ask if there are part-time opportunities. But I'm a big chicken. I doubt the store needs more help.)

Or maybe return to school to get a degree in an in-demand industry, like nursing. Although the only science class I took during college was geology -- or rocks for jocks as I called it -- and performed miserably. Worst grade I got during college!

Or maybe become a fitness trainer, since I so firmly believe that everyone should exercise but might need a little guidance and encouragement. I've gotten many a friend to sign up for distance races. But would you pay me $25 an hour (I'm worth it!) to show you how to run on the treadmill?

Granted, I've only been searching job listings, randomly applying for jobs and cold e-mailing people who might aid my quest for income for about two weeks.

SOS: I need help in the kitchen!

Ben returns from Peru Saturday around midnight, which means we have one day together before all the craziness of school starts at 8 a.m. Monday.

My hope is for us to relax together on Sunday. He will need it -- business school is really a two-year marathon where you get few water breaks. And although you might think an unemployed gal has lots of time on her hands, it ain't true. Looking for a full-time job has turned into a full-time job. And I'm doing a little freelancing. So Ben is not the only one who needs TLC.

So I've been thinking I should cook us a wonderful meal for us on Sunday. Ben will adore me for it. And I enjoy being adored:) We'll stay in, rent a move and eat whatever I whip up for us.

Here's the thing: I haven't cooked anything new or adventurous in a long while. And I'm not sure if I remember how to cook anything beyond buttered noodles, mac-n-cheese, and...cereal.

Oh dear.

60202

Ben and I have a new zip code.

We have been residents of 60202 for almost two weeks. And it is slowly beginning to feel like home.

We have a Starbucks two blocks away. Just down the block is an adorable boutique called The Mexican Shop with cute clothes, purses and jewelry under $30. I could do some damage there -- but not until I'm employed:) Also within blocks: two grocery stores, downtown Evanston and several restaurants. We're about a mile from Northwestern University and less than a mile from Lake Michigan. And we're a mile from the Chicago border. So our new digs -- location-wise -- will definitely do.

And our apartment -- well, Ben did good. We have two bedrooms and two bathrooms. So no waiting in line to shower. And the hardwood floors and white trim work remind me of our Minneapolis pad. Most important is that we're allowed to have Indie, who is as adorable as ever. With the exception of being attacked by another dog move-in weekend, he's doing well and adjusting to his new home.

On the job front, I've made few developments. But I will keep you all posted. Prayers and any Chicago area contacts are always appreciated:)