Nickel Diming

So I survived the weekend and I've got about seven bucks in my wallet.

Pretty good considering I went to a Reds baseball game, ate steak and spent a night drinking.

Thursday I cooked dinner for my dad. Pad Thai was on the menu (one of my specialties), so Dad picked up a bottle of white wine, then he took me out for ice cream afterwards. Only one flavor will do when you go to Graeter's - Double Chocolate Chip. I also had to try a scoop of Buckeye Blitz- chocolate ice cream with bits of buckeye candies.

Heaven in a cup.

Friday I went over to my friend Big Blue Blood's parents' house for a pool party/cookout shindig. I spent nine bucks and change on Rice Krispies, marshmallows and chocolate chips so I could whip up a twist on those Rice Krispy Treats that everybody loves. Cereal's one of those things where I'm not brand loyal. I am fiercely loyal to Viva towels, Degree deodorant and Jif peanut butter. I don't really know why. Anyway. I also picked up a can of Sky Line Chili and some shredded cheese for the Cincinnati favorite Sky Line Dip. In all, I didn't feel bad about the nine bucks spent at the store.

Saturday was low key until I met some friends at a Covington bar for a pre-Reds game beer. That set me back $2.75. My friend's date bought me another beer for the Willie's Bus ride over to the stadium and my friend paid my two buck fee to ride the bus. The ticket for the Reds/Cubs game was $17, but I won't have to pay that back until payday when Big Blue Blood and I go hear pitcher Bronson Arroyo play his guitar at a charity concert. I spent $4.75 for some cheese fries at the ball park, and they were worth every cent.

The game was great, even if about a third of the people at Great American were Cubbies fans. The weather was a real damper, too. Thank God for North Face gortex. I can't believe I toughed it out at a rainy baseball game, but it actually was a lot of fun, and I'd do it again.

Sunday was pretty cheap, too, until I went all crazy at the grocery store. I bought a London Broil steak since it was on sale for, like, two bucks a pound ($4.65), I bought a plastic clamshell full of organic mixed lettuce with herbs ($2.50), four ears of corn at 10 for two bucks (80 cents) A jug of milk ($2.45), vanilla toffee caramel coffee creamer ($1.50). All together it a came to about 12 bucks and change.

I ate really well last night and will be eating steak salads for the rest of the week.

I know I can last to Thursday morning on the seven bucks in my pocket, even if I have to do a load of laundry.

I can't wait until I can spend money on a Nonfat sugar-free vanilla latte at Starbucks and some good beer.