Frugal Failure

Last week I was doing errands in the afternoon and I wanted to stop by this used clothing store by my house. My inlaws were watching Lyra and I'd had them park in our spot since the snow makes parking extremely challenging here. So I parked at a meter and went into the store. I proudly scored a pair of jeans for $12 and left to find I'd missed the meter by several minutes and got a $25 parking ticket.

Saturday I found two used pairs of pants for Lyra for $4.50, then walked by a futon store where all the people who work there had pooled all their kids stuff into a big room. I bought her a big bag full of toys and a pair of overalls and more for $5. Later I was an usher at a benefit concert at the Somerville Theater. This allowed me to meet new people as well as to see Faces on Film, The Neighborhoods, and Mission of Burma all for free. Until I got back to the car. The meters in that lot apparently go until 8pm, not 6pm. $20.

Yesterday I drove my used car that has served me well for many miles and years now, and the key just wouldn't come out of the car at all. We tried every kind of wiggling and jiggling, silicone spray, etc. New ignition: $300.

Sigh.