To touch upon a subject I wrote about last time, my frugal tip of the day is this: hang out with your parents!
On Wednesday, my mom happened to be in San Francisco, so I suggested we meet up for lunch. She drove over to my neighborhood and we met at Fog City Diner, a classic diner with something of an upscale twist. We each got a beer and a delectable lunch. Let me tell you, after weeks of pasta and sauteed chicken strips and Trader Joe's potstickers, chicken schnitzel in a lemon cream sauce with garlic mashed potatoes tasted like heaven. Just thinking about it is making me hungry. So, all in all, a lovely lunch. When the check came, I reached for my purse.
"Do you want me to help with my half?" I asked my mom. She snorted with laughter.
"It's very nice of you to offer, but you are too poor to afford this lunch. Don't worry about it."
After lunch, I took her for a stroll through the local park, then we went to my office, so I could introduce her around. She was, of course, a big hit, and a lovely afternoon was had by all.
I love my mom.
Today we are celebrating my grandpa's 79th birthday as we celebrate all his birthdays. The entire family will all go to a little restaurant in Santa Cruz made up to look like a hunting lodge. Complete with animal heads on the walls. I try not to look at them while we are eating. We will sit at the bar while the family members trickle in, sipping delightful cocktails. Inevitably someone will spill their drink. I did it a few years ago, so it should be someone else's turn. After the ensuing hubub and dabbing of napkins, we will be escorted to the huge table by the fireplace in the main room. There, we will all gather round and order delicious meals. My mom and Aunt Joy will have the lamb. My cousin Ryan will have oysters. I will have whatever catches my fancy, but I know whatever I choose, it will be mouth-watering. And when the check comes, we "kids" will sit blissfully back while the grown ups take care of everything. We always offer, and they always scold us for even trying.
The moral of the story: hanging out with the family is delightful and is the occasion for free gourmet meals. Awesome.
