Time for Change

Our quest to downsize continues.

We cut the

Canadian coins need not apply.

cord on the cable and have been amazed by the quality of the picture we get from our vintage rooftop antenna.

Eating at restaurants has largely become a thing of the past. I haven't missed it as much as I thought I would. It's nice not to have the chronic, "I don't know, where do you want to eat?" discussion.

My monthly credit card bill for gasoline has dropped significantly. 

I haven't had to buy work clothes. (Bonus: no need to grimace at my hefty self in the three-way-mirrored, brightly-lit dressing room.)

Our basement has grown in size, owing to the diminishing piles of stuff we've donated.

And we've made some scratch selling books, CDs and DVDs.

Casting about the other day for more ways to save, I spied my filled-to-overflowing change dish. 

There's been a lot of noise in the news lately about the shortage of coins in circulation. I decided it was time to do my part.

Sitting down at the kitchen table, I sorted my quarters, dimes, nickels and pennies and started rolling. When I finished organizing my stash, Mr. Ginley brought over his jar of coins. All told, we had enough money to pay for groceries for the week.

Woo hoo!

I know there are folks who swear by those coin machines, where all you have to do is dump in your change and collect the cash. But I'd rather roll the coins myself and keep the percentage they charge for their service.

Certainly, there is enough time. Also, I find rolling coins to be a relaxing sort of activity. And it always feels good at the end to realize how much has been accumulating, not only in my change dish but in every pocket of every coat I own. 

As a special bonus, I discovered Mr. Ginley's wedding ring in his jar of coins. It's a mystery how it got there, but he was very pleased to be reunited with his ring, although it's still a bit too snug for him to wear.

What will my next downsizing project be?

Suggestions are welcome!