Deal Finding Matriarch...

I know I have been on a little journey to frugality (is that a word?)lately, and it has been so rewarding. But most of all: FUN.

I realized today, however, that I cannot compete with my Gram.

This is true on so many levels. Read: Gram is in her seventies yet goes to Curves every morning, walks with my Grandpa several times a week at various malls (I think they have a schedule: Monday: Sommerset, Wednesday: Great Lakes, or something like that!), and gets down on her hands and knees to scrub her own house and that of various family members. She belongs to an investment club, a bridge club, and goes out with good friends every Friday night. She hosts huge family dinners for 40 plus people and cooks up a storm. I often joke that she has a busier social life than I have.

Only I'm really not joking because it is completely true.

All of these reasons are why I hope to age every bit as negligibly as my Gram. But now I've found a new standard to strive for and it is this: she is the thriftiest person I know.

My Grandpa (or "Pa" as we call him) always teases her and says, "Once poor, always poor", referencing her childhood, which was apparently quite basic. They now live in a beautiful house and take trips to Brazil, Puerto Rico, Scotland (did I mention they travel around the world? No? Chalk that up as well!), so that tells you that they are certainly not poor.

But Gram has been coupon-clipping since before it was trendy. My cousins love to tell stories about how she would take them to see movies, stashing cans full of pop and snacks in her over-sized purse. They were always embarrassed to open pop cans in a quiet theater of movie-watchers!

I saw Gram today at a family party and the first thing she said to me, with a gleam in her eye, was: "So, I hear you've been clipping coupons! It's fun, isn't it?". Then, as if to show me she still has one-up on me, she told me about an amazing deal. The restaurant "Andiamo" is usually too rich for Gram and my blood, but, as you see, the below offer cuts it down to size. Think of Gram if you use it. And remember, with a little thriftiness and some wise thinking, you'll be traveling the world at 70 as well.

**Here is the link** Have fun!!