Costing Cosmo

Visiting the library is a way to read magazines for free! Usually you can't check out the most recent issues, but you can find a comfy chair and read it while you're there. You can take home the previous month's issue for up to 3 weeks. Returning the magazine when you're done reading also prevents them from piling up on the floor of your room.

Another alternative to paying the cover price of a magazine you continue to buy month after month is subscribing. I'm grabbing a calculator....Let's do math!:

Cosmopolitan newsstand cover price: $3.99 per issue  --> $47.88 for 12 issues

Cosmopolitan subscription: $15 / 12 issues = $1.25 per issue

A great example of saving money without completely giving up the fun extras --& maybe you can use the extra cash for sweets!



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Saturday Thrifting Adventures

Here are this weekend's latest thrift finds! 

Forever 21 sweater: Forever 21 is one of my favorite stores, so I was super excited to find this and nautical stripes seem to keep coming back in style for spring. This is also a classic look I can wear to work. This sweater is in perfect condition for only $4.29

Sugar Bowl: Finding a piece of a set is always exciting. This sugar bowl matches the dining set I use (which was also thrifted by Mommy!)

Restaurant at Home: Italian

For New Year's Eve, our family celebrated at an Italian restaurant downtown. The walls are cluttered with antique looking photos and memorabilia reminiscent of decorations that might be in someone's home. The large portion sizes also reinforce the idea that you should enjoy the experience with family and friends

 

           This Colossal Brownie Sunday sits about a foot tall on the table and literally feeds a family of 4!


The food was delicious and inspired me to try to make one of the pasta dishes (but in a much smaller portion size).

Try out this Baked Ziti recipe:

2 serving dinner:

1/3 box of ziti

4oz of pasta sauce

1cup Italian blend shredded cheese

1 tbsp. fresh or freeze-dried basil

1/8 tsp. garlic

1/4 tsp. oregano

1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper

Cook pasta following directions on box

Spray a baking pan with nonstick cooking spray and preheat oven to 375 degrees

Drain pasta, mix with pasta sauce and 1/2cup of the shredded cheese

Cover with aluminum foil and cook for 20 minutes 

Uncover, top with the other 1/2 cup of shredded cheese and the mixed spices

Cook for 5 more minutes

Serve and enjoy!

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