Actually I've found Amazon has gotten quite liberal in giving away "free" books, typically early books in a given well regarded series to get you hooked so you'll spring for the pay to play content later. They were not overly forthcoming when the Kindle 1 was new, but now I expect the Kindle 2 is faltering in a weak economy and with little reason for early adopters to upgrade, Amazon is trying harder in their marketing efforts.
But seriously, the amount of completely free quality free content the IGBW and I have found so far is astounding! We will never be able to read it all. Keep in mind anything in PDF, not to mention nearly any other format is will translate into Kindle's PRC or MOBI formats. Not just old classics from your HS summer reading lists but current stuff is out there and waiting to be read. We use the library on a regular basis as well, the Kindle is just another way to enjoy a good book. It's a matter of having the time (oh yah we're FIRE we HAVE THE TIME) to go out there on the net and find where folks have kindly left Kindle content for you. It's kinda like when you find that newspaper or magazine someone leaves you in the Diner after they are finished with it.
Cool. You know I had no idea that parakeets could talk.My last splurge was a parakeet. She was the high end model at $20, but I wanted nothing but the best for my little boy parakeet. He is sooo happy now.
Cool. You know I had no idea that parakeets could talk.
One day while I was taking care of my neighbor's parakeet, one of his tail feathers fell out. I looked at him and said, "Holy crap Tino!" He said, "What's the matter, did I scare you?" I nearly fell on the floor.
No saki?
It's funny that several of you have mentioned Whole Foods as a splurge item.
When I was deployed one day I was sitting around with another guy just BS'g. I mentioned how I like Whole Foods in Colorado Springs, and he called it "Whole Paycheck." But man - that's the nicest Whole Foods around. I've never been to another that nice. When I was living there, that was definitely a place that I went to splurge - I'd rather go there and get some things and take them home than eat out!
If you are ever in Austin, visit their flagship store at 6th and Lamar. More than a grocery store, it is a cultural event. I love going there, and often go twice a day.
I would say travel is our big expenditure. We take several trips a year. We are off tomorrow for two weeks in NM to escape the heat in TX. We spent a week in New Orleans in June, didn't manage to escape the heat there....In September we are off to Europe for three weeks. We have four cruises planned to the caribean in Jan. and Feb. to escape the cold.
We live very cheaply when at home. We don't eat out a bunch or buy a lot of consumer goods. My husband is in to photography so he buys camera equipment. I don't spend much on clothing, but I do buy good clothing when I make a purchase.