I spent a couple of years of my church-going life at traditional Southern Baptist churches, and around the holidays it’s always the good old Gospel hymns that go through my head. This week, as we approach Easter, I’ve been singing this song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oN77HjfAc8k

This is the perfect classic version! Those big chords on the piano just make the chorus for me. Sure, it’s a bit cheesy, and this isn’t the kind of music I listen to regularly…but you can’t beat the truth and simplicity of these verses.

And I guarantee this will now be stuck in your head. You’re welcome.

I don’t own this video. Thanks to isbaptist for posting it on YouTube.

Have you liked Unpunctuated Life on Facebook yet? I use it as a platform for thoughts I have that are too short to merit a whole blog post, as well as a way to interact with and share content from other blogs I like. And if you aren’t subscribed via a feed reader, you can get an update on Facebook whenever a new post goes live over here! Today I’m sharing a quick and simple Tuesday Tip. Here’s the link: https://www.facebook.com/unpunctuatedlife

In light of Friday’s post on 7 things I don’t buy, I’ve been trying to come up with a list of 7 things I splurge on. I haven’t come up with all seven, but this morning as I was filling up my car I realized that gas is monetarily interesting for me. I won’t say it belongs on the splurge list–it’s not like I seek out the best or most expensive gas. But it is one of the things that I’m pretty price immune to. I have a relatively small tank, and so I’ve decided that playing any kind of game to save a few cents per gallon just isn’t worth my time and effort. We do have a Kroger card that earns points redeemable at Shell gas stations, but even if I’m filling up all the way, that might save me $0.90 ($0.10 per gallon). Convenience is much more of a factor for me with gas than price. For example, this morning I wanted to swing by CVS, which necessitated me taking the route to work that doesn’t pass a Shell. But, I needed gas–so I just stopped at the Chevron that was right on my way and paid full price.

Are there any things you don’t find worth bargaining for? Where does convenience win for you?

Dave Ramsey recently posted an article about the 7 things that are worth splurging on. I agree with some of them, like running shoes, but I think my list would look different. I’ll revisit that in another post, because today’s post focuses on the opposite: 7 things we don’t buy! This was inspired by a list Money Saving Mom shared earlier this week. A couple of mine are the same as hers; we also don’t buy shaving cream, dryer sheets/fabric softener, or pay for cable. But to add my two cents (seven cents?) to the conversation, here’s a list of another 7 things we don’t buy:

1. Milk I have never been a big milk drinker, and neither has Andy. I typically keep light vanilla soy milk stocked in our fridge, and that's what we use if I've found a good sale and bought cereal. But as for regular milk, it only graces our presence if it's needed for a recipe, and then only a small bottle. (I know this would likely be different if we had kids...but we don't, so for now it stands.)
2. Bottled Water We have several nice re-usable water bottles and have a fridge-sized Pur water filtration pitcher. And honestly, at work I just refill from the tap water. It saves money AND plastic, and I've yet to get sick or cringe too much at the taste of any tap waters.
3. Tissue Paper I save every possible reusable scrap from gifts I'm given, including sometimes the wrapping paper itself. I'm not always able to re-use that, but I smooth out and fold tissue paper to save in a box. I still have tissue paper and ribbon from wedding gifts we were given two years ago! It doesn't take up much time or space but it saves having to think about supplies every time I need to wrap a gift.
4. Small Trash Bags Rather than buying the small sized trash bags for our bathroom trash can, I simply use plastic grocery bags. I usually take my own tote bags to the store, but whenever I forget I save the bag for this and other purposes!
5. Text Messages Andy and I are both signed up for Google Voice, and rather than receive text messages on our actual mobile numbers, we use the number assigned to our phones by Google Voice. We save money on our cell phone plan this way.
6. Batteries We recently switched to using re-chargeable batteries. While even those don't last forever, it saves us a bundle on replacing them in things like the remote control! Plus it saves the hassle caused by needing a fresh set of batteries and discovering there are none in the house and having to buy them without a coupon. :-)
7. Disposable napkins/plates/cups/utensils I grew up using cloth napkins and never thought anything of it, but I've come to find that they're less common than I imagined! In fact, I now have some of my favorites from my childhood that I use as cleaning cloths. I bought a pack of paper plates over a year ago when we were preparing to move, and we still have some left (though they were a wonderful help when a tornado struck our area the week we were moving and we were without power for a few days). Even for a large group of people, I'd just as soon use fun plastic ware or a mish-mosh of plates and glasses.

So there you have it! What are some things you don’t buy or pay for that might surprise other people?

Well, I accomplished one of the goals I set out for myself at the beginning of this year: I completed the Couch to 5K running program and ran a 5K! I picked a 5K that was 12 weeks from my start date, even though the program is only 9 weeks long, and I ended up doing the last of its workouts 2 days before my race (you know, life happens). The 5K I picked was The Atlanta Women’s 5K hosted by the Atlanta Track Club. It took place in the neighborhood adjacent to mine, which was part of the appeal! Though I’ve decided I’m not a runner, the race was actually pretty fun, and it was a beautiful morning to be outside. I held back a lot at the beginning, and then my last mile was a whole minute faster than my first two! So I think I’ve got a faster one in me. And, you know what? I just might sign myself up for another one.

Here I am before the race. There was a lot of pink, since it was a women’s race. I loved it!

Here’s the token after picture. 

(Andy took some of me running, but they are so awkward I can’t bring myself to share them here. Sorry!)

And the fun stuff I got:

Yesterday morning at the gym I rocked my race shirt and, awkwardly enough, the person on the treadmill behind me had on hers too! So I had to look at us in the mirror the whole time I worked out, but she was gone before I finished, so we didn’t even get to chat.

I am proud of myself for sticking with it and accomplishing this goal! Have you achieved any goals this year or are you working toward any?