My Broke Weekend

I’m still recovering from what was most certainly an awesome weekend!  Not only was it really fun, I also managed to spend only a teensy bit of money…huzzah!  :)

For starters, Friday night my fella and I ventured off to the Midlands Tech Harbison Theatre to catch Chapin Community Theatre’s production of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.  Tickets for this show cost $15 a pop for non-students, but since I’m a theatre reviewer for Jasper Magazine, we got to see the show for free, in exchange for my review.  Sweet!  $30 saved!

My ensemble for the evening was also pretty flippin’ inexpensive.

Not too shabby for $14.50!

The dress is by Phillip Lim, but was given to me because it had a split seam.  I just sewed that sucker up, and now I have a dress that probably sells for about $400 retail.  I made the obi belt I’m wearing from a pair of men’s trousers I bought for 50 cents at a thrift store.  The sweet patent leather clutch I’m carrying only cost $1 (thrifted), and those gorgeous wedges were bought new online for $13, including free shipping.

Ooh la la!

Happy Theatre-Goers!

So, that was a fun & thrifty date night, but what about the rest of my weekend?

At 6am Saturday morning, I met up with a few friends at the Colonial Life Arena for the Color Me Rad 5k.  The entry fee for the run was $40 (which seems like a lot for a 5k…jus’ sayin’!), but you could volunteer your services as a color bomber, and still participate in the event for free!  Some of the profits for this event benefitted the Happy Wheels charity, so I was happy to do my part!  :)

…which is precisely what we did!

Little did we know we’d be shuttled to our post for the event in a Ryder Van.  ”I know it seems creepy,” one of the event organizers said completely non-reassuringly.  Seriously?  Toting people around in a MOVING TRUCK?  While this would be the perfect ruse for a human trafficking organization, we all hopped in like the foolish suckers we are.  :/

Holding on for dear life!

Trying to not roll out of the death truck!

Death Truck aside, the early scary morning was well worth it!

As the 6,000 runners raced by, we had the special joy of pelting them with handfuls of color!!!  :D

Color us Rad!

My Saturday was only getting started, folks!  I rushed home to shower, then met up with friends at the SC Pride Parade and Festival.  The festival itself is a free event, but as usual, drinks (alcoholic or non) are expensive.  Not to worry!  I came prepared!

Bring your own bottle!

Some festivals don’t allow you to bring in any outside beverages (and will even search your bag), so check on this before you try to BYOB.  :)

While I saved tons on drinkage, I still ended up with a $3 slice of leathery pizza.  Whatever…hunger calls!

No…you don’t need to get your eyes checked. That’s a pink puppy!

After having fun at the festival, we headed off to watch the USC Game.  I had a couple of beers and an inexpensive appetizer, so my tab was less than $15…not too bad.

Fast forward to Sunday!  I spent the day with my fella and his son.  We hit up the Mark Rothko exhibit at the Columbia Museum of Art.

Ready for some Rothko!

From Monday-Saturday, admission is $10 for adults and $5 for students.  But on Sundays, admission is free (thanks to Blue Cross Blue Sheild)!  So, we saved $25 while getting our culture on!  

Kids dig abstract expressionism.

I also wore another cheapo outfit.  :)

Dress: Free (given to me from roomie)
Pants: $1 (thrifted)
Leather Bag: $1 (thrifted)
Scarf: I’ve had it forever
Shoes: $13 (on sale w/ free shipping from 6pm.com)

So, this was a super-fun and super-cheap weekend!  What made it such a thrifty success?  :)

• I bartered my writing skills & expertise!
• I saved $$$ on clothes by making, mending, & thrifting!
• I volunteered for an event,  instead of paying a hefty fee!
• I went to a free event, and planned ahead to BYOB!
• I took advantage of a “free day” at the museum!

Hopefully, I’ll be able to be just as thrifty next weekend!  :)