Frugal Retirement-Buying and Selling (for Fun and Profit)

Note: I ask your patience while I play with this blog a bit for the next day or so. I'm trying to insert a little "spring" into  the mix.  Bear with me, and if you're looking at jelly beans, fear not, this too shall pass.

Occasionally I write about, or refer to my various income streams.  These "streams" are the way I bring in additional income in order to supplement my pension and social security.  All of my income streams have been established in the past year or so (although I have been a quilter for awhile, it's just recently that I have tried to pump up the volume on this hobby).

One of the ways I try to raise money is buying and reselling, or what one guy called retail arbitrage.  Since I've had a questions off and on about how I do this and the effort it takes, I thought I would share a little bit.  First, let me say that I am not an expert on reselling, not even close. There are bloggers out there who sell full time, and I am filled with admiration. That is not my goal, and expect its not yours either. Im looking at a part time thing that I can do on my own time. I have no interest in opening a store, spending a couple grand at a storage auction or listing items on eBay or elsewhere all day every day. My goal is to bring in a some money without too much overhead and have some fun at the same time.  This is an income stream that you can fit into your available time, and can even take with you.  Many a road trip has included the local quilt store, a used bookstore, and a thrift shop as part of the entertainment.

My first adventure in reselling was when I decided to sell my plethora of books and a few other excess household items.  I lived in Germany for seven years, with a teeny tiny bookstore and a teeny tiny English library. The box from Amazon came into the mail room every other week. Not only that, but our English TV was British. It was excellent, but we were unable to watch The West Wing or 24 unless we ordered the series. I also  had some household items that were above yard sale quality that I wanted to list. As we became more adept at knowing what sold, we began picking up other items to sell. Eventually my son developed a very part time book selling business, and I moved into collectibles.

I'm still an amateur who learns as I go, however, I have learned a great deal (especially from other booksellers).  For those who are wondering if this is right for them, here are my thoughts and suggestions on the "finding things" end in no particular order. Later I'll talk about the time and effort (generally it's up to you) required to sell stuff regularly on line. As many thrift shoppers will tell you, most of my suggestions apply to thrift shopping in general, even if it's only to add to your own collection.

When it comes to buying and selling:

• Where you get the "stuff" depends on your location, I expect. I get most of my things at yard sales and estate sales. Not the professionally run estate sales, but the "I'm helping dad downsize to move to assisted" living type of estate sale. Of the things listed in my vintage shop on the side, some came from a guy getting rid of one of his two storage units (two storage units!!).  This includes the cup and the models. Some came from a guy helping his dad weed out his collections ( the cookbooks), and some came from various yard sales.  I live in Texas and we've had yard sales for over a month. In places with different weather, that stuff may go to a thrift shop. We don't have swap meets or flea markets where I am per se, although we do have trade days.
• Ya gotta love the hunt. I LIKE searching through stuff at yard sales and estate sales and digging into piles of books at library sales and elsewhere. If the thought of wandering a flea market, estate sale or yard sale (or even thrift shop) turns you off, then stick to selling from your family or friends. Another alternative would be to offer to sell for others and take a bite.
• Buy what you know.  When my son and I go to book sales, we separate. He looks first at military history books. I look at cooking and craft books. Then if we have time we move to areas we like but know less about. Some areas are  financially sensible but since we know little about them, we avoid that area. This includes medical books, children's books (even collectibles) teachers book, and so on. Although we check books for saleability electronically, we have less rejects with this method. If we're wrong, the risk is low. I'm liable to never complain about having an extra cookbook, and my son has shelves full of war and sports books. If he has to keep one and call it his, that's okay.  Because I already have a teacup collection, I have a better sense when I scan a yard sale if that china over on the far corner is worth looking at. If you like something, learn about it.  Bob over at Satisfying Retirement,  for example, probably has knowledge of albums and music memorabilia. Much as I want to buy this kind of stuff, I know it would be a bad idea.
• Take small risks, unless it's something you already own.  I'm talking both in term of costs and size. Yes, sometimes the more costly sale brings the bigger reward. In addition to the cost though, larger orders are more difficult to ship.  Breakable items are more difficult to ship.  And if I buy a three dollar model airplane kit from 1950 (new in shrink wrap) and it doesn't sell, I have not broken the bank.
• Be prepared to grab that item when you see it-no matter the season.  This is true whether you are buying for yourself or reselling. If you see a Department 56 Village piece or a real German nutcracker-grab it!  Put it away. I buy ugly Christmas sweaters all year for a buck or two-who knew that the month before Christmas they sell four upwards of twenty dollars each!
• Spend time Online looking at values and auctions. Or, if you have flea markets and tag sales and trade days near you, spend time wander that venue.  Start with a couple things you know and like. go to EBay and check the prices. Not the listed price necessarily. Look also at the bids. The fact that someone has a collectible plate at a buy it now price in no way means anyone will purchase it for that amount.

I'll talk more about time later.  In general though, I will say this-how much time you spend is how much time you want to spend. Because my son likes me to go book shopping on occasion, I assist him and hit the other parts of the thrift shop at the same time. During the week I allow one day (half a day at the most) for photography and one half day (or less) for listing. I know I'm small potatoes, and an Ebay expert reading this will probably say it's better to list throughout the week rather than dump a bunch of listings at one time. But I have a real life. I'm still trying to go to school, quilt 15 hours a week, garden and work on the house, travel, volunteer and do the other things in semi retired life. I also occasionally visit Canton Trade Days, mainly to see what's selling and look around. 

This week I've sold four vintage items, one small quilted item, and taken on a special order. Like I say, I'm a beginner. But my overhead is low, I'm having fun, and I can take the work wherever I go. And if I'm busy that week and have no time?  Well then I mail something if it sells and leave it at that.

Too Many Quilts, Too Little Time

Currently, I reside  in a 2200 square foot single level home. At the moment, I'm doing everything I can to stay in said house, although its going to surely require some adjustments if I wish to keep the house and to travel (and I do). Occasionally I wonder how one woman, two dogs and a college student manage to stretch out into so much space. Most of the time though, I love this house. It has a covered patio, a yard large enough to both hold a garden and a container patio.....the list goes on.  So while I'm downsizing possessions I'm looking to keep the house without being house poor.

What has this to do with too many quilts, you may ask?  Simply this:  I'm blessed to have a large room dedicated to sewing.  Now, I know that one can sew on the kitchen table, or in a designated corner space.  From my perspective though, people who do that are incredibly organized.  They're the folks who begin a projects, work on it until they are done, and move onto the next one. If you are one of those people, be it a quilter, a woodworker or even a chef, I admire you. Actually I am in awe of you. However, put in it simplest terms, that is not me. That will never be me.  I'm one of those people who NEEDS to have multiple projects going.  Sometimes I get bored, sometimes I get tired, sometimes a specific project required to much minute detail and I need to move onto something else. Sometimes, I just sit in that chair and look out the window and daydream, trying to get inspiration.

This became apparent to me as I was attempting to bring some organization to my space today.  As I look around the room, hanging on the iron board is an antique partially finished quilt top that was donated as is.  everything is hand pieced, and belonged to the grandmother of a friend who is my age. I've trimmed and pressed as best I could and will now add borders and machine quilting to the top.  The donor is not interested in having any of the projects back, but I will make a label and perhaps her grandchildren may want one.

On a mini quilt hanger is a partially finished album block quilt for a priest who left my church during the summer.  To say I'm behind on this one is an understatement, and yes, the blocks do not perfectly mesh.  Who knew signatures in ink could have anything to do with shrinkage at all?

And then there's the obviously unpressed center to a mini quilt or table topper that is waiting for its borders and finishing.....

The test "block" I made to see if I liked the look of this layer cake and the measurements of the block before I go further..................

the Plano High School quilt that is in progress for a new freshman..............

or the valentine fabric ready to be made into coasters.

I think I have enough to keep me busy for a while, don't you?  In the interest of accuracy, these are just the quilts I am working on now.  Not included are all the UFOS (or unfinished objects to the uninitiated), the three bags of t-shirts that need to be cut for a sorority quilt, or the twenty bags of Crown Royal bags for the requested quilt (my mental computer is still at work on this one).

None of these quilts will languish for too long or be ignored. On any given day, depending on my energies and interests, I may work on from one two three of these. I expect the purple squares and the modern table topper to be done next week at the latest. It's not that I don't work, it's just that I need a variety of work to hold my interest. Sometimes I walk away and do something else in the house, don't get me wrong. But many times, I want to keep sewing, I just want to work on something "different"

I'll just be grateful that I have such a room, use it as much as I can, and keep on quilting those quilts!

Living Richly In Retirement-Who Has Time for a Job?

Recently, I've begun to wonder how I ever had time for a job.

Obviously in some sense, early retirement has allowed me a slower schedule. I have full control of my time and how I spend it. I move (most of the time) as the mood strikes. I’ve been known to stay up until two am, sleep until nine or so, and spend the day on the patio with some iced tea and the newest best seller. These are all great things about retirement.



The other side of retirement is being able to explore all of those experiences and passions that I simply did not have time for in the working and parenting world. Occasionally I say as much, usually when I see a comment about boredom in retirement-or from a younger person wondering what on earth they will do with their time when they retire. My answer is “whatever you like”!


Admittedly, I am a gal who had multiple interests and passions before enforced retirement. I also had a laundry list (mainly in my head at the time) of things I wanted to try “at least once”, even if they never became true hobbies. The end result is that many days I have more things I want to do than I have time to do-and I love it, most of the time. These days, after making the choice to return to college, life has become busier (and a tad more scheduled, unfortunately). Even before school, however, what to do was never a concern.

I imagine the primary reason I am busy post retirement is I had a variety of hobbies and interests long before I got here. Those interests kept me busy, and as I became more involved in those hobbies, other interests popped up. Some of those kept my interest over the long haul and some I tried once or twice and then moved on. I figured if I didn’t at least try (insert your hobby of choice here) then I would never know if I liked it or not. What’s happened is I’ve ended up with a couple “big” hobbies and a bunch of lesser interests and passions that get fit in, along with volunteering and the occasional income stream.

Now we come to the point where someone is reading this and says, “but……………” Let me say that everyone is unique. Some people like to be busier, some like a slower pace. The fact that I like that slower pace is the reason I hope not to get another “real job”. As to being on a fixed or lowered income and having hobbies, if I can do it anyone can. I’m now on social security with some assistance from a pension and the occasional quilt consignment. I quilt. I travel (lots of one and two day trips and a few long road trips), I go to the movies, and I garden (but not well). Having a limited income does not in and of itself require one to retire to the house with the television and little else. While frugality, limited mobility or location may affect your interests and choices in small ways, the options out there are unlimited.

As for the income question, yes, I probably need a little extra income- at least for a while. But I believe that income can be found at home, doing things I enjoy, on my own schedule.


Was I thrilled when society thrust both widowhood and enforced retirement on me? Absolutely not. But by taking the journey I’ve come to appreciate the freedom to do all those things I never had time or energy for in the working world. As a result I’ve decided I’ll take this version of retirement-frugal fixed income and all.

Fixed Income Retirement-Affording Hobbies and Passions

One of the many concerns about entering the retirement zone has to do with lifestyle issues such as hobbies and travel.Those who have active hobbies wonder if they will still be able to enjoy their passions. Folks who have been dreaming about indulging in new interests may wonder-will that still be possible?  The short answer to both is yes.

Obviously there are a few hobbies out there that require a certain amount of disposable income (flying, boating, mountain climbing in the Himalayas come to mind).  For the rest of us, there are certainly ways to continue our passions without breaking the bank or becoming homeless. Some planning may be involved.  I am a quilter (quilt fabric alone averages 9 dollars per yard), I love to do gourmet cooking. My son a semi unemployed post-college student is passionate about golf, among other things.  We still manage to pursue these interests, and you can probably do the same, with a little forethought. I haven't included travel in this missive because I believe frugal travel in retirement is worth it's own article (if not two or three).

If you re just investigating a hobby/passion, wait to purchase all the tools of the hobby until you are committed.  Use cheaper equipment, rent, or borrow until you are SURE this is where your interest lies. I am one of those Renaissance types who knows a little about a lot of things (a Jeopardy contestant waiting to happen).  But I've only seriously invested cash in those few things that I believe will keep me interested years down the road.

If you have a more costly hobby now, remember that the freedom of retirement may allow you more cost flexibility. The cost of eighteen holes the links on a weekday afternoon is certainly less, for example, than Saturday morning

Buy the best tools that you can reasonably afford, and then work with what you have. In most hobbies, or interests the tools of the trade (sewing machines, golf clubs, knives, climbing equipment, racing bikes) are where the true cost lies.  This doesn't mean these items have to be new, or even the most expensive. They have to do the job and make you feel comfortable using them.  To use the golf club example again-my six foot six inch son grew about four inches in the space of two years. He required new, special height golf clubs Someone got a lovely pair of golf clubs sold through Craigslist, that probably lasted them forever (as he expects to happen to the new ones). Sewing machines that do quilting can run from a couple hundred up to five thousand dollars, but the lower priced ones work well and many things can be found used.

Keep the ancillary costs down.  This means once you've gotten that basic equipment, purchase additional supplies due to a serious need or want-and look at alternative methods.  I have, in midlife, decided to learn gardening. I could bring in truck loads of plants. Instead of chosen to grow from seed and clippings as much as possible, and fertilize with natural materials.  Obviously if I want to make scarves, I need yarn. I don't need a laundry basket full of yarn, however.  Again, consider alternative sources for these materials and supplies. I often get enough yarn from a thrift shop to make a scarf or hat. The second hand market is full of sporting good supplies, used books, and collectibles if you are a collector. And remember that stores make big bucks getting us to buy stuff for which we have absolutely no need- home improvement, golf and hobby stores are no exception.

Join a group of like minded people. In addition to sharing your passion, part of your conversations will be about where to get materials (when the restaurant store has a sale, for example) and where to partake of your interest cheaply (the best cheap golf courses, when William Sonoma has a free cooking class). The garden club in my town is holding a swap this week-for plants, clipping, pots and gardening supplies.

If you are looking for a new hobby, consider adding at least one low cost hobby to your repertoire.  Believe me, they exist.  Acting in community theater, hiking/Vollksmarching, running, writing, collecting non-antiques, naturalism, community activism, drawing, and team sports participation are just a few of the hobbies that are free save for a few start up costs. 

Also, consider adding a hobby that may improve your financial situation and/or your quality of life  Learning woodworking may not only be a passion, it may help you to improve your surroundings, or you may even make gifts.  I've decided to learn to can food. While this involved the one time purchase of a canner as well as jars and lids, I feel that it will save me money in the long run, as well as improve the quality of my family's food while controlling ingredients (and if next years garden improves, it may save me even more money).  Marathon running and biking improve your health.

Consider making gifts to offset some of the cost of your hobby. I'm not merely speaking about those crafty hobbies, mind you.  Gifted writers or genealogists can pen short family memories or humorous poems for cards or gifts.  Woodworkers can make gifts without being "artistic".  Most of my house is filled with photos rather than paintings and I would happily put a really good travel photo on my wall. Ideally my canning and cooking skills will allow me to give homemade sauces (barbecue and dessert), pickles and mojito jelly as gifts this year.

Pace yourself if you are adding new hobbies after retirement. Other wise you may end up with a houseful of stuff you don't use, no room to move, and feel overwhelmed.  Most of us have one or two major interests or passions and a few interests in which we "dabble".  In addition to being sure you have an interest before investing financially, be sure you have the passion and energy to maintain the hobby over the long haul. It's fine to experiment with many things-but keep your major emphasis on a few.

My last two thoughts on affordable and retirement hobbies are two. First, if you have a gift or skill consider using it to help others.  Most any hobby leads itself to volunteering, be it using woodworking to assist Habitat for Humanity, teaching golf to children, or making blankets for newborns or abandoned pets. Using your hobby to volunteer will bring it to a new level, I assure you.  My second thought is that many hobbies translate into streams of income. If you feel you need extra money or a part time job, consider using your hobby as a base. It will offset costs, and perhaps bring in income.  However, remember that once a hobby becomes "work" you sometimes have a different relationship. In my case I still love to quilt, for myself and others. However, there is a different element that comes in when quilting to sell (things like keeping track of the hours I spend, deciding on fair value and so on). At this point it is still a joy to me. If that changed, I would have change the work aspect of that hobby.

Living Richly in Retirement-Affording Hobbies and Interests

When we retire or start living on a fixed income, we’re often concerned that we may not be able to afford our passions. This is especially true of sports and hobbies. The truth is that there are many economical ways to enjoy various hobbies. This is true be it a long term hobby or one we are pursuing for the first time.


• First and foremost, ignore the hype! It seems that any hobby, be it golf, genealogy or quilting has its own mega industry. Remember that most of these hobbies were happily pursued for years prior. Somehow people managed without a full case of supplies, nine dollar fabrics, twenty dollar stickers or the most high tech ski jackets.

• As in the rest of life, look for substitutions. This is especially true of crafting and home related hobbies and skill. By looking first to what one has on hand or can get cheaply, one often becomes more original in the process. I cannot afford rubber stamps for the most part. My solution? I print out a web image, cut it out, and outline it with a permanent marker. Then I fill in with pencils or paints and add embellishments by hand. Not only are my cards well liked, some people actually are willing to buy them.

• Used and second-hand are not bad words. For every person who becomes enamored of a hobby, there’s someone else who buys something and then changes their mind. Perfectly good equipment gets upgraded or outgrown. Just ask about my twenty two year old son who’s been an avid golfer since age twelve. He’s six foot six, and did most of his growing his senior year of high school. Somewhere someone is loving that set of clubs that he bought in the ninth grade when he was less than six feet tall. My local craigslist has a set of twenty one rubber stamps for less than ten dollars. I have gotten used canning jars, pots for my patio, yarn and other things for pennies.

• Save for your “investment purchases”. When you begin a hobby, try and spend on just a few items or work with free stuff. Once you’re “into” your interest, save the money you have for where you get the most bang for your buck, be it new or used. I’m happy to buy fabric on sale at Hancock’s, but my sewing machine is a good one in the extreme. My brother manages to cook gourmet meals for twenty with basic pots and pans, but he has really good knives. Do you really need new golf clubs, or just a new driver?

• Check out small, locally owned stores (when possible). They often have community events and low cost or free classes. My local scrapbook store has free days when you can come in and work in their space. Not only do you get a chance to meet other people who may share their skills and hints, you can access the store’s stock, displays and owners for ideas as well. My local golf shop as stroke clinics and free club fittings. Obviously, the flip side of this when you can afford to purchase something, you need to make your local store a buying option.

• The Internet is your friend! A simple search will find you free genealogy resources, free quilt patterns, printable scrapbook papers. Not only that, but the Internet abounds with free instructional and how-to resources. I recently found a blog that shows beginners how to improve their golf swing, multiple resources on how to preserve food. I’ve also found free courses and writing and container gardening (which I surely have yet to master in any sense).

• Look to your community (city, town, state). My local community has two city golf courses, and the recreation department has a golf league, enabling my son to play golf on a college student’s income (or lack of it). The local city magazine has a list of groups for almost every interest. Not only will you meet new people at these groups, the people you meet will probably know the cheapest and best resources and deals. And you may even get discounts by way of being a member.

• If it works in your family, ask for goodies at Christmas. In my family we share Christmas requests. Last year my children combined and got me my own cordless drill. My sister always gets me a gift certificate to the local craft store.

Most of the ideas above are tried and true. Some may require stepping out of your normal zone-searching craigslist for supplies for example. It’s worth it if you are able to still follow your passions. Being on a limited income should not mean feeling deprived. I’m a gal with a couple expensive hobbies, with a child who has the same. We’ve managed to enjoy quilting, golf, gourmet cooking and a myriad of hobbies on our very limited income-hopefully you will be able to well. And don’t forget, many of these ideas will help you meet new people!

Having a Social LIfe on an Extreme Budget

I often hear on various boards or discussions the fear that being frugal means "not having fun". There are so many posts about having to stay home, not having a life or being bored when you are watching pennies or have very little money.

While you probably can't eat at the Ritz, or go barhopping every night, I'm here to tell you that being on a low or limited income doesn't mean you have to give up and sit home in front of the square box for the rest of your life.

So what will you do for entertainment on your limited budget? The short answer is, whatever you like doing, within reason. Money, or at least a lot of money,  is not a requirement for enjoying life. SOME money is necessary for certain hobbies or interests (golf, travel , or gourmet dining out come time mind, and I'll talk about that another time), but often the money required in this day and age is not nearly as much as you would imagine. I enjoy a variety of hobbies and social activities, and most of the time I manage to do those things with a minimal amount of money. Although I am not the expert on social lives of the less than rich or famous, here are just a few tips, from my experience:

• Join up. If there's something you're interested in, there is probably a group listed in your local newspaper or magazine, a meetup, or some other way to find like minded people. Most of the activities in a group like this will be inexpensive or free, and often at a low cost place or people's homes. Here in Dallas, there is a Washington Redskins Group that meets at a bar every Sunday or Monday night. Yes, it's a bar, but the important think is not the drink. You can get one drink and nurse it all evening. The point is that if you are from the East Coast and know no one, you can have friendship and social contact for the price of a soda. I belong to a small quilting group that takes turns meeting at someones house each week. That person provides the lunch, but it's sandwiches and salads. And although we say its a quilting group, there have been days when everyone has sat around and talked for the five hours. I found this group online, doing a search.
• Search for and join a church or house of worship of your choice, if you have a faith. This is a variation on the idea mentioned above, I grant you. Most churches have a variety of adult gatherings or organizations. Some will be for men, some for women, and some for anyone. It gives you a chance to meet people with whom you are likely to have some things in common, and a chance to develop long term relationships. In general the larger the church, the more choices, but you may have to experiment to find your fit.
• Turn disadvantage to advantage. If you're unemployed, work only part time or off hours, or are retired, take advantages of the entertainment discounts that are available simply because of that fact. At my local first run theater, tickets for the first show of the day are three dollars. If you MUST go to an evening movie, try to make it before seven. If its date, hit happy hour and have the munchies and one drink first.
• Volunteer for a social cause that jives with your interests and concerns. You'll meet like minded people, it will keep you busy and you will be helping where you are needed. You may even develop new job skills in the process if that is important to you.
• Become a "friend" of an organization the interests you, or volunteer to serve in whatever capacity they need. At the local community theater, if you volunteer to usher or take tickets, you then get to see the production for free. If you have the funds, become an "angel" at the  lowest level available of your local zoo, theater, museum and so on. You'll get notices about special deals tickets and other opportunities. There may also be parties for openings of various events. (By the same token, if a retiree really really loves movies, he or she may want to see if the local theater can use them for a few hours a week).
• Become a "registered" customer. Just as you get discounts and deals for food with a Kroger card, there are many preferred customer savings to be had at entertainment or hobby venues. Cinemark, AMC and Regal all have programs where you swipe a card and earn tickets and food as you go along.  I also get emails for  free snacks because I am on their email lists. My local quilt shop gives me ten percent reward on craft supplies, and has a special show twice year showing new trends and ideas. Although I'll talk about more expensive entertainment and hobbies at a later date, I earned a Chili's card for staying two nights at Best Western on my way to and from relatives this summer.
• Be willing to be the first person in your group to step out of the box. If everyone in your circle wants to go out after work for two hours of drinks and snacks and then go further, or if they only way they know to socialize is an upscale restaurant, you can go along and cringe, or you can not go. Instead, think about a third alternative that is less costly and more personable. You'd be surprised how many people might go for drinks and snacks on the patio or int he back yard instead. Maybe no one else is willing to take that first step.
• Although article is not about meeting people, when possible, search out about people who want or enjoy the same things as you do. I'm not talking about a financial level here. I belong to a gourmet dinner group and the ten members are from all economic (and age) levels. But they would all rather be having a nice dinner and leisurely conversation where they can talk in someones home than in a restaurant. The cost is a byproduct of that thinking.
• Look to your city, county and state. During the summer my suburban town had free concerts on the park, where friends and I can go sit on a blanket, bring our own drinks and hear some really good music. They also have spring and fall festivals. While lots of things are sold at these events, spending money isn't necessary for a good time. The good time is the wandering, looking, and sharing of a single hot toddy perhaps. My city has a natatorium that includes pools, workout rooms and aerobics. The cost is $100 a year, so a health club never entered the picture.
• Consider learning a hobby that has the option of saving money or making money. I add this with some hesitation. I truly believe that you should pursue what interests you, and that that is how you make new and keep old friends. That said, if you think you have an interest in an area that meets one of these qualifications, you may want to pursue that when choosing where to go next  in the development of a new hobby or interest.
• Library, Library, Library. Can one have a frugal entertainment discussion without the library? Book club. Reference books on your interest.s Reference books on saving money. Movies. Music. Need I say more?

Hopefully you've gleaned a few ideas. I am not a social butterfly, and I enjoy being at home much of the time. I moved to my local area three years ago with little money for the kinds of things we are talking about on my pension. Prior to that my husband and son and I were home bodies who enjoyed puttering more than partying, so we have never been huge on out of the house socialization, other than for the groups we belonged to or the children participated in (the exception being travel).  I manage to have two social events that meet for a few hours each week, two that meet twice a month, and one that meets monthly. I also pursue quilting, card crafting, gardening, enjoying the movies, reading, and daily exercise on a limited budget.

What do you do, or what would you like to do with your time?