Debt $ense

I’m going to Richmond in two weeks for a few days. A friend has a conference in town, so she suggested I meet her there since I could stay in the hotel room for free. She also found one with free parking, free wi-fi and a free continental breakfast. She also asked for a microwave and fridge, which will be nice if we get them.

My next challenge to keep the trip as cost-free as possible is to find things to do that are free. I’ve already tagged Maymont as one possibility, since the grounds are free and I really don’t care about the exhibits in the house. (One is about cockroaches; need I say more?)

I’m going to put in some serious Internet time this weekend and find some other free activities or cool neighborhoods to explore that won’t mean spending much on much gas/parking fees while I’m there. And to keep it fun, I’m going to make it a challenge to myself. I’ve gotten spoiled with all my trips to DC because the Smithsonians make it easy to fill up the day with free amusements.

Sorry for my disappearance yesterday. It was local Election Day, which meant I was a bit tied up at work. The good news (other then that sanity reigned in the election results) is that we always get pizza on Election Night. Our top editor builds it into the budget because we’re all running around like nuts from about 6:30 p.m. until well after 10. He figures the least he can do is feed us.

We’ve always gotten Domino’s before, mostly because their Philly Cheese Steak pizza was a huge favorite. Well, a new local pizza place opened up a few weeks ago around the corner from us. Really, really great pizza. I talked our boss into letting me try and get them to give us a deal so we could get enough pizza within his budget to feed the newsroom. It worked!

So I was able to get my new favorite pizza for free (since work paid) and then he took those of us who hung in until the end out for a beer after. Again, I didn’t have to pay. So I had good takeout and a free drink, with no cost to me. Can’t beat that!