We all love to get “something for nothing." My mom was in love with that adage. She was always looking for a deal, a sale, a nickel or a dime off the item she needed or wanted. Frugal is a very accurate adjective to describe her lifestyle.

Two examples stand out in my memory. In 1975, the price of a U.S. first-class postage stamp increased from 10 cents to 13 cents. Mom was near apoplectic over this price jump. Once Dad had written the checks for the household bills, her habit was to drive me around in the family car and have me physically run the check into the office of each respective business. The telephone company, Utah Power and Light, Culligan water company and Preston City were the ones I can remember. The bill drop off scheme was designed, in her mind, to save the cost of that 13

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