Last night my son and grandsons went with me to look at the condos. Afterwards we all went out for pizza. Naturally, I had to put in my share, so there went $10.

The condos were very different from each other. Number one was small, with one bedroom, tiny kitchen and bathroom, both outdated. But its good points: great building in a great location (one block from the beach and one block from the grandchildren!), fireplace, bay window, big dining room with molding, beautiful wood floors, high ceilings, views of flowery gardens. It's on the second floor, which around here means it's two and a half flights, and laundry access is in the basement, which we entered from the outdoors. (Don't know if it has to be that way). Nice storage in the basement.

Number two: BIG condo, three bedrooms and two bathrooms, lots of closet space, wonderful large balcony. Drawbacks: right next to the train tracks, water damage on the walls, ugly carpets, not so close to the grandchildren. Also, it's a foreclosure, so nothing will get fixed.

I like number one but wish it were bigger. I'm percolating.

Back to the $300 challenge. The $10 dinner takes me down to $23 -- BUT -- I got word today that I'll get reimbursed for the workshop, so that's $15 back in. $38 for the birthday meal and general survival for the next 10 days.

I did order a book on Amazon for my DIL. Since I used gift credits, there was no expenditure.

I think I will shop for the food at Target, just because I have a $5 gift card to use. Someone at work shared three hot peppers with me so I'll have those to add to the meal, too.