100 Things :: #5 - I’m addicted to Altoids.

Luckily it’s not an addiction that is ruining my life.  In all seriousness, however, at any given time I have at least four tins of Altoids within reach.  I keep one tin in my purse at all times, there’s usually a tin on the shelf near my sewing machine, there’s always a tin at my desk at work, and there’s generally a tin in my car too.  Despite the multitude of tins, on average I only have about 3 mints a day.  My love of Altoids, has ruined me for any other mints - nothing else will do when I want a mint.

I’ve managed for the most part to steer clear of the ones covered in dark chocolate.  Those are super yummy but too tempting for me to have around.  I’d probably eat a whole tin of those in two days tops.  They’re also more expensive and I suppose the frugal voice in my head just won’t let me spend that much on mints, despite the fact that the plain Altoids are already more expensive than most mints on my grocery store shelves.  However, I’m a firm believer in that frugality shouldn’t be about deprivation and if my little splurge is a $1.99 tin of mints, so be it.   

I don’t let the Altoid tins go to waste either.  I have several friends that use them in altered art type projects and they get a steady supply from me and we re-use them around the house for a multitude of purposes.  If I could ever find a bulk bin of Altoids, I’d be in heaven… maybe that’s a thought for my local grocers.