to begin cooking my order. (I think they're starting to like me.)

One day I decided to order a breakfast burrito instead. Sandra was surprised. She smiled and commented on its grande size.

What I didn't realize was the cook began making two fish tacos for me when he saw me come in. He was unaware I ordered the burrito instead.

When I got my breakfast burrito, Sandra explained what had happened. Immediately I felt respons

My internal instinct says: If you don't have money coming in—don't go splurging. Sounds rudimentary... wouldn't you agree? Well many of us independent business owners and freelancers have experienced what I call going on frugal phase. You live on the cheap. (If you've never been there, I applaude you.)

A trip to Blockbusters becomes more attractive than the theater. A vacation at a local bed and breakfast seems more appealing than a romantic stroll through the Champs ?lys?es with your lover. And you order the two-topping pizza special instead of the Triple Cheese Extra Meat Lovers Combo Delight with extra thick crust. But hold the garlic bread since you're cutting back on carbs.

Know of anyone who's been down this road?

One of the places I've eaten at when I find myself in this phase is Cotija's Mexican Grill. For 99-cents you can order a fish taco. They make them fast, fresh and filling. It's tasty and wipes out the low-fuel warning from my stomach.

When placing my order I strike up small talk with some of the gals who work behind the counter. They speak just enough English to get by. They work very hard and often receive little appreciation.

I began going in the mornings and Sandra would always be up for a conversation. She's a single mother of two looking to improve her financial situation. I looked forward to seeing her and the cook. Together they are a very cohesive team.

Whenever I sauntered through the doors she knew what I wanted to order: two fish tacos. And so did the cook. Did they possess ESP? No, but I think they were on to me.

When I'd walk in and Sandra had momentarily left the counter, the cook would take my order. He'd make a signal with two fingers and I nodded. That was the okay to begin cooking my order. (I think they're starting to like me.)

One day I decided to order a breakfast burrito instead. Sandra was surprised. She smiled and commented on its grande size.

What I didn't realize was the cook began making two fish tacos for me when he saw me come in. He was unaware I ordered the burrito instead.

When I got my breakfast burrito, Sandra explained what had happened. Immediately I felt responsi

romantic stroll through the Champs ?lys?es with your lover. And you order the two-topping pizza special instead of the Triple Cheese Extra Meat Lovers Combo Delight with extra thick crust. But hold the garlic bread since you're cutting back on carbs.

Know of anyone who's been down this road?

One of the places I've eaten at when I find myself in this phase is Cotija's Mexican Grill. For 99-cents you can order a fish taco. They make them fast, fresh and filling. It's tasty and wipes out the low-fuel warning from my stomach.

When placing my order I strike up small talk with some of the gals who work behind the counter. They speak just enough English to get by. They work very hard and often receive little appreciation.

I began going in the mornings and Sandra would always be up for a conversation. She's a single mother of two looking to improve her financial situation. I looked forward to seeing her and the cook. Together they are a very cohesive team.

Whenever I sauntered through the doors she knew what I wanted to order: two fish tacos. And so did the cook. Did they possess ESP? No, but I think they were on to me.

When I'd walk in and Sandra had momentarily left the counter, the cook would take my order. He'd make a signal with two fingers and I nodded. That was the okay to begin cooking my order. (I think they're starting to like me.)

One day I decided to order a breakfast burrito instead. Sandra was surprised. She smiled and commented on its grande size.

What I didn't realize was the cook began making two fish tacos for me when he saw me come in. He was unaware I ordered the burrito instead.

When I got my breakfast burrito, Sandra explained what had happened. Immediately I felt respons

make them fast, fresh and filling. It's tasty and wipes out the low-fuel warning from my stomach.

When placing my order I strike up small talk with some of the gals who work behind the counter. They speak just enough English to get by. They work very hard and often receive little appreciation.

I began going in the mornings and Sandra would always be up for a conversation. She's a single mother of two looking to improve her financial situation. I looked forward to seeing her and the cook. Together they are a very cohesive team.

Whenever I sauntered through the doors she knew what I wanted to order: two fish tacos. And so did the cook. Did they possess ESP? No, but I think they were on to me.

When I'd walk in and Sandra had momentarily left the counter, the cook would take my order. He'd make a signal with two fingers and I nodded. That was the okay to begin cooking my order. (I think they're starting to like me.)

One day I decided to order a breakfast burrito instead. Sandra was surprised. She smiled and commented on its grande size.

What I didn't realize was the cook began making two fish tacos for me when he saw me come in. He was unaware I ordered the burrito instead.

When I got my breakfast burrito, Sandra explained what had happened. Immediately I felt respons

ancial situation. I looked forward to seeing her and the cook. Together they are a very cohesive team.

Whenever I sauntered through the doors she knew what I wanted to order: two fish tacos. And so did the cook. Did they possess ESP? No, but I think they were on to me.

When I'd walk in and Sandra had momentarily left the counter, the cook would take my order. He'd make a signal with two fingers and I nodded. That was the okay to begin cooking my order. (I think they're starting to like me.)

One day I decided to order a breakfast burrito instead. Sandra was surprised. She smiled and commented on its grande size.

What I didn't realize was the cook began making two fish tacos for me when he saw me come in. He was unaware I ordered the burrito instead.

When I got my breakfast burrito, Sandra explained what had happened. Immediately I felt respons

to begin cooking my order. (I think they're starting to like me.)

One day I decided to order a breakfast burrito instead. Sandra was surprised. She smiled and commented on its grande size.

What I didn't realize was the cook began making two fish tacos for me when he saw me come in. He was unaware I ordered the burrito instead.

When I got my breakfast burrito, Sandra explained what had happened. Immediately I felt responsible and offered to pay for the fish tacos also. But that's when they surprised me. They gave me the fish tacos on the house.

I felt like Tony Soprano...

They were under no obligation to give me the mistaken order. I was willing to pay for the misunderstanding. They could have kept silent about it—but didn't. (Maybe they do like me.)

At this point I hope you're asking these three burning questions:

Do you think I might return to Cotija's?

Do you think I'll try the other items on their menu?

And most important of all:

Do you think I might recommend them to people I know?

For the price of two fish tacos, they get plenty of word-of-mouth advertisement. Because one happy customer can't help but spread the word on a good thing. And isn't this the kind of low-cost leverage you're looking for in your business?