Here is the first time I asked myself the question "How would you like to spend your money?" It is a very interesting question, especially when one has $20 for "frivolity". (New game rules: DH and I each get $20 every pay period for whatever we want: lotto ticket, bottle of premium beer, treating the kids to $.49 cones at McD's, etc).
My best friend had surgery last Thursday to repair a labral tear (?) in her hip. I've been part-time Clara Barton/Florence Nightingale, popping over to help out randomly. Her live in caretaker came into town to help and is leaving today. I was invited to join them for breakfast at Egg Harbor. Been in constant phone and FB contact with bff, listening to her complain about quality (or lack of) care other friend is giving.
Do I spend my $20 on a breakfast out (at a restaurant I like) with marginal company (love bff, not so sure about her other friend). Or do I spend the $20 on the shower curtain I found and fell in love with at Target (which cost $24.99, but I have a Red Debit to save 5% and random change in the piggy bank).
So I skipped breakfast and will be heading over to Target for my shower curtain. The kids' main bath is in need of an overhaul. We hope to do this in August. Biggest expenses will be towels, paint and primer. But I think I am happiest using my funds for the re-do.
Economic choices: How should I spend my money?
June 24th, 2014 at 02:01 pm
June 24th, 2014 at 02:23 pm 1403619813
June 24th, 2014 at 02:38 pm 1403620682
Yeah, I know that my funds probably could have been cross-referenced budget-line wise. I am a relatively low maintenance kind of gal (color my own hair, do my own nails, most clothes come from Goodwill, etc). I struggled with spending my money on an experience that I knew I probably wouldn't really enjoy vs. something tangible to spruce up the home. Honestly, in our new money mode, there isn't a lot of funding for things like home upgrades. And the amount is nominal mostly to do away with small debit card purchases that drive me nuts (the $2.14 coffee at DH's work, etc). And I take no offense at pointing out the amount is commensurate with a youngster. It is just all that we can afford right now.
June 24th, 2014 at 02:44 pm 1403621089
June 24th, 2014 at 03:47 pm 1403624878
June 24th, 2014 at 03:54 pm 1403625277
Oh, I don't feel deprived by any stretch, and like I said, I am pretty low maintenance. We all are as a whole. I just date the dumb little piddly charges of under $4 or so. I do pick up things that I want during larger shopping trips to Target, etc. My spending isn't limited to the $20.
June 24th, 2014 at 05:09 pm 1403629789
If you feel like it's not enough to do anything substantial, what about saving it toward a more expensive tangible goal? Like the luggage that you wanted in a previous post. Not everything you spend money on has to be "worthwhile" if it's money outside the necessities budget - sometimes it's MEANT to be frittered away on something that you just *want.*
If we're too strict with ourselves sometimes you just burst and do something really damaging. Better to just let off a little steam every once in a while ;-)
June 24th, 2014 at 05:18 pm 1403630315
But my question is, did you really get out of Target just spending on the shower curtain? That would be hard for me! I need to go there tonight after my class for a price adjustment, and I'm almost hesitating to go because target has a way of sucking money from me.
June 24th, 2014 at 05:31 pm 1403631098
@ MEC, I am laughing right along with you! I did actually spend cash for the shower curtain, skipped using the debit card for my purchase. And it was the only item. Cash is king when it comes to shopping with a purpose.
June 24th, 2014 at 07:37 pm 1403638635
June 25th, 2014 at 12:00 am 1403654425
June 26th, 2014 at 08:39 pm 1403815155
June 27th, 2014 at 01:41 am 1403833271
July 1st, 2014 at 02:28 am 1404181690