I am sure this will shock everyone and leave you wondering if you even know me at all. I am a tight wad. I prefer to call it frugal, but I think it’s a little more severe than that. I try to stretch every dollar as far as I can. I have a projected budget column and an actual budget column on my budget spreadsheet. I check said spreadsheet and update Quicken at least once a week. I enjoy hitting financial goals and beat myself up a little bit if they aren’t hit when I think they should be. I think if I spend money on something that isn’t a NEED (food, housing, utilities, Henry stuff), the next time something breaks unexpectedly or I am otherwise a little short on cash, it’s all my fault and I deserve the consequences.
Which brings me to now.
I was (until Saturday) in severe need of summer clothing. I had a couple pairs of shorts, a couple nice shirt or two and a few t-shirts at varying degrees of worn out. My slippers (aka flip flops) were also looking pretty thrashed (2 years old and a few doggie teeth marks). Saturday I was feeling good about the budget. I’ve been super good the last few months at not wasting money and felt like it was okay to go find me a new pair of slippers and some shirts to supplement my wardrobe. I found all of the above. I even let myself purchase a fancy (expensive-to-me) pair of everyday slippers, which I don’t think I’ve ever really done before. I think I’m pretty much set except I would like a new pair of summer Sunday shoes and maybe another pair of shorts.
I knew I would probably regret spending money. Sure enough, I a little bit regret it.
I spent money on Saturday. On Sunday, our computer died. I’m telling you. I have bad money karma!
I don’t say this to complain about money. Or to woe-is-me. I’m not really complaining at all. There are a lot of people out there that would love their problem of the week to be a broken computer. I am very grateful that that has been our toughest non-trial this week. Naturally, I always feel like we could use a little more money, but who doesn’t? I just think it’s funny. I think it’s funny that me spending money on me almost inevitably leads to something like this. So what do I do about it? Take whatever I spent on myself and put 10x’s that in savings. What else can you do with life besides try your best, plan ahead the best you can, then roll with the punches and find the humor in it all?
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I wrote this last week when I was frustrated with it all and without a computer to post. Now we have a new computer (HOORAY!). I didn't feel like changing all the timing of it, so pretend you read it last Tuesday. Now I can post Easter pictures, finish planning a baby shower, and make my family room a little more clutter free (hopefully) by clearing out the old desktop. Happy Day!
