Last year I opened a new credit card account that gave cash back rewards. I used it for everything; gas (which gave loads back due to the price of gas this year), groceries, Christmas shopping, etc. I got the check this week for $288.
With great anticipation, I saw all the toilet paper, bread, cheese, plastic bags, chicken, toothbrushes and toothpaste it could buy. I immediately took it to my favorite buy-it-in-bulk store, Costco, and with wild abandon filled my cart to overflowing. With $100 left over, I found the best food sale in town and bought more cereal, oatmeal, snacks, school supplies and other such frivolities.
This morning I awoke with a clear head and a better perspective. I had passed an i-joy massage chair, a beautiful patio set, a side chair that would have perfectly complemented my living room, lamps, the i-joy massage chair (have to mention that one twice), frivolous art, and all those wonderful items I never get because I am too frugal to buy.
I had free money and I had squandered it on toilet paper and Tide.
With great anticipation, I saw all the toilet paper, bread, cheese, plastic bags, chicken, toothbrushes and toothpaste it could buy. I immediately took it to my favorite buy-it-in-bulk store, Costco, and with wild abandon filled my cart to overflowing. With $100 left over, I found the best food sale in town and bought more cereal, oatmeal, snacks, school supplies and other such frivolities.
This morning I awoke with a clear head and a better perspective. I had passed an i-joy massage chair, a beautiful patio set, a side chair that would have perfectly complemented my living room, lamps, the i-joy massage chair (have to mention that one twice), frivolous art, and all those wonderful items I never get because I am too frugal to buy.
I had free money and I had squandered it on toilet paper and Tide.
No, No, No!
ReplyDeleteCash back is FREE money. Money to hide in those tiny little pockets in the lining of handbags (why else would they exist?) Money to sneak out and spend guiltlessly on things you would never normally indulge in.
There is nothing worse than having Cash back money spent on boring stuff. Like the $10 my husband found in our post last week. $10 Cash back from a floor mop I had bought that was $10 more expensive than the basic one...
He grinned and pocketed it. I am still bitter. Can you tell....?!
Been there. Done that. Always remorseful after. One day, I want someone to stop me before I do that again. However, if I were to actually spend it frivolously, who's to say that I won't have buyer's remorse for being selfish?
ReplyDeleteThis would be me...but if I had spent it on myself, I would be returning it today to buy those groceries anyways. Oh well.
ReplyDeleteI have the solution! Next time, use half for toilet paper and squirrel away half for fun treats- like dates with your kids. . .or your husband! Or you can just tell yourself how FUN toilet paper is everytime you use it. :)
ReplyDeleteYeah-tell yourself how lucky you are you are in America and get to use toilet paper... and FLUSH it.. unlike some countries that use their hands...
ReplyDeleteGross!
You know what I would do? I'd be like, "Well, I get to spend $100 of FREE money on something."
Since you spent the "free" money on necessities, there should be "regular" money left for you to treat yourself to something.
ReplyDeleteJust so you won't feel guilty, make it something small - like jewelry!
I was going to say exactly what June Freakin' Cleaver said. Take the same amount you got for free out of your "regular" money and start over. There! Problem solved!
ReplyDeleteOh that is wrong. That is just wrong wrong wrong! Wrong. Free money. Go back and buy that chair :)
ReplyDeleteIf I didn't recognize myself in this blog, I'd laugh harder. You sound like a mom. Sorry...but you really do.
ReplyDeleteAND it felt soooo good too! Really anything free feels soooo good!
ReplyDelete