That moment when the clouds are fierce, haughty and ashen overhead. There's a chill in the air. It seems that the cold grey heaviness will linger for eternity. Suddenly the sun tears a ravine through the center of the dark pillowy monsters and a brilliant warm ray shoots from the sky and graces the earth with its heavenlyness. You hear the angels chorus and a smile embraces your entire being.
We just received a $150 visa gift card in the mail. It was promised to us when we switched our phone/ internet/ cable service over. But we'd apparently waited to long to retrieve it. I'm sorry but should their truly be an expiration date on a gift? We were supposed to go to a website and mark that "yes" we want the gift you promised us. How stupid. BUT, lalalalala they waived the date when we called and complained about the fine print and it's actually here now.
You have no idea how much I would like to purchase a few new blinds for our home with this money. Ours are brittle, ancient, and with an almost two year old in the house they're crumbling to bits every time he attempts to push them away from the window so he may watch the neighbor boy play basketball. I don't even celebrate Halloween but our blinds make it look like we live in a spook house. I'd also like to purchase some new articles of clothing. My wardrobe is becoming a funny joke. I would also like to buy my son some toys (believe me he does not need them). I would also like to... Oh how the list goes on. But guess what we've decided to do with our $150? Gas and groceries. Yep. We, collectively have decided to be responsible and catch up a little on the bills and bank account and just use this "gift" for normal everyday spending.
This is a silly thing to be rejoicing about but I feel no need to include this $150 in our $12 a day which means... wait for it... my $12 a day goal for October is COMPLETE!!! I did it. I got through October on $11.70 a day. HAPPY... happy, happy, happy dance!
Okay, so I'm not going to claim a no spend day when I've used this gift card to purchase stuff. That's still spending. BUT it's not spending from my $12 a day budget.
Ahhh
Whoo hoo! That is an "Ahhh" moment. That is the thing I love about your blog. Sure there are times when you moan and groan like the rest of us, but hey we're allowed in my opinion. This paying off debt stuff sucks! But you also appreciate the little things like the cushion to the budget that this gift card affords you. Thanks for sharing both the ugh and ah moments with us!
ReplyDeleteWe recently got a refund from a doctor's office to the tune of $120. Apparently insurance paid the whole bill or something so the portion we paid out of pocket was refunded to us. When I saw the check I had visions of what I could spend it on too. Not things we NEED so much but things I want and have gone without for too long. But I came to my senses and put it the money in the bank for a rainy day. Good thing too because that rainy day came two days later when the dog cut his paw and had to go to the vet to the tune of $118. Ugh but at least I had the cash for it. And with the $2 remaining I treated myself to a diet coke. Sometime's it's the little things :-).
WOW, how great that you had $120 come in just before a $118 expense. That's just really neat. As for the $2 treat, I'll be giggling about that for awhile.
DeleteSo happy for you! Clothes and blinds would have been nice but congrats on the collective decision.
ReplyDeleteBarbara
Thank-you : )
DeleteI've already been planning on buying one set of blinds anytime we have a little extra and clothes can always wait (until I've literally worn through all of mine)
That will give you some breathing room. Regarding your blinds, make sure that the cords are tucked up so your son can't reach them. They can be very dangerous.
ReplyDeleteFor sure. A friend of mine had a three year old end up in the ER from the cord on her blinds. VERY scary!
DeleteWow, that is SO awesome about the gift card! Especially happy that you guys decided how to spend it as a team, really awesome!
ReplyDelete