psychological issues
I don’t know how much damage I did over the weekend, but I’m about to find out. You’d think that with heat indexes hovering around 100, I wouldn’t go anywhere to shop for anything. I started out pretty well - on Friday, all I did was buy lunch (because I forgot it at home) and pick up a prescription (I bought the medicine now, while I still have insurance and can get away with just paying the co-pay amount.). The next day, I stayed at home and cleaned my house. It took all day, because I had to keep stopping in order to rest and drink water (we don’t have an air conditioner), and I’m still not quite finished. So, on Saturday I didn’t spend any money at all.
Sunday was the day I got in trouble. Now, let me preface this by saying that I already intended to pick up some clothes/shoes for my trip to New Orleans next month. I know that you don’t need new clothes for travel - but I want them. This is an important vacation for me - I haven’t taken a vacation as an adult. Ever. Going to Florida for a weekend to see my sorority sister get married does not count. Neither does hitching a ride to a sorority conference with fifty dollars in my pocket that was supposed to last a week. Each time, my actions were determined at the whim of other people - that is not a vacation. But this time, I am going on my own dime and the trip is already paid for. The concert tickets are paid for. And I have money saved for spending on the trip already. I get to do what I want when I want, this time. I want to enjoy every aspect of this, my first and only vacation as a single woman. I deserve it - I’ve got no credit card debt and I’m 75% of the way towards having my house down payment - I’ve been good. I have no idea when my next vacation will be so I’m treating myself - new clothes, eating out, souvenirs for friends - the whole bit, not that scraping by I’ve done every other time I’ve ventured away from home. (Can you tell I’m trying to convince myself just as much as I’m defending my actions to you?)
That’s why, when I went to the Odunde festival on Sunday, I bought two irresistible wrap skirts, a pair of earrings, and a necklace for a grand total of $65. That’s not a big deal, per se, but $50 came out of my New Orleans spending account, and I’m wondering if I can replenish it so I’ll have more to spend there next month. The other $15 for jewelry, plus the prescription amount, $35, came out of my general spending account. I still haven’t bought groceries yet. And I only have a 1/4 tank of gas because I never did fill back up when I came home from last week’s roadtrip to my folks’ house. This week’s allowance was $160. I think I’ll make it until payday, but I was hoping to keep most of the money in the account so that I’ll have a jump on next week’s expenses.
I’m really just tripping. I can afford this spending. I’m just not used to it. I’m so used to being tight with my money that it feels like every little penny I spend will break me. I keep forgetting I have safety nets - an emergency fund, unemployment insurance, my My Own Home fund. It’s because I’m used to playing it safe, hedging bets, talking myself out of buying stuff. I have totally indoctrinated myself into frugality, and all this spending just makes me nervous. I thought I was supposed to enjoy the experience of affording and taking a vacation?
Greetings
I’ve been checking your blog for a few months now and enjoy your posts.
I used to work Essence as an artist so get ready, get ready, get ready(TD Jakes?).
1-Make sure you have comfortable shoes. If you’re not moving around the city in the day you will be spending time at the seminars and the vendors/artists booths.
2-You may see a few vendors that you saw at Odunde, but not very many. There will be lots of fine art and wearable art(hand-painted, etc.)and fabulous jewelry if you like cultural wear. You will get some moderate prices, but a lot will be high end and did I say fabulous.
3-At the concerts the fashion emphasis is on the sistahs who have as little fabric as possible if you get my drift. LOL! But you still want to look your best for you.
All in all you will have a great time and remember you can get sleep when you get home.
peace
Thanks for coming through and for the advice - I know comfortable shoes are a must! I can’t wait to find them.
Comment by DynamicWealthyDiva — June 9, 2008 @ 10:55 am
Wow, I had a similar situation this weekend with clothing. We are going out east for 10 days and I have 2 pairs of shorts. So I needed to buy some clothes. I absolutely hate buying new clothes because as soon as you wash them, the newness goes out. I attempted to look at the local resale shops but no luck. So I found some shorts at an outlet. I found a lovely outfit, took it to the register and said, “I changed my mind on these items”. This is the first for me doing that. I felt guilty at first but I really did need the clothes.
That guilt is something, man! It took me reading your comment to remember that I need new clothes too, and the clothes I buy for my trip can and will be worn for years to come - thanks!
Comment by Kellie — June 9, 2008 @ 12:49 pm
You’re greek? Which org.? You can send me an e-mail if you don’t want to put your business out there…let me know I have been checkin’ a soror’s blog and didn’t even know.
Well you’re just going to have to guess which one - I’ll give you a hint. The genuine, cute, smart, positive achievers tend to become my sorors.
Comment by BEN — June 9, 2008 @ 4:24 pm
I went to Odunde over the weekend as well, but the weather was so hot, I couldn’t even enjoy looking at all of the nice things the vendors had…I guess that saved me money though.
Another suggestion for the Essence fest: make sure your hair style can withstand the humidity of N.O. I was sorely disappointed that my hairstyle didnt last in that heat when I attended a few years ago.
Enjoy your vacay!
My hair looked good at Odunde, so I figure it’ll look good in Nawlins, too. One of the good things about doing my own hair (besides it costing much less than professional styling) is knowing how to work it (or recover), regardless of the weather.
Comment by Small Budget, Big Style Chick — June 9, 2008 @ 4:29 pm
I couldn’t even hate on the spending, even if you deserved it, because those skirts are CUTE. And you will definitely use them for many years, so remind yourself of CPW and how awesome it is you got to break them in on your first vacation. Very cool vacay, btw. I know you’ll have a blast, hope you post some pictures!
Hmm… pictures - that’s a good idea. I should put this camera I’ve got to use!
Comment by Msminiducky — June 9, 2008 @ 11:38 pm
Ha. It could have gone either way until you said “positive achievers” and then I thought, “Ha, she’s gotta be a soror.” So, do you were nine pearls?
Comment by BEN — June 10, 2008 @ 1:48 am
The heat kept me from Odunde this year
Comment by K. — June 10, 2008 @ 12:20 pm