On Shopping
February 07, 2007
As part of Project: Stay Out of Debt, I rarely go shopping for clothes for myself. Or, let me rephrase: I occasionally go shopping for clothes for myself, I rarely actually buy any thing that I find.
Roger and I have "fun money" built into our monthly budget so that we can buy anything we want without having to first ask the other. Within reason, I mean. If Roger spent $5,000 on a new tv without first discussing it with me, that might be an issue. But if he calls me every time he wants to buy a book? Or a CD? Gah.
Sometimes when I go shopping, nothing fits. Other times, I have good shopping days. Nay, great shopping days. Everything fits! Everything is cute! And on those days, I hate telling Roger how much I spent over my fun money budget. Because then I feel like I'm confessing to a priest, and frankly? I feel a little guilty. (And oddly justified because: clothes that FIT me!)
Today was that day.
"Sweetie!!!!!!"
[When I talk to Roger, I usually begin the conversation with a high-pitched greeting, one that typically omits or alters certain consonants so that it ends up sounding like "Seeeeeeddddddddiiiieeeee!!!!!!" and it always has just that many exclamation points. Sometimes more.]
"I went shopping on my lunch break. I bought a skirt. It was $12.99." [This is my way of easing him into the news.]
"That's great, babe."
[Encouraged by his good nature, I continue.] "Ummmm…I also bought a pair of pants."
"Oh, gosh. I can see where this is going. Just give me the bottom line and tell me everything you bought."
[Giggling.] "Okay. I bought a skirt, and two pairs of pants, and a shirt. And a cookie cutter. But they're all neutral colors and will go great with so many things and will totally be great if I get that new job, or even if I stay in this one! I mean, I don't even own a navy skirt, and the pants are that kind of material that…"
"A cookie cutter!? Why do we need that?"
"Because one day we might have kids who want cookies at Easter-time, and it's shaped like a bunny. For Easter."
"Is that all?"
"I also bought two necklaces. They're soooooo cute! I can't wait for you to see them. One is black and has lots and lots of strands and buckles in the back with a little crocheted button. And the other has different shades of turquoise stones and is in three different layered lengths, and I really think it will look soooo cute with a black tank…"
"Well, I'm glad you have some things that you're excited about wearing and that you feel good about."
"Okay. Me too. Talk to you later!"
I think that went well, don't you?
