I purposely left my ATM card behind so I wouldn't be tempted to really "need" something along the way. When I was a working girl, I would think nothing of whipping out plastic and justifying an impulse buy, so the idea of thinking before spending is one I am having to get used to.
It was fun picking up things and pondering their usefulness and deciding if that was how I wanted to spend my money. I had in mind to buy me a new, cheery coffee mug so I weighed each temptation against that.
Other than a $1.99 bottle of glaze from Jo Ann's and a $3.50 piece of praline fudge (definitely worth the price) I held on to my mad money until we reached Pier 1.
We had so much fun hunting out the perfect mug all the while dreaming of new pillows, table settings and centerpieces. I narrowed it down to a yellow and green polka dotted one with a frog on the bottom of the inside that was on clearance and this yellow floral. The yellow won out...Doesn't it look like sunshine in a cup?
All in all in was a perfect day. I couldn't have asked for better weather or more delightful company. Hope your weekend was wonderful, too.
xo. Patty
Good exercise to leave the plastic at home isn't it! I have been teaching myself some of the same. Refreshing in a way too . . .
ReplyDeleteI like your colorful cup . . . A bit of "sunny" is just enough . . .
Good choice! I'd pick that one too!
ReplyDeleteLove your cup of sunshine! Bet your coffee tastes delightful with every sip. Sounds like you had a nice time out.
ReplyDeleteI love your new cup. Having a cheery cup to use just makes the day better, I think. I have a favorite morning time cup (a large "proper" tea cup with saucer) and a favorite afternoon cup (my "garden goddess" mug that is on my blog avatar).
ReplyDeleteDarling cup. I need to leave my ATM card at home more.
ReplyDeleteI'm retired and on a budget too, so it was a lot of fun to go with you on your journey with $20. I love your new cup and how you decorated around it.
ReplyDeleteGretchen
Your cup is very bright and cheery. Taking only $20 with you to Pier 1 was a very good idea. That place is dangerous and should have warning signs;-)
ReplyDeleteblessings, jilly
Smart choice! I have become like you and weigh every purchase! It's a good thing!
ReplyDeleteGreat mug.. so cheerful.
ReplyDeleteI love your attitude!
It inspires me :)
Have a great week!
I hear you Patty! I am in the same boat. Much more conscience of the money spent than every before. SOunds like a perfect day, and I love the cup!!
ReplyDeleteI am not retired, yet! So I need to practice leaving the plastic at home if I ever want to retire. Your post is a good reminder for me!
ReplyDeleteI love the mug you choose. It really is a happy cup for it has color. I am on such a color kick lately.
Here to a great week and more color in our lives!
WOW! I soooooo relate to this post. Measured spending...yes, I've had to acclimate to that exact same thing. It makes me realize just how MUCH I wasted my money on before. And I find it a little depressing not to be able to use my drug of choice (money and shopping) as I used to! And the coffee mug...well, that makes me smile. Have you ever read the author, Alexandra Stoddard? She has written some wonderful books about bringing joy into one's life. She wrote in one book that every woman should have a very special, beautiful coffee mug to drink from and make each cup of tea or coffee a celebration of life. So your sunshine in a cup is ohhhhhh sooooo perfect! I read that book years ago, bought two beautiful mugs (alike) and celebrated my joy and life for many years with them. They were eventually broken by others with whom I shared my joy. I never replaced them. Maybe I need to start a new hunt for the replacement. Wanna come help me? Have a great day! Thanks for the smile and memory!!! Annette
ReplyDeleteYour cup is just perfect and think of the memories tied to it. :0)
ReplyDeleteMe too, Patty, me too! It also makes us slow down, simplify and savor life more.
ReplyDeleteI'd call it a blessing.
Your new cup is delightful!
Yes I thought it looked like a 'happy' mug as soon as I saw it. Guaranteed to raise your spirits as you raise your cup!! Joan
ReplyDeleteLove your new cup - that's such a great idea to only take a $20, I usually take several $20s and it is so much easier to buy anything I see (but don't need!).
ReplyDeleteRetirement does put it all in a new light. I was thrifty before but now I am really cheap too. Love the mug.
ReplyDeleteA cheery choice for sure
ReplyDeleteI love it..your sunshine in a cup. I retired in November and I find that I am not nearly as liable to make an impulse purchase as I did when I was working. I always figured I'd just pick up extra days at the hospital if I needed to....it is kind of weird...but good. I find that I am also weeding out that which I DON'T want to have around...trying to pare down some of the stuff.
ReplyDeleteHave a great night- xo Diana
Your cup is so cheery! I love the pennant tied on the caddy! Sometimes when you really have to watch your spending, you appreciate things more! I need to mosey on down to Pier I myself!
ReplyDeleteLove the mug...and the word retirement! One day....
ReplyDeleteWhat a great choice! Sometimes it is better to have limited funds, purchases become so much more considered and treasured! Love those bright happy colours, that bunting caught my eye too, not to mention the roses! Very pretty! I am new so looking forward to checking out your past posts! X
ReplyDeleteThat yellow box with the red checked ribbon and the roses looks like it belongs in my house. I might just have to copy your idea.
ReplyDelete