Just a Little More

The mentality of spending "just a little more" on a purchase has quickly diminished my funds. After a class discussion on the topic last week, I took a moment to reflect on my own behaviors. I regret to admit, I've been guilty of this mentality. Examples of my "just a little more" mentality are endless, but I'd like to share my most expensive one.

MY NEW CAR!

In December I had my first experience of purchasing a new (to me) car from a selection. My past two cars were purchased with no selection because I came across good deals. In the process I was bombarded by pushy sales people who all wanted my hard-earned cash. I had set a strict budget for myself. I made promises to myself to not exceed my limit. I was feeling pretty headstrong about my decision until I came across the car of my dreams.

Never in a million years did I think I would be able to own such a beautiful car while in college. I felt all my willpower disappear as I looked at the price tag--$600 over budget. Suddenly all the excuses and justifications started rolling through my mind.

• A year from now, the extra money spent will be worth it.
• I'm already spending a lot, a few extra hundred will be fine. 
• The car is worth the extra cash.
• But the seats are HEATED!

I knew the moment I was handed the keys for a test drive that my purchase was going to come in over budget. The car had to be mine. Every mile I drove, I fell deeper and deeper in love. By the time I got back to the dealership it was clear the car was sold.

I don't regret my purchase. I think that if the experience taught me anything it would be that    I'm doomed when it comes time to purchase a home. 

Image Credit: http://www.admiralmotors.com/chicago/2002_Volkswagen_Passat_GLX_01_11349cdf563c9c1338318eb2c09a51bb.jpg

Inconspicuous Haircut

The other day I changed one of my regular inconspicuous consumptions for a cheaper version and the outcome was very pleasant.

I was in desperate need of a haircut. So, in my regular pattern, I texted my Aveda trained hair stylist. To my horror, her response informed me that she had moved. I went into an immediate panic. I've always been very particular about who cuts my hair and in recent years I have developed a strict criteria:

• Aveda trained
• Talks to me before touching or cutting my hair

This criteria has seems to always result in a steep price. I've been able to  justify the price tag by telling myself, "your hair is something you wear everyday."

I cringed at the idea of finding someone new to cut my hair. That takes both time and money and with both resources low, I needed a more viable solution to my problem. I decided to take my friend's advise and go to Great Clips. It took me some major mental prep to sit down in the strangers chair, but to my surprise, it had a decent outcome.

My inconspicuous consumption of my non-Aveda haircut has made me realize that the quality of the haircut is not always directly related to the price. I saved money and no one notices that my hair cut was not performed by an Aveda stylist.

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More For Less

The other day while I waited in the 5 o'clock dinner rush line at Taco Bell I carefully looked over the menu to determine what I would have for dinner. As I stood in line examing the menu I pulled my lousy $5 bill out of my pocket, my dinner needed to fall within this budget. The abundance of items on the Taco Bell menu always seems to overwhelm me.

As the workers tackled the line, my turn was approaching quickly and I still had no idea what I was going to order. Just when only two customers remained in front of me I decided what my dinner was going to consist of:

• cheesey gordita crunch ($2.69)
• crunchy taco ($1.09) 
• medium soda ($1.69) 
• for a grand total of $5.47...SHOOT!

It was just about my turn when the big $5 box sign caught my attention. I read the detail that listed what the box contained: a cheesy gordita crunch, a crunchy taco, a medium soda, AND a supreme burrito.

A double take confirmed that this $5 box contained all the items I wanted plus a supreme burrito for a lower price. So in an attempt to get all that I wanted for dinner within my $5 budget I ordered the $5 box. The $5 box proved to provide more food for a lower cost than 3 of the 4 items seperate.

The look on my boyfriend's face when I presented the supreme burrito to him was the best part. Little did he know that my "thoughtful" gesture of picking him up a snack was the result of saving $0.47 to get my dinner of choice.

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