Money Well Spent

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Check out the above link. You have to admire this guy for bucking the trends and making his own way in the world.

First, I want to thank everyone who responded to last week's blog with comments either here or on Facebook. Your feedback keeps me writing!

Since starting this blog I have been thinking about the value of things a little more. This week I am considering which things I spend money on that I get the most return on. I know I have been guilty of being an emotional spender, using little purchases to make myself feel better when I am down in the dumps. Later, I regret the purchase or even forget about the item that I just had to have at that moment. However, there are some things that really do provide me with great returns on my investment in terms of pure and lasting enjoyment.

One thing well worth the money is my gym membership. Even though I could stay in shape by simply running on the treadmill and doing exercises at home, realistically I need the incentive of a place to go. It is an escape of sorts, devoid of housework and children and pets and workplace anxieties. When I go to the gym now, the experience is no different than it was twenty years ago. Well, perhaps there are a few more aches and pains afterwards. Still, unlike other diversions, I never regret making a trip to the gym. Whether I need the mindless fun of a Zumba class or the get-your-aggressions-out fervor of kickboxing class or just an air-conditioned spot to run without the heat exhaustion, the gym fits the bill.

My Ipod is also something that brings me great return for my investment. Music is one of the few commodities that continues to bring pleasure over many uses. Think about it. Watch a movie once and it blows you away. The next time you may still enjoy it somewhat but it has become predictable, and the experience is diminished. The same goes for books. A song, however, can be enjoyed many times. Sometimes, as the years pass, the song becomes even more enjoyable because it has become embedded with meaning. Perhaps it reminds you of a certain time or event or person in your past. Perhaps it evokes a certain mood. When I want a pick-me-up, some upbeat music can help my mood. If I want to wallow in my woes, a sad song feels just right. Also, I can now forget about carrying a few dog-eared and out-of-date photos of my kids in my wallet. Now I have a wealth of pictures of my kids right at my fingertips. The fact that I can contain all those memories, moods, and emotions in one tiny device that goes everywhere with me still amazes me.

On a side note, I almost bought some shampoo at the grocery store the other day because it was on sale. Then I remembered my commitment from last week and relented. I have been using what I have on hand already and have not even made a dent in the mountain of soaps and shampoos in my cabinet. Also, I have been trying to make use of some of the items in my pantry. This week I made cornbread and chocolate pudding, which my family thoroughly enjoyed and no trip to the grocery store was necessary (well not until we ran out of milk, anyway).

On a final note, if you are going drink processed drinks anyway, why not get them in powder form so all that liquid weight does not have to be transported, and all those bottles and cans do not have to be used? True, they can be recycled, but is it not better if they are not needed at all? Instead of buying a case of bottles of iced tea or a big jug of lemonade at the grocery store or, worse, soft drinks out of the soda machine, you can get a container of powdered drink mix. This works for drinking at home or on the go. You can use a reusable water bottle, measure out the powder, and then add cold water when you are ready to drink it. My favorites are the 4C diet iced tea mix for me and the Country Time pink lemonade for the kids. I already do this sometimes but am going to commit this week to totally avoid buying soda from the machine at work. Not only is it better for the planet but it also will save me a lot of dough. And for everyone reading this, if you must use bottled water or soda, please recycle!