Spendthrift Scholar? What I Want to Do in 2010

My blogpal, Mr. Over the Cubicle Wall, suggested this retitling. That's because, in response to his confession of spending about $50.00 on new shoes for his first purchase of 2010, I mentioned that I had recently paid my property taxes, paid the dribs and drabs of college fees not covered by scholarships for my two children, bought a new computer owing to the demise of old one, paid for car insurance, and on and on.

Although I think the term is a bit harsh, I will continue with what I want to do or to get this year.

1. I want to go to Vienna with my mother. This is a trip that will be filled with emotional resonance; in fact, my hands get shaky as I type. I have never been to Vienna, where my mother was born, and from which she miraculously escaped in 1938 with my grandparents. As in many families, this is an area marked by silence and mystery. A Vienna trip was also the last my mother took with my father in spring of 2008. They left a bit early because my mother was (presciently) worried about his health. They planned to return. I'm hoping both my children can go too. Miss Em saw the form I helped my mother fill out over the holidays, which contained a rather bureaucratic apology for National Socialism, and asked for her existence to be notarized so they could send her $1000.00.

I figure this trip will be almost $10,000 if we all go.

2. And, on a lighter note, I want to do a bit of home reconfiguration. This may include a BATHROOM enlargement. Just a little bit. My house has the smallest bathrooms imaginable in a home of its size. Tiny closet size. Both of them.

No idea what that will cost. Maybe $20,000?

I know that various personal finance sites scoff at saving on the little things. They counsel saving on the big things. But I save on the little things so I can be a little--yes--spendthrift on the big things. I also usually overbudget on those big things, so I can be pleasantly surprised when they come out under the anticipated amount.

Catalog Disillusionment: Anthropologie Sweater Update

Miss Em went back to school on Saturday. Today, Mr. FS and I sat with Frugal Son at the airport for a bit before he boarded his flight for France.

I always like people-watching at airports. Today we saw a large group of LSU athletes walk by (swimmers?) in their hideous purple tracksuits (Sorry fans. GO TIGERS!)

Then, in a crowd of people was the very sweater from Anthropologie so coveted by Miss Em. AND IT DID NOT LOOK THAT GREAT. Mr. FS and Frugal Son agreed. In fact, the sweater looked so--well, not that special--that I had to look closely to make sure it was the same one. It was. The wearer was decked out in what looked like full Anthropologie boho-luxe regalia, with a coordinating knit floral skirt. Nonetheless, the sweater looked thin. The embroidery did not stand out.

This reminded me of my own first catalog disappointment, which may be why I seldom order from catalogs or on-line (unless there is free shipping and free--or local--returns). When I was about 8, long before the influx of fancy catalogs in mailboxes, I used to while away many an hour reading the Sears Catalog. I remember reading about chickens and chicken coops and other farm equipment, not exactly relevant to my life in suburbia.

I also remember falling in love with a dress that was styled in a farm theme, in fact. The model was sitting on a haystack and wearing a bandanna. The denouement is no doubt predictable. One Saturday, we took a family trip to Sears, probably so my father could buy a tool. My mother pointed to a hideous dress and said "Do you still want that?" Without the haystack and the bandanna, the dress was drab. I was so disillusioned, kind of a junior version of the end of James Joyce's Araby!

We reported the sweater sighting to Miss Em, but, of course, she has to take our assessment on faith.

Are you usually happy with on-line or catalog purchases or, like me, are you usually disappointed?

Frugality 101: Buy the Next One

I think this was my very first frugal practice. I started doing this when I was in graduate school, living on my $300.00 monthly stipend, of which rent took about half. Yes, this was a long time ago, but it was still miserable. My friend in chemistry got more than twice as much. Then, as now, the humanities were not valued very much.

You can do this no matter how poor you are. When you buy something, always buy the next one if it is a good price. In graduate school, I used to buy an extra pound of dried beans, thinking, at least I won't starve to death.

I was reminded of this the other day. I woke up first and went into the kitchen. I was delighted that Mr. FS had set up the coffee for me, putting coffee into our French press and filling the electric kettle. Then I noticed a big crack in the pot.

Never fear: I had a back up French press, picked up at the thrift store for $2.00. Now I will be on the lookout for another one.

Similarly, Hunts Tomato company seems to have overproduced 28 oz cans of whole tomatoes with basil. These are 2/$1.00 at two of my favorite haunts: Big Lots and Dollar Tree. I bought a bunch, and would have gotten more except that I am overstocked on canned tomatoes. Even if you are a starving student, you can buy an extra can or two of tomatoes. Then your next tomato sauce will be cheaper than otherwise and you can either sigh happily or spend the extra $0.50 on a few mushrooms from the bulk section.

If you persevere in this practice, you will have a full pantry, which will save time and money.

Other good candidates: socks for kids and birthday gifts.

What do you stock up on?

How the Children of the Pathologically Frugal Dress Plus Lemon tree

Yesterday, Miss Em ruminated on her inability to buy an $80.00 sweater. We wonder whether children develop pathological frugality through nature or nurture. We wanted to show you that some carefully selected frugal choices can look quite snazzy. Frugal children need not look like paupers.




Miss Em sports a
1. Terracotta mohair sweater: This was a karmic discovery. Miss Em was already stressing about Anthropologie sweaters when we were in Florida. We accompanied shopaholic grandmother to her hair salon. While she was being beautified, we perused the goods in the thrift shop next door. There we found this hand knit beauty. The elderly volunteers at the shop surrounded Miss Em, with her bloom of youth. They reduced the price of the sweater to from $25.00 to $10.00 on the spot. These were the stylish elderly women of my childhood memories. They were so short! Miss Em towered over them as they brought her things to try on.
2. Lands End Shoes: Ballet flats for $20.00 with free shipping is pretty good.
3. Garnet Hill tights: From their recent sale ($9.00 reduced from $26.00) and now sold out. These are very nice, made in Italy. Miss Em got all three styles.

Frugal Son wears a
1. Leather jacket: As my readers know, Frugal Son has been studying in France. Of course, French students do not wear stretched out tee shirts as US students do. They wear leather jackets and collared shirts. A few weeks ago, Frugal Son mentioned that he wanted a leather jacket. I said that I had just bought one at Goodwill for his perusal for only $6.00! He likes it even though it's a little big.
2. Maroon cashmere sweater. This is either Pringle or Lyle and Scott. I pick up men's cashmere from these esteemed labels when I see them. Mr. FS has owned this for many years; it was borrowed by Frugal Son a few years ago. I don't think he plans to give it back. It was under $3.00.
3. Collared shirt: This is from the new Lands' End Canvas line. It was around $22.00 with free shipping. It has a narrow, Euro cut. Frugal Son is very happy with his new clothes.

In the background is our lemon tree. A few days ago, I mentioned that the tree has been garbed in a blanket in hopes of protecting it from the Arctic weather that is upon us. So this is from those happy, pre-freeze days, when lemon trees wore nothing at all.

And finally, Frugal Son's haircut is courtesy of his talented sister. Someone told him he looked like Lou Reed.

When to Splurge: Anthropologie Sweater

A Mother-Daughter Rumination

Situation: Anthropologie has beautiful sweaters, many over $100. True statement pieces. Miss Em is swooning over a few. They go on sale seldom, if at all. Besides, this is not a good year for sales. Retailers, stung by overstock during the financial meltdown, do not have huge inventories. Next year will probably be a better year for sales.

Mother's View: Well, I am pathological. So my instinct is to say NO. Or rather, my instinct is to say WAIT TILL NEXT YEAR. Buying a pricey sweater now means that you won't be able to take advantage of later opportunities. Also, I know from experience that indulging just leads to more indulging. At least for most people. I also know from experience that ketchup and moths--or the worst, mustard--seek out your newest and most expensive items.

Complicating matters. Shopaholic Grandma offered to buy the sweater in lieu of a $100.00 cash gift. Also, Miss Em has several hundred dollars in her debit account, so she could buy it if she wanted to.

So, we turn the mic over to Miss Em. Miss Em, why have you not purchased the sweater???

Daughter's view:
Let me first point out: the sweater I want is not $100. It is $79.95, reduced from $148. That's a little better. I think.

Did you know brushing your teeth with your non-preferred hand can increase will power? Well, so can rejecting something you really really (REALLY!) want. It gets easier every time. Practice--putting down gorgeous and cheap Talbots merch. Practice--saying no to an Anthropologie sweater you've been lusting over for months that's finally gone on sale. Practice--not taking home a gorgeous $3 Banana Republic skirt at Goodwill because, let's face it, you already have a lot of skirts.

It's hard, especially when I know I can get the Anthro sweater. We save on so many other things!

But the fact remains that I buy a lot. That fact is always ready to confront me in the form of a little purple notebook in which I record of all my clothing purchases. I write down every. little. thing. By month, I tally number of items and total cost. The facts are there, and since starting this little journal, I feel much more able to make level-headed decisions (trust me, the beauty of this Anthro sweater is enough to make anyone woozy). I've only kept it about six months now. I'm hoping that the same way it's shown me how much I've bought over that time, it will show how little I buy over the next six months. Just in time to justify a spectacular Anthropologie sweater!
Bring it on.

Readers, how do you resolve these internal conflicts?


P.S. Here is a picture of the sweater. I didn't think it would EVER go on sale--it's too nice! The day it did, it sold out of almost every size within 24 hours. Sigh.



Is that the essence of beauty, or what?

Frugal Victory: Talbots at Marshalls

This afternoon, I accompanied Miss Em to the doctor so she could have an ear infection looked at. It turned out to be a frugal visit (tongue in cheek here) because, in addition to a killer ear infection, she had tonsillitus. Oh, and then she had two vaccination shots. Oh, and she had a wart burned off her hand. All for one copay. The doctor marveled at her stoicism.

Then, we went across the road to Target to have her prescription filled. While waiting the 20 minutes, we wandered into one of my least favorite stores, Marshalls. There we hit the motherlode of bargains: Talbots merch from last spring for about 80% off! We tried on a few things at ridiculously low prices. We even got on line with two items.

And then, Readers, we put it back. It wasn't the money. Our two items would have come to $24.00. BUT WE DIDN'T NEED IT.

Thank you, Duchesse, for your post this morning.

So, if you are a Talbots addict, you can go to Marshalls, if you dare. There was a ton of stuff. But Miss Em and I came home and drank some of the Mexican hot chocolate we bought (on sale!) at Target. And Miss Em is feeling much better, now that she's taking some medicine.

Any victories in the face of bargain-temptation to report?

Frugality 101: What I'm Wearing and What My Lemon Tree is Wearing

No pics, because I look ridiculous.

It's so cold. This might be expected in Minnesota, but seems totally unfair in the DEEP SOUTH. In truth, we often have cold, damp winters. When we moved into our old house, we heard that the previous owners had just spent a week in a motel because the house was so drafty. So Mr. FS insulated as best he could.

Still, it's a cold house, partly because of our 12 foot ceilings and many windows. Here is my outfit.
Feet: sheepskin-lined fitflops (Found NEW at Goodwill!!).
Bottom: Eileen Fisher long wool skirt. (Also from Goodwill. My daughter says I am NOT allowed to wear long skirts in public. This is working well in private.)
Top: The piece de resistance. Pieces would be more accurate. Regular old tee shirt topped with toasty wool sweater (Brooks Brothers, via Goodwill) topped with great Dale of Norway cardigan (I LOVE these sweaters and figure the Norwegians know about cold winters. Also from Goodwill)topped with a down vest (from Banana Republic, the actual store).

By the way, Frugality 101 involves anticipating your needs. So all the Goodwill items were purchased last summer. There is little competition for the warm and toasty then.

Oh yeah, the tree. The tree is decked out in a mover's blanket, with some kind of light bulb. We picked about a zillion lemons yesterday, which we will share with people when we return to school. Frugal Son made some lemon bars, which he will share with friends.

Another Frugality 101 tip: Be nice to people with lemon trees.

What do you wear when it's cold inside?