I Consume Therefore I Am

Money seems to slip through my hands like water these days. I feel like I am incessantly consuming. Buying clothes, eating out, drinking out, spending money on the house...not to mention the bills that are actually legitimate costs to surviving in this world. You know, bills like the water bill, the electric bill, the internet bill, the blockbuster bill.

My dad preaches "save, save, save." And I couldn't agree with him more. But how does one exactly do that when there's so much to acquire and experience. I mean, for example, I try to pick up a pretty cheap hobby like running. Well, to really do running right, you gotta buy the nylon shirts and decent running shoes and socks. By God, don't forget the socks. So, even activities that might seem to be thrifty easily turn into money pits.

I say to myself that I'll go out less. Eat at home more. Bring my lunch to work. The problem with that is that I ENJOY going out. I ENJOY hanging out with my friends and relaxing in the midst of a work day or week. It's a necessary detox. Maybe I should just eat less? Maybe I should just sit and watch them eat? I don't know what the answer is.

I also said to myself that I would not go on vacation this summer. I just bought a house and I have no cash just floating around looking for a home. I promised myself I would be good. Well, it's nearly August and I'm planning a trip to Seattle. And you know what? My parents, the money-savers that they are, are thrilled. My mom actually said (and I quote), "I'm happy that you are going to Seattle." I haven't heard her use the work "I" and the word "happy" in a sentence in quite some time without the two thoughts being broken up with a "wish I were" or "wish you were" or "want you to be" or "would be...if you and your sister didn't worry me so much." Therefore, I consider my trip to Seattle to be a public service (my parents being the "public") rather than just a vacation. Public services are far from frivolous expenses and often can be written off.... :)