There’s a couple here in Mahoosuc Mills who are so cheap, they squeak when they walk. They have everything budgeted right down to the penny. And, get this, they have to account to each other for every, single cent they spend. I’m mean, they buy a pack of Juicy Fruit gum, they get a receipt and fess up. I witnessed this very thing at Cumbies over the weekend. This guy asked for a receipt for his pack of gum! I’m all for havin’ a budget, but you know what? I’m too old for extreme anything.
Even with the tightest of budgets, I believe you each need a little fun money to spend anyway you want without havin’ to justify it to your spouse. We give kids an allowance, and you should have one, too.
‘Cause let’s face it: there are times when that pumpkin latte is the only thing that’ll get you outta your funk. Guys, you want be able to go out for a Bud with the boys or down to the Busy Bee and order that Big Boy Bacon Burger (the one you call “The Other Woman,” because it’s so bad for you, you have to sneak around to have it). And I know it would be hard explain to Charlie why I needed that new Tickle Me Pink nail polish, when I have three other pink nail polishes. But darn, Tickle Me Pink on my toes just perks me up no end.
It sounds like what they call counter intuitive, but having a little fun money actually helps your money situation ‘cause it’s easier to stick with a budget if you’re not feeling’ resentful about it. Let me put it like this: when you were in school, did you ever have a teacher who was so strict and uncompromising that being ‘round them made you want to act out? Now, remember that teacher who was firm, yet fair. For me, that was Mrs. Chapman, my high school English teacher. There was something about her way of goin’ about things, that made me want to step up to the plate. That’s what havin’ some fun money can do for you. A budget is a lot like life: you need a little fun built in or it’s too much like work.
That’s it for now. Catch you on the flip side!
Hear Ida Tell It: Fun Money
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