What are you cheap weaknesses?

C'mon... we all have them.

For me, it's simple: whenever I walk into Target, I automatically end up browsing the Dollar Spot and end up leaving with something totally pointless (like pocket - sized Sudoku For Dummies... I'm pretty much a master now) or frivolous (ooh - new flats! ) - and all I wanted was some juice and a loaf of bread. Or, when I go to Wal Mart, I automatically get lured into the $5 DVD section. Where else would I find classics like this:



Either way, it's a wallet eater and I should stop!

What are your vices?

Financial New Year Resolution #5: SPLURGE

courtesy of the Boston Globe

Ok, so I am not a total Scrooge about my finances. I do like to go on junkets every once in a while, but not really, because that's still money I need...

Anyway, you can't be in a financial money pinch all the time without treating yourself. Having little treats along the way helps to give a small taste of what you term to be the "good life." I told you guys earlier about my end of the year mini - spree . In addition, I like to have pedicures, buy a book from Barnes and Noble,(which is rare, because I have been known to graze for copious amounts of time) and hit up the Dollar Spot in Target. You can get carried away on $1 anything!

So, no matter what your budget, always leave a little room to splurge. Buy that magazine! Have that sushi! Go see that movie! But there's nothing wrong with looking for the savings. At Barnes and Noble you can obtain the $25/year membership card, which, if you're a frequent customer, pays for itself. Go to your favorite restaurant during the day, when more specials are offered. Or, go see the matinee movie - nothin' wrong with that.

I hope this series has helped to enhance your financial outlook for the year. With that, I hope you take my words and apply them to your daily financial lives and be more mindful of your financial interactions - it's your money, after all!

SPLURGE!

So, with today having been the end of my final exams and with me raking in about $80 from selling my books back, instead of being sensible and investing it or saving it, etc, I decided to treat myself today and gave myself an early Christmas gift- that's right, I splurged. Jealous???

Ok, let me stop.

But I did take a trip to Stamp Your Feet and picked out a FIERCE new pair of boots to last me through winter, and I even got 10% off of them for singing karaoke :-) For dinner, I went to my favorite restaurant, Bento, and had great sushi. It's always awesome there. The 70's soft rock, the mints when you leave...

Anyway, my point is that every once in a while, it's good to splurge on yourself. Whether it be something like a new magazine or a movie out or a great dinner, being broke shouldn't be dreadful. I know I am going to look hot this winter, and that I don't know where I'll find great sushi like that when I graduate, and it feels good to treat yourself every once in a while.

So, what do you do to splurge?