Money, Money, Money

It seems like I hear about it everywhere these days: on NPR on the way to school, at our faculty meetings when we discuss our shrinking budgets and frozen salaries, on TV programs and commercials (many of which are geared towards "savvy, smart" shopping these days--have you all noticed that?), even on the glorious walks I share with my dear friend Ashley, who is a financial whiz and an MBA student. It's everywhere. But let me be honest. I can't get enough of it.

I worry that I am sometimes too obsessed with finding ways to save money and then sometimes too casual with how I spend it. For example, Clay and I are trying to go to the grocery only once every two weeks these days, forcing us to either eat in the dining hall or appreciate what we have in the cupboards (which, even when we say we have "nothing to eat," we really do have the potential to make a pretty great meal). But then I go shopping for my friend's birthday present, and before I realize it, I am buying five extra greeting cards just because I like their sentiments. Is that $12 well spent? Probably, but it amazes me sometimes the expenditures that cause me to analyze beyond belief and the costs that don't make me blink twice.

If Clay and I really want to get serious about it, we need to take a closer look at our (meager) investments and make sure we are making responsible long-term decisions now. Suze Orman and everyone else constantly preach using time to our advantage. But others also tell us, "Have fun while you don't have kids! Travel! Enjoy being newly married! Carpe Diem!" Mixed messages that need to be balanced for sure. So while I continue to research budget B&B's (responsible) in Napa Valley (splurge), I take heart in the smaller decisions that we can control on a daily basis:

1.) Coupons. LOVE coupons. LOVE the Chattanooga Entertainment Book that provides Buy One-Get One Free coupons for lots of local eateries.
2.) Sales. Wait until my running shoes are discounted before I buy them--and then buy several pairs. Work the system.
3.) Fight the urge to spend. The number of times I think I "need" to stop and buy something on my way home. If you are similar, get a dog--Camden's sweet face always reminds me I have greater gifts waiting at home.
4.) Share! Don't have an outfit to wear to the costume party? Phone a friend!
5.) Read the magazines at the gym rather than buying them yourself.
6.) Combine errands. Saves gas.

Okay, I know that's not many, but it's all I can think of before track practice. Finances are a tricky subject, and one that is perhaps impossible to "master." But learning more about saving and spending has proven to be a fascinating pasttime for me lately...