One thing my mom always barked in my ear when I was growing up was to never live outside of my means. What's the point in spending money on something you really can't afford? And she's right. It's kind of like living a lie, ya know? And I've done a pretty good job following her advice so far. It's certainly tempting to go credit card crazy and just swipe swipe swipe without having to think about spending real money, but I don't do that. I have one inactive credit card that I'm trying to pay off, and after that's taken care of, I'm DONE.
It's actually pretty easy for me to live within my means because I don't have any money to begin with! My bank account does not have an ounce of wiggle room. The most careless way I've been spending my money recently is on trips to Starbucks. I've ditched my lattes for regular coffee, but I've also been getting the Perfect Oatmeal, which together turns out to be about the same price as a latte. I know I should save that money for metro cards and groceries, but that cup of oats really is damn near perfect, and sipping on a hot cup of coffee in the AM triggers all sorts of happy thoughts in my brain. As you can see, I need it.
Well, a couple months ago Tiffany asked me and Liza and a couple of our other friends if we'd be game to renting a beach house in Southampton for Memorial Day weekend. My initial response was, "Ohh no, I can't afford it!" But then everyone else said they were in, and so...I did too! I haven't been to the Hamptons once in the five and a half years I've lived in New York, and I can't even remember the last time I went on a girls-only trip, so the opportunity really was too good to pass up.
Although, from what I've been hearing, Southampton is a bit more swanky than I had thought. The majority of the crowd will most likely look like this:
You know those parties that Diddy throws where everyone has to where all-white? That's what I'm envisioning. I hope we can still have fun without being in the thick of the "scene." I think we can, but if Diddy invites me to a party, I'll wear whatever the hell he wants!
And the houses look like this. Well, not our house. This is actually the living room from the movie Something's Gotta Give. How beau-TEE-ful. Maybe one day, right?So I've given Tiffany the first half of the deposit and the rest is due next week. Thank the LORD I get paid on Friday! Now, once I actually get to the Hamptons, that's a whole different story. There's a 70 percent chance I will have to stay in every night eating ham sandwiches and drinking box wine, but at least I will be there getting my tan-on with my girlfriends!
Actually, I do have quite a few freelance checks coming in, so whether or not I get those in the next few weeks will really determine my fate for the weekend. Either way, I have to be very careful with my spending or else there will be a lot of crying and whining about not being able to pay rent. Here's to hoping we find a sugar daddy!
So yeah, I'm living it up a little. In 27 days I will no longer be a Hamptons virgin. Woo hoo! Do you ever treat yourself and spend money you don't really have? Please tell me I'm not the only one!
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Sounds like an amazing time you'll have! Sometimes you just have to treat yourself! My worst offenses were at my old workplace, which was a university with lots of food outlets. Snacking and convenience lunches were costly to me. My other kryptonite spending-wise is anything lululemon. When I walk into that store, my willpower fails and I buy $100 hoodies and yoga pants.
ReplyDeleteI do it all the time... I'm really reckless with my spending at times, but I figure no one else is going to treat me to the things that I want so why not?! Within the last week, I've purchased a laptop, digital camera, graduation dress and shoes. Hey, I'm graduating from college. I deserve this treat. On a regular day though, I spend a pretty penny on McDonald's breakfast and/or dinner. That's where the bulk of my monies go... spending money on fast food! Then I don't have the money to splurge on that trip with my girlfriends. I should really stop. Definitely not healthy!
ReplyDeleteI'm all for a little reckless spending. Don't all new yorkers live outside their means? Sometimes that Starbucks run keeps me sane in my busy day!
ReplyDeletehttp://thenylife.blogspot.com/
uhhhm yes, i do treat myself all the time. i have a serious spending problem. hah. it ain't good! and then with the crutches i justify my spending (cabbing because i'm crippled, buying new clothes cuz the crutches make me sad, etc). not good! oh well. i'm hoping i settle down soon, or maybe after i see my credit card bill? EEK!
ReplyDeleteLeave as early as you can to get there. Traffic will start on Thursday heading east and not let up until Sunday, when it heads west. The LIE only goes to Riverhead and Sunrise Highway eventually turns into a two-lane road, and it's summer's "opening weekend," which means it's the first weekend for everyone out in the Hamptons, and that means TRAFFIC. One lane each way, purposely, since people who live there kinda wanna make it a hassle to get out there for city folk and keep development down. It's still beautiful out there. Anyway, the point is, leave as early as you can if you're driving or you might spend most of Friday sitting in traffic in Bridgehampton, staring at the place that sells big lawn statues of dinosaurs and giraffes and horses. Actually, that's one of the more interesting places to get stuck staring at. :-)
ReplyDeleteyou mean like my two week vacay to spain that is rapidly approaching, and i still don't have my actuall ticket TO spain?? I'm a hampton's virgin as well, inspite of the fact that i haven't had a summer go by without at least 1 trip to NYC in several years. hopefully one day i'll lose my hamptons v-card too. until then, there's espana!!
ReplyDeleteellen, you work SO hard and do a great job of stretching every penny, you deserve this weekend. i understand feeling guilty about spending the money you "don't have" but sometimes you need to really treat yourself, and i think you have earned it!!
ReplyDeleteHaha, I have never been to Lulumelon, Kim, even though I see it in NYC all the time. Maybe I should hold off on stepping inside a store until I can actually afford the $100 hoodies...I'm such a sucker for 'em!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on graduation, GAB! Yes, you most certainly do deserve those things :) And yeah, fast food is cheap, but I can see how it adds up. My Starbucks habit is adding up quite a bit, and I think it might be time to nip it in the bud. Or at least TRY to!
So true, Elizabeth! I seriously think a psychological study needs to be done about Starbucks. It is an instant mood booster and I really don't know why.
That stinks you're on crutches, CGG. But I'm glad you have a valid excuse to justify your spending :)
Thanks for the heads up, Scott. We're leaving pretty early Friday am, so hopefully we won't get caught in TOO much traffic. And yikes, it looks like I might be the only one in the group with a NY driver's license. Not.Cool. Let's just pray we make it back in one piece!
Have so much fun in Espana, Nadette! You will looove it!
Why thank you, MA, that's EXACTLY what I needed to hear :)