The Dress Debate

Black Tie Attire.

I got one of those invitations! Yipee. It is so rare to be able to get all dressed to the nines and go out. Really, after proms and your own wedding, when do you get to actually shop in the "Dresses" section of Macy's anymore?!

The bummer on this event is that The Hubby is not invited. I have to go solo. The invite comes from an industry friend and since each seat at the table is $1000, no dates allowed. I can understand why. But still....it would have been nice to see The Hubby all dressed up.

Like every girl, as soon as the invite was dropped in my email box and I checked the YES option, I day-dreamed of what the heck to wear. Its a work thing so nothing too sexy. Its balck tie so long is better. Oh, the damn budget!!!!

I went on a search with the following parameters: 1--not black, 2--under $100 including shipping if applicable, and 3--accommodate the girls with a bra. Hey, its an important aspect to shopping with me! Anyways, I found it. The perfect dress. After a coupon, free shipping, and comparison shopping, I picked up a new dress for $73.

Well, it arrived yesterday. And I love it as much as I thought I would. The Hubby is annoyed.

Apparently, we are broke (his words) and I shouldnt be spending money (my own money, by the way!) on a new dress. BUT I do remember he went out last weekend and spent at least $100 on food and beer at the boxing match.

I am so irritated with him right now. Itsokay for him to spend money but not for me. I am so irritated that now I am considering returning the dress and just wearing whatever I can find in the back oft he guest room closet. You know that one where are the old dresses go to hide in my house!

Am I wrong to be this frustarated? Yea, we need to cut back on some expenses but why am I the only one who has to answer for each dollar I spend?

What is my excuse?

The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go. In these simple words, Dr Seuss summed up my weekend.

I will read. I will learn. And I will find a new place to go.

A holiday weekend is normally filled with shopping (oh, the sales!) and hanging out with friends. While the friends are still in the plans for me, I am taking a vacation from shopping. First of all, I dont actually need anything....except potting soil but thats another story. What I need to do is learn. Learn why finances scare the hell out me. Understand the basic language of money. Discover simple things that I can do daily to get me to a better place financially, for myself and my family.

And so, on a trip to Borders, I picked up a book, Make Money, Not Excuses: Wake Up, Take Charge, and Overcome Your Financial Fears Forever by Jean Chatzky.

C.S. Lewis once said "We read to know that we are not alone". And that is exactly what I am learning lately. I am not alone in messy finances. I am not the only late-20s woman who has no clue how to handle rising gas prices when the salary stays the same. And I am definitely not alone in my struggle to maintain a family budget while staying somewhat independent.

I wonder what I will learn this weekend.

The Beginning

It amazes me every 2 weeks how quickly payday comes and goes. Oh, how I loathe the day.

I wake up every other Friday, energized and ready to face the world because I know that a large check has just been deposited in my account. I stop by for the ridiculously expensive 12 oz coffee at the neighborhood trendy place and then drop off The Girl at day care, with her new stylish outfit to show off to the other preschoolers.

And by the end of the day, I am trying to figure out how to $50 stretch at the grocery store to get dinners for the entire week.

Because before payday is over, the paycheck is gone! To the bank for mortgage and car payments. To day care so that The Girl can be taken care of while I work all day every day. To the gas tank so I can transport the family around. And to the cell phone company to keep us connected. And in 2 weeks, all the utilities will need to be paid and day care will need another check too.

Welcome to my world. And now to my blog. For 4 years I have lived in the foggy world of being a newlywed and then a new mom. Since I have finally pulled myself together from all that excitement, I am ready to take on my checkbook. I am terrified. But come along with me for the ride of my life. And maybe, just maybe, we can learn together how to live frugally and end up rich.