iPod Game

This winter, my daughter saved up the money she earned dog walking.  Now she has a cute, annoying, iPod.

I must admit, it can be a useful thing, especially when she’s away from home.  She can text, email, find directions, input reminders, take pictures, listen to music, and even play games.  Games.  Bonus.

What I dislike about iPods – or any portable electronic device – is the amount of time spent on them at inappropriate times, a trend that seems to be increasing.

We’ve made some rules for iPod use in our family – like when we should be talking to or listening to other people, or even doing something like watching a movie together – THE GADGET IS OFF!

I’ve started playing my own iPod game – without an iPod.  It’s called, “What Are They Doing With Their iPod?”

When someone stops dead in her tracks at the grocery store and stares into the palm of her hand, what is she doing?  Checking her grocery list?  Calculating price per gram?

Or when he takes his electronic device up to the salad bar, is he texting his wife to see what he’s allowed to eat?  Looking up calories?  Sending a picture and message to his friend: “food looks good tonight – come on down”?

Or when a couple stands together, embracing, looking at their separate iPhones, are they calling other people or texting sweet nothings to each other?  I don’t know, but either one sounds terribly romantic.

What I find most alarming is how often I can play my game.

The Shopping Cart Dilemma

I approached a woman and offered her a loonie in exchange for her shopping cart.  She took my money, I took her cart.  A few seconds later I noticed the cart didn’t have a loonie in it, so I trailed her.

As she climbed into her truck I said, “This cart doesn’t have a loonie in it.”  I thought she’d say, “I’m sorry, I forgot” and return my money.  Instead, she shrugged, shut the door, and smirked at me through her window.  I stood there for a moment, stunned.  She stole my loonie!  My precious, saved-especially-for-shopping-carts loonie!

I think about this experience often because it makes me leery during other money/cart trades.  I also feel bad that someone compromised her integrity over a loonie.  I mean, if you need a loonie that bad, just ask.  I’ll give you one.

Or will I?

A few weeks ago, someone approached me asking for a cart trade and, to my dismay, I found myself with a handful of dimes.  Now, I know that ten dimes equal a loonie – but that was my precious, saved-especially-for-shopping-carts loonie!

So I had to go to the bank to get another loonie to keep in my cup-holder.

My next grocery trip someone else approached me all bubbly and smiles, holding out four quarters.  I groaned and said, “But then I’ll have to find another loonie.”  Her face fell; I felt like a jerk and handed over my cart.

I wish I didn’t mind doling out loonies.  I wish I didn’t have to fight to acquire and keep my own precious, saved-especially-for-shopping-carts loonie.  I wish other people would get their own loonies.  I wish I could go to the grocery store without facing the shopping cart dilemma:  be sweet or be savvy?

Matrimony and Money

Ah, June, the traditional month for weddings.  I was a June bride myself fourteen years ago.  It was a perfect day - the only hitch being the photo session running a little longer than planned.

When I added up the receipts later, I found that the entire weekend – including my dress for $1000, the 5-day rental for a mini-van, the photographer, the flowers, the rings, and the reception buffet – cost about $4000.  Not bad, I would say.  And it was all planned and executed in four months.  Even better.  And we’re still happily married.  Best of all.

I think it’s safe to say that happy marriages aren’t founded on expensive weddings.  In fact, who would want to start a marriage deep in debt because of a lavish, one-day party?

There are lots of ways to curb wedding expenses.  I made my own veil for $16, as well as the dresses for my two flower girls.  We chose arm bouquets which were far less expensive than the dense round ones that used to be popular.  We asked our groomsmen (my husband’s three brothers) to provide their own black suits.  We had a friend do the music.  We chose free venues for the wedding and the reception.  My mom organized the buffet.

I’m glad we chose to have a simple, affordable wedding.  I won’t pretend it was the most elegant wedding ever, but it was right for us.  We wanted to focus more on the devotion than the decorations, the promises rather than the presents, the commitments instead of the cake.

Maybe in a few years, when we’ve proven that we deserve it, we’ll have a more elaborate party – one that we can invite our children and grandchildren to.  Now that sounds like fun!  Let’s see…what colours should I choose?

Tooth Fairy Economics

The Tooth Fairy is behind again.  At the rate my children are losing their teeth, one can hardly blame her.

Unlike Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny who can plan in advance for one special night, the Tooth Fairy has her schedule sprung upon her by temperamental teeth.  And unlike Santa and his magical elves, the Tooth Fairy works alone.

Every now and then, when a tooth lies unclaimed for a day or two, my children issue a not-so-gentle reminder:  “Mom, is the Tooth Fairy dead?”

I’ve heard that some children get big bucks for their teeth – like five dollar bills or more.  No wonder people complain that raising children is expensive.

One friend admitted that her son received five dollars for his tooth because that was all she had on her at the time.  Oh, the importance of a well-stocked change-jar!  Without elves creeping in to replenish it, the Tooth Fairy needs to make sure she has dimes, quarters, or loonies available at all times.  Pennies reproduce on their own.

The Tooth Fairy in our home knows that little ones who don’t yet understand the value of money would rather have ten sparkly pennies or five shiny dimes to jingle in her purse or pocket rather than a boring five-dollar bill.

Plain and simple, old teeth just aren’t worth much – except for, maybe, those teeny-tiny cute ones, poking through swollen baby gums, white and sharp, appearing amidst tears and cheers.

If lost baby teeth are worthless, why are the contents of the Ziploc bag in my jewelry box growing?  Why is it so hard to throw away those disgusting little things?

I guess no amount the Tooth Fairy settles on will be correct since no one can put an accurate price on what those baby teeth represent:  invaluable memories of precious childhoods, passing entirely too quickly.

Another Man's Treasure

I’m always a little sad when garage sale season ends.  Those signs on neon paper staked at main intersections are evidence that the weather is still warm enough to enjoy being outside.  When the signs and garage doors come down, the hibernation begins.

Fortunately, there are other places to find good deals throughout the year.  Thrift and consignment stores, pawn shops, and online sales like Kijiji keep bargain shoppers (like me) happy year round.

I have saved hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars shopping at these types of stores.  One year I made a list of the things I had purchased second hand.  Then, with the help of friends, I estimated what those items would have cost new.  I found that I had spent less than one-tenth of the retail price.

Why don’t more people shop second hand?  Don’t they like 90% off sales?

Besides saving huge amounts of money, there are other reasons I enjoy shopping second hand:  I feel better about my kids staining a $3 outfit or breaking a $2 toy rather than a $40 one.  If an item looks good after being used previously, chances are it will continue to hold up under wash and wear – unlike some new items.  When I feel like shopping but don’t have the time to invest walking through large malls, a thrift store offers a one-stop shopping experience.  And, I like helping the environment and charities.

Why am I telling you these things?  No, don’t shop second hand.  Go ahead and buy new.  Spend the big bucks.  You’re worth it.

But feel free to donate it later for me to enjoy at 90% off.