Scrimp or Splurge

This idea was taken from Leslie's post. I am gonna be honest, I grew up in a very privileged family, and although we were still frugal in my opinion, I never worried about money. And since money is tight during student/raising kids years, I also have money on my mind a lot. A lot of times I think people are ridiculous in how they spend their money, but I am sure people would look at me and think the same thing. So here goes:

Splurge:
1) I always have parmesan cheese in the fridge, usually I can get the Kroger or Walmart brand, but it is always in there.

2) Lawn product: Our lawn looked like a disaster pit when we moved in. After a whole summer of weeding (yes, the lawn) and transplanting grass after Gary sprayed some weed killer on it that killed a lot of it, we take pride in fertilizing, buying miracle grow. And believe me, miracle grow for your garden and your trees (our front tree grew at least a foot this summer) really works. As far as plants I have been dividing and transplanting plants around as well, and the front bed now looks really good in comparison to last summer.

3) Fun with friends- now this doesn't mean going out to lunch every week, but I don't hesitate to come if it costs (a reasonable amount obviously). I think it okay to buy my visiting teachers lunch every once in while, albeit we have to budget a little differently, but I never want my friends to think I am cheap at their expense. This also includes gifts, which right now is mostly baby gifts, but again, especially for a first child, people deserve something nice and new, which you can usually find on sale too.

4) Trips to see my family- my family covers a lot of these, but we have covered a few especially to see the sisters. I want my kids to know it is important to build relationships with family, even when they live far away, so the effort is worth it. And I always want my family to know they are welcome to come see me. I will make them dinner every night. Now having Shellza move to Japan will be a little tough...

5) Our computer- this one is not mine. As long as it has Internet it would be fine, but unfortunately this is Gary's hobby, so it is updated almost every month with some sort of thing so I would say it is a definite splurge. Definitely high speed Internet, but luckily we can write that off.

6) Toll-way- Gary takes it to school everyday, and I would rather have him home 40 minutes earlier, so we budgeted this in when we moved and we are using it. And it costs a lot.

Scrimp:

1) Phone: Anyone who knows me knows what a psycho phone I have, and why do you ask...it's free. Yes, Gary, computer junkie that he is maneuvered it so that it is free, albeit a little quirky at times, some of my friends can't call me. This is one thing I could live without, or shall I say splurge a little more on, but its Gary pet project, so I can't touch it.

2) Clothes: Luckily I have my mom and L's aunts and grandmas to bail us out on this one. I don't ever buy knew clothes...except for those 2 new shirts from Target 5 months ago. But my mom usually takes me on a shopping spree to fulfill that requirement when I come home. L gets all her clothes from my piano students or the neighbor or grandmas and they are cute so I don't think too much of it.

3) Toys- all L's toys are hand-me-downs or presents. I have never been a toy person, I kinda think little kids don't know the difference between the expensive-must-have toy and measuring cups...I am sure this will change as she asks for things, but I rather save up for activities and educational things (like preschool and soccer).

4) Furniture- most of our furniture is from Gary's aunt who passed away, all hand me down, but I have to say we splurged on our couches (which I saved up 3 years for) and our piano (which I love). So this is kinda half-way.

5) Activities for L- She has never been to gymboree or little gym, we did not hire baby proofers inc. to come baby proof our house. This has definitely been the hardest. I think she doesn't really know the difference between going to a playgroup and those activities, but she will soon enough. We have a little playgroup here of first time moms and they all signed up their kids for a gymboree music class. This has been the hardest. Now I think I could probably teach a better class, but it is still hard to be the one left out. I definitely think we will budget in for gymnastics, soccer, or swimming when that time comes, because L is so athletic. We'll let her pick, then it will be special.

We'll stop it at that otherwise I will start thinking I am doing without everything...but at least not parmesan cheese.