About Me

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Recent retiree--35 year's experience teaching reading, English, adult basic education and volunteer leadership skills. Started this blog to exchange ideas and commentary with friends and others having an interest in joining the discussions. Greatest life accomplishments include: 1.organized my 3rd grade class to check out library books for me to get around librarian's weekly limit--Amazon.com, the Mullins Elementary 3rd Grade Class of 1956 is still waiting for "thank you" notes; 2. volunteered in the Peace Corps, island of St. Kitts, West Indies; 3.taught adults to read, earn their GEDs., and speak English as a second language; 4. bought a border collie puppy for $6, got evicted rather than give him up, and began a life-long love affair with all things "Dog"; 5. joined a physical fitness boot camp in my mid-50s--don't mess with someone who's been doing regulation pushups in wet grass at 5:30 a.m.; 6. walked across Northern England with best friend Sally--over 80 miles from the Irish to North Seas; and 7. travelled to many foreign countries for pleasure and work.

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Fun Monday - Splurge vs Steal

A hearty welcome to our new hosts for March Fun Mondays, the Georgia Girls of In Good Company .

Their assignment for the 7th is for us to identify five things that we're willing to spend hard earned cash on and five things we'd rather steal or that we certainly regret spending money on.

It's safe to say that what we're willing to spend money on are the things in life that we value, both large and small. Here's my list:

Splurges

1. Books - I like knowing that the dog doesn't even feel the need to get up and bark when the UPS guy makes his several trips per week with boxes from Amazon.

2. Self Care - regular dental visits and work done to keep my teeth in good shape (no "wooden" teeth here); regular eye exams and top of the line cool eyeglasses; pilates classes; professional haircuts and color.

3. Travel - annual trips to other countries with really good tour companies so I'll feel safe traveling alone. Just booked a trip to Sweden, Norway, and Denmark in August.

4. Pet Care - regular medical care for my old senior citizen Willie.

5. Care Giving Support - I don't do this, but I'd like to be able to afford paying for some help for my older sister's housekeeping so I don't have to worry about running two households.

Steals

1. McMansions - I'm quite satisfied with my modest, minimally furnished and gadget free home.

2. Car - the fewer bells and whistles the better--I'm happy with my little breadbox Scion xB.

3. Eating Out - much prefer cooking at home except for the chance to combine a friend's dinner out and some entertainment like a play.

4. Clothes - just a few black outfits and I'm happy.

5. Taxes - well we all feel that we pay too much. I always remember another single friend who was bewildered at her annual tax bill. She just didn't feel that she used that many governmental services and almost never needed for the police to come out on Saturday night and settle her down! :-)

So, Georgia Girls that's my splurge vs steal list. Something tells me it's going to be about the same as everyone else's!

12 comments:

Molly said...

Hi Faye,
Reading these lists, I am tempted to go back and revise mine. (I wont't but, I do mention copying the work of others.)

Your Splurge list does not surprise me as you have written about your love of books, travel and your dogs. I like that you are able to identify what is important and that you live that way.

Sayre said...

I think we'll have some commonalities as we all seem to have similar values - but so far I've seen plenty of different items on people's lists. Trying not to be swayed as I haven't done mine yet. Life has been a bit crazy lately and I haven't had time to think, much less write. It begins calming down today - wedding is over and the first Korean guest departs this afternoon.

Jill said...

We definitely tried to build the smallest house we could but still allow for family growth, knowing that eventually, it would empty out again. Hopefully we did a good job. We'll see in August how small it feels with 2 kiddos!

Jan n Jer said...

I love both of your list Faye...you have a way of keeping things simple. Your priorities are straight! Your trip in Aug sounds wonderful!!!
Just a note...Jer n I are still trying to make it downsouth!! We both came down with a bug/virus and it has delayed our trip by a week to 10days! It has been a very interesting n challenging winter this year. Thanks for your kind comments!

Good Company said...

I love that your dog has a relationship with the mailman :)Your lists represent a very happy centered person. There was a time when I envied people and their travels, but love just being home. I do want to plant a trip to Italy, tho -- I'll have to consult with you. Buying clothes is a chore -- rather have a few spectacular pieces than a closet full with nothing to wear. LOL about the taxes. We did have a cop crouching out our front door once--with his gun drawn.

joanygee said...

Similar priorities, that's good to know, a love of literature, travel and of course your canine companion.

Deborah Carr (Debs) said...

Definitely books, chocolate, wine and shoes, but I hate having to spend money on taxes, and, well, taxes mainly.

Anna May said...

Boots and red wine are my splurges, and funny enough it's recently been red boots.
And boo to taxes!

Anna May x

Living Life said...

Great lists Faye! And you certainly have your priorities in line. I am with you on the car thing. I was never a "car enthusiast". Just as long as a I have something that will get me from point A to point B, Im happy. But, I can't agree with you on the clothing. I'm afraid I may have a clothing addiction! lol

кєяo said...

Taxes? Good thinking.

кєяo said...

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-Kero
http://kerosbookblog.blogspot.com/

Anne Laurie said...

Hi, Faye -
I love your lists. I often think that we have much in common - the purposely modest house and car, the companionship of a good-natured dog, and little interest in accumulating an extensive wardrobe. Oh, yes, and the books, although I'm mostly using Amazon to appropriate free e-books (on Kindle-for-PC)
Hope to catch up with Fun Monday next time around.