kellyjasper.com

Feedback, some by comment, some by e-mail, is evenly split down the middle. I am both a big-fat cheater and reasonable, level-headed spender, it seems we have decided.

Let me amend my last post with this: Since the social experiment began, I’ve become hyper conscious of how I spend money and $40 is all of a sudden a big deal. In three hours I spent as much as I had in a week.

It just so happens that the three things I bought this week were actually all deserving. Other items could have just as easily made the list under the guise of being a “necessity.”

There are always light bulbs, coffee filters and oil changes, or what have you, to buy. My point is, I’ve never scrutinized that spending before. I haven’t challenged the fact that I call each a necessity (in theory, why not light a candle, drink tea, ride a bike).

If I stopped to think about what kind of money went towards those items, I’d probably spend much less on the little luxuries. I’m glad I took the time to think about my need for a lock or stamps or whatever comes up next. The knee-jerk reaction that leads me to buy shoes is very much similar to the inner dialogue that justifies every purchase as a necessity.

We’re taught we deserve nice, new things. I don’t want to buy that anymore.