"When I Get A Little Money, I Buy Books..."
I get paid twice a month - on the fifteenth and the thirtieth. In an ideal world, I'd get paid every single day. But, alas, that's not how this whole real world thing works. For some reason, I don't usually remember that I've gotten paid until my husband reminds me.
Money in the bank? Cue a little bit of this:
And a whole lot of this:
I'm crazy excited until I remember...
I mean, what's a girl to do? I want to stick to the budget, but I also want ALL THE BOOKS. And even though I want to be the Budget Queen, I can't stop thinking:
THUS - payday presents were born! Well, actually, it really all started back in college. To make myself get stuff done, I worked on a reward system. If I studied for X amount of time, that meant I got to read/watch TV/lose myself in the Internets for X amount of time. It formed a habit that I still can't break!
The only hitch in the plan is that I've had to modify my system because I clearly can't do the whole break for X amount of time thing in the working world. I can't be wasting time on the job, yo! So, now I have payday presents.
Whenever payday rolls around, I go buy myself a little present. That usually involves a stop at the bookstore on the way home or a visit to the Kindle store while on my lunch break. And that's my pat on the back - my little "go you!" gift. That doesn't mean I don't buy other fun things throughout the month or never go shopping. No way, sillies. Who do you think I am? This girl doesn't have THAT much control. However, these two purchases each month are ones that I always plan on and look forward to with anticipation and delight!
Am I the only one who does payday presents?
Or who is motivated by a reward system?
If not, have I convinced you to join me on the dark side?
P.S. It's also quite rewarding to pretend like Tom Hardy is actually winking at you.
I don't really have a system. I buy what I want when I want it though I am very picky about what I am willing to buy versus rent (from either the libary or my book subscription service). My husband is a hobby musician and he spends his money on new gear so I justify my book money accordingly. Also, I consider books entertainment expense and figure I will go to dinner or drinks one less time this month and that right there is $50 I can spend on reading :)
ReplyDeleteI've definitely gotten pickier about what I will buy! I try to request it from the library if it's a new-to-me author in particular - want to see before I commit! I'm so with you on eating out less if it means more books. Love that!
DeleteHAHA I love this post. I am more of a binge shopper...OOPS. I go to The Book Barn which is our local AMAZING used book store and I spend hours there and buy SO MANY BOOKS but only spend like $30..which I guess is a lot? But when you are getting 10+ books, THAT AIN'T BAD! I might have to start doing this though, because when it comes to NEW books, I have a serious problem. I had $100 to spend from my birthday in December and um..I just spent it this week. I kept ordering and cancelling things because I WANT THEM ALL but I was trying to decide on the books that I NEEDED to have (all of them, I KNOW!!) so this might be a good plan...it will make me feel better when I have to put a book back ;]
ReplyDeleteI can definitely be a binge shopper at times - it all depends on my mood. I can binge shop most often when I get "obsessed" with something. For example, I recently couldn't stop thinking about wanting to own some of my childhood favorites that I'd given away for some reason. That led to major binge book buying!
DeleteLOVE that you kept ordering and canceling. I put stuff in my cart for WEEKS and debate whether or not I want one more book, two fewer books, this reread or that new read.... I could go on!
I tried to have a system but it failed. I was able to followed it as long as I didn't pass by a bookstore... haha
ReplyDeleteHaha! Love it :)
DeleteThis is a great idea! I get paid once a week though, so I could probably do a bit too much damage if I tried it...
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness! If I got paid once a week I'd totally have to break this habit. I'd spend way too much!
DeleteYour habit just reminded me of Poppy from The Jelly Bean Crisis (by the way, you should totally read it, she rewards herself with jelly beans). But alas, I'm not like that. I can never be or maybe I just haven't tried hard enough. I get a book for myself on my birthday for a few years now and it feels awesome because I usually buy awesome books like TFIOS and Just One Day. *winks*
ReplyDeleteI haven't heard of that book, but I'll definitely be looking it up now. I love rewarding myself :)
DeleteThis is actually a briliant idea! Sure, whenever payday comes I immediately feel the need to spend everything. And who am I kidding? I spend a lot, most of it on books or clothes. I really should stop doing this, but I do like the idea of giving myself a present for all the hard work I (*cough* sometimes) do. Definitely giving this a try :)
ReplyDeleteHECK YES! Love that you like this idea - you should totally try it, too!
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