Money Monday: FAILS

 I think because I have been in more of a general funk about WORLD AFFAIRS this week and because I was distracted by impending WORLD AFFAIRS most of the month, my tracking has been… not the best, and I am buying WAY TOO MUCH.

Speaking of buying way too much, I would like to go back in time and un-buy some of this kinetic sand. (Just kidding— I love kinetic sand, and it is way less of a pain than other kiddie crafts).

Cooper demolished the zipper on his North Face coat (which, to be fair, was Very Old (hand-me downs for the win) and can be repaired for future use) which is also leaking feathers, AND it was so cold that school was cancelled. Sooooo, we had to buy him a coat STAT— which was trickier than you might think because most stores are all done selling coats in person, so sizes were hard to come by and Coop is very picky. But also! Most stuff is on sale, so the slim pickings were cheap. He got one for just under thirty dollars (SEVENTY PERCENT OFF ARE YOU KIDDING ME).

Then Cooper’s very favorite Speedo sprung a few teeny holes (too much washing! Too much wearing!). I found it on sale HALF PRICE, so he got 2 new ones for another fifty five dollars (when I am paying for shipping— which I freaking hate to do— I think ordering more is the best idea).

I noticed that Jack went out to shovel the sidewalk in a North Face fleece and I was all you should wear your winter coat, and he was all this is the only coat I have. OOPS. Kids grow, and you need to replaced their stuff, it turns out. Unlike Cooper, who is extremely picky and must try new things on unless he is getting an exact replica of something he already has— and even then it could be a few millimeters off and make him stabby— Jack is happy to order online. NOW is the very best time to buy a coat from Land’s End, so he got a down puffer for fifty bucks.

Speaking of growing!! Minnie Jedd! Is all of the sudden too big for all her clothes— too tall, arms too long, the whole nine yards. (Happened over night. One day she looked darling on her way to school, and the next day, she looked like she got dressed out of the oops-I-peed-my-pants bin in her classroom) This is sad because NO MORE TODDLER CLOTHES— she has to shop the big kids’ sections. But! It was a kick to take her shopping for… everything? She got 3 dresses, a sweatshirt, a pair of wide-legged lavender pull-on jeans, 3 pairs of leggings, 2 henleys, a sweater, and three skirts. Plus some cute tights and a pair of cowboy boots. For one hundred fifty bucks! (Dorothy and Minnie have not lined up well in terms of seasons and sizes, and Dorothy was a little girls 6 for like 3 years, so not much survived that size).

Even though these were good deals, that’s still like three hundred bones. Plus we had to buy Harry a new pair of Dunks ($130) because we literally THREW HIS AWAY when he came home (because they got tossed from his dirty clothes duffel bag into the garage in a Target bag, and we often toss trash into the garage for a kid to take to the can, and we use Target bags as trash can liners. I think a pair of Nike waffles got tossed, too, but they are discontinued? I don’t know— we are on the hook for another pair of sneakers is my takeaway) Also I had to refill my parking pass ($50). And Dorothy’s lunch account ($30). Plus there was a detour to the co-op for Naked Juice for Coop that turned int o a $70 trip and yielded some excellent wine. And! WORLD AFFAIRS made me go buy baskets and candles and pillows at Home Goods ($75).

IT WAS AN EXPENSIVE WEEK is what I am saying. And also I spent money every single day. I also blew my no-spend the week before. Blergh. I like the idea of this challenge, though, so I am going to extend it into next month.

Happy little shopper (in THE BEST reversible $8 coat from Costco— this is the second year we have bought this coat, and I hope they have it in her size next year, too).