Today I was grocery shopping, pinching pennies, counting the monetary value of items in my basket, going over my list and deciding which items I can do without this week in order to stay within my tight budget, when I walked by Regina Something-Or-Other. Regina and I graduated in the same high school class (class of 1995 *gasp*). I didn't really like her. She was somewhat snobby, clearly from a family that had money, and couldn't be bothered with classmates who didn't fit into her social and scholarly clique (the one with all of the wealthy honors students, the privileged few who could concentrate on their school work because they didn't have to work after school instead of concentrating on homework). However, in her defense, she wasn't ever awful either. She was just, well…snobby blah.
Neither of us acknowledged that we recognized the other, even when we ran into each other for the second time in the parking lot. Our cars were parked next to each other, and apparently we departed at the same time (what are the friggin' odds?).
Her car- A brand new black Volkswagen Jetta.
My car- A 1997 two door Toyota Tercel with a garbage bag on the driver's seat to catch the rain seeping through the leaky moon-roof (I've never had enough spare change to have it repaired). My car was sold long before keyless entry was standard (I have to use the KEY) and in order to get the window up or down one must use his or her arm muscles, not simply utilize a wussy finger push.
I was immediately embarrassed, and at the same time I was pissed off that I was embarrassed. Why the hell should I care about status? I'm happy damn it! I'm in love, I have a roof over my head, and overall I'm a very lucky human being. However, her shiny fancy car made me overly aware of the fact that I'm still pinching pennies. Financial woes have been at the forefront as of late, and it's a touchy subject.
My reaction to Regina's car, and my (completely ridiculous and ludicrous) fear of what she'd think of me (which is totally irrelevant to anything) made me decide that I need to make several vows to myself.
If and when I ever have an income which is sufficient to be comfortable and I have money to spare (which is different than being wealthy, but the same rules apply-except, I'd donate more to worthy causes), I vow to do the following:
1. Donate annually to NPR
2. Continue driving cars that are economical and practical. Fuel economy is at the forefront (not just for money's sake, but for our environment's sake). For instance, if I could buy any car right now-I'd buy a Toyota Prius. (However, I can't speak for The Good Guy who has had his heart set on a BMW since I met him.)
3. Purchase only organic produce, and as many fair-trade and sweat-shop free products as I can get my hands on.
4. Live in a practical home, nothing monstrous with more room than we need. Something comfortable and homey, not a home whose purpose is to make others envious of all that we have.
5. Always, always, always tip well. (I do that now and I'm poor, no problem there).
6. Never-ever shop in big-box stores. I will frequent small independently owned shops.
7. Have a compost pile and use the soil in my garden, which I will use to grow my own herbs and vegetables.
8. Not spoil the kids. With that, teach the kids that wealth doesn't equate virtue or morality. As my friend J told her son, "Some good people are poor, and some rich people are not good people, it has nothing to do with money"
9. Not have cable television. (The Good Guy will not be happy about this one. Is there a way to not have cable, and still watch baseball?)
10. Treat family and friends to dinner out, and slip my mom a twenty now and then (which she currently does for me)
11. Wear cocktail gowns and go to galas.
~Drink good wine.
~Have elegant dinner parties in a dining room decorated with elaborate place settings and fresh flowers.
~Have a stocked liquor cabinet-plenty of Jamesons, Tequila, Bailey's, Frangelico, (and Malibu-also known as 'sunscreen with alcohol' for you J. *bleck*)
~Dress fashionably.
~Give the Good Guy all the kitchen gadgets he asks for.
~Never forget that once upon a time I couldn't do these things.
And, although this is petty, and I shouldn't even add the following sentiment, I must say: I'm skinnier than Regina Something-Or-Other. HA!
Hey-I'm only human, and sometimes I'm a little petty.
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7 comments:
Personally, I think Jettas are ugly cars! Especially in black. Eeeech.
Woo Hoo! All the kitchen gadgets and Jameson's I can handle? Hurry up and get wealthy, woman. I can live without cable (we do that now) but do I have to drive a Prius too?
TN-YEAH! Black Jettas are ugly! What was I thinking! Regina clearly has lousy taste.
2x4 :-) We'll just have to wait and see, won't we? Maybe BMW will come out with a hybrid!
Yeeesss! You are skinnier! That's always good. She probably doesn't have it 'as together' as it seems. Really, her fridge is probably a mess. I understand your feelings, there are a few who slam me into that mode.
HAHA Honey we are all petty.
I kid you not sometimes my thoughts are pure evil :)
And thanks for letting me know the song lyrics...it was killing me!
I does suck when we know we are happy, but there is something that catches us offguard that makes us a bit insecure. I am glad that you are never going to compromise your morals. That is key!
Remember new Jettas, big homes, do not equal happiness. Didn't everyone get this from watching Oprah's debt diet, these folks are living a lie they can't afford. Be happy where you are in life.
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