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It's Just Money

     In a previous post, I let you in on the fact that I am basically a miser. I can't help it.  I have worked at a job for employers who were not my parents since I was in 5th grade.  If I wanted something extra, my parents figured I had a job, so I could save and pay for it.  I hate shopping.  Unless there is an auction involved, I really don't feel the need to spend money.  Oh, unless it is on western wear.  Definitely have a weakness for western wear. 
    Spending money requires some serious psyching up for me.  I research prices and look for the best deals.  I search for coupons and sales.  Buying a car is a year-long process for me involving months of research, test driving, negotiating with both local and distant dealerships, creating spreadsheets with my findings, calculating interest rate scenarios, etc.  It is serious work for me.  This drives El Hubbo crazy.
    I am convinced he likes to get even with me by setting me up in situations in which I can't pass up a deal.  With the recent Labor Day holiday, he decides the family needs to go shopping for a freezer unit for his school shop.  We had recently discussed replacing our washer and dryer, and I have begun the research process.  We are only in week two of the year-long process. 
   Unfortunately, while chasing the offspring around the appliance section of the four stores we go to, I was forced to notice the washers and dryers.  Everything went well and all urges to buy were squashed.  Until we got to store number four.
    It's all kind of a blur now, but I vaguely remember the sales person saying something about sale, matching competitors plus 10% off, 18 months and no interest, blah, blah, blah.  Somewhere in the haze El Hubbo hauled Big Jake off to the restroom, and I was left to sign papers. 
    Apparently, I am the proud owner of a new washer and dryer.  As El Hubbo leads me out of the store, I was visibly pale and shaken.  "What did we just do?" I cried.  He grinned and told me it was ok, we needed them.  "But, did you see what we just spent?" I cried.  He laughed and said it was only money.  "But, I feel like my research is incomplete!"  He rolled his eyes and told me to get in the car. 
    We had to run to the store.  He let me out at the door, and I wandered in and gathered my items for dinner.  I paid for them and then walked out.  Then I realized I did not pick up my bags.  I had to walk back in.  Spending that kind of money seriously messes with my mind. 
    I have since tried to focus on what we can sell to help pay for these impulse purchases.  El Hubbo informed me that selling the children is not an option.  (I had found some people who thought they were cute but had not spent extended amounts of time with them.  The cute factor drops exponentially the more one is exposed to them.)  He keeps reminding me it is only money.  Everything will be fine.  And it probably will be.  But, pray tell, what am I going to do with my washer/dryer spreadsheets?

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