Spending

It's funny about money, and it's funny what you remember. I remember my father's comment long ago that my mother had a very hard time spending small amounts of money but a much easier time with large sums.

I'm the opposite. I can spend and spend, as long as the amounts are very small. I've even been known to buy only one of something when I really needed two, only to come back the next day (or a few hours later) to buy the second. And if I buy a few things at one grocery story, a few more at another, and go to a third for the last items on my list, then I feel OK. I've only spent a little in each place.

All of this to say that large purchases are hard for me. Even when those purchases are important. Like a new mattress for a boy who's been sleeping on his aunt's hand-me-down since he moved from his crib to a bed nine years ago.

So, no more new socks for me for a little while; fewer chewy sticks for the dog; a moratorium on leggings for one daughter; and not as many peppermint hot chocolates from Starbucks for the other. Only a new mattress for this boy. It's time for me to become more like my mother.