Budget Splurging (Not an Oxymoron)
Did everyone remember the definition of oxymoron from high school English class? Hey, I went easy on you. I could’ve used onomatopoeia in the title. And, yes, I had to look up the spelling on that.
I did a post a few weeks ago called the Top 10 Most Tiresome Tips. You know, the advice we’re all sick of hearing. Number one was about giving up lattes. I happen to think a few splurges now and then keeps us all sane. And they also keep us from going on spending binges. Well, every now and then, it’s okay to kick up your splurging a bit. Say, from a latte to…oh, I don’t know… maybe a trip to NYC! Yes, that’s a big jump, but here’s the story.
I recently posted about taking my daughter to college. I’d promised her a trip to NYC for a high school graduation present. Life kept getting in the way and I didn’t start planning this trip until July. In another post I did on budget travel I mentioned using a travel agency called CuringColdFeet.com. Going through this agency saved me a lot of money when I went to a writers conference in NYC last spring. So I sent an email to the owner, Julie Sturgeon, and asked for her help again. She did the research and informed me that I could save 50 percent on airfare and on my hotel by taking the trip during a specific 3-day period.
The dates weren’t ideal, but the alternatives cost more than I felt comfortable spending. So we made a few compromises elsewhere in our schedules and saved over $500. My daughter’s a theatre major and the focus of our trip is on Broadway shows. I chose a hotel in the theatre district so we could walk to the shows and avoid cab fare.
This is what I mean by budget splurging. You consider the target of your splurge and break down the costs. In a nice piece on SmartMoney about splurging the right way, experts give insight on maximizing the good feelings that come from a healthy slurge. Of course, saving money on your splurge will give you a few endorphins, too.
So does anyone remember what onomatopoeia means? It’s using words that imitate the sound of something that’s being referred to, such as vroom when referring to a speedy car. I’ll have to think about what sounds are related to money and come up with a catchy title. And, no, it won’t be the sounds of a toilet flushing.