A couple weeks ago I spent a weekend with friends in the mountains. There were about twenty of us in a cabin talking, playing games, and having dance parties. Some of these friends I hadn’t seen in years. It was fantastic.
At some point during the evening shenanigans I lost my Sugar chapstick. Maybe it was when I was showing off my signature dance move or perhaps when I was acting as narrator for a rousing game of “werewolf” or maybe it was when I shimmied into my pjs while on the top bunk at 3:30 a.m. Regardless, I lost my sugar chapstick.
This may not mean a lot to some but for others you know the significance of the loss. This is $25 chapstick my friends. I was devastated and immediately went searching for it much to the chagrin of my UU, hippie, want-for-nothing friends. Actually, they were very helpful and non-judgmental but I felt really silly admitting I buy expensive chapstick.
Thankfully it was found shortly after I left and was promptly mailed to me. But it got me thinking about luxuries. Spending $25 on chapstick is certainly a luxury. It’s my one splurge. In fact, I received a sample and went more than 8 months obsessing over it before finally deciding to spend the money.
There are several little things that I would love to splurge on but I don’t because I’m in school and don’t have the money for such excess. Plus, I start to feel guilty about spending lots of money on little things. The thing is, most of the time I don’t spend much money. I treat others often, I donate regularly at church, I give back when I can. So maybe it’s ok to spend a little more money here and there? Especially on things that I really like.
What I’m really saying is I’ve been dying to try the $20 Hawaiian coffee at Trader Joe’s. Valentine’s gift anyone?
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I am pro-little splurges. So long as you’re not buying yourself $458 dollar handbags or shoes on a weekly basis, I think treating yourself, even if it’s just on an occasional cup of Starbucks coffee, or on $25 chapstick, it’s a good thing. We work hard. We deserve a few rewards here and there.
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