Monday, 25 May 2009
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The Significance of 7 Dollars to a Mother
by Mama Giraffe So, I'm in Wal-mart the other day buying all the necessities to keep the kids and house running. You know - diapers, wipes, toothpaste, etc.
Then I find myself in the aisle of razors. I usually just buy the bag of 100 disposable razors for myself. However, the fancy schmancy $7 Venus Gillette razor caught my eye. I had it in my hand, but then I was like "Wait a minute - $7 for ONE razor??!??" No way.
I put it back on the shelf. (Please keep in mind that I could shave my legs twice a day and still feel stubble.)
I kept pushing my cart along and looked down at the contents. It was full to the top with stuff for my kids and husband. What is it that clicks over in you once you have kids that makes it IMPOSSIBLE to spend money on yourself?
I mean seriously, before kids I'd go out with friends and spend $7 on myself every 20 minutes when I ordered another mircrobrew.
How did this happen?
To make a long story short, I bought myself the razor. Every time I shave I get a feeling akin to being pampered at a spa. Not that I know what that feels like - I'd never spend the money on myself to go!

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Comments (15)
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Someone once gave me some of the bath & body works soap for my birthday and I loved it so much because it made me feel pampered every time I washed my hands. It's those little things that I love so much.
And in a third world country, $7 would mean food for another week. It's all about perspective.
Hi ya'll! valloriejo here. I've been to the spa!! For my daughters birthday, I bought her three lovely items from the dollar bin at target. I don't think she had any idea!!!LOL She's in the first grade. Even though I receive a large amount of child support, I think it is important to teach my children the value of a dollar early on. As for myself, I'll buy that razor or go to the spa, because I deserve it! My kids are usually gone with their father three days out of the week, and I do not homeschool them or work outside of my home. I take that opportunity to spoil myself because I work so hard ( did I mention I have another child from another father who I keep all week). I believe the Lord does not want us to spoil our children with material items. All of my children wear hand me downs and donated clothing also. So you should buy that razor for yourself, or spa treatment. I would!
It's SO true! We can spend money SO easily on our kids, but when it comes to pampering ourselves, we always hesitate! Why is that??
It's all about balance for me. Mostly, I buy for the kids. But I do have to treat myself, too. (Third-world countries be damned.)
aw ^^
i did the same exact thing today!
and the razor refills are like..$10.
crazy, but kind of important if you want to keep the husband happy. haha
I find that a lot too, I buy a top for say $20/30 and feel really bad about but go buy my son and/or friends gifts and funny things all the time!
Well, I find that I am the kind of person who never really buys things for myself as it is. Now that the baby is here and I am not working, I see that I am buying even less for me(if that is possible). I think that some women just look out for others more than themselves, and when they have kids, that maternal instinct just kicks in and they no longer look out for them. Its all about the family. Good job on buying the razor. You need to do things for you sometimes and if you want to splurge on a razor, then go right ahead.
I have found that sometimes it is less expensive in the long run to buy the quality item rather than the cheap item, if it will last you longer and works better. You save time, gas and money by not running to the store all the time to replace that item. It does take balance though when there is more to think about than yourself. Helps when there is some extras coming in.
What clicks that makes us say "no" to ourselves? well, I'd have to postulate that part of it must be instinct to put the children first. once we become accustomed to doing that over and over again it's no longer comfortable to 'treat' ourselves. And in a good light as well i find it's simply logical to prioritize what's important and whats not. over the years i've seen myself wear the same clothes year after year, do without because i can, because other things were more important- not just the money aspect but when i was a new mom and trying to hold it together and manage it just was not important to be so fashionable or have extras. What was important was the energy i put into my family and all the wonderful things that i saw as i watched them grow and live each day. There did come a time when i realized i was always saying 'no' to myself over things and i began to allow for some things i might 'need'. Now, this is nteresting perhaps: i've been holding onto $100 from my birthday and christmas gifts for *just* the right thing (six months !) So, yeah- With one income and kids we live simply and it's a good thing
Do whatever you want
that's SO true!! I go crazy spending on my daughter and never seem to treat myself. that's good that you got that &7 razor! my husband calls me cheap!! haha can you blame me though?! shit.
You deserve a $7 razor! Go you!