At this point of time, I see no reason not to go shopping when I am down with love. If I'm in the mall and not spending a little time -- and money – over there seems to be unfathomable. Dropping money at the cash register table is, for me, an entertainment cost built into the trip's budget, no different from paying several hundred pesos to see a play or a trip to Italy-- If I lose every penny earmarked for shopping, well, I had fun doing so.
It never bothered me. I wasn't risking money we needed for the mortgage or groceries or my son's tuition payment. It was disposable income -- which I disposed of having my version of fun.
"If we have an endless amount of money that I'm not aware of," mom says, "then go ahead and go shopping in every outlet. Otherwise, I think there's a problem wasting this money that way when there are other things we can do for it. I'd love to go see a show, or go to the hotel spa for the day. But I would rather do without because I also know that money you can spend for your son."
It's hard to argue against putting family enjoyment above self-gratification. But I think it's an unfair way to frame the issue. You can always argue that family comes first, but doing so means you forever deny yourself any individual pleasures. I don't work simply to give everything to my family; they are doing just fine as it is. I work, in part, to make my ride through life enjoyable, too. And for me, wagering some money in shopping won't affect Christmas one iota.
But another point my mom makes does resonate: her desire to do something for herself. She works hard the entire week as well, and this getaway is in large part about giving her some relaxation. To that end, I've gladly given up a chunk of pesos I would have spent in shopping and I have decided for mom to put the money in the bank instead and attend Christmas invitations Kier.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR JESUS & MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ONE AND ALL!"
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