Does under budget justify splurges?

I've never really watched Suze Orman's show on CNBC before. I've heard she's a dynamic speaker, and I know lots of people are fans. So here I am, sitting in front of the TV and Suze is dishing out her opinion. It's more interesting than I expected! My favorite is when people call in to ask if they can afford something. Today's ridiculous scenarios included a 9 yr old who wanted to buy a $950 crystal bird, a mom with lots of debt of every kind who wants to send her 2 yr old to private pre-school at the tune of 25K per year, and a lady with basically zero savings who wanted to buy a $2,000 doll. Obviously she told all of them no. My favorite was the $25K pre-school. Really? For $25K they better be able to pass the SAT at the end of the year! Nuts. Just nuts. I guess it's a good reminder that a) what you spend money on isn't really my business and b) maybe I should re-evaluate what I think I want! I wonder what she would tell me if I told her I'd like to buy a $50 purse and showed her my money stats.

This month I splurged on some clothes. Partly because of a wedding I wasn't prepared for. Partly because that Patagonia dress was on sale. I knew it was ok though because I was coming predictably way under budget. Some might say I should have just put that extra money into savings considering I have a set financial goal that hasn't been met yet. I guess I'm more of the opinion that if there's no consumer debt, you've met your savings goal of the month to stay on the projected game plan, and the cash is still there...It's your call how you want to handle the extra cash.

So basically at the end of the month, I spent my last $5 on an amazing mocha at Grey House! Then, I went back to the impromptu garage sale that's becoming an annual event for me, Annie, and Sarah. We seriously pulled together an enormous garage sale in 2 days. We've got to be the most relaxed garage salers ever. Clothes were 50 cents and most everything else was $1. When we were too hot and tired to sell anymore, we posted a free sale on Craig's List. The best part might have been when some folks drove up and took everything that was left. Making money was good too of course. I ended up with close to $65!

Here's my weekly money check up hosted by MyPrettyPennies

Weekly Money Check Up

1. The most I’ve spent this last week was on a window air conditioning unit. I can't sleep in this heat another night!

2. Today I am thankful the yard sale that lead to me cleaning and re-organizing my closet!

3. Money can’t buy happiness. One free thing I did last week that made me happy was get a new hutch, dining table, and 6 chairs! Thanks to a professor who was upgrading. My next nest is one step closer to furnished.

4. I will consider this week a success if I maintain some semblance of sanity.

5. I dream about having my own apartment a lot lately. I can hardly wait to get my own place and decorate it just the way I want!