Running from Debt…in Really Cute Shoes
I’m pretty sure my father’s going to have a conniption after he reads this post, so Dad, apologies in advance - one day, I’ll actually be loaded, and I’ll buy you an airplane.
When I opened my Chase checking account, I was told I had good credit. Really, really good credit. $15,000 to be exact. Free to do what I want, indeed. Would I like a credit card? I refused, with all the power of my being. It came in the mail anyway, begging me to activate it. I snipped the sucker in half with scissors. Being broke sucks, but being broke and in credit card debt is a one-way ticket to loserville, no matter how well-dressed you are.
Somewhere in between me switching serving gigs and overdrawing my account, my credit got activated to cover my ass. This scared the shit out of me. I didn’t open my bank statements, didn’t visit Chase’s website, and didn’t do much shopping (sniffle). I had no idea what I’d put on that card over the past few months, and couldn’t bear to look until I accumulated enough moolah to pay some of it off. After a week at my new job, I put a nice chunk of change in the bank. I logged onto online banking. I pulled up the previously and intentionally hidden credit card balance. And breathed a big effing sigh of relief. In three months, I’d put a mere $402.96 on my credit card. I immediately paid off half of it, vowing to pay the balance off after my next deposit. Then I did something stupid. I went shoe shopping.
I’ve been on the hunt for new wedges since the end of last summer, when my old ones started looking like they’d seen better days (Note: Worn-out shoes always look cheap, regardless of brand). I found these Dolce Vitas at Something Else and didn’t think twice about slapping down my card. They were $115 - not a steal, but not outrageous considering I’ll wear them to shreds. So fine, I might be back to wear I started. But I’ve still got enough in my checking to pay off the Dolces and the remaining balance. At least I’ve got really cute shoes to parade my broke ass around in.
Tagged: Calculated Risks • Jewish Guilt • Splurge Worthy • Tootsies
Kvelling and Kvetching
I recently came accross your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I dont know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog.
Tim Ramsey
@ 12:20 pm on May 15th, 2008haha I sympathize with your money woes! Have you ever tried using debit instead of credit? That way you feel more immediately the amount of money you’re shelling out, plus those credit card interest rates are a bitch if you don’t pay in full each month!
@ 4:05 am on May 16th, 2008I’ll give a second vote here for the Visa debit card which attaches right to your checking account. Great way to keep yourself in check at the malls. You are setting an awesome example for young women on how not to bury themselves in debt and still look chic. It’s not cute to be fashionable and broke!
Thanks
Terry
@ 6:22 pm on May 27th, 2008so i have been thinking of these shoes since you wrote this post, so i ordered them. good work. they will be on my feet next time i see you.
@ 11:03 pm on June 4th, 2008Leave a Reply