Article Contributed on: 4/16/2006 1:41:40 PM
Overheard at the purse counter in Nordstrom's on Saturday,
April 15:
Mom: "I'm 40 years old and have never spent $300.00, on
anything for myself let alone a purse."
Daughter: "But, I'll keep it forever. It's so cool."
Mom: "Maybe so, but will you want it forever? You don't need
to buy this purse to prove anything about yourself. It's not
important to who you are."
And so on. I circled the purse counter, forcing myself to
remain calm and after one complete turn, the debate still rolled on
with the daughter hugging the purse (Mom was right - this was not a
purse anyone would keep forever!), in that pleading stance with
that urging voice all parents know..."But mom......"
I wanted to stop, look them both in the eye and say, "Forget
about it. No kid your age needs a purse that can be considered an
investment!" Instead, my heart went out to mom who was digging deep
to find the reserves to say "NO!" I don't know if she did. I felt
guilty for eavesdropping and wandered away.
My kids are grown, but I remember similar negotiations about
golf clubs, school trips, prom limos. And for us, it always worked
to frame it as a labor/expense ratio. How many hours will I/you
have to work to earn the item under consideration? In that light,
things always seemed to find their true worth, their true
perspective. Even today, our youngest son (24) prefaces his
purchases with this exercise, and that has helped him to enjoy
living withing his means. It's worth thinking about.