Necessary Travel

I am sorry this post is a bit late but I am in New York to surprise my mother for her 75th birthday.  I could not write about it before as that would have let the cat out of the bag.

I had a lot of mixed feelings about this trip, all financial.  I knew I would set back my budget by coming, the airfare alone is more than half a mortgage payment but it was all worth it.  She didn’t even recognize me when she walked into her birthday lunch as I was the last person she expected to see.

And the point is you ask – sometimes you have to be a little flexible in your budgeting.  I know most personal finance people will disagree and say YOU MUST STICK TO THE BUDGET! I know this will set me back a few months but it was so worth it.  I have not seen my mother this happy in years.

I did make some rules for myself while I am in the so easy to spend, happy shopping place NY.

1. I am not here to shop.

2. Only buy what is on my very small list. It is so easy to go overboard when you are somewhere that prices are considerably lower than where you live.

3. If you don’t look, you won’t want. This is mantra and why I don’t go into shops much.

4. No matter how much cheaper something is never use your credit card, it will cost you more in the long run.

5. Keep on the look out for ways to make money. I am going through some of my old records, vintage clothes from when I was a teenager, so when I get back eBay here I come.

Most importantly, when we are on a financial mission, we must pop our heads up from the budget and have a look around.  I know I would be a bit more ahead if I didn’t make this trip but the look on my Mom’s face and the tears are priceless.