The Pantyhose Equation

Pantyhose cost $3.50 per pair and they usually run in the first use. If I wear 2 pair a week, that is $7.00 a week X 52 = $364. New shoes cost $40 (on sale). As a sales person I do a lot of walking and blow through a pair every 3 months. 4 x $40 = $16o. That's another $160 a year. I drink a latte 2 times a week because I work so hard that I deserve it. $7.00 x 52 weeks = $364. So far that is $888 per year.

These are the thoughts that have been preoccupying my days and nights ever since our new baby girl appeared in our lives. Now, I am not talking about when I was pregnant. When I was seven months along I told my sister-in-law to conk me in the head with something heavy if I even considered staying home after the baby was born. See, I felt defined by power lunches, sales meetings and weekly forecasts.

But definitions change and priorities shift and after three months of maternity leave, after instinctively putting my daughter's needs in front of my own, I was redefined. My original intention was to be back to work part- time after two weeks, but in that second week, with my child sleeping peacefully in my arms (after she cried for two hours), I called my boss and told him I would be requesting full maternity leave. I could hear the frustration in his voice, but for the first time in my career, I did not care. Suddenly there was something in my life that meant more to me than my career. After my maternity leave was exhausted, including the unpaid FMLA, I went back to work and put in notice. I was allowed to work from home until a replacement was found, and here I am this week, two months later, no longer on the career path to more money. The interesting thing is, I can't say it was that difficult a decision. I did not agonize over what I wanted. I agonized over how to get here.

So here I stand, redefined. And am I crazy? I am allowing myself to be redefined in one of the most economically trying times our generation has ever faced. Healthcare costs are soaring, my 401K tanked, and a gallon of milk is $4.00...speaking of milk, if I can breastfeed for a full year, I think I can save $1200 on formula ( sorry - I can't stop). And as all of this economic peril continues, am I afraid? Yes, but I am capable.

I am capable of trading a monthly manicure ($300 per year) for Wednesday picnics at the park. I am capable of stripping our budget to the bones and consequently making dinner instead of buying it. I am capable of finding creative new ways to save, ways I have never looked for, because after all, necessity is the mother of invention, and necessities change. My necessity last year was a pat on the back from my sales manager for selling a new deal. My necessity now is seeing my baby's first step, or watching her discover how cool her toes are. My blog will explore and divulge money saving hints and savvy idealogies regarding the "less is more" mentality. Join me on this journey!

Next Friday....Cellular Cleansing