So Lisa's been doing some fundraising for her upcoming trip to Uganda and last night she hosted a party for a certain cosmetics and healthy lifestyle company. Let's call the company BonneAr and call me dyslexic because I don't want to attract any unwanted attention here. I mean good Lord, I already get enough people landing here looking for the lyrics to a imitation cheese product, sleeping accommodations in a truck bed and stories about extramarital affairs. Everyday. I see the stats.
Unfortunately, this event came during the first of a two month period in which I am attempting to seriously cut back on my spending. Last month was a tough one with three mortgage payments, driver's licence renewal and the annual purchase of my contact lenses. On top of that I also splurged on the ticket to the wine show, the new dress for the wine show and several lunches and dinners out. Normally I would not have blinked at dropping $35 for a fancy moisturizer, especially in the name of supporting a friend, but during my period of reduced spending I've decided to put the credit card on ice and give myself a strict cash-only limit. I have never carried a balance on my credit card, but going cash only makes me more conscious of my spending.
I figured my best bet would be to buy something for my mom, since her birthday is coming up next month, but I could envision the look on her face when I would present her with a tiny box of $65 eye cream. The look would say, "oh Jillian, thank you, you dear, sweet kapusta head, but I really would have preferred lunch to wrinkle cream." (FYI Mom, you're not getting European wrinkle cream for your b-day.)
So instead I flipped through the catalog to find a product for myself. Ugh. No I do not need another eye shadow, lip gloss or fancy powder even though I do love these things. Last week though I used my willpower to deny myself a $10 lip gloss from Avon and I was so proud! I sampled the lotions the rep had brought. They made the backs of my hands feel so silky. Oh the things I could do if only I had silky feeling hands! I bet with one silky handshake I could land a super dream job and a handsome prince of man.
Once all the guests had arrived the sales rep took a few minutes to introduce us to the products and the company that, just recently, has awarded her a white Mercedes. As I sat there and listened to her story I actually thought she was a very honest, sweet, lovely person who had found the perfect employment solution for her and her family. And on top of it all she was going to give Lisa all her profits from the sales made during the party--35% of the retail price of every item. And this company did indeed sound very worthy of my support--environmentally friendly, vegan friendly and sensitive skin friendly. I kind of fell for it. I wanted so very much to give it my cash. I mean, because of BonneAr, this woman was able to become a stay-at-home mom and her husband quit a job he hated and took a lesser-paying but more satisfying one, plus it was helping Lisa go to Africa and giving me happy skin.
But that darn budget made me search for the most reasonable and sensible item--an $18 liniment cream that does its best to not smell like old-lady, but, let's face it, still does. Menthol is so alluring, right guys? Whatever. Sometimes I hurt after I come back from the gym. Sometimes I hurt because I don't go to the gym, and sometimes I am in terrible pain due to what I affectionately call my old lady hip (I think it has something to do with a weak hip flexor). After taxes and a dollar for shipping the damages came in at $25.52. Of that Lisa gets seven dollars and some change. With the numbers on the page and the physical cash coming out of my wallet I frowned. Wouldn't it have really been better to just give Lisa 25 bucks? Now I feel dumb. I came to support my BFF but I gave more to the sales rep and the slick multi-level marketing company. And I spent the equivalent of a week's worth of groceries on old lady cream. Incidentally, I slept funny on my shoulder last night and had crazy weird dreams (maybe it was all the aromatherapy junk seeping into my skin) and now I have this stupid pain in my neck. If you think I sound old, wait till I tell you about tomorrow's adventures.
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