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We've got trouble, right here in Maple Grove. It starts with T...that stands for TENNIS

Over the past few weeks we have begun a new exercise in our home - budgeting. I had the brilliant idea to instate said budget when the home office went out to run an errand to the hardware store and came home with a boat.

Well, I thought I was soooo smart, but have learned in the past week I have really gotten myself into a pickle, money wise.

I figured we (the home office and I) would have identical monthly budgets, I was sure I would do famously with what seemed like a huge amount of money. Well, let me tell you, it wasn't as big as I thought because with 16 days left in the month I have $50 to last me. Not such a good idea on my part, DLS has lots and lots of money left and I am even asking for loans at this point, it really kills me to see that "I told you so" look on his face because he knew all along where my money was going.

The saddest part is I have now come to the realization thanks to cold, hard numbers that 50% of my monthly budget is going out the door courtesy of my favorite pastime: TENNIS.

  • Tennis skirt: $27. New duds for summer USTA team, it is quite pretty though, blue with little flowers. I must mention I chose to forgo tennis outfit for summer team #2 which is actually a savings!

  • Tennis tournament: $45. This resulted in trip to Urgent Care and Target pharmacy for infected toe. Toe became infected because new orthotics to help torn ligament raised my foot in size 11 New Balances resulting in great pain for most of my toes/toenails. Very, very ugly. Finally reached realization new shoes were the answer to foot woes, thank God New Balance makes a 12 for women.
  • Foot Magician: $206. Weekly visits to fix bad wheel agitated from playing too much tennis

  • Shoes: $156. Please see explanation for #2 tennis tournament. Oh, also had to buy new Crocs to cover very ugly toes.

  • Urgent Care/Prescription $54. Went in for infected toe as a result of playing 7 tennis matches in 3 days with new orthotics in shoes that are now too small, thanks to foot injury from playing too much tennis - sounds like a vicious circle I've got myself into.

  • Sidenote: This does not include any monies for matches and/or drills, that would be under Workout which is budget line 30. This separate line item really miffs the home office, but at the present time is my only salvation from being negative with did I mention 16 days left in the month?

Doesn't this sound like one of those Master Card commercials where everything in the end is priceless? I don't see what is "priceless" about this whole thing other than my empty pocketbook, but that isn't really priceless, but more so money-less.

I think it might be time to find a new hobby, like quilting. Quilting seemed to do wonders for Karen.

Comments

K~ said…
Quilting has it's similarities to tennis: Infected fingers due to needle jabs, the competative feeling of how much can you do in one day, the thrill of completion, and the empty pocket book because you just "have to have" all the colors in the world? K~
carey said…
$50 for 16 days? you can do it!! remember in college we could make $2 last all night and still come home with change.

maybe if you flirt with the gas station guy he will give you a few gallons for free...i'd take that over a free miller lite any day.
Anonymous said…
I will play tennis with you anytime at the Armstrong tennis courts (for free), after I dump my kids off at my mom's (for free), while wearing whatever I can find that's crumpled up in my basket of "workout" clothes (old and free). If you are not too embarrassed, call me. I bet my retired dad would even have a beer with us afterwards (again - FREE!)...He thinks you're as highly entertaining as I do. You have to play lefthanded. Call me.

Luci
bobbione8y said…
i suck at budgeting too.

but i am also kind of sick of spending my hard earned bucks on silly crap i don't need.

still, pick ONE thing you love. i think that tennis is fine, if it's your thing.

:) i'll stick with the flowers, thanks.
Karen said…
Uhhhh, has anyone noticed that I've not mentioned quilting since husband returned home, folded up my hard work and put it in the closet???

The quilt total, by the way, was $157.50.

Whenever you need to ask the home office for an advance, just say, "Well, it's cheaper than a boat."

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