Tuesday, August 25, 2009

I cannot afford to be cheap!

Long post - but it's a revelation for me!

I am cheap. That's all there is to it. I am a Target T-Shirt wearer, coupon clipper, bulk price club and Wal-mart shopper, Ebay buyer, Cover Girl makeup wearer, TJ Msxx and Marshall's shopper. I REFUSE to buy anything at full price (even Lilly Pulitzer, though I did just buy a pair of Bonanano's, but those were a gift).

I became extremely frugal right after college. My parents had raised me to be a responsible person and when I had to have a medical procedure, which I thought was insured, I ended up with a $3,000.00 medical bill, in which I paid $50.00 a month towards. I was eventually sent to the collection agency (I never told my parents about any of the billing issues until after the fact). If it hadn't been for my parents helping me out monthly until I got on my feet, I would have been living in my car. So, no matter if I ever become fantastically rich, which is unlikely, I will probably always be cheap. Seriously, I had a nervous breakdown when we bought our first house. My husband, thankfully, has bee able to break me of this extreme frugal habit as I was on the brink of breakdowns every time I went to the grocery store and now, I'm not as extreme. However, I am still cheap. "Hi, my name is Jennifer, and I'm cheap!" *applause, applause*.

In spite of my being cheap, I always feel pretty in that I do wear Lilly Pulitzer and sport pretty shoes, I just research and find the best possible price. For example, the other day, I bought the summer shift for $79.00 at the Lilly store. It's still online for $228.00, was at Dillard's for $160 and at the Peppermint Palm for $139.00 (I think). I researched and bought the dress inexpensively.

Okay, moving on. What on earth does my blog title mean? I have learned the hard way, that there are just certain items in which I cannot afford to be cheap. Two of them are Nail polish and razors.

I do not remember who told me this in blog-world, but someone mentioned Essie's new nail color, Guchi Muchi Puchi. I looked it up online, thought the color was cute and proceeded to go out and buy the Revlon version for half the price. I have been using cheap nail polish including (sssshhhhh) Sally Hansen since I moved to Florida eight years ago. Since it's summer practically year-round, even in the winter, you can get away with wearing open toe pumps, so your toenails must always be painted. For eight years, I've been manicuring my own toes, for eight years I've been going to bed FIVE HOURS after I paint them to wake up with miniature basket-weave thread marks in my toenail color. I have watched them chip after one day without any blunt force trauma and have forever carried a bottle of polish to fix such chips, usually with disastrous results. The other day, I got very frustrated and walked around with a half naked big toe all day. Don't ask!

So, I broke down and bought the Essie version of Guchi Muchi Puchi and a top coat. I spent $8.00 on the color and $9.99 on the top coat. My guilt of paying full price had me practically sweating as I walked out the door of Trade Secret. Seriously, did I just spend $18.00 on nail polish??? What is wrong with me? I even held onto the polish for a few days before opening in case I decided to return them.

I broke down last night and applied the nail polish! Whoa, did my mind change instantly. It dried fast, I mean nearly instantly. I successfully applied base coat, two coats of color and a top coat over the course of one hour and then went to bed an hour later to wake up with perfectly smooth nails. I even painted my real fingernails for the first time in my life (I've usually had acrylics or gels and if not, I bite the heck out of them). I LOVE THIS STUFF and have realized, after eight years, that one cannot afford to be cheap in purchasing nail polish. Of course, we'll see how long it last but I did hammer a pen cap on the nails this morning and they do not chip, not even a dent! Maybe I'll quit biting now that I have pretty nails (which if I think about it, is significantly less expensive than fake nails).

Item number two in this LONG post - RAZORS. I have always bought the Sam's club bulk 35 razors for $7.99. Yeah, you may think, what on earth was a thinking there? I had every good intention of buying a Gillette Venus razor. I have taken my coupon to the store, looked at the package and thought "there is NO way I'm spending sixteen bucks on a razor with three cartridges!" Well, I am a CVS master at extra bucks. I bought the razor a few weeks ago along with some cartridges for free with my extra bucks and coupons and OMG! My legs have never been smoother and they actually stay shaved for longer than 2 days. In addition, I haven't had a single cut in weeks!

So, long story short, what has blogging taught me? From reading all my bloggy friend's reviews and advice, I decided that I can't afford to be cheap!

~smooches~

13 comments:

  1. All this talk about Essie polish means that now I have to get some!

    I totally hear ya girl on your post. I haven't been the most frugal girl on the planet but I am learning from the error of my ways. But, like you, there ARE certain things that you cannot be cheap about and, hello, nail polish & razors are two of those things!!

    I have always used OPI polish. Always. But, I've gotta try Essie now. And, the Venus razor...FABULOUS!!

    We just got a CVS here in town so I need to get my CVS groove on...I want free razors, too!! ;-)

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  2. It is not being cheap it is being cautious and watching where your money is spent.
    I have been that way my whole life. I became even more so once I got married. Then within the first yr of getting married I was diagnosed with a health issue which is chronic. I am glad I saved money. Yes I agree there are times when one must practice being frugal but you should also allow yourself to relax about other issues.

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  3. I seriously have to get on the Essie bandwagon. You just sold me!

    I so agree with everything that you just posted about and do now see various items that are definitely worth paying extra for. And with nail polish, think of how long it lasts.

    Have a great day...thanks for posting!

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  4. Love it!!! I am going to have to try that polish!! I am an OPI girl but a little change is always good. {just between you and me, the other day I bought some polish to help make your nails strong, it was $17 bucks for one little bottle!--I about peed my pants! haha}

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  5. I love Essie polishes!
    They have great colors.

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  6. Girl I am the same way only I have to buy OPI. I just can't stand any other polish but I will try them out. LOL!!! I'm totally a glutton for punishment. I also won't go generic on my toothpaste, toilet paper, paper towels, dryer sheets or Windex. I'm sure there are a few others but these came to mind first. LOL!! XOXO

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  7. I need to be more frugal! I am impressed with your bargain shopping for your Lilly dress! And I love the Essie color!

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  8. since being a stay at home mom (as of a year and a half ago) I've had to learn to be much more frugal that I was in the past - some days it's bad and i just want to go shopping like crazy!

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  9. I cannot beleive (!!!!!) that you did not learn from me in college that you need to use better razors. I feel like I need to go back to the drawing board with you. :-) Now I need to think about what else I need to teach you. :-):-):-)Love you!!!

    PS. Do you want me to mail you your pink and green surprise or do you want to wait until October?

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  10. Oh gosh.....I guess I need to go find some of this polish now.....you blogger friends always cost me;) ha

    I am with ya though.... somethings you can skimp out on, others you just cant!

    Have a great day!

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  11. I like to buy things at a discount too. But nail polish I try to buy at the beauty supply places (and can save money on that too-sometimes) xo

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  12. Good post! I am learning my lesson about cheap razors right now!

    I have become much more frugal in the last year, but I'll never compromise on nailpolish, toothpaste, deodorant, or toilet paper. Or a nice handbag (though I only get one about once a year).

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  13. I am as cheap as they come so I know what you mean. But I think we all have things we 'splurge' on.

    I always wondered why my polish lasts so much longer when I have a pedicure than when I do it myself. Guess a good polish makes a difference.

    Great polish color!

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