At the beginning of every semester, I receive a huge check from the financial aid office. This money is meant to be used for bills, food, rent, and other expenses. For the most part, I budget carefully (after ordering about 25 pizzas) and my money lasts all semester, especially since my parents pay for my rent. But I always splurge at least once on something for myself. Once, it was a new Coach bag (which I got half-off since I was an employee at the Alderwood store), and another time it was a new cell phone. But this time, after dropping a huge amount on bills, I feel like I want to be as conservative as possible. I had thought that I would buy my boyfriend an iPod for his 30th birthday, which is this Friday, but he told me that he doesn’t want one. So, now I can’t decide what to buy for myself, and I need help! Here are my choices:
1. A handbag from Crystalyn Kae. She is a local designer, and happens to be married to an old friend of my boyfriend’s. She designs all-vegan bags, meaning that she does not use any animal products. They are sold in high-end boutiques around the country. I like the Soirée Drawstring and the Monarch Hobo. Price: $150-$210
2. A new cell phone from AT&T. I’ve had my Samsung for about a year, and I’m honestly just sick of it. I love their new slider phones. I especially like this one. I would have to pay full retail, though, as I am not due for an upgrade until this fall. Price $200-$280
3. A veritable shopping spree at IKEA. I want a new dresser, a new coffee table, and new end tables for the living room. My boyfriend would probably help me pay for this, and we could really use some new furniture. Price: half of $300
4. Random large orders from Amazon.com (for books…I’ve already ordered a bit), Anthropologie (for home stuff…again, I’ve already ordered some dishes), or Newegg.com (for some tech-y things…my boyfriend got his gorgeous new Samsung 22-inch widescreen monitor from them). Price: anything up to $100
Please help me decide! You can leave me a comment with your suggestions. Help me spend my money!
Go IKEA! You can make a whole day of it as the stoes are so big you can get lost in them! And think how lovely your room will look with that new furniture – it’s an investment, see?!
Well, I did get myself a handbag, but it was cheaper than I thought. So, I think I’m still going to go to IKEA. Since my boyfriend is also complaining about the old furniture, I think I can get him to help me out in paying for it.