We got $1,200 per the economic stimulus package along with two mailed notices. One stated that we were going to receive $1,200 and one stated that we should have received $1,200.

We donated some of the money to charity, paid a little bit to husband’s student loan and saved the rest by splitting into our emergency fund and our L.A. moving fund.

In general I just don’t like spending money and thankfully, I married someone who is just like me in that regard. Usually, we spend money without guilt on food - especially raw materials. Perhaps its because of my general fear of financial uncertainty or maybe its other reasons that a psych major would have a field day analyzing…whatever it is, I cannot spend money for non-neccesities without a lot of mental anguish. I mean…I last purchased Oyin’s deodorant paste which is made from baking soda/kaolin clay/essential oils and categorized the purchase as one that was fun and frivolous. I guess I am living the stereotype that beancounters are not fun.  

Perhaps its because of sfordinary’s experience on her volunteer vacation or a confluence of other factors…but I’ve decided to relax a little bit and spend some money instead of obsessively saving every penny. This means I’ve started frequenting coffee-shops again. And this is an indulgence that I never get tired of.

I love coffee shops, especially ones where I can stay for hours reading or knitting or people watching or day dreaming. Coffee shops are the one public space I can visit by myself and stay in my little bubble without being hassled. The libraries here tend to attract patrons of the sleazy variety so I don’t spend too much time in libraries besides checking out books or returning them.

I love the smell of coffee and the general din that comes with a coffee shop atmosphere. I get exposed to new music in coffee shops. And for the most part I can stay very focused on a task (including day dreaming) in a coffee shop. I also get my creative juices flowing when I’m in a coffee shop. 

Really the only point of this post is to note down that I’ve quit being so stingy about money (for now) incase my future self wanted to look back to figure out when I began to change my views about money.