Diary of a Recovering Idiot

Chapter 16 - What to buy?

        

Buy myself something nice or buy something new for the house. Neither is really needed but I have the urge to buy something, naughty as it may seem. That in mind, I left the house with the intention to spend some money but not sure what I was going to waste it, so to speak, on. This is a bad place to be. I hit the shops in town, in the various malls, even the little plazas and then I started to walk back and forth through the stores to see what they had to offer. I saw a few things that caught my attention but upon closer inspection, the wow factor was gone and I soon moved on.

I went into the, let's say home stores, and tried to see if anything interested me to open the check book, but nothing did really. There was truthfully some lovely outdoor furniture but in the end, I decided they would be much too bulky for my patio. I would have had to remodel first before I got them and that wasn't the kind of money I was planning on dropping.

Not finding anything ended up leading me to the jewelry stores with the aim to get myself a nice necklace or maybe a ring. I took my time and walked through the stores, narrowing down what I wanted with each pass. I went from store to store and refused to let any slick-tongued sales person trick me into getting something that when I got home I wouldn't be a million percent happy with. Or worst yet, it would just sit in a box gathering dust.

With every pass, I was getting closer to making a decision about what I wanted in the jewelry section, and it became evident that the idea of getting something for the house was out the window. When I really think about it, I don't think I really wanted to buy anything for the house, but I was trying to be fair when I stepped out with my intention to spend money I didn't need to.

Now I had 'bling' on the mind and three items I wanted to choose from, all I had left to do was decide. As I walked through the store trying to make up my mind about which item I was going to get, I caught part of a conversation that was going on nearby. It grabbed my attention and I must admit that I shamelessly listened while I pretended I was interested in a ring that I wouldn't buy if you paid me, but it was worth every second of it.

From my rude act, I leant something I never knew before which I intended to put into place. Sometimes you hear something you're not supposed when you eavesdrop, but it ends up being the best information you have discovered in a long time. This is what happened to me.

Enough said, I bought an item and hightailed it out of that store to the location that I should have headed to in the first place. Now I know that whenever I have money that was burning a hole in my pocket, make for the investment broker.

There I asked for an appointment and sat in the reception and waited for my turn. When I finally saw someone I sat down and listened to what I was being advised. There were so many decisions for me to make but the information left me with more knowledge for my future. I needed to act quickly of I wanted to secure it.

With my divorce on the cards, I needed to develop some financial savvy, like yesterday. The money I had needed to be placed in a secure place, earning some type of income for me so if I suddenly had the need for a lump sum of money I would have some there and not be forced to take out a bank loan like so many other people. Also, I needed to set aside money for my old age, when I planned to indulge myself even more in my new-found love of travel. So what are my options? For sure, insurance policies, and an investment portfolio to secure more of my funds.

I have also looked into getting a pension plan. It was a must because I know that by the time I get around to the age to get my pension, the government would be hard pressed to get it paid unless a miracle happened. When I see the amount of I-don't-want-to-work-itus going around and those not paying in their income tax I know I have to cover my assets. Then there is all the money needed to pay for the various government projects going on and then the problem of money going on a walk like a dog with no leash or master. I think I need to set up something for myself or I will be the one to blame. Big girls need to learn to feather their nests so when the bottom falls out there is some cushioning to land on.

I was never one that could beg a man and I was lucky enough that my husband was the type that simply made sure the money went to our joint account. Unlike others, he understood that the children grew out of their clothes and they often needed replacing. He took care of our needs and I looked to him to do so. I know I had it good in that department but I loved him with all my heart and I operated under the concept that when you loved someone you took care of them. I did my part and he did his and that was what really devastated me when he sprung the divorce on me. He was my all and not for a second would I expect this from him, but we digress.

So Miss Lindsay had to, first things first, come up with a budget and from there she had to look at every piece of money she had coming into the house and figure out how to make things work. Walter was on the ball and his lawyer sent me a letter detailing what he would be paying for when it came to the children, their education and activities. It also detailed the payment schedule. He also said he would help pay for trips but from now on I would have to start helping. His letter was a major help because it made my planning so much easier.

In the end, I settled for a lovely pair of real pearl earrings and necklace that my daughter will end up dipping into my jewelry box to wear and the rest of the money I spent on investment bonds. I now have a plan of action that I will follow to put me in a secure place because I have no intention of being an idiot again. That day ended up being quite lovely and allowed me to learn some very important lessons. I was more than happy with the money I ended up spending, and this plan will make sure that will be the case from now on. The thing is not to spend wildly but to spend wisely because if you don't, just a few days down the road, you will come to a point that you wish you had the money you know you wasted.