Money that has no home?

I’ve found a common theme amongst fellow mom-friends. I’m guilty of it too. (See… this guilt thing does pop up everywhere!) It seems that as moms we tend to put what we need on the back burner to put what our kids need, want, look at, or point to first. Why? Because as moms, we feel that our kids should have everything that they need, most of the things they want, and most of the things we want them to have.

Unfortunately, I don’t think that’s going to change. You aren’t going to pass on buying your child a second birthday present simply because you think he has enough toys. And you aren’t going to smoosh his little toesies into one-size-too-small shoes just because you bought them last week, darnit, and you didn’t think his feet were going to grow so fast. OK, you might smoosh them for a few days, but you are planning on getting him new shoes really soon!

Well, my dears, let me share a little something with you that I just learned about. You may have known about this forever, and I’m just being clued in, but in case there are a few of you in the dark – let me show you the light. Check it out: it’s a website called Zulily, and it rocks. Special event sales are emailed daily featuring boutiques and designers that are normally way out of my “Target” budget. If you are familiar with Gilt.com or Shopittome.com, it’s a similar concept. But this one is for kids. And they have super cute stuff. Like adorable Italian leather shoes for little boys. And of course for girls, too. Girl stuff is everywhere. Don’t get me started. Other current sale events include Little English smocked outfits, super cute diaper storage systems, and funky infant toys.

I have a family member (that would be Graham’s Uncle BoBo, and he’s in financial planning, so he must know what he’s talking about) that says certain money can “have no home” and can be spent at his discretion. For him, that’s gambling money. Money he makes on gambling can be spent on gambling. In my world, money I save has no home (i.e. the original cost minus what I actually paid can be put aside into my “money that has no home” account). Buy a few things on Zulily, and it’ll start adding up. Soon you might even save enough to splurge on something for yourself. Now wouldn’t that be something?