Faith & Family
Have you ever been down to a miniscule amount of shampoo with no money to buy more for at least another week? Instantly anxious, you assure yourself you’ll get by, resolving to use only pea-size amounts in your hair for the next however many showers—and then eventually a week passes, and you’re surprised to find that, not only did you have enough shampoo to get by, there’s even a little left inside the bottle.
Isn’t it amazing how we usually manage to manage when we have to? (Feel free to read that again for clarity.)
I’m notorious for doing this with money. Picture this: It’s payday, and I’ve just shelled out trillions of dollars for frozen pizzas and cereal—you know, groceries. (Sigh.) Peering into the cash compartment of my wallet, my heart rate somersaults over the scant amount of bills I have left—sort of like fretting over a nearly empty bottle of Head & Shoulders, am I right? Immediately I summon all the confidence I can muster and promise myself we’ll get by. One way or another—even if it means cutting out my favorite coffee drinks for a week or refusing (at least for now) to buy that pretty shirt I saw on the mannequin at Maurices—our family will be okay and make do, because what other option do we have?
Alternatively, let’s say I work more hours than usual, equipping me with a slightly bigger grocery budget than usual. Suddenly I become Elon Musk, buying name-brand Pop-Tarts and splurging on artificial gourds at Hobby Lobby. Not really sure where this disco ball pumpkin is going to go, but who cares—it’s 40% off and I’ve got the cash. Ooh, salt and pepper shakers shaped just like acorns!
