Frugal Friday: Buying what you love

When I woke up this morning, I brushed my teeth with free toothpaste and a free toothbrush. I tossed my $6 pajamas in the dirty clothes hamper and showered with a $23 facial cleaner, free birthday body wash from Sephora, and free sulfate and phosphate free shampoo and conditioner from CVS. I used paraben free lotion that I bought on clearance at Bath and Body Works last year ($4 marked down from $18), $38 moisturizer, and put on makeup that would cost at least $200 to replace.

When I got dressed I put on Target shoes I bought on clearance last fall ($10), jeans I bought at Old Navy during a mega sale last month ($9.00), and a top I bought at the mall on clearance last weekend ($7.99). I ate a free breakfast - eggs I bought with a coupon, toast from bread I made myself, and a smoothie that I made from ingredients I bought with a gift card from a sale I bought at Target. I drank a cup of $13.99/lb. fair trade, organic coffee and sweetened it with organic raw sugar that I got for free from a friend. Tonight I will cook using my $199 Calphalon pan (that I purchased for $49) and my Le Creuset dutch oven that I bought for 80% off this spring.

Our family has a motto when it comes to spending money. Buy only what you love. Spending money on things you won't use simply because it's a good deal is wasteful and counterproductive. Last week while cleaning out my closet I found a sweater that I bought at a rather upscale store last fall. It's a size 4...and I'm a size 6. I couldn't bear to let a good deal pass me up, so I brought it home under the guise of "I know I can lose the weight to fit into this sweater". Almost a year has passed and let me assure you - I'm still a size 6!

Before you shop, learn to prioritize. Spend money on what you love and use the most. If you have a passion for cooking, invest in the best pots and pans you can afford. Find another area in the budget you can cut back on and wait for a good deal.

Think about this philosophy the next time you shop. Not only will it save you money, but you'll be surrounded by good memories. Every time I cook with my Calphalon pan, I remember my husband buying it for my birthday this year and how I proud I am that we spent our money wisely on something I know I will use for years to come.

And that is priceless.