Girls day out on a budget.

Last Wednesday I had planned on going to Panera in Ankeny to take advantage of their wi-fi, work and have no kids. Of course though when Jody asked if I wanted to "run errands" instead, I jumped at the chance. What would be more fun than a day out with a great friend.

We were going to the I_Blog Conference in Perry, IA. Jody was hosting and I was attending. There is always something that you need when you are going away. So 'run errands' meant go shopping!! .

Wednesday gets here I get ready, get the kids to school and head to meet Jody. On the way I get a text from her saying that she will be a little late. No problem, except to me a little late is 5-10 minutes AFTER you are supposed to be there. For my wonderfully organized friend that means ON TIME! I finally get there and off we go.

After a quick stop at the optometrist we are off to Jordan Creek Mall. the first store that we so to is Ulta. They sell Bare Minerals makeup that I love and I had worked to save the money to get the things that I was out of. I had carefully budgeted it in and had enough left over for Lunch. That was the extent of my spending for the day. When the cash is gone, I am done.

We just started to so a monthly budget and get our finances in order. Jody was the one that introduced me to Dave Ramsey and Financial Peace University. It was neat to see how a budget works and how successful you can be on one. Little did I know that today was the day that my role model would fall right off of the wagon right in front of me.

After Ulta we were off to DSW the shoe store. Need i say more. A huge store filled with endless rows of shoes. *drool* Talk about heaven. Jody was looking for boots I was along for the ride. We looked and tried on, and looked some more. We were is the clearance isle and what did I find. The CUTEST pair of ankle boots ever! Black leather with a 4" heel. Yes, I know that they would be responsible for lots and lots of foot pain, but they were so cute! They were $140 on sale for $90. Now before I wouldn't have thought twice. I would have bought them. Now with being on a budget no cash, no boots. I walked away.....Jody bought hers....

Next off to the mall for lunch. We had a great time and great food at Panera. Since we were in the mall it wouldn't make any sense to just leave. Of course we have to go and look around. Jody was on a mission to find a shirt to go with her new boots. You know the ones that she just bought. Off to Ann Taylor Loft. This is one of the stores that I NEVER go in. If I do I zoom for the clearance rack because it is the only thing that I can afford. We looked around and Jody finds this fabulous coat. It was perfect for her and totally her style. While she was pondering whether to get it or not we took another swing by the clearance rack. I pull out the black, gray, and purple empire waist wool coat. I tried it on looked in the mirror and it was like a light shone down on me, the heavens opened and the angels sang. It was MADE for me. I looked thin, and sophisticated. Oh no....then I remembered.... no cash no coat. In that instant my heart broke. I had to walk away......Jody bought hers......

So by this time my Dave Ramsey role model is feeling a little bit guilty. She got the boots and she got the coat. Before she paid for the coat she looked at me and said "This is NOT how you do Dave". My example of financial peace fell off the wagon that day....

Now to be fair to Jody, she has been on the Dave train for over a year. Her and Doug have been very successful. Check it out HERE. We have only been on a budget for 2 months. They have a little more wiggle room in their budget. She never used credit to pay for anything. So she stayed with the program even if she would need to readjust the budget for the month.

Oh, one more thing our last stop was Godiva chocolate no cash no chocolate....I walked away....Jody bought hers........

Ultimately I had a great day. It hurt to walk away from the 'stuff', but more importantly I got to have a great day out with a great friend. That is a priceless thing for me. Worth much more than any amount of stuff could be.