Sarah over at Ordinary Days is hosting an honesty contest, which you know is important to me if you read this post on blogthenticity. So here’s my story…
We were shopping at ALDI the other day, which I LOVE to do, so I was feeling especially good about my frugality and my good stewardship of the financial resources God had entrusted to my care. When what should we stumble upon, but a Barbie Fairytopia Magic of the Rainbow Elina Doll in the final markdown bin priced at $4. Now, Sweetie Pie, my 6 year old, has been asking me for this Barbie since she decided she wanted it right AFTER Christmas and her birthday, of course, which is when she got the Barbie Fairytopia Mermaidia Elina Doll she had been coveting desiring for quite awhile as well. I happen to know that the best price I had seen for this Fairytopia doll is about $10.
Now, the cogs in my mommy bargain-hunting brain are spinning. Realistically, will I ever be back here again without children when the Barbie is still here? If so, I could buy it then and stash it away. But, I know myself, and this is highly unlikely. I know Sweetie Pie has one dollar bill, one fifty cent piece and approximately seventy-two pennies in her Hello Kitty wallet in the plastic CVS bag hanging from her dresser in her bedroom. Don’t ask me how I know this; I just do.
Should I make her save up the money and come back? We have just practiced this skill at the yard sale lemonade stand she staffed, where she promptly spent her money on ice cream from the ice cream truck.
Time passes. We negotiate. I envision the three heaping bins of clean laundry sitting in the playroom waiting to be folded. I decide that if she is willing to fold the laundry and I take her dollar give me her dollar, I will buy the Barbie. We have a deal.
She is ecstatic in the car. I magnanimously allow her to open the Barbie on the way home.
You are imagining what comes next; I know it. We get home. She folds approximately five pieces of laundry and she declares, “Actually, Mom, I don’t really want the Barbie.” I am deflated, disappointed, defeated. I have no mommy energy left to do anything other than say “OK” and take Elina up to my own room. I am NOT the proud owner of a Barbie Fairytopia Magic of the Rainbow Elina Doll.
Fast forward to the end of the day when hubs is home from work. I relay the sad tale and he, very sensibly, states, “No, she can’t change her mind.” My hero steps in to reiterate the terms of the deal. Laundry is folded before bedtime, and Elina, once again, is returned to Sweetie Pie’s care.
I am relieved, yet humbled. Sadder. Do not try this at home, people. This is not the way to teach your children about money management, the value of a dollar, delayed gratification, or any of the other admirable things mentioned in the last MommaBlogga writing contest.
So, if I am crowned the winner of the $25 Target gift card, you can bet I will NOT be spending it on toys for my daughter.
Thanks for your comment on my site!
THAT is hysterical! I love Aldi too! It’s sooo tempting to buy things you don’t really need b/c, Hey! It’s Aldi!
I’m glad you’re not stuck with Barbie Fairytopia Magic of the Rainbow Elina Doll.
YIKES – that’s what I have to look forward to…
You’ve only made 1,642 mistakes so far? Heavens. That’s waaaay less than one a day per kid, if my math’s right! You are my new hero! 🙂
That Barbie will be a word picture of later, I’m sure of it.
And you used the word magnanimously in a post – wow!
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