It Has Begun

Doesn’t that sound ominous?  Imagine James Earl Jones is intoning those three words, as the world hangs in the balance.

Now that I’ve (hopefully) piqued your interest, you’re probably asking yourselves, “Self, what in the Sam Hill (who ever he is) is the Cheap Chick talking about now?  WHAT has begun?  Also, I think I’d like a snack…”

Back from the kitchen?  Good.

I’ll tell you what’s begun – my next Year-Long Shopping Challenge Extravaganza.  I’m calling it Shopping May-hem, whereby from May 1 2010 to May 1 2011, I am allowed to spend only $25 dollars or less on every single thing I buy.  It’s a reboot of my first ever shopping challenge, the one that started this blog (and the TV gigs, and the radio gigs, and so forth).

Cue The Rules and Regs… and Exceptions:

Rule 1: I can spend only $25 or less on every SINGLE item I buy.  If something comes in pairs, like shoes, that counts as one item.  A package of steaks or fish counts as one item.  Multiple bangles or stacks of rings sold together count as one item.  You get the idea.

Rule 2: Any night out or form of entertainment counts as one item.  For example, my entire bill at a restaurant, including tax and tip, can not exceed $25.  An evening at the movies can’t go past that $25 mark, either.  Unless the Cheap Dude is buying, of course.

Rule 3: If I receive a gift card, or money as a gift, I can either A. buy multiple things with the card/cash, as long as I don’t go over the amount given to me, or B. buy one thing, and spend $25 over the amount of the card or cash for that ONE item.  No more splitting the gift up into multiple, more-than-$25 purchases.

Rule 4: I am allowed to spend more than $25 on the following – bills, travel expenses, car repair, home repair, gifts for others (although I do try to keep my Christmas spending to $25 per family member), and my hair.  However, I can NOT spend more than $25 on any other beauty product/service (including pedicures) or home furnishings, like a couch.

Exception 1: Next weekend is Costume Con, and I’ve been looking forward to attending for 3 years (i.e. before I even started the FIRST shopping challenge, let alone this blog).  Therefore, I am allowing myself to indulge from May 7 to May 10, and NOT A MOMENT LONGER.  Granted, I probably won’t buy anything crazy-expensive or spend more than $25 on dinner out, but still.  I want the option, dang it.

Exception 2: I planned to buy a pair of new flat boots this winter (my Target ones only have a few months’ wear left in them, and I’d like a really nice leather pair), but I couldn’t find anything I loved.  So if I find the perfect pair this year, and they don’t cost more than $100, I’m buying them.  Just one pair, though.  Not, like, one in every color…

Exception 3: If they still have those nice wool pirate hats at the Bristol Ren Faire for $35, and the hat looks AWESOME on me, I’m buying one.  I meant to buy one last summer, but the excitement and the drama of my Green Bay Packer Elizabethan costume overshadowed my shopping.

There you have it, the Shopping May-hem Challenge of ’10-’11.  Let me know if you’d like to play along for awhile.  I’d enjoy the company.

Now let’s get down to the nitty-gritty – how have I done so far?  Surprisingly well, considering what I had going on last weekend, i.e. THE FIRST DAMN WEEKEND OF THE CHALLENGE.

Saturday night I went to a ‘ladies-only’ shopping party at my buddy Missy’s house (aka The Marketing Mama, who is a beautiful and gracious hostess).  If you don’t know what a ladies-only party is, use your imagination.  I managed to spend just $24.62 on… something.  Never you mind what that something is.

Sunday, my buddy Tiffany launched her Stella and Dot jewelry business with a shindig at her house.  I had to buy something A. to be supportive and B. because the jewelry is friggin’ GORGEOUS.  So I got my Ma a really lovely Mother’s Day gift for less than $43.  Which is fortuitous, seeing as I’m not spending Mother’s Day with her… um… oops?  Love you, Ma!  Mean it!

Let’s throw this party out to the blogosphere – what do you guys think of the Challenge?  Who wants to play along?  And how do you think I’ll do, the second time around?