Cheesy Heaven & Spare Cash

on July 2, 2009

in All Posts

Gotta make this snappy – I have about 10 seconds left in my lunch break! 🙂

Bagel Pizza and Broc:

Cheesy heaven!

Steamed trees:

A sweet ending:

Major Kudos to the following ladies who donated to my Team in Training efforts. THANK YOU so much!

Elina
Gloria
Jaya
Alison
Lynna

Question: If you had $200 to spare, what would you do with it? That’s our "mad money" for the month and I’m torn between a running Garmin, new clothes for my upcoming TV appearance (!!), or a night out on the town with the Husband. And (obviously) putting some of it in the bank! But let’s be FUN and not frugal — what would you do with the money?

{ 53 comments }

Quinn July 2, 2009, 11:07 am
I love my Garmin, so I would vote for that – and it's perfect for marathon training!
nostorybook July 2, 2009, 11:10 am
Garmin seems cool but I am still on the low end of my running, so personally I would go for SHOPPING!

The Garmin, as Quinn said, would be useful for marathon training.

take care!
Dori July 2, 2009, 11:13 am
Get the Garmin — you will want it for your marathon training!
brandi July 2, 2009, 11:14 am
mmm….bagel pizza.

new clothes + night on the town.

you can find good deals on garmins on Amazon and just budget that in.
AWK July 2, 2009, 11:14 am
I need clothes for my upcoming vacay to Ft. Meyers…so maybe clothes would win my vote!
The Decayed Gentlewoman July 2, 2009, 11:15 am
Of your three I'd choose a night out on the town. But my next 2 instances of extra $200 will go towards new glasses and a new blackberry.
JE July 2, 2009, 11:18 am
I agree with the other ladies, a Garmin from Amazon.com.

If I had $200 to spend, I'd buy a killer new dress to wear to the ten weddings I have to attend between now and September. Oh wedding season…
haya (living and learning) July 2, 2009, 11:19 am
garmin!! i think that will give you the most "value" for your money in terms of how long you will enjoy it for.
Bec July 2, 2009, 11:20 am
Hmm they all sound like good ideas on how to use your MAD Money for the month! I would probably get a new bike jacket or put it towards the new ski jacket I want… yes I know its July! I love the idea of mad money though I think I'll start doing that next year when I have my real grown-up not a student budget… or maybe I should start now for my last year as a student!
Mrs. LC July 2, 2009, 11:21 am
I'm all about getting the most bang for my buck, so I'd use maybe $50 towards new wardrobe for the tv appearance (even if you just got a new blouse, although you could bargain hunt and get a dress or a whole outfit for that!), $100 for a night out on the town, and $50 towards the bank (or even set aside $50 every month in a Garmin fund).

I think I'm overly practical. 🙂
Reese July 2, 2009, 11:22 am
Buy something cute to wear (for cheap…Forever 21 maybe?) and then hit the town with the hubby!! You won't be young and childless forever 🙂
Manderz July 2, 2009, 11:23 am
Definitely the garmin bc I have been dying to get one!
Amy July 2, 2009, 11:23 am
With your marathon looming, I say go for Mr. Garmin. I cannot tell you enough how amazing this tool is! 🙂

I love my Garmey!
Big Girl July 2, 2009, 11:24 am
clothes for a tv appearance, because seriouly, how often are you on TV?
Susan July 2, 2009, 11:26 am
Ha, I call broc little trees too 🙂

If I had a couple hundred bucks I would buy new running shoes and a new saddle for my bike. Both things I should probably have but have been (uncomfortably) putting off!
Matt July 2, 2009, 11:28 am
I think I would save it! Theres nothing that I really really need right now.
Anna July 2, 2009, 11:30 am
Oooo a Garmin is an awesome idea. I would probably spend it on a really nice pair of jeans, because all of mine are ill-fitting and I never wear them as a result.
leftoversforlunch July 2, 2009, 11:32 am
If I had to spend your money for you, I would say the Garmin is a worthy investment. My BF has the Garmin Forerunner and thinks it is amazing. I think it's the 305? A great "treat" to yourself for starting Team In Training!
Angie Eats Peace July 2, 2009, 11:37 am
Go for the Garmin!
lynetteess July 2, 2009, 11:37 am
Looks like the Garmin is winning – that's what my vote would be. I think it's a fun AND practical thing that would be used by you all the time. In this economy when you can do "fun AND practical" it's a no-brainer.
Diana July 2, 2009, 11:40 am
For me, I'd probably have a really nice dinner out with the boyf with some extra cash, but I feel like for you the Garmin might be the winner! Who knows – you might not have as much to spare next month, so might as well go for it!

Congrats on the TV appearance, btw – be sure to post the clip afterward!
Thinspired July 2, 2009, 11:40 am
My vote is a new outfit! How many times are you on TV?! Plus, then you have it for your next night out on the town 😉
Niki July 2, 2009, 11:48 am
If you don't have a Garmin I vote for that! Your running will change forever!!
whitsgettingfit July 2, 2009, 11:48 am
I'd buy a killer dress that I'd probably only wear once!
recipesforcreativity July 2, 2009, 11:54 am
If I was you and had 200 to spare I'd get a new dress from TJMaxx or Ross for your TV appearance, go to a nice night out that's not too crazy expensive, and save the rest!

If it was me…I'd probably buy some new clothes, I'm seriously lacking in things that maybe me feel sexy!
Holly Noelle @ Domestic Dork July 2, 2009, 12:03 pm
I would put it aside to save for either a Wii or a PS3 so I can get The Beatles: Rock Band in September!
roseyrebecca July 2, 2009, 12:05 pm
I vote for a night out on the town with your husband! 🙂 And new clothes for the TV appearance!

I'd probably going clothes shopping! I love shopping!
Mason July 2, 2009, 12:07 pm
Caitlin, I just found a website today called givesmehope.com, and look what was on it –

"I work at a dress store, and take care of the fitting room. Before my shift started I wrote several notes saying things like "You're beautiful" "You look great today" and "Smile, because you're enough." I stuck them of the mirrors in every fitting room. Most of the women who came out of the fitting room had a big smile on their face. GMH (See Operation Beautiful for more like this! -Editor)"

You go, girl.
Mason July 2, 2009, 12:13 pm
And this one! 😀

Another Operation Beautiful story:

Today, I put a post-it note that said "smile! :D" on it in the girl's bathroom in school (got that idea from GMH). Later, I noticed that someone else had put "SMILE, BEAUTIFUL! :)" on a desk. A few days later, I noticed some more in other places. I started a "trend" at school, that I got from GMH!
Mason July 2, 2009, 12:18 pm
Ok, last one hahah check this out:

In honor of all the You're Beautiful notes, I have made a new twitter account. I will dedicate at least ten minutes of every day going to random people's twitters and sending them an @reply, just to let them know how beautiful and amazing they are. @ProjectBeauty GMH.
Jen and Rob July 2, 2009, 12:23 pm
My vote is some for new clothes for a night out on the town with the husband!
Low July 2, 2009, 12:25 pm
Garmin!!! I want one soooooooo bad! I can't stand it! All the other things sound nice too though, lol
Char July 2, 2009, 12:27 pm
Clothes!! I admit..that is what I would do! 🙂
Erin July 2, 2009, 12:30 pm
Clothes! I clearly have a shopping issue tho, lol.
dailygoods July 2, 2009, 12:32 pm
if you have a costco membership , there is a garmin forerunner on there for $150 no shipping! i just got it for my bday 🙂 and then u have an extra $50 to spare for clothes!
nicoleishappy July 2, 2009, 12:47 pm
the garmin seems like you will use it a lot so it will def be worth it!
Isha July 2, 2009, 12:59 pm
Oh, what a choice! I'm dying for a Garmin myself, so I'd be tempted to go that way, but research says (seriously) people are happier when they spend money on experiences, not things, and I have to agree. I say, you can always get a Garmin. Go for a splurge out on the town! 🙂
RhodeyGirl/Sabrina July 2, 2009, 1:02 pm
I HAD UMMMMM 4 OF THOSE GHIRARDELLI SUCKERS TODAY~!
Katerina July 2, 2009, 1:03 pm
I love my garmin, so I would probaly choose that. Plus tech gadgets rock and you are now training for a marathon after all!

I say also have a really fun "fancy" night in with the hubby. Cook something unusual and have a bottle of wine.
Courtney July 2, 2009, 1:19 pm
I think you two need to get out more! All work and no play makes Jill a dull girl! Maybe have a fun night, AND get some new clothes for the TV ad? The Garmin was my first thought though – but I think it could wait a month? 😀 You'll have fun with all of them, to be sure! 😀

-Courtney
Nicole (anotheronebitesthecrust.wordpress.com) July 2, 2009, 1:57 pm
Goodness..what would I do? I'd spend some on a fun night out and probably a nice outfit too 😀
Johanna B July 2, 2009, 2:07 pm
I vote for the night out with your husband. Research has shown that we remember not so much what we owned and more of the stuff we did. Experience trumps possessions.
Christina July 2, 2009, 2:10 pm
I would go with the Garmin too. You'll get long term use out of it!
Meganerd July 2, 2009, 2:23 pm
I vote for new clothes for Boston and the TV appearance!! If you have extra money go for a night out with K.

You can always wait until next month for the garmin… You have two running buddies with them who can tell you the stats :)But.. I know how much you want one so… go with your gut!
Leslie July 2, 2009, 2:43 pm
I'd find a way to donate it to a family that was unemployed or in danger of losing their home. There isn't anything I really need, but there's so much that others need.
earthybrit July 2, 2009, 2:59 pm
I would totally get a garmin, but look around for the best deal I could find. I love clothes, and I can find a vogue knockoff at tjmaxx for way less, and have money left over. I would go and look in your closet and see what you can find, maybe you have stuff you don't even remember, and you could buy some new accesseries, and still get your garmin. Goodluck and thank you for starting such a strong movement for better body image. xo b
earthybrit.wordpress.com
Rebeca @All Vegged Out July 2, 2009, 4:05 pm
mmm trees and pizza!

Garmin for you! Mostly because TV clothes probably won't get the proper amount of recognition because they'll prob be focused on your (beautiful!) face… but that's as long as the hubz is cool with it (I guess haha)

If it was mine? I'd save half toward a Nikon D90 (!), a quarter for a Garmin of my own, and a quarter to just blow on some random thing… but I'm into delayed gratification.
Stephanie July 2, 2009, 4:12 pm
I want a Garmin so badly, so I also vote for that! I'm sure you will love it.
Hope July 2, 2009, 5:43 pm
I have to say the Garmin. I just bought one myself, and I'm in a little bit of love with it. Okay, that's not entirely true. I'm in a LOT of love with it! The 305 is every bit as good as the 405, and it can be had for as little as $150.
Paige July 2, 2009, 7:31 pm
The Garmin! I love mine to death! I wouldn't leave home running without it!
Marissa July 2, 2009, 7:54 pm
This woman LOL's her animals too. It's pretty funny: http://karaleighsayspayattentiontome.blogspot.com
irunisweat July 3, 2009, 3:00 am
I just bought a Garmin (Best Buy price matched the Forerunner 305 to Costco's price!), so I'd recommend that. Or a new iPod because mine is on the fritz
seesaraheat July 8, 2009, 9:13 am
I would get the Garmin!

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