Thursday, March 26, 2009

Thrifty Thursday--If It Was Meant To Be

Many, many times I see something I want, not need, want. It could be a picture frame, a new pair of shoes or, in today's case, a colorful spring jacket.

I keep off the impulse to buy the item by telling myself, if it was meant to be, meant for me to own it, it will be there when I can afford it. And if it wasn't meant to be, the item will be gone but I will find an even better use for my money.

Last month, I found the cutest spring jacket. It had just arrived at a nearby store and it was a-dor-a-ble! Bright pink, trendy, and I did need a new light jacket but....the price was too much. We did have the funds, but at a time when you can't turn on the TV without hearing the word 'recession', I could not justify spending that much on a jacket I'd get to wear two-three weeks out of the year. (Spring is very short here in Texas.)

This morning would have been the perfect day for that cute jacket--a little gloomy, a little chilly and a little rainy. As I was getting ready for my day,  Mike even commented 'too bad you didn't buy that jacket, it'd be good to wear today'. I nodded thinking the same thing.

I met a good friend for breakfast. She was with me when I found the jacket and out of the blue said 'this would be a great day for that jacket you liked'. I nodded and laughed as I mentioned Mike said the same thing.

After breakfast, we decided to do some window shopping and stumbled into the store that had The Jacket. I wondered back to the 60% off section and right between some pretty crisp button downs and tailored blazers was The Jacket. In my size. At half the price. I beamed, picked up the jacket and showed my friend.

"You have too!" she smiled.

I texted Mike.

He said, "YES!"

And I now own that jacket for a lot less than if I had not waited. A LOT less.

Because seriously, that jacket was meant to be, on me :)




(On a side note, my friend had walked away from another darling jacket (her size was not available) at a neighboring store on the day I first walked away from mine. We stopped by that store after I bought my jacket and, surprise!, it was there, on sale and in her size!)


So my Thrifty Thursday advice, walk away from the wants. Wait and see if it was meant to be :)

22 comments:

Loukia said...

I want that jacket! It's so nice, and looks great on you! You must have been so happy to see it on sale... that's so awesome when that happens! Yay for you! :)

Gretchen said...

It's so funny you write this... I was just thinking the same thing last night. We are going to St. Louis this summer and I'm driving all 4 kids... BY MYSELF. I want to get a DVD player for the car (we have a small TV/VCR but not a DVD player) but dont' know if it's a good investment. I saw a bunch at Target on clearance but there are seriously like 20 of them. So I'm going to start saving my money and hopefully when I have enough they will still be there. Good advice!

And, super cute jacket too!

Texasholly said...

It WAS made for you. That is so cool that it was still there. It is a great coat and you can wear it TODAY too...hahaha.

Amanda said...

That jacket was so made for you!
You look great and the colour suits you too.
Love,
Amanda x

CC said...

Woo hoo!!!!!!!!!! Clearly it WAS meant to be. From one frugal gal to another: you go girl!

Jacque said...

Love it, it looks great!

Halftime Lessons said...

VERY cute.
looks awesome on you!

Jay

Clare said...

very cute coat, and great advice. i need to wait and see, i am such an impulse shopper!!!

Brian and Staci said...

I think I have that same jacket!!!! If it's not the same one, it's darned close...and I didn't get a bargain :( But, I love it and every single time I've worn it...SOMEONE comments on it :) It looks great on you my dear! YAY YOU!

KC said...

oh man.. I'm loven that jacket.

RuensOnTheRun said...

Love the jacket and yes it is perfect for our short TX spring season!

Jules from "The Roost" said...

I LOVE this post and the way God works out our obedience! It is adorable just like you. I am SO glad you got it! =)

JCK said...

That jacket looks darling on you! So pretty. Yes, meant to be!

Jackie said...

Now that is just plain adorable - do they have anymore on that 60% off rack??? Gorgeous color!

Unknown said...

Oh my goodness it was SO meant to be! What a great shopping success story - I love it. And you look FABULOUS my dear! : )

Tabitha said...

That is wonderful ~ and you were meant to have that jacket.
You look absolutely wonderful in it and I love the colour ~ just perfect.
Love and hugs XXXX

The Preppy Princess said...

Love-love-love your jacket Miss VBMW4! You look just beautiful in it! It's funny, we do the similar purchasing philosophy at times, the "if it's meant to be" kind of credo.

Good for you!
tp

Anti-Supermom said...

Lisa, you look great in that jacket. Pink is an awesome color on you.

I LOVE a good sale - doesn't it just feel that much better putting it on :)

Susan said...

It was definitely meant to be! It looks cute on you... o and I love the nickname VBMW4!

EatPlayLove said...

so cute! Love it. I picked up a pumpkin colored jacket in the Fall for my trip to NYC, I adore the fun of the color. Not sure if it speaks to spring though. Hmmm.

dani said...

love it, lisa:D and you look great in it; it WAS meant to be... YOURS!!!
love,
dani

just jamie said...

GREAT advice and YOU LOOK DARLING in that jacket!