8.19.2007

My $140,000 sheet of paper

A recent trip to the post office is a fine example of what the magical "Number 11 bus" can do, as my family jokingly calls it. The 11 is formed by the two stilts called legs. There are so many benefits--some obvious, some not.

My very expensive piece of paper arrived in the mail a couple of days ago. I had to go to the post office to pick it up because it was too big to fit into the mailbox. Being mindful that I've already paid a lot for this sheet of paper, and will have to spend many many more years paying it off, I decided to save money by walking to the post office instead of driving. I need the exercise anyway, since I spend each day sitting in front of the computer (looking for jobs) or making things for my store.

When I got to the post office, I finally saw how huge it was. At least it looks like I got what I paid for.


The supermarket was nearby, so I walked there with my big envelop under my arm. I had a hard time fitting it into the grocery basket...silly me, probably should have gotten the groceries first.

Walking is such a great way to save money, and when I don't have time to hit the gym, it keeps me healthy. It's an environmentally-friendly way of travelling. It's also a time and sanity saver, especially during gridlock time. It's a great way to see the sights of a town we usually hurriedly travel through; there are so many details I miss while zooming by at 35 MPH. Finally, there was an unexpected additional benefit for this particular case. I went to the market to buy cream cheese to make another cheese cake (much smaller this time), and I was hoping that the heat and all the time spent walking would get the cheese to be nice and soft when I got home. It didn't get all mushy (which is good), but it did help soften a little.

Given how frugal I try to be all the time, why would I be so extravagant with a piece of paper? I call it a good investment. To protect my investment, I'll work hard for years to come, and I'll get a stylish frame not from the place that sent me that piece of paper (the prices are absolutely ridiculous for a single embellishment at the bottom), not from a customized place, but from an affordable and stylish outlet such as Target, Marshall's, or Ross (which, despite of the daily chaos, has a very decent home goods department...more on that on another day). I've spent enough money already on this piece of paper, so I really don't need anything expensive and grand. No one is going to go up close to look at the frame anyway, and all a frame does is hold a piece of paper--a pane of glass, a frame, and some sturdy backing is good enough.

In case you were wondering, that piece of paper happens to be my spankin' new law degree =).

10 comments:

~ April ~ EnchantedDandelions said...

Congrats on your degree! Display it proudly, I'm sure you worked very hard.

And YAY for walking. That's one thing I miss about living in the city. Here in the middle of nowhere, it would take me an hour to walk to the post office. (But since everything is so far away, we do plan ahead, and go out only as needed).

Great blog!

ThatBeeGirl said...

that's a HUGE envelope! well worth the hard work!

Carol Dean Sharpe said...

I'd plate that sucker in gold for all it cost ya! :D Congratulations, that's quite the achievement.

The Frugal Shrink said...

Congratulations! I can't wait 'til I get my own expensive piece of paper (October 2008- doctorate in psychology!). I will wind up paying just slightly less than what you paid, and where I live that amount can buy a house. A house that I will never live in! ;)

alexgirl said...

Whoa! Way to slip that in there at the very end about your LAW DEGREE!!!
That's awesome. Congrats.
Hope the latest cheesecake turned out well.

Sales Rack Raider said...

Thanks, everyone!

Tessa--you're almost there! Congrats!

Alex--hehe...thought putting it in the end was a tad exciting than in the front, in case people wanted to play the guessing game.

Anonymous said...

Ditto what the others said. I'm pretty excited for you and what lies ahead (for Tessa too!).

And about walking, I am feeling fat and convicted.

If the places you are looking for a job don't work out, Spokane is a very pleasant place to live ...

Anonymous said...

Congratulations!

Can't wait to see my earrings, BTW. :)

Sales Rack Raider said...

Thank you so much, Rebecca and Michelle!

Michelle--they should be halfway across the country by now =) Enjoy!

PAC said...

congratulations!!