I know: Dogs and cats living together — mass hysteria!
Trent over at The Simple Dollar shelled out $3 for a chocolate bar and he and his family had a blast eating it. Sure, it wasn't the most prudent use of money in a grand cosmic financial planning sense, but in a grand cosmic have-fun-with-your-family sense, there are certainly worse ways to spend three bucks!
On the way home from worship team practice Wednesday night I stopped at CVS to pick up some drugs for my sick daughter. The candy aisle had several Lindt dark chocolate bars. I went for the brass ring and spent $1.99 on an 85% cacao dark chocolate bar — a level of darkness that practically dares you to try it. It was like eating spoonfuls of baker's cocoa, according to my wife, but I figure I got enough antioxidants to last me at least a year. 😉
Trent's point is well taken. A few bucks spent on a totally superfluous consumable like chocolate once in a while in the name of fun as a spontaneous gesture likely won't break the bank. It might be a Mylar balloon for a two-year-old to take around for a few weeks, or a package of six dozen sparklers for Independence Day festivities. (We've done these two.) The items are gone afterwards, but the cost per giggle or oooooohh! or wide pair of eyes is pretty low.
The main thing, as Trent points out as well, is to not let “once in a while” turn into “all the time.” If this happens, then the wow factor goes away and you're just spending money.
I think the main point is that memories and experiences are the most important thing. This is especially important to remember around Christmas.
Right now it's summer and my kids are complaining of boredom. Even though they have tons of toys! What they really want are memories and experiences, time spent with their parents (who unfortunately have to work during the day).
This is a good reminder of what's important and to pass that onto future generations.