by Claire
I have always been a fan of resale shops and I’m lucky to live around several great ones. I used to be much better about taking my own stuff to them for consignment but I’ve fallen off a bit on that project. I had to stop going to them in the short term b/c I find way too much stuff that I must have! Right now the only self control I can exercise is abstaining entirely!
Our baby girl will be receiving her First Holy Communion on Saturday the 21st. This is such an exciting time! BUT talk about the opportunity to spend a lot of money! Sheesh. Ridiculous really. Good news is she is wearing a beautiful dress she wore in a wedding last summer and thankfully it was big on her at the wedding and now she’s grown into it! This was a wedding on her Dad’s side and his family took care of the original purchase price so we are definitely getting their money’s worth out of it. I searched at a few of the local kids’ resales for a headpiece of some sort as DD is a girly girl through and through. No luck in town but I did find a great deal on ebay and it arrived today! She already has shoes from an end of season clearance last year that I bought big…and so with those shoes the total spent on her ensemble is $20. That’s not bad at all.
We’ll have about 12 people attending and we have budgeted for the meal after Mass. In fact, I think we put it in the spreadsheet back in March. Once again, I am thankful for the very good friendship I have with my ex-husband. We have agreements on everything really-time, money, etc. We do not exchange child support b/c the children are with each of us for what works out to be a pretty even amount of time. So, we always split events like this 50/50 which helps everyone’s budget. For other religious events we’ve had meals at the house but with my remarriage that has become somewhat more difficult (ex-in-laws aren’t nearly as pleasant as their son) so we have to go to a neutral place in order for our daughter to be best served. I DID spend some time thinking about how to forego the celebration—but we’ve done it for all the boys…so the guilt thing got me. We are going very simple and I’ve pre-selected the menu so we KNOW what we are paying going in and people won’t be left to choose from the menu. We will spend $250 (divide by 2) for a nice Italian meal at DD’s favorite restaurant.
WOW! I think before I started thinking I would have spent closer to $500 just on my own (without counting what her Dad would have spent) on this event–using a credit card of course. That’s progress.
Born and raised in Texas. I’ve at least driven through every state in the US courtesy of a roadtrip loving Dad.
I’m single with two children and a good parenting relationship with their father.
I am a “life is just half full of funny” kinda gal. Humor is my saving grace and I am thankful for it every single day. I have a strong Catholic faith and am thankful for that foundation.
I read a lot for a living but still enjoy a good book. I love biographies but in recent years have found the need for fun fictional books–sadly, for a long time I just didn’t enjoy fiction!
I love live theatre of any kind–from local productions to Broadway.
I love to scrapbook and pride myself in my kids’ albums.
I love being a mom but also love my career. I’m blessed to have found a balance allowing me to be at everything my kids need and want me to be at–while also having a career.
Favorite Quotes: Well behaved women rarely make history.
Behold the turtle. He makes progress only when he sticks his neck out. -James Bryant Conant
That’s amazing budgeting for such a big event, Claire! At our school, the Communions are becoming bigger than Ben Hur – some families hire Reception Centres (split between a few families, usually) and no expense is spared on the dress, hair, shoes, catering etc. Your budget is very streamlined indeed!
Claire you’re doing great. You really shouldn’t feel guilty about spending on a special event like this for you daughter. You’ve gone through and made choices that are frugal but will still make your daughter feel special. That’s what’s important. I think it’s great that you and your ex are able to put aside your differences so that your daughter’s day doesn’t get lost in the conflict. Congratulations to you and your family
Congratulations to your Daughter. This is an important milestone in my family and worthy of a budgeted celebration. Enjoy without guilt!
I think you did a fantastic job with the budgeting for this. First Communion is a big deal and it would be easy to go crazy overboard. It’s a big step for her and a big step for you to have an event like this and not go nutso!! Congrats to both of you!