Spend or save?

After book club this morning I went to the track to walk. Before I’d ever gotten out of my car, I had settled on doing four miles. It’s a gorgeous, sunny day — the humidity and temp are down since yesterday’s stormy front moved through. I do my best walking at the track, where it’s rare for someone to pass me. It’s good interval training. I target a walker in front of me, then speed up to pass them and put some distance between us. And then I start looking for my next target.

I did 4.25+ miles. And totally lost myself in random thoughts. The radio headset I wear when I walk is wearing out. After a while, it makes my ears sore. So I started thinking about getting an iPod with some of my so-called tax incentive money. At the gym I am envious of the people doing their weights while lost in their own music, wearing only those itty bitty ear buds. Then I thought about a night in Biloxi, sipping whiskey and sevens while pumping money into a video poker machine. I also think it’s time I get my car detailed. It needs a deep cleaning now that it’s been months since I’ve smoked. But what if I lose my job? Or the water heater breaks down? I really should be saving every dime in case I really do get to go to Spain later this year.

I don’t buy a lot of unnecessary things outside of books, which I should be checking out from the library. I like to blow my money on travel. And good meals out with wine occasionally. And gambling a few times a year. But I just may treat myself to the iPod. I like listening to the radio but if I never heard another song by Jewel, Mariah Carey or Metallica, I’d be a happy camper.