I got paid today. This has happened like clockwork every 15th and 30th for the past year: the state neatly deposits a tidy sum into my bank account, I pay my bills, spend the leftovers, and count down the seconds until the next payday. This system has worked relatively well. That is, up until now. Upon seeing my paycheck’s appearance in my checking account this morning, I began to pay my bills online, moving from the ones with set amounts (cell phone, internet) to the ones with only minimum payments required (the monetary quagmire that is my credit card). I was deciding how little I could live off of until the next paycheck, when I had a stunning realization. There won’t actually be another paycheck. When you stop working for the state, they stop giving you money.
This was disturbing.
So naturally, I headed to the mall. Actually, I visited two malls – both Dulles Town Center and Fair Oaks. Truth be told, I didn’t actually buy anything; lest you think this was due to a burgeoning sense of financial conservatism, let me reassure you – I just could not find the tweed coat I was seeking or the suede heels I was pining over. I have plans to hit Tysons with my mother tomorrow.
On the bright side, if (when) my luck runs out, at least the dog by my side when I am begging on the street corner will be wearing a Coach dog collar. And I know that no matter what, I always had my priorities straight.