My Secret Stash of Fun Moneyby Michelle Vandepas | More from this Blogger 13 Dec 2006 03:41 PM
Sprinkled around the house I've left out small plastic cups seeded with a few coins. I have one in every closet, and on several counters throughout the house. Within a day after I did this, Hubby started dropping all his spare change in the cups. He saw my seed change, and viola! In went his change. Like most men, he empties his pockets at the end of the day, so I put one large cup right near his space on the side table where he leaves his wallet and glasses every evening. Since he hates carrying around loose change - in the plastic containers it went - and never a thought was given to it again - except by me! I started this a few years ago - probably about fifteen or twenty years ago in fact, and Hubby has never once noticed or asked where all his spare change has gone. He must know I've been spending it? Actually, since we started talking about our money t o g e t h e r, as required by any mature married couple, I told him I just spend it every month or so. He figured as much. I suppose if I'd saved it all these years I'd have half my daughters college fund or something, but this little bit of extra money helps keep me sane. I need a little wiggle room, so that I'm better motivated to stick with our budget. It's a bit like going on a diet and cutting out all your favorite foods for all eternity at the same time. Some people are radical and love a challenge like that. I get depressed and spend more money or eat the whole cake to compensate. Using this extra unaccounted for cash, I've been able to take my daughter K out for ice cream, to the movies, and pay for a pedicure for myself - sometimes all in one month! Its a small thing, but it could help keep your sanity while you eat rice and beans! Go ahead....try this at home. Want another, more responsible point of view? Read here for discretionary spending ideas and here for fun money budgeting and here for frugal ways to entertain your child. Learn more about Michelle Vandepas  In a previous life, Michelle was president of a medical manufacturing company, and then in private practice as a holistic business consultant. Relevantmoney tags User Comments Nola Redd (7081) 13 Dec 2006 05:53 PMWow, I didn't know money could grow like that! My husband is a bit more weird with his change; he thinks it belongs to him! How rude is that? I bet if I put out 'seed money', he'd snag it, too....  Michelle Vandepas (579) 13 Dec 2006 06:32 PMNola, I'm lucky that way. Hubby just doesn't notice...:) Other times though, It really knocks me off.. I wish that he DID.... (notice things, like I got my hair done honey ....) Community Tags budget, Fun Money, saving Discuss this article
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There's a small secret I want to share with you. I've found a way to come up with extra spending money for just me and my daughter without taking it from the budget.
