No judgment

 A phone call and a date set up for Tuesday night should be a reason for excitement. I'm not sure I'd use the word excited. More accurately, I'm interested to it. There are some things that have surfaced in conversations that bring concern. I'm trying not to judge.

Without judgment, I think I'll start with the initiation of the contact. It looks like I'll have to initiate all phone calls, pick the dates and times for any subsequent dates and possibly the restaurants. While that sounds like an ideal situation, it sounds like to be a lot of pressure to me. I wouldn't normally tell anyone that I hadn't dated in twenty or so years, let alone someone with whom I was setting up a date.

No smart phone. I'm not a cell phone snob. In fact, many friends will tell you it took me quite some time until I got myself a big girl phone. It's not even named after a piece of fruit. But when I left home without it this morning, I realized I felt a bit lost and like I was missing an important part of my wardrobe. And I don't mean one of those days you rush out of the house without earrings. I imagine it would be like not wearing underwear. No one really knows except you, but it is all you can think about. And it's not even that a smart phone is important. But a tracfone? Does anyone with reasonable credit who is over the age of 19 even own a tracfone? Apparently, the answer is yes. What is most worrisome is that the reasoning behind this decision is the bill that accompanies a smart phone.

"I don't have cable." How does one watch Monday night football? I'm guessing this also has a monetary reason behind it. I don't consider myself to be glued to the TV. I consider it background noise mostly. Except during football season. And the Olympics. And March Madness. Never mind, I like sports. Regardless, cable is necessary for entertainment. I don't think I even want to consider what can be viewed with antennae.

It's not the actual facts that are of concern. What I feel is more of an issue is the philosophy behind it. Saving money for what end?  Living within your means was ingrained in me somehow. Nothing makes me crazier than hearing tales of someone in significant debt who places blame on another. You took out a mortgage you can't afford? Your fault. Don't blame the bank. You signed your name 63 times on those forms. Can't afford the credit card bill to support the closet full of designer ______s? It could be shoes, purses, clothes, purses. Maybe it's home improvement projects you can't afford. Or that pretty new car. It could be all of the above. Don't whine. Work hard and get a little self control. I love a good bargain. There is reward in saving for a fabulous vacation. Save for retirement. It's a long, long, very long way off. Someday it will be nearby. But I'm going to live my life. If I weren't making my bills, I'd cut back on cable or cell phone plans or stamping paraphernalia. But FG should get the whole budgeting idea. Is this thrifty or cheap?

No judgment. Well, maybe a little. Lucky for me, judgment is free.