I earned "extra money". Tuition or Shaitel?

Silver Member Joined: Jul 04 2010 Age: 31 Posts: 757

my family is one of those "paycheck to paycheck" families. Were working on a budget and trying hard to stick to it.

I took an extra job over the summer as a camp Morah in order to pay for camp. After Ive paid for my kids camps, I have $500 left over. I also got $600 in tips!!!

When I got married, I bought a short shaitle from a Shaitle Gmach, and a used fall from a friend. I would love to buy a nice, longer one, and feel that I would feel better walking around in something that fits me comfortably and looks better. I know that in the shaitel worls, $1000 is not a lot to spend for something decent.

Delema: with this $1000, I could do a million things that need to be done. But I know Id feel very resentful... see, Im in my second marriage now, and the camps that needed paying for was my step kids camp. I am a typical mother, who very rarely buys things for myself. Also, when will the next time be when I will have $1000 for something like this?

Having said that, this same $1000 could go to my kids (and step kids) schools, pay a dentist, ect.

So do I treat myself, or pay tuition/dentist?

Executive Member Joined: Jun 04 2008 Posts: 463

Buy yourself the Sheitel.. tuition will get paid and so will the dentist, you will just manage. If you needed the money for rent or food I wouldnt say that.
Get that sheitel for yourself!!

Gold Member Joined: Jun 16 2009 Posts: 2082

I say get that sheitel. You sound like the type of person that puts others first. YOU worked hard for the money and must have done a great job to get such a decent amount in tips.

Sometimes in life, you have to put yourself first.

THE SHEITEL!!!! Like the others say, everything will eventually get paid. Get the sheitel and feel good about yourself - a good sheitel can last many years. You deserve it!!!

Diamond Member Joined: Mar 11 2010 Posts: 3090

I've been in your situation countless times (do I spend a gift certificate on my kids' necessities or on earrings for myself or whatever), and I don't think there's one right answer for everybody.

If you know you're the type to be resentful later, by all means buy the shaitel. Especially since you never got a brand new, beautiful one. Buy it-you'll feel like a princess and your happiness will make you a better mother.

You'll come up with the tuition money just as you've always had to.

Posted: Wed, Aug 18 2010, 8:01 pm Post subject:

the shaitel! it can last for a longish time. the other bills will get paid.

Am I the only one who thinks that maybe OP should talk this one out with DH and figure out what makes the most sense? If it were me, it would be the tuition or dentist before the sheitel...

Diamond Member Joined: Mar 17 2008 Posts: 3561

Extra money goes for extra things!! Of course indulge! Buy yourself a brand new sheitel! U deserve it! It sounds like u r a great mom and can surely use that new thing boost for your ego! Good luck and I really hope u buy yourself a new sheitel and say a shechayanu lkovod yomtov!
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Diamond Member Joined: Mar 17 2008 Posts: 3561

Gold Member Joined: Jun 16 2009 Posts: 2082

Neither I nor You I dont think know OP IRL.

She "sounds" like the type of person who rarely indulges.
She never had a new Shaitel that fit her properly.
How many people can say that?

It didnt sound like the OP was going to drown in debt if she uses it for the Sheitel.
She took this as an extra job, for her DH's kid to enjoy her/himself.
I would hope/think he would appreciate her efforts and approve of her doing something for herself.

Gold Member Joined: Jun 24 2010 Posts: 1311

another vote for the sheitel

Gold Member Joined: Jan 12 2010 Posts: 2278 Location: US

I would think that a new sheitel is equally beneficial to her husband. Most men enjoy having their wives look attractive.
Also it's not like she's buying new sheitels all the time, I think all (sheitel wearing) woman should have 1 decent sheitel. I don't think tuition bills should be neglected, but maybe there are other areas you can cut down on.

Active Poster Joined: Jun 07 2010 Posts: 83

Tuition absolutely always comes first. School is not a luxury. Bills are not luxuries. New sheitels are. Just my opinion.

Platinum Member Joined: Nov 01 2009 Posts: 8258

Bills.

Are you going to need a scholarship if you don't save the money?

Also, you can buy a "mid priced" sheitel for $600 and then use the rest for bills.

But "needs" over "wants" any day.

Getting married and having step kids means sacrificing for your step kids also. Its part of the package.
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Posted: Wed, Aug 18 2010, 9:36 pm Post subject:

My instinctive reaction is that there's no such thing as "extra" money when tuition is still not paid in full.

Executive Member Joined: Dec 22 2008 Posts: 438

Tuition obviously gets paid from the budget. You didn't mention that you owe tuition money, so presumably you are making ends meet 'paycheck to paycheck'. This job was an extra, and you paid for what you set out to pay, with this job. If there is extra money, for sure indulge in it for a sheitel! You worked hard & 'extra' for it - its yours for your hard work! (especially most of it is tips, when people give that its meant to show they appreciate you, now get yourself something nice,& if these moms would've know you wanted a wig, they'd probably get you a gift certificate at a salon! so you wouldn't even have this dilemma!)