Consequently, my assigned task is quite simple related to the checkbook. I can verbally request a check whenever I need one. For the most part, it is a “no questions asked” process. I have not been asked to submit a written request in triplicate. The General (aka- my wife) thinks I’m cheap, I’d prefer to think of myself as responsibly frugal. Consequently, she doesn’t worry that I’m going to go on a shopping spree. If I need a check, it is forthcoming without any red tape associated with the request. I remember my dad once saying that he had reached the place in life where he’d rather have the money than what it would buy. Somehow that rings true for me as well. I guess you could say, like father/like son.
My responsibility related to the checkbook is quite simple. My only assigned task is to remember the amount of the check I write and communicate it to my wife. That doesn’t seem that difficult. (Actually, I think I borrowed that line from my wife. “That doesn’t seem that difficult.” I’m sure I’ve heard that before.) Memory is a wonderful gift. At times I wish mine were better. I admit it. I haven’t always remembered the exact amount, but I generally have a ballpark figure. That is not close enough to meet the General’s expectations.
Before she left for North Carolina, I asked my wife for two blank checks. I needed a haircut and I also expected the new gate we ordered would be installed while she was away. I also needed a check for that. Thankfully I made time for the haircut this afternoon.
Attempting to be responsible, I texted my wife the amount of the check as soon as I got home from the barbershop. She subsequently requested the check number. Since I still had one check above the sun visor in my car, the number was pretty easy to figure out. I was batting a thousand.
Did I mention the haircut cost $37.00? I know it is Austin, but I still think the price is a little high. I go to a regular barbershop. It isn’t a salon; it is an old time barbershop. There are no frills associated with the experience. In addition, they don’t take appointments. I have been known to wait over two hours to get in the barber’s chair. My barber doesn’t rush. He takes his time and it is first come, first serve.
I actually started coming to this barbershop before we moved to the Austin area from Midland. I was traveling to Austin every weekend and it seemed convenient to get a haircut on Saturday instead of through the regular workweek. I was motivated to doing something different because the barber I used in Midland died unexpectedly, making the transition to Austin seemed like a logical thing to do.
I remember initially being surprised with the cost of getting my beard trimmed. The barber in Midland only charged an extra three dollars in addition to the regular price of the haircut. The new barber cutting my hair in Austin asked about the part of town where I lived? He was surprised when I told him I lived in Midland, but was in Austin for the weekend. I mentioned the barber I previously used had died unexpectedly and I was looking for another barber.
In discussing my Midland experience, one of the barbers wanted to know how prices for a haircut in Midland compared to Austin. He asked, so I was candid, but polite in my response. The actual prices of the haircut were very similar. The dramatic contrast was the cost in getting my beard trimmed. In Austin, the cost associated with getting your beard trimmed is identical to the cost associated with getting your hair cut. It is a simple formula. Double the price of your haircut and you get your beard trimmed as well. That seemed a little excessive to me.
The Austin barbers were pretty sharp. When I said the cost to get your beard trimmed in Midland was only three dollars, one of them responded. “No wonder your barber died. He starved to death.” Every barber in the barbershop broke out in laughter. Actually, I thought it was pretty funny. I laughed as well.
Wanting to be responsible with the second blank check in my possession, I subsequently attempted to telephone the iron craftsman who designed and made the new gate. I got his answering machine when I called, but left the message that I was very pleased with the gate and needed his mailing address to mail the check. He didn’t return my call, but later sent a text to convey the requested information.
Later in the course of the afternoon, I was checking email on my computer and noticed an ad for the brand of men’s cologne I use. Unfortunately, I’ve been looking online for the past couple of weeks attempting to find a sales price. That shouldn’t surprise you. I told you I was frugal. Unfortunately, I used the last of my cologne this morning. It was time to place an order regardless of price.
In managing our finances, we don’t totally follow Dave Ramsey’s plan highlighted in “The Total Money Makeover.” However, I basically agree with most of his principals and approach. The one exception is the use of a credit card to track expenses and generate airline miles. Mr. Ramsey would say you spend a lot more money using plastic than you’d ever permit yourself if you used cash. Obviously, Mr. Ramsey doesn’t know me. He is wrong in that regard. Consequently, I do have a credit card in my possession. Actually, we are a two credit card family. I obviously do a better job of keeping up with credit card receipts than I previously did keeping up with the checkbook.
However, in addition to wanting the exact amount of any check I generate, Treva also wants a copy of any credit card expenses I incur. Minimally, I can stay off of a corrective action plan if I know the exact amount. (I’m only joking about the corrective action plan. She hasn’t thought of that yet.)
At any rate, since I placed a credit card order for my favorite cologne, I thought I might as well text that information to Treva Topper Forrester. She would be astonished that I was focused and doing my part in providing her the information she needed to do whatever it is that she does with the checkbook.
Did I mention I don’t always get it right? I sent her the following text, “Since I am completely out of the cologne I prefer to use, I went ahead and placed an order. There are some choices that must be respected regardless of the cost.” With that message I included the amount of the credit card charge.
I was subsequently surprised when she didn’t respond to my text. I anticipated at least an affirmation of receipt. Surely I could minimally get an “ok” out of the deal. Maybe it was magical thinking, but it would have been nice to hear any number of things. How about, “I really like the fragrance of that cologne. It is perfect for you.”
No response. How do you explain it? Did I mention I don’t always get it right? What I subsequently discovered is that I did not send the intended communication to my wife. Instead, I inadvertently sent the aforementioned text to the man who built our gate. How’s that for an awkward moment?
Carpe Diem,
Don