Happy Money!

Happy Friday!

A few years ago, I had just finished a great round of golf (there is no such thing as a bad round!) and I put my clubs in the back of my 6 month old 2009 Corvette...my dream car.

A few jealous gazes made me walk off with a little extra swagger and then I heard the sound I will never forget..

Beep...Beep...Beep.  It is the sound that says the keys are...STILL IN THE CAR. 

I realized they were still in the golf bag.  I ran back and tried to push the trunk button, but missed it on the first & second try.  Then the dreaded single...Beep. 

It was locked and my keys were in it!  My heart sank.

 

I was 200 miles from home and couldn't get Natalie to come that far with the extra key.  I then remembered that I had On-Star and they could remotely unlock the door.

The only problem?  I had let the free trial expire.  "What a waste of money" I remember saying to the sales person as I signed the last document on a $60,000 sports car (please don't hate!).  I placed the call and threw myself at the mercy of the nice account rep on the phone.  She gave me a courtesy unlock...from space.

 

Two days later, I got a survey and a solicitation to buy 1 year of On-Star at 30% off regular pricing...what do you think I did?  Remembering the recent experience, I bought a one-year subscription!  At that moment, I was relieved.

 

Emotions and money...hard to separate the two.

We determined a few days ago, that Money Energy is what it takes to make it.  Money Emotion is what is required to spend it. It is not always logical and is based on 4 core emotions; Sad Money, Mad Money, Scared Money and Happy Money.

 

Stick with me...it just might make sense (fingers crossed!).

 

Let me categorize my emotions around my 2009 Corvette purchase;

 

Extended warranty - Mad money.  Why should I have to buy insurance on something that is supposed to be "perfect"?  I HATED writing that extra $2,000 check...mad now thinking about it!

 

On-Star Renewal - Sad Money.   After my experience with the keys, I felt like I needed it, but it still felt like a "waste" of $200.  The last four years after purchasing it, guess how many times I have needed it?...ZERO!  Still makes me sad thinking about it!

 

New Corvette - Happy Money!  In 2009, the country was the height of the financial meltdown.  GM was talking of closing dealerships and stopping production on most cars.  The Corvette was my dream car - I had one on my vision board for the last 10 years.  This was the moment...now or never.  I walked in the dealership after speaking by phone to the sales person and in less than 30 minutes, drove out with my purchase.

 

Still makes me smile just thinking about it.

 

Yes, I know.  No rhyme or reason...no logic.  Angry over a $2,000 purchase, sad over a $200 one...and ecstatic over dropping $60,000.  I learned a valuable lesson about myself and Money Emotion through this process.  So when I saw the 2014 Stingray and immediately fell in love, the choice was easy...

 

I bought one...

 

With NO warranty or On-Star...

 

Hey, at least this time I was "smart enough" to be sure all the money was... 

 

Happy Money!

  

Until tomorrow, I wish you Money, Power, Success!

 

Next Time: Money Conversion!