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It's Not Always Fun

October 13th, 2007 at 03:27 pm

Almost all of the time, I enjoy being frugal.

Sometimes it's because I enjoy the creative challenge of coming up with ways to reuse things or do things just as well but less expensively. [For example, squishing leftover bits of soap in to usable balls or creating my own condiments with items on hand.]

Sometimes the reward is so great that even tho' something is a lot of hard work I am willing to do it. [For example, having a garage sale or moving ourselves.]

Sometimes it's all about having a positive mindset and realizing that spending a lot of money isn't always better. [For example, enjoying cheap entertainment like walking the dog or reading a book from the library.]

Sometimes it's an intellectual challenge, which I find enjoyable. [Shopping around for the best deal on purchases, whether major ones such as a house or car, or minor ones such as cereal.]

But ... I will confess ... Once in a blue moon it is NOT fun. Sometimes I do it just because it is the right thing to do, because it keeps me moving toward my over-riding long term goal of financial security.

So ... you're probably wondering what this dreaded chore is that has me writing in a less-than-positive way? IRONING DH'S DRESS SHIRTS!!! Laugh if you like, but I just don't like ironing those things. I think it's because the payoff for the effort involved is so ridiculously low.

I don't mind housecleaning ... Yes, it's work and not always fun, but the reward is a nice, clean, sparkling home! I don't mind cooking simple meals, doing the dishes, laundry, etc, etc. I'm not a huge fan of yardwork but the payoff is great and it does provide a pretty good workout so I'm happy to do it. I don't even mind ironing simple, flat items like hankies, table clothes, etc. But those darn SHIRTS with all their little bits ...collars, cuffs, fronts, backs, and whatever you call that little thing that goes across the shoulders ... each little part has to be ironed individually, and all that turning and ironing this way and that ... all that time and effort involved and all you get for it is a shirt that is not wrinkled. Big whoop.

When we first got married we were less frugal minded. We were both working long hours at semi-yuppie careers, DH wore a dress shirt to work every day, and we took his shirts to a cleaners to be laundered. As we started getting better with our money I started ironing his shirts when I had the time (I'd say I ironed about half of them at that point); if I fell behind on the ironing or was out of town myself, some shirts still went to the cleaners. When DH's former employer switched to a business-casual dress code and he only needed dress shirts for client meetings and business trips, we stopped taking shirts to the cleaners at all and ironed them all at home. Since DH started his own business, he needs dress shirts only when he travels (plus occasionally for a really important meeting). The number of shirts needing ironing has gone down, but that hasn't helped my opinion of it. I still really dislike it!

If we ever reach the point where we are "set for life and then some," I seriously think I will start sending his dress shirts out to the cleaners again. [How's that for a silly "when I am rich" fantasy?]

In the meantime, I will continue ironing his dress shirts, and will continue reminding myself that it is for the greater good!

4 Responses to “It's Not Always Fun”

  1. JanH Says:
    1192298561

    Oh, I so hate ironing those things! I totally agree that it is something you should send out when you feel you can do it. If that is a dream situation for you, then definitely go for it! (It is for me!)

  2. jodi Says:
    1192319535

    I loathe ironing...intensely. In fact, DH irons all his own shirts because I won't. My mother is aghast that I will not iron his shirts, which I find a little dated. For the past two years, I have worked while he went to school, so the "traditional" roles were reversed anyway. Besides, he is MUCH better at it then I am Smile Personally, I don't own anything that I can't wear straight from the dryer.
    But I digress...I think we all have our fantasies about what we would "hire out" if we have the opportunity. Personally, I'd like a house cleaner once a week!

  3. baselle Says:
    1192339783

    Can't trust DH with the hot iron, eh? Big Grin

  4. monkeymama Says:
    1192825117

    I refuse to iron or go to the cleaners.

    Maybe I should chalk this up to a reason why I hope dh never works a professional job again. LOL. When I think back to the days that he worked I think seriously his mom ironed his shirts or something. I think he asked me one day, and I said, "are you crazy? Does anything in my closet looks like it needs ironing or dry cleaning? There is a reason!" Men really get the short end of the stick when it comes to dress code - hehe.

    HE might have even ironed them himself. I just don't remember. I just know it wasn't me. Oh, I feel your pain. Wink

    The best thing I ever did was bought my dream - a gardener. Some things are so worth it. Big Grin

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