Retail Therapy

As much as I am trying to embrace a simpler, debt-free lifestyle, I have to confess: nothing feels better than a new pair of shoes. New shoes are a panacea for bad days, among them Bad Hair Day, I Hate Everything in My Closet and Have Nothing to Wear Day, I Have an Enormous Recurring Zit in the Center of my Forehead Day, I Have Period Bloat and My Jeans Don't Fit Day and I am Overwhelmed by Life in General Day. And when all the above coincide with I Had a Meeting with My Soon-to-Be Ex-Husband about Our Divorce Settlement Day, well, nothing but a pair of shoes will do. And so, a pair of shoes I purchased. Specifically, a pair of bronze Banana Republic peep-toe ballet flats, completely justified by their comfort, versatility and $34.99 price tag--which, with tax, comes $2.21 UNDER my budget for "miscellaneous" spending in the month of May. And the benefit to my mental health? Priceless.