Chapter 5: Choosing Change: the 50,000 dollar question
*chapters do not have to be read in order. Just dive in*
When I started cutting back on spending, I developed one odd form of rebellion. I wouldn’t spend as much on clothes, I would cut back on eating out, I stopped taking cabs… And I started buying scratchers (those fun little lottery scratch and “win” things you see at every corner convenience store).
There was a ritual to it.
I’d walk down to the end of my street, and buy two: one had to be bingo themed, and the other one I’d switch up. I’d go for the middle-of-the-line ones, in the 3 −5 dollar range, because I thought there’d be no way the 1 dollar ones ever win.
Then, with my scratchers safely tucked in my coat pocket, I’d buy myself a coffee (another sweet luxury), and walk down to the beach. Now this is not the beach you’re imagining, it’s a Toronto beach, and it’s not summer. I’d sit on a bench, all bundled up and look out at the water, sipping my coffee.
And for the next ten minutes, I’d just dream of what I would do with that 50,000 dollars. (more…)
