My One Time A Year I Don't Watch Money.....What's yours?

[gimmethesimplelife]

Yesterday - Saturday - was the opening day of the VNSA booksale at the state fairgrounds. For those who love books this place is Nirvana.....And the one time a year I don't watch money - within reason. I budgeted $100 of money from doing online surveys and marketing research for this event and I'm proud that I only went $3 over budget and truly found books that I am interested in.

Just curious - does anyone else out there have an event similar to this that they budget for and just have to have on annual (or otherwise) basis? For me it would be this annual booksale and also soap from the farmer's market which is more per bar that I want to fess up to but if I don't use this soap, pretty much anything else on the market makes me itch bad as my skin is very dry to start with and I live in the middle of a desert. Rob

[Teacher Terry]

WE don't watch $ on the nite we celebrate our anniversary. We plan for it and do a really nice dinner and then go nightclubbing. It always is a lot of fun & special.

[mschrisgo2]

Yes, for me it is the Pacifc International Quilt Show, in October. I am a quilter and all the best vendors go to that show, so I plan that I will spend money there. I spend the whole day, look at every single quilt (there are hundreds), have lunch, and go through every single vendor's booth.
I get the best prices of the year, with no shipping charges. I love it!

[catherine]

Well, it's still Christmas time. I do budget for it, but I don't watch my money that carefully. I tend to get all manic in a happy way like Scrooge when he wakes up on Christmas Day.

[Gardenarian]

My daughter and I like to go to the Renaissance Faire, and I do spend a lot more in a day than I normally would.
We like to take part in the crafts (everything from making chain mail to leather craft) and to take fencing and archery lessons - they have some real experts on hand. I bring money to tip the wonderful street artists - dancers, musicians, jesters.
I do bring our own water and snacks, though we usually end up buying something to eat too.
We put together our own outfits to wear, but I'll sometimes buy something from the thrift store.
It's always a memorable day and something we really look forward too.

[larknm]

The day I buy a new pair of hiking shoes--usually in summer.

[Gardenarian]

The day I buy a new pair of hiking shoes--usually in summer. oh - that too :-)

[Tradd]

Tax return time. This year I bought a new pistol, some mags for it, and ammo. Lots of ammo.

[CeciliaW]

Tucson Gem Shows. Ahhhhhhh!

[AustinKat]

Yes, for me it is the Pacifc International Quilt Show, in October. I am a quilter and all the best vendors go to that show, so I plan that I will spend money there. I spend the whole day, look at every single quilt (there are hundreds), have lunch, and go through every single vendor's booth.
I get the best prices of the year, with no shipping charges. I love it!
Quilt shows/fabric events for me, too. This weekend here in Austin there's the Austin Shop Hop (http://austinshophop.com/rules/), which is eight independent fabric stores that are having coordinated sales and giveaways. I went to four shops yesterday, and my husband and I are going to the other four today. Stuff has been/will be bought. :~)

[redfox]

Probably when the young adult kids come home for the winter holidays. We do save ahead & have a budget. We take them out to dinner, and see a few shows. That I work in theatre means I get comps or half price tickets, so we get to take them to some really good performances. We give each of them one or two things, the rest of their holiday treats with us are experiences, really good, special meals (at home or out), and quality family time.

[kib]

Not really ... the closest I come is that sometimes I decide to rein in my ocd tendency. In other words, most of the time I'm not satisfied until I've explored every choice. Which soap is the least per ounce? Which one has / doesn't have ingredient X? Do I have a coupon? Is there an online coupon? Could I make my own? Does the other store have this for less? Is that one maybe a better bargain because it's in a big box? Where would I put the box? Was this made in the US? What kind of packaging is this, it is biodegradable? is Unilever employing child labor or supporting Mitt Romney? My idea of treating myself is to grab a soap off the table of a boutique or craft market, assure myself ingredient x is or isn't present, give it a good sniff and hand over my credit card with my eyes closed.