Bonus Time!

I work damn hard at my job. Damn. Hard. Usually I rue the day when I get out of bed. But not in February. You see, February is Bonus Time. The bonus is not massively ginormus, but it is a decent amount of cash. A large sum is going into savings, but I am setting aside $600 FOR ME. No guilt!

Now I am at a crossroads. It's easy to salivate over The Bonus and the resplendent cash, but I tell you... 2 or 3 big ticket items and The Bonus is gone!  It is so sad. So we must be careful with The Bonus.

Here's what I'm thinking I COULD get with The Bonus:

1) A facial and pedicure at a local spa. I always get a face wax because I am hairy.
Total cost (including tip): $200.

Enjoyment Level: High.
Necessity: Negligible (could get cheaper wax job elsewhere).
Longevity: Fleeting.
Satisfaction: Always leaves me wanting more!

2) A natural skin care system that will help my flaky, itchy skin and acne marks.

Total cost (including shipping): $180

Enjoyment level: Meh. I hate washing my face (sensory issues).
Necessity: High - my face needs some serious help.
Longevity: 6 months.
Satisfaction: Well if I actually use it and it works I will be very satisfied. But will I use it or will I have just dropped $180 on nice smelling products that will sit on my shelf? Conundrum.

3) 3 month long T-Tapp online course intended to develop consistency, goal setting, and accountability.

Total cost (discounted): $200

Enjoyment level: Medium.
Necessity: High - my stomach is starting to scare me.
Longevity: 3 month class, but if I actually DO develop consistency and accountablility, indefinite.
Satisfaction: If I do the class and gain from it, I will be satisfied. Let us not remark on the last time Lisa did an online class for T-Tapp and dropped out after two weeks. Also I have way less time now, so it would be more of a challenge.

4) Mad money.

Total cost: variable up to $600

Enjoyment: High. I love to spend!
Necessity: 0
Longevity: How long does mad money ever last?
Satisfaction: Medium to low. Those impulse purchases never turn out to be as good at home as they were in the store.

So what would you do? Help me out!

Comments

[Dea]

I would go for the facial and massage. Although I don't think you mentioned massage, but it's my new favorite thing.
As for skin care, hmm there are lots of natural things that could help that are cheaper. Although I don't know your skin situation. I suggest natural stuff, and yet I pay an ungodly amount for facial stuff because of my reeeedickyoulously sensitive skin. Gar.
Yes, go for the pampering, you deserve it.

[Jody]

I read somewhere that the differences between super-expensive and drugstore skin-products aren't great enough to justify the costs. You'll get almost all your results just buying ANY moisturizer and using it regularly, for example.

Having said that, I would do anything other than the mad money option. If you can't decide, can you sit on it and wait until you feel an irresistible need?

[TZin]

if you are hairy and you were thinking of a wax at 200... you should think about getting laser hair removal... about the same price AND permanent. I had my upper lip done and I'm pretty happy.