Free Money!

So one of the few perks of working in marketing is that the long hours and endless repetition of words and phrases like "builds" and "consumer imprints" are eventually rewarded at the end of every financial year with a bonus. I've never had a job where I got a bonus before, and this one isn't exactly huge, but it IS free money so I'm not going to complain.

Of course as soon as bonuses are announced and we all know what we're getting the office goes into a bit of a frenzy. I start adding items to my Asos wishlist like there's no tomorrow. And then I discovered these:

Aren't. They. Beautiful. They are the perfect shape, the perfect height, the perfect design. They are timeless and classic, and as I live in ankle boots in winter and summer and all days in between, they would be perfect with everything I own. They are from Rag and Bone, a US store I can't usually afford, and they are $550US. While I was browsing away on Rag and Bone, I also saw this beautiful overnight bag, which will be perfect to take to the UK when I go to visit my family at Christmas. It's $395US. This is the only time in my life that I have ever had enough money to afford a $395 bag.

Unfortunately by the time the tax office/superannuation has got its mitts on it the bonus is virtually halved, so what looked like a respectable three grand a few months ago has now been deposited as $1500. Not a lot of cashola when you stack it up against the debt. And the worst thing about it is that Strummer doesn't want my help - he didn't ask for it, he feels a bit embarrassed that I'm paying off a loan he got before he even met me, and he thinks I should use the bonus to treat myself to a gorgeous bag and a wonderful pair of shoes. But I've just started the Smash The Debt (STD - how convenient) Project and my motivational level is high.

So I turn away from the glorious and practical overnight bag, the beautiful shoes, and all the other temptations out there on the webterints, and I deposit the WHOLE DAMN LOT on the debt. I do feel a little sad, but also a teensy bit smug, as all my colleagues show me what they've bought with theirs. And it is pretty impressive to know that, in one fell swoop, the debt is now at $10, 731. Unfortunately it's not like I get a bonus everyday so I am going to have to think up some new and innovative ways to smash that bitch.

Total debt at end of first week: $10, 731

Motivation level: High