How little money can really make your day?

August 7th, 2007

Ever since I got that $250 check in the mail, I have been feeling so positive and upbeat about our future debt reduction goals. Whereas the past week or so I’ve really been kind of blah and feeling bogged down and like we aren’t making enough progress. Now some of our July surplus will actually be going to paying down debt, and I couldn’t be more thrilled about that. Crazy how a little unexpected money can really brighten my entire outlook. It got me to thinking… how little money does it actually take to really make an emotional difference?

Of course the answer varies widely from situation to situation and person to person. I’ve discovered that my number is currently under $250 though. I think right now any unexpected money (the deductible payback was expected but I had sort of stopped thinking about it for now) I can apply in whole or in part to debt reduction just makes me a little cheerier. I am clearing a profit of $6.44 on the item I sold from craigslist yesterday, and that definately made me feel a little happier, but not to the same degree as this reimbursement check.

I think my price at the moment might hover around $100. Something about breaking three digits just makes me smile. I may start collecting up my little snowflakes over a week or two weeks’ time and applying them all at once instead of as soon as I get them. I had been sending as soon as receiving to lower the interest as fast as possible, but there is a psychological game to be played here as well.

So what’s your price? What unexpected dollar amount falling into your lap gives you a little skip in your step?