What's It Worth to You?

A funny thing happened on the way to the ATM.

I became careful.

I still have a job. A very good job, and for that I am eternally grateful. And even a little sumpin' sumpin' on the side occasionally, which makes indulgences that much sweeter.

Maybe it's the nature of a Pisces to be a sponge and soak in all the environmental angst. Two of my best friends -- the skinny blonde high-earners -- have lost their jobs. Bubkis. I'm realizing how fragile it all is. Anything can go at any time. Even people who have been "taken care of" by corporate America since they had their original hairline/hair color can be cut loose with a simple "thank you for your service."

Now I'm noticing some radical changes in what I value. What can I live with? What do I outsource? What will I cling to with my cold dead fingers?

A few examples:

Giving up
Trips to my lovely and talented hairdresser (I'll go every other time, how about that?)
Dinners out with a bunch of people. Last time I did this I paid $60 for a glass of wine and a salad.
Maniacal shoe shopping. I have every version of everything I could need.

Outsourcing
Cleaning. I just hired a wonderful housekeeper named Bella who makes the house smell, look and feel good every other Wednesday. I do this because it frees me up to work on freelance and creative stuff. It's an investment in my alternate careers.

Clinging to
Pedicures at Nail Station. At $14 a pop, it doesn't get much cheaper or better.

What's on your list?