Article April 16, 2001 Issue

RUBY EARRINGS

Jean Alicia Elster

While on a routine errand, I stopped by the jeweler's to have my watch repaired. Behind a counter, I noticed a pair of beautiful ruby earrings. One look, and I was hooked; I had to have those earrings. Their high price tag, however, meant that it would take a while before I could buy them. But I was sure I could do it.

I began saving my money. Yet, when I had almost reached the amount needed, I had to use the money to pay for car repairs. I started saving again, but this time I had to use the money to pay for a large dental bill. Each time I saved, I had to spend the money on another needed expense. Eventually, it became clear to me that I would not be buying those ruby earrings.

At about this same time, my husband and I decided that the private school our daughter was attending was not a good fit for her. I began searching for other options in our community and found a school that was everything we were looking for. However, the tuition was very steep. In fact, each month's payment equaled the cost of my coveted ruby earrings. "How," I wondered, "would I ever be able to afford the tuition payments, each month, when I could not afford to pay for a pair of ruby earrings even once?"

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Article

THREE ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK