There are several merchants who love me this morning. 

My bank account . . . not so much.

I should never have taken my Visa card out of my wallet and gone anywhere near my computer.  Barring that preemptive strike against rampant consumerism, I should have had the good sense to put the card back in my wallet after I completed the first, absolutely essential purchase.

Oh no.  I left it out where I could easily access it after bringing in the mail with a fresh supply of catalogs.

Ok, so I really needed a new travel crate for Nat and Pyxi since Princess Pyxi Pup chewed the zipper off of the one I originally bought.  I'm actually going to pat myself on the back for that shopping excursion to the online pet supply store since I noticed the prices are less than half what I pay for some things in regular retail!

Ditto for the new cushions for my outside furniture.  After six years, the elements took a toll on the custom upholstery I had made for the wicker set.  The fabric faded and has gradually shredded in spots from the sun and salt water.  I found a really pretty print on pre-made cushions in the magazine and the total order, again, is about half of what it would cost to make all new cushions.  These might not fit exactly to a T, but they'll do the job.  I'm positive.

Hey, that's two surfing shopping trips and so far, I'm still saving money.  Maybe I can get off this spending guilt trip.

Oh wait.  The last purchase.  Those clothes.  Well, I do have that big conference trip coming up and the one or two new outfits will look very nice.  I honestly do need a couple of pairs of new shorts for work.  That sweet blouse was on sale!  So was the crocheted top.

You know, it's so easy to ring up a big total on clothes when shopping online because you don't go through the whole, "take from rack, haul to dressing room, try on" process.  Via the Internet, it's more like Veni, Vidi, Visa!  (I came, I saw, I bought!)

Yep, this weekend, I was a one woman stimulus package. 

But I saved money.  Really.  I did!

You live in the canvas capitol of the world. Take the cushions into a canvas shop, pick a pretty Sunbrella pattern, and they will have them done in a jiffy. Costs less, too.

I need new clothes.

Actually, the last time I had cushions made in town, they cost more than twice what I just spent. Sadly, however, the cushions arrived and they won't do at all. So, back they go!