Chapter 15 How scary can a few numbers be in the first part? -15

it can't be true But thank God, they’re still there! While my VISA card was being scanned, the sales lady handed me a shiny red tote (I have to admit it was a bit smaller than I expected) and I was excited opened the bag.Free lipstick is literally in there too! The lipstick is a brownish red, which does look a bit weird.But if I blend it with other lipstick shades and put on a lip balm, it should still look pretty good. When I got home, I was exhausted.I opened the door of the apartment and Suzie came running like a puppy. "What did you buy?" she called. "Don't look!" I yelled at her too. "You mustn't look! This is a present for you."

"My gift!" Suzie was excited to hear about birthday presents.Well, frankly, so do I. I hurried into the bedroom and hid the Benetton bag in the closet.Then I opened all the things I bought today, and took out the small silver notebook to write down today's consumption one by one.David Barton says it should be done right away, before you start forgetting. "Want something to drink?" Suzy's voice came from outside the door. "Okay, thanks!" I yelled back, still writing in my notebook.After a while, she came in with a glass of wine. "'East Londoners' is starting soon," said Suzie.

"Thank you." I replied casually, continuing to write in my notebook.I'm doing exactly what the book says, and I'm getting all the receipts out and writing them down in my notebook.I'm very happy with myself; it just goes to show that, as David Barton said, with a little thought, anyone can manage their finances. Come to think of it, I did buy quite a lot of moisturizers today, didn’t I? To be honest, when I was buying revitalizing moisturizers at the Clarins counter, I completely forgot about the ones I bought at Boots.Even so, it doesn't matter.You always have to use moisturizer.It is a daily necessity, like bread and milk.And David Barton says you should never cut back on everyday items.Other than that, I don't feel like I've done anything too badly.Granted, I haven't figured out the total yet, but...

Well, here is my final complete shopping list for today: Cappuccino coffee £15 Muffins £1 Notebook £399 Pen £12 Magazine £64 Egg and cress sandwich 99p Natural Coconut Body Wash £255 Boots Moisturizer £2097 £90 for two cardigans 35 pence for an evening paper Clarins Neck Cream £145 Clarins Moisturizer £325 Free handbags! Banana Wrinkle Cream £2 Carrot Cake £12 That works out to a total of... £17,396. I looked at the number in astonishment. No, sorry, that can't be true.This can't be true! There's no way I've spent over £170 in one day! I mean, it's not even on the weekends, it's during work.I don't have time for such a shopping splurge.There must be something wrong.Maybe I added it wrong? Maybe I overcounted something twice?

I looked at the shopping list carefully from beginning to end, and suddenly, my eyes fixed on one place triumphantly. "Two cardigans." I got it! I obviously only bought... Oh yes.I did buy two, didn't I? Damn.Oh god, this is so frustrating.I'm off to see East Londoners. endwich bank Fulham Branch 3 Fulham Road, London SW6 9JH To: Ms. Rebecca Bloomwood Unit 2, 4 Burnie Road, London SW6 8FD Dear Ms. Bloomwood: Thank you for your message on the answering telephone Sunday, March 5th. I am also sorry to hear of your dog's death. Nevertheless, I insist that you contact me or my assistant Erica Parnell within the next few days to be able to discuss your current financial situation.

sincerely yours derek smeez manager March 6, 2000