music, therapy, and me

As someone who is constantly thinking about my finances, I have had to learn lots of lessons the hard way. You know that way - you get over enthusiastic and then end up in trouble with money. As someone who has been in that type of situation more than once, I have established some Thrifty Therapist rules when it comes to money, finances, and being able to eat meat at meals rather than cheap macaroni and cheese. Gather 'round, children, as MJ goes into a story of money and woe. As a music therapist who is conditioned towards packratiness (I am making this a word!), I tend to want everything. If I see a cool instrument, I want one. If I see some fun toys, I want them. It is something that I have to fight on a regular basis because I tend to take them all. This is not a good thing. I now have what I call the "Are You Serious?" Rule - When I see something I set a price that I am willing to pay in my head before I look at the price tag. If the price on the tag is at or less th...