A good pair of jeans, your pets or the phone bill?
A good pair of jeans, your pets or the phone bill?NBC15 Blog Listing
A good pair of jeans, your pets or the phone bill?
Topic Author: Christine Bellport
Posted: 1:42 PM Jan 13, 2009
Replies Posted: 51 comments
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Hello & Happy New Year!

I have done several stories on The Morning Show recently on my favorite thrift stores in Madison and Lake Geneva.  This season, I bought a winter coat in Lake Geneva for $8.  I have several designer suits I bought for under $40.  Having said that, there are some things I am not willing to give up, even in this tight economy.

Earlier this month I rushed my dog to the vet ER.  Turns out she has Lyme Disease.  Apparently, she got it when we were hiking this fall and the symptoms didn't really show until a couple of months later.  They ran a lot of tests (off hours so it was expensive at the vet ER). $617 was the final bill.  Ouch!!!  I just wanted her *out of pain*.  As animal owners, that is our primary responsibility to them. 

This morning I did a story on The Morning Show about fashionable, tummy tuck jeans for women featured on Oprah.  They are called "Not Your Daughter's Jeans" and sell for more than $100 (several locally-owned boutiques carry the line).   www.notyourdaughtersjeans.com  I have been reading the blog comments posted for that story (under Features/"Hot Trends") and people are miffed that I would feature expensive jeans on the show.  Why?  I wear my jeans a couple of times a week and I usually keep them for several years.  I also own a pair that I got at J.C. Penny 3 years ago for $12.  I am not a snob when it comes to jeans that tuck my tummy and boost my back side. 

There are some things I won't give up.  My pets and a good pair of jeans are two of them.   Especially where my pets are concerned, I will pay my phone bill or car payment a little late if that means I have them in good health!

What are you not willing to give up in these tight times?

Christine
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  • by erin Location: madison on May 14, 2009 at 10:02 AM
    I am trying to sell my couture wedding gown and I heard you know of a great place I can take it!...
    Reply [ Report Abuse ]
  • by connie Location: jefferson on May 5, 2009 at 11:54 AM
    Did you know that you can get a lyme's disease vaccine for your dogs? Even though we don't spend a lot of time in "the woods", we do visit the dog park regularly. Ticks are also found in grass. So both my dogs get the shot every year. Better safe than sorry. Ask you vet about it. Hope your dog is okay.
    Reply [ Report Abuse ]
  • by Christine on Mar 30, 2009 at 05:17 AM
    No, I didn't buy the jeans. I already have several pairs of jeans! I was making the point that there are some things I will not skimp on and jeans/my pets are two of them!
    Reply [ Report Abuse ]
  • by Ira Location: NYC,NY on Mar 29, 2009 at 08:35 PM
    Christine, did you ever buy the jeans? The suspense has been killing me for a couple of months now. IrA
    Reply [ Report Abuse ]
  • by Isla Location: Evansville on Mar 12, 2009 at 05:50 AM
    I think Bob needs to get off his high horse. Sometimes people can not control what happens to them. It makes me sick to see how many people are dumping their pets do to the economy. Poor babies. Where there is a will there is a way. By the way Christine, Ghost Whisperer Rocks!!!!!
    Reply [ Report Abuse ]
  • by Bob Location: Monroe on Feb 27, 2009 at 06:33 AM
    I can understand that you might have to take your pet to the vet and because of the unexpected bill you have to pay another bill late. But to not pay your phone bill or any other bill before you buy a pair of jeans or anything is simply irreasponsable(sp). If you recieve a service you owe, you have the responasibility to pay your bills on time. With your position as a community leader to advicoate anything else is simply wrong.
    Reply [ Report Abuse ]
  • by Wilburrr Location: Madtown on Feb 17, 2009 at 11:07 PM
    Hate to say it, but at these rates it sounds like lots of animals will be turned into the pound this year. If we all shave our armpits closer, we would require less deodorant. Cha ching! Let's make the best of these gloom and doom times and do something special for others. Shave your armpits, buy your jeans from Goodwill, and get rid of your cell phones!
    Reply [ Report Abuse ]
  • by kelli Location: edgerton on Feb 2, 2009 at 07:10 AM
    Okay, Mr. Kelly location-tires, you made me laugh. Luckily I'm happily married, my husband likes me in total grunge, running clothes, or dolled up. I'd never waist my time with a man who couldn't handle that. Also, my point might have been taken wrong on the jeans. I might spend more than normal if a pair FEEL really good, and of course I have to like how they look, too. The funny thing is that I'm a total bargain shopper, TJ Maxx, Good Will, sales racks. I'm not sure I've spent $100 on jeans, however, I'd consider it if I had it to spend, and they felt great. (Seems it's hard for me to find a good fitting pair of jeans.) That's all. Feed the kids first, pay the bills, ensure the kitties are healthy...then buy what your heart desires.
    Reply [ Report Abuse ]
  • by Hoss Location: Cross Plains on Feb 1, 2009 at 06:14 PM
    Christine, I would bet you still look 'hot' even in sweats. YOWSIR! ;)
    Reply [ Report Abuse ]
  • by Debbie Dunn Location: United States on Feb 1, 2009 at 07:57 AM
    I can't find the perogi recipe on today's show with the sour cream. Can you send it to me please
    Reply [ Report Abuse ]
  • by pamela lamb Location: beloit, wi. on Jan 30, 2009 at 06:41 PM
    i hope mia will be ok...just had a similar experience, the old emergency vet thing, found out my cocker spaniel (killian) was diagnosed with congestive heart failure, i'm really freaked out about it still, afraid to let him do anything, my husband keeps telling me, let him be a dog, that makes him the happiest...but the er vet put him on lasik and a heart med that helps his heart function easier..it was expensive but a bargain at twice the price,4 months ago killian also had surgery for kidney stones, he has to eat very pricey prescription food...and his meds for his heart condition are 50 bucks a months...he's worth every cent...i'd definetly would go without, to properly care for my furry kids...love you and the whole crew you guys make my mornings...
    Reply [ Report Abuse ]
  • by Christine on Jan 30, 2009 at 04:50 PM
    I liked Kelli's point. We do feel pressure sometimes to look our best. However, I do like a man who likes me in sweats and no make up. That's usually how I roll on weekends.
    Reply [ Report Abuse ]
  • by Kelly Location: Tires on Jan 30, 2009 at 08:00 AM
    Don't know who you've been dating kelli, but stay out of the bars.
    Reply [ Report Abuse ]
  • by kelli Location: edgerton on Jan 30, 2009 at 07:27 AM
    Weak? Yeah right, weak...that's it. Just because a self-respecting woman spends $100 on jeans that look good means she's weak? First of all many men I know who complain about women taking time to look good are the same men who wouldn't consider dating a woman who doesn't wear makeup or put together a good looking outfit, total hypocites or should I say weak? Additionally, has anyone noticed the price of a man's suit?
    Reply [ Report Abuse ]
  • by Anonymous Location: madison on Jan 29, 2009 at 09:42 PM
    Cristine: A couple of nights ago I gave your readers some bad investment advice. I said that 2 years ago I moved 90% of my money to bank CD's. That was true. What I didn't tell them was that for 30 years of trying,I have never made a dime in the stock market. Just fixed things like CD's, Money Markets,etc.Just wanted to tell you the truth, and let all your blog readers know the same. The stock market is like a big casino.Sometimes you can get lucky, however, the house will win it share of money also.Glad you got some of those great resale store buys. Thanks so very much Christine.
    Reply [ Report Abuse ]
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