Buying Fun

In the Boston area, we have had rain for almost 2 weeks straight. Great for the grass, not so great for kids who want to play outside. And certainly not so great for my poor wife, who has been home with 2 sick kids and no playground to go for relief. So when this past Saturday brought both sunlight and a local school fair, it was time to take out the ATM card.

Money may not lead to happiness. But sometimes money helps. And for a modest investment of $40, it sure helped manufacture some fun this weekend.

We certainly could have gone to a playground, played around the yard, or gone for a bike ride for free. But when the forecast called for more rain Saturday night, I didn"t want to chance it. I needed a guarantee good time for the kids and that translated to taking two 20"s out of the ATM and heading on over to the school for the "Fun Fair." It"s all about the Jacksons baby.

$40 allowed my daughter to kick off her shoes and jump around in a "Bouncy House". It bought her a chance to fish for paper clipped laminated fishes with magnetic lures, all for some Smarties. She got to play Whack-A-Mole and dig around for buried treasure (more candy). But the best part of all, is, for the first time, that she got to experience the ultimate joy: eating cotton candy.

Then, after 2 hours of making the rounds of beanbag tosses, and face painting, we left. We stopped and got pizza for lunch and then finally went home for naps.

What did we take home for that $40? My daughter took home some cheap keychains and some candy. My son took home a day out in the sun for a chance. My wife and I got a great 3 hour escape from the stale air of our house and the satisfaction of seeing our daughter, who had been sick for the last couple of weeks, have fun for a change.

I"m not saying to always default to just spending money so that your family can have fun. There are many ways to have a good time for free. But sometimes, you need to embrace the moment and fork over the dough. For me this weekend, it was money well spent.