Cost vs Value

This is an empty bottle of Glimmer Mist. It cost me about $3 (a little less, actually). It's a tiny bottle that came in a sampler pack, and I had a 30% off coupon for Archiver's. 

This is an empty Copic marker. I took it out of the trash to take this picture for you. I paid $7 for it.

Now, I have friends who have that "I can't use it, it's special" mindset. My husband is always "saving" things for "a special occasion". I don't do that. At all. 

Something is only expensive until you guy it. Once it's in your hands, you determine the worth of something. If it sits on a shelf in perfect, pristine condition, it's worthless. My Moleskine journal: $17.95. The smoothest, prettiest watercolor paper: $6.39/sheet. Prismacolor colored pencil: $1.95. If I leave that Moley in its plastic wrapper, then it's worth EXACTLY what I paid for it and nothing more. The instant that I crack it open and it becomes my journal, it's priceless. It's my comfort, my companion. It holds my hopes and dreams and fears. I carry it in my backpack and I reach for it when I need it - it's always there. That Copic marker - I used it all for a ridiculous journal filled with cartoon drawings of my every day life. It makes me smile when I look through it - that makes it worth every penny. I'm practical and I'm cheap - I tried all the other markers first. I resisted going Moley (because you can never really go back). I did a Paper Research Project before picking a paper I loved. So if I'm going to spend $7 on a marker, I'm going to USE it. I know there are so many people who don't want to use their "good" supplies but I don't get it. There is no more special occasion than today. Right now is all we have.