Being a struggling actor/entrepreneur is not easy. Unlike with a corporate job, where you may be broke til next Thursday, you could be broke all month if no work comes in. So in an effort to be more fiscally responsible, I have had to pull back on a few things that some might think of as luxuries...
Some of them are easier to give up than others... Last month, I cut off my premium channels package. Basically, I had all the pay tv channels. That was tough because I tend to watch a lot of movies, but not a lot of network tv... but I dealt with it. I discovered a new love for the Sci Fi channel and TV-1, so I am good.
This month... I gave up the hardest of all my 'luxuries'... my laundry service. ARRRRRRGGGH!!! I know of ya'll are like, 'nigga, please!' But for real... I haven't washed my own laundry in the last two years. I like dropping it off dirty and coming back to pick up nice neatly folded downy fresh clothes. My whites are super white, my colors are popping... everything is soft and smells like a summer breeze. When I do it... I often fukk something up... whites come out pink or blue... or whites are clean smelling but still dirty looking... my darks fade... shirts shrink... I am just not good at it.
But today, I actually lugged my 6 loads of laundry down 6 flights of steps to the complex laundromat. But I didn't know that the machine to put money on the card did not accept credit or debit cards, only cash. So I looked around and saw 5 triple load machines and 3 regular ones all empty. There was only one African lady in there filling her first machine. If I ran to the cornerstore atm, I could be back before anyone else came and used up all the machines.
So I run to the store and when I come back, the laundromat was empty but there were only two little machines left. I was upset, but I was even more angry because NONE of the machines were running. That African heffer took and put her clothes into all the open machines and then left to get money, detergent and a snack.
I just squeezed 3 loads into the remaining two washers but I was SOOOOO heated. She was gone for a good 15-20 minutes. My clothes could have been halfway done. When she walked in, I am sure she could feel the heat searing from my eyes. But she ignored me and finally started her machines.
As luck would have it... MY CLOTHES FINISHED FIRST... *evil sinister laugh*... First I loaded the rest of my dirty clothes in the two washers... then I took my 3 loads of wet clean clothes and filled up ALL 5 dryers... lol When her clothes finished, she walks over, sees that I have taken ALL of the dryers and looks at me, and I igged her laser beam looks, and she had to sit there watching my clothes dry for half hour just like I had to watch her clothes sitting in the washing machines.
Then... my second load of clothes in the washers finished before my clothes in the dryers... so technically, I could have made her wait another half hour by filling up all the machines again... but instead, being the bleeding heart that I can be, I decided to put all my remaining clothes in two dryers and to give her three of them... I can be trifling and petty, but I am not a total azzhole.
I figured... I got her back, it felt good... but didn't want to attract any unnecessary negative karma to myself, giving her the three dryers was a good deed and balanced my initial triflingness... lol (Well, that is what I have convinced myself of anyway.)
Not including detergents, I spent $7.50 on laundry that would have cost me nearly $40 at the service. But looking at my dingy looking whites after I did my own laundry for the first time in two years... I have to say that the minute my financial situation stabilizes, that is the first 'luxury' that comes back...
You know...I've NEVER had a laundry service. But, the thought of it sounds really nice.
Posted by: Darius T. Williams | February 28, 2008 at 09:26 AM
Laundry service? What's that? Besides taking some of my higher end garments to the cleaners, I do all of my own laundry. Hell, I even press my clothes better than the cleaners. Sounds like a bit of a luxury to have the laundry service, but there's something relaxing in doing my own laundry.
Posted by: Nikki | February 28, 2008 at 12:33 PM
I can be trifling and petty, but I am not a total azzhole.
LMAO
Now that was funny. I know how it is bro...when we have a rough six weeks...having to go do laundry instead of doing it in the house was hard as hell!!!
The washers were the first things that came back!!
Posted by: DJ Diva | February 29, 2008 at 08:59 AM
I feel you. I recently gave up using a cleaning lady. I hate cleaning my place! I absolutely HATE it. She used to come every two weeks.
Posted by: kimmy | February 29, 2008 at 01:12 PM
man i feel your pain. i HATED sitting in the laundrymat on a saturday fighting over washing and drying machines. i have giving plenty of folks the evil eye. thank goodness i have my own now!
Posted by: ATLcutey | March 01, 2008 at 08:53 PM
Just as a tip for your whites...instead of bleach, use baking soda...it boots your detergent and your clothes should come out a little better. bleach is what helps your white wear fast. I keep bleach around for home cleaning purposes..other than that..bleach is the enemy when it comes to your clothes don't be fooled! (that is if you're using bleach)
ANYWAY...sometimes to cut back on your luxuries is necesary for the good of your budget. from one struggling artist to another...keep on truckin! you'll eventually have back ALL of those luxuries and MORE!
Posted by: Hunnie.Wright | March 04, 2008 at 07:30 AM
LOL You are too funny. But hey, if you can afford it more power to you! I have no doubt that someone who writes as well as you do, will be back on your feet in no time. During your *dry spell*, you're handling your business, it's commendable. You can also use a little bit of ammonia on your towels to remove that damp smell of the towels and washcloths and give it that 'fresh' smell. Hang in there, this is only temporary.
Posted by: Achilles | September 06, 2008 at 10:57 AM