samantha and the ring

In "Sex and the City", the movie, there is a small storyline regarding Samantha and a diamond-encrusted ring being sold at auction. She decides to compete in the bidding for the ring, saying, "I work hard, I deserve this." To the external viewer, such a purchase may seem superficial or frivolous. But to Samantha, buying herself that ring was a symbol of her independence, earned by her hard work at her job. She does not need a man to buy her things, she is a completely self-sufficient unit.

I have just bought myself the world's most beautiful coat. (And as opposed to Samantha's ring, it set me back less than $300.) And to me, this is more than just a proper investment in light of the impending cold weather; this is a symbol of my independence. I did not have to rely on my folks for money, like when I was in college; I splurged my very own hard-earned money on a new winter coat. October just so happens to be a three-paycheck month, so I am left with a little more extra money than usually budgeted for--so I went for it and bought the coat of my dreams.

I wonder if the intoxicating allure of buying myself lovely things completely from my own finances will prevent me from going to grad school. (If you want to see the coat, follow this link. The coat is shown in "Look 4".) On the other hand, maybe this year in a 'real' job will make me all-the-happier about going to grad school, if it results in some savings of my own allowing me to live less poor-student-y later...