Pre-tail order jitters?

[Blondie]

Hey everyone, so I just graduated yesterday!

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a341/Sliver_Shine29/WOOT.jpg


ANYWAYS! I now have enough money to buy a tail! I'm so excited to have a good load of money on me now. (I've haven't even been making it paycheck to paycheck as of lately) But I had some very very generous relatives who gave me nice gifts (And by gifts I mean money :lol: the best gift out there.) And I now have enough money for a tail and extra cushion money for other needs.

But as I was riding home today I was thinking to myself, "Gosh...I finally can buy a tail now..." but then something inside of me told me "No".

I've been into mermaiding for six years now, and I've been waiting for years for this opportunity to have the money for a tail and pay for it on my own. But now all of the sudden, I'm having second thoughts on it. I was thinking, "Why don't you just save the money? Put it toward school, invest it, put it in a saving's account."
But then I'm thinking, "What about your dream? Why don't you live a little and spend some money on yourself? You've wanted this for so long."

And then there's the worst thought out there it keeps hitting me, "It's just an expensive costume."

I want to seriously hit myself in the face for thinking that but it just keeps coming back :headwall:. I always feel a little guilty when I buy things for myself just because I overvalue a dollar. I'm planning on ordering a tail from Mermaid Parties, so I would only be paying a little over $200.

Is this normal? For you tail owners, did you ever get feelings like this before you bought or made your tail?

[Kanti]

I think a tail from MermaidParties is nothing compared to ordering a Mertailor tail or something like that which is
$400+
Not to mention a silicone tail which is usually $900+ !!
I don't think you should be so hard on yourself. I understand that money is an issue sometimes and you have to be
frugal, but spending money on entertainment is completely normal. And while a mermaid tail is just "an expensive
costume" when you think about it that way, well.. Then what's something like an Xbox or a PS3? It's literally a
"give this machine $300+ and even more for games that I can play and completely waste my life with". And even so
I don't think that's true. If something makes you happy, it's worth every penny. Sure, you may get buyers regret, I
ALWAYS do that and I'm super indecisive about everything, but that's just normal.

It sounds like you have a passion and you've really wanted a mermaid tail for a while. I mean, look where you are
right now. A mermaid forum talking about mermaid tails!

I think you should go for it :')

[Mermaid Saphira]

Of course it is normal! I certainly feel this way everytime I buy supplies to make a new item or tail...I feel like I am paying for a whole pool!!! I suppose I over value a dollar.
But in the end I always think about how incredible the outcome will be and you should to! Stephanie is a great tailmaker! You will be very pleased!


Congrats is in order!!!!!!!!!!!!! :highfive:

[Mermaid Marissa]

I think a tail from MermaidParties is nothing compared to ordering a Mertailor tail or something like that which is
$400+
Not to mention a silicone tail which is usually $900+ !!
I don't think you should be so hard on yourself. I understand that money is an issue sometimes and you have to be
frugal, but spending money on entertainment is completely normal. And while a mermaid tail is just "an expensive
costume" when you think about it that way, well.. Then what's something like an Xbox or a PS3? It's literally a
"give this machine $300+ and even more for games that I can play and completely waste my life with". And even so
I don't think that's true. If something makes you happy, it's worth every penny. Sure, you may get buyers regret, I
ALWAYS do that and I'm super indecisive about everything, but that's just normal.

It sounds like you have a passion and you've really wanted a mermaid tail for a while. I mean, look where you are
right now. A mermaid forum talking about mermaid tails!

I think you should go for it :')

Stephanie is a great tailmaker! You will be very pleased!

I agree with them completely! I felt the exact same way (even though I'm still in highschool and don't have a regular job) my mom is making me pay her back for my tail :p I was in your shoes a couple weeks ago. And now 53 emails later I am so excited to see the tail Stephanie made me! :D She does such amazing work and I am completely happy with my order. I don't think you should be so hard on yourself, you seem like an amazing person and if this is your dream then I say go for it! :highfive:

[AniaR]

this is so so so normal. Every single time I've gotten the money my brain goes through "think of all the bills that money could pay..." when I got the money for my Raven tail, a huge part of it was a gift. I was totally sick to my stomach over it for a few days simply because my boyfriend had been covering my rent that summer for a few reasons and I felt soooooooo guilty, I wanted to give him the money but the gifter intended it for the tail. I finally had to chat with him about it and when he encouraged me not to feel guilty I felt a bit better. But it is HARD. This year when I graduated university I actually had to put all the $$ I received on bills. Im transitioning into a job but I have to finish this huge volunteer project I committed to that is taking much longer than I thought and I seriously ran out of money. I didnt feel great putting it on my bills, but I also knew once work started I could use some money to buy myself something nice.

Take a few days to think about it :) I think at least for the next few years, mermaid tails will always be there, and the longer you wait I think the more makers will be out there. I know a handful of people working their butts off but just haven't gone public yet and wont til they're 100% sure their product is ready. Maybe you can stick some money into a savings account, or somewhere else til you make up your mind so you have it there :) A tail IS a really great graduating present though ^.^

In short, I think many of us have been there. Good luck. <3

[Ayla of Duluth]

hold on to what you believe
in the light
when the darkness has robbed you of all your sight

[SweeteSiren]

First off, congratulations on your graduation! That's awesome! Very proud of you!! From some of your earlier posts, I gather that you are a very responsible young woman, and the kind of person people around you can depend on. The only drawback to that is that sometimes you might start feeling like the weight of the world is all on you and you have to take care of everyone around you instead of doing what you want.
There is nothing wrong with putting yourself first every now and then and doing what you want - and 6 years of waiting sounds like plenty to me! You've worked hard and made a major accomplishment - I think you earned a treat! Go ahead and do something to make yourself happy before you dive back into your responsibilities. You can't take care of anyone if you're not taking care of yourself.

[Blondie]

Thanks everyone :) You guys are right, I should really treat myself to something nice. I'm just so nervous about spending so much money. But then again it is only roughly $200, and not like $3,000. There's a big difference there. I'm going to cash my money into the bank tomorrow. And we'll see where that takes me :)

[Kanti]

Yea! When you were talking at first I assumed you wanted a $2,000 tail or something like that xD
$200 is a big deal, but it's nothing comared to that. Part time jobs at around $7/hour basically get
you a $200 paycheck every 2 weeks so I mean, it wouldn't be that hard to raise money for it if you
just put some money aside each week. Or I guess in your case, to pay it off.

Either way, I think you should totally stick to it~

[Spindrift]

Congratulations on graduating! :)
I don't think anything I will say can beat or really add to what other people have posted. I think Raina's post has very sound advice.

I've had my tail for about 4 years or so and I've definitely put in a lot of money into it over the years. I'm still obsessed with the hobby years later, and since it's not really a fad for me I think the money I've spent is worth it.

[MermaidRaegan]

Congrats on graduation!!

I'm going through the EXACT same thing right now. I sent my email to Steph and the second I did I started having doubts. But you know what? You deserve this tail! Consider it your graduation present to yourself as a job well done.

[Alveric]

I've always regretted the purchases I haven't made more than the ones I did make.

[Blondie]

I've always regretted the purchases I haven't made more than the ones I did make.
That's EXACTLY how it is for me :\

[Samantha Siren]

I'm working my way up in stages! I bought a my first tail from Magictail and I have had a great reaction, I am now getting a tail from Merparties, so now I can hopefully start doing my own work, When I have made enough I will buy a silicone tail! Just claim it back on tax anyway if you say you need it for work! :)

[LindseyLu]

#1 - CONGRATULATIONS on your GRADUATION GIRL!!!!!!!!!!

#2 - You DESERVE a tail, so stop thinking about and just do it! ;)

#3 - You only live once!

Try to think of it this way. You've worked really hard to get where you are now and you should reward yourself with something that you will cherish. What would you love more than your own mermaid tail? What have you dreamed about for the past 6 years? Once you have your tail, you can use it to make the money back you know? Why not go to your local beach/pool/lake and sell "photos with a mermaid" for a few bucks? I think that would benefit you in more than a few ways... you're memaiding dreams coming true, and the tail paying for itself! (chanting) MERMAID TAIL! MERMAID TAIL! MERMAID TAIL! ;)

[Mermaid Jewel]

Congrats on graduating!

And everyone deserves to do something for themselves. And the jitters is completely normal...I felt that way before I ordered my monofin, my fabric, even while I was cutting out the neoprin. I'm saving to buy a silicone tail but even then I'm worrying already about spending that kind of money on something. But then again, we just spent $150 on dance costumes I will only wear once so...

[Mermaid Saphira]

#1 - CONGRATULATIONS on your GRADUATION GIRL!!!!!!!!!!

#2 - You DESERVE a tail, so stop thinking about and just do it! ;)

#3 - You only live once!

Try to think of it this way. You've worked really hard to get where you are now and you should reward yourself with something that you will cherish. What would you love more than your own mermaid tail? What have you dreamed about for the past 6 years? Once you have your tail, you can use it to make the money back you know? Why not go to your local beach/pool/lake and sell "photos with a mermaid" for a few bucks? I think that would benefit you in more than a few ways... you're memaiding dreams coming true, and the tail paying for itself! (chanting) MERMAID TAIL! MERMAID TAIL! MERMAID TAIL! ;)


I <3 this comment! You are so cute! :)

[Blondie]

You all are so awesome xD I swear, I've been in a slump for the past month and yall have pulled me out of it so many times!
I get so giddy when I come on the Network. I think I might order my monofin tonight and ship it to Steph.

Gosh I was looking at the prices for the Finis Wave the whole time! I had no idea that was a child's size x_x Now I got get a Rapid and that's almost double the price. Bummmmer >< And I NEED a Rapid before because I'm so tall with big feet xD I guess it's a good thing I saw that before I ordered.

[Mermaid Saphira]

^ She makes custom monofins still...I am getting one from her :)

[Blondie]

^ She makes custom monofins still...I am getting one from her :)
She does? I thought she was done with cutting Lexan. I had gone through a whole situation where she was helping me cut my own. (It didn't really work)

[Mermaid Saphira]

^ I believe it is lexan, but I am not sure..I just know that she still take a few custom monofin orders if you ask.

[Vyrel]

congrats on graduation!!!! I took about a week to decide if I should buy a tail! It is a big purchase so make sure you have put alot of thought into what type of tail and how you want it to look! After my week of pondering I came to the realization of "Money is money...you have been waiting your whole dang life for this!?!"

[Blondie]

Alrighty I think I finally got myself over 50% of being sure! Every time I start second guessing it, I say "The money was gift money, now I'm buying the gift." or "If you really don't use it enough later you can resell it" Which makes me feel better.

I kinda feel like I should tell my family though. I'll probably do it AFTER I order the tail so I don't get talked out of it (I'm a push over). Anyone have any good ideas on how to break the news to your parents that you've bought a tail and have a mermaid obsession? Haha!

[Blondie]

It's official guys! I've ordered my tail!! :) :yay: Can't believe I actually did it haha!

[Mermaid Annariea]

ooh yay :D i hope youll post pics and videos of you in it!!
and as for breaking the news to your parents... i showed them videos of hannah fraser and said "thats what i want to to."
they took it pretty well. (:

[Blondie]

ooh yay :D i hope youll post pics and videos of you in it!!
and as for breaking the news to your parents... i showed them videos of hannah fraser and said "thats what i want to to."
they took it pretty well. (:
I will for sure! I'm only going to break it to them if they get suspicious. That's a good idea though I might do that

[Kanti]

Congrats!!
You'll have a ton of fun with it I'm sure :'D
I wouldn't say you have to "break it to your parents". Some kids like $100 bikes, some kids like $300
gaming systems, other kids like $100 shoes or purses. You on the other hand, like $200 mermaid tails.
It's just your hobby, it's nothing to be ashamed of or have to explain to anyone.
If anything it sounds like you have to get your parents used to your hobby haha xD

My parents used to be the same until I just prooved too weird for them. Now I spend 100s of dollars on
animal skulls, feathers, and silicone. My parents gave up on me I think haha.