justification

[Mermaid Wesley]

This isn't directly related to tail making, but how can I justify spending the money to make myself a tail? I really want to, but I'm a college student and have no money to spare. I also have no idea when I would use it. Ugh... I want to though.... *whiney kid sounds*:doh:

[Winged Mermaid]

Moved your thread to a better section :)

We've had a few collage students come on and ask the same question. What it comes down to, is you spend money on what makes you happy. Don't be irresponsible about it- set aside the money until you have enough, and don't spend what money would go to important responsibilities like rent, food, ect. But if it makes you happy, that is the justification. If you're not sure, get a monofin first. It gives you the general feel of it, is only part of the cost, and monos sell much more easily second hand than tails do. Since tails are custom fit to measurements and all that.

Also don't forget the "mermaid20" 20% discount when you buy directly from Finis, and the JoAnns 40% off coupons they send out on a regular basis.

[AniaR]

I got my tails while I was unemployed and a full time student! I saved some and fundraised some, asked for $ to go toward it for my birthday etc. I mean, people justify spending on their hobbies all the time! gaming, instruments, photography, art etc.

[Dacora]

I mean, people justify spending on their hobbies all the time! gaming, instruments, photography, art etc.

This is so true. I have spent a little over $600 for my fish and fish tanks, it was all from saving from birthdays and little odd and end jobs. Hobbies are expensive (especially the good ones lol) so if it makes you happy do it. Just set so much money aside in savings, like 10 or 20 dollars, it will take awhile but that way you are being responsible. Plus if you don't like it you can always sell your tail. :)

[Mermaid Wesley]

Thanks everyone, I guess if i just start a little piggy bank i can get the cash for my mono fin and then i can buy it... then i'll work on the tail. I still am going to have a hard time explaining this to people (my parents) but i am feeling better about it now :)

[Blondie]

I agree though, don't spend the money on a tail if you don't have it. Seriously, if I would of bought my tail in the spring I would of been SO in a hole I don't even want to think about it xD I received enough money from graduation for my tail. I crunched some numbers and realized I was OKAY with spending money on a tail.

Just do not do NOT put your tail before your education, food, housing, gas, ect. No matter how much of a mermaid you are you're still bound to your human needs. You have to put those first because in the end, the tail will not save your...tail. Hehe...

Just try to find a part time job if you don't have one already. Take 10% of your paycheck out each time for it. Then put it in a savings account or piggy bank. I also agree with buying just the monofin. I love my tail I have now, but I wish I had just gotten a monofin at first. I was in such a hype that I wanted a tail and had enough money. But I rarely ever use my tail. I swam in it once (which was AMAZING) but God knows when I'll do it again :\

It takes serious patience for a tail. After waiting so long to get the money then you have wait for the tail itself to be made. It's a process and patience is the key to it.

[Mer_Adella]

When I made my tail, I took the same notion iblonde talked about. I took 30$ out of my check and bought my sequins one week. The next week I took 30$ again and bought my fabric. and so on and so on. Eventually, within a month I had everything that I needed and started making my tail. I wanted to make one to see if i could do it, and also so I could have one now. Eventually here, after I start putting money away from bdays/holidays/lotto winnings (lol) I will have enough to buy a latex tail.

[Morticia Mermaid]

MerHopefully~ It shouldn't be too much trouble. A lot of people explain it as a hobby or such. It's something they do for fun, even though some of us feel it is more than that sometimes its the best way to explain to people who might not understand :)

[Mermaid Lei Loni]

I had a close family member help me purchase my silicone tail. Since it was a huge investment, it was really hard trying to think of a way to come up with $1300 for it. Luckily, this family member really liked what I do with my mermaiding skills, and the fact that I volunteer a lot with it. So he bought it for me in exchange for being able to "book" me whenever he wanted to for his friends/events and for me to help him with marketing his business. Maybe you could do something similar? See if people will donate for your cause, or pay you for usage of your skills?

And as far as justifying a tail goes, I purchased all 3 of my tails for 2 reasons. The first being for performing and volunteer work, and the second for exercise and entertainment. Since I spend a lot of evenings at the pool now (rather than at the movies, shopping, etc.) I felt better about spending as much as I did. And when it boils right down to it, it's just money. And I can always make more if I have to. But I've never been one to really care about money anyway, even if I'm stuck eating ramen noodles for a few days. :)

[Mermaid Margarete]

I'm in a similar boat. Brand new to mermaiding and wanting to just jump right in.

I'm making myself save up for a latex tail, tho and just bought a monofin to hold me over. I feel like that's the best route cause then you can see if you even like swimming with a monofin! XD and it's not nearly as much of an investment as a tail is.