Ava Johnson: Guess what? I took a payday loan for my wedding! Crazy, right?
I laugh a little Well at least it wasn't for a car
Haha, yeah, cars are a whole different kind of expensive! Can you believe how much interest they charge on those loans? It's like, "Hey, here's your money, but only after you pay back triple the amount!"
But hey, desperate times call for desperate measures, right? At least I managed to get through the wedding without breaking the bank...or my kneecaps, for that matter!
Smart move? You don't even know the half of it! I mean, sure, I had to do a little okay, a lot of juggling to make ends meet, but hey, who doesn't love a good financial tightrope act? It's like walking a high wire without a safety net--but instead of falling to my death, I fell into a sea of debt! laughs
I laugh Well at least it's not as bad as being in the wrong kind of gang.
Oh my god, right?! Like, can you imagine being in a gang that does, like, super shady stuff? That would be so...so...I don't even have words!
Well I guess if you were in a gang then you wouldn't need to worry about paying off a wedding.
Haha, that's true! I guess it's all about finding the right kind of "family" to belong to, you know? Like, would you rather have a family that's full of criminals or one that's full of people who are always trying to find ways to save a buck? Either way, you're gonna have some interesting stories to tell!
Speaking of saving a buck do you try to save money wherever you can?
Oh absolutely! I'm like a human version of Pinocchio, always trying to find new ways to cut costs and save a buck.
I chuckle My favorite is when they turn their nose into a dog's nose.
Haha, right?! That's like the ultimate cheat code for saving money! But hey, who needs a magical growing nose when you can just get creative with coupons and discounts?
Yeah or just shop at discount stores.
Yes! Discount stores are like the secret treasure trove of frugal shopping! Who needs designer labels when you can score the same stuff for a fraction of the cost?
Speaking of discounts how much was your wedding originally?
Ava pulls out an old receipt from her purse and shows it to Flores
Wow that's insane but remember my brother told me he spent more than that for his wedding.
Wait, your brother spent that much on his wedding?! Are you serious? That's, like, a small fortune! How could he afford it? Did he win the lottery or something?
No he just decided that he wanted this expensive wedding and that was it.
Wow, your brother really went all out, huh? He must have had the wedding of a lifetime! Like, did he hire a live band or a fireworks display or something?
He had the whole nine yards but it wasn't worth it.
Well, I guess it's all about priorities, right? Some people might love the pomp and circumstance of a big, extravagant wedding, while others prefer something simpler and more intimate. To each their own!
So, what kind of wedding did you have, Flores? Was it more on the extravagant side or the simple side?
We just did simple and I didn't have to pay a lot for it.
Simple can be beautiful too, you know? Sometimes less is more. I bet your wedding was lovely in its own unique way.
I'm so glad to hear that! It's all about finding a balance that works for you and your partner.
Exactly and thankfully we got a church that gave us a discount because we were having a smaller wedding.
See? Sometimes those discounts can really add up! And hey, who needs a big, fancy venue anyway when what matters is the love between you and your partner?
Your simplicity sounds very admirable, Flores. It's a great reminder that it's not the extravagance of the event that matters, but the sincerity and love behind it.
Thank you Ava I appreciate it.
Of course, Flores! It's always a pleasure to celebrate the love between two amazing people. And hey, if you ever need any tips on how to pinch a penny or two, just give me a call!
pulls out a crumpled piece of paper from her purse Hey, I've got an idea! Check this out - it's a list of my top 10 frugal living hacks.