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A Promise to Myself

"Love Don't Cost A Thing" - Jennifer Lopez

Oh this song takes me back to my gray 4-door Sentra and CSULA days. Back to a time of being a full-time student working multiple jobs and still not having enough money to buy lunch on a daily basis. I remember budgeting when I went to the book mart to buy the blue books and scan trons I needed for my next test even though it only cost a few bucks plus change. With whatever I had leftover, I'd grab a few sticks of gum to hold me over until I drove home. I kept my check register close by to monitor every cent that came in and out of my tiny bank account. I always spent more than I had, but fortunately I managed to carry my weight (and foolishly, the weight of a few others) and still stayed afloat all those years.

I never asked for charity or expected anyone to care for me. I never claimed just how little I had so I limited myself to whatever means I could afford. Shopping at discount stores, eating cheap take-out or bringing a sack lunch, and staying at school the entire time vs. driving back and forth to save on gas (even though my classes were 4-6 hours apart). I'd camp out in the campus library. On the 2nd floor in the woman's lounge area there was a comfy sofa bed with my name on it during those long, stretched out days.

It trips me out to think back to this. Even more so because it's what I've been used to... All throughout high school, I had no bank account. I had no budget. My sister and I had to split $5 cash a week and we managed to share a Cup O'noodles for $1 a day to get by until we got home. We never wanted to burden our parents because it was just lunch. It wasn't a mission and we were able to handle how to feed ourselves just fine with this.

The point in this story is that I promised never to put myself in this type of predicament ever again. I would save money and get to a point in my life when I can go out and not have to limit myself too much to the places I go and the food I eat. I would take care of those I care for; those like my sisters and parents who deserve the luxuries in life. So, here I am now and fortunately so far, I am able to do just that. So ya, I may get carried away with the extravagant gifts I give to a small few. I may spend my lunch hour at bountiful restaurants every single day. But the beauty in it all is that I can. And I will continue to do so because it makes me extremely happy knowing that I kept this one promise to myself.

Lyrics:

Think you gonna keep me iced, you don't
Think I'm gonna spend your cash, I won't
Even if you were broke
My love don't cost a thing

Think I wanna drive your Benz, I don't
If I wanna floss, I got my own
Even if you were broke
My love don't cost a thing

When you rolled up in the Escalade
Saw the dub you gave to the valet
Knew that it was game when you looked at me
Pullin' up your sleeve so I could see the rolley bling

Saw you later in the corner booth
Raisin' up a toast so I would notice you
But your heart's amiss
Think you outta know
Doesn't matter if you're ballin' out of control

All that matters is
That you treat me right
Give me all the things I need
That money can't buy

Think you gonna keep me iced, you don't
Think I?m gonna spend your cash, I won't
Even if you were broke
My love don't cost a thing

Think I wanna drive your Benz, I don't
If I wanna floss I got my own
Even if you were broke
My love don't cost a thing

When I took a chance
Thought you'd understand
Baby credit cards aren't romance
So you're tryna' buy whats already yours
What I need from is not available in stores
Seen a side of you that I really feel
Doing way too much, never keep it real
If it doesn't change, gotta hit the road
Now I'm leaving, where's my keys?
I've got to go

All that matters is
That you treat me right
Give me all the things I need
That money can't buy

Think you gonna keep me iced, you don't
Think I?m gonna spend your cash, I won't
(Baby)
Even if you were broke
My love don't cost a thing
(Love don?t cost a thing)

Think I wanna drive your Benz, I don't
If I wanna floss, I got my own
Even if you were broke
My love don't cost a thing
(Love don't cost a thing, a thing, a thing)

You think the money that you make
(That you make)
Can substitute the time you take
(The time you take)
Take the keys here to my heart
Then you can win my heart, and get what's in my heart

I think you need to take some time
To show me that your love is true
There's more than dollar signs in you
Then you can win my heart, and get what's in my heart
(My heart)

Think you gonna keep me iced, you don't
Think I'm gonna spend your cash, I won't
Even if you were broke
My love don't cost a thing
(Love don't cost a thing)


http://www.elyrics.net/read/j/jennifer-lopez-lyrics/love-don_t-cost-a-thing-lyrics.html
http://www.starpulse.com/Actresses/Lopez,_Jennifer/gallery/JLOPEZMP002/

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