As I’ve mentioned a few times, I spent last week on vacation, visiting a friend in Portland, Oregon.   I learned a great deal about composting, cereal, kayaking, heterosexual drama, and microbreweries–as well as a few things about career and finance.

First of all, saving up leave for a big vacation was definitely the way to go… I think.   I was so burned out before I left that I was trudging around like the end of the world, but my luxurious, worry-free week has me feeling like a new woman.   An extra three-day weekend in there might have helped, but clearly woman does not live on three-day weekends alone. Shifting back into gear hasn’t been too hard, either, although I did fall asleep on the couch at 7:30 last night.

That said, I do think it’s more important to take care of yourself all the time instead of letting one week every eight months do it for you.

I can be trusted with my own credit card.   I didn’t worry about my spending all week, had fun, spent more than usual, and yet did not run up crippling consumer debt.   Two things: I am, perhaps, just a reasonably sensible person, and also, I was in a city where people were overwhelmed by the injustice of a $750/month 1-bedroom and $4 drinks.

I can even be trusted with an impulse buy. I bought a messenger bag in Portland that I’d consider way out of my budget at home, partly because something trendy on the west coast can be unique on the east.   But also, because I bought it too quick to talk myself out of it.

Airline travel blows. Unless you have elite frequent flyer status… maybe.