Cheapskate:The high cost of my bad habit

But if you’ve ever worn the “progressive” style of lenses you know that they are not 100 percent awesome. So I have a second pair I call my computer glasses. That means I am switching back and forth quite often.

The pair I’m not wearing I jam in my purse; I also happen to enjoy carrying a fairly large nail file in there — the kind that has fine sandpaper on both sides. The kind that can sand the finish right off polycarbonate lens material used in eyeglasses.

Yes, that’s what I did. And yes, I do have a great eyeglass case that holds two pair of glasses, but it’s annoying to take the time to find it then open it to switch out the glasses. I don’t know how many times I jammed those pricey progressives into my purse and scraped them up against that nail file. What I do know is the scratches became so severe that those $750 glasses were ruined. And because the frames were unique, replacing the lenses was more costly than starting over with more sensible frames.

That bad habit hurt so badly, I had to have a little talking-to with myself. (SET ITAL) This is ridiculous! You have a case! Stop whining, dump the excuses already and use it! (END ITAL)

The first day I had the new glasses I thought I was going to go mad. But I forced myself to find the case, to take the time to open it, switch out the glasses, then replace the case in a spot in my purse that would hopefully become quite handy. It was awkward and time consuming.

The second day, same thing. Still annoying.

Third day, not so bad. Fourth day, don’t remember.

Fifth day, Voila! It started to feel quite natural.

After three weeks, I am home free. I do the find-switch-replace thing so automatically, I don’t even think about it. I always know where my computer glasses are and I always know where my progressives are, too. I’m at that stage in my life where I must be wearing one or the other. And since my case holds two pairs of glasses, I always know where my sunglasses are, too. And I still carry my nail file in the same place.

The power of habit is something all of us possess if we will but draw upon it. Anything you wish to change or adopt into your life can be done by creating a new habit or breaking an old one. Think about it!

Mary invites questions, comments and tips at mary@everydaycheapskate.com, or c/o Everyday Cheapskate, 12340 Seal Beach Blvd., Suite B-416, Seal Beach, CA 90740.