Fabulous Finds

Poor genetics have blessed me with horrible eyesight, strange crater-like dimples, and the math skills of a really smart fourth-grader. But I thought I would give my elementary skills a go to figure out whether a certain purchase would be as great a bargain as it seemed on paper.

H&M has long been regarded as the Mecca for inexpensive fashion finds, and I always walk out of the store with something that I wear over and over. Since the closest H&M to me is in Phoenix, I usually just sigh at the ads in magazines, cry over the coupons being thrown at me on the iPad app, and roll my eyes at the incredibly priced items in Lucky layouts. But this little metallic number
                                                       
made me ponder the following sartorial word problem*:

                                                       How much does a $50 skirt cost?

Let's see.

It's 430 miles from El Paso to Phoenix. It costs roughly 3.65 for a gallon of gas, and I get 36 mpg. It will take 12 gallons to drive to Phoenix. It will cost 43.80 to fill up my Mini-Cooper's tank with 12 gallons of gas. Factor in $5 for a large Coke Zero and some candy bought somewhere between here and there. Add $5.95 for a #1 combo at In-N-Out as soon as I roll into Phoenix. Add $130 for a hotel. Ok, now add $50 plus some tax for the actual skirt. Realistically, add another $100 for other items that catch my eye; after all, I'm here only once or twice a year. Add $40 for a nice dinner and drinks to reward myself for finding such bargains. Another $45 for the gas to get back home. Now add $5.95 for another #1 (don't judge- again, I'm only here once or twice a year).

I believe the answer is (C) $425.70.

A total bargain. 

*This kind of math is fun. And to quote a very wise woman, if more math like was this, I would make every day "mathier."

~m~