Are They Real? Only My Husband Knows For Sure

I have always told my husband that I would like a pair of diamond earrings of a certain size and I am positive he is more than willing to oblige when the time and situation is right. He would do it today if I would let him. He is a very generous man and I hope I haven't squashed that trait before he has ample opportunity to use it.  However, I have found myself back-tracking on my previous hearts desire. After all, diamonds are just rocks! Very beautiful rocks.

I have a pair of wonderful fake diamond earrings that I have worn without shame for years. They are cubic zirconium, but as far as I am concerned they pass for the real thing - although at this point I know I am fooling no one.

I wish I could remember where I purchased them or even when. I have had them for at least 4 years. Each stud is easily 1 carat. The setting is traditional. The metal source is unknown but hasn't faded or tarnished at all. They suit me:-)

And then the sun shines - they might not cast prisms like the real thing but I can live with that. Especially when I consider that most people who see them are going to assume that what I wear is the real thing.

And that is one of the truths that we are going to have to accept. People are going to make assumptions about our finances that are entirely false.

                                              ASSUMPTION                                    TRUTH

Diamonds                              real thing                                                 good fakes
Cars                                      paid for with cash                                    financed - just like yours
Mortgage                               paid off                                                    30 years
School                                   private                                                     public/charter/private/homeschool
Clean House                         housekeeper                                           blisters to prove it's me
Tasteful Decor                      interior designer                                      hours of HGTV finally used
Vacations                              exotic                                                      domestic and rare
Shopping                               Saks, Nordstroms                                  Target, Old Navy
Wallet                                    fat and overflowing                                  holds business cards and receipts
Dinner out                             steak and lobster every night                  made at home, take out
Groceries                              delivered                                                  line at warehouse store
Trim figure                             personal trainer/liposuction                     hours on the treadmill
Perky breasts                       boob job                                                   padded bra from VS
Haircolor                               expensive salon every 6 wks                  out of a box at home
Student Debt                         rich parents                                              years to payoff
Retirement                             no worries, millions                                 $0, plenty of worry

People will choose to believe the assumptions and completely ignore the facts. So, I might as well save whatever money would be spent in diamonds and payoff some of those student loans. The only people who will know for sure will be me and my husband.

(Disclaimer: Some of the assumptions may turn out to be truths, but you get the point).