Yesterday I spent $5 to buy a little net bag for my backpack to hold coins, some bills, and my metrocard. I’d been annoyed for weeks by the broken zipper on my Hello Kitty change purse (the Big Girl got it for her birthday a few years ago), but finally I broke down and bought a replacement.

Now each time I reach into my backpack, I get a jolt of satisfaction from this new, well-zippered little bag. I can’t decide whether it’s uplifting, or a little pathetic, to admit how much happiness I’m getting from a change purse — but nevertheless, it’s worth keeping in mind.