I had big plans for this week.

The final days of this year also mark the end of Cheap Women. I'd made a list of a few big tasks to finish (budget, consign some old clothes, deposit my Christmas money). I had lots of ideas for blogging that I haven't been able to write about yet. And I was looking forward to tallying up who, finally, would be named the ultimate Cheap Woman.

Life had other plans. Elisa's life fell apart this week, while most of her friends were out of town for the holidays. It would have been ridiculously selfish of me to put the contest before her well-being. It would have been stupidly sacrificial for either of us to put saving before comfort. In the few hours I found between working and caring for my friend, I tried to sleep or pray, not blog.

Instead of a fury of finishing tasks and counting pennies, we've spent the week giving ourselves permission to pay for funny movies and good food, even letting ourselves buy small luxuries like homey candles and pretty lotions.

I think it would have been understandable if Elisa had gone a little off the deep end on spending this week. Still, she didn't. One of the few bright spots of this week has been a realization of all we have learned through this contest. We relish the real changes that have taken place. We've skipped senseless purchases, realizing that there is nothing we can buy that can complete us or fix this situation. We've taken life a little more slowly, giving ourselves time to enjoy a little instead of accumulating a lot.

I walked through Barnes and Noble today, alone. I was tired, emotionally exhausted, sad, and a little sick. I saw at least five things I could have legitimately justified purchasing. I even have a little extra cash from generous Christmas gifts. But I didn't. I know Elisa has the magazine I wanted, and I didn't mind waiting and borrowing it from her. I know I can order the books through the bookstore I used to work for and save thirty percent (and support my friends and local economy in the process). I know I can drive to a Starbucks where I work and get a free or discounted Chai instead of paying full price for one at Barnes and Noble.

Sometimes the Cheap Life is about sacrificing. Sometimes it's about selling everything you possibly can to make some cash. But, sometimes, it's just about waiting for the right time. Sometimes it's about choosing creativity over consumption. Sometimes it's about learning to be content with love and friendship and not hiding behind a wall of possessions. And, yes, sometimes it's about paying full price for you and a friend to get dinner and see a movie.

I love what Cheap Women has taught me. It's been good on my check book and my debt. I'm slowly learning to find real peace with my finances. But, more than that, it's helped me lean on my friends and my church when I need to instead of insisting on independence. And it's helped me learn to be there in real ways -- financial and otherwise -- when they need me back.

I'm calling the contest a draw. The last thing Elisa needs right now is Ramen and old clothes. The last thing I want is to claim to be a winner when, really, what I've been all along is a partner and a fellow traveler.

We may post into the new year, or we may close up shop ... we're really not sure yet. But both Elisa and I thank all of our readers for your support and your comments ... and your free food. The Cheap Women experience would have been far less rich without you.