...and that is why I'll never be rich

I had been approached by a close friend's mother to design some invitations for a personal event.  She insisted when giving me the job that she wanted me to charge her regular price.  I told her "no" from the start.  My reason being that she was like family, and I wouldn't charge my sister, mother, or aunt full price, so she'd get a break too.  Still, she insisted.

So, the other night she came by to pick up the cards and asked for the total.  I hesitated, but gave her a solid, honest quote that was under my "commercial rates" but that still paid for my time.  I quickly added, "but, really, pay me what you're comfortable with."  I noticed her flinch.  It was more than she was counting on.  But she didn't say anything, she just asked if that covered materials and printing.  I assured her it did.  And she left me with a check.  

I was conflicted.  To be fair, I hadn't given her a quote up front.  I wasn't planning on charging her, let alone full price.  But she insisted.  I slept on it, and after a poor night's sleep, I returned the check the next day.

I seriously could have used the money.  I could have made that check stretch nicely, and we're not talking thousands of dollars here, but about a full-day's pay.

Now I'm waiting to see if she just pays me for the materials (since I returned that too, as it was included in the check), or what.  I hope I didn't offend her, but, really, our little boy calls her "Grandma" -- I couldn't take that money she wasn't planning on paying. 

And that, my friends, is why I'll never be rich.