Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Am I a Shopaholic?

Today is Wednesday. It's usually the only day I have during the week where I can do whatever I want whenever I want. A lot of times that leads me to the mall. A lot of stores mark down their clearance on Wednesdays, and I'm a sucker for it.

We were about to head out when I caught a story on the Today Show about being a Shopaholic. Is that me? You have probably all noticed that a lot of what I talk about is the deals I get. Pretty ridiculous. So I looked up the story online and they have a little test you can take:

The new test includes six statements, for which individuals answer on a 7-point scale from strongly disagree to strongly agree:


My closet has unopened shopping bags in it.
No, but lots of clothes have tags on them....especially things for the kids for the next season.
Others might consider me a "shopaholic."
I'm a little embarassed, but the answer is probably yes. I'm always calling my friends telling them about sales they've GOT to get to. Sorry guys.
Much of my life centers around buying things.
I hope not, but there are certainly days.
I buy things I don’t need.

Who doesn't??
I buy things I did not plan to buy.
Yes. Especially at Target.
I consider myself an impulse purchaser.
Yes and No. I also have a pretty bad buyer's remorse and take things back.
Respondents who score 25 or higher would be considered compulsive buyers.


I always justify what I do because I rarely spend over $5 on anything. Seriously. In fact, on kids clothes I rarely spend over $3. But this still all adds up! I DON'T use credit cards. I'm tempted to open them to get the extra discounts, but I know better. Someone like me who uses a credit card is too tempted to think that "we can always pay for it in a few months". Nope. Not gonna do it. Some people are way more responsible than me can handle it though, I'm sure. However, I still buy a lot I don't NEED. It's ridiculous to think that my kids or me need so many clothes. We don't. Yes, I get overly excited after I buy something that was a good deal. Good deal or not, I'm still spending money. I buy things I didn't plan on buying quite often when I see those sale racks.... I'm also very impulsive.

I've never practiced Lent before, but RJ and I have talked a lot about doing it this year. You know what would be SO HARD for me to give up? Buying unecessary things.....man, even writing that I know there is no way I could do it. All those sales?!?! Ah, but there is! Through lots and lots of prayer. So, I don't know if I'll be doing that yet, but I'll keep updated. Wanna join me?
I don't know if I can do it alone! :)

So you guessed it, I'm NOT going to the mall today! I can do this. I can do this. I can do this. Not that going to the mall to walk around and do playland is forever off my list, but I just don't feel like I have the will power to resist the sales today.....

3 comments:

The Sneaky Mommy said...

Oh, I'm with you there! I probably am a shopoholic, too! There's something about a good deal that I can't resist either! I should join you on the lent idea...that would be super hard! When do we have to start!?!

une autre mère said...

I think being a stay-at-home mom brings out the shopoholic in a lot of us because we just want to get out the house and then the deals suck us in! Especially in the winter because it's too cold to walk around outside, so we HAVE to go to the mall! I wonder if the malls down south make as much money as northern malls in the winter... I'd guess not. I think the Lent idea is a good one. Chad would be all for it! So I guess I'm probably in.

Alisa said...

Great idea! I'm with you on the exhilaration of finding a good deal. It's nice to get your calls. :)

I'll throw some ideas your way of things other than the mall: storytime at the library (it's free and Henry would love it!), your church girls should start a playgroup! (why have you guys not already!? what a great group of gals!), Backyard Adventures, the grocery store is always an outing for us for the day, crafts/playdough/painting!/etc., the Science Center (it's DEAD during the week...so fun!).

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