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I'm Elaine and I'm a Shopaholic.

By
Home Stager with Home Staging Online Services

I've always been a bit of a control freak, but I have found one thing I can't seem to control. OK, I'm really bad at dieting, so make that two things. But, this post is about my lack of control when it comes to shopping. And, I'm not talking about the kind of shopping you do for a home you are staging. This is all about that random "OH, I just love that, I have to get it for my inventory, because I'm sure someday it newest purchaseswill look great in a home I stage!" That impulse, which I can't seem to control, has filled my basement to the brim, and maxed out more than one credit card!

 

 

 

Here is how it generally works:

I walk into Ross or HomeGoods/TJ Maxx, you know, just to look around. I tell myself I'm not there for my business, so I check out the shoes and purses. Hmmm...nothing I have to have here. I meander past the clothes (I refuse to buy clothes until I drop 10 pounds, so no use looking) and a display in housewares will catch my eye, or at Ross, that sign hanging from the ceiling with the word "CLEARANCE" on it. I go into a mindless trance and head in that direction. But WAIT! I need a cart!

Now, I'm in business! An animal newest purchase!print coffee set! Gotta have it! Towels in my accent color du jour! I'll just buy one set! That vase is lovely, I can think of a ton of uses for that!!! I momentarily come out of my trance...MY GOD, there are a lot of ROOSTERS!!! I hurry past them to pick up a gorgeous red bowl I can't possibly live without! Look at the great art! I can't believe they only want $30 for that huge painting.

An hour later and my cart won't hold another thing. For a brief moment I realize that what I am about to do makes no financial sense. It's like buying a set of tires for a car you hope to own someday. But, the moment passes and the high I am on returns. I don't even mind the dirty looks of the customers in line behind me, as they take in the incredible amount of stuff I am buying. I open the back of my Jeep, and discover I have less room than I thought. It still holds those nesting tables I picked up from a thrift store, and the lamps they were practically giving away at Linens-N-Things closeout sale! That yucky feeling comes back. What would my honey/CPA say about this?

I know what he would say...Elaine, you have a problem.

 

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Comments (62)

Charlene Storozuk
Dezigner Digz - Burlington, ON
Home Stager - Burlington Ontario

LOL!!! I can TOTALLY relate Elaine.  Every time I go into a store, it's just for one little thing, but I end up coming out with a lot.  Am I ever glad that I have off-site storage now.  (At least now hubby doesn't see me hauling in all of my new "treasures".)  I like your new photo too!

Aug 03, 2008 12:24 AM
Elaine Manes Gage
Home Staging Online Services - Denver, CO
Staging done ONLINE!

Cheryl- I think you may be on to something! I'm eating too much to relieve the guilt of shopping too much!!!! Glad you like the new pic, I had to Photoshop out my three chins! ;)

Hey Lil Sis, why am I not surprised that we have this in common, too. There was a whole month, when every time my daughter called me I was in a Ross store. It got to the point where I would say "I can't talk now" and she would say "which Ross are you in now?" BTW, remember...step away from the roosters!!!

Joyce- I have that same problem. I wind up buying so much that the house HAS to sit for three months for me to break even! Now, don't I have a head for business???

Charlene- This is kind of like the chicken and the egg, but do you think people who like to shop become stagers, or stagers just become shoppers? I think we all know the answer to that! My shopping habit started with my very first paycheck when I was sixteen! Glad you like the photo!

Aug 03, 2008 04:20 AM
Annmarie Holmes
Chic Home Staging and Design Studio - Pembroke Pines, FL

I say that everytime I go into target! I just can't resist.  Marshalls,Ikea,TJ MAX they all do it to me when I'm staging...... I just just recently found a new love for Kirklands..for all my traditional clients out there. Bad thing is I live in a condo! no space for my inventory. My husband walks in the closet......realizing that it was not the same way it was when he left this morning, he says to me "what did you get today?" as he uncovers the vase I stuffed in the back corner of his side.... I think I've got it real bad.

Aug 03, 2008 05:11 AM
Elaine Manes Gage
Home Staging Online Services - Denver, CO
Staging done ONLINE!

Annmarie- If you were in a house, you'd just buy more!!! I keep rationalizing it by saying "I don't need this right now, but I might need it in the future and I'll never find this great price again". Sound familiar?

Aug 03, 2008 08:12 AM
Abby Roselli
ALR Home Staging and Showcasing, LLC - Staten Island, NY
Staten Island Home Stager

Isn't SHOPAHOLIC a requirement for what we do?  I thought I read that somewhere...

I too am a shopaholic and the only control I have over myself is to NOT enter a store.  {Your Ross description is EXACTLY what I do!!! LOL}  Sad but true.  But, when job/need arises, I'm there with bells on, ready to shop---the best part of the job!  I love to have my daughter come to assist when it turns into a multiple-shopping cart trip.  =)  Makes things so much easier to have an extra set of hands. 

Aug 03, 2008 08:50 AM
Andy Capelluto
International School of Staging - Seattle, WA

Elain - you're in the right place - in the right industry if shopping is your thing.  Try Tuesday mornings as well, it has great shopping for home staging.

Aug 03, 2008 09:37 AM
Annmarie Holmes
Chic Home Staging and Design Studio - Pembroke Pines, FL

Elaine- Definitly heard that one before..... me and my husband are in the process of purchasing a larger home here in Florida, I'm already taking about converting our new two car garage into an inventory space. what can we do? it's in our blood!

Aug 04, 2008 08:28 AM
Elaine Manes Gage
Home Staging Online Services - Denver, CO
Staging done ONLINE!

Abby- I've noticed, too, that if I can't find any staging stuff (which rarely happens) I will at least walk out with new shoes! And the double whammy is that my Ross is right next door to Michaels!

Andy- I'm headed there tomorrow!!!

Annmarie- I like that...we HAVE to shop, (I will add more to that) or we will DIE!!!!

Aug 04, 2008 09:14 AM
Ronelle Schroeder-Hill
Vacaville, CA

Elaine, you'll ne ver guess what I didn't buy today..... I was at Home Goods and they had my cigar smoknin dog as a lamp, couldn't believe it, it was sooo hard to leave him there but I did. Found your secret page! I love it, what a great story

Aug 04, 2008 12:17 PM
Elaine Manes Gage
Home Staging Online Services - Denver, CO
Staging done ONLINE!

Ronelle- I am so proud of you! A cigar smokin' dog is so much better if it is unique, and you avoided the "collection" trap that I fell prey to!!! Glad you liked the story of the frogs! The same couple gave me a ceramic frog cookie jar for Christmas this last year, and I keep it in my office for my secret stash of diet no-nos! See? NO CONTROL!!!!

Aug 04, 2008 12:43 PM
Karen Otto
Home Star Staging - Plano, TX
Plano Home Staging, Dallas Home Staging, www.homes

the beauty of this Elaine is that it's really all just a business expense! now that's something that will make your CPA hubby happy.... err..maybe

Aug 04, 2008 01:03 PM
Elaine Manes Gage
Home Staging Online Services - Denver, CO
Staging done ONLINE!

Karen- Actually, he has never complained about it. In fact, he prefers that I spend the money on myself. But, my ex would go ballistic, and old habits die hard!

Aug 04, 2008 01:29 PM
Barbara Cluck-Miksits
BCM Home Staging LLC - Ridgewood, NJ
Home Staging - New Jersey

Elaine you are not alone. I make sure I take either my husband or my mother with me so they can push the second shopping cart. I will pray for us :)

Aug 04, 2008 03:34 PM
Elaine Manes Gage
Home Staging Online Services - Denver, CO
Staging done ONLINE!

Barbara- LOL! Yes, pray for our immortal souls!

Aug 04, 2008 03:37 PM
Denise Mason
ReDesigns by Denise - Jackson, MS
ReDesigns by Denise

Elaine, Let's face it, Most of us are in this business because our own homes could no longer hold all of our accessories! And who can afford to completely change your decor every season?  I love the excuse to shop!  Yes, my credit cards are at their limits most of the time and then I get paid for another job!  I take solice in the knowledge that my ADDICTION, doesn't require me to take off my clothes to pay for my next FIX!  My Name is Denise and I am a Shopaholic....      

Aug 04, 2008 03:58 PM
Elaine Manes Gage
Home Staging Online Services - Denver, CO
Staging done ONLINE!

Denise- If I thought someone would pay for me to take my clothes off, I would have to really consider it! ;)

Aug 04, 2008 04:24 PM
Denise Mason
ReDesigns by Denise - Jackson, MS
ReDesigns by Denise

Elaine, I like the way you think, lol.  Too bad we live several states away!  I think we could do some shopping damage!   Great Shopping!  Denise

Aug 04, 2008 10:12 PM
Elaine Manes Gage
Home Staging Online Services - Denver, CO
Staging done ONLINE!

Denise- And the cost of a U-haul isn't bad, if it's split two ways! ;)

Aug 05, 2008 12:16 AM
Nancy Ewing
Creative Angle REdesign & Staging - Dillon, CO

Elaine - I'm laughing so hard I'm in tears again!  Thanks for the laughs!

Nancy

Aug 07, 2008 08:02 AM
Elaine Manes Gage
Home Staging Online Services - Denver, CO
Staging done ONLINE!

Nancy!!!! Haven't you noticed how my Jeep is always full, even when I don't have any staging jobs? I wish some of your self-control would rub off on me!!!

Aug 07, 2008 09:33 AM