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 will 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 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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