For years, Target was one of my happy escape places. If I was feeling blue or wanted to transform my life in some way, a trip to Target was an important component. I’d stroll up and down the aisles, examining towels or shoes or candles. I knew that the solution to my malaise could be found somewhere on those shelves. Did I need to lose a few pounds? Then I definitely needed cute new yoga pants. Did I want to start cooking healthier food? It was time to “invest” in a new cookbook and maybe a kitchen scale and perhaps new dishes. Did I have an exciting date lined up? Then I should buy new makeup, maybe some lotion, and some new hair product that would give me that “fresh from the salon look.”
Saturday night, I went to Target for exactly the kind of pick-me-up that used to be my habit. I spent the afternoon helping my husband do a landscaping project at his office. I was feeling a little grumpy about giving up my Saturday afternoon when I had a “to-do” list of my own. I was tired of being all frugal all the time, tired of all my clothes, and just all around ready to be irresponsible. These are all the old feelings that used to trigger trips to Target. In the back of my mind, I knew that, but I still wanted to go. I really only needed a few pairs of black socks and a camera case, and my husband wanted a new sleep shirt. I had a $50 gift card to spend, and I felt that I deserved to splurge.
The one smart thing I did was decide to work out before the trip. I’m finally back in my exercise groove, and it really is amazing how much that lifts my spirits. Then, on the drive to Target, one of my favorite symphonies was playing on the radio. Suddenly, life seemed a lot better. It was the golden hour on a beautiful fall day, and I had lost two pounds.
Happily, at Target, I relinquished my grumpy shopping impulse and didn’t really see anything that I wanted to buy. I walked all through the clothes and shoes, but didn’t fall in love with anything. I got my socks and a $5 case for the camera. Then I bought my husband his sleep shirts and the new Star Wars game for the Wii. I knew that he wanted it but wouldn’t buy it for himself, since we’re being all frugal, so I used the gift card for that.
Since I started my debt-reduction journey and have become more attuned to the emotions that trigger binge shopping, it really is easier to resist. Just by doing something healthy, like working out, I was able to turn my mood around. I faced the temptation square in the face and felt great for walking out of Target with just the basics! I’m finally learning that I’ll still have all the old feelings and worries, but I am in control of how I react to them.
How do you resist shopping temptations?
7 responses so far ↓
1 Kelli // Oct 21, 2008 at 10:18 am
This might sound as if I’m making a joke, but it’s true— I stay out of the stores. Seriously, Target, the mall, TJ Maxx, any place where there’s a temptation.
When I’m at home, I’m not wandering around thinking, “Oh, how fun to spend $25 worth of makeup to get this cute Estee Lauder bag with free gifts” or “Wow, I really need another pair of black flats…”
I really find little satisfaction in shopping now because I end up with 1) more *stuff* to have to take care of and that I don’t need 2) it takes away my creativity–I have to buy something new instead of figure out how to make do with things as they are or reuse something else I already have.
I was interested in this post how you ended up at Target anyway after exercising. I think since it was a beautiful day I may have followed this up with a walk (listening to the symphony on the iPod instead) and maybe a good book or a trip to the library.
For me, being frugal is constantly putting off that shopping trip…no, we don’t really need it, or we don’t need to spend the money right now. What’s interesting, is the more I put it off, the fewer and fewer times I go out, which saves money. A lot money. It’s amazing how much you don’t spend if you don’t walk in a store!
Anyway, good post and I appreciate you saying how Target fills a need, an emotional need in us sometimes. You honesty is refreshing. Thank you!
2 Amber Couric // Oct 21, 2008 at 1:54 pm
When I need a pick me up I tend to go to Home Depot and look around at all the stuff for updating my house. I don’t usually buy anything but if I do it is something that has been built into the budget.
3 tiffanie // Oct 21, 2008 at 4:23 pm
i am so like you…shopping was always my pick-me-up! i now try to analyze beforehand any purchase i may want to make. i plan my shopping trips ahead of time and even if i’m going to buy something “fun” for myself…i set a limit and tell myself that i’m not to buy anything else. example…i’m currently in the market for a pair of black or brown casual shoes because all i have are a pair of adidas running shoes and those look silly with some of my outfits. how easy would it be to splurge and buy 2 or 3 pair of shoes (like i used to do)? instead…when i go to look, I know I’ll only be getting the ONE pair…not three.
If i’m tempted to go shopping…I do something else for a while until the feeling passes. Maybe I cook or bake or read. Something to get my mind off it. That’s what works for me
4 Doctor S // Oct 21, 2008 at 9:52 pm
Great post and great blog you have! I have a huge problem with impulse shopping and prevent such temptations by walking away and sleeping on the idea for at least a night. It is tough to too this with online shopping but I normally just tell myself to wait a day to think about it practically as to whether I really need it or not. It works pretty well with me and I normally never end up buying the item!
5 resisting the temptation to splurge | we like money // Oct 23, 2008 at 4:03 am
[...] in splurges If you’re new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!This article on temptation over at My Daily Dollars inspired me to think about how I’ve changed when it comes to my [...]
6 Andy @ Retire at 40 // Oct 23, 2008 at 5:15 am
It’s easy for me to go into shops now. Whereas before, I liked certain stores (in which I’d overspend) I never used to like ’shopping’ itself.
Therefore now I’m more attuned, like you are, every time I go in a store I cringe at how much stuff there is and how little of it I want to buy. It’s a great feeling walking out having not spent anything - or finding exactly what you did need for 50% off.
7 mydailydollars // Oct 23, 2008 at 12:59 pm
Thanks for the great comments everyone! You’re right, once we break the habit of shopping for a pick-me-up, it gets a lot easier. I agree Andy; now that I am more aware of emotional triggers, I can control them better. Just by doing something healthy first, I was able to avoid overspending when I got there.
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