One Shopping Trip Down...

Crazy week, and it's only half over! Things here have been a little busy, and a little emotional. Roll on, September!

So yesterday, I made it through my first trip to Wal Mart on the new spending diet. And I made exactly ZERO impulse purchases! It didn't hurt that the list of things I actually needed totalled well over two-hundred bucks. Between the jumbo bag of dog food, the two big boxes of diapers, school shoes and grocery items, there was no room in my cart for anything frivolous. Thank heavens for the distance between our house and Booming Metropolis. Knowing I won't be back there for at least two weeks forces me to make a huge list before heading out the door.

The problem with a place like Wal Mart is that when I do need to go there for baby wipes and toilet plungers, I have no choice but to pass racks of cute new purses, shoes, clearance-priced clothes from last season, and makeup I will never wear. And not being allowed to buy it doesn't make me want it any less.

But something strange happened. I promised myself that I'd go home and think about anything I saw that I wanted, and if I still wanted it the next time I was in town (assuming it was still there), I could get it. Which was not part of the original deal. But it made me refrain from grabbing at things just because of the amazing prices. And guess what? Now that I'm home, I can't even remember what any of it looked like!

I think I've made a huge breakthrough here. I do not need to shop! And all this former shopping time I have left over has afforded me a few minutes to start thinking about Firstborn's upcoming birthday party next month. So now I can spend all that extra time making decorations, putting together the invitations and planning a fantastic cake!

Oooh, it's going to be hard to stay out of Michael's...

Comments

laterg8r said…
i was in michaels today and only bought what was on my list but i REALLY wanted to buy more - hard to resist isn't it :D
August 26, 2009 at 7:56 PM
Kacey said…
It is hard to stay out of Michael's period - let alone on any kind of spending diet. I pretty much just stay clear of that end of town as to avoid temptation. LOL Good job on your breakthrough. :D
August 27, 2009 at 6:09 AM
Allison said…
I've tried to do that same thing! Only we live about 5 minutes from our Wal-Mart which makes the impulse shopping harder to resist. I tell myself exactly what you said, think about it first, then if you still want it, it's okay. This has worked for me as well. Let's hope we can both keep it up!
August 27, 2009 at 9:04 AM
Tamara Dawn said…
I just had to come by and tell you your comment yesterday made me laugh!

Oh and I <3 Michael's too. I've been banned from there until further notice by the DH, haha
August 27, 2009 at 9:34 AM
Stephanie Faris said…
YAY. Sometimes it makes me feel better just to walk over and imagine buying whatever it is. But I'm cheap! I feel guilty even spending $10 on a new wallet when the one I have has been in my purse for 3 yea4s!
August 27, 2009 at 10:25 AM
Janine said…
Hi Wendy!! I can just see the angel on one shoulder and the devil on the other!! Arguing about purses and shoes and baby wipes... You go girl!!
August 27, 2009 at 10:32 AM
Hannah said…
I enjoy your blog, and I laughed out loud when I read, "Now that I'm home, I can't even remember what any of it looked like!"

www.FunnyPhotosContest.com Submit CUTE or FUNNY photos and tell friends to vote for them. No entry fee.
August 28, 2009 at 10:08 AM
Anonymous said…
Good for you!!! That's great that you stuck to your plan. How do you do it exactly? I mean . . sticking to the plan and actually having an "enjoyable" experience at Wal-Mart? ;)
August 30, 2009 at 5:49 AM
Deb Neerman said…
To wait 24 hours before purchasing something is such a good idea and I try to do the same. Sometimes, though, it just won't work ... especially in Michaels!
August 31, 2009 at 9:40 AM
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