So, we've learned that I sometimes get drawn in my infomercials.
Well, infomercials are nothing compared to the infinite buying (spending?) opportunities that fall clothing catalogues provide.
Colder weather equals more layers equals more clothes equals must.buy.more scarves/sweaters/jackets/earmuffs etc.
And the terrible thing is that it's hard to escape. J.Crew sends what seems like hundreds of catalogues each year, Nordstrom's glossy mags are more like books, and let's not even get started on the dreaded email promotions that flood my inbox on a daily basis.
I rarely buy anything, but my online shopping carts at any given point are filled at probably 15 different stores. I get some sort of grim satisfaction going through the site, picking out everything I want, and then seeing the total at the end. I think it's satisfying mostly because the total always scares me out of making even a single purchase. Fear is an effective budgeting tool.
But, in an effort to reign in my online shopping, I've been systematically unsubscribing myself from all sorts of mailing lists. Goodbye to the siren's song of 30% off $150 or more at J.Crew. Adieu to the shopping rabbit hole that is the 40% off friends and family sale at Gap.
Plus, as Christmas approaches, I'm instituting a credit card embargo. The only time my AmEx is allowed to make an appearance is when there are gifts for others involved...
P.S. I am now realizing that this makes me sound like a shop-a-holic or a prolific spender. I maintain that I am neither...I just tend to get starry-eyed over beautiful ads...it's The Ladies' Paradise up in here.
Au Bonheur des Dames! I was so happy to see that reference!
ReplyDeleteAlso, I so know what you mean - I just recently forced myself to unsubscribe from all the sale sites I was getting updates from (Gilt, Ideeli, MyHabit, etc.) because I couldn't handle the near-daily shopping temptations. Must...exercise...restraint...
I think about that book every time I walk into a store that's having a sale. I can't remember - were you and I in the same humanities class in Paris when we read that book? It's such a good one and has stayed with me so much through the years...
ReplyDeleteYep, I was!
ReplyDeleteI think about the book, too, whenever I see small local shops that are struggling. I seem to remember Dr. Lee talking about the book as a metaphor for evolution/survival of the fittest...oh those poor little hat shops in the book that went under!
I'm pretty sure I'm shopping on jcrew every time I gchat with you. you're not alone.
ReplyDelete