Of course I don't think that I buy junk just because it's cheap, but I always relished in getting an amazing deal on decent goods. It may not be something I absolutely love, but it's passable. And I'm always one who would admire full-priced items on the shelf without taking them home. Because buying full-priced items would just make me feel guilty, stupid and undisciplined, none of which are good feelings.
Over the weekend I went to Anthropologie in Palo Alto. I love going to Anthro stores because they're always so nicely decorated and I love all the colors, patterns and unique products in the store. It's just has this fresh feeling inside. I walked around and found all the sale corners first. I saw a bunch of things there but nothing enticing enough (financially and otherwise) for me to buy.
Then I continued to browse the entire store -- quite a rare thing for me. I don't usually browse non-sale racks at Anthro because full price is always overpriced. But I wasn't ready to go home yet and wanted to walk around somewhere still so I stayed.
I walked to the table where you can sample lotions. And like a good Asian I sampled the lotions and admired them. And like a good Asian I usually never ever buy. Except I don't know what happened to me this time, but I picked up 0.33 oz tube of lotion, yes that's the size of a chapstick, and walked to the check-out line. The whole time I was wondering to myself, "What is wrong with me? This teeny tiny tube of lotion is $8! I should put it back." But I didn't. I swiped my credit card, told the lady I did not need a bag and walked out of the store with my little contraband that actually fits in my slingback purse.
I got home and didn't even tell David about it. I was still digesting the incredulous purchase. Usually I go home declaring that I had scored some super great deal on something just to at least justify my purchase. And He probably didn't think to ask if I bought anything because I came home seemingly empty handed.
Yesterday during work, I took out the tube of lotion and squeezed out a teeny tiny drop (hey this is expensive lotion!) and smothered for as wide of coverage as possible. Ah, the scent is truly divine. And I was happy. And I smelled my hand every once in a while. Is that weird?
This morning, I noticed that there was a 30% off clearance sale at BR, Gap and Old Navy. So I browsed and added 4 items to the cart that were all really good deals (like a long wool coat was $55!). But interestingly I discovered that I didn't feel that excited about buying them so at the end I just clicked on the "x" and closed the window.
I feel that maybe retail therapy is changing for me. Before, getting the deal is thrilling enough in itself that I only have to semi-like the item. But now it seems like I want to love what I'm buying. Otherwise it sort of feels like I'm hording (i.e. adding to clutter) and settling and the happiness of getting the deal is short lived. And it turns out not to be that therapeutic after all.
So I think I have a new mindset about retail therapy: I'm going to buy things that I really love from now on. Because I don't lack anything at all so buying is not a need, it's a want. So buying a bunch of things I don't love just because they're on sale probably doesn't make sense at all. It may even end up being a bad financial practice.
Rather, I think I would be happier being less deal obsessed and being more selective and buying things I really, really want. And since we have a budget for everything, all I have to do is stick to it.
But of course, I will be super thrilled when I see things I love on sale! Now, wouldn't that be therapeutic. :)