As I entered the store I glanced down once more at my carefully prepared shopping list. This time I was determined to get only the items written on my list. I quickly walked right past the large shopping carts, rationalizing that it isn’t necessary for the few items I was getting. I purposely avoided eye contact with any of the products strategically displayed at the front of the store. After about 10 minutes, and with all of my items from the list in hand, I walked gleefully toward the checkout.
Suddenly a small red sticker on a price tag caught my eye…..CLEARANCE. Not just any clearance either, this was 75-90% off. Next thing I knew I was practically sprinting to the front of the store. I grab a shopping cart and dumped all of my “listed” items in there without a second thought. I then found myself making a mad dash back to the clearance rack. Not only did I get 10 for me, I also got one in every color for my Mother, Grandmother, my sisters, my brother, my uncle, my cousins, my nieces and nephews. All of whom lived 2000 or more miles away and most likely would never even see the items I got for them.
Then one day I stood back and took a long and hard look of my many belongings and my meager savings. I figured out that if I continued with this behavior, I was heading down a path of further financial ruin. While it is true that I acquired plenty of nice things fairly cheaply, I was getting myself into more and more debt. So I started listening to a radio talk show and television programs about controlling my spending, saving money and getting out of debt. I also read magazines and books about spending and impulse buying. As a result, I immediately stopped using credit cards. That was a hard first step. I took them out of my wallet, handed them to my husband and told him to hide them from me. I got a second job with the specific focus on paying off my debt.
Every once in a while I see a good clearance sale and I start to feel my pulse racing and my adrenaline kicking in, then I take a deep breath decide if one would be a necessity and most of the time it isn’t, so I have to force myself to walk away. These encounters have become harder and harder as this economy gets worse and worse, many businesses have gone out of business which in turn causes lots of liquidation sales. If you have ever been to a liquidation sale then you would know everything is sold at pennies on the dollar. From designer clothes and shoes to electronics and everything else not bolted down. That’s how I ended up with store fixtures I haven’t used and didn’t need (don’t ask). I took an assessment of the items I do have at home and realized that thanks to the clearance spending sprees I’ve had in the past, I now have plenty of items (with price tags still attached) to last a while. I have given lots away to family and friends as well as local charities.
Instead of spending my time in malls and discount stores, I spend more time with my children at the park or playing games with them at home. This is far more rewarding, believe it or not, than finding a designer item on clearance. I have also taken a greater interest in our bills and family budget, I now allocate a small but reasonable amount of money just for extra items I would like to buy. Although it has been a challenge and I admit I have had a few weak moments, the rewards are worth it. I have noticed a significant reduction in my debt, more free space in my house, less stress in my life and most important of all is the example that I am setting for my children.
Written By Yvette J.
Recent Comments