Life as a Shopaholic: If the Shoe Fits, I'll Buy It!

My grandmother introduced me to the joys of shopping on my tenth birthday.

"You've entered the double digits now," she said happily. "That's the perfect time to discover how to savor shopping." Grandma informed me that there are three rules for the perfect shopping expedition:

1. Make a list of (a) the items that you want, and (b) the stores to search.
2. Never ignore the clearance rack.
3. Always shop after lunch ("You save money by eating at home, so you have more money to spend," Grandma reasoned.)

Making My List
Grandma is now in, as she always referred to it, "shopping heaven," but I still follow her rules. Before I set out on a shopping expedition, I make a list of what I want (currently, shoes are a priority) and where I'll hunt.

I sometimes check online to see which local stores carry the brands that are on my list (sorry, Grandma - I know that's not exactly per list rules!). And I always look for coupons online as well (I know Grandma would approve).

That Clearance Rack
The clearance rack rule has saved me money and time. As soon as I enter a store, I look for the discounted section, sometimes labeled "clearance" or "sale specials." Recently, for example, at Kohl's department store, I found a fabulous purple sweater at 80 percent off. For $3.70, I purchased the top item on my list, thanks to Grandma.

Eat First (At Home); Shop Later
I admit it: friends sometimes persuade me to go on a "lunch and shop" outing. Fun? Yes. But thanks to Grandma's lessons, I'm always aware that the money spent on lunch at a restaurant could have been used for clothes, cosmetics, or a generous supply of hot chocolate packets.

Yes, I Love to Shop, But...
"You're just a shopaholic," my friend James said recently, laughing as I happily showed him my latest sales coup (a small bookcase for $7).

Reality check: there's a vast difference between being a "shopaholic" and enjoying the pleasure of shopping. For example, I loved the "Shopaholic" chick lit series by Sophie Kinsella. (If you haven't read her books, sample Mini Shopaholic). But the fictional heroine in that series truly does have a problem with out-of-control shopping, resulting in debt and self-doubts.

In my case, I do enjoy shopping, but only within my budget. And now, if you'll excuse me, I need to have lunch - and then there's just one more item on my must-have list to buy: chocolate!