Fresh Finance Articles
Shopping
Shopping's downside? Is there one? Not in my opinion.
It's my favorite hobby. However, when I was younger and all I had
to go shopping with was my pocket money (not enough to buy a round
of penny sweets with, might I add), it wasn't much of a big deal.
Due to the insufficient funds back then, I was hardly going out
for a big spree, so shopping for me was more of a girls day to out
to follow the boys around Romford. Now days when I'm shopping, I
wouldn't notice a nice bloke if he came over and offered to hold
my bags for me! That is how much I enjoy it. I don't even need any
friends with me anymore. Being out with the likes of Prada, Gucci
and Versace is good enough company for me.
It's just such a buzz. Especially as all the money I earn,
belongs entirely to myself, who then generously shares it with Retail.
I treat it as my chosen charity i.e. they get a percentage every
month. I get a strange satisfaction through spending a small fortune
on an item that is both original and designer.
Bargains are the best though. I love hunting like a bear, to
find something that is cheap as chips, but still surprisingly
cheerful! That way you still go home with some change to save for
next time, and you keep your mum happy because you don't spend all
of your money at once; mum's hate that don't they?
There's a nice balance there you see? My point is, is that
shopping's an enjoyable experience all round, no matter what you
buy. Of course, I'm not a selfish person as you might like to think.
I also get satisfaction through buying for other people (especially
those who dress like your nan at 19 years old). It's a way of treating
them to something that they'll hopefully love, and that you'll love
to see them use! I don't have to be spending on myself to enjoy
the art of shopping. It makes it ten times harder, admittedly, but
its a challenge that all skilled shoppers must face from time to
time. However, the satisfaction of all this good, will disintegrate
either when, you see the top you just bought suddenly
go into the sale, or even worse, when your funds begin to run
dangerously low.
You then realize when you've spent your pay packet that
it's basically gone on a load of rubbish (it's only rubbish now
of course, because you've worn it once and want something else but
cant afford it – you couldn't live without it three weeks
ago!).
You've run up to the limit on your boyfriend's, your best mates
and your mums cards. Which is when shopping becomes rubbish also.
I didn't ever think I'd hear myself say that. But don't forget the
little savior which goes by the name of an 'over – draft'.
And when thats also up to the maximum you know its time to hit the
hard stuff, and get a credit card. I'm sure my boyfriend will understand
the severity of the situation. Drastic times call for drastic measures
after all.
Shopping for the right one is a job in itself and is one that I
am, surprisingly, not previously accustomed to. So, I decided to
choose mine on the basis of it being pink (the sales assistants
in Selfridges are always saying how pink is definitely my colour).
It also matches my favorite handbag.
Let the spending begin! Oh the freedom! Handbag? Sure.
New watch? Why not? Just stick it on the plastic and I'll sort it
all out later.
Later comes and of course my wardrobe expanded considerably, which
is good, but my bank balance never seemed to expand past twenty
pounds for the next four months. By the time this months bill came
in, I was already worrying about next months!
Getting carried away is an understatement. I thought that
having a credit card would boost my status as a top class shopper
and perhaps even help me to manage my finances better. I cant even
relax when I'm buying the cheapest of shoes anymore. I began to
miss good old cash. The stuff that when it's spent, that's it –
you don't have worry about it creeping up on you a month later.
I even miss when my cash used to run out, simply because the plastic
never does. So the spending continues. I'm ashamed to say, as a
dignified shopperholic, that getting a card didn't prove to be all
that cool. Mum found out and
cut it up for the best. I couldn't bring myself to do it, but I
didn't cry.
We had some good times. It was always there for me when I
needed it. Pulling that plastic from my purse appeared grown up.
But once the novelty worn off for having to sign my groovy little
signature in order to get my shoes, all I was left with was debt.
I'm sorry if I let all those who relied on me to prove righteous
in the love – hate relationship between shoppers and their
credit cards. I believed I could prevail. But it has taught me the
greatest lesson that an addictive shopper could ever learn –
it's ok to wear things twice!
Created by Rachel O'Rourke
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