This is my Costco mentality. I am a very organized person and I like to do everything as efficiently as possible. One trip to Target to buy all of the cosmetics, toiletries, snack foods, and cleaning supplies I need is more efficient than one a week.
But, even when I try to grab everything I need, I forget things. I have to run to the store for coffee filters or floss or whatever, so I’m not really saving myself a trip or anything. On top of which, it’s not like I live in the country and it costs me tons of money in gas to get to the store. I live five minutes from almost everything I need. The lived reality doesn’t quite match the theory.
Worst of all, though, when I get in the mindset that I’m just going to spend what it takes to get everything I need now, I stop caring so much about the money. That means that I add in a DVD I want or a shirt or maybe a pair of shoes. What’s another $15 when I’m already spending near $100? What’s another $40 when I’m already spending $100 is more like it.
What works better for me is to buy only what I need right now. My great fear is running out of something I need (the horror!), which has turned out to be a ridiculous fear, because there are few things I can’t at least wait a couple days for. Going without has helped me to see how easily I can get by with less. I don’t know that I really save myself any money on the things I need, but I have eliminated a shopping trip where I was always tempted to buy stuff I didn’t need.
I feel better about myself when I shop this way. Those trips where I added all those extra items to my cart, thinking “what does it matter,” made me feel bad about myself. They made me feel like I’d lost control. When I buy only what I need, I feel in control and I keep my head about me, saying no to those temptations. Best of all, it keeps me out of Target where I’m pretty sure they pump something into the air to make me lose me sense.
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The only thing I feel that way about is toilet paper. Once you’ve run out (literally NONE in the house) when you are on the toilet, you never let it happen again.
Gosh, Ashley—I really, really, really love this project. I want to work on mine; I am in way worse shape than you but I am so overwhelmed and scared to start, if that makes sense.
Anyways, I love this post in particular. I used to be really obsessive about having stuff, and while I still get the shopping urge, I’m getting better. I actually discussed my “issues” with this in therapy, and my therapist advised me to go to Target, and put everything I wanted in my cart. She then asked me to stop, and pull out everything but the absolute essentials. And even then? To put one of those things back.
Now, I can go, shop and get only what I absolutely need right that instant. I have also learned to wait 24-72 hours before buying anything I want or need (besides obvious stuff like TP!). It’s amazing how much less I’ve spent.
Sorry, I wrote you a novel. I am just learning so much from you—I admire your honesty.
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