Since clamping down at Christmas on my spending, I’ve gotten into a pretty good groove where I don’t really think much about shopping anymore. I haven’t bought an article of clothing for myself since September of last year (I don’t know whether that’s a good thing or just kind of pathetic), and I have become a marvel of shopping the sales at Baby G*p and JCr*w for Oscar, although aside from the after-holiday sales, I wasn’t buying for him either. Ladies, things have changed.
It started innocently enough. A quick trip to Baby G*p that resulted in my walking out with Oscar’s entire wardrobe for Hawaii taken care off – it’s a short trip, so he needed very few clothes, all of which I got on sale, but I wasn’t thrilled with my behavior. Then, a few days later, I lapsed again. This time in a kind of bigger way. I bought a car. I sort of had to – my car was leased, the lease was up and I didn’t want to buy it, given the fact that the brakes had failed twice – way to go V*lvo. But I guess I could have been a bit thriftier. This is what I bought, with a few kind of pricey upgrades . . .
As a result of this expenditure, I had to buy a new stroller, since my current one is too big for my car, which is ridiculously small for a woman with a child. Whatever, it’s super cute, and at least for the time being, it’s just the two of us, so there. Anyway, I bought the stroller, which, thankfully, was significantly discounted from the price I almost paid for it last year. So, I’ve got that going for me. I would post a photo of it, but, as you know, Oscar broke my camera. And this leads me to my next purchase. My new Sony Alpha DSLR. Egads, but in for a penny, in for a pound, as they say.
I wish I could say that the madness ends here, but in fact, I still need to book our condo in Hawaii (BTW, thank you to everyone who chimed in on that – we’re definitely going the condo route – way too scared to have Oscar next to the water just yet). After that, I’m done. Well, once I get my sunscreen. Oh, and my pedicure. Hmm, well, you see how this has spiraled out of control.
Anyway, there is an upside in all this. First, I had been terrified that I wouldn’t be able to buy a new car – all of those news reports of extremely tight credit markets with people not able to qualify for car loans really freaked me out. That was definitely a waste of energy (on a number of levels). I got a better rate on this car than my last (one of those “teaser” rates that I just assumed I wouldn’t get), so I took that as a sign that there actually is credit available out there. Second, there seems to be a consensus in the thought that we need to start spending again. I can attest to having done my part. Let’s see if my stimulus plan actually bumps the consumer confidence number this month.
I’m minimizing the photo for your benefit. No reason we all have to suffer.
Single and Paper Pregnant 