Apr 30 2009
Why go to the mall?
Most of us go shopping (not for groceries, but the mall rat type thing) because we have nothing better to do. We tell ourselves that we’re only going to go window shopping, but even for those with decent-good will power, we’ll eventually crack and buy that $50 flowery t-shirt which we honestly don’t NEED but really, really, really want. Why even put yourself in the midst of the temptation?
It’s so important to have that savings account build, because what would happen when the refridgerator breaks down and you actually need to buy a new one? True, you could use your visa or mastercard, but if you can’t pay that off in the end, that’s the beginning of the road to a lot of credit card debt. That is a situation that no one wants to be in. The possibility off not being able to pay it off and the downward spiral into the big, black abyss of debt, on top of the embarrassement of being in that category of people in trouble with the bank, and potentially destroying your chances of getting a loan or a mortgage when it comes time to need/want a house or a new car.
Most people have seen the movie Confessions of a Shopaholic. That is the extreme, but what all debt can lead to. Everyone in the theatre was cringing every time Rebecca Bloomwood started to consider to buy something in a departement store. “Don’t do it, Rebecca, don’t do it!!!” was the vibe that was so evidently eminating from everyone.
Her answer at the end of the story was so simple, and the sad thing is that it really is that easy for all of us. The hard part is changing our attitude of shopping because we’re bored. We buy things to keep our identity, to express our identity to strangers on the street, in the mall, in the grocery stores. Why? Why should we care what that person thinks about me? It’s not like I’ll ever see/meet/talk to/have an intimate relationship with that person. If wearing my boyfriends’ t-shirt and sweat pants is comfortable and makes me happy, that’s what I’ll do. That guy in a business suit may now think that I’m a slob, but I’m the one who ‘owns’ my own car as opposed to leasing it.
Isn’t that the most important thing? Making sure that I am safe, comfortable and happy? And, in my opinion, in that order. Yours and your family’s safety and security always, ALWAYS comes first.
