A Fashionista's dilemma: Frugal or fabulous?
Lauren Foster
Issue date: 10/29/09 Section: Features
I tried to save money-really, I did. For a while, I tried only buy things that I truly "needed." I stayed away from malls, magazines and online shopping sites. But much to my mother's dismay, I have ditched my responsible, fiscal approach and have reverted back to my old spending habits. In the end, I realized that shopping was more fun than saving. I admit, my approach may be irresponsible, but it certainly pays off-in shoes, handbags, clothes, and jewelry!
I now go to great lengths to hide my guilty-pleasure of shopping. I resort to paying half of the amount on my debit card, and the rest in cash so that there will be no trace of what I actually spend. I lie about the true cost of items when my dad inquires; usually I follow the 50 percent rule-I take the real price and cut it in half to get a more acceptable value, which I disclose and (usually) escape getting yelled at.
I've also been known to hide my new purchases in the trunk of the car so that my mom doesn't see that I've bought anything. I even hoard my recent buys in the back of my closet, because I feel better knowing I always have something new to wear. Admittedly, my bank account may be hurting, but I'm happy being an impulsive shopaholic. I think Bo Derek sums it up best when she said, "Whoever said money can't buy happiness simply doesn't know where to shop."
I now go to great lengths to hide my guilty-pleasure of shopping. I resort to paying half of the amount on my debit card, and the rest in cash so that there will be no trace of what I actually spend. I lie about the true cost of items when my dad inquires; usually I follow the 50 percent rule-I take the real price and cut it in half to get a more acceptable value, which I disclose and (usually) escape getting yelled at.
I've also been known to hide my new purchases in the trunk of the car so that my mom doesn't see that I've bought anything. I even hoard my recent buys in the back of my closet, because I feel better knowing I always have something new to wear. Admittedly, my bank account may be hurting, but I'm happy being an impulsive shopaholic. I think Bo Derek sums it up best when she said, "Whoever said money can't buy happiness simply doesn't know where to shop."
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