Changing mind-set
Find a Conversation
| Wed, 02-23-2005 - 12:13am |
This Sunday, I got to find out just how much my mind-set about 'stuff' has changed since we've started this getting serious about shoveling out of debt journey...
DH and I went to Target-we had an extra 10% discount plus his normal 10%, and there were things that we wanted to get, so off we went. I don't know if this was everywhere, but here in Minnesota, the past couple of months Target has had the World Market Bazaar things availiable. I'd walked through the section, and oohed and aahed, but hadn't bought anything. We knew it was all going 50% off on Sunday, so we thought we'd see if there was anything we wanted.
So, anyhow, we walked into the store he works at, and there , I swear, was half of the remaining Market Bazaar stuff, lol! 3 carts FULL, one red tub thing, two red flats-wow. I thought maybe the person had went to go get the car or something, but one of the workers was talking to DH and when he asked what was going on, the other person said that the woman had been there at 8 A.M., had hauled all that up to the front, and that it had come to over $1000. Her card didn't have enough room for it, so she had to go home and get another one. Huh, I thought.
After we visited the Market Zoo, er, Bazaar, and determined that no, we didn't really NEED any of what was left, we did the rest of our shopping, and were making our way up to the front. There were a couple of Target people bringing some Market Bazaar stuff back to put back on the shelves. Turns out, the woman could only get $350 worth of credit together, so now she was having to sort through everything and put a bunch back. Wow.
Now, I'm not being harsh here, because I will admit-that so could have been me a few years ago. Now, though, it was interesting to me to see how committed we've become to shoveling our way out of debt. I liked the stuff just fine, but not enough to max out my remaining credit, or to even put it on a credit card at all. I just thought it was interesting that I am finally at the point where I can (somedays) realize, "I don't want _________ as much as I want to be debt-free."
Well, that, and I *really really really* don't want to have to try and do a Monday check-in after a spree like that, LOL!
Just something to think about...
~Lisa

Wow
you kinda have to feel sorry for that woman, too. The funny thing is, while I could definitely see myself going crazy over stuff, especially stuff on sale, and I have in the past dropped a $1000 in one store on one day (camping gear-still use it), if I didn't have enough space on my credit card, I wouldn't go home to get more. Just plain too lazy. Hate driving. So I'm realizing that means that I'd be willing to go into debt to buy stuff, but not willing to drive an extra half an hour.
Our mindset has changed too, although we're still not in quite the place we probably should be. Where a year ago we would have justified whatever we wanted, now we plan for purchases. We spend imaginary money decorating our imaginary house, then just buy whatever it was we came for.
Decluttering has really been helping, too. Since all the space and neatness I've been creating has been such hard work, I really don't want any more stuff to have to find a spot for.
Wow, what a lesson learned. How out of touch is that woman with the reality of her situation that she thinks she can afford $1000 worth of stuff but doesn't even have the *credit* to buy 2/3 of it?! Unfortunately, I'll bet that story brings back a memory for many of us that makes us wince - not that I ever tried to buy $1000 worth of stuff with $350 credit, but it certainly reminds me of times when I was hiding my head in the sand about how bad our debt was. Ouch!
Kelly
All my best,
Danni
"Well, that, and I *really really really* don't want to have to try and do a Monday check-in after a spree like that, LOL! - Lisa"
I was just cracking up at this!!!
Becky
CL of 4th, 5th & 6th grade Scoliosis