Spending Fool

I hate shopping. I'm not sure if it's the process of shopping or the spending money part, but I hate it. The only things that make shopping okay is if 1) I'm buying for one of my weaknesses (training or art) and 2) if I can score a really good deal.

To prove my point, I had a lunch at California Pizza Kitchen last week. I thought "great, I can look for a dress after lunch since I'm here." I walked into the mall, looked right and left, then promptly walked right back out. My mall hatred may have come from my mother, who used to threaten to drop me off at Richardson Square Mall for 2 hours if I didn't behave. The mall = punishment. Brilliant! (Got that, Leslie? :))

Anyway, over the past few weeks, I have been buying stuff like crazy. It started with my laptop, which took me all of 5 minutes to purchase. (My IT Manager said it was a good one, and it was on SALE, so I bought it. It took me 6 months to convince myself to buy an Ipod Shuffle for $60. It took me 5 minutes to buy a $600 laptop. Uh?? See, I got a good deal on the laptop, so it was fine!)

I've been buying workout stuff like mad. $70 at SierraTradingPost.com (5 running tops - not bad), $115 at BettySport (a new swimsuit and winter running gear - sale!), $60 at Lane4 (2 swimsuits off the grab rack), $35 on a T3 Tri Top, and then more at Jack & Adam's for new bike stuff. I'm very happy with everything I've bought for how much I've spent.

But I gotta say that I am MOST impressed with yesterday's purchase. I am a bridesmaid for my friend Rachel's wedding on August 30th. She is SO COOL and told us to pick out a nice black cocktail dress instead of getting bridesmaid dresses. However, I was the last girl to buy one... largely because I had a backup if necessary and moreso because I hate shopping. Yesterday I headed to my favorite consignment store (Designer Exchange by Northcross Mall) and found the perfect dress. Ta Daa!!
The best part about the dress? $17. That's right, $17. And the bride (luckily) loves it. I'm psyched. :) So I've spent a lot of money lately, but I think I'm done for a while. I feel better getting the dress off of my to-do list, and hopefully I'm completely outfitted for my training for a while. If only I could get around needing new work clothes...

By the way, NEVER EVER shop online without going to http://www.retailmenot.com/ and finding a coupon code. I've saved hundreds of dollars this way. It's in my blood, what can I say? :)