Impulse Buys

In an effort to save money and the environment, and to increase my daily sacrifices, I decided to forgo the car twice today. While running errands I parked on one side of the complex and walked (with the baby in the stroller and my son running alongside) to the opposite end and back again to do my shopping. When my son wanted to go to the Dinosaur Park we walked the six blocks instead of driving.

My back doesn't hurt for the first time in, well, let's just leave it at years. I think I need to make walking a daily activity, and maybe throw in some yoga or other stretches. But while my back is fine, my feet and my conscience are both hurting.

I think I spent too much on clothes today. Research, research. It's key. I have to know what I'm going to buy and where I'm going to buy it (and how much I'm going to spend) BEFORE I walk into the store. So much of retail marketing is directed at the impulse buyer. "Oh, look! Matching hats to go with the shorts I just bought! And here, batteries are on sale! We may as well get a few. And they have beach balls marked down from $7.50 to $4.99! Well, since they're on sale..."

I made myself put back an adorable blue print dress, two shorts, two swimsuits and a pair of sandals that I knew I didn't need to buy, but had somehow ended up in my cart anyway. I did buy two hats, six pairs of shorts, a vest, a red, white and blue baby outfit suitable for Independence Day and a pair of sunglasses for my son. I have a box of summer clothes (hand me downs and gifts) that I need to go through and determine whether my kids really need 6 pairs of shorts, or whether they can get by with 3. Or 2. When you really take a look at what you need, it gets harder and harder to justify buying anything. I bet the red white and blue outfit is going back. I bet the vest is going back.

Looks like I didn't save that much on gas after all, since I need to make a whole other trip to the store. Live and learn, I guess. It's part of the process. Let this remind me that when I go out for curtains, I should return home with nothing but curtains.