If you’re anything like me — which is to say, compulsive and good at denial — then you must be happy with studies that show we can’t help ourselves from binge shopping and overspending because our brain chemicals are out of balance. Our hearts pound and our brains surge.
Buying stuff is the equivalent of releasing a pressure valve to allow our brains to function optimally. It’s a personality trait that never goes away but over which the afflicted can choose to take control. The minute you think you have it licked and you let your guard down, beware. That’s when it is most likely to rear its ugly head. That’s what happened to me.
I’m not proud of myself for loading up a shopping cart and, in a kind of retail panic attack, leaving it in the aisle and fleeing from the store. It was about the most compulsive shopping move I had made in a long time. I just happened to be near the largest fabric store in the area, so I stopped in just, uh, to look around.
Potential. That’s what I saw. I saw aisle after aisle of potential gifts, quilts, tablescapes, sweaters, blankets, fun. There were a few bargains too good to pass up. That’s why I found a shopping cart. I mean, come on, brocade for $4.99 a yard? And flannel-backed satin in the perfect shade of green for $6.59?
I made my way to the cutting table, when I noticed something new: a take-a-number machine. I plucked 73 from its little mouth and then noticed, “Now Serving 61.”
I knew I could no more stand there and wait through 12 servings for my turn than do back flips while performing a double cast-on (a little knitting lingo). So I decided to see whether I had missed any other bargains. I had. By the time they got to 68, I was in a cold sweat.
What was I doing? I had 12 bolts of fabric, 18 zippers and enough thread to choke a goat in my cart. And for what? I didn’t need more. I had more than enough at home.
It was as if the entire readership of this column was staring at me. That is when I did the unthinkable. I bolted for the door. I found the car and sped home with my heart racing the way one’s heart races after experiencing a close call.
I do regret leaving that cart for some clerk to reshelve its contents. However, given the condition of the store, it seems mine was not the first case of fabric overload. Considering the mountain behind the cutting table, reshelving bolts of fabric is a full-time job for several employees. I prefer to think that my little escapade pro-vided job security for someone.
One of my best behavior modifiers is to remember that even when it feels as if I have no choice but to respond compulsively, I do have a choice. I can turn around and walk away.
Mary Hunt is the founder of www.DebtProofLiving.com and author of 18 books, including her latest, “Can I Pay My Credit Card Bill With a Credit Card?” You can e-mail her at mary@everydaycheapskate.com, or write to Everyday Cheapskate, P.O. Box 2135, Paramount, Calif. 90723.