grabbing things that I had no intention on actually buying, just in case. I was out of control! I must have hit the dressing room a hundred times over the course of the three hours I spent there.
After making my final purchases I headed home. I marveled at all my new stuff and commended myself on my strategic and well executed shopping tactics, as well as all the money I had saved. I was the queen of shopaholics everywhere! But, of course I had no immediate use for many of these items so I tucked them away, and that is when the guilt began to set in. Clearly I didn’t need all this stuff... but wait, yes I did! I began to justify the purchases in my head and reminded myself about how happy the experience had made me. After a couple of days, however, I returned back to the couch with no real hope for the days ahead. This time I had buyer’s remorse to keep me company and the guilt of being another hundred dollars in debt.
So, in the grand scheme of things, what had I really accomplished; other than spending unnecessarily? Don’t get me wrong, I’m not going to return any of it! But what had it done for me on a grander scale? You know, the long run. Answer - not much. It was ultimately just a temporary distraction. One which I surely welcomed, but it got me thinking about life and how people manage their money. The way I see it there are two types of people: ones who budget and save to build a security net for their future, and the people like me who much prefer the finer lifestyle filled with instant gratification. I read once that an addict tends to have a weak potential for satiety. In my current situation I concur. This feeling of restlessness is only relieved temporarily during my high. These material things are most potent when they are shiny and new, much like what we covet from everyday life when we are feeling stale. As if it provides hope or holds some promise of better days to come.
Nicole Shank recently moved from Brentwood, N.H. to Miami, FL.