I pull into Walgreen's and get out of my car, walking toward the building I try to remember the purpose of my mission. I get side-tracked when the thought pops in my head "I'm so glad I'm no longer addicted to tabloids...there will be no temptation whatsoever." (BTW, I use the term 'addicted' loosely.)
I'm now about 15 steps through the front doors and something catches my eye. It's the cover of this weeks OK magazine. Without any hesitation at all (or recollection of my last thought) I stop dead in my tracks. I start flipping through the pages. A good 5 minutes go by and I realize what's just happened. I shamefully scurry away.
Once again, I begin racking my brain for what it is I'm supposed to get, when this little lady grabs my attention.
Now all my fellow hairy, insomniacs know exactly what I'm talking about. The infomercial claims to remove hair instantly and pain free. It also claims to be safe for the upper lip, sensitive areas...anywhere! I say aloud, "That's it I'm sold!"
Behind me are the office supplies. I'm smitten yet again, this time with a 8x10 dry erase board. Ironically the purpose of said board is to keep a running shopping list on my refrigerator.
Do you see where this is going?
Smooth Away $9.99
dry erase board $4.19
eye liner $3.79
lip gloss x 2 $9.00
eye shadow $7.49
The Office calendar $5.00
mascara $8.49
nail polish $1.99
gum $1.29
Mentos x2 $.80
Total damage with tax, - $56.73
Luckily, after 20 minutes or so of wandering around aimlessly, I notice my teeth feel a little gunky. I head over to the gum aisle and as I'm taking my good, sweet, time trying to decide what flavor I'm in the mood for... VIOLA!! As Oprah would say, I have a 'lightbulb moment'.
What is so significant about Mentos
? Well you see, they are the reason for my trip...tomorrow's science project. Moral of the story: When you're a graduate of Dave Ramsey's
Financial Peace University, you should never ever, under any circumstances walk into a store without a list OR with plastic!
Financial Peace University, you should never ever, under any circumstances walk into a store without a list OR with plastic!Lesson learned. It won't happen again. I think. I hope. I mean I'll try my best. Seriously though, if you haven't read his book you should. I promise you won't regret it. I believe it's a must read and should be a high school requirement. Mindless spending is easy to do, I'm glad to say we've been on a cash envelope type budget for the last 2 1/2 years and I know it's helped us keep our masonry business afloat during a super slow economy.
Sure I still give into the urge now and then but when I start getting out of line, I reread Total Money Makeover
and get back on track.Side-note: When I got home, Jaxon had the nerve to say "Mom, I also need a pack of balloons."
Seriously???
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And this is how the stores get you! Very funny post and sage advice.
ReplyDeleteThe EXACT SAME THING happens to me when I'm in Walgreens. I always spend way too much in there.
ReplyDeleteAlso: I tried smooth away. They forget to tell you that it grows back and you are now hooked for life. It's not really that prickly on my arms though, so that's a relief.
my hubs wants me to read that...I need to too.
ReplyDeleteThat happens to me all the time in Target. I'll run in for one or two things and come out $100 dollars later!!!!
ReplyDeleteI just did that on Monday at Walgreens! That place just gets me EVERY time! And I'm quite curious about the science project.
ReplyDeleteGreat post. I did a post once called "No More Science Projects - Dinner!" We celebrated at dinner when we had our last one. Now my kids are all teens. :)
ReplyDeleteLOL! Are we sisters? I do the same thing! I can't believe how much I can spend in the drugstore! I need to read "the book"!
ReplyDeleteRandom thought: Why is makeup so expensive?