by Claire
Some people are stress eaters. I’m a stress shopper. Even more dangerous is I like to say bargain shopping makes it okay. I can drop some serious cash on crap at Marshall’s! As I said in a reply to a comment, I am trying to remember that every dollar I spend takes away from our debt payoff goal. I know the stress of the work situation leads to stress at home which (in the past) led to the cash register at Marshall’s. I also caught myself using back-to-school as an excuse for retail therapy.
Have you ever seen the stress shopper I describe out at the stores? I am getting better at spotting them based on their purchases and bc I see myself in the? That random housewares stuff is a hotbed of random crap to spend money on…but I LOVE it! I can’t say clothing is a huge area of spending for me and as I recently did a wardrobe inventory…I realized it may be time to address that area but not this week! And not by going into Marshall’s in a spending mood!
Born and raised in Texas. I’ve at least driven through every state in the US courtesy of a roadtrip loving Dad.
I’m single with two children and a good parenting relationship with their father.
I am a “life is just half full of funny” kinda gal. Humor is my saving grace and I am thankful for it every single day. I have a strong Catholic faith and am thankful for that foundation.
I read a lot for a living but still enjoy a good book. I love biographies but in recent years have found the need for fun fictional books–sadly, for a long time I just didn’t enjoy fiction!
I love live theatre of any kind–from local productions to Broadway.
I love to scrapbook and pride myself in my kids’ albums.
I love being a mom but also love my career. I’m blessed to have found a balance allowing me to be at everything my kids need and want me to be at–while also having a career.
Favorite Quotes: Well behaved women rarely make history.
Behold the turtle. He makes progress only when he sticks his neck out. -James Bryant Conant
You are right….all those little purchases add up. Stay strong!
I am the worst of the worst — I am a stress eater AND shopper.
They go hand in hand for me. I’ll go on a crazy shopping spree then go wallow in the pain in food, especially chocolate desserts like chocolate souffles.
Then I am even more miserable because I’m broke and ate too many calories.
I feel your pain.
Janice–thank you for sharing. Because I use humor to cope I have to share a funny thought. Stay away from bakeries that might have chocolate souffles on sale! 😉 In all seriousness, I’m trying to learn that the short term “high” from my shopping is NOT worth the long term consequences. I’m frustrated that I am 40 years old and am JUST getting that!
You need to let go of the promotion. It may or may not happen. Whatever happens, it probably has nothing to do with you or your value as an employee.
These days, every employee in every workplace should expect more conservative management and a slower career progression. Jobs just are not being filled. No manager wants to hire, only to lay off if the economy falters. There is little upward movement for mid-career folks right now.
Can all or part of your group’s work be outsourced overseas? Is there duplication within the company and can the work of your group be consolidated with another’s? I would look carefully at the possibility of major changes in your group if this is the case. If that’s not the case, then chalk up the company’s reluctance to move forward to management’s hesitation in the face of a weakening economy and move on.
Thanks for the encouraging words…I think. 🙂
I’m also guilty of using retail therapy heavily in the past and use every excuse in the book to justify it…sales, discount stores, replacing old worn out stuff, gifts for other people, and my favorite, I deserve it since I work so hard! Such a hard habit to break but you’re doing an amazing job so stick with it!!
Thank you DD! Here’s to staying away from the store!
I have checked out this blog over the years, but never connected with the other bloggers, I just discovered today that there has been a change in “bloggers” and i was so intriqued (by the amount of debt that is scarily close to mine) that I’ve read practically every post since you’ve started…I’ve really been looking for this kind of inspiration…I’ve had many false starts…I’ll keep reading….Thanks!
Maureen,
Thank you for posting a comment. You are the reader I want to reach the most. I so value the input of the financial “pros” out there and I’ve already learned so much from them. You’ve inspired me to post about this tonight–as I’ve done once or twice before–to remind that reader that they are not alone and that the best thing they can do is find one person that they dread telling about their debt…and tell them. I truly believe it is in that act that our recovery can begin. Please keep reading and welcome! SO happy to have you here! 🙂
I love your blog ! I am totally guilty of stress shopping. It is such a temporary pleasure and then after.. the guilt ! I am definitely doing really well in changing my ways, haven’t stress shopped in months ! Which is good since my debt is huge since finishing school.. Please take a look at my PF blog, it’s pretty new, and let me know what you think ! Thanks so much 🙂 And keep writing!!
Good timing on this comment Gillian. I am battling the retail therapy monster at this very moment! I will check out your blog! Thanks for posting!