I went online to buy this brown turtleneck that was on sale for $25.90.
Then I decided that since I wear these almost everyday, I should order four.
Then I saw this Steve Madden jacket. Man, that would look great over a brown turtleneck.
50% off and marked down to $48.90.
Then I saw these boots. Wow, this is an outfit.
50% off and marked down to $74.90
I’m going to love my new jacket! Oh, look at this jacket!
35% off and marked down to $59.90
Then I saw these pajamas. I need pajamas!
50% off and marked down to $37.90
I need a new pair of jeans to wear with my new jackets!
Not on sale. $155.
I spent $546.89
I am more ashamed of this behavior than anything I have written so far. I used to compulsively shop online. I haven’t done so in over a year.
I am halfway through a family size box of Hot Tamales candy. (The only sweet thing I could find in the house.)
I think I need to get more serious about my 12 step recovery program.
This week I am going to set the goal to do two recovery things that I haven’t done yet:
1) Call one woman in AA and talk to her.
2) Share in the beginner’s meeting on Thursday night. (I blush painfully when speaking about myself in a group. I mean, I think it is even painful for the people watching me! This is going to make me puke.)
***
Countup: 43 days of not drinking
Countdown: 115 days until I move into my RV
Mechanics classes start January 19th.
Real estate agent comes TODAY.
.
19 Comments
LOL…I’m sure you’ll be fine. Good luck with the real estate lady.
Jennifer!
Remember that you are suppose to be getting rid of “stuff”, not accumulating more! You must learn how to keep the inside weight of the RV to a minimum. Perhaps you needed a new wardrobe. But almost $550 worth? I mean $155 just on a pair of jeans? Is this the same woman that just told us she’s in credit card debt? Hmmmm?
Another survival tool while living in an RV is to be thrifty. I’m glad to hear that you are ashamed of this behavior and know that this truly IS classified as compulsive shopping. You need to kick this habit. Shopping is just as addictive as drinking. If not more!
I think it’s an awesome idea to break out of your shell and get more serious about your 12 steps to recovery program. You may become good friends with one of the women from your group. And when sharing your experiences with these people you will realize that you are not alone. Remember that they are all there for the same reason you are. Keep up the good work. 43 days is a huge accomplishment!
We all have a sweet tooth once in awhile. So I’ll forgive you for consuming the entire family size box of Hot Tamales candies.
lol
I think I totally just virtually *spanked* you through this comment today! Smarten up woman! We all want you to successfully become an RVer. As you have heard many times before from your readers, RVing isn’t for everyone. If you are a weak person it will destroy you. You *must* be confident, strong minded, and have your shit together in life. People out here in this world will just walk all over you if you aren’t aware. You know me by now, I just tell you how it is. And there you have it in black and white.
Be sure to share with us what your real estate agent had to say about the house! Get that thing on the market already and lets get rolling!!
It sounds like it is your day to share. Can you take notes with you to read from when you speak? Good luck. And, I hope your stomach doesn’t hurt too much from the candy. For what it’s worth, the clothes are very cute.
Heh. I bought a Teeter inversion table last night to try and help with this current bout of sciatica I am fighting. I enjoy buying stuff online. I love it when it shows up at the door. It’s like Christmas whenever you want!
$500 for new clothes for 2010 isn’t a really big deal, unless you are in debt or moving into an RV sometime soon. :paranoid: ;0)
Our perceptions of what other people are feeling, or thinking are often, not always, but most often incorrect. Based on conversations with former AA attendees I believe every single person there is pulling for you, not obsessing on your blush. You need to be as transparent at your meetings as you are here.
Another reason to get yourself into an RV. There’s nowhere to put all that stuff. If you want to get something new you have to throw something else away.
And deciding what to throw away is not so easy.
Yes, it’s true. You will find that living in an RV is a sure cure for compulsive shopping. It’s a self-limiting, naturally thrifty way of life.
Unless, of course, what you are compulsively buying is another RV. And another. And another. And that big one over there. It sure would go great with your jacket.
Bob
Jennifer?
I know the driveway needed a bit of gravel, and maybe it was a bargain on-line, but…
Jennifer? Hello? Are you in there?
http://evilspeculator.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/buried1.jpg
Bob
Hi Jennifer,
I have been a lurker on you website for some time now and have enjoyed the ups and not so much the downs on your goal of purchasing your RV and heading to the Arctic Circle. I really thought you were making good decisions and heading in the right direction.
I think your decision to look at a Class C RV was a good one. It is smaller then the bigger Class A’s and should be much easier for you to drive. It will also enable you to camp in places that may be difficult for a larger Class A.
These are all positive decisions “until today’s post”. Why are you spending $546.89 on clothes online? You mentioned that you wear turtle necks every day so you decided to buy four of them. I bet if you looked in your closet you would probably find ten of them. I also bet you have plenty of expensive jeans as well. I don’t think there are too many people wearing designer jeans and jackets camped out at the Arctic Circle or any other RV park for that matter.
On Dec 7 you stated that you had $44,000 in credit card debt. It sure doesn’t look like you are trying to pay it down does it?
Do yourself a favor and return the clothes as soon as you receive them and then rip up those credit cards!!! You have set a goal of 115 days until you move into your RV. RV’s don’t have walk-in closets you know. Plus that $546 can go toward reducing your credit card debt, not increasing it.
I am pulling for you all the way to get to your goals and I think you will, but don’t slip, in trying to get there.
By the way my goal is to purchase an RV this year and begin fulltiming. Let’s hope we both acheive these goals we have set.
All the best,
Jim
The further I scrolled down and the more I saw what you were “purchasing” my chin fell farther and farther down my chest. I swore to myself that I would get to the end of the post and you would’ve typed “I loved this stuff, but decided to be responsible and NOT buy it.”
To say I was disappointed would be an understatement.
Please don’t misunderstand me – I know my disappointment doesn’t have any bearing on your life or happiness – but I [and many others] WANT you to succeed.
This is not the way to go about it. Do you realize what you spent on those clothes today is what I spent on 2 teenagers for Christmas? With money to spare – and they received nice stuff, believe me.
To have $44,000 in CC debt [I still can't wrap myself around that - never will - jeesh - that is a NICE SUV - heck I paid $14,000 more for my first home in 1990.]and expecting to move into an RV in a few months just doesn’t seem to be doable – I know the house sale will pay off a large portion of it and you receive $5,000 in salary [I think you said] Why add to the debt – it takes away from what you can spend and enjoy on your trip.
Sorry if it sounds as though I am being mean – I am not, honest. And I know you don’t have kids, but I am incredulous when you talk of your dreams [RV/Artic Circle] and I realize we were able to support five kids on $10,000 less than you bring home a year with no credit card debt and we live in a very high income area, in a lovely home.
I am so afraid you are going to get into trouble on your trip and none of us wants that for you. I swear.
Please return it. You wll be glad you did in the future.
Sorry if I sounded harsh – Just know we support you.
Jennifer –
So ya ate the hot tomales…always seems like such a great idea but after a boxful you wonder, eh?
So ya bought some clothes…now you feel like *insert preferred word of the moment*. What are you going to do about it? You made a choice from a lot of choices…now you have a lot of choices so what are you going to chose to do? Skippymom was pretty straightfoward…However, I don’t think the issue is you not knowing what you are doing. Your issues are going to continue until you decide to change something…helluva lot easier said than done.
Bob – love your humor!
Oh Jen…there’s a poem that helped me for a while. Written by Portia Nelson – There’s a hole in my sidewalk.
Chapter 1
I walk down the street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I fall in.
I am lost…I am helpless.
It isn’t my fault.
It takes forever to find a way out.
Chapter 2
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I pretend I don’t see it.
I fall in again.
I can’t believe I am in the same place.
But it isn’t my fault.
It still takes a long time to get out.
Chapter 3
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I see it is there.
I still fall in…it’s a habit.
My eyes are open.
I know where I am.
It is my fault.
I get out immediately.
Chapter 4
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.
Chapter 5
I walk down another street.
Hope something I said helps…or nudges in some way or form.
Kari
Thank you guys for the replies. I went to a meeting tonight and feel much more sane! I think I am just switching addictions here and not working as hard as I should be.
I appreciate all of the comments and none came across as harsh to me.
I am just feeling incredibly *grateful* that any of you would care! Thank you for that.
Jennifer
p.s. Random posts are getting stuck in the spam folder, so if you don’t see your post right away that is what is happening. (I can push them through when I remember to check it!)
Thanks,
Jennifer
I just ate a whole box too – so f’ing good and don’t worry about eating all of them – no biggie
Hmmm…I have that same addiction methinks…
IF I feel a wee bit “down”…I shop. (COOL boots btw,…I want them!)
MY “addiction” is FOOD stores rather than retail….ugh. (I LOVE to cook…what can I say!) I go nuts for odd condiments, rices, so on…yeppers…cwazy! (Whole Foods = my eventual demise…hehheh!)Lucky for me none here!
But this past week of holidays I did the retail extravaganza…only on the CHEAP (Marshall’s…not Nordstrum)..and, as usual, I will be returning 90% of the stuff. (I HATE trying on clothes)
In a pared down environment, aka RV, I’d be against a wall…horrors! Be interesting to see! Having to keep it simple….what a challenge!
My past year’s resolve has been cash only…so impulsive online stuff is over…whew! BUT the food stores love that cash….dammit!
BTW..Huge COngrats on the many days of no alcohol and more openness in/with your group.
Hey! Did you read Story of Story’s last post on her blog…interesting and so very true. (Her “Chicken Monster” one)
XOXO
I haven’t heard of “Story of Story’s” blog. May we have the link so that we can check it out too? Thanks!
I haven’t stopped thinking about Hot Tamales since you posted this – thanks a lot. Now I have to go out and buy ANOTHER box. :p Can you return any of that stuff you just bought?
10 years ago, my son “made me” count all my shoes.
I couldn’t.
After I reached 75 pr of Western boots (good ones, too, rose Justins and blue Noconas…et al), he walked away in dismay.
But hey, I sold half of them and managed to organize 3 closets of shoes into (nearly) 2.
I have NO idea how I will deal with my shoes /coats / clothes in the Travco.
Awesome, AWESOME post. Thank you.
Trish, your story makes me think of Sex and the City, when Carrie realizes she has spent a co-op downpayment on Manolo Blahnik.