Tightwad guilt

Today I went shopping. I haven't went shopping for myself in a very long time. The days where I'd spend hours at a mall, browsing through the stores are long gone. When I think back to my teenage years, I can't believe how foolish I was with my money. I'd easily spend $80 on a pair of jeans and not give it a second thought. Now I blanch when I spend $30 on a new pair of pants. Let's just say the clearance rack is my favourite part of any store.

But today was all about me as well as my credit card. I fell in love with this blouse. Regardless of its $50 price tag (yes, I blanched when I turned over the tag) I bought it anyway. And I'd like to mention that I got a deal because it was on sale. Then I fell in love with a pair of ballerina flats. Despite the pricey price tag, I bought them anyway. In the end, I spent about $180 on myself. But as soon as I got home, I developed buyer's remorse, a classic symptom of tightwad guilt. I'll freely admit that I'm a tightwad.

But when I think rationally about the purchases I made, I realize I deserve to spend money on myself. Yes, I'm not going to wear this blouse around darling daughter and risk her spitting up on it, but I will wear it out on an upcoming out on the town with the girls. And I will look fabulous (I hope) and that is priceless.

Doing my part for the economy. Right?!?

I went a little crazy at Old Navy today.

Thanks to Listen to Lena! I learned Old Navy was having a baby and toddler sale. To be honest, I get most of darling daughter's clothes at consignment shops, but I didn't think it would hurt if I took a peek around. One hundred and twenty four dollars later, I walked out of the store with two pairs of pants, two shirts, two pairs of tights, two hoodies, a hat and mitten set, a sweet little dress and a Halloween costume. I couldn't resist the Halloween costume. She is going to look absolutely darling dressed up as a butterfly.

Yeah, I went a little crazy. Now I'm starting to have buyers remorse. Does she really need pants? (Yes she does). Does she really need two hoodies? (Not likely, but they will be warm for the winter and early spring). Does she really need a butterfly costume? (No, but she'll look so darn cute in it.) Now I am torn. Should I take some of this stuff back, or hanging it up in the closet? Argh, sometimes I hate the practical spendthrift in me.

Toy R' Us is having a sale too. I think for my own sanity, as well as my pocket book, it would be best if I stayed away. It is too tempting.