Sale season always reminds me of Christmas because there's no other time where there are so many things to buy and too little money to afford them. If bad habits die hard, I know for one that bad shopping habits die harder. So before you break poor Mr. Piggy for the treasures in his belly, here are some suggestions to beat the shopping bug:
1. Don't Give In To Peer Pressure
It's funny how that shopaholic friend of yours becomes all pally-wally when the smell of discounts is in the air. So when she comes calling for a girls' night out or catch-up session, you better have a good excuse ready. Something along the lines of 'my cat just died and I'm mourning for a month' sounds legit to me. And just in case you are tempted, throw the idea of 'window-shopping' out the window because it is a concept fatally flawed from the very beginning.
2. Retail Therapy Isn't Therapeutic
Forget retail therapy and go for the real thing. Nothing warms the cockles of the heart like clean cuticles – so pamper yourself at the manicurist or massage parlour. Or use the money to pay for a short holiday or staycation. Heck, it might even be a good idea to make that overdue appointment with the shrink about your shopping habits.
3. Embrace The ‘Otaku’ Spirit
Men are smarter than we are usually given credit for. We might be ‘otaku’ (Japanese slang for geeky), but our time-consuming addiction to video games and sports cable programmes also saves us lots of money. So forget about getting out of the house and watch the Olympics or Euros 2012 with your loved one. If you have never understood what the offside rule or goaltending foul is, now's the perfect time to cuddle together for some telly time. Or watch him play Diablo III and discover the demon slayer in you.
4. Join A Support Group
Form a support group with like-minded friends and read 'Confessions of a Shopaholic' by Sophie Kinsella, the modern-day Bible of the sale-loving addict. It'll help you to tide over this tough period, not to mention that it would be pretty darn hilarious to proclaim, "Hi, I'm Jane and I'm a shopaholic".
5. Cut Up Your Credit Card
I jest. But for the uncontrollable spenders, it wouldn't be a bad idea to pass your credit card to your mom for safekeeping for a month or two. I've always been intrigued by how women can instinctively turn any outing into an impromptu shopping trip.
