Fabulous Financials

For most of the day, I am either on the computer or near something that gives me easy access the internet.  Therefore, it is purely out of convenience that I’d find something to buy on the internet much faster than I would in a store.  And boy, have I been tempted lately!  It’s a new seaon and every retailer is enticing consumers with their semi-annual sales.  But somehow, I’ve been able to resist.  Here are the steps I follow to avoid impulse shopping on the internet:

1. SEARCH, SAVE & SIMMER

I haven’t bought any new shoes since…uh…hmm…  *scratching my head*  Shoot, if I can’t remember, then it’s been way too long.  However, it hasn’t stopped me from [internet] window shopping.  When I find something I like, I tag the link in a “shopping” folder.  The Firefox ‘read it later’ feature makes it easy to click and sort.  Then I wait a few days – at least three but no more than seven – before I pull the trigger.

2.  PROCESS OF ELIMINATION

After a few days, I clean up the folder and delete most of the links.  I may decide not to buy an item for various reasons: don’t like it anymore, found something better/cheaper, or admit I don’t need it.  Like these…

These are a beauty, but I don’t need anymore suede peeptoe pumps.  Then again, if the price was right (think: out of season clearance), I may give in to the temptation.  This waiting period eliminates about 75% of my impulsive purchases because it forces me to think about if I really want it.

The other 25% require a little more effort…

Occasionally, I run across something that makes my heart skip a beat every time I see it, even after the waiting period is over.  Like these…

and these…

The style…the color…oh my!  I’ve been admiring these sandals for about 2 weeks.  In fact, I had a dream about the pink pair two nights in a row.  They are HOT!!  And I’ve already put together an outfit (or 2) in my mind for each pair – including the accessories!  *fanning myself*  I’m sure there’s a name for what ails me when it comes to fabulous shoes.   The only logical step is to get them on my feet.  POST HASTE!  But not so fast…

3.  PRICE/VALUE CONSIDERATION

I consider moving the ‘must buy’ item(s) to my shopping cart, but first, I have to decide if the price is reasonable and if I can afford it.   Depending on the item, this eliminates another 15% of my impulsive purchases.  I will never compromise my financial goals in the name of retail therapy.

Those sandals cost more than I’d prefer to pay – $100+.  I could wait for a sale, but I want them so badly.  Plus my size (7.5) sells out pretty quickly and I don’t want to risk it.  I’ll search for a discount code, find an affiliate cash back site (i.e. fat wallet, ebates, msn live, etc.) and use a cash back credit card to reduce the price.

Also, both brands have a good reputation and they appear to be well made.  Assuming they’re comfortable, I know I will wear them often and for years to come.  But just in case, I read the site’s return policy.  Then, on to the fun part…

4.  FABULOSITY ASSESSMENT

Before making the final decision to buy, I ask myself one more question:  Do I love it?  That one question, alone, eliminates the remaining 10% of my impulsive purchases.  If you love it, you’ll always wear it.  As a result, the per use cost will decrease and the item’s overall value will increase.  Otherwise, if an item was $5, it’s a waste of $5 if it doesn’t make you feel FABULOUS.

5.  BUY IT, GUILT FREE!

At this point, it’s a no brainer.  I found, I waited, I eliminated, I priced, I loved – and now I’m buying it.  Guilt Free.  When I say ‘guilt free’ I mean, I do not…

• Say “I deserve it” to satisfy my conscience.
• Brownbag (or make other minor changes) for a week to justify the purchase.
• Think about all the hungry kids in Africa I could have fed or all the whales I could have saved by donating the money.
• Consider the potential earnings if I had invested the money at some ridiculous rate of return for a zillion years.
• Care if Suze Orman thinks I can afford it.

None of that crosses my mind.  I sit and wait patiently for the UPS man to bring me the goods.  And when they arrive, I get excited!  I can’t wait to get home from work so I can rip open the boxes and play dress up in the mirror like a big ol’ kid.  :-)

How do you avoid impulse shopping on the internet?

It’s officially Spring baby!  And I’m thinking pedicures, dresses, and skirts!  No more tights!  Woo-hooo!  You guys know me so well, I don’t even need to tell you what I did yesterday.  I’ll just show you my latest acquisitions:

Animal Print Feathered Sandal

Black Jeweled Sandal

I have no idea what I’ll wear them with – yet – but I just had to have them.  These babies are so fabulous!  And the price was too good to pass them by.  Would you like to know where I bought them?  Well I thought you’d never ask!  6pm.com is having a weekend only sale on the Nine West brand.  All shoes are only $19.99! Now that I think about it, I should have bought 4 pair.  A woman can never have too many shoes!

Or is it just me? LOL!

How many pairs of shoes have you purchased this year?

The kids are having a snow day, but I’m ready for winter to GO AWAY.  Got that winter?  You’re not welcome here no mo’!  Alright now, git!  In the meantime, I’m going to mentally pretend that it’s spring already and share with you guys my first spring shoe fever purchase.  Yea, I got the fever for the fabulous flavor already!  See…

They’re purple if you can’t tell.  Sorry for the bad picture, had to take it with BabyGirl’s camera phone. Mine was laid to rest in December.  Still searching for a replacement.

I found these babies on clearance at Ross for a grand total (including tax) of $14.16.  I just so happened to be standing in the aisle when the sales lady was marking them down from the regular price of $49.99.  I saw them from a distance – the color is striking – and noticed there were only two pair of its kind.  And wouldn’t you know – one of them was in my size.  Bingo!

I tried them on and immediately fell in love.  When I stood up, thoughts of spring/summer outfits began dancing in my head.  What?  I know y’all do it too – put together outfits in your mind when you’re buying something new.  I was thinking about my white linen suit, tan cropped pants, or any one of my bright colored, flowy, summer dresses.  Then I blurted out – to no one in particular – “I need jewelry!  Oh and a handbag too!”  BabyGirl thought I was nuts.  I really wanted a new bag, but I quickly suppressed the urge and settled for the shoes only.

As I approached the register, I noticed tiny scratches on the buckle of the right shoe and I was about to put them back.  I mean, the gold-toned buckle on this shoe is EVERYTHING!  I was so disappointed. :-(  Then BabyGirl said she didn’t notice the scratches at all and reminded me that I usually ask for an additional discount on slightly imperfect merchandise.  Well duh!  How can I forget to bargain during a critical shoe buying opportunity like this?  So I asked for an additional 10% off.  And BAM! They were sold!

In Single Ma land, it is officially spring shoe fever season.

Buy anything cute lately?  Do tell.

Applying the one exception to my no shopping rule, I took a trip Marshalls on a hunt for fabulous deals.  Initially, my plan was to visit the MegaShoe Shop and the CUBE boutique, but I was disappointed when I realized that MY location did not have both.  :-(

After I saw the plethora of shoes, I had no problem improvising my plan. LOL  First, I browsed up and down each aisle to get a feel for the mega shoe section.  They had pumps, flats, and boots in just about every style you can imagine.  And the prices were pretty reasonable too.  Not rock bottom, clearance level prices, but reasonable enough compared to the regular retail prices you’ll find in a department store.  The only downside to this heavenly abyss of shoes was the mess.  I mean, it was a mess!  I don’t know if I went on the wrong day or at the wrong time, but good gawd, shoes and boxes were everywhere!  Ugh!  That kinda killed my natural high.

I was determined to find a deal and refused to be defeated, so I headed straight towards the clearance section with my game face on. LOL  And whadayaknow!  That is where I found these lovelies.  A pair of Dress Oxfords made by my favorite shoe designer – Ms. Anne Klein.

Retail price: $85.00

Marshalls sales price: $49.99

Marshalls clearance price: $39.00

The picture quality is poor (cheap-o camera: this is the closest I could find online).  They are actually “dark” chocolate brown patent with a plaid-like fabric print on the top and sides.  The heel is about 3 inches and the style of the shoe goes well with tailored pants for the office or jeans for a night out on the town.  Being a seasonal trendy shoe, I’d never pay full price – not even with a gift card – but this price was low enough to satisfy my shoe obsession.  After I found them, I decided to spend the remainder on my Christmas list.  The total out of pocket cost was $0.74.

Although I didn’t get to visit a CUBE boutique (closest one was 20 miles away), I registered for their giveaway called Rock and Stock Your Closet.  The lucky winner will receive a $2,500 shopping spree (plus $500 for a friend) and a personal stylist for a day.  I also had fun playing around with this game for a chance to win another $250 shopping spree.  What?  A girl can dream!  And play…The Great Shoe Find.

Have fun and good luck!

*sigh*