Facing Target

I just went to Target.  My nemisis.  I had to face it though.  We were down to our last half-roll of toilet paper; we desperately needed detergent to do laundry; and since both of us have crazy allergies, we're always blowing our noses, and we were also out of tissue. 

Sigh.  This shouldn't be that big of a deal.  Most normal people would just go to the store and get those three things they need.  For me, it's not that easy.  I once went into Target with my friend KK and between the two of us, we spent $500.  How in the world does that happen?  At that time, our intention was to sign up for the Target charge card and get the 5% discount on our purchase.  Big savings!  So we piled our carts full of junk -- I don't even know what we could spend that much money on at Target! 

My last big Target trip before I cut myself off I bought four washcloths, a book, and several things I already have plenty of at home:  eye drops, benadryl, face wash, moisturizer and lotion.  I mean, I could seriously run a drug-store out of my bathroom. 

As you can see, I was dreading this trip to Target during my month of not spending money.  I knew it was going to be difficult and I didn't want to place myself in that tempting environment.

I starting psyching myself last night:

"Only three items.  I'm going into Target, and I'm getting only those three items.  That's it, that's all I can get.  I can do this!  I will succeed!"

This morning, I reinforced myself by telling W that I was going to Target to get toilet paper, tissue and laundry detergent, "and THAT'S IT!"  He said, "Why, what else do we need?  Do you want to get something else."

AUGH!  He is not helping matters here!

So I walked into Target and was instantly drawn to the new purses and scarves strategically placed in front of the entrance.  "NO!"  A voice screamed inside my head.  I turned away and saw a rack of five dollar DVD's.  Oooh!  I always wanted to see Johny Depp's Crybaby!  I then passed the pharmacy section and rows and rows of beautifully packaged vitamins, allergy pills, bandaids, and cotton balls threatened to jump into my cart.  In the other direction I saw a new line of glade candles...  This was bad. 

Finally I reached the household products section and quickly tossed the needed items in my empty cart.  As I turned back toward the check-out, I remembered we needed lettuce for salads this week.  What do I do?!  I told myself that I could only get those three items, but if don't get lettuce, I'm going to have to go the grocery and that could only prove to be more disastrous because at this rate, I'm going to figure out I need a million other ingredients and I'll buy out the whole market to compensate for my lack of excessive shopping at Target!  Dilemma! 

I practically ran to the food section in Target and grabbed a bag of spinach and a bag of leafy romaine (2 for $4) and dashed out of the store as fast as possible.

Phew.  What drama this saving more and spending less is!  And honestly, after my hair cut and highlights touch up on Friday (which I forgot about when I made this month the "Save Money Month) I don't feel like my bank account looks any fuller.