SaleStruck!

By: Natalie Parragué

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April 12, 2009

I have a love-hate relationship with the word S-A-L-E. It’s my favorite sign in the department stores, and I go running to the racks whenever it’s in sight. It makes me happy to know my investigation of best bargain prices has ultimate rewards and I never have to pay full price. But is this stuff on sale stuff I really need? Or am I just buying it because of the discount? Even before I reach the cash register, I’m arguing with myself about every item. That’s when S-A-L-E turns into a word I hate.

“Your total is $161.57,” says the young blonde working as a cashier at Victoria’s Secret. I hand her my $50 gift card, hoping that will erase some of my pain. I’ve only been here an hour. How did I manage to go overboard?

Well, I tell myself, I really needed this robe. I don’t have a robe. It’s so fuzzy, warm, and comfortable. And it was originally $80 and now it’s on sale for just $29.99. That’s amazing! I haven’t bought quality bras and underwear for myself in ages. I deserve these sexy panties and lingerie, even if I’m the only one who is going to see them.

“Your new total is $111.57,” she says with a bright smile. That’s better, right? But I don’t feel better. Maybe it’s because I’ve been working two jobs this winter break with the intention of saving money in the bank, not buying lingerie.

I hand over my shiny gold Visa check card and take a deep breath. I earned these items, I tell myself. I’ve been working hard this break. I babysat long hours with a special needs kid and worked in retail during the holidays. I need to spoil myself more often. I don’t do enough for myself.

“Would you like the receipt with you or in the bag?”

“In the bag, please,” I mutter. I don’t want to look at the receipt, ever. Do we have the option of putting it in a paper shredder? Or how about burning it?

As I leave the store, I take a personal vow never to enter a Victoria’s Secret store for at least six months. A minute later, I smile at myself. To most people, “never” usually means longer than six months.

How about I stay clear from the word S-A-L-E forever? Hmm… I think that’s impossible. It’s been in my vocabulary since I was a little girl. My mom was a sale shopper and bargain enthusiast. So it’s in my genes.

As I walk out of the mall and head to my next job, I begin to calculate how much I earned this morning babysitting and how much I will earn tonight at Oilily. If I earn more than I spent, then all is well, right? That’s good budgeting, isn’t it? Who am I kidding? Before I hit another sale, I need to remember how I felt after this one. I just hope I can.

Natalie Parragué is a MoneyPants member who is a senior at the University of Minnesota, majoring in Journalism.

Are you SaleStruck? Do you find yourself going into paroxyms of bargainitis when you see that four-letter word beginning with S? Join the discussion in the MoneyPants Lounge.

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