Thursday, October 1, 2009

Guilty pleasures. No, seriously. Guilty.

Ever buy something and feel guilty about it? I’m not talking about a fleeting, “Oh, I shouldn’t have!” followed by a giggle as you happily skip to your car swinging your shopping bags and tweeting about your purchase.

I’m talking about truly feeling like, “Oh crap! What have I done?” and dashing back to the store to return said item before you even leave the parking lot. Too embarrassing to even tweet about.

Tell me I’m not alone. Lie to me people. LIE!

Well, I’ve done both of the above scenarios, and it tends to be more of the latter than the former. I am the Queen of Buyer’s Remorse. Not because I pick bad products (yeah, I’m lookin’ at you $9 Pledge Pet Hair Remover piece of poo) or because I buy a size 0 knowing I am 0 plus 14…it’s because I feel guilty. Truly, truly, truly guilty. Why? That’s what I am trying to figure out.

Part 1: Worry

I worry that if I buy a $11 face bar or a $358 purse (more on this in a bit, bear with me), I’ll lose my job the very next day, end up homeless, and lose my iPhone service. Truly the END of the world- NO iPHONE?! IT’S OVER! OHHHH-VER! Though I know this is irrational, I still feel this way. Technically I work hard and save, so why can’t I use some money to play? So, part 1 is that I worry that if I spend this money, no matter how large or small the sum of it is, I will end up under an overpass with a useless iPhone.

Part 2: Not Deserving

Ever have that person around that always is kind of a downer? You know, you buy lunch at Subway and they’re like, “Must be nice to be able to go out and eat. I’ve been eating leftovers from last Thanksgiving.” And you’re like, “Oh my. I’m sorry!” and go to your office feeling like a total tool. I hate buying something and hearing, “Must be nice.”

Yeah, it is. And I worked my ass off to get it. I went to a good college, finished in 3 years, have a good job, and I like Subway. Don’t judge me. Not saying I am rolling in money, because I guarantee you I am not, but if I have $5 for Subway lunch or $11 for a face bar, what’s it to ya?

Part 3: Need vs. Want vs. Quantity vs. Quality

Do I need a $11 face bar or would the $4 Neutrogena bar work just as well? How about that $358 purse versus a $60 purse from Kohls? Well, the cheap alternatives could work, may work, or they may not. I think I am at the point where I prefer quality over quantity. If I only buy 1 darn purse all year for $358 instead of 6 $60 purses, I am fine with that. If that face bar is made from quality ingredients and works for my skin type, I am okay with spending 3 times as much. Do I need them? Face bar, yeah; purse, um…no, guess not.

So, my question to you is this- do you engage in guilty pleasures? Buyers remorse? Am I psycho?

I even feel guilty getting manicures/pedicures/hair color. I need to stop feeling this way. If I end up homeless, I’ll have great skin and a nice purse.

Which face bar and purse am I talking about?

This is the facial cleanser I want from LUSH

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I must thank JennXOXO for all her FAB reviews on stuff that I need. Yes, need. I need to have nice skin!

Then, there’s the $358 purse from Coach- the garnet with lurex. Lurex=lurve=$$$

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Gorgeous. And it’ll match with EVERYTHING! And the bestest part is my iPhone fits in there. It better for $358.

I did splurge a bit today. I am proud, and I do NOT plan on returning them. Go me!

I bought this lovely houndstooth coat from Overstock

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And these comfy looking boots in black, also from Overstock

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For a total of $70.98 (free shipping!), plus a 4% rebate from eBates.

And I don’t even feel guilty!

Life is good.

Ok, maybe I feel a little guilty.

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