Shopping has been my greatest indulgence throughout my adult life. Back in college, I devoted countless hours (and dollars) to it. During a particularly emotional junior year, I splurged thousands at stores like Victoria’s Secret, Lush, and Wet Seal. Let’s just say I amassed a mountain of lacy underwear and enough tips to do laundry only once a month. Though guilt often nibbled at me with each purchase, it was never enough to deter my spending habits. I would glance at my bank statement each month, but it wasn’t until my card was declined during dinner with my mom that I truly grasped the situation. My account was overdrawn by hundreds, and I was mortified.
After a long chat with the bank manager, we hatched a plan: another credit card. This one boasted a high limit and linked directly to my bank account to prevent further overdrafts. I was relatively responsible for a few months, but soon my reckless spending returned, and I found myself unable to reign it in.
I didn’t dive into online shopping until a few years later. Initially, I craved the instant gratification of walking out of a store with a bag. While online shopping didn’t quite provide that rush, it offered a similar high. Shopping online made me more conscious of my purchases, yet it didn’t slow my spending. I found myself drowning my stress in new clothes, cozy sweaters, or books. The arrival of a delivery from UPS or FedEx filled me with a childlike glee.
Online shopping oddly gave me a sense of control over my impulses. With endless options at my fingertips, I meticulously browsed through every page to find that perfect dress or pair of jeans. Each item in my cart felt like a carefully chosen treasure, compared and weighed against similar items. Watching my cart fill up gave me the same thrill as pulling items from a shelf. “I’ll wear this all the time!” I’d assure myself, adding yet another gray boyfriend sweater to my collection.
Options were my favorite part. I’d coordinate shoes from my closet with dresses I found online, daydreaming about all the occasions I could wear them. It became compulsive, especially since I despise paying for shipping. If my total crept over $50, even by a few cents, it brought me a sense of calm. At my peak, I had my debit card number memorized — it was just easier that way!
But it wasn’t just clothes. I also indulged in music and books. An avid music lover, I found solace on Amazon, filling gaps in my collection that local stores couldn’t satisfy. I could track down every CD from overseas, including albums by beloved British pop bands that were impossible to find in the States. Logging into my iTunes account was a slippery slope; I couldn’t resist buying every enticing title I came across. As for books, I reveled in the freedom of purchasing as many as I could read, with Amazon boxes full of new reads arriving monthly.
What really gets my heart racing, though, are sales. The sheer joy I feel when I discover a favorite store is having a sale is indescribable. When flash sale sites emerged, I eagerly signed up for them, as my taste often outstripped my budget. Thanks to these sites, I snagged coveted designer jeans at up to 60% off. It was exhilarating! I still treasure the cowboy boots I got at a 40% discount. Eventually, I had to unsubscribe from many store emails to maintain my sanity, but I still keep a few — particularly for shops I adore for myself and my son. When shopping for him, I enter a zone, filling my cart with stylish shirts and pants. He’s truly one of the best-dressed toddlers I know, but I constantly battle with where to store all his new outfits. Missing out on a coupon feels like a personal tragedy.
While I’ve learned to manage my shopping urges to some extent, the thrill it provides is unmatched by most other experiences. I cherish those late nights, pajama-clad and scrolling through The Children’s Place or Old Navy’s website. The excitement of finding the perfect shirt for my son or the ideal leggings for myself is hard to beat. I still feel a rush when I receive the notification that my order has shipped and can hardly contain my excitement when the delivery arrives.
Despite my attempts at moderation, I don’t think I can ever completely give up shopping. With my financial responsibilities now (one of them affectionately calls me “Mom”), my spending habits have nearly led to disaster more than once. I’m aware I’m not alone in admitting that shopping is my guilty pleasure. I’ve learned it’s all about balance, and when I stick to my budget, it’s even more rewarding. Unless there’s an amazing sale, of course.
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Summary:
In “The Joys of Online Shopping,” Jade Anderson chronicles her lifelong love affair with shopping, detailing how it has evolved from in-person indulgences to online shopping sprees. Despite the financial pitfalls and guilt that accompany her compulsive habits, Jade finds joy in the thrill of sales and the excitement of receiving packages. She acknowledges the need for moderation, especially with new responsibilities as a mom, yet can’t shake the pleasure that shopping brings her.