My Shopaholic Confession
Feb 9, 2009
My name is Dinah and I'm a shopaholic.
I had my first real job at the age of 20, and armed with a payslip and certificate of employment, I applied for my first ever credit card and was approved. I had more pre-approved cards after that. After laying my hands on them, throwing caution to the wind, I swiped to my hearts content! And that was the start of my love-hate relationship to all things shopping-with-a-credit card related.
One time (the start of many and usual occurrences), after feeling particularly good about myself for a job well done(or whatever excuse I can think of), I went to a nearby mall to just look around. I liked this blouse and I liked that shirt and when I was already lined up at the counter to pay, I just realized that I bought 5 blouses, a shoes, and some things for the house. And I still need to buy some groceries! On anybody else, this wouldn't be so bad. But I was then:
1. Earning minimum wage
2. Married to a minimum wage earner
3. Had a one-year old kid (think formula milk, vaccination, doctors, diapers, etc, etc)
4. Renting a house
5. Paying for household help
6. Paying utility bills and a lot more
After that it became a habit. When our combined salary is not enough to pay those expenses, instead of cutting down on the spending, I swipe. I never bothered to look at our budget, always thinking that I could use my credit card to buy and pay for things. Every payday, I buy new clothes and stuff for me, hubby and the baby and some things for the house. Until one time, the card was declined while I was then buying formula milk and I had no cash with me! The reality of it all sunk in. Instead of paying for the card bill when its due, I would almost always just pay for the minimum amount, thinking I would pay it next time in full anyway. And of course, eventually the amount piled up. It got so bad that I can't open credit card bills anymore for fear of heart attack! My salary was just used for paying those credit card bills and we had no savings at all. That time of my life was a nightmare!
Now, I am a shopaholic no more. I only have one credit card, used only in extreme emergencies. I am still paying for some of those cards and I have learned my lesson the hard way. Now with 3 kids and a mortgage, I think a thousand times before buying stuff. I haven't even bought a Digicam even on zero-interest card installment plans!
This is my shopaholic confession and I hope you learn from my story. I am excited to watch the movie and I am sure I can definitely relate.
Catch Confessions of a Shopaholic in Cinemas on February 18, 2009!
I had my first real job at the age of 20, and armed with a payslip and certificate of employment, I applied for my first ever credit card and was approved. I had more pre-approved cards after that. After laying my hands on them, throwing caution to the wind, I swiped to my hearts content! And that was the start of my love-hate relationship to all things shopping-with-a-credit card related.
One time (the start of many and usual occurrences), after feeling particularly good about myself for a job well done(or whatever excuse I can think of), I went to a nearby mall to just look around. I liked this blouse and I liked that shirt and when I was already lined up at the counter to pay, I just realized that I bought 5 blouses, a shoes, and some things for the house. And I still need to buy some groceries! On anybody else, this wouldn't be so bad. But I was then:
1. Earning minimum wage
2. Married to a minimum wage earner
3. Had a one-year old kid (think formula milk, vaccination, doctors, diapers, etc, etc)
4. Renting a house
5. Paying for household help
6. Paying utility bills and a lot more
After that it became a habit. When our combined salary is not enough to pay those expenses, instead of cutting down on the spending, I swipe. I never bothered to look at our budget, always thinking that I could use my credit card to buy and pay for things. Every payday, I buy new clothes and stuff for me, hubby and the baby and some things for the house. Until one time, the card was declined while I was then buying formula milk and I had no cash with me! The reality of it all sunk in. Instead of paying for the card bill when its due, I would almost always just pay for the minimum amount, thinking I would pay it next time in full anyway. And of course, eventually the amount piled up. It got so bad that I can't open credit card bills anymore for fear of heart attack! My salary was just used for paying those credit card bills and we had no savings at all. That time of my life was a nightmare!
Now, I am a shopaholic no more. I only have one credit card, used only in extreme emergencies. I am still paying for some of those cards and I have learned my lesson the hard way. Now with 3 kids and a mortgage, I think a thousand times before buying stuff. I haven't even bought a Digicam even on zero-interest card installment plans!
This is my shopaholic confession and I hope you learn from my story. I am excited to watch the movie and I am sure I can definitely relate.
Catch Confessions of a Shopaholic in Cinemas on February 18, 2009!
February 09, 2009
Yup I agree credit card is evil! ahahahaha! great post! good luck!
Earthlingorgeous
February 10, 2009
Hi Dinah, good luck in the contest!
By the way, I just came by to apologize for the email subscription errors in my blog. It's from Google Feedburner's end. It's a recent bug and they say it'll be fixed in a couple of days.
Thanks. :D
February 10, 2009
hi there! im czel, blog hopping from nuffnang. Ü goodluck sa entries natin sa shopaholic contest.
and would you mind exchanging links with me? thanks.
February 10, 2009
Good Luck Poh sa inYu...aehheh!
Happy valentinEs in advance...
February 15, 2009
Congrats! You're one of the winners! :D
February 15, 2009
congrats po...
http://showbiznewsnow.blogspot.com/
February 15, 2009
Hi Dinah! WE WON! See you soon!
Earthlingorgeous
February 16, 2009
Thanks All! Grabe, We Won!
February 16, 2009
congraaaaaaats :D
February 16, 2009
Congrats Dinah! Your entry is great too! See you later =)
February 16, 2009
It was a difficult lesson, but we learn the hard way. Mas mahirap kung may anak na :)
Congratulations for being in the top20!
Joey
http://the-working-mom.blogspot.com
February 17, 2009
Dinah,
Good post! If it wasn't the realization of your declined card to buy the very necessities for your child, you wouldn't have known you were making a mistake.
More power to your blogs!
Zorlone