No space for bargains

I can't pass up a bargain. I love, love, love paying $20 for sandals that were $80 when the "season" began.  If they aren't too trendy, then it's likely I'll have them for a while. So it's no surprise that I have too many shoes in my closet.

Big-dollar savings make me swoon: 75 percent off shorts, 50 percent off purses, 80 percent off T-shirts...It makes me forget what I need to do and start my hunt. Can I find my size? What will the kids be wearing next year? Yes, I need roller blades (discounted 50 percent) because I will exercise come fall when the temps are much less intense.

Add those fun little discounts, such as $10 off a $25 purchase or 10 percent off your entire purchase, and I feel as though I HAVE to buy whatever I covet for the day. This is why I keep these coupons in my purse, JUST in case.



I've been a bargain shopper forever. I HAVE to check out the clearance racks. What if... And, yes, I've got one of those handy gift closets, too. It's bursting at the seams. I stock up on discounted toys (at least when my kids were little), toiletries, housewares, food, etc. And I think this hasn't been very good for my time management or, ultimately, my finances.

There are pluses. Immediate gratification finding something ooh-so-cute for cheap. Feeling that I stretched our dollars well. Not needing to get more toilet paper for a while, so no need to go to the store. Well...

Let's just say I'm finding a lot more drawbacks. Oops! I forgot about these soccer shoes, now a size too small. These toys were a great idea when we thought we'd be invited to more birthday parties, but now the kids have outgrown these novelties. Money & time WASTED!

And it's not like being well stocked keeps me OUT of stores. Something always comes up requiring a store run, and it's likely something on sale that I don't need now catches my eye.

Bottom line: I'm spending too much time cleaning out my closets because I don't have room for all these bargains. Besides, every time I dig into the closet, I discover something that's shelf life has just expired.

Just in case is suffocating me, stealing my precious time.

So I'm making a promise to organize my stash and keep a DO-NOT-BUY-AT-ANY-PRICE LIST because there is such a thing as too many candles. Bet I spend less time cleaning up and more time enjoying my family. Wish me luck.

Cheers!