I made a $150 mistake when I went shopping for some work clothes. And I know why I did it. I was with my mom.
She encouraged me to buy this nice gray suit jacket and matching skirt, both discounted 40 percent. I looked office ready. But ultimately, it wasn't me. I found a better suit in navy later, also with mom.
I was on a buying frenzy, supported by my mom's encouraging words. "You deserved to invest some savings on a few new outfits," or something like that. I am hunting down a new job, and need to look good during those crucial interviews. That's true.
It's not my mom's fault that I bought a suit that I really didn't want. It was mine. I gave into flattery. So I'm doing what's best for me by sending back the gray suit. I'm also shopping alone from now on. It's not that I don't love a second opinion. I do! I just know each time I go with someone else, I buy more.
I wonder if it's fear of looking like I can't afford to splurge. Don't we all try to keep up with the Joneses? When I look at some of my biggest shopping regrets, I'm out with another person. Sometimes it's mom, but usually it's a girlfriend.
Even this past weekend, I found myself buying tops that I didn't need to get my daughter because I was with a friend who was shopping with her daughter. I only spent $10, but it's $10 I wouldn't have spent if I were out on my own.
OK, it's unrealistic to think I'll always shop alone. I just need to resist any self-imposed feelings of peer pressure. Nobody can make me buy clothes or shoes. I shouldn't feel bad for saying no, even if it's on sale.
