We strive to be rut-free in the Empire, so down with the ditches and up with new ideas. Keeping that in mind, I’m starting a new challenge-type-deal.* Every week, for as long as I can come up with something new and doable, I will issue myself a week-long challenge. I have my first three weeks already planned out, and I started the first challenge yesterday. Let me tell you, it’s already killing me…
“It’s Only Seven Days” Weekly Challenge, The First – no shopping at Target for one full week. That’s right, I’m banning myself from my favorite store for a week. Now, for most people, this would be no big deal. But for me, Target addict that I am, with my drug of choice located a mere 6 blocks from my home, this is VERY DIFFICULT. One week Target-free means no quick stop for a magazine and to see what new shoes/clothes/accessories are in. No grocery/household products/office supply runs. No nothing.
In short, I will have to grocery shop solely at grocery stores, and buy whatever household goods I need at either the drug store or, shudder, Walmart. And if I want new underwear, too bad. No new Target 3-pack for a week.
Why am I doing this to myself? Two reasons – first, I overspend at Target. All those trips I make each week add up. I need to curb my knee-jerk reaction to run down the road and grab ‘just a few things.’ Those few things turn into too many things, and too many things cost too much. Second, I need to prove to myself that I can live without Target. There are other options in the world, like the aforementioned Walmart, or better still, NOTHING. Sometimes, you don’t need to buy a darned thing. Just because Target is cheap, doesn’t mean it’s free.
Now on to other news of the Empire. My mom’s best friend, Cindy – they’ve been friends since sixth grade, just like me and my best friend, Cindy, cue the “awwww” – has had a successful handmade soap business for years. She’s launched a new shopping website for all her amazing products, found here and on my Links page. As one of her testers, I can say that this is some mighty fine soap. Smells good, feels good, makes you clean, won’t destroy the environment. And the prices are respectable – $4.95 for handmade soap is really, really reasonable, if not downright cheap.
Need a free laugh? Need to watch a movie? Need to go to the bathroom? One website combines all three for your reading pleasure – RunPee.com. These hard-working movie fanatics tell you when you can leave to go to the bathroom during a movie, without missing any important action. This. Is. GENIUS. Thank you, Stunt Girl, for risking your very life to bring us this most awesome website.
And last, but surely never the least, it’s time once again for a little Candy. Need something sweet to get you through your day? How’s this for a tasty treat?
A classic hottie from the 80’s, Michael Pare. He made (in my humble opinion) just two great movies – Eddie and the Cruisers (see above), and my favorite, Streets of Fire:
Starring Candy Boy, Willem Dafoe in vinyl hip-waders, and Diane Lane. The movie is totally whackadoo, in the best possible way, and features an amazing, kickass soundtrack that YOU CAN’T FIND ON ITUNES. Sigh. Ah well, that’s what YouTube is for.
So pretty. I think I need to rent Streets of Fire again…
*I’m still keeping track of my weekly spending, and I’ll go back to posting it once a week once I’m done with the weekly challenges series. I’m also looking at revamping it so the recap is more useful to you. Because honestly, it is all about you.
**Don’t forget to post a comment! If you comment, you’re instantly eligible for our price drawing March 1st.
11 Comments
I’ve started only getting groceries at grocery stores–I’d say I go to SuperTarget for maybe 1 in 4 grocery trips. Basically, I had to break myself of the habit of walking through Target to see what cute/clearanced stuff there was, because I would BUY IT ALL. ALL OF IT.
Plus, Rainbow really has some awesome specials, and there’s usually a Target nearby if I REALLY need something from there.
NO Target for a whole WEEK?? Oh. My. Goodness. I bow to your greatness. To attempt such a Herculean feat, I admire you, especially for being a home state Target follower. Rock on. I suppose you could still wave to the store as you pass by. Maybe ya oughtta warn the store employees, so they don’t worry, wondering, “Where IS she??”.
Don’t go to Walmart… It’s not worth it. It’s only one week, how many household supplies can you run out of? Tip one: stop cleaning. TA DA!
Tip two: Make your own underwear. I’m serious. I made lingerie for the first time last week (umm… I let you figure out the details of the timing on that one), and I think I’m never going to buy underwear again. If you’d like some knits, I can hook you up. I have so many knit fabrics I could never possibly use them all. I made a pair of (relatively non-functional, but only because of the fabric, not the pattern) undies in five minutes. It would probably take about ten to make functioning ones. PLUS it’s an awesome way to recycle old t-shirts.
Wow girl!! No Target? I tend to go to Walmart a lot (for groceries) because we only have it, Albertson’s, CVS, and Walgreens in our town. I have to go a bit further afield to get to Target…but I love it oh so much more. In fact, I tend to head there every Thursday afternoon…it’s my place to grab deals and leisurely shop when I don’t have to rush home with spoilable food.
No Target for a week? I would perish!
Good for you! You know your weakness are are prepared to meet it head on. Mine is a particular clothing store that is always sending out $25 coupons/20% off coupons, etc. and I got into the habit of thinking that I was ‘saving’ so much money. Wrong-o. The only way I’ve found to avoid spending it to avoid the place. I am on a quest this year to buy no new clothing items unless one of my basics wears out. Like black pants, white knit shirt, etc.
My new favorite sushi restaurant, because it’s cheap (relatively) because you get all you can eat: http://www.yelp.com/biz/kyoto-sushi-and-hibachi-eagan
AND you can get a coupon for this and many other places here!
http://www.saveoneverything.com/index.php
‘Cuz I’m a giver too.
We are all too aware of the $80 toothbrush. Stop in to buy “just one item” and next thing you know, you’re taking the walk of shame to the parking lot with a cart full of whatthehelldidIjustbuy.
If you can make it one week then there is hope for the rest of us “Target-aholics”! Thanks for taking that first big step for us to follow!!
Ever go to Target for say, a bottle of shampoo, and spend $100 and forget to pick up the shampoo? Now, that’s impulse shopping! I have taken to buying my beauty/health items at the grocery store as I think in the long run it is cheaper than Target (again, no impulse buys).
I can honestly say that I do not get your Target obsession. I go there maybe once a month. MAYBE. And I live closer to my Target than you do to yours. I average maybe once a week for Byerly’s. Joann’s? Now that’s another story….