One small step for my wallet...

<--What I look like on a routine trip to Target.

What my Target trip resembled this week --> (minus the tan coat and bad dye job)

Sometimes I think I'm just helping the economy. We have to put money back into the system in order for things to turn around...which in turn will give us more money.

Right?

Well I like to think of my single-handed investment in saving the economy is shopping at Target.

Well, shopping period, but for the sake of this blog, I'd say Target.

I went to Target this week.

Goal in mind? Nope.
Reason? None.

I went just because I hadn't made a trip in a couple of weeks. Besides, there's always something for everyone at Target.

Most anybody I talk to has agreed: it's so easy to spend $100 at Target.

Past examples:

1. I go in for sunglasses. I leave with sunglasses ($17) plus some...end total--> $99.
2. I go in to accompany a friend. A good trip around the dollar aisle and a checkout later, $98 spent.
3. Tampons are a girl's best friend...and a quick trip in the door leads to a $102 shopping spree.

These are just a few of the many times my VISA has more than willingly spent close to $100 in the red aisles.

Therefore, let's count it a small step for me and one giant one for mankind, when I say that an impromptu trip to my favorite store resulted in the spending of a mere $21.

'It's still $21' you say. 'That's a minimum payment on one of your credit cards,' you continue.

Well, yes...I agree.

I also could contest that it could be $121, so I'll settle for the double digits spent.

I'm slowly, but surely, winning this battle.

TARGET...consider yourself 'warned.'

Spending Habits: Revealed

Project #1

I'm going to tackle the unthinkable...at least for me, anyways.

Today starts my first step towards being debt-free.

I'm printing off my past bank statements...of at least the past 3 years, and I'm going to stare my spending habits in the face.

Highlighting my Starbucks trips, Target adventures, and Restaurant expenditures.

Yikes! Yikes! Yikes!

The truth shall be revealed and I am going to realize how much money I throw away on a daily basis.

It is definitely a daunting task, but one that I know will make the difference in wanting to change my spending ways.

Here's to saving money in the future...by uncovering how much I've blown in the past.

Sigh.

Confessions of a Spendaholic

It started when I was younger.

A trip to Target on Sunday afternoons after church.
A look at the daily ad.
A leisurely stroll around the main aisle.

And I was hooked.

Target was my new fascination. I loved everything they made. I wanted to buy everything they distributed. I felt at home with the quiet and chic atmosphere.

I can truly say that I'm a bonafied Target addict.

As much joy as this obsession has brought, it has also caused financial woes.

Debt.

Alot of it.

No, not all of my debt can be blamed by Target's flawless shopping experiences. But it has definitely contributed to what now stands as a substantial amount of money owed.

This blog is about learning to balance my love of all things Target and ever growing contribution to my credit card bills.

As of today, I'm going to make a change. I'm going to confront my shopaholic ways instead of avoiding them.

I'm going to look my debt right in the eye...and then probably cry. But I'm going to tackle it, head-on. I want to be debt-free. I want to be a recovered shopaholic. I want to go to Target and not spend $100.

Bring it on, debt...cuz you're gonna lose.