The ‘Got To Have it’ Mentality

It’s beautiful, gorgeous, great height, shape, size is just right, fit’s me like a glove, it’s the finishing touches to a perfect outfit, the missing piece to my wardrobe puzzle. A diamond in the desert, it’s looking at me, calling my name. It bekerns me to take it, pleads with me to buy and take it home…., so I couldn’t leave it could I?’

Sounds familiar? Yes well it will do if you’re a shopaholic… They are the extreme excuses that are often made by many; to justify spending big on that seemingly must have item.

Aged 32, with sparkling brown eyes and a confused yet warm expression on her face, Hazel stands in the middle of the shopping mall surrounded by beautiful clothes, rich in colour, quality and style. The shelves seem never ending, each parked to the brim with amazingly neatly founded garments. Her mind over rides the take your time and think about it thought mode. Immediately, with immense energy and great haste, as though It the last bottle of water on blazing summers day, Hazel rushes to the shelves and reaches for all four garments, where labelled above, stands a poster in  bold print which reads, ‘new arrivals !’. This isn’t the first time it’s happened, in fact it’s one of many chain of events that takes place often at least twice a month, whilst visiting her favourite shopping centre…

So you’ve got to get this season’s must have’s? It’s been paraded on the catwalk, been talked about from Bromley to Scotland, and just been released and selling out like hotcakes. It’s that fabulous bag, eye caching heels or limited edition watches or just released ‘It bag’. It’s on everyone’s lips and talked about constantly…

Okay we get that you want it but do you really need it? Its often a weekly Dilemma faced by lot of people, many young people spend a lot of their time constantly chasing after the next best thing in order to maintain a lifestyle that is considered by most, Fabulous.

Let’s just for one moment go back, way back, back , back, past the days before we knew the meaning of the word responsibilities, further back still, where the whole world was a big play ground, when there was freedom to do almost anything. Yep, that’s right, stop right there. The time when parents handed over allocated weekly/monthly pocket money. If you were wise, you budgeted and spent the money over a period of time. You bought what you needed instead of trying to blow it all on anything and everything, money was used up little by little. Now take that same simple principle and apply it.

‘If I can just get that Louis Vuitton Bag’. The question is, must you constantly have the ‘Must Haves’?

Tips on being Fab without being out of pocket:

*Be realistic: If you can’t afford it, don’t buy it! It’s a simple rule that works out best every time.

*Looking Fab on a Budget: Every girl/guy wants to feel fab and treat themselves now and then, so don’t panic if you don’t have loads of cash to do so, remember it’s all about shopping smart, it’s about the bargains, sales, charity shops,  and re-eventing a new style with clothes you already have. Mix and match your collection:treating yourself  to something expensive now and again adds variation and style to your collection. Look out for shops that have your taste and style at great prices.

*Once you’ve got it, be content! : Enjoy and appreciate the things you already have, as it was probably once on your want and need list. Yes that’s right, it was most probably the item you justified, saved up for and eventually bought or just downright pleaded for…..

Now Release your Fashion Fix shackles and be free….

Style meets Affordability: The perfect fusion

Whilst having a conversation with a close friend, with great excitement she mentioned that the New ‘One in a Million’ Perfume fragrance was out and she wanted it. For a minute or two, with deep excitement she explains to me how great it is. I take in the information, pausing for thought, I consider intervening but decide against it, after all it’s her choice and goodness knows I have my own bad shopping habits.

We’re all guilty of this crime surely at one stage or the other, but let’s look at this closely. This tiny 50ml perfume cost £50 pounds a pop!! Mean while mind you, bills were mounting and needed paying off, she hadn’t done her weekly food shop, credit cards were probably already maxed out and we hadn’t taken the £2 per hour notice, the local parking meter demanded which good cheer. Parking costs were paid, in order to even be able to look for, find and buy ‘The Perfume’. Strangely however, it was easier to moan about the parking charges than it was for her to justify purchasing an item that was in reality outrageously priced.

Now ask yourself which is more important, to have something to eat or to have a nice smelling perfume?? The answer seems obvious, food right? However this is what many of us are like, we all of a sudden lose the ability to rationalize and make the right decision, step away from the product and move on with our day. All of a sudden, pupils widen, palms start sweating, heart beat races and we instantly reach for the credit card, process the transaction and indulge, given into that shopping fix. Ok so it’s not always that extreme, but the choice made still seems unjustifiable.

Time seems to stop as she explores the shop for all the new products on the shelf, stopping each time sample each fragrance, whilst still clutching her £50 bottle of temptation. Surely I can’t stand there and watch her make such a ridiculous decision given the circumstances. So I intervene and decide to meet her half way. I approach her with what seems to be the best solution. I test out the sample fragrances and find a scent that is loved by the both of us, longer lasting and most importantly, at £5 pounds only, a real bargain!!!

So this is what you do, next time you want that perfume, bag, shoes, suit, watch, ear rings, gadget, find something similar at a reasonable price that won’t break the bank. One that allows you room to still live comfortably and get everything else done that needs to be. If you must have it, save towards it; treat yourself for a birthday, Christmas present. It should never be a monthly must have! That will always leave you out of pocket. Desirable, quality, exclusive, unique and a bargain should be able to be said in the same sentence and it can all be found in your local high street, sales section, charity shop, or why not just simply re-event an outfit from what’s already in your wardrobe.

So there you have it, Fabulous buys on a budget. You can once again be free to skip around the shopping complex, without fear of falling apart and given in at the sight of the newest items. You can have the ability to walk around and get things done, with some left over to treat yourself too. No longer will you be part of the shopaholic’s statistics, grouped with hundreds of others that struggle to think straight and reason rationally at the site of good looking overpriced item. You’re back in control and forever in charge.

Written By:

Buky Olufemi