I can't stop!!!

[PrincessTeresa]

We leave a week from tomorrow - and I can't stop shopping!!!

Hi, my name is Teresa and I have a shopping addiction.

Seriously though - I've bought not 1 or 2 travel hand sanitizers, but 8. I don't know why. I bought baby wipes and I don't have a baby!! We had to get all new clothes for this trip. Everything in DD11's suticase (she's already packed) still have the tags on them - even the undies! My sister in law isn't helping - she's been buying new clothes and (there are 6 of us total in our group)she bought 14 ponchos. Just in case.

I tried to just stay home for the past 2 weeks and thought that would stop me from spending. Nope. Didn't work. Now, I'm watching the mailbox everyday hoping that my new monogrammed water bottle that I didn't need in the first place will be here. And whatever else it is that I have ordered in the past 2 weeks.

I think I might be trying to sabbatoge myself!! (sorry, I can't spell) Anyway, I just needed to vent and hopefull some of you can give me some tips and hints on what I need to do to stop the madness!!

Thanks!!

 

[QVCshopper]

Funny post. I think you need to spend consciously... really consider things before you buy them. 8 hand sanitizers is too many, but the baby wipes may come in handy. (Don't forget you can always return extras.) Maybe you're just so excited to go? Is this possibly your first trip to Disney? Maybe you have it built up so much in your mind.

I'm thinking about a bonus trip in 4 weeks; probably won't buy much--but I do need new sneakers. That's probably it, but we're fortunate to go a lot and know what to do/bring.

Anyway, have a great trip--when you get back, you can always join the no-buy thread. That's helped a lot with my unintentional spending.

 

[kkmcan]

I know my list of stuff to buy before a trip can get pretty long. We usually buy:

cheap ponchos
glow sticks
wet ones wipes in travel sizes
snacks
new shoes (a few weeks before to break them in)


Recently I just placed an order from Disneystore.com for t-shirts, and a lot of pins off ebay. Also found a baggalini backpack from a thrift store, new shoes for ds from Kohls. Oh, and a stick of body glide and a Hidden Mickey book from Amazon. Man, I didn't know I had already purchased that much until I wrote it down here!

Before we went on our DCL/WDW trip in December, I spent like crazy!

The good news is since you are so close to your trip you won't have time to order online and receive it before you leave.
Stay at home, do not go into any more stores

 

[Robmom]

Well, I'm no help to you. I just placed an order for new clothes for myself for my upcoming trip. Like I really needed it. I'm sure I'm not done with my purchases either!

 

[PrincessTeresa]

We've been before. This is DD11's 3rd trip. I know better. I am going to try really really really hard not to spend anything else!

I try to justify the hand sanitizer b/c it's the super small ones from bath and body works. LOL

Okay. I vow to not spend anything else till a week from Saturday! Then, it's on!

 

[darthspud]

I know how you feel... I just got back from the world and am going again in August (solo before school starts) and I'm already looking at things i "need" to get before i go.. like a new back pack or possibly a waist pack.. a new digital camera theres nothing wrong with mine but id like one thats small and slim i have a large one with extra this and extra that it would be nice to get a slim line one..

Just think of it this way. whatever you spend now is less money that you will have to spend then on awesome wonderful things like Dolewhips and creamchese stuffed pretzels

you can do it!

 

[TinkerBellSam]

I just (an hour ago!) bought a second new pair of flip flops for our August trip! I don't even think I can list all the stuff in our "box"!

 

[marlaine]

I can totally relate to your "urge". We go every year and every year I go overboard and can't get a grip on buying new things!
Every year I buy the 3 of us all new shorts, new t-shirts, new socks, new shoes and new jammies!
The silly thing about it is my DH never wears his "Mickey Gear" anywhere else!
This year I've added a new obsession. I've already bought a new Baggalini and Vera Bradley bag for the parks. Like one or the other isn't enough!
I guess I justify all of the new stuff by telling myself that we only go on 1 vacation a year.
But, really?

 

[indimom]

I'm guilty of this also....
New clothes for everyone (DH and I needed them, the kids didn't).
New baggalini backpacks (after I bought another bag that I decided wasn't right, but kept for a day bag).
Glowsticks and silly junk for the kids. ????? No excuse for these.
Four bottles of sunblock (Okay, before you laugh. I bought the spray-on because I hate the lotion on my hands. And those spray bottles run out quickly. AND we are staying for two weeks.... Okay, two probably would have been enough.)
Ball caps for the boys (yes, the both have 20 at home, but....)
Bath and body lotion (just so I can smell pretty, but I got sucked in by a "sale" and bought enough for a year).
New sandals and tennis shoes (we might have needed these).

Oh, well, I'll keep reading and see if someone else has found the cure to STOP the pre-vacation spending...

 

[windycitymom]

If you have the urge to shop, why not go to a thrift shop? At least you will spend less. Or maybe get your wipes and ponchos from the Dollar Store? The real issue is the urge to spend. I almost have the opposite issue - I use things over and over again until they become almost out of date. I still wear the leather jacket I purchased at WDW in 1992! I still have my fur boots from 30 years ago! LOL I take care of my things so they last a long time My motto is "I don't mind spending money, but I hate wasting money"

 

[PrincessTeresa]

I'm glad I'm not the only one on this boat to Spendville!! My DD11 was in a pageant about a month ago and my DSIL came over to see what was in her closet to wear for the interview part of it - She was simply amazed at the clothes that still had tags on them!! I do shop thrift stores most of the time - But being a only child and my DD being a only child - well, we're both spoiled. Bad. LOL I think I am going to blame it on my parents. Yea.

 

[imagineer wannabe]

I think you should probably stop spending money before you upset your husband and he takes all your money away from you...

 

[MinnieForMe]

Hi:
I actually don't think your crazy at all. I purchase all new clothes for all of us (5) every year for our Florida vacation. Since we go in April, it's our summer new clothes wardrobe each year. I buy everything new including underwear and bathing suits.

My daughter usually gets custom outfits as do the boys so they are not usually wore again but resold on Ebay. I buy wipes too. I find 2 hand sanitizers is enough (why 8 - unless free at CVS?).

Everyone goes for a haircut before we leave and I "refresh" the toiletry bag.

That being said, we almost never buy souvenirs at Disney. We do go to the outlets especially the Stride Rite ones and the kids get their new summer sandals. I lucked out this year and bought 5 pairs of shoes for the kids at Stride Rite for $120. At home, it would have been double+.

If you're like me, you have as much fun shopping and preparing for the trip as you do actually being there!

 

[virginiamama]

I honestly do not buy that much ON vacation. But I do like to enjoy my vacation wearing a few new things, and having everything on hand that I might need. Pictures are the main souvenir for me, so I'd much rather have pictures of everyone in nice new clothes rather than the much worn clothes we wear everyday. Not to mention that you don't have to wash and press new clothes - just toss them in the suitcase!

If the ponchos are the compact type for $0.50-$1.00, I always bring two full sets. That way if they get worn a lot or ripped, we can just toss them and still have enough for a second rainy park day.

I'm always looking to upgrade the bag I carry at the park or water bottle holder, camera, etc. I don't think about those things much until it is time for the vacation, so I end up making those purchases in time for the trip.

 

[All American]

I think half the fun of a trip is the preparation. We have only been to Disney World (as a married couple with kids) once in the ten years we've been married, and I went nuts buying stuff for the trip. As silly as it sounds, I wanted our daughter to look cute for the pictures because who knows when we'll ever go back. (We live in Utah, and just the cost of getting there is pretty steep.) So, I understand where you're coming from. If it helps, just ask yourself (put it on a card to keep in your purse) Would I rather spend this money here or on Main Street in Disney World? Then, on the other side write this The chief cause of failure and unhappiness is trading what you want most for what you want at the moment. Also, don't forget about all the stuff you'll have to bring back in addition to lots of hand sanitizer and ponchos.

P.S. And the baby wipes are awesome for anything. They'll come in handy for spills or smudged eye liner from Splash Mountain.

Have fun on your trip!!!

 

[PrincessTeresa]

I think you should probably stop spending money before you upset your husband and he takes all your money away from you...

Everybody, meet my husband!! Hush up man! Remember....if Mamma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy!!!

 

[heatherleigh]

Sounds like me, but maybe not to the same extent. For some reason, I feel I need to buy additional things (some that I don't even use) prior to travel. I've been clothes shopping for my kids for our trip to Alaska for the past couple mos, and we haven't even left yet.

 

[englishteacha]

Wow...and I thought I was bad for buying new sunscreen just in case!
I tried on my summer clothes yesterday. Most fit, enough for vacation, at least! I've purchased things for vacations over the years that have never been used, so now I'm more careful about what I buy. I have a tote bag where I've been tossing things I've purchased/found in the house for our trip. Mini fans from 2006 (just needed new batteries), disposable ponchos (never used, bought for our '06 trip), Purex laundry sheets (bought those new but with a coupon...and with 25 sheets in a package will last us for a decade of vacations!). The only things I bought special are my new cross-body bag (and I sold 2 bags from my stash and made money!), and the laundry sheets and sunscreen!

Our spending happens when we get ready to volunteer at summer camp. "Oh look, Glow Sticks are 10 for $3! Let's buy enough for the entire camp of 100 kids!" "Oooh, wouldn't the lodge at camp benefit from a disco ball?" "Let's get a giant tub of cheesy poofs for the counselors!" It's a non-profit Christian camp, and DH and I are rather attached to it and the kids, but I think we (mainly my hubby) goes overboard sometimes! We have 3 rubbermaid totes (the big ones) full of stuff we tote back and forth to camp each year. It sits in storage for 50 weeks a year!

OP, can you return any of the stuff you bought? Or put away some of those hand sanitizers for teacher gifts or stocking stuffers? I also agree with the baby wipes being useful. I bring some with me on vacation, to camp, on field trips. Work wonders!

 

[apnep]

I am feeling the exact same way OP! We leave in 14 days and I have bought everyone new shorts, and a few shirts. I got myself a new pair of orthapedic flip flops and the kids will all get new shoes too.

But, I don't feel so bad because the last time my husband bought any decent shorts for himself, it was the 80's. Haha! My kids have all outgrown all their clothes and the shoes have holes, except my DD's. None of my shorts fit me anymore either because I lost some weight. I DO feel like now is the best time to be buying clothes though because everything is on clearance!

So clothes are bought, the van has been maintained, an I'm done shopping except for some snacks for the road, oh and that cool new camera lens for my Nikon.

Ang

 

[QVCshopper]

If you have the urge to shop, why not go to a thrift shop? At least you will spend less. Or maybe get your wipes and ponchos from the Dollar Store? The real issue is the urge to spend. I almost have the opposite issue - I use things over and over again until they become almost out of date. I still wear the leather jacket I purchased at WDW in 1992! I still have my fur boots from 30 years ago! LOL I take care of my things so they last a long time My motto is "I don't mind spending money, but I hate wasting money"

This sounds like me. I brought a pair of VERY old pants to Disney. The first night, I bent over and they ripped straight across the rear... Needless to say I was down a pair of pants in what ended up being a 12 night trip due to snow.