The makeover
As I tried to style my hair on Sunday, my locks decided to bunch up together and tangle all over. My first thought was, “That’s it! No more relaxers! I’m cutting off all my hair!” After slightly rational thinking, I looked the Internets and found too much information that was difficult to digest. But the makeover search didn’t stop there; I went through a skin care and hand and foot care search.
So far, I has purchased the following:
Clinique 3-Step Set 1 2 3: After dragging my cheapskate feet to Macy’s to buy Clinique products, I figure that I should give this stuff a shot.
Patene Relaxed and Natural Intense Moisturizing Shampoo link: I haven’t switched shampoos in nearly 10 years. I have used Herbal Essence in that span and it had been pretty good to me in waves. But I want to give something else a try for a while before I make a permanent change.
Suave Kids’ Detangler no link: If it works gently for kids, why not me? I have had success with kid detanglers in the past and now I’m returning to it.
I haven’t tested out these products yet, and I’m not finished with my shopping. Updates will follow.
permalink | Comment | retail therapy | 07/02/2008
No time to wait
Remember the post about getting an air conditioner? Well, after waiting 10 days for Amazon to even ship it, I got a notice that shipment has been delayed for another month! It will be in the 80s again tomorrow. I’ve been lucky that it’s only been in the 60s for three days. Plus, the second unit I wanted is now $100 more than it was last week. Grrrrr! I have to go on the hunt again.
permalink | Comment | retail therapy | 06/20/2008
Jesus saves, I spend
I never claimed that I am a patriotic person. After all, at any job I have had, I have begged to work on July 4. But with all the talk of this stimulus check coming in the mail (still haven’t received mine), I might do something besides keep it in the bank.
You see, my mp3 player died eight months after purchase and probably after 10 solid uses. Its FM transmitter died with it or either killed itself in an electronic murder-suicide. The second option sounds more accurate.
Anyway, I want a new one, this time preferably an iPod since there are more options and accessories. It might mean that it’s less likely that it will die immediately or it could mean there are even more ways to die.
But that little voice of reason in my head keeps telling me that the money doesn’t exist — this is my form of hypnosis — and that I can’t spend what I don’t have.
Then again, as this AP article says:
Or maybe — shh, don’t tell the president — they’d pay off a credit card or set the rebate aside for a big purchase in the future, notwithstanding Washington’s intentions that they pump it immediately into the flagging economy.
How very unpatriotic of me to consider saving my money. It’s my duty as an American to go to the nearest retailer, spend all of my stimulus check on an iPod, accessories and even a home theater system. I don’t need the theater, but why not upgrade the 22-year-old TV and 6-year-old sound system while I’m at it. Then i should go to iTunes and download Mariah Carey’s latest CD and all the “American Idol” performances available.
Because right now, I’ve been listening to the same four songs on a greatly scratch CD in my car for the last four months and I get my tunes from the free download of the day at CNET or pirate mashup sites. I’m letting the terrorists win, aren’t I?
permalink | Comment | retail therapy | 06/02/2008
Kompudor, y'all!
I’m on the hunt for a new computer, specifically a laptop. And since I haven’t shopped for one in 4.5 years, I feel like a complete Luddite, and I just want to stick with my slow, ancient, and slightly reliable HP desktop.
Since Monday, I have probably configured 28 different laptops between Dell and Lenovo since both are having fabulous deals on suped-up configurations. The thing is that I hate to spend money. I just like to pinch my pennies until Lincoln yells, “Ouch!”
My goal is to purchase a laptop before I do any of my summer traveling. I love having something to watch when I’m on a plane, and I’m a little dependent on technology not to take a vacation from it.
So, I just have to tell myself to fork over some money (and do it quickly before the deals end) and buy one. I would like to start using Photoshop again at full speed, not the half-booty version in which I can only edit one photo a day.
permalink | Comment [1] | retail therapy | 03/07/2008
Returns
I should hate money. I should hate retail. Whenever the two get together, I have more problems than I should.
I did purchase, at least try to purchase, a Xbox 360 on Saturday for my Christmas present, but Worst Buy screwed up one of my checks and my Rewards certificate. I have added it to my hit list. I’m no longer shopping there. I finally bought it from EB Games Wednesday, only to find out that the model I purchased is one that overheats and blinks the red rings of death. Good thing I didn’t open the box, or I’d have a big problem on my hands.
Two weeks ago, I returned my Christmas gift of last year, the Griffin FM transmitter for my Sansa. I sent Griffin my original receipt, talked to their representatives and sent back my busted one that was still under warranty. Well, after UPS decided to push back the delivery date by three days and inching closer to the end of the warranty, Griffin sent me a transmitter for an iPod. I don’t have one and I returned a transmitter clearly marked for a Sansa.
I’m just glad that the people I know and love who I sent presents and cards to got what they wanted. I will probably get my presents around April.
permalink | Comment [1] | retail therapy | 12/27/2007
Not for me
I have successfully mailed off my Christmas cards for the season and I have already purchased all the gifts on my list except for myself. I didn’t buy anything for my birthday.
So, right now, I know that I would like to buy a video game console of some sort. I’m not a big gamer (I only play The Sims 2 on my computer), but I do know that I would like something that’s fun and easy. Plus, it must have some fighting titles of some kind (big fan of kung fu and boxing).
Do you happen to have any suggestions? I’m deciding between a Wii and a XBox 360.
permalink | Comment | retail therapy | 12/21/2007
Black Friday
My sickness caused me to miss Black Friday for the first time in seven years. Luckily, I didn’t want many of the 4 a.m. doorbusters except for some bath towels, new winter boots and a winter coat for my mother. I’ll just have to spend a little more on those things.
The other stuff is available online, and I’m more than happy about that. There’s no need to hunt for a parking space, waste gas going from place to place, and being chewed up by cranky cashiers. So far, I’ve taken advantage of the 59 cent download sale at Rhapsody and have purchased Alicia Keys’ As I Am and Flight of the Conchords. Some of the stuff I had thought about purchasing will have to wait. All I know is that if I were to be out shopping, I would have purchased double the amount of useless things than what I just bought.
permalink | Comment | retail therapy | 11/24/2007
Tables have turned
I was fully prepared to give a tongue lashing to Firestone and Best Buy as I had planned to do today, but both places surprised me.
The first stop was actually to Pep Boys to get a new set of tires. Two hours later and after hearing the annoying rants of a laptop addict conducting business in the waiting room, I trekked to my nemesis’ abode ready to attack. I was surprised when the technician looked at the non-Firestone tires and asked, “Why not from us?” I relayed the 10-year journey, five-year ban of all things Firestone, and he understood.
At Best Buy, I was ready to do some price matching and get rejected and told off like in previous experiences. Luckily, I found someone who was either too nice to just take my word for it or too lazy to even care. No drama, no hair pulling needed.
If this is my new luck, maybe I should give that hairdresser that didn’t straighten my hair as requested another chance, or that restaurant that soaked my hamburger with tons of unrequested cheese another shot. That would be pressing it, wouldn’t it?
permalink | Comment | retail therapy | 11/08/2007
Customer service
Last week I purchased a cell phone to replace my broken one. Unfortunately, I decided to go to Best Buy to do so. After taking it home and charging it up, it only worked for a total of 25 seconds. It was really the fourth phone I had purchased and attempted to return last month.
When I returned it on Monday, the customer service person was not very cooperative. After fiddling around with it for a few minutes, she got it to work for her. I told her that it actually worked just then, but if I ever get in an emergency, it might not work. She tried her best to get me to keep the slightly functioning gadget while I imagined pulling every blue-streaked hair out of her head. However, I forgot to pack the charger, so I had to go back home.
Twenty minutes later, I returned, to her surprise. Returned the phone and vowed to only go online for my Best Buy needs.
permalink | Comment | retail therapy | 11/01/2007
One young grandma
I was shopping a few weeks ago for spring fashions and I made the mistake of going to JCPenney. Normally, I go there and Old Navy because the quality of clothes and the prices are right for me. Plus, in recent times, most of them have clothes for women my age. Sears traditionally has the middle school language arts teacher wardrobe down to a science.
However, JCP lost its presence in my life with the following T-shirt: “World’s Greatest Grandmother.” I know that there’s a lot of me to love, but I wasn’t aiming for the 27-year-old grandmother look. Most of the women in my family were young grannies, but not that young.
If that wasn’t a reason to lose weight for me, I don’t know what is.