Some of us like the term retail therapy. But that doesn’t change the fact that many of us are guilty of this financial sin which leaves us asking ourselves why did we purchase that DVF dress in the first place?

Let’s look at why we tend to overspend and ladies I mean you! (after all this site targets women )

I discussed previously Bankrate’s article about how women are socialized to view money as a way to maintain a certain lifestyle while men are conditioned to invest for the long term. While this isn’t true for every woman, I certainly participate in this big time! I’m not huge on mall shopping but when Im feeling down I tend to seek out things that make me feel, well, indulgent. For example, we just got back from what was supposed to be a quick 1 hour trip to the wharf to pick up crabs for the Superbowl game. Just as we passed Eastern Market, I remembered that another blogger was going to be there selling crocheted bags. And that’s a weakness of mine so I couldnt help it! But that’s not the issue. You see, once we stepped into Eastern Market it was like putting two year olds in a FAO Shcwartz store! I’ve been looking for black pearls and I found a darling necklace/earring set that I had to have. How did I justify the purchase? I deserved it since Ive been having a rough week. Even my best friend told me “go on you deserve it!” Then another lady started cheering me on and so I broke down and bought it! Argghhh! I imagined this post in my head while she swiped the card, thinking, just how am I going to justify this purchase? I won’t, only to say that it was love at first sight and I had to have it. So add to the previous weekend damage, $55. Well, $95 if you add the crocheted bag.

Evidence of the crime:

How is this maintenance of a lifestyle? Well, buying those pearls and then wearing them I feeeeel like a lady! *channeling my inner Betty Boop here* I know that most of you don’t know me in person but I am girly girl. I love most things pink, feminine, flirty and sophisticated. And in giving myself a chance to be introspective, I know that I didn’t need those pearls, I wanted them because they make me feel good. Relate much? I think most of you can and its ok, we just need to recognize this while it happening and make better decisions. Wait, I’m the one who fell into temptation here! LOL! It’s a process and I don’t profess to be perfect, I certainly have weaknesses. But I’m able to check myself most times, just not, or it becomes that much harder when pearls are involved.

Hi, my name is Ginger and I am an addict. Some of my other indulgences include Coldstone ice cream, Pier One candles, Ann Taylor Loft sales and candlelit dinners with my sweetness at Warehouse Bar and Grill.

Anyhoo, I’ve gotta do better and certainly, having this blog keeps me accountable. 6 months ago I would have bought the pearls and not given them another thought. Now I have readers to be accountable to and that’s enough to help me get back on the straight and narrow.

What are some things you purchase when you need a pick me up?

[image: SS]

Eating junk now leads to chronic illnesses later which means trips to the doctor, time off work which then means losing wages if you end up exhausting sick leave. This leads to stress about missing work due to illness which then leads to lower productivity which leads to sleepless nights which begins the cycle again. Let’s not forget deductibles and copays when you do go to the doctor. Make no mistake, you will have these expenses if you think eating healthy is too expensive.

Breathe.

I think you know where I stand on this issue. Eating healthier NOW cuts your lifetime health expenses in the long run.

Leading Causes of Death in Females, 2004

All Females, All Ages	Percent*
1) Heart disease	27.2
2) Cancer	22.0
3) Stroke	7.5
4) Chronic lower respiratory diseases	5.2
5) Alzheimer’s disease	3.9
6) Unintentional injuries	3.3
7) Diabetes	3.1
Influenza and pneumonia	2.7
9) Kidney disease	1.8
10) Septicemia	1.5

(Source: CDC)
Reconsider for a moment as you begin to think about the [tag]higher food prices[/tag], and fix your mouth to tell me about [tag]Whole Foods[/tag] prices being way outside of your budget. Just how expensive is eating junk food?

Chronic Illnesses

As the chart aboves states, the number one killer of women in the United States is heart disease. Women are less likely to survive a heart attack than men. We are at higher risk for death when we suffer a heart attack and there is no known reason why. The important health factors are smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, family history and age. But since this is about the cost of eating junk, lets have a stab at it:

Health Care/Health Insurance

When you’re eating unhealthy food on a consistent basis this opens the doors for [tag]health problems[/tag]. But we know this right? This may show up in the form of obesity, high body mass index described as over 35%, breathing problems, a waist size over 32, which then leads to a higher chance of stroke and heart attacks. Health insurance companies don’t like people they consider to be a high health risk and often refuse to insure them. But what about those of us who are insured? Well we have to take time off work to go and investigate the chest pains we’ve been having for the last 2-3 months. This means repeated trips to the doctor and having to pay high copays along with fulfilling deductibles. That gets expensive.

Work

While you’re busy going to doctor’s appointments, you’re missing work. Your boss is pissed because he/she has to account for your time off and maybe even assign your work to someone else. You’re taking time off and for some this leads to taking unpaid time off from work depending on how serious the condition. You’re not getting paid and if you’re living paycheck to paycheck that means a bill won’t get paid. What’s the harm in that? The lights being shut off or a late payment reported to the credit bureau which then leads to higher interest rates. When you are at work you’re too stressed out about the high cost of your prescriptions and how you’re going to incorporate taking [tag]hypertension[/tag] and [tag]high cholesterol [/tag]medications and possibly insulin injections into your daily regime. Your productivity is reduced because when you do return to work you have to play catch up and put to the back of your mind your declining health. This leads to stress and sleepless nights which only intensify the cycle.

This post was actually inspired by our trip to Trader Joes today where we made out like bandits!! We paid a total of $99.59 for 4 full bags of groceries! This would have been closer to $150-$175 easy at Harris Teeter or Giant.

I agree that Whole Foods is expensive but consider [tag]Trader Joes[/tag] as a less expensive alternative. We also have our fruits and vegetables delivered weekly by [tag]Door To Door Organics[/tag]. Depending on where you shop for groceries it is more expensive but think of it as a long term investment in yourself, your body, your family and your livelihood. Dropping dead from a heart attack while celebrating your 45th birthday is so unnecessary and puts you and your family through hard times. How you take care of yourself from this day forward impacts not only you, but your children, spouses, significant others, family and friends.

Choose life and choose to live it well. Live it not giving more money to the health insurance machines betting you on your health insurance application that you will lose. Guess what? An average of 30% of us are losing that battle, don’t let it be you or someone you love. This isn’t only about money and the high cost of eating junk, but about your livelihood.

I wish all of you health and vitality in the new year!