Once more unto the breach…
Today is going to be hot. If you’re reading this from somewhere in the northern hemisphere where you’re knee deep in snow, you might be thinking, oh, how lovely. No, no, no. Today is heatwave hot, which is like each room of your house has been transformed into a sauna only you’re not sitting in a towel with your eyes closed and the promise of a cool shower and a swim at the end of it, you’re wearing clothes and making food for little people, and generally trying to live out a normal day – in a sauna.
We have no air conditioning and around February every year we look at each other and say something to the effect of, We are never doing that again. We are definitely getting air conditioning before next summer. (We say the same thing about a wood burner every August).
On days like this I shut up the house and have fans blowing, but there’s only so much you can do when the temperature is approaching forty degrees. My saviour is the shopping mall with its lovely cool interior, movie theatre, and food places. That’s where I go when it’s too hot.
Only, I’m not buying anything new this year. And the mall is FULL of temptations. I realised I needed a plan.
I’m not a huge shopper, but I have some red zones that tempt me more than others. I figured if I could identify my red zones, I could avoid them, or at least be more conscious when I went into them.
Here are some of mine:
Oh, Priceline. How many times have I walked in to pick up a script or grab a bottle of vitamins and then found myself at the counter with a basket full of skincare products and makeup? This shop is temptation itself. AVOID.
Yes. Aldi. The trickery of this place – you go in thinking you’re doing your groceries, and you walk out with a blender, some yoga gear, and a set of patio furniture. No more, Aldi. No more.
Emotions and memories go crazy in this store. Remember that time we backpacked in India? Oh look! It has a little NZ embroidered on the side! Everything is so travelly and exciting, and then there are all of those things we need. Warm things, good quality merino things, children’s things. Does anything feel better than buying something you know will keep your kid warm? I see the game you’re playing, Macpac. I shall be on my guard from now on.
Today it’s me (and that lovely air conditioning) vs the mall and I intend to win.
Do you have red zones for spending?
