Out on the Weekend

This weekend, I did lots of shopping but not much buying. On Saturday, I returned a few Christmas gifts at the mall and resisted the urge to purchase yet another long-sleeved cotton crewneck T-shirt (even though I could buy two for $20) when what I really needed was a pair of jeans. Not finding any jeans, I left the mall empty-handed but admittedly impressed by my self-control.

Sunday, I braved the cold and visited a little French-inspired boutique in a small neighborhood shopping center near my home. I needed a birthday gift for a friend, and the store’s shabby chic merchandise reflects her style.

I found several unique but pricey possibilities and ended up with a small, silver credit card holder with an ornate design. Before going home, I bought a loaf of sourdough bread from a bakery down the street.

Despite the frigid temperature, I enjoyed shopping amongst my neighbors. For me, trolling the mall is a more anonymous and less-satisfying experience.

Yet, even as someone who values shopping at independent stores like the French boutique, I still experience sticker shock from seemingly needless markups. I have a hard time justifying spending $32 on a candle or $80 on a T-shirt, even a really cool T-shirt. When am I supporting a local business, and when am I simply getting ripped off?

I’d like to see more independent stores that carry merchandise the average person can afford. Of course, in order for these retailers to survive, average consumers—not just affluent consumers—would have to make a conscious effort to shop there.

In the meantime, if I make an effort to pass over products that I don't need—for example, that bargain cotton crewneck—then perhaps I'll save enough money to put toward something that I really want, like an $80 T-shirt.