NaBloPoMo | Swindled By Retail

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Lately, I’ve totally fallen victim to be convinced to buy things.  I don’t know if it was being pregnant that had my guard down, but I was way more gullible when I was.  I think it was due to the fact that I didn’t do any shopping for nearly a year.  It wasn’t until I was 9 months pregnant that I actually started shopping.  I figured whatever our child turned out to be he or she would need something to wear.  And this is where it started…

Both Old Navy and JC Penney’s has gotten me the most lately.  Bath & Body Works and Victoria Secret’s are close seconds when it comes to making my wallet skinny.  Being someone who worked in Retail for many years, and managed two stores, I never let anyone convince me to buy anything.  I guess I’m loosing my touch.  I’ve gone soft, so to say.  I’ve broken my #1 rule of Retail:  never get a store credit card!  Not only did I break my rule once, but I did it twice. 

The first time, at Old Navy, I actually decided to get the card on my own before I even got to the register.  However, the second time, at JC Penney’s was not planned at all.  The main reason I got the card was because I know I’ll be doing a lot of clothes shopping for my son there.  That doesn’t dismiss the fact that the sales associate totally capitalized off of that…silly me! 

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Going forward,I will not, repeat will not be falling victim to anymore retail swindling.  I know way better.  The good thing is that I always pay my balances off in full, so that I don’t incur any interest charges.  I leave you with a tip, if you do have credit cards, whether they be major or store:  PAY THEM OFF IN FULl!  Treat them like cash.  You may have many lines of credit open, but at least you won’t owe on all them.  Plus, retail store cards have the highest interest rates ever.  We’re talking 20%+ people.  I’ve done a few posts on how to save money shopping, if you want more tips on how to do so.  You can find them here and here.

Have you ever gotten swindled by the retail monster?  Convinced to buy something you did anticipate on? – How’d you feel, did you have buyers remorse?

xxoo,