My shopping buddy is my mother and my husband Jeff. I can’t shop alone, I can’t decide what to buy when I’m alone so I always have someone to ask for their nod when I’m buying or I”ll end up buying two things. My mother supports me in this hobby, she encourages me to look in other stores first before making a decision. She won’t mind being tired and being dragged to different stores until we can find the best bargain. Shopping with Nanay became a regular girl bonding for us, be it in SM, Greenhills, Tiendesitas, bazaars and 168 Mall in Divisoria.

Throughout the years, I had my share of booboos and triumphs in the field called retail therapy. There are those shoes that hurts like hell when worn but looks so perfect in the store, those colored jeans that fits well but can’t seem to match with any of your wardrobe, the jacket that was the envy of other girls, etc… Anyway, let me spill the beans and tell you my confessions and realizations I made.

Shopaholic confession #1: Travelling is more fun when paired with shopping.

I just can’t imagine myself coming from a different place without bringing home a remembrance or a souvenir, so that whenever I use something bought from a specific place, it can bring back memories. Whether it be native products and delicacies from different products within the Philippines or imported goodies from Hongkong, Bangkok or Singapore, it’s a must for me to buy even just a tiny keychain. I also take the opportunity to buy things that are cheaper in other places. I bought my Ipod in Singapore because it’s cheaper compared to mall prices here while clothes and other fashionable items are cheaper in Bangkok.

Shopaholic confession #2: I became an online seller because of my love for shopping.

my online shop at http://pinkfortune.multiply.com/

It all started when I was shopping for accessories, I can’t decide what to buy so I bought lots of different designs and colors. I just realized when I got home that I can’t wear all of them and might end up in a pile collecting dust. I just love the joy of buying beautiful things, after bringing home the things I buy, I tend to forget about them with their tags left hanging on them. An idea came to mind, since online shopping is booming, I started to sell some in Multiply. Good thing others liked the accessories too and continued selling as of this writing. In this way, I get to satisfy my addiction for shopping and earn too! I guess it also tamed my spending habits because it made me realize the value of money and how hard it is to convince people to buy from you so that you can earn.

Shopaholic confession #3: Having a collection eats up most of my salary.

Havaianas addict

Aside from a shopping addict, I once became a flip-flops addict, a.ka. Havaianas addict. Yup, those buttery soft rubber soles and cute designs are so tempting. I started out with two flip-flops but seeing the collections of other people especially Pia Magalona’s, I’m set to start my own. For a pair of rubber slippers, they don’t come cheap but in the name of collecting, I still buy them despite the occasional frowns I get from Jeff whenever we’re in an All Flip Flops branch or whenever I’m carrying an Air21 pouch from an online seller. I got loco for limited edition pairs that I even paid for Php 2,000 for a particular pair. I lost count of my Havaianas after I had my 12th pair. I lost count because some of the newer pairs are left unused, some pairs I immediately kept in a box so that Jeff won’t know I purchased new ones, ssshhh!

Shopaholic confession #4: I love going to tiangges/bazaars!

Imagine a kid jumping for joy because he/she is in Disneyland, that’s how I feel whenever I visit World Trade Center bazaars or Greenhills tiangges. The clothes may not be branded/designer, but who cares? Getting a good bargain gives me a natural high. I am always excited during Christmas Season because bazaars are sprouting everywhere during that time of the year. I am always looking forward to the World Bazaar Festival and Noel Bazaar held in the World Trade Center, remember my good finds at the World Bazaar last year?

Shopaholic confession #5: MEN LOVE SHOPPING TOO!

Maybe it’s not my
own confession, but it’s my discovery! I read about this once and I’ve proven that it’s true. Men won’t admit it but just observe your boyfriends and husbands when you’re in the mall. I know that Jeff and most men in our lives gets bored whenever we drop by at the make-up counter or whenever we visit boutiques like Kamiseta, Bayo, etc. Jeff always sits at the sofas in Kamiseta while he waits for me but I can tell that he’s bored. Try letting them lead the way when you’re inside the mall, you’ll soon realize that he spends more time checking out new computer gadgets, cellphones, and cameras.

Whew! Those are the confessions I can think of, but I learned my lesson, especially in this trying times, when global recession is at its peak, it is best to spend our money wisely. I now have a “save or splurge” mindset when I buy something. I also keep these shopping tips in mind:

Shopping tips from a tiangge shopaholic:

1. Haggle, haggle, haggle. This is a shopaholic mantra. We all love to haggle right? One most abused line when shopping in tiangges is “Ate, wala na bang bawas to?” or “Ate, last price?”, with matching puppy eyes. Even if it’s only a 10-peso discount, we would gladly accept it from “Ate”. One good practice on haggling is to give your best price a little above half of the original price given to you. For example, for an item that costs Php 300, you can haggle starting at Php 200. Expect that they won’t give in to your offer but at least you can haggle your way up until you both agree. Haggling is perfectly fine as long as you don’t insult the seller by haggling really low. Keep in mind that sometimes, they are only “tinderas”and not the store owners.

2. Buy in bulk. Get more so that you can save more. This applies especially when you’re shopping in 168 Mall, Divisoria Mall, Tutuban Mall or Meisic Mall in Divisoria. You can avail the items at half the original price when you do wholesale. They give you wholesale prices when you purchase 6 pieces and above of their merchandise. So it’s better to be with friends sometimes when you go shopping so that you can buy lots from the store and avail of big discounts.

3. Keep a list of the things you need to buy. Malls and tiangges are very sinful places for a shopaholic, when we see beautiful things, we tend to buy them on impulse. Having a list will help us focus on what we really need to buy.

4. Do not bring your credit card especially during a 3-DAY SALE/MIDNIGHT SALE. This happened to us most of the time, we are so gravitated with the 70% off the tag price even if we don’t plan to buy the item, heck, we don’t even need it at all. So to minimize temptation, just leave your credit card and just bring enough moolah in shopping.

5. Think before you buy. Again, do not buy on impulse. Remember that it’s still hard-earned money that you’re using so don’t waste it on a gorgeous-yet-too-big-for-you maxi dress. What you can do when you’re having second thoughts on buying the item from the store, take a breather, leave the store and take some time to consider if you really really want the item. If you still want it, you can always go back to the store and purchase it. A friend of mine does this trick, if she decides to buy the item, she’ll go back to the store a week later. There were instances that when she went back, the item was already sold out, instead of dismay, she will just just shrug off her shoulders and say “Well, it’s really not for me.”

6. BYOB, bring your own bag. Huh? Well, being a shopaholic doesn’t exempt you from being responsible to the environment. When shopping in tiangges, they don’t pack the goods in paper bags, all they have are those colored plastic sando bags. One thing I’m proud of doing is I bring my own canvass bag or katsa bag when shopping so that I can just dump my loots. Besides, you’re gonna throw all those plastic bags when you get home anyway. Don’t forget to educate the salesladies along the way, ask them not to use plastic bags as much as they can.

Meanwhile, it’s time for shopaholics to unite to watch Becky Bloomwood’s experiences . Catch “Confessions of a Shopaholic” in cinemas on February 18, 2009.