I am a Shopaholic...

... well, you could of guessed that one. 

Decided to recuperate a personal tradition and check out a couple of DVDs for a Friday afternoon extravaganza of laughs and evasion, liberally salted with popcorn. Boy did I miss watching films without ad interruptions!

I've logged on as the credits of "Confessions of a Shopaholic" scroll up my TV screen. I feel so identified it is ridiculous.  Not with the adorable goofiness of Isla Fisher's character (she is the perfect match for Sasha Baron Cohen - her comic timing is impecable) - but because of how she feels about shopping and all things fashion. Must point out I have never read the novels, partly from a fear of... well, yes, identifying with the main character. And not only because I've wanted to be a fashion journalist since teenhood.

Unlike Becky, I don't live in NY, don't shop at Prada, not even the sales (OK, I own to having two pieces of Balenciaga by Ghesquière picked up over the past 4 years at sales - Prada just doesn't do it for me) or have ever had such a wonderfully colourful wardrobe. Neither have I had the good fortune to come across a Hugh Dancy lookalike, with an equally impeccable accent, who is impressed by my talent as a writer and my lovely character. But I have, for the most part chosen to shop, travel and give gifts over saving, through out my adult life. 

The result is a wardrobe that covers all possible needs and occasions, mostly from high street mainstays like Zara, Mango and Top Shop and mostly in varying shades of black, blue, nude and white and beige - and a bank account that too often dips into the red. Ahhh! There, I admit to it. Yes, I'm a shopaholic!!!!

In remission. I haven't shopped for clothes since July. I have also significantly cut back on beauty buys - except for replacements of basics ofcourse! And magazines. Am even trying to cut back on gifts... The idea of literally freezing the credit card feels oddly appealing at the moment too as a symbolically drastic but not unretractable gesture (the other option: cancelling it and cutting it up makes me break into a sweat). Promise to do all that once my work situation has stablized and I no longer need it for end of the month emergencies. 

Wednesday I browsed through Zara and H&M - hadn't been in since the sales and had a couple of hours "to burn". I am happy to report that not only did I not shop, I didn't even try anything on. Can I be gaining a bit of self control?! Hoping this is one of the good things to come out of the financial and labour crisis for me: that I finally do take charge of my spending habits. 

I've promised myself to avoid shopping for clothes and accessories for myself atleast until 2010. Anyone else made this sort of self-promise lately? Would love to hear your strategies to reach financial equilibrium. All tips welcome.