New Favorite Places to "Shop"

Today's episode of Oprah features families with too much stuff. One woman goes to the grocery store every day and continues filling up her pantry reserves. She had boxes and boxes (can't remember the number, 40?) of granola bars, multiple bags of chips, bags and bags of pudding packs . . . the list could go on and on. The other woman is a widow who admits she has been buying stuff--including a HUGE house and cars she cannot quite afford not mention the shoes and clothes and eating out--to try to prove to herself, her kids, and the world that she is okay after losing her husband. Both women and their families spent a week living with less: no spending money except for a minimal grocery budget, no internet or television, no eating out, very limited driving, etc.

I love this sort of episode because so many people can relate, on some level, to the irrational need to buy or otherwise surround one's self with more stuff than one needs. I know I can. Watching the episode, you can see how just one week of living differently made these moms feel stronger and more in control. I think their honesty could inspire others. It certainly makes me want to keep up with my 2009 Resolutions to buy less stuff and use or lose the stuff I already have.

I'm not going to use this post to try to figure out all the reasons why people shop and seek stuff. I'm no social psychologist. I do know, however, that I tend to buy things that I think will make my life somehow better (see previous post where I define the term "Targeting"). I'm going to list a couple of my new favorite places to "shop."

1. The Library
I know I'm like a broken record about the library lately, but I can't help it. I've always been a library user, but now that the Chicago Public Library allows me to request and hold books online, I find myself visiting the library website before Amazon.com, especially for books that I think I want to read but know I don't need to own. I also love checking the new releases section when I'm in the library. When I find a copy of a book that is on my to-read list, usually based on a review I've read, I feel like I've won the lottery.

2. itunes
One of my friends started a fitness and weight loss blog and on it I read about free yoga workouts, Yogamazing, available on itunes. I wish I could say, I started downloading the workouts and am now unbelievably lean and flexible. I'm not ready to explore yoga yet myself, but I did end up searching for free stuff on itunes while I was looking at Yogamazing and had no idea how much free stuff there is. I downloaded some Grammar Girl podcasts, which I really enjoyed and would be using in the classroom if I were still a high school teacher. I also downloaded some free walking workouts. Again, I haven't used them yet, but all I'm out is an itty, bitty amount of space on my ipod . . . no dough. So anyway, if you have itunes on your computer, see what fun and free stuff you could find there.

It's not the longest list in the world, but free thrills are even better than cheap ones. Plus, shopping at these stores doesn't bring any extra stuff into my house, NTB.

What about you? Do you have any places to "shop" for free (or cheap) thrills? Please share.


I did spend $1.00 at the library last week, but I think the CPL tote was worth it. Look at how compact it is when folded. It could practically double as an evening bag. (Note: do not judge my recent haircut by this photo.)


View of tote unfolded and a great example of a book that I am interested in but don't want to own (and, to be honest, may not be able to stand to read. We'll see.)