Day 31

Am I a shopaholic? My boss sent me this link: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26840446/ which details a test developed to identify "compulsive buyers." The test is made up of six statements, and you have to rank on a seven-point scale how strongly you agree with the statement. My results:

1. "My closet has unopened shopping bags in it."
Ha! Zero points for this one. I open my shopping right away! Except for that one bag from Target with a pair of leggings in it that I bought a month ago. Ok, 1 point.

2. "Others might consider me a 'shopaholic.'"
I don't think people consider me a shopaholic. I hardly ever buy things when I go shopping with friends or family. I'm more of a shopping loner. But...coworkers have caught me with shopping bags after lunch on many occasions, who knows what they think? 1 point.

3. "Much of my life centers around buying things."
Yes. I love buying things: for myself and for others, as gifts. It's a form of entertainment, and it feels soooo good. But I have balance too: work, relationships and hobbies (reading, running, traveling when possible). I'll give myself.... 4 points.

4. "I buy things I don't need."
Doesn't everyone? 6 points.

5. "I buy things I did not plan to buy."
Yes. Magazines in the grocery store checkout? Check. Clothes so on sale I can't pass them up? Check. Anything that strikes my fancy when I'm really hungover/still drunk? Check. But at least I don't collect sofas, like my mom. 5 points.

6. "I consider myself an impulse purchaser."
Isn't this the same as question 5?? 5 points.

Score: 22 points. Woohoo! "Respondents who score 25 or higher would be considered compulsive buyers," aka, NOT ME.