shopaholic

Hands down, if there's a shopaholic in my family it's my little sister Anja. At seventeen I can honestly say Anja is beautiful, interesting, thoughtful and smart...and a shopaholic. The only thing that keeps her from this vice is her homework, basketball practice and the fact that she's too young to have a credit card.

While I was in Spain last year, making 250 euro a month with no bills to pay or rent to cover or children to feed, I too became a little bit of a spender. Nothing crazy, just a couple new pairs of shoes, a jacket and some jewelry. To me though, it was a close to being a shopaholic as I'd ever gotten.

Meanwhile, unbeknownst to anyone...

I'm in Newburyport, looking for things I need for Christmas and a present for my cousin's birthday, when I just felt the urge to check out all the stores. I walked into one and immediately picked up something I wanted to buy. I walked around the store, picking up and putting down a few things. I eventually bought the card I wanted and managed, almost without effort, to make my way to the bookstore. I was in there for less than five minutes when I realized the temptation was too strong. I strode out the door and walked determinedly out of the shop to the library where I could take home as much as I wanted without spending any money.