I Quit

It’s become a dreadful guilty pleasure over the years.

At first it was limited to at home in private only.

But more recently I have lost all will power.

Started even to do it in public.

Unashamed.

So that’s it.

I QUITE!

It’s not going to be easy.

I’ve been addicted for over 7 years.

It all started innocently enough when I was pregnant.

Trying to save a few quid in my super thrifty way.

I was already recycling, buying budget loo roll and leaving the shampoo upside down  (a tip from my mother – from a generation of non-wasting recycling mothers before it was trendy).

Justifying my daily obsession as an eco-friendly, money-saving way of kiting us out in baby gear.

I’d always been an avid charity shop surfer.

But then it started.

EBAY!

I was hooked.

Remember before online shopping existed? You had to leave the house to make a purchase? Feels so long ago now. Something our children will never understand. The act of ‘staying in to save money’. Christ, I go out for whole days now and spend less than I could in an hours intensive hard labour on ebay.

So, that’s it.

I will STOP.

I will STOP neglecting my kids because I’m searching for that must have kitchen accessory.

I will STOP nearly crashing my car on the way to work because yet another pair of sandals is ending in 20, 18, 17… seconds.

I will STOP rudely sitting at the toddler group checking out the latest Brighton listings in the furniture category.

I will STOP  ‘checking out’ quickly in the playground to make sure that my new coat arrives in time for the weekend.

I will STOP interrupting my husband while he explains how he spent all day in the rain under a greasy van, to say ‘Do you think these bunk beds will fit?’

Do I need to go on?

I admit it. I am an addict. I said it.

It needs to stop.

I’ve just added up all the things I’ve bought on ebay over the last year and we could have probably had a holiday.

my last purchase

Yes, I may have saved money buying second-hand, and yes I may be recycling and keeping at least 10 Royal Mail staff in jobs, but enough is enough. My cupboards are bursting with unused ebay purchases. The kids have at least 3 dresses for every day of the week and I could start my own second hand shoe shop (size 4’s only!).

What’s it all about?

My eldest is 7 now and she is starting to show an interest in shopping.

It’s my duty to set an example.

Goodbye ebay

You will be missed but not forgotten.

Advertisement