Avoiding the Traps that Entangle Us

For years, I would frequent Target, Costco, or even my grocery store and peruse the aisles with giddiness. What would I find today?

Because we live in a society where we can buy trivial things for cheap, we can also receive daily instant gratification on a regular basis through our purchases. It could be a bathing suit on sale, a piece of jewelry, or some sort of trinket that will make us happy. A book, a plant, or a food item not on our shopping list.

If we head to our favorite big box store, there are “dollar” sections, or any section really with inexpensive things to buy alongside a plethora of clearance items.

While these sections are fun to shop, they’re the detriment of our wallets. If you’re on a budget and truly shop these sections because you need to, that’s one thing.

But if you’re like me and shop these sections to add to your cartload of things – loaded with lots of things I don’t need – then you’ve found yourself in a trap.

Much like the sand traps, bunkers, and hazards at a golf course, they’re all sticky spots in which to end up. But, they’re there nonetheless.

Though difficult to get out of, we can learn to navigate our own traps when we’ve made the decision to pare down our lives (or par down, if you will) and keep it that way.

If buying extra things you don’t need, a dollar here a dollar there, is your kryptonite (like mine), then understand that those dollars add up to thousands of dollars a year and ultimately a pile of stuff you thought you needed (but don’t).

Interested in only buying what you need and saving tons of money in the process?

Here’s what I do to avoid the shopping pitfalls.

Sashay past the sand trap.

To get out of the traps, don’t land in them. It’s impossible not to shop, I get that. We have to get out to get our stuff, thereby seeing and buying things we don’t need: we end up in the sand trap every now and then. But, I can choose not to go to the clothing section in Target. I can choose to avoid the accessories aisle at Walmart. I don’t visit the end caps at Target anymore and I don’t check the clearance section. Instead, I redirect my focus only to what I came for.

Knowing my weak areas, and choosing to stay away from the trap of consuming things I know I don’t need takes the temptation away. Make a list, stick to it, and only shop in the areas that are absolutely necessary like food, cleaning supplies, and things needed to live healthily.

Back away from the bunker.

For some people, staying away from the troublesome areas are the best plan. This may mean shopping only from the convenience of your home and picking up your items without having to go into the store.

For me, I can move my cart away from the hazards in the store I’m in. For others, this may not be so easy. The temptation to shop is too overpowering. If this is you, shop from your phone, and pick up the items from the ease of your car or have them delivered to your home. Problem solved.

Waylay a watery hazard.

Like the water hazards at a golf course, don’t aim for the water. I know, easier said than done. Life gets in the way: we think we’re driving straight and avoiding mishaps, but in reality, we shank the ball now and then and end up in the depths of a watery consumption cycle.

If this happens to you as it does to me – staying the course, aiming for the hole, but is sidetracked by a purchase – decide to count that stroke against you… but keep moving forward.

Of course, we all strive to stay away from hazards in life. But because we have to consume food, wear clothes, and need certain things to live, it’s easy to add in things that are excessive, and unnecessary. When we overlap our needs and dip into the wants (that aren’t needed) before we know it, we’ve bogeyed the hole.

But, every day is a new day. A chance to correct our behavior. If we make a mistake, we can figure out where we went wrong, find a way to keep away from the traps, and keep playing.

By recognizing our weaknesses, by knowing what trap we tend to direct ourselves to, we can keep from falling into future hazards.

While some days we’re ahead of the game, and other days behind, when we make an effort to stay away from the traps that trip us up we can learn to maintain a life that is completely filled with intentional choices.

It won’t be easy. The traps are everywhere. But with good choices, we can choose to “par for the course” – or better! – and live a life worthy of our calling.

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About the Author: Heather Spiva is freelance writer from Northern California with a penchant for minimalism, vintage clothing, and coffee. When she’s not writing, she’s reading. Her husband and two grown sons are the loves of her life.