Since the no retail challenge ended over a month ago, I stil haven’t shopped retail very much. Shortly after it ended, I thought I would buy a car charger for my phone and a case to protect my iPad 2. No, I didn’t buy the iPad, I won it. I’ve been carrying it around in a Ziplock baggie and my friends say it looks like an evidence bag.
Off to Best Buy. I had no desire to go in there, but I reluctantly crossed the threshold into the air-conditioned abyss of electronics and accessories. 
I quickly found the iPad cases, ranging from $39 to $69. I picked them up, touched them, then I set them right back down. I just couldn’t spend that kind of money on a case.
I then found the car charger. $29.99 for the cheapest one. I carried it around for a little while, then put it back. I thought maybe I should get one of those car plug converters that change the car outlet into a standard plug outlet. That was $35. Again, I picked it up, held it for a moment pondering this purchase, then I put it back.
I left the store feeling like I had wasted time. I knew I wouldn’t be able to make those purchases and be okay with them. I ended up using my evidence bag for a couple more weeks until I got my faux leather case for $12.00, including shipping, on eBay. As for the charger, I ended up buying one retail at the Apple store out of necessity. I paid $24.99 for it. I don’t feel great about it and I doubt I will do that again anytime soon.
After a year of no retail shopping, I have really changed. Honestly, I don’t have less stuff than other people and I don’t live much differently than other people, I just go about my shopping process a lot differently. Retail shopping just isn’t my thing. So what if I need something?
Plan. If I plan ahead, I don’t have to buy it right away and I can ‘shop’ around for the best deal.
Need. Do I really need it? The iPad case was a need, as I have two boys that use it. It needed protection. But before I buy something, I like to look for alternatives. The baggie worked nice for a little while, for screen protection anyway.
Think. Had I really thought about it, I would have realized that buying these things at a retail store would cost more than what I was willing to spend. And I would have been right. There’s an hour I’ll never get back.
I’ll retail shop again at some point, but those visits will be few and far between.