What Am I Shopping For?

Hey There! Still reviving from the weekend mood, that too a shopping weekend. I go to the malls and look around myself and think, “Can’t all that be mine”. I suppose most of us feel that. Starting from clothes, to accessories, to gadgets, to home ware, even groceries at times, there’s nothing that doesn’t allure us. In fact I can go and spend hours in a mall without really purchasing anything. That’s me but I have seen people who don’t only spend the hours but also the money, that they earn working hard for days or may be even nights and at times the money they don’t even have. So it struck me this time I may be give you all some tips for smart shopping and hoping none of us is becoming a shopaholic. So here are some quick checks we can do and questions we need to ask ourselves before we go to shop.

Situation 1- I need a list of items• Now in this case we first need to have a list. This not only helps us remember what all we need to get but also stops us looking at all sections and tempting us extravagances.
• If we receive brochures of our supermarket its always better we have a look at it beforehand. This helps us to stock up our groceries at cheaper rates and also gives us surprises at times making some purchases affordable.
• Is it what I really want? We should chalk out before hand the kind of thing we have gone to buy. It’s better we don’t buy them just because we like it at that moment and still have in mind the actual thing to purchase. If it can replace our original need then it’s fine.• Is it worth the price marked? This is the next question that a smart buyer would ask himself/herself. And I need not tell you what to do if the answer's a “No”. Well we should always have the time and patience to compare and look around a few stores before settling in for a price. Of course if you are filthy rich I guess you can omit this process.
• Just in case what you have gone to buy isn’t an urgent requirement, think once if you can wait for a sale. They are the best time to be a little greedy without emptying your pockets.
• And lastly if its food shopping I would advice you to add to your menu the seasonal fruits and vegetables more so as to save an extra couple of pennies.
Situation 2- Window-Shopping
• This is the best time to go comparing all your favorite things. And since you know you are out there just for passing time it doesn’t bother anyone.
• Now if you just fall prey to a few items, relay a quick question to yourself if you really need this in your life and answering that you know what to do next. Just start looping from the 3rd point of the situation 1.

• There’s this interesting situation I mostly get into where I love this dress but I know I would not use it. But still I can’t stop wondering how I would look in it and so can’t move further. So simply grab it to the changing room, try it on, look at yourself in the mirror, appreciate it and leave.

Situation 3- Am I shopaholic?Well nobody really feels that way, until you can’t get away from the immediate above situation without making the purchase with the kind of money you don’t have. Its OK if you are afraid lets try finding out whether you are a shopaholic or not. It’s a questionnaire I found on the web which I believe can be used to test the addiction.
1. When I am depressed, I usually go shopping.
2. I spend a lot of money that I do not have and on things that I do not need.
3. I get a rush when I make a purchase, but I “crash” soon afterward.
4. I have closets full of clothes that I have never worn, and countless gadgets that I have never used.
5. I often feel reckless and out of control when I shop.
6. I lie to my friends and family about how much money I spend.
7. Even though I feel very distraught about my debt, I still shop.
8. I feel emotionally upset and disturbed by my own shopping habits.
9. My shopping has caused problems in my personal relationships in one or the other way.

Now people who have answered a “Yes” for 4 or more of the above questions, need to keep the following points in mind next time you get the urge for compulsive shopping:
1. Make a budget and keep some money aside just for the shopping purpose and do not overdraw that.
2. At the end of each day write all your expenses down to the tiniest amount and poke your conscience of wasting your hard earned money.
3. Just carry along cash. Leave back the debit and credit cards at home in safer places and hands.
4. If you see something that you don’t need but feel like purchasing, just walk away from the section. If you can’t do that just ask the storekeeper to keep it on hold for you. They will at most keep it for a day and till then you can overcome the urge. If you still think you need it go back and try your luck.
5. If you are just too overwhelmed with debt, contact a credit-counseling agency. There are several non-profit organizations that can help you get out of your debt.
Remember shopping is for a purpose and at times for enjoyment but never for coping up with sadness and depression. On this note I sign off and do enjoy your coming weekend.

Right Way To Fruits

Hi There. I’m just going to reveal something that most women would not reveal about themselves. I’m overweight. Well that confession is as hard to make as it’s to get it under control I mean the weight. Now what I won’t do is brag about the problems we face physically and emotionally being overweight, because everyone knows that consciously or unconsciously, it’s just about realizing, but what I find interesting is what people at times think of doing while wanting to lose those extra kilos. I will just pick up one aspect that’s interesting to me, that is about dieting with fruits. I would nowhere mean to say that we shouldn't eat fruits, in fact dieting or no dieting we should have fruits, but as it is said too much of anything is bad for health, so are fruits. That is what dieters have to understand and for being on the safer side I will first mention why and which fruits are best before restricting you from fruits which may be your favorite.

Goodies and Meanies Of Fruits

Source of Water but not all – When it comes to hydrating your body after the obvious water, fruits like watermelon and cucumber are the next best option. In fact watermelon is a fruit that doesn't just satisfy your thirst but also fills your body with the iron it requires. But eating fruits doesn't mean forgetting to drink your regular 8 glasses of water a day.

Energy Pack but high in calories– Fruits such as a single banana and a handful of strawberries can give you all the energy you need to kick start your day. And since the energy comes from the sugar of the fruit it’s digested within an hour and leaves no toxic wastes. But since fruits like bananas, pumpkins and winter squashes are also starchy do not consume them lovably since they will just add to your waistline.

Proteinous but fatty – Well I never knew fruits like avocados and olives can be a rich source of proteins. But even though avocado helps us fight the cholesterol in our body, we should remember it has fat and comparatively higher in calories so it’s best to use it as a replacement of butter on our bread than to just eat away.

Detoxifying but to be chosen carefully – Fruits like oranges, sour apples, pineapples, grapefruits, tomatoes are one excellent category of fruits since they help flush out the toxins from our body. These are the ones with negative calories i.e. we require more calories digesting them than we actually get from eating them. So they are the ones that help us reducing fat too and the best part they are available almost everywhere in the world. But again there are the buts and so just remember to avoid these in too much quantity since they are acidic and can cause havoc in the stomach otherwise. Also if you are suffering from flu the detoxifying effect can make you sicker. And some people consuming cow’s milk may also get allergies having these fruits, so you may have to choose one. Or there is the option of having low acid fruits like sweet apples, blackberries, sweet peaches, persimmons, apricots, cherries etc.

Source of Vitamins but not complete– Now most of the fruits we eat are loaded with Vit C and fibers and there are also fruits that give you Vit A (cantaloupe)and Vit B6(banana), potassium(passion fruit), magnesium (pear) and iron(raisins), but this is not all our body requires. There are loads of other vitamins and minerals that we need and we get from a balanced diet of fruits with vegetables, grains and lentils.

Snack Replacements but high in sugar – Fruits will definitely be the best replacement we can have for all the junk food we love having in our spare time but still it will be good if we can have a control over the quantities. Fruits like raisins, dried fig, dates are the one ones with high sugar and it’s better we eat them in less amount. Also it will be best if we hydrate the dried fruits keeping them in water for a few hours before consumption.

So I sign off with a note of TAKE CARE for everyone. Dieting does not mean starving yourself to size zero it’s all about balancing your diet. And remember I am no professional but we always have the Internet to help us on knowing more whenever we need it. At least it helped me :)

Note: If you would like to know more on other foods like vegetables or grains, just let me know.

For the Fair

Remember one of these. Well for some of us it’s still a scary ride. Actually I went to an Easter Show here in Sydney last weekend. Although I used to dread writing essays on such trips, every time we came from one, now I feel I could write pages n kill someone of boredom. That’s the reason I will not be writing my experience but some things I thought are necessary for people to remember when they go to similar amusement places. Yes you are right I’m giving you all a checklist to refer (if you want to).

Internet-But it’s the internet era, so start looking for valid sites, once you have decided to take the trip, that offer you cheaper tickets to the show or spots. Try looking up prior what all are of your interest so that you can cover them all in a day without rushing.

Sunscreen-Now in countries with a thin ozone layer like Australia, USA never forget to go out of the house without applying sunscreen lotion with a high SPF. Now for all those guys thinking this as girlish, please think again because tanning has been scientifically proven to cause cancer.

Choice of clothes-Well the best is where jeans/trousers since you will be thinking of all the nerve wrecking rides that throw you in all directions. Next when it comes to a choice of shirts everything’s fine for guys, but for all those girls who wouldn’t like to roam around wet (after a splashy ride) remember to wear something synthetic and opaque :) For all those who want to show off their figures there’s no restriction. You can avoid wearing accessories like long chains, scarf etc that may be loose and can fly off the moment you are on a ride. You can avoid wearing sports shoes since it isn’t really fun walking heavy footed. Try out sandals or just comfy slip-on.

Money-Most of these places now accept cards but it’s safest to have some cash for immediate costs like entry tickets and food.

Backpack- Well I’m referring to a show in your city, so we don’t need a luggage with clothes but a small bag/backpack, preferably leather/waterproof, that can contain the necessary items. Even though it’s not really safe to take cameras in fear of damaging it, who in the world wants to miss capturing those screaming, scared, exciting faces. If you are having a hot sunny day don’t forget your caps/hats and sunglasses, you get really horrible headaches once all the fun is over. These places are made by no fools, so remember to carry your own water bottles if you don’t want to land up spending all your cash to keep yourself hydrated. Always keep some wipes/tissues to ensure you don’t look a zoo escapee when you are traveling back home. Also keep medication if you use any regularly or at least keep pills for headache or a bad stomach. For the ladies they can add to this list all their makeup kit as per their usage. But remember we are going to have fun and can’t leave the bags so try keeping it light.

So prepare a little and have a great and safe day without grumbling about the heat or wet clothes or looking like a disaster :).

Note: This is a list for a group without kids, will add on that once I have one. And feel free to add anything important I may have missed out.