Shopping List

Date: Saturday. 28th of May, 2022.

I did it again! I went to the market without a list. Foolish mistake, but most of us have been there at least once right?

Well I planned to hit the market today with my elder sister and my friend. My sister didn't need to be there but I begged her to come because between my friend and I, we're terrible price hagglers 😅 The seller could say an item is 2500 hoping that we'd make a bargain of 2000 (his intended price with a juicy profit) and we'd do just that, falling right into his trap. It's even worse when we haggle for 2,200 lol. The funny thing is how they would still act like they're doing you a favour despite knowing that they are ripping you off.

For me, I usually feel bad if I have to stand for too long haggling with a trader. I feel worn out easily and give up. What's worse is that I usually used to have trouble walking away after making bargaining with s trader without buying, I feel like they would hate me for that lol. Nowadays, I've learnt to just walk away from the situation if it's not acceptable to me and I realise that despite them wanting to make sales, they understand a customers need to go elsewhere and they don't dwell on a customer that left but rather move on to the next as the business must go on and money must be made.

Today, I set off to get myself a sneakers as I no longer had any. I also planned to buy a few other things I had on my mind all month. Now, the wise thing to do would have been to put those things down in a list with their possible prices so that I am better prepared financially and I don't forget what I wanted to get but I didn't do that. I took the money I had and planned to just buy stuff and hoped the money would be enough (and the planner of the year award goes to *insert drumroll*, —not me!).

Now, another problem with not making a list is that you get attacked by so many other beautiful things that you then go off your plans; one minute you're trying to get a nice shirt, the next you're paying for ripe tomatoes and fresh onions— thankfully, that wasn't my case, yet.

On getting to the market, I was bombarded by beautiful clothes and clothing accessories. I chanted my mantra "look away and keep moving" while I kept a straight face and looked right ahead, ignoring the calls of the traders. This tactic usually works but then I made a mistake of looking to my side, when I did a double take at the cloth that stared at me was when I knew I was gone, they had gotten me.

Did I still get the sneakers I had in mind? No, but I got a different shoe I had always wanted and it was worth it. I don't think I need a sneaker anymore, maybe not at the moment.

It was still nice to get a few new stuff and the best part about it is taking out what you've bought from the bag when you get home. It's even more exciting when you find something you forgot you had bought; it kinda feels like a gift from yourself to yourself lol.

How did you spend your day today? Do you make a shopping list or just wing it?

Thanks for reading, you are awesome!