I HAVE taken to hiding my shopping bags. In the boot of the car, under the bed, at the back of the wardrobe – I've even resorted to stashing the odd couple behind the curtains. And, when the coast is finally clear, my little purchases are quickly brought out, messed up so they look "used", with the tags put through the shredder.
You see, my boyfriend has taken it upon himself to become my personal financial adviser.
My credit cards are gone, my weekly treat of every glossy magazine out there has been curbed too. My fingers are rapped even at the mere suggestion of more t
han a couple of meals out a month. And weekend breaks away are relegated to B&Bs in Scotland.
So when it comes to retail therapy, he draws the line. "I thought you were skint," he growls as he suspiciously eyes my treats from a "window shopping" session, shakes his head and walks away.
Well, I am. My bank balance has never been so in the red, thanks to a car that breaks down more than it starts, a temperamental boiler, one flood, two leaks, soaring bills and being shafted by my mortgage provider who secured my fixed rate for the next two years . . . then cut interest rates on its mortgages hours later. But, a girl's gotta shop. And it's seems I'm not alone.
A new survey suggests that women are not letting money worries put an end to their shopping trips. According to the research by Grazia magazine, seven out of ten women are worried about the credit crunch, with almost half cutting back on their overall spending.
But a whopping 83 per cent still indulge in retail therapy at least once a week, which is up two per cent on six months ago. Women are still shopping – we have just become more aware of what we buy.
"Reading all the doom and gloom recession predictions it's easy to believe shopping is dead and fashion will never be the same again," says Jane Bruton, editor-in-chief of Grazia. "There will be tumbleweed blowing around the high street fashion stores and we'll all have to wear 'safe' black trousers and 'sensible' court shoes for the next five years.
"But our survey proves that though, of course, we're worried about the economic climate, it's just turning us into more responsible, savvy shoppers who are becoming more creative and inventive with our wardrobes.
"Women have always used fashion as a feelgood way of expressing themselves. And no credit crunch is going to change that. Instead it's making us braver, not safer, with our style."
Jane has a point. Gone are the days of buying anything and everything in sight. Fast-fashion, high-fashion and one-night wonders are a thing of the past too. Now, women are going into more shops to do fashion homework, visiting several stores before parting with their cash. And internet research is on the up, cross-checking buys with value before our feet even set foot on Princes Street.
So those risky one-season trends are out, and we're now thinking long-term and investment. We're selective, cost-effective and those shopping bags are filled with items that are made to last.
And, rather than splashing the cash, it seems we're also foregoing that bottle of wine, extra night on the town and grocery shop luxuries in favour of our favourite pastime.
You see, there is method in our madness.
