Over the weekend, my husband and I did something we have not done in a very long time. We went to the movies.
Did you know that a matinee now costs $7.50? I didn’t. Yeah, it’s been that long. Typically, we enjoy free RedBox movies at home as any frugal family should.
But I really wanted to see this movie. I needed to see it. Confessions of a Shopaholic. So why did I suddenly decide to splurge on this particular movie?
Because I am a former Shopaholic myself. There, I confessed. So how did a former Shopaholic become a frugal personal finance blogger? Well, that’s a whole other post. But this movie was great reminder for me of how far I have come.
The movie is loosely based on the book by Sophie Kinsella with the same title. Her character Rebecca Bloomwood finds herself buried in credit card debt after her shopping habits spin out of control.
As I listened to Rebecca justify her overspending in the most ridiculous ways, I laughed because the excuses sounded all too familiar. She described so brilliantly the way a store makes every day a good day, the way it smells, the shiny bags, the manequins that beckon her inside. Oh, how I remember that feeling!
Before I became a mother, I worked a high end mall in Southern California for nearly 3 years. The men’s shoe store where I sold expensive Italian leather shoes and accessories was right next to a M.A.C. store. Very dangerous, believe me! My lunch breaks were spent shopping, of course. With credit cards.
I got my first store credit card at the tender age of 18. For Bloomingdales! Isn’t that utterly ridiculous?! I had a whopping $100 credit limit, which I maxed out immediately. Twelve years later, I have no idea what I even bought with that card. But I sure took my time paying it off with the $5 minimum payment each month.
In the movie, Rebecca is hounded by collection agencies and one particularly persistent collector. I literally laughed out loud at her efforts to avoid him. I have so been there! Just as Rebecca did, I had piles of unopened bills that I hoped would all just go away if I did not acknowledge them.
But those bills did not go away. They grew, and collected interest and penalties, and the collectors kept calling. I am describing my own life as well as the movie.
If you have read my blog for a while, you know that my husband and I have successfully paid off all of our credit card debt. We plan to keep it that way. The peace and freedom we gained is worth all of the hard work and frugal sacrifices we made to get here.
Confessions of a Shopaholic may not be a critics’ favorite, but I truly enjoyed it. Ultimately, it has a great message about the dangers of debt and overspending.
I would even encourage teens to see this movie. At a time when credit cards are pushed on college campuses, anything that de-glamorizes the plastic is a welcome change.
Alyssa
Ooh, this is definitely on my must-watch list when it is released on DVD. Loved reading your review!
I have yet to see the movie, but I did read the book… It was a fun and easy read, with just the right message. Credit card debt is oh-so dangerous!
I follow you on Twitter, and came by to read your review. 🙂 My dh and I watched this movie this weekend, too, and enjoyed it!
Very true! I used to be a credit card spender, and now that they are all paid off…I never want a CC again! They are TOXIC!
It’s on my list of must see’s also. I will wait for it to come out on dvd, though.
Great review! Thanks for sharing. I am looking forward to seeing this movie as well.
I too want to see this movie! I really enjoyed the book!
Our family has no CC debt and we plan to keep it that way!
Thanks so much for the review! I can’t wait to see this movie – I’ve read all of the books (I love Sophie Kinsella) but I’ll admit to being a Shopaholic myself. However, I learned the dangers of credit card debt in college – similar to what you described above – and when no one was there to bail me out I learned the best lesson of all – if you don’t have it in cash (and you don’t need that cash to pay bills) then DON’T SPEND IT! 🙂 Anyway, I’m rambling, but yeah, I can’t wait to see the movie!
I very recently finished paying off all my debts! I am so waiting to see this movie I am a recovering shopaholic, but I kinda am but only at CVS with bonus bucks!! Thanks so much for your help and information, I truly love your BLOG!
That’s so fun. I’ve never been a shopaholic, but I’ve been close! Excited to see the movie now 🙂
Looks cute–thanks for the review. I am horrified that it now costs 10.50 for a movie ticket in the Philadelphia suburbs!!
I don’t mind paying $1, but I love free too. You said that “Typically, we enjoy free RedBox movies”. How do you get free rentals from Redbox?
I used to work at Dillard’s Dept Store selling men’ and women’s fragrances. To get the “store employee discount” guess what? You had to use their credit card. It’s so easy to just whip out that card and say “Sure…I get a discount” A whopping 20%!!!
It’s also easy to become immune to the high prices. I mean, I was in the cosmetics department at JB White’s, too. Counter Manager for Estee’ Lauder. The foundation I used…$25!!! Are you kidding me? Skin care treatments for $70 per bottle!! And we had to get others to feel the need to buy this stuff. UGH!!! But did I think twice about it then? No way.
And now? Well, lets just say I’m still enjoying my FREE Jane make up 😉
Thanks for sharing this. I’m looking forward to seeing this movie.
We currently have one credit card…for JC Penney. We know that if we had more credit cards, it would just get us in trouble, and we don’t want to go there.
We are one payment away from paying off our car, and we rent our home, so with the exception of the JCP credit card, we are nearly debt-free. Praise God!!!!
Have a blessed day!
Angie
The movie was quite hilarious.However near the climax, it becomes boring…If you have kids, then watch with them together.My average rating would be 3/5.