Shopping

No matter how much or how little money I have to spend, I never buy new goods and food before going my existing wardrobe and refrigerator to see whether I need them or not. But my wardrobe and fridge ought to contain certain essentials, and if they do not, we must plan our whole dress and food and furniture budget to include them.

Nearly every woman has to economize these days in order to include in her refrigerator and wardrobe at least some cheaper goods and food. I’m never led astray by passing crazes unless I have an income suited to them. When I go shopping – whether it’s only a question of some meat or a pair of shoes – I go alone, because if I take even my closest friend with me, I’ll probably end by buying what she likes instead of what I like. And it is positively fatal to take two or three friends. By the time I’ve listened to their conflicting opinions, I’ll have lost all confidence in my own judgement. And when I get my purchase home, I will wonder what on earth made me decide on it!

If I nee advice when I’m buying clothes or food, I partly and cautiously rely on the saleswoman, who is an expert somehow or other, and then I choose whatever appeals to me. I always remember that the goods which I feel happy about are the most successful ones. I seem to remember that Enemy Number One both chic and charm and e[pensiveness is untidiness, rottenness and unfreshness which ruin the effect of goods no matter how expensive they may be.

Going out to shop is an absorbing affair for me. At times when I’m short of money I like to go about window shopping, especially if the shop window is nicely dressed. The first-rate shops are tragically too expensive and any purchase there would cost you a pretty penny. Very often I choose to go to the wholesale market where they never ask exorbitant prices. When my stock of supplies has run short I must call in at several shops by 10 p.m. I want to get in a new supply of vegetables and fruits, meat, game and poultry, fish, eggs, bread, dairy products. Some grocery shops have a special delivery service but I never use it cause I grudge money. I care for money though I haven’t got an itching palm. I often go to stalls (kiosks) to buy various trifles like bars of chocolate, the chewing gum, mineral or carbonated water. At the State Department store I attend such departments as textiles, ready-made clothes, footwear, hat, haberdashery, knitted good departments, hosiery, linen and underwear, perfumery, stationary, household goods departments, departments for electrical appliances and for crockery and glassware. I also go to the drugstore to buy medicine. Sometimes it’s not quite what I want and I can’t find anything to suit me. In this case I step over to the next counter and look for something that will last a lifetime.

I appreciate the quality of any good more than quantity and if it seems I’ve finished with my shopping I settle my accounts. I always draw up a shopping list. It might happen I’ve left my money at home. It means I owe the salesperson and that I’ll clear my debt shortly after my coming back from home. I ask the clerk to put my purchase aside or offer my passport for a security. At times I buy in the things we need for the whole week and it’s very convenient indeed. I drop in to Baker’s, the butcher’s, greengrocer’s, confectionery or to the market. I never spend money like water but if I happen to find what I especially want, I spare o money to get it.

My parents give me some cash for my own needs but if I seem to have overstepped my daily allowance, I try to economize and make up an account of what I have to buy. Sometimes I really have to open my purse and come out with my money for my closest friends, but I never regret it.