Good Shopping Karma

How often do you put a store's sale on your calendar? And how often do you make a list of things to look for at that sale? And further, how often do you actually go to the sale, with your list and find everything on it? Dare I say, it's as rare as the Eagles in the Superbowl?

Yesterday was REI's member garage sale. I got there around 11am, though there had been people camped out overnight waiting for the doors to open (maybe I'll consider that someday when I can actually buy a kayak and other larger equipment). It was jammed. The line was long, but moving quickly. I felt a flush come over me as I considered the possibility that they would be all out of the stuff I was looking for.

But after a brief, yet worthwhile detour through the shoe section (where I scored two pairs of Keens for about 75% off), I found what I was looking for in the climbing section. I got the shoes and harness that were on my list, and they were both on sale!

I went prepared to spend $100 on the climbing shoes alone. Instead, I spent a little more than $100 on EVERYTHING!

So in two weeks when I go back to the rock climbing gym, I'll have my very own gear to break in... which excites me to no end! I guess the moral of the story is, sometimes it really pays to mark your calendar and make a list. At the same time, don't be so overly focused that you miss out on the detours!