Today starts the women’s Half-Yearly sale at Nordstrom. I’m usually there right at opening time but am fighting to sit this one out. I’m thankful my kids don’t need shoes right now, because that’s always been my main motivation to go first thing on the first day. (Great prices on kids’ shoes, and that section gets picked over quickly.)

As usual, I checked my Nordstrom wishlist last night to see if anything had gone on sale. For the past Half-Yearlys, I’ve noticed they put up the sale prices the night before on many, if not all, the items. I was not tempted to go.

I woke up this morning and checked my wishlist again, and was not tempted to go.

I told my husband about the sale this morning and said I was not going for the first time in years. I was committed to not going.

What happened? I unexpectedly found myself with some free time today and what better thing to do than shop? So here I am, blogging about it so that I can not go. And not browse the sale. While online purchasing is not really a risk for me (I don’t do it often), online browsing is a huge time-suck. I’ve had a good couple of weeks and was proud of my progress, and then I found out about the Half-Yearly. I also found out that tomorrow starts a clearance sale at another favorite store. I tell you, I am fighting demons.

One practical thing I keep thinking about is how I finally realized that my preferred method of shopping is at discount stores, where the designer bargains are hidden and hard to find, but available if you’re up for the hunt. I can do that any time and am not limited to sale periods. I find that kind of shopping far more interesting than going to a department store, especially since I’ve started buying better brands that I can only afford on deep discount.

I still need more summer clothing, but am holding off one day at a time. Today, the Half-Yearly will not get me.