Let’s talk about a conversation that occurred in my house a few days ago:

Me: “Guys, I’m really upset. We usually get the Winn Dixie flyer, but it didn’t come this week.”

Roommate: “Oh, we got it. Yeah, I threw it away.”

Me: “I’m sorry, YOU DID WHAT?”

I then went on to explain how receiving the supermarket flyers and circling what I’m going to buy is the highlight of my week, and she quickly learned to never throw them away again. I am not proud of this, but at this point, it’s out of my control. I am addicted to food shopping.

A typical trip to the grocery store will always start the same; it starts with a budget. Well, let me be more specific. It starts with a budget that I never stick to. With as often as I go, I usually tell my roommate to not let me spend more than $50. I create a list for myself, maybe I only need a few things, like granola bars and egg whites. I tell myself, “Walk into the store, do not grab a cart. Grab the granola bars, grab the egg whites, and look at nothing else.” Immediately, that is all thrown out the window, and I walk in, grab a cart, and begin to slowly stroll down every aisle. I can’t help it! Everything is so organized, so colorful, and so ready to be devoured. The grocery store is truly my Disney World, and I can’t say no.

Sales are usually what get me. Let’s say there’s an item I never buy (and certainly don’t need) that’s on sale where you buy one and get one free. Chances are, I’m going home with two of those. Another thing that ruins me: deciding that my trip to the store is the time to try new things. Oo, vegan hot dogs? Sweet potato crackers? Those sound interesting. Worth a try! Do I need to spend money on either of those items? No, but they entice me into doing so.

Attempting to be healthy is a third part of my life that causes me to break the bank at the supermarket. Do I need $15 almond butter? Do I need to spend $10 on organic strawberries that I will eat in one sitting? Definitely not. I know this now, but when I’m in the store and these foods are staring into my soul, my brain shuts down and my stomach takes over. You know how people tell you to never shop hungry? Well, I guess the joke is on me, because I’m always hungry. Therefore, my taste buds and tummy are responsible for depleting my bank account every time I enter a grocery store.

At this point, I’m probably beginning to sound like a crazy person. You’re probably thinking I need to learn to control myself, and that it isn’t that hard to leave a supermarket without spending your life savings. To that I say, everyone has their vice. Would you question me if I was a shopaholic for clothes? Well, shopping for food is better than shopping for clothes, obviously because you get to go home and eat everything you just bought. It becomes such an addiction because, again obviously, you run out of food and need to get more. Before you know it, you become an expert at finding the savings, trying new things, and whipping up absolutely delicious meals, and you can’t wait to do it again and again. I admit it, I have a problem. Shopping for food is a necessity of life, and it just also happens to be my addiction.