Women just can’t pass up a bargain.

We shop the sales.  We shop at outlet malls.  We go to flea markets. We read the ads in newspapers.  We pick up something at WalMart that “looks like it came from Dillards.” And for the true bargain hunters, there’s the resale shops.

I don’t know what it is that I like the most.  Yes, I’m saving money.  Yes, it looks like I’ve spent a bundle on an outfit even though I haven’t.  Heck, I almost feel guilty if I pay full price for anything anymore.  I mean, everything goes on sale eventually.

But the ultimate pay-off is the “compliment”.  We just love it if someone notices when we have that new outfit on.  Only we have to know our little secret about where we got it and how much we paid for it, right?

Wrong.  So, so wrong.

I just can’t seem to keep my big mouth shut.  Let’s say I’ve got on one of my bargains.  It was over a hundred dollars in the mall not long ago, but I got it on sale. 

Somebody comments, “I just LOVE your new outfit, honey!”

Do I smile sweetly and say, “Why, thank you.”?  No, of course not. 

I guess part of me wants to tell them where they can find one, too.  You know, share the good news.  Part of me wants to brag about how resourceful I am.  But a big part of me wants them to know I don’t go around spending the family’s grocery money on expensive clothes.

So, it comes out something like this: “Thank-you-so-much-I-found-this-great-50%-off-sale-it-looks-like-it-costs-a-lot-but-it-was-only-$39.95!”

I get mad at myself.  Why on earth do I shop so hard to look like a million dollars if I tell the first person that comes along that it was a bargain?

I bought a skirt recently at Weiner’s.  It was identical to one I had seen in a high dollar department store.  I mean, identical.  Same brand, everything.  Only it was twenty dollars less.

I was proud of my find.  I should be able wear this skirt with confidence, and no one would ever know it didn’t come from the department store.  I practiced keeping a straight face.  I practiced saying the simple words, “Thank you.”

So when my coworker complimented it when I wore it the next day, what did I say?

“Thanks-I-got-it-at-Weiners.”