Why I love imaginary shopping

I LOVE beautiful things… but if I bought every gorgeous thing I’ve ever found, I’d be bankrupt.

For example, my current obsession is some stunning Marc Jacobs heels, but they’re $500 Australian on sale. Eep! No way they’re going to fit into this year’s clothes budget!

That’s why I love imaginary shopping. It’s free, almost as fun as real shopping, and you can do it in the privacy of your own home any time you want — even when the shops are shut.

Here’s how it works.

When you’re feeling sad about some beautiful thing you can’t afford, imaginary shopping is the answer. Instead of splurging on that one thing you can’t afford, find a whole lot of gorgeous things online, put them in your shopping cart, then look at the total and be really pleased that you’re leaving that money in the bank instead!

Imaginary shopping, step-by-step

Step zero: fall in love with something you can’t have

It’s not really part of the imaginary shopping process, but falling in love with something you can’t have certainly provides motivation to go imaginary shopping.

My latest imaginary shopping trip was sparked by those gorgeous $500 Marc Jacobs shoes I mentioned before. They’re black suede with high wedge heels, a little ankle strap and studs that outline a bow on the toes. Utterly gorgeous, but far too expensive in the department store.

I’ve also checked eBay, bluefly.com and a few other American sites to see if I could find them more cheaply, but unfortunately had no luck this time. The shoes are from three seasons ago so no-one over there bothers selling them any more… and they’re still $500 here!

Step one: Pick a high-end online retailer

The first step in imaginary shopping is to hop on the web site of a high-end retailer and browse the sort of things you’d buy if money was absolutely no object.

Personally, I went to Bluefly — I’d still be a Bargain Queen, even with an unlimited budget — but any online shop with lots of expensive, beautiful things is fine.

Step two: Add to your cart with wild abandon

See something you like? Add it to your cart.

On this imaginary shopping expedition, I filled my cart with:

1. A Marc by Marc Jacobs bag, $197

2. A Tocca jacket, $249

…and since imaginary shopping has no limits in terms of extravagence…

3. A Gucci watch, $600

Step three: Look at the total…

Once you’ve picked your favourite things, take a look at the total.

This time, for three little items, the total is an eye-popping US$1,046. That’s a pretty steep total! Add in international shipping to Australia, tax and insurance and it’s US$1,390, which is almost AU$1,800.

Step four: Think of all the things you’d rather have

Whatever the total is, think of what else you could buy with that money.

For example, AU$1,800 is enough for a cheap airfare to Europe or an all-expenses-paid holiday in New Caledonia. I’d much rather have either of those things than a bag, a watch and a jacket. I’d even prefer to pay my rent for a couple of months than buy them!

Suddenly, I’m happy with my budget-conscious life again… and that’s the whole point of imaginary shopping.