On Target

Today was the first time I've been to Target since the new year. I had a list of things we needed -- washcloths and a bathmat (to replace holey versions of the same), paint for my son's pinewood derby car, and rubber matting to try to keep our washing machine from "walking". That's what I came for, and that's what I walked out with -- nothing more, nothing less. I even remembered to bring my shopping bags.

Of course, to make sure I stay on track, I brought a list, which, admittedly, as usual, I left in the car. I started bringing shopping lists for Target because there is something about that place … maybe it is the overwhelming distraction of all that STUFF, but without a list, as soon as I walk through those doors I forget what it was I was there to buy (except for the urgent need that got me there in the first place.) Instead, I would get distracted by other things that I thought I needed; not stuff like vases or home decorations or candy -- my mind doesn't usually run that way -- but the latest Stephanie Plum book, or a treat for the kids, or, Wow! I haven't had Count Chocula since I was a kid! Or, hey, we could use another slotted spoon, or another bottle for the seltzer dispenser, or "you know, I could really use that." Those little things (even if discounted) add up, though, and I would consider a trip a success if I got out of there without spending more than $100. And a lot of these things, despite the best intentions, are never or rarely used because I don't have time, or it wasn't as good as I remembered, or the kids are overwhelmed with toys (although I can usually make time to read a Stephanie Plum book.)

So I started making lists to try to keep myself on track. Usually these lists were made as soon as we realized we had an urgent need that required a trip to Target, so they were written under duress ("Is there anything else we need? I know I'm forgetting something.") It was so impromptu that it was not uncommon for my husband to call me en route ("Oh, I just remembered, we need …"), or for us to get there and realize, "Oh, we really could use another slotted spoon." Also, it was so easy to forget the list in the car; I even tried giving my daughter the job of bringing the list, then she would forget it. We would realize that the list was forgotten when we got into the store, but I was always sure I could remember everything on it. So, in other words, back where we started.

This year we started something new. In the spirit of thinking about purchasing an item for a week, we have added a "Christiansburg" shopping list to our refrigerator (Target, Home Depot, Lowes, Petsmart, and the mall are all located in shopping centers in a common area on the edge of Christiansburg.) Instead of going to Christiansburg every time we need something now, we add that item to the list. The binding on the bathmat started coming off (in kind of a big way, actually) -- put it on the list! I noticed that I couldn't find any washcloths in the linen closet, and the ones I could find had holes -- add them to the list!

Once at Target, there were, of course, a number of decisions to make. I could have gone with less expensive washcloths and bathmat, but they would not have lasted as long. Since the driving force behind this experiment was to reduce consumption (not to save money), buying a pack of cheap washcloths for $9 (on sale) would have been cheaper, but they wouldn't have lasted as long (resulting in another trip to Target down the road.) Instead, I bought seven durable washcloths at $4.50 each in hopes that they will last for years, rather than months. Another predicament with the washcloths was that the ones I was replacing have matching towels that are still in good shape. There is no way I could match the towels to new washcloths in the same color, so I went with white -- white goes with everything, and will look sharp in contrast with our dark-colored towels. That said, I doubt any of our guests really care how the washcloths look with our towels.

I did allow myself to splurge a little on the bathmat, though. I could have bought one identical to the one I was replacing for $9.99, but I purchased one I thought would be more durable for $17.99 (down from $19.99); in addition to looking more durable, it is labelled as machine-washable.

All and all, though, I was in and out of Target in ten minutes (and most of that time was spent in line. The total was well under $100 (even with the paintbrushes and paint), so a successful trip any way you look at it.

In this case, however, since the items I am replacing are in bad shape, I don't think I can recycle or donate them. Does anyone have recommendations on places that accept old cotton materials and possibly old bathmats for recycling? Or, better yet, is there something I can use them for?