Time vs. Money

This week has been crazy busy for me. I've had to spend more money on things than I've wanted to at times because I didn't have time to go to the shop that I knew had it for less or I didn't have time to shop around. Not being able to shop around has been something I've been having to let go of this year as our time needed for homeschooling has increased and so has time for the kids activities and running around.

Here's the choices I made this week. I had time Friday afternoon to go to Target and look at nightgowns and pajamas for the kids. The Circo nightgowns were $8 and the princess ones were $12, I think. I didn't like any of them. The princess ones felt skimpy to me and there weren't any designs I really liked for the girls. For Eli, the pajamas were $12 or $15 depending on the set. I thought I would go look at Kohl's later.

Yesterday, we went to Payless to look for shoes for all 3 kids. No sale, so the sandals were $15 and there were only plain white in the girls' size (both wear a 10). I did find a pair of shoes for Eli that come on and off easily though for $10 and I was thankful for that. So, then we went on to Kohl's hoping to find what we needed.

And we did...but for a little more. The nightgowns for the girls were really cute. I bought them a Kohl's brand nightgown for $9.30 after discount and 2 Carter's nightgowns that were $12.60 after discount. Eli's shorts pajamas were 2 sets for $13 and 1 3pc for the same price after the discount. So, Eli's were the same price as at Target =) Yay! But, the girls cost a little more for each one. In the end, I knew I didn't have time to run around and that both my husband and I liked these nightgowns--they were cute and would wear well over time for the girls this summer. I thought it was worth the extra few dollars.

Then, I took them over to the shoe department. I don't know what it is about Kohl's and shoes, but it is one of the hardest places for me to find shoes! They are always in disarray and there's rarely the size I'm looking for. I finally found one pair that was the right style for Sami and one for Autumn. Different styles for the first time. They've always had the same in the past, but their feet are just a little different in size and so they need different sized 10s. So funny. Autumn's Sandals were $15.30 after discount--almost the same as Payless. Sami's though were $17 =( I know I could have gotten less expensive sandals at Target, but I liked the soles on these and felt they were the right ones for each of my girls. In the end, I think the amount that I spent more at Kohls' vs. Target and Payless was $16 for everything.

I guess the good thing in all of this is that I don't have to stress next week about trying to fit all of this in or trying to shop around. I know that having to spend a little more means that I will end up spending a little less on other things, but that's okay =)

So, I'm trying to learn to accept this and not feel guilty that I don't have the time to shop around more right now =)