Open Forum

Good morning. It's Friday! Wow, and the week flew by, as usual.

Today I want to talk about shopping.

I am not a big shopper. I don't get thrills from looking for the current trends or going to the mall or looking through fashion magazines. I've just never been that sort of person. LouLou magazine doesn't do anything for me whatsoever.

Today, however, I am on the appliance trail. Now that I find exciting!

My stove deserves to be laid to rest. It's done its duty (and I have put up with it long enough) so I will give it a fitting send off and replace it with a blissfully functional model.

The same for my TV. When I went to buy my existing TV years ago the salesman said, "This is a nice size TV for your bedroom." It wasn't for my bedroom--you can imagine how small it is.

While watching 'Pirates of the Caribbean 3' with my son last weekend I was struck by how inadequate my current TV was for the job. So, it will be replaced with a flat screen job that's both beautiful and functional. I've got to jump into the 2000s sometime, right?

Both of these purchases have been a long time coming. I don't replace things quickly. I think about it, I weigh the pros and cons, I work out the cost, I debate until I suddenly realize waiting any longer would be ridiculous.

So now that I've hit beyond-ridiculous on the ridiculous scale I am off to Brault & Martineau to indulge my appliance appetite.

I love the monthly payments spread over as many years as you'd like. There's no interest (as long as you pay the bill on time every month, which I do) and eventually you own what takes you off the beyond-ridiculous position on the scale. Painless!

So I wish you all a great shopping weekend.

Until Monday, enjoy!