the boston globe had an article on the newest trend in retail therapy that has emerged due to the current state of the economy. the new trend has a name - the ‘returnista’, which is the definition for someone who shops, then stresses out about their purchases, and then returns the unused/unopened items back to the store. some due it out of stress, others guilt, and others just for the thrill of the hunt and their addiction to shopping.

as stated in the article: Unlike “wardrobers” - crooked shoppers who buy with the intention of using their purchases before returning them - returnistas are guilty of nothing more than a bad case of buyer’s remorse. Some have lost jobs and know they shouldn’t be shopping at all, others haven’t seen a decrease in income, but worry they should be saving for an uncertain future. Some feel guilty about spending when others can’t.

as a self-professed shop-aholic, I know that I have bought and returned this year. some out of guilt, and some out of uncertainty - although I also think I have purchased more high-end items due to some of the extreme sales and closures of local businesses and boutiques. I do try and limit re-think purchases when shopping in small boutiques since the return and credit-card fees add up for these family-owned businesses, but with kids in tow, it is so much easier to ‘throw it in the cart’ and decide whether to keep the items later, once you are in the comforts of your own home.

with the global economic crisis and as a modern mama - has your shopping patterns changed? what have you given up or settled for that you may not have done in the past? what is the best bargain you have scored (if any)? or have you not made any changes to your spending habits?! do share!