The biggest game for football fans will be here soon. There will be parties and food – lots of food. People are choosing the team to root for.

Me? I’m not a fan.

I don’t understand the lure of sports. But Dr. Caroline Leaf explained it in a way I could understand.

“Ladies, just watch how your gent loves watching sports – just because he enjoys it doesn’t mean he’s avoiding you or being lazy. Sports stimulate the male brain like shopping stimulates the female brain. Men are fascinated with estimating distance, angles, speed, and direction. It relaxes and challenges their mind and de-stresses them.” “Who Switched off Your Brain? solving the mystery of he said/she said” by Dr. Caroline Leaf

Now shopping I do understand! There’s the hunt for the item you need and the joy of finding a treasure on clearance.

I remember, after an 8-hour basketball tournament, asking David if I would get equal time shopping. Nope, I got fifteen minutes in one store.

David did all the shopping during the three years I was completely housebound. When the restriction was loosened, I went right to Wal-Mart. I spent two hours and $300.00. Then I spent another hour and another $100.00 at HyVee!

“What happened?”

I bought everything on my list over the previous three years that he couldn’t find. I didn’t know when I would be able to shop next. So, I bought everything I thought I would need over the next three years!

David decided he would continue being our primary shopper! I give him a list and he brings home most of it. (We have a smaller Wal-Mart and they don’t carry all the items the larger ones do.)

When he can’t find an item, he’ll call to ask for a different department to check. If I can’t decide based on a description, he will text me pictures of the two options.

During the last decade, since I stepped down from my job, I learned the difference between a need, a want, and a desire. I also learned to do without!

Last weekend, we went to “Stuff’s Half-Price Sale.” Bargains galore! And I bought –

NOTHING!

We went to Goodwill and I paid $5.88 for a pair for $100.00 jeans. We went through several stores in the mall and I bought – 2 items for my granddaughter.

So, gentlemen, when it comes to shopping, send your wife often – just leave the credit and debit cards at home. Shopping with cash keeps our priorities in order. If she knows she will be back next week, she can make a mental note to pick it up then.

When our children were little, I looked forward to Thursday nights. After dinner, David bonded with his children (wrestling on the floor) and I went shopping. I would spend 2 – 3 hours wandering the aisles at Wal-Mart and buying groceries. My budget was $50.00 total! I needed the time to find the best deals for our family of five.

The next time you cheer for a touchdown, remember that is how your wife feels when she finds an item for which she has searched for months. (Score!)

Gentlemen, is your wife wound up, can’t think straight, and totally stressed out? Give her some cash for a little retail therapy and go wrestle with the kids.

Ladies, be honest with yourself. If you can walk through a mall without buying anything, then take your credit or debit card. If you can’t, or have an unpaid balance on your credit card, stick to cash.

Luke 21:34, “But be on your guard. Don’t let the sharp edge of your expectation get dulled by parties and drinking and shopping.” The Message

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