A friend introduced me to a skincare line in 2018. I had just migrated to North America and my previous skincare was not very appropriate for the new climate. I touched a bit on the skincare line below.

Anyway, this new skincare was appropriate for sensitive and dry skin and completely won my heart. The company had many products, but I stuck to a few essentials. Typically, on my trip back to West Africa, I brought them home. My intention was to minimize expenditure on skincare and to give out excesses as gifts. I would only spend money if I had to.

Now, this company's supply chain in Nigeria differed from that in North America. Product policies were also different. Specifically, credit sales did not happen at their Nigerian stores. So you either had the money to shop or you did not.

In addition, there's a global standard of prices for all products. The Nigerian market had derived the selling prices from the black market rates, so these products were much more expensive.

This major expense was a deterrent. If I needed to shop but further minimize costs, I hardly ordered online. Anytime I found myself in the store's vicinity, I would use that opportunity and buy up whatever I needed. I needed to balance that against the fact that I find shopping therapeutic.

So one day, I needed to take advantage of the proximity to their shop and my dear friend says to me: "You know you will empty your bank account if you get to that store." I look at her and know she's on point.

I do a review in my head: What exactly am I buying? Do I really need it? Don't I have substitutes at home? The money in my account is for the essentials of life. With these, I convince myself not to go to the store unless it is absolutely necessary. I also do stock-taking when I get home.

It's good to have sensible friends. On my own, I would have more than likely gone on autopilot to shop for those products. The reality, however, was I could not afford to. I still had skincare products at home. Even if they run out, there are effective and cheaper alternatives in other stores. Thank God someone helped me face reality.