To want to go to Ikea, even though it's dangerous...

[JackBauer]

All I want is a few metres of their fabrics.
That's all.
No funky kitchen gadgets
No cool toys.
No 'little things I never knew I wanted'

The style of fabric I want can only be from Ikea, I very rarely go past on my own (DH less that is) and DD's and I are going to be coming home past Cardiff on Monday. We could stop for lunch which would mean I wouldn't have to rush home to cook.

But how do I stop myself buying everything I see browsing.

it's a problem.

The only way I could manage it would be to leave all bank cards etc behind and just take the actual amount of cash I'd need for the fabric and the lunch.

I would be more worried about getting out.

Last time we got stuck in office furniture and there was just no way out. the kids started to cry, DS1 was hyper-ventilating and in the end I had to slap DH

Take a compass, water and try not to panic.
Be careful out there...

I so sympathise, not once have I managed to get in and out of Ikea without spending less than 50 100 quid. It's just never happened.

Even when you get through the till there's all that yummy food and drink.

you could rush through all the little short cuts, straight to the fabric bit.

wear blinkers.

or just go and enjoy yourself, BUT just before you get to the checkout, stop, have a look in your trolley and have a serious word with yourself, like do i really NEED 48 food bag clips, a bog brush shaped like a dinosaur, a new cafetiere and 3000 napkins??

it never works!!! you plan on spending £50 tops and come away having spent £200-£300 and then look at your purchases at home with a whimper and a broken heart (and possible marriage if you went with a dh)

I like the IKEA survival kit idea.
I could rig up some sort of trail using a ripped up tape measure and leaving pencils pointing my way back out again....

I think it would be a good idea to get food there as we will be going past at half 11ish and ther is another hour to home. So rather than get home with screaming hungry kids I could stop, feed them, adn they coudl nap on the last leg.

Can't take cash only as I dont know how much fabric I want.....

second the serious talking to self, def manages to cut the spend to something more reasonable!!!

Good luck and loving the compass idea!!

Feed children first and tell yourself what a bargain the food is .

Definitely filter the bag just before checkouts. Anything which you will have to hide from justify to DH goes.

Allow yourself and DD's say £3-5 each to spend on something pointless and then police each other?

Enjoy. I love the ikea fabric section. If I can get the lid shut on my chest full of hoarded useful fabric then I might be tempted to stray that way next time I am passing

I have never allowed myself to go into the fabric section but I am doing a thing where you make stuff for someone you dont know as a sort of group swap thing so I want some lovely fabrics for her. PLus I can use the leftovers.

I just allowed myself a quick browse of the fabric section of the website.

WANT

mmmm....Ikea hotdogs.....mmmmm..

Meatballs and cream sauce, lingonberry sauce, Dime bars, Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm!

Can't wait for the Southampton one yto open on 12th Feb!

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I buy those big bags everytime I go in as they are really useful, not for shopping thouhg, 2 are laundry baskets in bedrooms as easy for trasnporting wet/dry/dirty/clean clothers, another is kept in the car to chuck 'bits' in so I can remove them all in a hurry.

But I don't need anything else. The house is majorly cluttered and I am having a party here in 2 weeks so have to declutter as a matter of urgency anyway...

I will not be strong
I will not be strong
I will not be strong

Repeat the mantra

'it'll be going on ebay in 6 moths for 99p'

That's what happened with my coffee table.

NOT moths. Months.

Its the bargain corner that does it for me every time

I have managed to buy leather sofa, wardrobe, baby changing unit from bargain corner I still have them all.

I now feel a need to go to Ikea again they have them here in France nearest one is nearly 2 hours away.........

mmm 99p breakfast - last time I went I had two.

My particular problem is with the plastic toddler plates/beakers/bowls - we must have enough to equip a small nursery by now...

Does anybody buy those cuddly rats? I hate them! My DP thinks it's a laff to throw them at me... shudder!

I thought you were talking about the ruckus at the Edmonton one Definitely dangerous that was.

Mmm Ikea. The Southampton one will only be half an hour away when it opens - really bloody dangerous. The nearest one atm is a good hour and a half so quite a mission. Once the new one opens I could go there just me and DS during the day and DH would never know!!!

Agree that a filter prior the the checkout is essential, I'm always shocked at how much rubbish useful and stylish homeware I've picked up.

We are going on monday, will have tea there and everything! Like you i am well aware of the loathsome dangers involved and against all my might i can already feel myself losing the battle to be frugal.

I fear i will become very weak of the will to be financially sensible in the nursery and toddler bedroom department. Not to mention the wardrobe section. I can see a situation where i make a few loved up purchases. Am 35 weeks preg and very susceptible to hormonal cravings for attractive swedish furniture designed with infants in mind.

And i have wanted one of their kitchens for as long as i can remember so will fantasise heavily in the kitchen section. But fantasy is sadly all this section can be at the mo.

I just know i will buy some food bag clips. I always do. they are SO useful and versitile.

God forbid that ikea ever goes bust. I LOVE LOVE LOVE that store.

tinseltot what are you thinking?!
Its dangerous enough for a normal person, but to go there pregnant is just asking for trouble.

What happened in Edmonton?