Here are lessons I really should have learned by now:

1. It is impossible to “run in” Wal-Mart. Impossible! By definition “run in” means to quickly enter the store, grab the one or two things you intended to by, pay quickly and make a swift exit. If you are able to accomplish this at Wal-mart, you have some super human qualities.

2. Even at a really good price, buying 5 items you did not originally intend on buying  still equals money that you did not intend on spending permanently leaving your bank account.

3. Just because something is on sale, does not magically give you more money to spend on other things. Pretty soon you will have greatly exceeded your intended budget.

4. Some things are great to buy at Wal-Mart. Why by lotion anywhere else? However, furniture is not one of those things. Take it from our oh-but-it’s-such-a-great-deal nursery in a box situation. The changing table broke completely, the dresser is falling apart (held together with duct tape… barely), and the crib was recalled. Lesson learned?

5. A trip to Wal-mart exposes deep “needs” you were doing just fine with out fifteen minutes ago. “I’ve lived my whole life with out one of those, but at $5.84, how could I resist?”

6. A trip to Wal-mart will leave you feeling that you’re being completely ripped off if you go anywhere else.