This weekend Kim & I took a little road trip to Delaware to Total Wine & More, a mega-store filled with wine, beer, and spirits. Since we live in Pennsylvania, one major sucky (technical term) state when it comes to being able to buy and enjoy niche wine from across the globe, we tend to travel Wineelsewhere to find selection and value. (If you want to read more on the sucky wine shipping laws you can check out the PA Liquor and Control Board version which basically means you can’t use the Internet or even visit wineries in person and get wine shipped to your residence. More up to date information can be found on the Wine Direct Shipping Compliance blog.)

I went on this trip with a mission. I had recently gotten an unexpected several hundred dollar job bonus and decided I was spending it on plain, unadulterated enjoyment of buying some wine for our stash. I was going with a general outline of what varietals I wanted and what range I was willing to spend per bottle. I was also going to partake in their small wine tasting in the center of the store. We love wine and really enjoy having different producers, countries, grape styles, and price ranges on hand for our wide range of culinary whims. So, this trip was really a luxury and treat.

To give you an idea of this store, it is huge. Think mega-grocery store size huge with individual aisles dedicated to one country of wine or one type of liquor. There is a lot to choose from and the prices are outstanding. Add to that the fact that there is no sales tax in Delaware and you’re sitting pretty.

I know when I head to the store it is a big purchase, but over time it pays off. For instance, I can buy a large bottle of gin for the same price as a bottle half its size in a PA liquor store. So, once or twice a year, we’ll drive down here, run up a big tab, and then be set for the next 6-12 months of entertaining and just plain chilling out. So, I’m not surprised by a full cart and a big cha-ching at the checkout.

However, this was the first time I visited the store on a Saturday. I was in utter awe at the number of people in the store and the heft of people’s cart(s) (yes, that is plural, multiple carts filled sky high with top shelf liquor).

I know the US will become the world’s leading wine consumer by 2010 . And Market Wire’s fact of “Total global spirit sales reached $170 billion in 2005” means this whole market is no small chunk of change. Yet, on this one Saturday in March which didn’t border on any holidays, summer picnic fest, or major sporting event, my eyes glazed over trying to do the math of how much money was passing through the registers. In the short time I stood in line, I saw 4 people with total sales of over $500. That was in a matter of not even 5 minutes and the lines were 4-5 people deep with maybe 10 cash registers open. So, you do the math.

I wondered how many people were actually conscious of what they were spending. Had they come in with an intention, a list, and a budget? Or, were they impulse buying left and right? It definitely reminded me of the need to keep unconscious spending in check. Know your weak spots (mine are wine, candles, outdoor gear, books, dining) and put controls in place to keep your spending on track and within budget. Once you have that in place, stay alert, awake, and have a good time enjoying your “fun money”.