I didn't need anything, I didn't even want anything and like most people, purse strings tend to be a bit tighter at this time of year. But I went anyway.

I came away pretty happy that I didn't contribute too much to the anticipated $7 billion that Australians will spend over the next two weeks (come again? yes $7 billion - something is seriously wrong with the world). But I still spent more than I had intended. Damn, they got me. 

It got me thinking about some basic tips to bear in mind when hitting the shops of the so-called post Christmas sales. This may be some advice to myself in public form....

1) Firstly, a major aspect of Feng Shui is to keep clutter around the house at bay. While something at the big department store may look great on the shelf and is at a fabulouso price - where are you going to store it when it isn't in use? I am very proud of myself for implementing this principle today when looking at the oh-so beautiful platters... once or twice a year I might get the feeling I can't live without a nice big flat square platter, but the rest of the year it is just a big old plate taking up space in my already crowded "platter" cupboard. (NB: I have a platter cupboard because at previous boxing day sales, I haven't been so controlled!)

2) Park a long way from the shops - you'll think more strategically about any purchases that you have to carry for 5 blocks. I carried two kids sheets sets, 4 cereal bowls and a few melamine plates for 2 blocks. The bag was near on breaking and the cereal bowls were only moments away from a life destined for mosaic. (Thumbs down for silly shop assistant putting it all in the bag though).

3) Be aware that the big 30% off sign next to the product is appealing to your left-side brain. It seems generous, amazing and surely never be repeated. But once you get to the register, the machine will do the right-side brain work for you, and the total is likely to come up to more than you anticipated. (This one got me today... I see 30% and I think, well that's nearly 50%, and that's a bargain! I was bitterly disappointed when it came time to hand over my payment)

4) A follow on from above - take husband/boyfriend/father/male friend shopping with you. I know, groan-moan, men are so not fun to shop with, but he will be a handy money-saving device, as men are more right-side brain thinkers than females (hence the reason they are not much fun to shop with). 

5) Is it really a bargain? In my opinion (and please note, my research is only based on years of shopping experience and catalogue browsing), the bargains ain't what they used to be. Firstly, a lot of the discounts I came across today were not exclusive to this time of year. I know that throughout the year, dinnerware will again have 40% off, ditto for intimate apparel. And Christmas trim? Well that was reduced by 50% a week ago! And then there are the items, that as far as I am aware don't even make it to the shelves except for the Boxing Day sales. This indicates to me that they are probably purchased at a bulk rate, with the ultimate intention for it to be put out for Boxing Day sales. Some things are simply there to grab out attention and get us in store.

Well, better go and unpack my limited, but still only slightly justifiable purchases before Mr Right-Brain gets home!

The common recommendation for squeaky orthodics is to shake a bit of talcum powder in your shoes. This is said with such causality from portraitists or fellow orthodic squeakers that it is presumed everyone would have a bottle of talcum powder around the house.

Not me. Despite being amongst the many who love the associative smell of Talcum (aka "Baby") powder, I don't want it in my house. Talc is toxic, carcinogenic and likened to asbestos (due to the tiny fibres that are easily inhaled). Yet, parents continue to douse their baby's bottoms (and unknowingly their lungs and respiratory systems) in the stuff.  Much to my disgust, often my own babies are breathing in the particles when getting changed next to them in swimming pool change rooms.

Original image description from the Deutsche Fotothek

Some cosmetic grade talc products are minus the asbestos like fibres, but these have still been linked to tumours in test animals.

According to the Cancer Prevention Coalition Talc particles have been liked to ovarian and lung cancer.  Talc miners show an higher incidence of lung cancer and respiratory illnesses, while sufferers of ovarian cancer have had particles of talc found on thier ovarian tumours.

Given the way in which talcum powder is generally used and the tiny dust like consistency, the likelihood of inhalation is high. Inhalation is one of the most direct routes of entry into the body. Once into the body the substance is distributed to the organs. After that it may be excreted, stored, detoxified or bound with other cellular components. The aforementioned research indicates that talc is not easily excreted or detoxified by the body and instead is stored, potentially leading to cancerous tumours.

There are also several thousand infants who have died or become seriously ill following accidental inhalation of talcum powder.

The other concern is that talcum powder is most commonly used around the genital area.

As reported by NaturalNews.com women who used talcum powder around their genital area were 40% more likely to develop ovarian cancer. 40 PER CENT MORE LIKELY.

I appreciate that putting some talcum powder in my sneakers, under the innersole is very unlikely to have detrimental affects on my health. However, it I'm struggling with the moral dilemma of handing over cash for a product that is a cancer causing suspect.

So on I squeak, having this internal battle with myself.

Next time I come across a parent using it in a swimming pool change room, I may politely ask if I can shake some in my shoes, before recommending they throw the remainder away.

1) Shoes off! Have a shoes off policy in your house. Shoes pick up a myriad of things from garden pesticides, dusts from building sites, pet dander and dust. According to Dingle & Brown (2002) indoor airborne dust levels may be reduced by up to 50% if shoes are removed in the home.

2) Let the fresh air in. Whenever possible open up windows and doors to let the fresh air in. Fresh air can kill bacteria and release the build up of toxins we have in our homes (particularly new homes that may be energy efficient but are very air tight)

3) Choose chemical free cleaning products. As is prevalent in my previous posts, cleaning products are the source of a large range of chemicals that are under-regulated and may be contributing to acute and chronic health conditions.

4) Choose chemical free cosmetics and personal care products. The only difference  between cleaning products and personal care products is that they have to list the ingredients. They still contain nasty chemicals, it is still a self regulated industry and may be affecting your health.

5) Be a turn off. All electrical appliances emit Electromagnetic Fields (EMF's). EMFs have been linked to some cancers. Limit your time spent in front of electrical appliances, increase your distance from anything electrical and when not in use turn off at the wall, and preferably unplug.

6) Drink filtered water. Water authorities use a large range of chemicals to prevent bacteria from spreading through our water supplies. Water also contains traces of heavy metals from the pipes that are used to deliver it to your tap. It also catches run offs, which often include chemicals, dusts etc from building sites and roadways. Even if you use tank water you are likely to be drinking residue from the roof, which could be anything from animal faeces, animal carcasses, petrochemicals from nearby roads, as well as bacteria. Filter it as much as you can, preferably through a Reverse Osmosis Filter.

7) Find your inner green thumb. I'm not breaking any ground by telling you that fruits and vegetables are sprayed with various pesticides to keep protect them through the various stages of growing, storage, travelling and onto our supermarket or green grocer shelves. Organic is obviously an ideal option, but not always available, or unfortunately, comes at a cost. Plant yourself a vegie patch, with all the goodies that you use regularly and research green ways to keep bugs at bay. Doubles up by giving you some vitamin D time in the sun too!

8) Know your PETs. Check the numbers of the bottom of your plastics. 2,4 & 5 are the safest.  Others (such as PET # 1) may leach carcinogens. Never reuse a # 1 or # 7 package. And avoid heating any plastics in the microwave. 

9) Give the house a good vac. A vacuum cleaner with a turbo head and a HEPA filter will ensure you give your carpets a really good clean each time, getting rid of small particles that get trapped within the carpet fibres.

10) Have a good vent. Check the ventilation in your house. Good ventilation in the wet areas will prevent the build up of mould and other bacteria. Make sure you have an exhaust fan going for showers and baths, and a window open. An exhaust fan above your stove will alleviate potential gas fumes (if using a gas stove) or stop particles from your cooking (oils etc) moving around the house. Test the exhaust fan over your stove top by thinning a tissue down to just one ply. When placed on the exhaust fan it should the tissue should stay in place. If it doesn't your exhaust fan needs a good clean or maintenece check.