As the holidays were ramping up, so did my shopping. Yes, yes, I know we were all shopping for gifts, but I also got into a bit of a “one for you, one for me” scenario – and I justified it because of the weight loss. Most of my work clothes truly didn’t fit anymore.
But it got a little silly.
I decided last week that I really didn’t need to buy myself anything anymore. In fact, I purchased something online on the 1st (while I was home feeling sick and sorry for myself), and I’ve already repackaged it to return. Sure, the dress is pretty, but I don’t need it.
And frankly, my closet is full.
As I’m working on the garage organization project, I realized that my resolution this year was to be more organized in my closets and cupboards. I’ve kept my closet neat and tidy since I remodeled it, but I truly have clothes in there, that while they might fit, I just don’t wear all that often. It’s time to edit…and I DEFINITELY do not need to be adding to the mess.
One of the beauties of singleness is that a person doesn’t have to justify their spending to anyone! And this is something I enjoy tremendously. But while I pretend to budget, one thing I know for sure is that overruns in the shopping category have got to stop. Especially, if I want to have a more robust savings account! Ergo, the shopping hiatus.
No more clothes for JJ this quarter. Is that realistic, at all???
Encourage me, I need it!
I too am doing a no non-essential spending for 3 month pledge….although I’ve not completely stuck to it but am doing really well…..I was thinking I should blog about what I WOULD have bought if I wasn’t on this challenge! lots of bloggers are doing it this time of year, blog about it, and that will keep you true to it!!
Good luck!
Susanna
agreed! even as a married its hard to not shop or buy little things for myself when I make a little extra $ on the side!
but after the holidays I tend to take a good hard look at my closet and really try and focus on what I’m buying and WHY.
I think you can do it so long as you go through and determine what you like that you must keep and what can be let go of. this way if you find something you love it will be worth buying and not just adding to the closet for the sake of adding!
good luck!
You can do it! I’ve never been an outlandish shopper but it’s pretty easy to justify a new shirt here and there. Last year I challenged myself to only shop at thrift stores (a few exceptions applied) and I was surprised by how much money and time I ended up saving. Now that I’m “free” again, I will definitely be more mindful about my shopping habits.
I’m with ‘ya. I’ve been on a “cash only” system for the past few months to help myself stick to my monthly budget. It definitely makes you think twice about unnecessary purchases. It’s sooooo much easier just to swipe the credit card and not think twice about the price.
One quarter? eazy peazy…just start some weird home improvement project, like scraping paint..you won’t buy anything…