A "tunicy" top...
"THE" boots...
Well I made it through 10 full days without purchasing anything, and I have to admit it feels pretty. darn. great.Admittedly there were a couple of temptations -- most noteworthy, a super cute (+ super cheap) bathing suit that I was so, so close to buying. (I was 90% through the online check-out and then came to my senses and closed the browser.) Why?? Well, it wasn't because I have amazing will-power… No, it was because of you. I couldn’t very well kick off the great spending hiatus and then be the one to cave after only a few days. So I guess this whole support group thing is working already, no?
Another key to getting through the first “week” was lining up lots of activities to replace shopping. A couple of days into the hiatus, I (sadly) realized that shopping has become a go-to pastime for me. Many Sunday afternoons, Audrey and I head over to Northpark to check out the art and grab a coffee (me) and a giant pink cookie (her, but sometimes me too…) And enivitably, I end up picking up a top or a knick knack from Anthro…(that is when I’m not trying to offload Audrey on some unsuspecting pop star.)
So here are a few of the things I did instead of shopping this week:
- Went to a yoga class
- Made dark chocolate s’mores in front of our fireplace
- Cleaned out my closet
- Got sick – this one was by far my biggest shopping deterrent, as it's hard to shop when you can't even get out of bed.
As promised, here's a list of everyone joining in on the spending hiatus. Now it’s your turn…how are you doing? What was hard? What did you do to get through it? I’ve been poking around and already seen tons of good posts out there!
p.s. – if I missed you on the list below, shoot me a note, and I’ll add you super quick… And on the flip side if you’ve decided you want out, let me know and I’ll take you off the list. (We won’t taunt you… I promise!)
Janssen
Sarah
Miss Aimee
Amy
Rachel
Simone
Cassandra
Jackie
Michelle (I think ;-)
Jenny
Amy T. Sharp
TX Girl
Stephanie
Annady
Johanna
Kristina
Skye
Loop and Lil
Paula
Amanda
Lynne
Jenn
Dora
Cassie
Jackie
Karen
Amanda
Alicia
Kasey
Rita
Aran
Abigail
Nicola
Patricia
Red Frame
Erinn
Cass
Amy
Susan
Jen
October 12
Terri
Beshka
A Girl
Color Me Green
Apartment 20H
Lauren
Sarah H
Sara
Mia
Sarah
Melanie
Mrs. Guilbeau
48 comments:
I've been inspired. Please add me to the list.
The spending hiatus has fostered a better relationship between me and my bank account. That is the only way I know how to describe it. Instead of feeling angry towards it (ok, misplaced anger, it is) I say "Oh, Hello there. You are still full".
I'm glad for the support. It's definitely the group effort that's helping me hold out as well. I posted Friday about making it through a week. I'll probably continue my posts on Fridays. The week at work with the internet temptations is the hardest for me, so if I make it to Fridays, I'm all good.
I don't have a blog, but I'm doing great! Only two purchases besides groceries- flowers for my mother-in-law and an after school program for one of the kids. Thanks for the inspiration!
Do you know the 100th monkey theory? Too long to explain now, but bottom line, over New Years I read an article in British Vogue about a woman who stopped shopping for a year and I decided I need to do that! So please add me to the list... And I'll be checking in for support! So far so good.
Yeah, uh, I'll be not spending at some point in the future. In the meantime, where did you get the Meyer lemon? Is it a dwarf or full size?
red frame -- you're on the list!
mamacita -- it's a dwarf meyer lemon. i got it at a great place in dallas called sunshine minature trees.
Hello,
I would love to take part in this and will need the support. Between moving interstate and studying this year I will need to be watching my pennys.
My name is Cassandra too but feel free to add me as Cass ;-)
Thanks and good luck!!
I am still in, but am going to start 2 weeks late if that's ok. I got a tickets to the Inauguration and to an Inaugural Ball and I just couldn't not go. I bought a dress, and we've been eating out a lot while we've been in dc.
I am going to start thursday when we get home.
omg, goo luck with this! i'd definitely fail!
-Amanda
http://meshandlace.typepad.com
I'll be joining up...but not until February (after my birthday). There's just not reason to commit until then. I told my husband I was going to do it until the end of May. I'm pretty sure he doesn't think I can do it. Proving him wrong is going to be A big motivation. Or I should say making him proud is going to be a big motivation.
it seems like you got a lot done too. i,ve thought about yoga. do you love it?
Hey, I cleaned out my closet too! If you can't shop, do the opposite?
I'll be posting my update tomorrow!
paula -- i do love yoga...i'd highly recommend it. i did "hot" yoga this week...it was pretty intense, but good!
I haven't bought anything other than groceries...yet...I'm adding some things that I'd like to get at some point to a {list}. And I cleaned out my closet too - donated a bunch of stuff and listed some stuff on ebay.
Thanks for the motivation!
jenny / lobotoME
Oh... I don't think you should count the meyer lemon. It is a plant, good for the environment, yields something, etc. etc.
No, don't count it. :)
oh how i would love to have that meyer lemon plant!!! that is like gold to me. and yes, i have been good about my spending (especially considering my wallet was stolen today with all my credit cards in it! yikes!)
Those are some very wonderful pre-hiatus purchases!
good for you my dear! I am so proud of you!
And I am so glad you are feeling better!
xo
Melis
please add me! i actually decided to do the before seeing your post this year, at first it was just going to be a month, and i'm allowing myself to buy necessities (food, toiletries when i run out), and since i run my own business, i can make business related purchases. but nothing else.. nothing that i don't really *need* i kind of caved a bit on my iphone and bought some apps, but that's about it so far!!! it feel so good!! i may decide to do it three months as well :)
so please add me if you can :)
http://blog.enpointephotography.com
I made my official blog announcement this afternoon- and I've reached my official no-spending dilemma. Pretty fast, right? Hoping for some input though (at the link below) :)
Amanda
http://onehappypanda.blogspot.com/2009/01/spending-hiatus.html
Please add me to the list!! We are all thinking the same way-and LOVE the group...enjoy what you have, the people, places and things that you love, and have fun. When and if you do buy something, it will feel a lot more special.
PS. Glad you are feeling better !!
Good for you! You live in shopping Mecca. I miss shopping in Dallas!!! Since moving away 6 years ago, I haven't lived in close proximity to tempting shops. I "went shopping" maybe 5 times in 2008. Most of my shopping is done online and is driven by a specific need. NO FUN! I miss Northpark and Highland Park and Willow Bend... :)
BTW - I for one am really happy you bought those awesome boots!!!!!
Hi! I don't know if I've ever left a comment on your blog before, but I've been reading for a bit. It's one of my feel-good reads. Anyway, I think this curb-the-spending project is great! I'm kind of a turbo-shopper myself... I have a really hard time distinguishing between "wants" and "needs." I did try a "no-buy" a couple of years ago though... mine lasted for only one month, and I allowed myself edible treats like Starbucks, so long as it wasn't every day. I rebounded SO HARD at the end of it though! So, if a perfect stranger can offer some advice, let this be it: don't give yourself license to buy anything and everything once the challenge comes to an end! When I finished my no-buy, I felt like I deserved treats, because I had been so good all month... and I definitely made up for lost time!! It was a very worthwhile experience though, and quite a challenge to undertake! Good luck to you and everyone who's trying this!
Hi, I really want to do this. And I'm really going to need the support. BTW, I just started reading your blog and I absolutely love it.
-megan
I am so inspired! I started thinking if this is something I could do? I know I spend a lot of money on things here and there... new clothes, something for the house, scrapbook supples. My husband I and I want to pay off our credit card debt this year...perhaps something like this could help. OK I got to think about it more...this would be a big challenge!
Sorry, but I'm not on hiatus. Where did you get your boots, brand ? :)
I think what I like the best about this post is the discussion about the other things you can do with your time when you aren't shopping.
Also, a dark chocolate s'more? Count me in!
saraem -- they boots are tory burch...got them on big time sale at neimans.
You're doing great... very inspiring! Yoga in place of shopping is a great idea... now if I can just make it to the gym... :)
oh, i think i should have joined!
your boots are SO GREAT.
i've tried but i don't think i did so well my first week. i unfortunately got a cook book (but, it was at costco, for crying out loud, and it will facilitate less eating out!) and then a book for my son and then i bought a whole bunch of baby shower presents from olive juice's online sale because how can you say no to a union suit with buttons on the bum for a baby?! and presents don't count, right? :) Oh, and we got a jogging/bike trailer stroller. BUT, we totally needed a new one - our old one was unusable - and it was 90% off at REI (seriously. Originally $900, we got it for $158). and biking is good for the environment, :)
No, not so good. But this week, i'm going to be GREAT at this.
Thanks for the encouragement and inspiration Jos. Week 1 went well for us - it helped that on our Friday night out (the once/month allotment we gave ourselves), a friend picked up the tab!!! Maybe the key to this spending hiatus is having rich friends ;-)
wow what a support group of blogging friends! The kids needed new shoes yesterday(really bad) so went to planet play(or whatever that crazy $$$$$$$$ kids place at NP is?!)and got them a pair of van, converse and ed hardy shoes for 12.50 each @40%off!!!! That doesn't count right? I didn't buy anything. But for matt and my anniversary coming up we are breaking it one night! BC he is taking me to Nordstrom to buy me a pair of Joe's or RR jeans, and he is getting another pair too!(instead of a fancy expensive dinner). xoxo
Ah geez, count me in too. This is going to be probably the hardest thing I've ever done as shopping = validation to me. I'm in I'm in I'm in. How long are we doing this for again?
wow!! i LOVE this idea!!! i have already been practicing (hehe) for ONE WHOLE week so i guess i'm joining on your wagon! it helped me to write the definition of the word CONTENT on my wall (it's okay, it's chalk paint) and whenever i feel like i want or need something, i read it and think about how i really don't need anything! kinda cheezy..but it works for me! and my husband is so pleased : ) in addition to cleaning out the closets and spending more time at the gym (both good things!), i've also been re-arranging my rooms like crazy. kind of a fun way to feel like you have something new! i think it's really great you're doing the support thing...we can do it!!!!!!!! ~jen
Red Frame sent me this way, I'd like to get in on the group if that's still possible.
October12 -- it's always possible ;-)
you're added!
could you please add me to this list?? I've tried to do this three times since 01-01-09 and failed every time...I am trying to learn how to window shop.
Can I please be added? I need this! Thanks.
hi i was planning on taking a spending hiatus for the month of february at least, so i'd like to join too!
I posted a couple of days ago that I would like to join and somehow my comment is not there.... STRANGE!
Anyway, please sign me up!
http://apt20h.blogspot.com/
i would love to be added. :) my spending hiatus is more of a "saving hiatus" for a trip i'm taking that involves a h&m (my favorite store, none even close to me).
still, i don't plan to buy clothes for the next five months and i need a support group! ;D
thanks!
i definitely need a support group.
totally in. please add me to the list!
I'd like to join the support group, too!! I just started today & am looking forward to the experience.
:-)
Your posts have inspired me to start up again with my "Things I Didn't Buy" blog (http://thingsididntbuy.tumblr.com/). Warning, though... I can't look at my site - or yours - without wanting to buy more stuff. Anyways, I'd love to be part of the support group!
You are one of my favorite bloggers and I love how sweet you are with your girls! Please add me to the group! As a new mommy myself I need all the help I can get to focus on building my family and not my wardrobe :)
Keep up the good work!
I need to add myself to this. Way too much shopping lately, I need to get back on the wagon of having a budget.
I held out for a month, but now I want in if it is still possible. I have been checking in on a few of the participants and it is so inspiring (and non-condeming when you slip up) that I have decided to give up my spending until tax day...
Oh.. I know I'm late to the game.. I've been trying on my own.. maybe support groups will help! *smile* Add me if possible!
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