Just 11 Things - A Personal Story
To elaborate, I watched one (or three) too many episodes of Oprah's Diet Diet series on re-run this summer and it made me ill.* Right now I have no personal debt, I only have an Amex for work. Achieving this state was not just a financial win for me but a mental one; it is VERY hard to make the shift to what's-in-the-bank-only spending. But trouble is, once you make that change you can still, in theory, spend every cent in your bank account, which obviously isn't that smart or forward-thinking.
For whatever reason I just decided about 20 days ago to not spend a red cent all month on anything but food, transportation and essentials (like, I needed Tylenol, normal-priced shampoo, etc.). Importantly, this wasn't based on my finances - I actually really wanted to try to do this when I was feeling quite "flush." (It's all relative ... ). I didn't want my spending to feel restricted by means - only by will.
All my life I've been that person who could smoke and then quit with no problem, party it up or not drink at all just because I didn't feel like it, etc. It didn't really matter what the "vice" was, I could swing from mild excess to monkishness pretty effortlessly. [more after the jump...]
Image credits (left to right from top): Vanessa Jackman, NAST, ALL REMAINING: Stockholm Street Style
CONTINUED > But I have to say, I have always REALLY loved shopping. I definitely look back at a lot of the junk I've purchased and ask myself why I ever spent that $12 or $60 or $220 bucks. You know? There was a period where I gave my friends clothes all the time because I was "done" with them. I mean, that's nice and all but ???
So, if I'm so proud of my ability to indulge in all that life has to offer without crossing the line, shouldn't I technically be able to just stop shopping all together? Shouldn't I really be able to only buy what I absolutely positively cannot survive without? Maybe not forever, but just for a while?
Well, 20 days into I can tell you it has been an interesting ride. Essentially, I have not bought one thing - not a $5 tank top on sale, not a barette, nary an eyeshadow. I made only one error, which was a totally unconscious purchase of an Aveda hair product from my stylist which actually didn't even work for me and I had to give it away. I spent the first two weeks just observing my urges - and they were definitely intense. I stood in front of a [albiet really nice and useful] black ruffled sleeveless top for $19.99 at Daffy's for like 10 minutes. It was like trying not to touch the love of your life or something - it was surprisingly emotional, now that I was aware of my urges. But then I got 'into the zone" or whatever they say in endurance sports ... now it's easy. I realize how dumb spending can be, how pointless, and ultimately how unfulfilling it is most of the time.**
I highly recommend trying this for 30 days! Let me know how it goes!
- If you're into the capsule wardrobe idea, I hope you're inspired by the above and definitely read this article in the NY Times!
- If you're a blogger (or just really into fashion) here are two great pieces from Ashe Mischief and Gala Darling (three part series) on the subject.
- If you have debt problems, go to the mountain and see Oprah. And try this group.
XO HTN
* Don't worry, this blog is still about fashion finds people! Smart spending is all about balance - not total sacrifice.
**Talk to me in the lead up to Fashion Week - trust me, there will be shopping.
Saturday, July 24, 2010 at 11:54AM
Reader Comments (14)
I love your blog!
you have such a good insight on fashion.
how do you make such lovely collages?
always;L
i am on a similar spending freeze - though for new things only - after having totally outdone (or un-done) myself with some massive outnet and gilt purchases that left me with literally half a closet full of unworn clothes that don't even fit (so i will NEVER wear them, i was just too lazy/busy/thinking-i-would-wear-them to return them). so it's nice to know we are on the same wavelength!
I'm that person too! I mean I've never smoked, but I'll just be like "welllll drinking was fun, but now it's not, so whatever."
I'm involved in a major spending spree right now, (do you like how passive that was? like they just, happen to me...?) but I think this may be enough motivation to end it.
<3
~Truett
I love how candid you are in this! I can definitely relate to some of the feelings and moods you've experienced, and am eager to see how this turns out for you...
i love that sheer tank.
I if you dont want to spend your money, dont go to shopping centers and places like that. It works. Belive me!
Weekly style. Love it. :)
xx fashion chalet
I've already put myself on a spending frost (I prefer frost because it's less black-and-white haha) and I've felt better these past few weeks. Plus, I find the more I work and stay busy, the less time Ihave to impulse buy!
first.. i love the image you made up top! those are some of my fave style icons, especially lucy :) second, i know exactly what you mean about just feeling like you need a shopping cleanse. i do that too sometimes! i often dont last the full month, though, so good luck :) my desire to do it is usually to figure out how to stop buying junk i kinda like and how to start buying only nicer things i really love. its hard!
CLOTHESURE
well done! I've been trying to be "better" about buying things so often. I'm on an online shopping and I'm going to try not to buy any clothing until my trip to England in mid-Sept. yikes!
*online shopping diet*
I read that NY Times article too! I'm very tempted to try it out for myself. My wardrobe is huge and yet I always feel like I have nothing to wear. Half the reason is just that I can't ever see my clothes because there are too many of them! I really want to pare down for a bit, without the commitment of throwing them out, to see if I can convince myself to make the pare down permanent. I'd love to see pictures of some of your outfits from the last 20 days! I'll be using your list as a reference for my own, haha. :)
Robyn
Can't I just be on a cheap crap spending freeze. I have really purged my closet and have promised myself only to buy things that are not trendy, are of high quality, and match 3 other things in my closet. I really have stopped shopping because of it. Well, for new items anyway. With vintage, you buy when you can!
Wow, I JUST found this article, but I'm so glad I did! I love how you talk about the emotional urges attached to not buying, the aches and the feeling of seeing the love of your life & not being able to touch it. It's amazing how intense the desire to shop is.... and how hard it is to give up!