No More Shopping
Yesterday was a beautiful day. Although I spent most of the day relaxing, I also felt very productive. I needed that extra day to do…just whatever.
BabyGirl and I spent most of the day cooking, eating, and lounging. While she was selecting her first day of school ensemble, I decided to clean and organize my closet.
Lawd knows, it was long overdue!!
The Purge
After what felt like 2 of the longest hours, ever, I emerged from the rubbish with two 13 gallon trash bags full of clothes and one full of shoes. Not only was my closet disorderly, but it was full of ’stuff’ that I had not worn in YEARS. It’s funny how my style has changed. Some of the crap, I can’t even believe I bought, much less stepped out of the house wearing. BabyGirl was like “wow ma, you’ve changed. thank gawd!” LOL! I took pics (for old times sake), but I’m too embarrassed to show you. LOL!
Old Clothes & Shoes
I separated the bags of clothes between consignment shop contributions and goodwill donations. As for the shoes, some are still fly, just not my style anymore - loafers, closed toe, low heel, plain, brown, black, etc. Many were only worn once or twice, so I’ll allow my family and friends to have first dibs before I donate them.
Clothes to Keep
After the purge, I counted 12 suits that I love. I mean, timeless pieces that I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE. As long as they hold up (and I don’t gain any weight), I could wear them forever. Several others I kept for fill-ins days, better known as bad hair days, aunt flow days, or just don’t feel like being at work days. I’m sure you understand.
Shoes to Keep
I also counted 50 pairs of shoes left over. I got rid of bunch because my closet was getting ridiculous. Shoes were everywhere and the boxes were taking up too much dang space. I found an old over-the-door shoe rack and used it to store the shoes I wear most often. All others were placed in their respective boxes and stacked at the top of the closet. I sorted them based on season, then again based on mood. When I’m feeling fabulous, my shoe game is fiyah! I break out the 3″+ with a tailored suit. On blah days, I stick to lower heeled pumps or maybe even slide-ins. As a woman, I’m an emotional creature, so my shoes must be versatile. I’m sure you understand.
My Promise
After everything was neatly put away, I did a quick scan and realized that I have everything I can possibly need - and more. Therefore, I made a vow to myself and I will also confess it to you. As of today, 2 September 2008, I promise not to buy anymore clothes, shoes, or accessories (for myself) for the rest of this year. Four months and I mean it. No exceptions. I did it before and I’m about to do it again.
*pinky swear*
This is going to be a difficult 4 months, especially during holiday sales, but I say what I mean and I mean what I say. Every time I’m tempted to shop (for myself), I’m going to deposit what I would have spent into my new savings account.
~*~*~*~*~*~Work to achieve, not to acquire.
And always, BE FABULOUS!
This blog is the story of my life...a single mom who worked her way from nothing to financial freedom. Subscribe here and follow the rest of my journey.
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Congrats, isn’t it a great feeling! You may want to look at donating the clothes, shoes, and purses to Dress for Success. It is a wonderful program that helps women re-entering the workforce (or entering !) and gets them suited up for interviews and assists them with a working wardrobe. You can learn more about them and how to donate at http://www.dressforsuccess.org/
I know that the Houston location has a wonderful program, they have seminars 2 times a month for the women that are participating on various topics from money management to buying a home to dealing with stress and they women are part of the program for 2 years and continue to receive clothes during that time so that they can save money and work towards other goals.
Excellent. I am impressed. Frankly, I need to do the same thing and purge some stuff. I am also done with clothes shopping for the rest of the year for myself. I recently bought three new suits (see what you did with that wardrobe post! j/k…I have a conference to attend) and I need to be done. My poor defenseless bank account is crying foul. lol
Have you gone mad? LOL!!!???? For the rest of the YEAR? That’s like me saying I wont buy any hair related products (PJ mode right now) for the rest of the year.
I know the feeling though, and told myself this morning that I need to declutter two closets by week’s end. Who knows what I’ll find in there lol
I know you can do it! I think it was great for you assess how much you actually already have first - it should make it easier for you to remind yourself why you don’t NEED to shop, if (when) you feel tempted to shop.
Congrats on your goal/challenge to yourself.
How about offering a gift card if you don’t make it though(4 months is a long time). Still want to go to Bath and Body !!!!
Good Luck
I bet you feel a whole lot better with a clean closet!! I’m right there with ya on the no-shopping thing - sometimes i’m arranging my closet or dresser and thinking “what the H did I buy this for??”. Although…I did get two $25 visa gift cards for the bday…hmmmm….i do need some new work shoes LOL!
No more shopping!! wow!! You can do it. Write a new post each time you feel the urge to shop.
I love a good decluttering. The result feels so fresh and clean. It’s amazing how much stuff we amass over time. I would have LOVED a photo shoot documenting the decluttered damage.
If you need some “no shopping” inspiration, take a peek at: Just say NO to Crap!
Yay for clean closet!! It’s a headache, isn’t?? lol…I had to do that before moving here…man what a pain in the donkey butt that was @_@. But I sure do love the feeling of being organized and being able to find something in an instant :). Good luck with the no shopping goal! I love your idea of putting the money into a savings account…I think I might do that.
I commend you on tackling your closet. I need to do the same thing, but DREAD the thought. I wish you luck on your commitment not to shop for the rest of the year. I am already salivating at the new fall clothes.
ohhhhhhhh, I need your will power
I am in love with color purple and it happens to be in this fall, so if I run into anything that is purplish it is tough not to give in to the temptation.
Oscare Wilde said that the easiest way to get rid of the temptation is to give in to it, I wonder if he was talking about clothes as well as all the other temptations that life throws our way-like great hair products, tall dark and handsome men in a tailored suit, Godiva chocolates, Starbucks Frappucino, etc, etc, etc……….Oh, yeah, shoes too