Lessons Learned From a Four Month Shopping Strike
Today is the last day of my no shopping strike!! Woo wee!! Yay!! Yippee!!
*jumping up and down*
*2 somersaults*
*1 back flip*
*doing the running man*
[stop. straighten clothes and compose myself]
Ahem…
For those who don’t know, I’ve been on a no shopping strike since early September and good lawd was it hard. Four long months of NO new clothes, shoes, or accessories…oh my! For a person who views shopping as a sport form of entertainment part of her livelihood necessity, not being able to shop is like having no air. Those after Christmas sales were calling my name. Pure torture! Wooo weeee! Lawd, y’all shoulda seen’t me sweatin’! I had the shakes ‘n shyt! LOL!
Side Note: y’all remember Gator from Jungle Fever? [ffwd 2:27] *dancing and singing* “I’ll do it, I’ll do it, you know I’ll do it.” Man, that was me! Funny as hayle!
Anyhoo, for a minute, BabyGirl was a little concerned. She said “ma, what’s the purpose of your shopping strike? you have money, just buy what you want.” And my eyes lit up like she was Gator’s brother giving me $20 to buy a pair of shoes! LMAO! Lawd, I was a mess! LOL But if any of you are wondering, like BabyGirl, “why in the world was she doing that anyway?” – I’ll tell you. It all began because I had too much crap in my closet, but the past few months have taught me three very important lessons:
1. How to Prioritize My Discretionary Spending
If I were able to shop between September and December, I would have spent every extra dollar (excluding bills and savings) on clothes and shoes. However, I was forced to consider other things that turned out to be a better use of my time AND money. For example, instead of shopping, my mother/daughter days with BabyGirl were spent at museums, theaters (live plays, not movies), skating rink, making Christmas gifts, scrapbooking, etc. These monthly activities helped us bond and create new memories that will last a lifetime – not accumulate stuff that will lose its luster in a season.
During my strike, I learned that shopping should be a planned activity, not on a whim or form of entertainment.
2. Delayed Gratification
I know this one is cliche’, but let me explain. At least once a week (or more), I’d see something I wanted to buy. By the end of the next week, my sights were set on new things and I’d forget what the other things were. That should tell you how badly I wanted them, right? Whenever I’d see something I really wanted, I’d write it down or book mark the webpage. Then guess what? A little while later, I’d see it again at a lower price or find something similar, but better! Maaaaaaaaan, do you know how mad I would have been if I bought it at first sight?
During my strike, I learned to apply the theory of delayed gratification: make note of what I want, wait a little while, and if I still want it after the “grazing” period, buy it without remorse.
3. How to Shop in My Own Closet
Unable to buy new goodies, I had to settle for what I already owned. And guess what? I had pieces with the tags still on them! Things I bought months ago but never found the perfect shirt, shoes, scarf, jewelry, etc to wear with it. So there it sat…in my closet like a bench warmer with no game. With inspiration from these fabulous budget conscious fashion bloggers, I began to create ensembles that I never would have thought of on my own. And they turned out fab!
During my strike, I learned to pair unusual pieces for a whole new look.
Those three lessons took months to learn, but they will last a lifetime. Now, many people assume I will go on a shopping spree to make up for lost time. Well I’ve got news for you. There were many things I wanted during the strike, but only a few remain on my wish list:
- Reversible black/brown leather belt (Nine West or Anne Klein)
- Silk scarf with shades of purple
- Black pumps for interviewing
- Two crisp white button downs
- Hat, scarf, and gloves to complement my new coat
These are small and practical. I may get them all at once or only if I find them on sale. But thanks to the four month exercise, my brain is not overloaded with the urge to shop.
*happy dance*
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Single Ma—
thank you thank you thank you for putting the fashion links up there. Of course, i thought i was going to see some stick figures with a little booty but i saw women with shape and familiar sexy biggness… You have opened up a new door for me.
Thanks!
You’re welcome. I’m an equal opportunity fashion addict! LOL [-SM]
OMG you said Gator.. YOU SAID GATOR… I’m done!!! hahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
I have to admit I’ve been learning how to utilize what is in my closet as well. I’ve learned a scarf can go a long way and change the entire look of an outfit!!!!
Now when you get that scarf with purple accents.. send me a picture LOL cause you know I’m in search of one myself!!! I saw a few jewels at Filene’s but errr they were tripping on the price!
oh and congratulations.. because your lessons learned are helpful lessons for us as well!
Wow….a 4 month no shopping ban? I couldn’t even do 2 weeks. I’m going to try, a lot harder b/c I really do have everything I need. And I like your idea of keeping a list of things you want and seeing if you really do want them later.
Congratulations on the successful completion of your challenge.
Happy New Year!
Here’s to peace, prosperity and fabulous financials!
All the best to you and yours in the new year.
Wonderful!!! You’re off the strike now, and I am thinking of going ON strike for 6 months. No clothes or accessories, but luggage and other important things are OK…
Congrats on making it through the strike
I’m going to try a 3 month no eating out/ no new clothing strike … Hopefully it will turn out well
JcPenny’s has some cute hat, scrafs, and gloves sets and on SALE lol
Holy crap – CONGRATS girl!!! that’s an incredible accomplishment, esp for someone who loves shopping so much :) you’ll have to tell us how it feels the first time you pick up something! (i bet it’ll be weird/different/exciting as hell!)
JC penney wants me to shop there–sent me a $10 off certificate.
But I looked at all my clothes and really I’ve got enough to last till 2015 at least.
So I decided to not go shopping, even with the great sales.
The real question is, once we get rid of our shopping addictions, what do we do with our time? That is an interesting question.,
Hi Single Ma,
First off, congratulations on your strike. There is no way in heck I would be able to do that :) I’m sure you had to bear down through a lot of holiday sale temptation.
Second, I am so grateful that you found inspiration in my lil’ ol’ blog! I started my blog as something to do after the kids went to bed. Thank you so much for stopping by. You blog is great also and I’ll be back!!!!
April – The Penny-Pinching Princess
Good work SingleMa! I just decided to go on a “no shopping for 2009″ plan, seeing as I already have plenty of clothes and don’t need any new ones. Nice to hear that someone else was able to go ‘cold turkey’ for 4 whole months…someone who enjoys shopping as much as I do. :-) Wish me luck!
I decided to go on a 6 month “no shopping or eating out” challenge. I have been a clothes hog, for the last 30 years. Believe me I have 4 closets of clothes and over 100 pair of shoes. And every 3 months or so I go thru my closet and give away alot of things. I admit shopping has become my hobby and also my entertainment. But it is not as bad as it seems, I shop mostly in thrift stores and I found some fabulous things. Since I devote so much of my time to shopping, I had to find something to do with that time. So for the next 6 months: More time spent in the gym and home cooked healthy meals (to finally lose that extra 10 lbs), work on projects in my home (painting), spend time learning more about finances. And I also want to find a way to derive income from my thift store hobby (consignment,ebay, maybe a blog or something) I live in Houston TX and I know all the places to find great deals. For example, I have about 20 cashmere tops, I paid less than $4 for each. And tons of designer things.
I decided to go on a 6 month “no shopping or eating out” challenge. I have been a clothes hog, for the last 30 years. Believe me I have 4 closets of clothes and over 100 pair of shoes. And every 3 months or so I go thru my closet and give away alot of things. I admit shopping has become my hobby and also my entertainment. But it is not as bad as it seems, I shop mostly in thrift stores and I found some fabulous things. Since I devote so much of my time to shopping, I had to find something to do with that time. So for the next 6 months: More time spent in the gym and home cooked healthy meals (to finally lose that extra 10 lbs), work on projects in my home (painting), spend time learning more about finances. And I also want to find a way to derive income from my thrift store hobby (consignment,ebay, maybe a blog or something) I live in Houston TX and I know all the places to find great deals. For example, I have about 20 cashmere tops, I paid less than $4 for each. And tons of designer things.