Monday, February 8, 2010

the spending hiatus


Joslyn over at Simple Lovely is kicking off her annual spending hiatus again... and this time, I'm joining in! I am really feeling the need to reset my spending habits. When you are planning a wedding sometimes it feels like all you do is write checks (really big, scary checks) and to top it all off... I'm back in school again, sans paycheck.

So here's the deal... no unnecessary purchases for two months. What constitutes unnecessary you ask? Well, it's different for everyone but for me, it means no more popping into Target for toothpaste and leaving with a shopping cart full of bargain footwear. No more stopping by my beloved Anthropologie, just to see what's on sale.

I think it's going to be really great to rediscover what I already have. My mom is a firm believer in "shopping your own closet" and getting creative with what you own. If I am tempted to buy something frivolous, I'm going to write it down in a notebook. At the end of the hiatus I will revisit the list and see if those items I was dying to have are actually well thought out purchases, or just passing fancy.

*I'm so excited to see how this will go... let me know if you are joining in too!

14 comments:

  1. bahaha.

    right now, groceries are being chalked up to "unnecessary."

    but maybe when i'm back to knowing what cash looks like, i'll join you. this sounds like a good plan.

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  2. great idea...best of luck!

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  3. i'll be doing this soon with my hubby. it's such a great idea!

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  4. oh! good luck! Sadly I'm on a graduate school budget so we are scraping by on the bare minimum! I miss the days of popping into anthro to see what is on sale!

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  5. just found your blog through youaremyfave.... LOVE this idea. i'm in! hopefully this will help me shed a few pounds since i won't just happen to drop by target for dove chocolates for two months, lol.

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  6. I decided to give up unnecessary spending for Lent! (I figured that gave me enough time to really get in those things that wouldn't be "necessary" before then . . . one week to go!). I'm with you, honey! I feel like it is going to be kind of lovely.

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  7. such a good idea!! YOU CAN DO IT! I know you can.

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  8. This is awesome. I need to do this. I was actually working out my budgeting because I need to save money! I like the fact that it's only for 2 months. Not the rest of your life. Haha.

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  9. Cheers for you. I saw this on Simple Lovely, but wasn't sure if I wanted to take the step yet. I think I might need to, seeing this twice in one day.

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  10. i think the spending hiatus is a great idea. i've been struggling with spending issues too lately...just the idea of buying too much stuff in an already consumerist world. i'm going to join, but probably in june. i know that sounds hypocritical, but we just moved into a new apartment and we'll have a bunch of stuff to buy (wedding-related) before may. after that, i'm stopping. seriously!

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  11. Brie! We need to push each other to succeed with this... Which brings me to a question... If we have a gift card... that doesn't count, right? Alix thinks it does if you spend a few dollars more than the gift card... (say $2.50??) If using a gift card DOESN'T count... then I'm still kicking rear. If using a gift card DOES count, I suck at life. ;)

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  12. such a great idea. I do the exact same thing- go into target to get toilet paper & somehow come out spending $75. and the anthro sale rack - "just to look"- my weakness!
    good luck!!

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  13. I really should try something like this!! Such a superb idea.

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