Thursday, November 10, 2011

Let's see what I can do...

Last week, a friend mentioned that her spending was getting out of control. And she wasn't just talking about shopping for clothes and accessories, but also make-up and nail polish and Starbucks and household things that she just didn't need. And to 'reset' her habits, she had decided to begin a year-long no-spend adventure, starting November 1st.

And, well, I was impressed by this. Inspired, even.

You see, I have a job that I like well enough. And working in this job leaves me with some disposable income that I like to spend on useless stuff. But, despite mostly enjoying what I do, I still have it in my head that at some point in the next couple of years, I would like to be a stay-at-home-mom. And to do that, I need to make sure we can make ends meet as a one income household, which we should be able to do, if I can manage to cut out the previously mentioned useless stuff.

So, I'm doing just that.

I'm too scared to commit to the full year that Christina is taking, but I'm going to use these last two months of this year, when my shopping is usually at its worst (I am a 'one for you, one for me' kind of Christmas shopper, sadly...) to see what I'm made of.* I need to see if I can rediscover the line between what I actually need and what I just really, really want, because I know it's there, but I've lost track of it. And then, just maybe, I can officially declare 2012 the year of no-spending.

Wish me luck!

*Also, it should be noted, I'm already failing in my attempts, because I'm making a pre-established exception for Black Friday. We're talking a midnight trip to the outlet mall, and I just don't want to miss it. But other than that? NOTHING!



 Dress: Loft
Cardigan: Banana Republic (outlet)
Boots: DSW
Bracelets: Mango
Earrings: Banana Republic (outlet)

10 comments:

  1. You can do it! I've become so focused that it's getting easier. Like HAHAH! I dont NEED you, diet snapple. I don't know, it works. Your story is very similar to mine, I had that job, some of my own fun money and then I quit to stay home, and, kept spending. While it's not put us in the poorhouse, I'd rahter have a new kitchen and fence my yard and go on vacations. So, for me, it's also about getting my priorities back into line.
    We can do it!

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  2. Good luck! I keep trying to do a shopping ban and I have absolutely NO will power! I know my spending is out of control when I can't think of a darn thing to put on my Christmas list, except an apple cutter, lol!

    Cute sweater and tights. Where did you get the tights? You didn't list them. Heather

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  3. I really like the 2-month plan idea. I might have to do the same. The year-long plan, though...I couldn't do it.

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  4. I really need to sign on to an official plan like this. I haven't worked since we brought our second child home from Africa last September, and I have already had to cut back big time...I agree though that it would have been easier if I had started cutting back before I stopped working. So, I think you're definitely headed in the right direction!
    So glad you posted the pic of the tights--SO cute! I love the dress too:-)

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  5. Such a fun outfit...love the mix of the argyle tights and the striped cardi. I am trying the no shopping for things that are not "needed", we can support each other!

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  6. You can so do this!! I went five months this year without spending a dime on myself. It felt soo good when I finally treated myself. :) Good luck!!

    PS- Cute dress!!

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  7. Hey pretty girl! You look beautiful in these pictures.

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  8. That's awesome, Tara!! You can do it! =) I got off the wagon this weekend and thrifted myself quite a few cute pieces of clothing, but I'm back on until the day after Christmas!

    Of course, you look beautiful!

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  9. great tights! and i think it's really great of you to do that. i really need to stop spending so much too. i'm in love with shoes and i feel like i'm just frivolously spending on those sorts of things. i do mostly stick to clearance and thrift stores, but still. anyway, that's very inspiring. good luck!

    spinning-threads.blogspot.com

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  10. love the patterned tights and boots! good luck on the shopping freeze. i did that after mini-he was born...but i'm really making up for it now, to the point of out-of-control. i seriously have no will power. plus, this year i actually have black friday off. WATCH OUT! lol.

    [oomph.]
    What's the next line? Help write the story!

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