I have attempted a shopping ban a few times over the past few years, and I have failed. I don’t think you can go hog wild on ceasing to shop all together unless you have a reasonable outline of what is allowed and what is not allowed, and you check in monthly for accountability. I am feeling a lot more confident now in my ability to say no to shopping. Part of the reason for my new found confidence is I realize how unimportant having material things are, and I have been practicing gratitude and I have a good understanding that I have some beautiful clothing, books, and stuff in general. I honestly don’t need anything, besides my wee family.
Much of my inspiration came from Cait Flanders formerly known as “blonde on a budget” who paid off $30,000 of debt in two years. Reading her book “The Year of Less” opened my eyes to some of the reasons I used to shop so excessively. I would say five years ago I was definitely an emotional shopper.
Here is her book below and I highly recommend:
I have come a long way over the past five years where I would shop for the sheer joy of shopping and being able to have something new. I wouldn’t even need anything new, and I would just mindlessly buy for the thrill of a deal. You save 100% of your money when you don’t buy something on sale (I believe the Minimalists created this quote not verbatim).
I believe I have everything I could possibly need right now. I was going to allow a new pair of sneakers to be added to the allowance list, but my Mom got me a pair for Christmas. I am getting married June 15, 2019 and I already have my dress, and I do need a few things which I would be happy to borrow if I can, but may just buy if I have to, so these will be going on the allowance list too. So, let’s see what is allowed.
My Christmas gift which I truly needed and will use below:
Allowance List for Shopping:
- Necessities (groceries, feminine products, replacement mascara, replacement moisturizer, replacement hygiene products, cat food/litter)
- Gifts for others
- If it helps the environment & reduces waste (for example, I am planning on buying reusable produce bags so I am not using the one use plastic bags they give out at grocery stores)
- Shoes/sandals for wedding dress
- Cover up shawl for wedding dress
- Might wear a veil for wedding
- Hairdresser appointments
- Second hand shopping for needed items (for example, a picture frame for a painting my friend painted of my two cats)
- Dinner out with friends (no more than once a month; can invite over for dinner too)
- One keep sake from each country Brian and I visit during our honeymoon (October 2019 is what we are aiming for)
Not Allowed:
- Hygiene products unless they are being replaced (including: toothpaste, body wash, soap, moisturizer, make-up, shampoo and et cetera…)
- Clothing (besides items for wedding)
- Books (borrow from library or friends and read the many books sitting on my book shelf which have not been read or completed)
- No more than one dinner out with friends
- No buying lunch no more than twice a month (as I have to be realistic and pay day is turkey dinner day at my cafeteria for a great price!)
At the beginning of each new month I will report my success or lack thereof…. The goal in not spending is to focus on paying down my debt, and using plus appreciating what I already have. I also want to reduce the waste I produce as most of us are aware of the harm plastic is having on the environment, and most especially impacting our oceans and the life within our waters. I believe the luster of shiny and new is becoming dull as we enter 2019. As we strive for more work life balance and simplicity we are understanding how having a lot is more of a burden and tying us down with debt, clutter, chaos and confusion. So, my shopping ban is a little more meaningful to me this year with what I hope to accomplish and my ability to not only improve my life, but the world.
Plan to spend a lot of quality time with these two:
I will update sooner if I fail, otherwise I will be checking in at the end of the month.
Peace and Love,
Rachel
You Know Jacques! 
More power to you in your efforts to cut back and just concentrate on the essentials. I know that a lot of people are attempting to do the same thing this year. Stick to it.
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I loved that book! 👍🏻 And looking forward to hearing how this ban goes for you this year.
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I feel good about 2019! We shall see how I do!
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It’s good to read that you are putting more focus and value in your life. This tends to be theme is to try and add more value to the things I have and do. Too often we try to add more to get value and not the other way around. Too often we are bombarded with responsibilities and stuff that we become paralyzed. It is better to focus on what is important.
“A wealth of information creates a poverty of attention,” Herbert Simon.
I pray that you keep to your plans and reach your goals. I also like the pictures of the cats.
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Thanks Stephen!
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