Skip to main content

Conversation #108: The 100 Day Stretch – Retail Detox

If you read my post yesterday, you know that I put myself on a shopping ban.  Well, I was also super behind on blog reading and just happened to read Misty’s post from last week talking about the 100 Day Stretch (see button on the side).  Yes you read that right – 100 Days.  Basically, it means that we are going 100 Days without shopping.  I kind of can’t believe I just said that, but as I said yesterday, it is much needed.  Sometimes I really think God works in the small things.  I need to do this detox, but I wasn’t sure I could do it alone.  Now I don’t have to thanks to Misty!

So how did this all start?  Well, I have always loved shopping, but online shopping was just becoming too much of a hobby.  Also, looking, or should I say hunting, for a good deal became almost a high for me I think.  Anywho, this really kicked into gear a few months ago when I lost weight and needed to replace some clothing.  Well, I got a little crazy and went a little overboard (as described yesterday while I started looking at all the new clothes I haven’t even worn in my closet).

So the last day I officially bought something was Saturday, September 17.  Therefore, day 100 is December 26th.  I’m not sure if I will let myself shop on the day after Christmas or wait one more day, but we’ll cross that bridge when we get there.  For now, this is the start of this journey and we’ll see what happens.

My rules for myself:

I will not buy any clothes, shoes or jewelry.  I hope this stretch will encourage me to work on some of my sewing projects I have half started.  I will not be allowed to buy new patterns or fabric, but I will let myself buy a zipper or some other notion if I NEED one (as in really don’t have one at all) to finish a project.  I even have a wedding to attend in two weeks, but I will wear a dress I already have so as of now I’m not allowing myself any purchase but one: a midi skirt.  That is also only if I find one I love, and I really only plan to look at local thrift stores.  That is all.  The only other thing I have even contemplated buying that does not fall into an above category is a new, slimmer case for my nook, but I think I’ll try to get that on ebay (and only that) if I sell more items.

Okay, those are the rules.  Are you in?  If you want to join, go here and let Misty know!  Check back here each Monday to see how I’m doing.  Next Monday: the basic wardrobe list every woman needs (as seen in Real Simple, May 2011)

Comments

Jennifer said…
Good for you! I have been trying to cut back over the past year since I was mostly shopping for stuff for our wedding. I have recently started letting myself buy things again, but sparingly. I have a budget that I have to stick to. I won't go over it. It is working well for me, and I haven't felt the guilt of buying stuff that I don't need or spending more money than I really could afford. Good luck with this!!!
It sounds like you are off to a great start! Speaking of encouragement to work on sewing projects, that is exactly what I have been doing the last few days. I'm hemming pants that are too long and getting some projects done that I have been putting off. :)

Popular posts from this blog

Conversation #204: My Jesus...

Oh Facebook and social media of all kinds...we have a love hate/relationship.  Lately, these days, I feel it is more hate only because I allow myself to be depressed by things I see.  I recently told someone the other day that I had lost faith in humanity, and then it hit me, that is exactly where I should be.  We are a fallen people in a fallen world, and I should have NO faith in humanity.  Why did that take me 30 years to figure out? So there has been a lot of political/social stuff swirling around, and division among Christians, and I hate it.  Like I said, I have no faith in humanity and realizing that was a good reminder it should ALL be in the Lord.  Even though there are definitely things going on in this world that reject the truth of the Gospel, Jesus, the thing that scares me the most these days is the phrase I alluded to in the title: "my Jesus wouldn't believe this" or "I can't follow a God that would say that" or "I just don't believ...

A Conversation about Absenteeism

Wow!  It has been too long.  I have still kept up on reading everyone’s blogs, but commenting and writing have been out the window for me.  I have thought often about blog topics, and I’ll try to get back on regular posts tomorrow. Basically, the last few weeks have been full of preparing for this past Saturday.  What was this past Saturday, you may ask?  My incredibly intelligent and amazing husband graduated from law school!!!!!!!!!  I can hardly contain my excitement.  I am proud beyond words, and now we just have one last hurdle: the bar exam.  I know the next two and half months will still be full of study, but it still doesn’t squash my excitement of no more late night classes, missed parties, or tension filled finals weeks.  We are done!  I only say “we” because it is definitely a path that affects both the student and family, but trust me, the hubby did ALL the work!  Needless to say though, we had lots of family in town...

Conversation #205: About Me

Hello! I have no idea how often I will escape to this place, but since I recently added this ol' blog address to my Instagram Profile, I thought maybe I should dust her off and welcome any new readers. I have so many thoughts rolling around in my head CONSTANTLY that maybe this would be a good spot again to release them, and keep me from online shopping too much during my lunch break ;)  I hear a faint AMEN from my husband. Anyway, the title of my blog may lead people to make snap judgments about me or my beliefs, which is unfortunate, but also the society we live in at the moment.  First, it created a sort of catchy blog name, and I liked it.  And, yes, I am a conservative, but that label has sooooo many different meanings depending on what media outlet you last listened to so I thought maybe I would use this post to re-introduce myself to old friends and share a bit about how I have grown in the last few years. I am Christian, Jesus Follower, Believer, Daughte...