THE END IS IN SIGHT!

WOW!  I DID IT!

On June 23, 2012, I went ten months without any personal shopping! Six days to the end!  I knew I could do it, but I can't believe that I did not miss shopping.

I did use two Michael Kors gift cards and still have two left that total $200.  I have a DSW gift card for $250.

Looking back at this experience taught me that boredom is a state of mind and shopping filled that void.  I learned to value the money I make, not just spend it because I can.  I purchased appliances for the house and a much needed new chair.  I paid cash for a cruise, a trip to Italy, a trip to South Carolina, a vacation at Chautauqua Institution, an unexpected really expensive vet bill, four Broadway plays, two weekends in NYC, and finally, for Father's Day, I put $1,000 into Ted's personal checking account. I read seven books and painted two rooms.  I walked the dogs more than I have in the past.  Ted and I spent days together not just nights.  I did not clean more - I will leave that to Ted.

I had planned to purchase a new car this Spring, but since SAAB went out of business, I found it difficult to get rid of a great car.  Then I saw the value piling up of not incurring debt from a car loan.  I decided to drive this car into the ground.

I realized early into this experience that I simply hate doing wash and ironing.  I prefer to wear new.  Wow, that is stupid!  Dah.... dry clean everything!  I began shopping through my dry cleaning and discovering a whole "newly discovered" wardrobe.  I found clothes and shoes I forgot I had;  sorry Cole Haan and Adrienne.

I have a few items to buy for Italy.  I was at Target getting Riley Wilson's meds and killed some time.  Two skirts and three shirts.  Thanks to Jessica and Alexis, I did get some new-to-you items! Again, the old me would be buyng all knew.  But I found that I have most of what I need for the trip.

My total savings, minus all the items listed above is $4, 790.  Note - if Riley had not needed surgery, we would not have found his heart condition until a much later date so that 1,300 was worth it.  And the thousand to Ted is just love.

So now my goal is to come close to two thousand views.  Come on, revisit if you have to!  Six days!  woot!

The first item I will purchase????  UNDERWEAR AND THEN A NEW WALLET.  Word to the wise - never buy a pastel Coach wallet that is not leather.  Every time I pull that damn wallet out I am embarrassed at how dirty it looks.

For all your support, I thank you!  And HAPPY SHOPPING!

KORSLAND! 6,655 FT OF MK!

http://nymag.com/shopping/openings/michael-kors-2012-6/


With less than a month to go - 20 days to be exact - MK has created Korsland!  Floors of purses, clothes, and sunglasses!  Just in time for a little Italy shopping!  I am so excited!  Well, this calls for another lip-smacking pucker up big guy - I mean building - kiss! http://nymag.com/shopping/openings/michael-kors-2012-6/

I am actually shocked I quit shopping for a year.  Probably more shocked than my colleagues and friends.  Equally shocking is I quit smoking five weeks ago... no shopping and no smoking... and no melt down.

I know MK did this expansion to celebrate my success!  So, on June 23rd, I will drive to Chautauqua Institution for a week of family fun... oh yeah, and stalk some AUTHORS!  BUT.... July 1st, I will head on down to MK - and Landbrot biergarten - to celebrate!  The only item I plan to buy - a new wallet;  I so cannot stand the hideous baby blue Coach wallet I have right now.  Oh yeah, I will definitely pick up some underwear that Ted never bought me for Christmas - lol!

CAN I HAVE THAT?!

since I have only two more months to go for a Year of No Personal Shopping - as in school year - I decided to simply ask people if I can have the clothes they are wearing.

First, I told Alexis C. that I really loved her shirt.  She was all smiles since she really does have great taste.  Then I proceeded with "I want that."  she laughed - she always enjoys my warped humor.  Then I demanded, "No, you really have to give me that shirt."  " I think it is a large" in which I replied, "I don't care about size."  Laughing, Alexis found the site to only find an extra small.  Sweat, I thought.... now she has to give me that shirt.  The bell rang and no shirt was left. Bummer.

The next day during lunch we were all talking about the usual - everything has no significance- when I honed in on Addie's sweater - Orange, blood orange!  I aptly interrupted her conversation and said, "I like your sweater.  Can I have it?"  She laughed.  Actually, looking back, she pulled it a bit closer to her body.... hmmm... did Alexis tell her my new no shopping strategy? Shoot!  Rachel just looked at me like I was mad - that is another blog, Rach!

The following day, Alexis came in with some real convo material in which I interrupted her mid sentence and delcared I wanted her dress.  Chelle looked at me with the Chelle look - eyes bigger than her entire body - and then I waited... Alexis agreed I could have her dress!  Actually, i one long word she said"YESYOUCANHAVETHISDRESSIWILLWASHITANDGIVEITTOYOU!"  hmm.. was that just to shut me up and stop me from begging for her clothes so she could tell chelle what she wanted to say?  Time will tell.

I think it is getting around.  Jess gave me two pair of shoes - unfortunately, only one pair fit, but I love them.  I have not spoken to Jess in a few days.... hmmm.... Even my students are running back to my room to grab a forgottn sweater or coat.

For those who think I would take the clothes of my friends' back, it is not cheating nor is it real... I just really liked their clothes and it never hurts to ask!

By the way, when in high school, a friend gave me back all my clothes she had borrowed for my birthday present!  The best part was that I did not realize it until the last shirt was unwrapped - I actually liked that one! 

CRUISING - WITH TWO MONTHS TO GO!

I actually stopped shopping on August 22, 2012;  so like me to be early! 

A Journalism student asked me if I bought anything on the cruise.  NO.  Did your husband buy you anything. NO... well a few drinks, lol, I thought and did not share!  So, you did not buy a single thing on the cruise?  NO. Not a gift for someone? NO. No jewelry?  NO. Wow, she finally exclaimed, after exhausting her training to get the story.

Until this year, every time I ventured on a vacation, I ventured first on a shopping spree! Years ago,  I actually spent so much time in the newly built Target in Alexandria, Virginia, that security was watching me!  I guess they could not believe someone would want to spend four hours there - oh yeah... and actually buy everything in the cart!  So, no, I did not buy a single thing for the cruise or on the cruise.  I actually had six bathing suits, two I did not even realize I owned! I did not need any cute little summer dresses or TB flip flops.

I began packing for the cruise Wednesday night.  I did my usual - throw everything I think I want to take into the suitcase so that the next night I can begin to eliminate items. That seems to work for me;  that and a long list of items TO BE CHECKED OFF. The following night after I finished grading essays, I sat myself down in the middle of bedroom-turned- closet and "unpacked" each item to evaluate its purpose on this cruise.  It is interesting that this is my usual plan of attack, but this time, I realized I really did not need a shopping spree at all.  I actually have more than enough - of everything.  I only took three bathing suits, not six.  I brought only three pants, not five.  I packed eight shirts, not sixteen.  I packed four pair of shorts, not sixteen. 

With only two months to go, this has been cathartic - I still have not worn all my clothes!  I see the worth of my money now. 

FOUR SHORT MONTHS TO GO!

It has been exactly seven months since I quit buying for me.  Quite honestly, I was not sure I would succeed.  But I knew that the impulsive buying and tons of clothes I gave away each year were a signal to stop.  I even had a Dollar yard Sale and sold COACH BAGS FOR A BUCK just to get rid of them!

I have not used a single gift card I have received this year - not one.  I have four to Michael Kors - thanks to my Fashionista friends, a hefty gift card to DSW - as if... I would not run to use it - NOT. Not the Coach gift certificate, not the Nail and Spa gift certificate...none are used.  

I have learned that I am BURNING ALL MY CLOTHES JUNE 26TH.  I am so tired of thinking what to wear.  I have yet to wear  all the clothes I own this year or sink into all my shoes.  K - so I may not burn all of them, but I know that there is certain item or two I like and feel comfortable in and those I will keep.

My students are aware that I am doing this blog.  I teach Journalism and expect them to maintain a blog.  The girls are shocked;  some even mention MK clothes that I have!  The boys are baffled.  First, why would I give up what I love?  Secondly, why would I care what I wore?  I guess both questions deserve deep contemplation.

This love of shopping will hinder my life in retirement when life continues, not ends.  I teach, but I am a woman, a sister, a wife, a friend, a writer, a baker. I will have a great life when I retire that will not require me to correct papers.

As for why I care, I don't.  I do not care what others think or say about my outfits.  I simply hate to do laundry, thus, dry cleaning is my thang.  I hate to wear clothes twice, with is so illogical since I buy classic pieces versus fads.  I simply liked to wear new.  This year I learned that it was just something to do, not something I had to do.  

The most impressive aspect of this blog is that others have cut back on their shopping, some have even started blogging.  It is not "imitation is highest a sign of flattery" -no, it is one person on a journey who touched others along the way. Not many people can say they did this. 

I do miss the Woodbury Commons, but I do not miss the crowds.  I do miss getting what I want when I want it, but I do not miss the buyers' remorse I sometimes felt.  I do miss new, but I love I have purchased new appliances and paid for two major vacations with cash and still have a hefty savings account.  umm... Ted likes that, too.  

In case you are wondering, I am saving all the gift certificates for my Italy vacation, my Chautauqua vacation, and do not forget... my Cruise and Las Vegas vacations!  HAPPY SHOPPING EVERYONE! lol

WORD WITH CLOTHES

Everyone but me is playing WORD with Friends. So I decided to create WORD WITH CLOTHES.

Each day for the next three weeks, I am going to pull a piece of clothing out of my closet and make a wardrobe around it!  The idea came to me tonight - I had no clue what to wear tomorrow since I want to burn all my clothes.Starting tomorrow, I am going to post photos of what I picked and the outfit I put together.  I am trying to push myself to pull colors together that I would not normally wear - I tend to be a monochromatic-kinda-gal.

Prior to this, I have been playing I Spy with clothes.  I see someone with an outfit on and I wear a close replica of it the next day.  I solves  my "I Hate All My Clothes" and "I am feeling fat" days.  I simply wear that outfit I saw on someone - end of issue.

I am in the 6th month of not shopping for me.  I have learned much about my shopping habits, emotions, and issues!  My last post on June 22nd will reveal all that learned as well as the amount of money I saved.





 

BURN, BABY! BURN!

I don't know if it's the winter blues, the three pounds I  gained, or the the 50th birthday I just celebrated, but I AM SO BURNING ALL MY CLOTHES ON JUNE 26TH.  I plan to go to our village hall to inquire about a burning variance in the village.

I just can't stomach looking at them, dry cleaning  - I mean ironing them, honey - washing them, and WEARING THEM.

I know... I have not worn all my pants to date this school year or all my sweaters or all my skirts or all my blouses.  That is how I know  that something is wrong.  Before, I would choose an outfit and get it ready.  NOW, I am like, "Whatever. Who cares.  I am not even ironing this; I'll just throw a sweater over it."

What is really getting to me is that almost all my clothes are my favorite designers!  The very ones I miss! 

I just want new!  I am so Jonzin' for new right now!  But I do not want to shop. 

I have learned that I simply do not like to wear my clothes over and over - which I have not even done.  I just like to have something new to wear.  I don't missing shopping.  I don't miss spending.  I don't miss traffic.

This coming week of school is Regents week - a festive four day testing spree sponsored the NYS Board of Regents.  Thus, I will be in jeans - most likely the same pair each day since I am in this"Who Cares?" kinda mood.  Frankly, my jeans cost more than many outfits!

I think what I have to do is fake it  - pretend I care and love my clothes! Maybe I need to talk to them - "MK!  This is so chic!"  "Calvin!  Ah, I have the perfect necklace for  this suit!" Maybe...

Money put to Good Use

With the New Year, I wanted to replace our appliances. The refrig was old; the dish washer older.  In an attempt to get ready for retirement in 5-6 years, I wanted to update them with energy efficient ones.

This experience allowed me to pay cash.

After stripping coats of paint of the stairs, refinishing them and staining them - yes, Ted had to help with the sanding - we realized we needed a runner since the dogs could not manipulate the newly stained wood floors.

This experience allowed me to pay cash.

I was planning to go away with my girlfriend for Easter break since I hate this cold weather.  Ted got a little jealous and declared we are taking a cruise for Easter!

This experience allowed us to pay cash.

By all accounts, I am a serious bargain shopper, so I don't spend all my money on me.  But in all honesty, I would say "screw it" and just buy and buy.  I know I hit thousands because I know in some sprees I would hit $800 so easily.  And continue shopping.

This experience of no shopping for me has taught me that buying was the joy, owning was the joy, having was the joy.  I would buy new stuff just because I hate to iron!

I love hearing about what people buy.  But I love not having bills for improving my home.