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.