Bank Account Growing

I have never worn my earnings or have been house poor.  Ted and I  - well, Ted taught me, I should say - do not use a credit card for anything we can't pay for when the bill arrives.  I did that in my younger days.  I worked one summer school session to pay the card off.  I have learned to be wise with my money.  We pay cash for our trips, our home improvements and if Ted had his way, our cars.

I just received my first paycheck from work.  I paid three bills - the cable, the phone, and my car insurance.  I went to the grocer today - a whole other story.  That is it.  My bank account is growing.  As a teacher, I don't get the BIG CHECK AT THE END OF THE YEAR.  I actually save all that money all year long.  So, unlike many who would not know how much they saved by NOT SHOPPING FOR ONE YEAR, I will.  This year, I hope to have thousands more than I usually save.  Stay tuned.

FINDING NEW IN THE OLD

Yesterday, while I was looking for something to wear, I discovered a pair of Privos, a pair of brown boots, and a pair of brown shoes all still in the boxes tucked deep in the back of my closet.  I can honestly say I have no idea when I bought them or why I bought them.  I have two pair of Privos that I love.  Did I buy them simply because they are Privos?  I have three pair of brown boots - too bad they were not black since that is what I am telling myself I NEED. I also have  eight pairs of brown heels. Why did I buy these shoes?

Since the purpose of this journey was well planned, I am amazed that these buys had no purpose or reason attached to them.  I simply must have wanted them whenever I bought them.  This journey has already connected me to the here and now, the emotions I am feeling, and the difference between necessity and desire.  I actually felt guilty and embarrassed as I took  the Privos out of the box.  I don't need them - at all.  The boots are cute, but I have a pair I love.  The brown shoes are just another pair of brown shoes. Lesson learned.

IT IS BETTER TO GIVE THAN RECEIVE -UMMM.... NO

I am not a fan of this sentiment at all.  No, I am not stingy with giving; as a matter of fact, I am quite generous and even down right thoughtful with all the gifts I give.

With Christmas right around the corner -  according to displays in stores - I already have my list and checked it twice, but this year the monetary tally will be sufficiently lower since I will not be picking THINGS UP FOR ME. My Christmas shopping is always completed by Halloween. My presents are wrapped by Thanksgiving and mailed by December 10th. I hate crowds and hate even more not finding a good parking place. 

I always hit the list first to make sure that I have not left anyone out by error.  Then the fun begins;  I circle round each store again, tossing in items just for me.  "This is cute," "This is so me." and "OMG! I have to have that" are favorite utterances that come bellowing out of me, often to a tune of a Christmas Carol.  "It's the most Wonderful Time of the Year" truly rang true to me!

I would rush home to show Ted all the THINGS I bought - as if he cared.  I would try my boots on for him, coats, dresses, pants, and then declare I am now done shopping for Christmas.   All the while I would be belting out Christmas tunes!

This year, I will still have my shopping done by Halloween, my packages and presents will be wrapped by Thanksgiving, and I will meet the deadline to get them shipped out by December 10th.  Hmm... doesn't seem to be so joyous right now.  I probably will still belt out the tunes.  I know.... something will be missing.

The BIG TEST is just around the corner when I have to purchase the gifts for giving and NOT RECEIVING.  It is really gonna suck.  I really like IT IS BETTER TO GIVE TO ME than to simply give. There is the hope that Ted, who hates to shop, will just give me a gift certificate to shop! That won't be cheating since it is a gift for me by him!

STILL HAVE TOO MUCH

Last night I discovered two sweaters - one light grey and the other light pink - in my closet.  I vaguely remember buying them at the The Gap last June and actually bragging about the bargain price.

Today, I gave away the two sweaters I have never worn to a colleague.   I won't miss them - I did not even know I owned them.  I never wear any hue of pink - ever. They were too big for me.  I must have been in that "mindless buying state of mind."

I hesitated only once about sending a message to a colleague to inquire if she wanted them.  I quickly stuck to my resolve to rid myself  of them and she was grateful for the new sweaters.

I am Jonzin' to shop, no doubt about it.  I have been to Target a few times for dog food and cereal - great prices, by the way.  I look at the clothes and continue on my way.  My friend and a dynamite fashionista had on new boots last week and I was in awe.  I actually heard the Angels singing when my eyes made contact with them!  It was heaven on earth.  I hope she wears them a lot this year!  She felt bad telling me she just bought them, along with a new Loubutin purse.

No one should feel bad about shopping.  I am just going to save money this year and wear my clothes more often-  Minus two sweaters I did not know I owned.

FORTUNATELY, UNFORTUNATELY

http://fashionsnightout.com/nightout/Zm5vYzI2NDQ4OA== FORTUNATELY, TONIGHT IS FASHION NIGHT OUT IN NYC. UNFORTUNATELY, TONIGHT IS NO FASHION NIGHT OUT FOR ME.

Just because I won't buy a thing for another 178 days, does not mean I can't look and touch - I just can't pick it up, take it to the register and then take it home.  Take a little tour of the places I would have gone to tonight!

THESE ARE THE DAYS - TO REMEMBER!

This is the first full weekend that I won't be shopping for me.  Normally, I would be heading out the door to grab a Starbucks and then drive to the Commons.  Not today - and not anymore for 182 days.

It has only been four days since I began this journey, but it feels like months.  Uh-oh.  That is not a good sign.  I am taking deep breaths, several, in fact.

Ironically, this no shopping thang has made me a better listener.  Whenever a person is speaking of the purchases they made, I am hanging onto every last detail, salivating!  I guess it is similar to person who loves chocolate - yeah, not me - and they give it up for Lent.   I can't wait to see what people bought this weekend!  If you are a shopper, let me shop vicariously through you!

What did you buy? 

ONLY 185 DAYS TO GO

Today, a colleague was showing us her new purse and I immediately blurted out, "I WANT ONE!" Some habits are just hard to break.


Later, I was speaking to another colleague and I complimented her on her dress.  She then said I was one of the best dressed teachers in the building.  I then told her what I was doing.

She laughed.  And laughed.  And laughed!  Then when I tried to explain to her the logic behind this decision, I was abruptly interrupted with HER LAUGHING.  We ended the conversation with her simply shaking her head - laughing.

THE WANTING TO SHOP is not gone - I mean FNO - FASHION NIGHT OUT is Sept 8.  I am inundated with fashion emails, fashion ads, fashion! My friend mentioned Woodbury Commons, two other colleagues were talking to me about Tangers Outlet, and when I got home, I had a $5 Rewards from DSW.  Sure, I want to shop.  Now while I choose not to, I need to examine why I feel I NEED A NEW ANYTHING, especially since I get such a kick out of picking up my dry cleaning and am THRILLED AT WHAT IS IN MY BUNDLE! Dah - it is all mine that I simple forgot about for  a week.  Umm... another issue... I dry clean all the clothes I wear to work which is 90% of my wardrobe.

I don't know where this will take me on all levels, but I am sure interested to discover it!