Feeling Frugal for 2015

[FrugalMcDougal]

I'm planning a clothes/ make-up buying ban for at least the start of 2015 and just buying things when I really need them.

I have a good amount of clothes and accessories and think I could be much more creative in how I wear them instead of going for my old favourites when I'm rushing in the mornings. I want to make the most of what I have.

I'm aiming high and imagining myself planning the next day's outfit the night before.

Anyone interested in supporting each other and sharing outfits?

[FrugalMcDougal]

Today I am wearing a denim dress over a grey long sleeved top with opaques. I am wearing a statement necklace which I normally only wear in summer. All over a year old.

Anyone else?

[trainersandaches]

I'm definitely going to be frugal style-wise in 2015!

Trying to wear 'classics' so no one remembers what I wear haha. Today it's a grey Topshop jumper with jeans and leather ankle boots, with a pearl bracelet and a subtle necklace. With washed and blow dried hair and carefully applied makeup to hopefully step it up a gear!

I do need some basics to help me so I'm going to spend my Christmas money on some good-quality separates - thinking a silk shirt and white top. And some Banana Republic trousers.

[PeachandBlack]

I'm in. No clothes buying for me until March at the earliest. It will be too cold to wear anything vaguely spring like until then and I haven't had a load of wear out of stuff I've bought this autumn so that still seems pretty new.

I've tracked everything I've bought over the last couple of years and how often I wear it and find that stuff I buy too far in advance is usually a mistake. Now, if it hasn't been worn within 28 days it goes back.

I am going to exclude make up from the spending ban though as I don't really buy much of that, just replace things as I run out.

[Petal02]

Count me in too. I'd like to save money, not to mention that I can't fit much more stuff into our house!

The OP mentioned planning her outfits the night before; I've always done this (I think it goes back to mum's insistence that we pack our school bags before going to bed ......), and would definitely recommend it. I find it hard to be imaginative/creative/organised during the morning rush!

[FrugalFashionista]

Great thread - please count me in! I don't need anything new and want to use my money more purposefully. If anything, I'm slowly letting go of things I don't wear much. I've organized my scarf and t-shirt and jeans drawers in the past days and am presently culling shoes. Stylewise, I think I've pretty much found what works for me.

Today's outfit - patched boyfriend jeans, navy leather high-tops, gray cotton tights, a cream ribbed cotton sweater, a men's watch, a slim silver bracelet and a rose quartz silver ring. The jeans were from the end-of-the-year sales and the watch is a birthday present but the rest is from past seasons.

[PeachandBlack]

Hi Frugal, great to see you on here. You were inspirational on the frugal threads a couple of years ago and helped me to completely reassess my clothes shopping habits.

[FrugalMcDougal]

Welcome welcome everyone.

Frugalfashionista your outfit sounds lovely. very similar to my usual style.

I also want to use my money more purposefully! Good phrase.

[LaurieFairyCake]

I am buying absolutely nothing this year (I have replaced some very worn things in the sales)

I WILL throw out half my gardening clothes as I tend to wear them every day and basically look like a mad bag lady

My biggest goal is going to be sorting out in advance 5 days outfits with accessories - I really, really want to do this since I've ironed all my scarves and cleaned 400 pieces of jewellery and put them in a massive cabinet.

[CeeceeBloomingdale]

I'm in, im being very sensible as don't need anything new, going to New York in March do might save myself until then. Realised I was short on jeans last week but had three new pairs in my wardrobe that needed shortening so have had the needle and thread out.

[Lottapianos]

I'm in. I did a self-imposed 3 month make-up buying ban from September to December and it was great - made me use what I already have, I chucked out a few things I really wasn't getting on with, and I saved some money. And then I bought a few things after my birthday in December and really enjoyed spending the money! I plan to do the same in April, to get some nice new Spring colours.

I lay out my outfit every night before work, I highly recommend it, it saves loads of time and hassle in the morning. I also lay out the make up I will be wearing with it

[ChablisLover]

I'm going to try.......

[amigababy]

can I join...? I'm not good at the style section, but in the beauty area this is my 2015 plan..........To actually use what I own. E.g

Body lotion - daily
Various nail polishes - keep my nails varnished
Hair treatment - weekly
Contact lenses (a stockpile of dailies) instead of my glasses
Make up - daily, not just nights out, and maintain during the day rather than forgetting it exists.
Hand cream lots of times daily
etc etc

And light the scented candles round the house!

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

I'm not having a ban because I work hard and sometimes like to buy myself nice things to actually justify working hard, but I don't plan to be spending loads and am as happy to get something in a charity shop as I am new.

My biggest goal is to remember to use lots and lots of handcream, and also to try to paint my nails more often. I like the look of them painted but am too often too lazy to bother.

Today's outfit = black skinnies (M&S jeggings - I highly recommend these and they only cost £22 iirc), grey polo neck jumper (M&S), brown knee high boots (Clarks sale), grey peacoat (Hobbs sale and this is its fourth winter, I think), huge leopard print scarf (H&M), black bobble hat (£1.99 from Home Bargains!).

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

Here are my beautiful new boots though which were my Christmas present to myself. :)

[MyVegasBaby]

After the sales I'd like to refrain from buying any clothes until at least April, I really need to create some work outfits from what I have as part of the plan to be able to succeed.
Not including make up, jewellery or undies as these will be replaced as and when needed. I also think that I can buy these as a treat instead of more clothes!

[dexter73]

Do you not start these 'I'm going to be frugal' threads quite often? Does it work for a couple of weeks and then you think oh bugger it and start buying clothes again?

[FrugalMcDougal]

Laurie - 400 pieces of jewellery - Wow!!

So it seems laying out clothes the night before is a new routine I need to get into. I get a lot of pleasure out of looking as good as I can and I'm going to see this as me time.

So pleased that I'm not alone in my (planned) frugality. We can do it ladies!

[FantaSea]

May I join in too?

I have always put out my work clothes the night before and I also think it goes back to packing my school bag the night before!

I would like to get myself a couple more tops in the sales and then make that do until Spring. My wardrobe for work is very boring - black or navy trousers, smartish top and smartish cardigan which I take off when I start to overheat.

My DD has given me two new Sally Hansen nail polishes for Christmas which will keep me going for ages and my other make-up is fine, I have enough for months

[FrugalFashionista]

FrugalMcDougal thanks, loving how cleverly you styled your denim dress for winter use!

Dexter S&B is full of threads that encourage buying, there should be room for a few that encourage not buying... I struggle with overshopping and need constant reminders not to shop - sales times are particularly difficult. Didn't start this thread but very happy to join

Peach thanks lovely to hear that the frugal threads helped you! They helped me too but shopping for me is a bit like eating - I need to watch it, forever... It's is a process: first awareness, then the whys and hows, then trying to change, and finally maintaining change and staying watchful. What I have already accomplished: stopping purchasing multiples and expensive stuff and items that are too dressy for everyday wear. Before, I often shopped to relieve negative moods or because I felt lonely and trapped at home. This has totally changed... I'm also getting better at delaying gratification: this year, my sales purchases were premeditated. What I still struggle with: inexpensive items, impulse purchases, rewarding myself with shopping.

Total shopping bans do not work for me. What works for me: limiting browsing (b&m and online stores, blogs, Pinterest, fashion magazines, other shopping related sites...) and unsubscribing anything marketing-related. Other things that help: finding alternative stress-relieving strategies, having major saving targets, tracking money spent (Toshl app is good).

Amiga joining you in using up existing products!

About laying out stuff the night before: I find that I never wear items that are buried deep in my wardrobe or stored away. I tend to take out a few items at a time - this way I will automatically grab them when I'm busy.

[FrugalMcDougal]

Hi Dexter I've never done this before (Yikes!) The last few years I have spent more than ever before, due to being post breastfeeding, pregnancy and baby stages, having a bit of a re-style of my old ways and dealing with a serious illness. I have loved every minute of splashing out but I think I have enough stuff now.

I want to divert myself with other activities like Frugalfashionista and avoid buying clothes for reasons other than need if I can.

Frugalfashionista you sound like you have excellent self-awareness. I know I internet shop when I am feeling fed-up, put upon and not listened to on big family decisions but I'm hoping that focusing on pulling together a fabulous outfit for the next day ('packing my school bag') might fill that gap. Which is never filled by a new frock anyway.

[FrugalMcDougal]

FantaSea MyVegas welcome to you and everyone else

[Paperblank]

I have done this by default really. I get given so much in the way of nice smellies that I don't need to buy any for most of the year.

I've got a ton of make up so this year I'm only intending to replace my mascara when it's past it's best; the rest will only be replenished when it's gone.

[dexter73]

I was confusing the op with you FrugalFashionista! I have no problem at all with encouraging not shopping, it is just that I seem to remember that you have had these threads before and wondered whether the frugal approach ever worked long term or not for you.

[FantaSea]

I think it is tempting to think 'oh I need something new, as everyone has seen me in all of these things already' but I think that if you are smart and tidy looking, no-one really notices the individual items you are wearing. I work in a school and the staff are, on the whole, very smart and business-like in their clothes. I can honestly say though, that unless someone is wearing something either really colourful or really short, I don't even remember that evening what they were wearing that day!

[PeachandBlack]

dexter, I'm sure FF will give her own perspective but I posted quite regularly on the previous frugal threads and found them really helpful.

They helped me to spot what my buying weaknesses were, I used to buy things that were far too smart for my day to day life instead of anything practical. Which made me think I had nothing to wear so I would go shopping and buy stuff I liked that was too smart for my everyday life! I've now managed to break that cycle.

I also track what I buy, how much I spend, and how often I wear it. I'm not saying I'm completely frugal but I make better choices now.