Can I survive a year without buying clothes?

[MaccaPaccaismyNemesis]

I like shopping, especially pretty day dresses, and I have spent much of 2013 building up a decent amount of clothes after bring pregnant and eating cake changed my shape though I have lost my preg weight now. (Only 2 years later!) .

I was having a look through the other day, and I think I could save a fortune if I made myself not shop for clothes or shoes in 2014. It could help financially to pay back the overdraft etc, and maybe just maybe I could save some money. I can definitely dress well for the year, but will people notice that I'm sporting the same clothes?

Would anyone like to join me in my quest to not shop in 2014?

Last M&S order of underwear is on its way -got some real bargains.

The weather here is horrid ,miserable and rainy so finding it difficult to motivate myself to do anything and sorting out my wardrobes is such a monumental task.

Back at work today, and honestly thought 'I have nothing to wear'. I have acres of clothes! What is wrong with me?!

me too. I have loads too.

Oh my lovely new school trousers are fab- why oh why didn't I buy the two pack???? Resolve slipping! No, must stick to diet and then the other 73 pairs of trousers I have might fit....

Just pulled myself off the Boden website (not that hard as most of their stuff is nuts...) I need (ahem) a little jumper though and sort of thinking I might allow myself that one thing. All my jumpers are thigh length and I'm beginning to realise that they are less than flattering when you are short!

I had kept that Hush jumper from the other day without fessing up but actually sent it back today. They probably won't refund me now bleugh!

Macca well done! Do people in RL know what your quest for the year is?

Don't do it Belize! It's only the 6th of Jan!

Have mentioned it to a few people but not in massive detail. How about you?

Still haven't spent and feel good about that and pretty determined.
Another one back at work here. Spent the weekend dreading it, but it was fine when I got there.
I'm still working on the wardrobe tidy up - it's taking a lot longer than I thought it would, but I'm going to set mini goals eg one shelf / part of a rail an evening.
I'm trying to really cut down on internet use, as that is a major source of my shopping habit. I work very long hours so rarely physically go shopping ( though can do quite a bit of damage on George Street in Edinburgh given a Saturday afternoon).
I'm completely banning myself from the internet before work, and limiting use to less than an hour a day. At weekends I'm going to pre-plan non- shopping related city activities ( cinema, galleries etc) and also aim to get outside more for walks in the countryside up hills and round lochs.

Really, just one little jumper?? Nooooo you are sooo right .

I have told a few close friends that my credit card has gone on holiday but not mentioned my no buying strategy - they will all just snort as know me too well .

I must admit it would be nice to prove them wrong in the nicest possible way.

Belize, I caved early in January last year, then was worse than ever all year. One thing leads to one more thing, then the perfect thing to go with it etc etc. Be strong!

Yes Novel the internet is just far too tempting especially on cold, winter nights such as these.

Determined to self improve, read more, clean, paint and tidy the house rather than shop. I keep telling myself how shallow I am to see if I can shame myself into abstinence .

Ok Novel thank you!!! This thread is so very helpful - wonderful people of MN .

I need to do a big charity shop sort out- shamefully I have been just chucking things at the bottom of the wardrobe that are too small/horrible and ignoring them . Consequently all of the hanging stuff is organised into type etc but the underneath is beyond grim.

Well I've now got 30 days ahead of me where I definitely won't be spending

abroad with work so it's not really will power

Doing really well here. Nothing bought for me at all this year. Went to local retail park yesterday to supervise DC spending their small pots of money and bought DD a new pair of jogging bottoms. The ones she had on are getting too short. Spending on DC is allowed, as long as I dont overcompensate and spend on them rather than me!

Got £7 in my No Spend pot - so doing really well!!

Wore one of my several pairs of jeans today when out for a meal - a little tight on the waist, but with a longer line top it was ok. Stopped me over eating as well!

Well done to every one so far. January could be ok as limited finances after Christmas but equally could be bad as a depressing month anyway! lets have a little positive thought each - why don't we post one positive thing / event we can think of for this year.

I will be wearing all my summer clothes that have not fitted for the past two or three years, as I am nearly 2 stone lighter. My positive thought for this week!

I have been sorting through my remaining unworn items. I found a blouse which is too big at the waist do I've pinned that and I'm going to put darts in it. I asp found a sweater that is too long so I'm going to see if I can turn that up somehow.

I've also gone back to planning Monday to Friday outfits on Sunday night. This morning was so smooth I even had time for a bit of exercise before school run!

Everyone doing really well.
No spends on clothes so far, I haven't been near any shops except food shops. Done lots of (muddy) walking and like you Belize want to freshen up house paint wise , already got paint/brushes etc from last time.
Booked mini break tho got it v. cheap and would rather spend on doing things than buying clothes- much more enjoyable.
I find it easier in winter tbh as just seem to wear jumper/jeans, jumper/leggings, skirt/cardy or jumper/tights except for odd night out. Already have all of that.

Can I join you please? I really need to get my finances under control this year. Internet shopping is my weakness too as I can't get out to the shops. I went through a bad phase of buying TKmaxx handbags last year and am also a bit of a scarfaholic. Worked out I bought eight in the last 6 months . So far this year got teatowels and bedlinen but no clothes purchases. I will try and restrict my buying to what I need, not what I want. At the moment it's easy but when the new spring collections come online that is when it's going to be really tempting!

Well done so far everyone , and welcome to any newcomers. I've just come back from 6 hours shopping with a friend and bought an ironing board cover! I picked up a few things but actually reminded myself out load not to buy anything.

Nothing purchased here yet either. It is going to be tricky.
I think though that if I actually sell any items on eBay, or at local pre-loved clothes shop, I might use the money I make to buy essential clothing items.
If I don't sell anything, then I can't buy anything.

I have a few designer (ish) items that might sell, I never wear them, I will report back & let you know how I get on.

Oh god I nearly shopped just then - almost at checkout!!! Had to click off the site really quickly and come back here - phew thank you for saving me. I was thinking how would I admit to having bought some clothes .

Concentrate Belize on what you really want (holidays!).

Well done everyone for not capitulating!

So far so good, Next and Boden catalogues in the bin after only the briefest flick through. It helps that the spring colours and styles tend to be awful for me. Autumn is another matter, though

Tonight I plan to mend the hem on my black work trousers and see if I can get a bit more wear out of them. I've a few other things to pay for this month and I think it's best I keep away from the sales so hoping to put the purchase off a little longer.

Well done Belize, great willpower!

I nearly did though . Why am I so weak willed? Yes next thing I need to do is cancel those lovely mail order catalogues...

I'm proud of you Belize, it's do easy to go internet shopping. Years ago I'd just avoid the shops but temptation is all around.

Does spending on having someone adjust clothing count? I have two pairs of smart trousers that are too long, but I am no seamstress and wouldn't feel happy doing it myself.