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?

I have been lurking on this thread, and it has really helped, but have to confess to have fallen off the wagon and bought a down gilet.

Have been wearing my sons one instead of putting the heating on during the day since Autumn - I work from home, but he needs it back to go skiing with his dad. I figured that given I have been wearing a borrowed one since October, that it might be fair enough to get my own. Now am going to try hard not to buy anything else except a saddle for the new horse I got given last year

It's ok, just climb back on the wagon . Feeling very Ghandi like and may even get the tambourine out to help calm the fallers ha ha!!

I have to say I'm stunned that I haven't given in yet I really am. I have never managed this - I'm nearly 50 - it is pathetic but there you go.

This thread is such a massive help - thank you lovely people oh and hello ancientbuchanan .

Hello elastamum too .

Saddles don't count.

Hi everyone, glad we've more people in -support wise, it is really helping.

been decorating most of week so had no time for shopping-

apart from bra that was required, bought with Christmas voucher - although I am still up for this challenge, life is too short to wear tatty unsupportive bras. Yes?

But that's it honest. I know I can do it as last year had 4 £20 spend months and 1 no spend. wont mention the others - it's in the past :)

going cold turkey can be bloody hard-give yourselves time! x

I am going to Marks tomorrow to return something bought before Christmas. There are still reductions about; I probably will won't weaken. What will you lot do to me if I buy something. Be brutal . I do love a bargain, but should love my account balance more.

Pleased about saddles being allowed.

But I have just spent £500 today on glasses though, after my first eye test in years showed me to need both reading glasses and driving glasses

So now have verifocals for work and another pair for the car. Optician said my eyesight was just the right side of legal, but after being hit head on last year by an old chap who had sight problems I decided that I really need a pair of light reactive glasses that stay in the car and without the others I am struggling to do my job, which involves reading a large number of scientific papers

ive just bought new glasses too. expensive and difficult when you are short sighted but u start to get long sighted too.

£500!!!! wow that is hideous - bit like buying tyres for the car, you know you have to but good it hurts the purse!

Bras ok to purchase as long as own brand and cheap ha ha!!!

ohmymini - can you just stick 20 mins on the meter so that you can't browse? or don't take any credit cards etc in with you. They could give you a credit voucher in lieu if the money should have gone back on the card and you could spend it on socks and groceries instead!

God it hurts the purse even, not good obviously!

Hello, finally finished all the washing and ironing. I have so many clothes that they all don't fit into the wardrobe at once

Hello all.

elasta I think thats reasonable as there were extenuating circumstances . The saddle is ok a long as you are not wearing it in some weird way Hope you get used to you r new glasses, the right ones can really give your look an update!

ohmy did you get out bargain free?

trying to picture Belize (who I dont know anyway in RL) sitting around in a sheet with flip flops on!

confession I have been to Birmingham today. I took back an expensive bag and purse that DH got me. I exchanged the bag for a more practical servicable one, the purse and a watch. The latter two were at half price and great sale bargains...thing is I had to put £13 towards the exchange otherwise I would have been given a voucher. Do watches count? I didnt have one. I didnt look at any clothes for myself in any of the shops.

I was pleased with my little excursion as I picked things up for DD in monsoon and debenhams and put them back.

So I'm just wondering what are peoples motivation for doing this. Orginally it was to stop buying things I dont need and to wear my full wardrobe which I spent more money on last year. But now I am motivated to stick within budget as we have a goal. Im being rigid with not eating out, meal planning etc. What's you main motivation if you care to share that is

shopping Ive doen well with laundry Im nearly there it is all pile up and hanging on line and two airers. I dont knnow what I'm going to do with it all.

Thank you for asking ashamed and for those ideas Belize - I zoomed in and out, no wobble!

ashamed - like you, I have an over-stuffed wardrobe. I like clothes and have been profligate in buying stuff because it was lovely, not because I needed it. But I also need to save for home projects, hols and a car, so I am also on a strict budget. Good luck with achieving your goal.

well done ohmy

Hello everyone - not joining as such (although also not shopping since am pregnant anyway) but wanted to say to littlegiraffe re; oil on clothes - cover the oil all over with talc/baby powder, leave overnight and then wash as normal. It really works. (It is also my only housekeeping tip!)

Evening! I very nearly bought a top today for myself. Only in Primark and I liked it, but didnt! Was only £7 but so dont need any more clothes.

My main motivation is to reduce unnecessary spending and I am putting £1 in a jar for every day I do not buy anything. It was payday on Wednesday so glad thatI came through it!

ashamed My main motivation is that I am ashamed of how much I spent last year and dipped into my savings. I can't go on like that. My motivation is to wrest control over my purchases and build up a savings reserve. I often fixate on one thing and then end up buying it just to put a stop to the endless thinking about it! Have been presently thinking about a pink cardigan. Am telling myself I have pink cardigans already, buying it is not going to solve any of my problems and how much I want to restore my finances.

One of the things that is meant you make you happier is to spend money on experiences, not on possessions, and when my finances are healthier that's what I want to do, instead of lusting after some bit of clothing! So I really need to change my mind-set. Am prepared for it being hard work, though. It would be good too if I see a lot less of the nice lady from Hermes delivery as have been getting embarrassed by the frequency of her visits!

I'm joining too I think it's a great idea, I said the same thing to my DH last night about not buying clothes for a while last night. So why not a year! Then found myself looking at jeans on eBay a few hours later - arghhhhhh

I've been selling some of my unwanted clothes (god the money I've spent on clothes is shocking) on eBay after finding 2 pairs of identical jeans from next that don't even fit! Made almost 100 quid off stuff I'd normally give to charity (sorry Red Cross)

This is the longest time that I haven't bought anything! I have stopped going to charity shops so that I am not tempted.

Hi All. It's me, MacaYoniAndCheese. Still no shopping here...this week I tackled my sock and underwear drawers. I got rid of everything horrid and now I can actually close my drawers. Result! I also folded and organized all my tops and sweaters and hung up all my blouses in rainbow-order (nerd) . I donated three old Boden coats to Goodwill and polished, stuffed and packed up all my beloved Frye boots into their original boxes, instead of leaving them standing up in the closet (bad for the leather). Not sure when I'll be able to wear them again so that was a little bit sad ( too snowy here now and will be too hot in the ME).

ashamed you asked about motivation for not shopping upthread. Mine is sort of linked to moving. We started to declutter months ago in preparation and it really brought home the fact that I have all these clothes and that I only wear a handful of them on a regular basis and that led to reflecting on what motivated me to make some of the unsuitable purchases in the first place and all the money I'd spent on said purchases over the years and then guilt over the sheer waste. Also, the fact that that we sort of get to financially 'reset' in terms of no longer having a huge mortgage and thinking about what we'd like to do with the savings (retirement, Uni for kids, travel, smaller/simpler house with fewer belongings). I've been feeling a bit minimalist lately and just, sort of disillusioned with the 'American Dream' of having these giant houses, to store all this 'stuff' that we are supposed to amass and reflecting on the things that truly make me happy and enrich my life. Don't get wrong, I still lurvity luuurve clothes and pretty bags but I now resolve to only buy things that are beautifully made and designed to last when I need them (ie; when I've worn something out).

I often fixate on one thing and then end up buying it just so I can stop thinking about it. 1000x YES to this orchidella. I totally do that so I'm currently trying to fixate on all things financial (frugal and minimalist blogs, checking the progress of my savings account regularly, meal planning, cleaning and tidying etc) and dreaming about future travel plans.

I'm exactly the same in terms of fixating over particular items. It's a complete waste of energy and focus really. I would like to say I've stopped fixating since the spending ban, but I haven't, even though I've stuck to it. Hopefully there will come a point when the cravings subside. (It's really just like an addiction).
I went into the city to go to the hairdressers yesterday and saw a particular silk lk bennett dress in a window at half price in the sale. I also loved a Whistles scarf that , in my mind, would perfectly update my trench for Spring. It never ends....Didn't succumb, but that was actually quite easy because of the state of my current account after Christmas.
The real test will be when I am paid, and I'm seriously considering setting up a transfer to an Issa account of a big chunk in order to make unnecessary spending impossible.
I have a dual motivation for this. Firstly I would like to pay off my mortgage early, to allow more flexibility in terms of early or partial retirement later on. Or if not early retirement, just a better cushion against the curved balls life could potentially throw. I often work 60 hours plus a week in a demanding role. It would be nice to have more choices and freedom in my fifties. Secondly, I don't want to spend the mental space on thinking about new clothes. I want to do more and read more. I want to get outside lots more. I know I will always care about being well- dressed, but I want to get it in balance.

I have decided that I'm in. Bar some cheapie Primark sandals for summer which are usually £4 a pop I think I could do it. I've bought nothing this year so far. I will have to buy for my girls though but I've always been practical on that front

Hi my motivation ashamed is doing more as a family before dcs get too old to want to [ not far off :( ] Have already booked 2 breaks, theatre and holiday.

Also plan on doing lots of cheapy stuff like going over to friends and having them back, days out/games with dcs etc

Also want to spend a bit on house, nothing major just decorate and some new cushions and bits and bobs.

Paying down mortgage which is small and not a major concern will come in third after having a great time with dcs and house, looking nice.

And saving not wasting money. No temptations on clothes this week :)