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?

The only clothes I've bought so far this month us cardigans and tights for my dd. Although I did have a close shave on eBay the other day!

Just polished my boots for the first time in ages- just need to get them reheeled and they'll be like new. Maybe if I look after my shoes they'll last for more than one year??

Thanks for sharing your motivations for your NSDC (No spending days on clothes)

orchid yes too many clothes here especially for DD. The guilt of owning items and not wearing or only wearing once or twice. It will be good not to feel that way.

welcome blue dog

maca hi, I can relate to all of that. Our house is too small. The only way we can get out is to pay off some stuff and save. I'm glad it is not me that just thinks about the 'stuff'. Apparentyl this is one of the things we like about Downton so much as life was simpler. I think the diposable fashion boat sailed for too, Ive got to an age where I find myself being more patient and investing in an overall style with better quality items rather than bang on trends. I am quite fixated on finances at the moments and feel really well motivated, pleased with start to the new year.

I dont tend to fixate on exactly one thing, but this winter it has been boots - I got it wrong last winter so I went a bit mad this winter and bought 5 pairs of boots, this was in addition to the three pairs (in good condition) from last winter. I bought three new winter coats to match the boots. Then in the sales (before this thread) I bought leather gloves and bags to go with the smart ones - I dont even work mmost days I just do school run fgs Three dresses - I only had two nights out booked! So I guess after that confession it is also to readdress the excesses.

fox now are you me? I love to be able to take the DC's places. I feel privelged to be able to do so as we never went anywhere growng up except the park on our own when old enough. I'm waiting a few months and hope to be able to get some Charlie and Choc factory tickets. I've reisisted booking The Gruffaloe and Horrible histories - both on in birmingham soon.

I went to town yesterday - I went in Laura Ashley, Jones and Clarks - all three shops had items in I would have whipped my card out quickly for I was very very tempted so this is what i did:

In Laura ashely I went to look at the big ticket furniture (not items I particularly covet but do like their sofas) to re mind myslef I will not be able to buy the big things if I spend on small no needed things.

Again I looked at an expensive watch I really really like in Ernest Jones - my boots alone would have covered the cost of it.

Then I went to costa and thought about what was in my wardrobe, where would I have worn them - not needed.

Then I felt really stupid as I have no cash and I have cut up cards anyway (just) I felt relieved actually - if there are no mens to by then you dont need to have the internal dialogues with your self!

sorry for epic post

hi all
ashamed - I love boots too (too much) and the theatre I booked was Matilda -was between that and Charlie -very close. but dd had final decision.
I'm so excited about all the things we will be doing and if I'd have carried on spending like before I just wouldn't have been able to afford it all.

I still look presentable I mean I'm not in rags or anything. but will my kids remember their childhood as me wearing this or that clobber?- I think not. but hopefully they'll remember the holidays /days out etc.

:) to cutting up the cards and all those lovely things you bought will last you ages anyway.

why are there so many emotions attached to shopping now? guilt, feeling stupid, selfishness, excitement. etc I'm sure my mum never experienced any of them! If she needed something she bought it, end of.

brennan and novel - it's good to know I'm not alone with the fixating thing. Sounds like you're doing v well fixating on the saving plans instead, brennan.

Novel I'm hoping too that the cravings will subside and that while they are still going on, just sitting through them, experiencing them but not succumbing will change my usual routine and behaviour pattern in time. I had a bad craving yesterday morning for a bit then forgot about it for the rest of the day!!

Ashamed well done on your 'non shopping trip' and cutting up the cards. It's good to remind yourself of your goals by going to look at them, like the Laura Ashley furniture. I know what you mean about feeling the relief you don't have to buy something. I was getting that at the end of my splurges last year if the thing I wanted wasn't right and I could send it back.

A quick question..
I'm terrified to cut my cards up in case I need it for fuel or emergencies - or am I just kidding myself into keeping it?

I'm terrible for fixating on things... But I've found that I enjoy all the looking and surfing the net or shops to find the 'exact' thing I'm looking for. So I tend to do all if this (but leaving my card in a safe place) and then not buy it.

I can waste hours on the net searching for 'just the right' pair of boots. So I don't deny myself that part.

I've recently sold a load of stuff on eBay, it took ages to advertise and box up and post. I made about 200 quid. Then it suddenly dawned on me that I'd happily pay all that for one pair of, impulse buy, boots

Hi bluedog someone suggested freezing your credit cards, so if you really needed it you could get it back.
Boots seem to be very addictive don't they?

bluedog you can always get a replacement card if say your washing machine's had it or you have car repairs.

As someone else said on another thread - put your big pebbles in the pot first. I loved this way of thinking so to this end I have five mini break/short holidays booked for this year (all moderate to budget in UK but still something to look forward to). I have a detailed spreadsheet that shows how I am paying off huge chunks of a card before the interest free period ends in may - everything else has to fall into line i.e. the smaller pebbles.

My biggest savings this month so far have been no more sale (I would normally have done so much more) meal planning and no coffees out. I have simply stayed in during the week, no more £10 costa's.

Sisukas very interesting reading about how you source your clothes and the ethics behind such purchases. I never experimented that much but did a bit of a grungey type look. I feel the clothes I buy now work for me beter than previoius years...it still comes back to weight loss if I'm honest.

Since first post I have done a bit of snooping on ebay about selling these dresses. Ive ruined a wash with a blue crayon and chucked out a huge knot of dress jewellery sitting in my top drawer like a big ball of metal and bead mess.

I like the idea of freezing the card. Maybe I'll wrap it in that much parcel tape I can't get into it!

Still no purchases here .

I did find myself in the clothes section in Sainsburys so I got out before I got ducked in to buying t shirts (why do I always feel I need t shirts???).

Yoga trousers have been turned up and are gorgeous. New jeans also found in the sewing pile have been turned up.

I also found a pair of black boots in the back of my wardrobe which I don't recall buying at all. Oops!

I have also started C25k in an effort to fit into lots of lovely clothes that no longer fit me.

I have recycled the Boden catalogue without even opening it .

I'm watching spending in other areas too but it looks like I've saved £400 this month

I have not bought anything so far.

Unlike most of you I do not have a lot of clothes, especially casual wear for the school run. However I am on ML and my salary will reduce. I need to save all excess money to cover the shortfall.

I have one flat pair of boots from New Look which are not great for walking as they are non leather. I tend to wear my pumps with jeans and am getting bored.

I have three everyday coats from 2011/12.

Town again today Laura Ashley is killing me softly with a coral bag.

No purchases.

I have took a bag of crap to charity shop

My skinny, high waisted, jeans I was watching on eBay have finished without me bidding wahhhhh!!

Bluedog- I bet the money in your account looks better than the jeans?!

I've paid off a catalogue and am contemplating closing it. What if I need it? Why am I so dependent on credit when if I wasn't paying them off I'd have the money anyway?

Ive paid my next account off. I am going to close it. One minute its £300, next thing your know it is sale time and over £1000 Just do it shoppingismy

NEXT is a nightmare, far too easy to click a button and spend money. I'll be NEXT debt free in 3 months but I must have been chucking 100 quid a month at them for over a year now.

Ouch I share your pain blue

I dont have any other store cards, (as had card too) and it has put me off.

my credit cards are cut up but necessary

No clothes purchased here! Have avoided the sales like the plague. Hoping to make it to the end of March and then re-evaluate, although I do plan on having 2 skirts and a dress altered after payday next week.

I will need to buy tights at some point as the sheer ones I need for work don't last.

Sidles in late after the Jan sales have finished
Hi all, can I join you? Have totted up what I spent in the sales and it's too much. Stalked, waited for and desperately wanted but totally unnecessary items, but enough is enough. Have read the whole thread and am inspired.

Err...not sure I can manage a whole year

I'm going to New York in July, so planning a complete ban until then. I love the pound in a jar every day idea, I'm also going to go further and put a fiver aside every day DH and I don't share a bottle of wine, to inspire me to drink less. Will hopefully have bucket loads to splash spend wisely on investment items in Saks/Bloomingdales

Hello back again and lovely to read so many posts!

I'm feeling seriously pleased with myself as it is now exactly a month today since I last bought anything that I shouldn't have bought - a top from Hush which funnily enough I sent back whereas before I would have just kept it despite it not fitting properly....

To have got through January is quite a landmark for me and sounds pathetic possibly for people without this particular addiction but it is certainly a boost to carry on.

Love the big pebble first analogy! We've booked a massive long haul holiday in the summer which I'm ashamed to say we borrowed the money to get cheap flights for so my incentive is to get that paid off as soon as possible.

I'm going to change my name today as get twitchy every now and then but will be another country .

So love this thread .

My pink cardigan I was thinking about too much is now all sold out! I don't feel disappointed so that's a result. Got some birthday money but am keeping that so I can pay bills and build up my savings target quicker.
This thread is really helping