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?

macca if you want to keep it, maybe ask MNHQ to move it to credit crunch? Or AIBU and asking people think you are being unreasonable because you're convinced you can make it a whole year?

Not sure where you could move it to Macca, I suspect Style and Beauty would be too tempting !

There is a Finance section I believe? Maybe ask MNHQ if they wouldn't mind moving it over to keep us motivated?

Move to NZ. You won't want to buy one item of clothing!

Sorry x post with Toad, yes of course Credit Crunch would be most appropriate.

Not sure about AIBU, we would all get eaten alive for daring to spend more than a fiver on clothes every month!

I desperately need to do this. my wardrobes are creaking under the weight of clothes.. im compulsive in my buying particularly from charity shops.. which while theoretically cheap really adds up. I also buy loads if dresses and skirts and only ever wear jeans. I will aim for all of Jan and take it from there.. hopefully the financial and guilt alleviating benefits will encourage me to stick with it.

Angry, it's the thought of travelling that is the only thing that might stop me spending on clothes, possibly the only thing I love more!

iT is very liberating-and I began to focus on stuff like getting an ortheopeadic mattress

I am in!

I need nothing.

Oooh I'm feeling virtuous already!

Wait- this only applies to clothes right??

< stares at amazon account with faint moans of longing....>

If you can get through the jan sales you can get through the year I reckon

I used to spend a fortune on clothes but haven't bought anything for three years. I've recently started going through old clothes, many rarely worn, and basically got a whole new wardrobe

As for your question will people realise you're wearing the same thing over again. No, and who cares if they do? I pay attention to what I wear but couldn't tell you what any of the friends I saw today or any other day were wearing. Do you dress for yourself?

Yup only clothes, I can't go cold turkey on everything although wish I had the will-power to do so.....

I said this at the beginning of 2013 and spent more than everthis year - really gets me down that I'm so crap.

Not as bothered about what other people think.

The sales don't get to me as much as new season stuff. All those gorgeous summer things and even worse in the autumn as I love woolly stuff and coats, man I'm obsessed with coats.

Me2, how did you manage? Was it worse to begin with or do the cravings increase as the year goes on?

Maybe... To stem the cravings... Everytime we come home from the shops having desperately wanted to buy a tshirt : beret / other nonsensical items that we need , we put the money it would have cost into a jar

I bet after a few weeks of seeing it all accumulate it will focus our minds on just what we're wasting

Sometimes I do this. However I allow myself to buy things if and only if I have the money from something I sold on ebay!! Works well.

Clears the clutter and I get new items!!

It's actually really easy to go a year without buying new clothes if the clothes you do buy aren't absurdly fashionable. Just buy nice clothes that suit you and which you actually like.

loller you aren't addicted then if you think it's easy!!

I can buy ten of the same thing . Grey scarf anyone??

The internet is my downfall, I gave up going anywhere near shops years ago as it's like taking an alcoholic to a pub (no disrespect to anyone with problems in that area of course).

Clothes swap idea sounds fab!

Belize Grey scarves? You too? I went through a scarf fetish a couple of years ago. I counted them the other day and it was shameful. Too shameful to disclose. I can admit that I am an addict, but the extent of the addiction is harder to face up to.

The internet is my downfall too.

I did consider hypnotherapy at one stage...wonder if anyone else has had success with it for shopping?

Good morning, and a Happy Christmas Eve. For me, I think I need to stop with the Amazon and TKMaxx shopping too- I cannot need more kitchen equipment!

I think that it is a personal choice as to spending on underwear- I do know that if my tights ladder or my pants get holes I'll need to buy new ones .

How do you ask MN to move a thread? I think credit crunch may be the best option??

This morning, I've woken up feeling more positive about money than I have done in ages.

very easy, I rarely buy clothes now I have a beautiful wardrobe of classic clothes that I have not been able to fit into for a few years and I dont want to buy for my current size...this year I have brought knickers and a pair of trousers that i wear every day.

our chairty shops are really fab round here though, really nice clothes so i will probably stock up next year on a few things fromthere...

I seem to change shape dramatically every year and need a whole new wardrobe (having eBayed everything that doesn't fit anymore, only to need it again!). My weight fluctuates insanely through pregnancy, breastfeeding and beyond and as I am due in April I know I will need a lot of strategic tummy-disguising boob-accessible clothes...and shoes - I am very hard on shoes and they don't last beyond a year...

Basically, if I had the willpower of you people on this thread I could probably afford a new house!

That sounds great, well done you! If you do feel in need of some new clothes, you could try a clothes swap party with friends.

This does sound a good idea, i like the idea of putting cash into a pot (when you dont spend it!!) I bet I would have a nice heavy pot in no time at all.

Right, I'm definitely in.

But would you like to see my final purchases of the year?

lovely red coat!

these are really comfy and I love the colour

Ok, I'm done with shopping now.

Agree the internet was the worst thing ever for spending money when you should be saving!!

Easy op, report your own post and ask them to move it

Now.... Do we start now, or wait till jan 1st?