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?

Well I survived Meadowhall with only buying a coffee! Met some friends there, it was difficult but I did it, even though they both bought something!

Missanners I did exactly the same the other day. A pair of designer shoes sold for 4 quid. I bought them for 60 in the sale

i have wasted hours of my day looking at coat/boot combos.

i have not ordered anything maybe because i couldnt make my mind up and maybe because I know I should not.

I will survive without (too many to list) a purchase.

I'm doing very well with saving money in other areas and if I spend on clothes it really spoil it all.

Today has been very hard - thinking I have some sort of addicion after all.

Can I join in please? I will need a couple of pairs of jeans as mine have worn through, but other than that I really don't think I need to buy clothes.

DDs will as they are still growing, and school uniform is looming large on the horizon. The school year here starts in March.

DH got new for Christmas and January birthday so he shouldn't need anything else either.

My biggest problem is having gift cards for department stores because I don't want a friend to actually pay me for the favor I do. Kind of feel like I have to buy something otherwise she's wasting her money. I've started using it for gifts and consumables like sunblock.

I think the key is - if you really really WANT to spend when out - it should be on coffee/cake out or something you may need eg present for friend's birthday or even an accessory. Earrings? something that gives you that hit but isn't too much.

Or am I being enablist posting this?!

adorabell and Agoodpirate welcome to thread.

Helloboys well I think thats the thing isnt it. This morning I reflected back and thought this is just silly, surely having the self discipline means more than another coat/boot combo that gets trotted out for 30 mins per day - less when rotated in with all the others.....Plus because I'm on such a tight budget I couldnt really afford to buy the ones I wanted. So I'm telling myself to be patient.

I think I will put £100 of the money over to ISA and the other £50 I will spend on theatre tickets.

I think I will keep myself busy today, away from online browsing. It's like i just become totally absorbed in it all.

ashamed - i know I should be more like this but really you should get into the habit of if you want the waterproofs etc then check online for best deals.

I've had to shop around in the past for my walking gear - waterproof - may not be exactly what I want but it is better than nothing.

also I want or need a red dress for Valentine's Day but I have vouchers for Whistles and Zara so if I don't find anything there I don't think I will buy it. And also coming more onto the POV that if I don't need it then that is that. I am finding myself when in shops really looking at stuff thinking, yes, no, do I? etc.

both were in sale - fatface coat and merrells half price so good bargains

yes i have a new gremlin on shoulder - this thread! well as somone said way thread it is about satisfying some deeply comforting need. if i could figure that out and o it in other ways....

i blame the school gates i do

ashamed well if you draw a line at that there then that's ok.

You say school gates - well about 4 years ago I started working where I am now with my colleague in Uggs - she kept on going on about them so I caved and bought 2 pairs (knitted ones) then some suede ones. actually in our freezing cold office they were a lifesaver but the knitted ones are awful and thank god one got a hole so they're out!

I also used to have a friend who was in Zara 24/7 buying the latest outfit. when I met up with her I was very tempted or she enabled me to "buy this, buy that".

She could afford it but also admitted shopping was a hobby. Another friend of mine said she "dressed for men" - I presume the other friend meant dressed well or dressed up for them.

I don't really want to go down that route and waste my money.

what I am doing more is reading. and I have mosaics to do (kits and I like doing them). also involved in local history project recording archive stuff.

You need to find stuff that interests YOU. You can do it!

Thanks helloboys - I didnt muy them and I am not going to. Sorry if my post didnt make it clear. Its not just me that gets influences then thanks for sharing.

I am comforting myself by thinking ahead. If I abstain I have so much time to plan a naice wardrobe with grown up purchases on big ticket, once in a lifetime items. Yes I think if id had bought the Joules wellies I was looking at, at one point yesterday (posh ones with bows on) I think I would have looked like and OTT dogs dinner on school run. Fashion can be too much top to toe, especially if its obvious flashy fancy loud items.

I would love to look like one of the those mums that wear a pair of boots effortless that looked a bit aged but match the outfit or an overall style. You can tell their style looks both functional and simple.

ashamed - yay for not caving!

I think what I will try and save more for what I want - especially big ticket items. For example, i want an Ipad (have a nice MacBook Air) but either I eat into savings, use CC or do without. I do not NEED it!

Oh those Joules wellies are nice but I prefer the ankle ones.

The mums that wear the aged boots you can bet they're original Hunters (not your crap mass made last 5 mins ones) or those posh French boots. But that's how they stay rich - by buying items that last and scrimping elsewhere I think

Thanks for the welcome! I've not found it too hard so far. I've just not been looking. I don't think I would manage otherwise!

I have NC from over.

Yes I thik this is key pirate

I am feeling very proud - was supposed to be meeting an old friend for dinner, staying at hers and then charity shopping the next day. Have arranged I will bring my sewing machine instead and she will show me how to use it!
I'm going to bring some stuff I've been meaning to make, so it'llbe free and I'll have 2 presents made up for Christmas if it works out, yay!

Hi
just can't think of a single thing I want at the moment :0
this has never happened before.
Last year I spent loads of hours drooling, obsessing, almost lovesick over stupid clothes fgs.
Glad I woke up

Just a small victory but I've paid off my Freeman's and my studio account today- that's £25 a month I'll be better off from now on!

Just:

£188 next account
£650 very account
£575 simplybe
£60 isme

To pay off now. I am actually blushing with shock at how much I owe.

Well done macca and go you missanners - I have a sewing machine

foxdongle what do you think is the main thing that has change in your thinking? Are you thinking abut other stuff or...I dont know just dont see them as a source of pleasure anymore (I mean as in the constant shopping/browsing)

I had a lucky escape as the money I nearly spent yesterday was in fact very mich needed today for an unexpected bill of almost the same amount.

Sadly I'm going to have to spend on clothes tomorrow. Today at work my black trousers finally gave way at the knee. I'm an infant teacher and spend a lot of time on the floor or kneeling. My only other pair are also in danger of giving way in a far more embarrassing place. Thankfully I won £25 on the premium bonds this month so I can use that but I'm still naffed off

I will say that I agree that trousers for work are an essential- so don't feel too guilty.

I've stuck to my plan; two new pairs of shoes (both half price) and a pair of running trainers (sadly full price, but the ones I had were utterly knackered). Nothing else other than a pack of cheap socks. Feeling very liberated!

hi
thinking101 I started this about a year ago after adding up my clothes purchases for the previous year.

Main thing was definately the bank statement - I thought I went shopping every 3 months or so with the odd thing in between- but the statements showed otherwise there were loads of almost weekly cheapish buys that added up to loads.

I had a good start then failed a bit, It took me until about july/august to really get it though.

In a nutshell - do more with family and friends, stop wasting time/money on clothes-except reading this thread obvs.

still look presentable and have an interest in clothes but as you say just not bothered about shopping now. last spend was months ago and in December I used xmas money, v. wisely for once. Jan- just new bra.

I still have the "my look/style" stuff .
I just got rid of/don't buy anymore of the other stuff.

actually last year only spent a 1/3 of previous year but ended up with more things I love and actually wear loads.

If I'm honest, yes i'm wanting to do up house a little, it's like there has to be something. :)

well done Iammummy on PB win

I caved yesterday.

I was asked out by boyfriend to stay in posh hotel and cinema/meal thrown in. Totally last minute.

Had to buy 3 pair of knickers £12 (I think) and 1 pair socks from Top Shop Concession.

I'm staying with my brother (too far and makes sense tonight) and out with boyfriend tomorrow but suddenly realised I needed something for Saturday so got £40 Oasis jumper and £14 black leggings. I also got a sleep mask (need them in his house) and £3.00 socks (2 pair) from TK Maxx. The jumper I did see before Xmas and liked it and the leggings I did need a new pair.

So I got 2 pairs of black trousers and picked up a sale jacket for my dd. Totalled £55 however I can take off my £25 winnings !

Trousers for work are definitely a nesecity, can't have you teaching your young students to go to work in ripped clothing.

Hello hope you enjoy your weekend.

We're off on hols soon and it's a place we've been before. Last time I bought a lovely scarf and beautiful embroidered shawl, so I have souvenirs already, no need to buy anything else. I also have everything I need for the trip. We've had to buy things for DDs because they keep growing what a cheek

Still not bought anything. Am sitting down with DH today to go through our finances, I have £1400 CC debt, (from £4000 which I have paid off since Nov) but no other debt (apart from Student Loan which comes out of my salary automatically). I found out in Nov that he has 3 credit cards (two of which are apparently v small amounts) and an overdraft - he has been reluctant to tell me how much he owes but we're getting it all out in the open today and working out how we can pay them off. He's not bought anything since Nov and has picked up extra work which will be paid to him in lump sums over his normal wage, so it shouldn't be too bad.

Anyway, this is all giving me motivation not to spend unnecessarily. I might make the new rule no new clothes until we are both debt free. I have sold 35 things on eBay this past few weeks which has brought in a lump sum that I put off my CC.

The frustrating thing is that we are on good salaries and should be able to live comfortably without debt, we just took our eye off the ball and it built up!