Feeling Frugal for 2015

[FrugalMcDougal]

I'm planning a clothes/ make-up buying ban for at least the start of 2015 and just buying things when I really need them.

I have a good amount of clothes and accessories and think I could be much more creative in how I wear them instead of going for my old favourites when I'm rushing in the mornings. I want to make the most of what I have.

I'm aiming high and imagining myself planning the next day's outfit the night before.

Anyone interested in supporting each other and sharing outfits?

My reduced browsing time is going quite well and I definitely feel more present in the moment.
I'm enjoying focusing on the clothes I have and thinking about ways to wear them rather than consuming more and more.
I'm trying to stick to a budget rather than being on a total shopping ban. I am planning my purchases more and it is making shopping more enjoyable.
I am trying to buy things that I don't already have in my wardrobe instead of repeat items I do not need.

Sigh, lapsed completely with the advent of payday and bought a few tops in Gap online that I'm pretty sure I don't actually need "because they were 25% off". More than likely going straight back when they arrive.

FrugalMc tell us about the outfits you feel particularly good in! Blue happy that reduced browsing works for you - it definitely works for me! Leedy relapses are a good moment for evaluating what you tried to achieve with this purchase and what you could do differently the next time! Sales are designed to be tempting so my current strategy is to try to block them out. Not easy, writing this on a smartphone and a third of the screen is plastered with really intrusive clothes shopping ads. Time to get rid of some cookies...

I'm reading a chilling book, Hooked, on how apps and internet sites are intentionally designed to be habit-forming to keep their users coming back. Pinterest, Twitter, Instagram, FB and computer games are some of the examples. The 'hook' is that the apps satisfy and sometimes exploit our underlying needs like the need to belong or deal with boredom or difficult emotions. The book is a bit scary...

Still feeling creative and full of ideas. More exercise, more thinking time and less distracted browsing = I'm feeling happier and more resourceful. Not really focusing on dressing right now but found an old cotton sweater from circa 2008 that I have dyed navy at some point. It fits seamlessly with quite a few newer items, completing today's outfit of patched slim boyfriends, a chunky wool cardigan, navy leather high tops and a men's watch.

Wishing everyone a great weekend!

FrugalFash I've been wearing more dresses. I have one which is a 60s style Esprit one in which I instantly feel put together but still myself in and others from River Island. I've never worked in a smart environment (charity worker) so have no affinity with the corporate look but as I'm getting older I feel bored and samey in jeans every day.

Lipstick also makes me feel better. And painted nails.

"relapses are a good moment for evaluating what you tried to achieve with this purchase and what you could do differently the next time"

That's a very good point - I think I just felt I deserved something because it was payday and wasn't being particularly mindful about whether it was something I needed or if it was something really special. Going to use the money to buy concert tickets instead.

As January is almost done, and pay day comes on Friday, I did a bit of an evaluation of the month:
Upon checking my account, I am £200 better off at point in the month than I usually am.
Reduced browsing time and not reading discount emails has reduced my desire to rush out on pay day and impulsively 'treat' myself. I often fall into a mindset of using justifications for my endless shopping - 'I work hard' 'I deserve it' etc...
I have kept a list in January of my purchases and have put a cross through those I returned so I can see the things I order but never really like enough to keep.
I have ordered a trench coat which I do need for spring for work as my old one is falling apart.
I am at work on Friday, am doing some painting and decorating on Saturday and am running a 10k on Sunday. Hoping this will all help me avoid a pay day lapse!

I've found that being frugal feels so good that it's actually quite hard to make a purchase now! I've bought one item since Christmas, and will definitely be buying some spring items in February, but providing I continue to feel in control, then I feel I'm "cured". However I do suspect a lapse will happen at some point ......

Lovely to hear ladies that you are doing so well! Petal and Blue sounds fabulous, you are doing really well... I'm very happy too: zero fashion browsing, much more focus: have written a book chapter (have ideas for two work-related books and have decided to give one of them a try in 2015). Work very stressful with major deadlines coming up but feel that daily exercise and short meditation sessions are really helping!

No purchases! No urges! Went through my bank and credit card statements and they confirmed that things are going well.

FrugalMc your outfits and tips sound really great and leedy sending you stress-relieving thoughts - your motivation for shopping sounds really familiar. I often shop to reward myself and I am trying to change that...

I have had a slight blip - a charity shop top - previously zara - only £4 so feel ok about it, and a couple of £3 necklaces in the 70% off at accessorise.

I have been surprised at how much I have really wanted a pep-up from clothes shopping this last week.

Although I must remind myself that I did not feel very significantly pepped by the purchases!

Loving your analysis FrugalMc!

I've had a shopping free month! Different from the ones I have tried before because I haven't had a ban, I've just limited my exposure to shopping cues. It works and I feel great! Some brief passing multiple buying urges yesterday but I didn't give in (rationally I know multiples never work for me). Now all focused on party organizing. Would like to declutter a bit too.

How is everyone else doing?

How are we all doing? I have been really good clothes wise. In recent weeks I have only bought a pair of clarks boots which were a) needed due to the demise of a previous pair (beyond mending) b) half price and c) have been worn on a daily basis since purchase. I have stopped online browsing and feel breaking this habit has made a huge difference. I've made a few skincare purchases - will need to be strict with myself here as I now have more than enough products to be going on with. We need to make a few furniture purchases so I am planning to buy secondhand and up cycle which is exciting and...I was going to say fill the shopping void but I'm not sure there is one now! ??

Also meant to say decluttering is coming along slowly but surely. It takes so much time but I'm learning not to let this discourage me. I've kondo'd a few drawers using shoeboxes and folding which is great - will be doing more!!!

I managed a very successful Controlled Shopping Trip at the weekend. I wanted to buy some new items for a forthcoming holiday, and (in preference to my previously very frustrating on-line shopping habit) put some funds to one side and headed to the Trafford Centre. I'm pleased to report I bought exactly what I needed, remained slightly under-budget (yay!) and came home feeling very pleased that I'd shopped in a controlled manner. No ill-advised or impulse purchases, nothing bought on my credit card - just proper, grown-up shopping.

And it feels good :) I've completely lost the urge to shop on-line. I still browse regularly, but that's all.

Ooh well done petal, that sounds fabulous!

Fantastic progress Daimbar and Petal!
I've been totally browsing free and haven't bought a thing in 1.5 months.
Also slowly decluttering. Have found time for more exercise and meditation. Still travelling, life quite stressful, very happy to be home soon.

Update: as of today, two months without new purchases! I had one spectacular almost-relapse a week ago, went back to browsing 'just for a look', quickly filled a basked and quickly pressed 'buy'. But I was able to cancel the order immediately and felt extremely relieved that this was possible. Limiting my browsing once again.

Right now, I feel staying shopping free and clutter free is more pleasurable than the quick high and buzz of browsing and selecting: I will try my best not to break the chain. But resisting temptations is not easy - my 'lizard brain' likes shiny new things and slip-ups are so easy. But I have changed a bit how I spend my free time: more time outdoors, exercising, meditating, reading, and spending time with people that I care about. Trying to be more present, less lost in thought and distractions. I feel this is working: although work has been quite stressful, I have felt that I have been able to handle it.

I've also realized I can control how I spend my time. This year, I am going to be more focused about things I commit to doing. I will say no to some things and make time for others. High on my priority list: living in accordance to my values and connecting with people I care about.

Quite typically for an overshopper, I have long put off buying necessary but dull things - things like self-care needs or home improvements. One of the things Dr Benson suggests is making a list of these things and ticking them off, one by one. I've managed to get one thing that I really dislike off the list - I went to see an eye doctor and ordered new prescription lenses.

Is anyone else still doing Frugal 2015? How is it going?

I caved last week and bought something, so 1 item in two months. I've not stopped browing altogether but have decided that if I see something online, instead of ordering it I'm going to track it down to a store and look at in the flesh. Normally one glance at the fabric/colour/size is enough to put me off!

I fell off the wagon quite early but really want to get back on! My spending is nuts. What I find difficult is that I have two dcs under 3 and so have no time for my other loves - things like reading, cinema, theatre.
Buying new clothes boosts my esteem and I was SO fed up of maternity clothes by the end I felt I deserved new. So I've spent a fortune but I'm still a stone over my ideal weight so nothing looks GREAT.
What I really need to do is put my energy into shifting that stone and declittering the house!
Keep posting... Just reading the posts here is inspiring

Decluttering not declittering

Declittering - not a good plan!

I'm still doing pretty well i think. Have only bought one item of clothing - a 70s style denim skirt which looked great on instagram but not on me so it went straight back. I do feel i've really turned a corner clothes and beauty shopping wise, the urge is greatly diminished. Will be going shopping tomorrow for paint, wax, etc to upcycle several pieces of furniture so will need to make sure that i stick to what i need and don't splurge on that in lieu of other spending.

I also recently got a really good haircut and am happier with it than i have been for years, so that's improved my self esteem and i wonder if it might have helped reduce my urge/perceived need to spend on other fashiin and beauty related things?

Sounds like you are both doing well frugal and oly. I notice there's a new thread on S&B about cutting down on beauty spending, so we're not alone.

Hello ladies, I've just joined a no spend for June thread so thought I'd check back and see how we are all doing here?

I do feel I've turned a corner - my "want" for clothes has definitely lessened. I am enjoying 'shopping' my own wardrobe, rediscovering things I'd forgotten and have also sold a fair amount on eBay and charity-shopped some more.

I'm finding it harder to resist skincare and make up - have just purchased a long lusted after lipstick so that will be the last thing for the summer I promise!

No all I need is for the weather to warm up so I can wear my summer clothes and shoes!!!!

Hi Daimbar! great to see this thread revived!

I'm happily wearing last year's clothes. I think I've found a lot of outfits that feel 'me' and somehow feel right season in, season out.

I've also been influenced by the skincare vibe here on S&B and have spent a bit on skincare. I think it has been worthwhile, my skin looks better than ever, and the Asian products are super affordable. But don't want to ruin it by overshopping so I am also doing no-buy June.

There is also a great use-up thread here, 'Ashamed of my beauty product hoard' - it's been going on for a while and as a result I've used up a big pile of cosmetics. My skin is nice and soft and my drawers clutter-free. Win-win!

I might join too! Just signed up for no spending in June and love sharing daily outfits so this looks like my kinda thread

I've actually been putting more thought into how I use my skincare as well as what I use and that's been quite rewarding, and my skin is definitely better. I do love the feeling of finishing something and not rushing out to repurchase satisfying too - and seeing my bathroom shelves become less cluttered as I use up my ridiculous stash!!!

I really wish the weather would warm up so I can enjoy my summer clothes. I'm still in jeans, jumpers and boots and bored rigid of them but it's a necessity!!!!