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?

I'm another one who would have a whole range of extra clothes if I just lost the stone that has crept up last year. So frustrating!

I am going "no sugar " , if anyone wants to join there's a little thread over in Big/slim whatever.

Good luck everyone with your new year resolutions!

I started the year by taking a bag of shoes to recycling. It's really hard for me to let go of stuff but today I managed to do it...

Shins your story sounds so much like mine....

Justtoobad what to do instead shopping online - ebooks, online newspapers, execising or going for a walk, listening to music, podcasts or audiobooks (Audible), or following current topics on Twitter. Food blogs can be good too. Our ocal library has a good selection of free ebooks and magazines on Zinio. Kindle is far better than the iPad (no ads, not browsing). There are some great free online courses too - I did one via EdX. Coursera and Khan Academy have interesting courses as well. If I'm too tired to take anything in I have a quiet meal with children - lighting candles makes it special. Or we dance a bit in the living room

I spent a lot of time offline last fall - kept phones and computers out of the bedroom at night. Free time felt much more meaningful and I slept better. For the stuck feeling the antidote is to create meaningful activities or a social life. During the warm season I do some gardening.

The key question to ask what you are really shopping for. RecoveringShopaholic has some great posts and the Project 333 and minimalist communities are good too, Into Mind for example.

I'm going to stay off the fashion blogs!

70 my MIL says magnesia supplements transformed her brittle nails!

I like reading blogs, gives me ideas about putting existing outfits together.
I must stay on message though!

I can't find any blogs that I like much. Bum Lady is nice and we sometimes like similar things, but too many lists and most items far too expensive. Can't think of any more that I even look at now.

Bum lady my favourite but I don't like all her choices.
She seems so nice though and I love her house!
I read
Mid life chic
My midlife fashion
That's not my age
Online stylist
Style guile
And lots more in similar vein!

Mmm none of them are really my thing tbh. I hadn't seen Midlife Chic before, but it is rather too Yummy for my liking. I like the idea of, 'That's Not My Age' but find the clothes all a bit too sack like and dull.

I know what you mean, none of them exactly me but I am incurably interested in other people's fashion choices

:) Me too but I like the young 'uns and the slightly kooky ones better. Just bored of all of them now though tbh.

I used to like this one but she doesn't post so many outfits now. Don't like all or even many of her choices, but occasionally she has something I love.

Remus I really liked your pinboard, you really seem to know what suits you and that is always fabulous. I don't think you really need advice from blogs but of course they are fun to read.

Georgina I love quite a few fashion blogs - these days they are much better than magazines - but when I've taken a break from them, my impulse purchases have gone to zero. I probably shouldn't be here either
Will be offline for a few days, we are spending the long weekend out of town, packing wellies... Good luck everyone with your resolutions!

Not looking for advice, just to be nosy tbh! :) Thanks, though. If I looked half as nice as any of the pics on Pinterest, I'd be happy!

I have been very restrained during the sales.
Got the Gap fair isle jumper I wanted. Also some black suede heels from Clarks. Have ordered a Tula black leather clutch bag that was on my list of things I need.
I need to be careful once new stock hits online. This is a risky time for impulse buys for me. I'm like a magpie.
Tonight I've made a list of places we want to visit this year and things we want to do to the house. This helps to keep me focused and reminds me that the things that make me happy are not what's hanging in my wardrobe!

I really need to join you all - my wardrobe is bulging at the seams
I lost quite a bit of weight last year and want to continue but don't want to spend much money on clothes until I get to my goal weight
I am a fiend for sales and outlet store bargains
Shopping is a bit of a hobby but I also use to cheer myself up which is a mistake as much less cheered when I see my overdraft rise
I need to concentrate on recycling things more and buying just a few staple items for each dress size
I do eBay my mistakes though along with things that don't fit and this will help fund some stuff
Not sure where to start with a budget though as I've already spent a few hundred in the sales
Need serious help.........

I like Bum40 and MyFashionable40s. I find Style Guile and School gate Style a bit prim.
I like a look at Wearing It Today for the laugh!!

Agree FrugalMcdougal
I always think WIT must be freezing as she's always bare legged in winter

It was a few days before Christmas when I realised I had to get my shopping under control, I was buying something new every couple of days and most definitely over-shopping.

I haven't bought anything clothes in the sales, although I have enjoyed browsing online, and actually feel quite pleased that I've been able to exercise some restraint. I never feel good about myself when I've over-shopped.

Same here petal
I've got stuff sitting in my John lewis basket and house of fraser but they have been there a couple of days and I haven't succumbed

I'm in! I'm fortunate enough to have a lovely dressing room (in our spare box room) that will need to become baby dot's nursery when they arrive in May so I need to slim down my wardrobe.

I found counting (!!) every top I owned a couple of years ago put me off taking anything else from the rack to the till! I think it was about 63 when I'd counted every T shirt, vest, gym top etc..... I also have a serious problem with being given scarves! I'm going to go and count how many I have now as I'm sure it's pushing 30 (including the winter woolly ones) That would create a different 'look' every day for a month if I got the iron out and pressed a couple once in a while. Not to mention costume jewellery! That what I wore blog above is really nice to remind me to make an effort Remus. Thanks for that.

I should be all sorted for maternity clothes too following a kind donation from a friend who had no. 3 in October. My other challenge this year will be using up toiletries. Those double points offers from Boots are too challenging to avoid but I am ashamed to say I think I've about 4 up the stairs and a bottle of conditioner collecting dust too. Gulp.

Off to apply as much face cream, before applying some slap, hair products, hand cream and costume jewellery to go with the new frock I got for Christmas. Thanks for the inspiration!

I know, I've just ordered some stuff from a beauty box co that I don't need. more cleansers and body lotion

I did buy some sales clothes as my dh was treating me for Christmas. lovely cashmere cardi half price, skirt (not sure) and velvet jeans which I love.

Georgina - a bit of a tangent, I know, but can I ask how you lost weight. Am looking for inspiration!

On my way to the train stayion but Jace, Petal and others who struggle with overshopping, this book is a great resource that really helps and RecoveringShopaholic's blog has a lot of fantastic free content. Block your browser (I use firefox + Leechblock to block specific sites), track money spent, and stay away from estores. Peer support really helps, post here about your thoughts and feelings!

harvey
A combination of 30day shred, my fitness pal,fitness classes and walking.
Basically eating a bit less and drinking less alcohol and moving a lot more.
Cannot say it has been hard though, have actually come to enjoy exercise which I never thought I would.
Am now size 6 to 8 and apart from inevitable boob shrinkage I love my new body!

Well done Georgina on your weight loss and also not running those sales baskets through the ill.
Welcome all the newbies.
Petal - great point about never feeling good when you've overshopped. Me neither!

I am struggling to stay strong in the face of the Hush sale. That was the one I was waiting for and I have had my eye on one of their dresses for ages. But I don't really need it and it is similar to two I already have. I do tend to fixate on something and think this is the solution to easy dressing and buy lots of similar things! Currently black/grey day dresses!

I put my outfit for today out last night (thanks for the tip) and even though it was all oldies I felt good - Boden black skinnies (had to tuck my tummy in tho' post xmas!!), cobalt blue topshop sweater with lace detailing and leopard skate pumps with no socks (a very nice reminder that spring is not too far away).

through the till!!