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?

ZaraW I think your approach would really help! I used to escape work pressures by browsing online but I blocked all tempting sites from my work computer. Last night I felt some shopping urges after a long work day but instead of shopping online I started comparing hotels for an upcoming work trip

I had a lovely evening out last night although I had to abandon my gorgeous pointy burgundy shoes in favour of more sensible black pumps because I knew I'd be doing a lot of walking . The burgundy shoes looked great with the rest of my outfit though (dark blue jeans, burgundy/wine top) so I shall look forward to wearing it another time.

Frugal I knew I had a problem last year when I would buy stuff online and would get no pleasure from the things I ordered once the initial "high" of ordering something I wanted had worn off. Boredom is my downfall and I need to keep away from online shops. I love walking and rediscovered my love of camping last year when we did a two week trip. Great bonding experience and of course the pub lunches to look forward to! Experiences win every time.

I sort of solved the online shopping high with Pinterest. Instead of putting something in my online basket I pin it to my 'thinking about it' board. It usually makes me feel like I've done a transaction without actually having to buy.

Often, it also identifies the 'what the hell was I thinking' and the 'that's really pretty and I like it but I'd never be able to wear it' stuff as well. The first category I delete and the second I repin somewhere else so I can admire it from time to time.

Disclaimer here, this method works for me most, but not all of the time!

mooched around Debenhams this morning whilst DH was at an appointment. Tried a couple of things on but too small even though my size, very tempting but resisted. Blue cross sale on.

i like tunics but then they are never warm enough and you need a cardigan and they are always the wrong length.

ZaraW I hear you on the walking trips. The buzz, happiness and general 'glad to be alive' cannot be matched! On NYE my dc summarised the best things about the year and they were when we'd climbed a mountain, paddled in the sea, gone on a long walk in the Dales and splashed about in streams. We do a lot of that anyway but want to do more in 2015. Great family experiences.

I bought a tent off a friend last year and am determined to use it lots this year. Dh needs a bit of persuading.

I still haven't bought any clothes! Yay! I'm determined to do at least 100 days. I don't need anything to get through the rest of winter. There are a few things I'd love but I am determined to get by on what I have.

Frugal I was a reluctant camper but then I realised/remembered how much I loved it, am sure you can convince DH! Cheap weekend, close to nature what's not to love?

Still not bought anything. Have managed to properly audit wardrobe. Apparently I have 6 pairs of tan calf length boots. I only have 2 legs. Clearly I have a problem. 4 pairs have been listed on eBay.

I probably need a new nude bra. But can wait until I next get paid for this.

zara you're so right about experiences. This is my focus for this year too. DH and I have made a list of things we'd like to do in 2015 - e.g. visit Hampton Court, walk the roof of the O2, Have lunch at a place we like the look of locally... We're also planning an easter trip to Belfast with DC so I am trying to focus on these things.
Today I bought a blue shirt in Gap. I had a discount code and allowed myself this as I have a job interview next Friday.

Second the experiences bit. I don't go into town often enough, but yesterday DH and I used our annual free ticket to the NGV in Melbourne to look at clothes, though not buy them. It's a huge exhibition of Jean-Paul Gaultier's couture, absolutely stunning. Two other free exhibitions about bohemians of Melbourne and the Mambo shirt company (more clothes to look at).

The frugality continued with a quick visit to Daiso, for some odds and ends.

I'm not a camper but I do agree with free/cheap interests hobbies keeping itchy fingers at bay. I started running with c25k a few months ago and go to a local book club. And I've done a few courses on coursera and future learn.

I go back to uni in the next 2 weeks and I'm dreading getting into the big city (I live in the back of beyond) and being tempted by stuff.

Oh you'll love Belfast blue. That's my big city.

About experiences: trips and other memorable things are really great and definitely worth saving for! But if you are not able to have such major experiences, happiness researchers say that it's equally important to have a string of brief moments of joy, delight, connection woven through your days.

In my case, those moments can be really small things: having a cup of great coffee in a cafe, the kids starting to giggle and laugh in the middle of a dreary morning routine, or seeing something beautiful for a brief moment. For me, some of the greatest moments of happiness are when I am able to help someone else in some way.

I've studied positive psychology (just in case someone is interested this here is a good course). I have realized that I was trapped in the hedonic cycle, trying to engage in things that made me feel good immediately. Instead, it seems, if you are able to reach flow states, you will get a more lasting 'high' (hours, repeatedly). And finally, people who manage to find a cause greater than themselves and fully engage in that get the most lasting feeling of happiness. So I am working on all that - working out what my really big goals are and changing my day-to-day in a way that allows more flow states. (By the way, the guy who invented the concept of 'flow' admitted that childcare and other family routines are activities where flow feelings may be particularly difficult to achieve).

I had a not great day yesterday. No shopping but definitely some urges - not really any specific items, just the urge to browse idly (which in my case often leads to impulse purchases). Didn't even reach my activity goal. The day improved a lot when I unexpectedly heard of two people I thought I had lost touch with - those unexpected messages felt so good!

That looks really interesting frugal. I do combined social and behavioural science at uni so that's right up my street. I'll have to do some reading around positive psychology as it's a subject I had never come across before.

Frugal that is interesting. I have learnt a lot about mindfulness and finding pleasure wherever I can. I was extremely ill (housebound for over a year - bedbound for about 6 of those) and finding those moments was a key part of getting through that. I discovered a lot about myself during that time. I still practice some meditation, mindfulness and soothing self talk and at the end of every day I find 10 positive things (just those small things you mention - someone unexpectedly making me a cup of tea, my dc making me laugh, small things I've achieved e.g. cleared a drawer) that have happened and it really changes my mindset about my life.

On the cause greater than us, I find I struggle most when dh and I don't have a shared common goal. He is reluctant to talk like that - about future things and that is when I feel I'm not listened to and would engage in what you describe as the hedonistic cycle.

I had a wobble yesterday but I reminded myself just as I was reaching for my credit card that the feeling of ruining my 100 day ban at only day 11 would outweigh any pleasure from the clothes.
And I didn't buy!

I am from Belfast, I live in England now but love going back (all my family are still there). Have fun blue!

I haven't bought any clothes. tbh I just haven't been allowing myself to look! We have some big bills coming up as well as the trips to Rome and USA to save for (spending money, flights etc already taken care of!) and I would be so gutted to have to scrimp when away due to frittering money on crap.

I am a great believer in making sure I create windows for reflection and simple pleasures every day no matter how busy I am. A coffee and a read of my kindle, a stroll with binoculars to see what wildlife I can spot, a cuppa and chat w a good friend. I really believe this does wonders for my general sanity and by extensioj, my famiky's and also does feel like a treat. I also try to do thesame for the kids, in between all the rushing about. The other day we just popped outside after school, in a howling gale and blew bubbles. They loved it!

So far, haven't bought any clothes or spent any money on myself. Feeling a bit pleased with myself.

I have made £30 selling things on ebay this week. So that's a nice addition to my purse. Have also exchanged my NZD's back into GBP so have some additional cash to play with.

Well done Ememem

Have done well on Ebay again as well this week, and a few refunds from unwise sales purchases have come through. Now need to stop myself thinking this means I can stop keeping an eye on spending...

Today's ensemble from the boutique de wardrobe: black merino tights, black Ugg biker boots, Boden denim mini, grey long sleeved layering tee (another of my permitted sales purchases as it can go under lots of stuff I already have), grey cashmere jumper with little hearts on the elbows.

Ensemble sounds good leedy. I too have been shopping l'armoire and been wearing lots of dresses and jewellery this week (and not just because my jeans are too tight!)

Poorly child today so leopard harems and slouchy jumper. Not my best look but ideal for cuddling up watching Mary Poppins.

And still no spending

well done Frugal. i love the sound of leopard hareems.

I'm still shopping from wardrobe - all usual wear clothes are still in washing basket in spare room (too lazy to put them back into wardrobe) so am finding loads of lovely old things.

todays ensemble includes a lovely dark burgundy soft soft jersey west from h&M i think, grey skinnies, and leopard flats.

i am currently after a pair of plum skinnies. have a pair of almost bleached white ones (what was I thinking....!) which fit but remain unworn. I was going to ebay them. But ended up in town today, and went to the fabric store and bought some dye. am currently waiting for the aubergine/purple dye to whizz round in my machine and recolour my jeans.

am hoping i may have found a new way to get "new" clothes.

Thanks peonies I am really enjoying having a trip to focus on and something to look forward to.
Simple pleasures for me include running, photography, reading, a trip to the coffee shop or playing a game with DC.
I've come here today because I've had a long and difficult day at work, compounded by DH working away at present. In the past his working away was a really tough time for me and in my head I'm back in that place again. The DC are getting themselves ready for bed, I'm on my own and the compulsion to shop to fill the void I feel right now is high.