Buy nothing for a year - how are you getting on?

[ImYourWomanJonSnow]

I remember a few of these threads popping up around New Year but don't seem to be able to find them.

I just had a tidy of my wardrobe and am feeling a bit ashamed by the amount of stuff I have. I keep buying clothes as a habit, every week at leadt one new thing and this has got worse in the ladt couple of months when I've been on maternity leave, having lots of time to browse and trying to compensate with new clothes for feeling a bit insecure about my figure.

Anyway this has got to stop and I think cold turkey is the only way to do it. Going to unsubscribe from all shop mailing lists and catalogues - but want to keep Toast as they're gorgeous and will keep following Pinterest for inspiration.

Any tips from people who are doing it? How hard is it to break the habit?

Surprisingly easy.

I've done quite a lot of putting things in my online basket and then going away for a day or so. When I check back I never want them anymore.

Is it really a good idea to keep on the Toast mailing list if you think they're gorgeous?

Use online banking to transfer what you would have spent into a savings account... see how much you have saved in a year....

Nora ha I know what you mean about Toast it's a slippery slope isn't it. I'm not sure I'll allow myself to even browse, even with cool off time I'm good at persuading myself that this is just what I need and my wardrobe will be complete.

Ruby Id save a fortune I'm sure.

The savings are embarrassingly high. I'm also debt free now, which feels really good and that feeling is contributing very much to my non-spend.

It really does get easier the longer you do it for.

For me it's "bargains" on eBay that are the worst. I think yhe lowest point was earlier this week when a parcel arrived from France of two identical dresses one in black one in whote which I paid lots of money for and which don't bloody fit. So I'm stuck with them as I can't return them qnd and I'm rubbish selling stuff on.

Don't even get me started on clothes I bought in sales for when I lose baby weight just sitting there with labels still on.

Argh!

I have just returned from holiday and realise I have too many clothes!!! I have decided to embrace a no spend period and reward myself with a week of winter sun!
My only exception will be new winter boots.

I so need to do this too.

I def buy clothes to make myself feel better when I'm not feeling great. I have lots of lovely things but then don't wear things because I have too much and forget what I have.

I'm off on a hot holiday next week that I had to buy things for but after that I have no need or reason to buy anything. I could justify a new winter coat and a pair of warm boots but that is it. Unless I lose at least a stone, I have enough clothes to last for ever.

I like the idea of saving what I would have spent - that would help me to stop wasting the money on things I just don't need.

Wow where dyou all get the money, even if I wanted loads of clothes I couldn't afford it!

I've done ok. Have spent but on necessary things.

I said this year I wasn't buying anything but underwear/tights.

That went out the window when I discovered I was pregnant so have had to buy maternity clothes.

Have maybe spent £150 on stuff.

First purchase deferred! Went to the next sale with my sister this morning (she stockpiles nursery clothes for the kids) and saw a few tops I 'liked' and would normally have purchased. Instead we went for breakfast and I just transferred the £62 I would have spent into my savings account. So to me its 'spent'.

I posted on a couple of them. I wasn't planning a no-spend but, for various reasons, I was aiming to buy mostly second hand and as little as possible new. I was totting up my new buys on another thread and realised I'd bought more than I'd thought But I'm reasonably pleased and I've definitely got my second hand mojo back.

I don't do Ebay though cos I'd end up like the op, stuck with all these 'bargains' that didn't fit and having to go back on to sell them and I can picture it spiralling out of control. Plus I just prefer real shopping.

I don't do eBay either.
I bought a couple of dresses that didn't fit and they just went straight to charity.
I prefer online sales. At least you can send them back.