Tuesday, January 27, 2009

all the help i can get...


My name is Maren and I'm a shop-a-holic. Really. I am. Don't worry. I don't spend money if I don't have it. But I spend ALL of my money on clothes. And shoes. Can't forget the shoes. I haven't always been this way. I've always liked nice clothes, but I used to be MUCH more stingy with my monies. Ever since Ryan and I decided my piano income is "fun" money for me to spend however I please...I've had a lot of...well, fun! I usually shop at inexpensive stores (Target, Payless, Old Navy, etc.), but it adds up.

And it needs to stop.

Or at least decrease dramatically. It's so unnecessary.

So, I have made a vow to myself to not buy ANY clothes (or shoes...can't forget the shoes) until I go to Utah in April. That's the middle of April. That's more than three months away from the time I started this thing. Not so hard for a lot of people. Very hard for Maren.

So, I thought I'd post about this just so I could have people to report to. Some accountability, you know?

And just for the record: Ryan had absolutely nothing to do with this. It was my idea. He really is very good about letting me do with my money what I want. He's so nice.

12 comments:

thebakerbook said...

Maren! I have been on a self imposed "spending freeze" for the last 3 weeks and have not even mentioned it to Brad. It is some what liberating. I feel like shopping is a way for me to have control over something, now I have control over my not shopping.

p.s I did make one purchase at Nordstrom but it was only because I had a Nordstrom note that was going to expire. Thats ok right???

p.s.s. Thanks for all your random comments on my blog. they always make me smile. :)

Dyan said...

Boy, I don't know if I could do that. Good luck, maybe you will inspire me to cut back on my shopping as well.

Jen said...

Maren,

Well said! I had to do some cutting back too (not because I had to, but I got tired of having too much stuff in my house.)

I did a massive de-clutter a month or two ago and it felt SO GOOD! Ever since then, if I buy something, it is to replace something we already have. How much stuff do I really need? That is when I started to think about ways to use money for creating memories as a good use of it (travel, day trips, etc.). That way, you don't collect too much stuff and you never have to give your memories to Goodwill. :-

Lant Family said...

I am SO like you!! I babysat a little girl last semester and any of that money was mine to spend. I spent every dime--excpet I managed to save $40 to use when I saw something these months that I LOVE and have to have. Luckily when I am pregnant I dont have that same desire to go buy clothes. I say shop on girl, if you have the money allowence then spend it on what you want and like.

Dani Brems said...

Come on Maren, isn't the economy hurting enough? (That's how I justify my spending.) Anyways, GO YOU!

Baldersons said...

Good for you! My new years resolution is to cut back on retail too...so far so good..but it is harder than I thought it would be! I'm sure you will do great though...only two months!

KaraLyn said...

Shopping? What's that?

Molly said...

I have a suggestion. Buy ME clothes and shoes. That way you're spending money on charity and you'll feel much better about it.

Karen Hauley said...

I recommend saving as much as you can ~ you never know when you might have an emergency need. p.s. I did not teach you to be a shop-a-holic.

Unknown said...

hey so remember how i was (that's right was) addicted to AE? i'm not! it can work! even ask mom.. i just delete the emails they send me on deals! ps. i am cleaning out my clothes once baby m comes.. (and i can fit in them again) and whatever i don't want anymore i am bring to utah for you and heather and whoever to duke it out with.. even shoes! so there can be some "new" clothes!

Ashley DeMille said...

I use to be a shop-a-holic too until I moved to a very small town! Now I just HAVE to wait until I get to go to Salt Lake! Just move to a small town that will help! Then I guess you learn about shoping online! Good luck that's a hard one!

Marcus and Jenny said...

Maren, you can do it. I'm fully supporting you on this in every way I can. In fact, if it would help by purging -- getting rid of some of those purchases, allow me to take the burden from you. Send me those clothes and shoes. It could be quite cathartic -- a cleansing and a great start to becoming a recovering shopaholic.;)