Starting September 1, for the next 365 days we're reigning in our retail spending.
I had started this saying I wasn't going to shop for the next year. I can't say we're "not shopping". The woman I got this idea from wouldn't even buy herself a new bra! That is ridiculous to me. So, I guess, I'm defining shopping as the new sweater hanging on the rack that you think you can't do without. That great new toy that your kid will 'just love'. The 'Oooh, bleach is on sale, I need 10 of those' moments. The $100 limit for Christmas and buying big extravagances for birthdays or just because. I'm looking at the trip to the big bag store only for bread and milk that just cost you $50! That's my definition of shopping. Those are the types of spending I'm looking to eliminate. I'm realizing that it's simply impossible to 'not shop'. For now, we'll call it "reigning in".
I have 3 little nieces/nephews with birthdays and Christmas coming and they don't understand this whole thing. They're 3 and 4. And another that's going to be 14 (makes me feel old - then I think of her 27 YO cousin and I feel like a grandma!). We have set a strict gift limit on these things. I'm not going to disclose that limit but there is one.
We have a trip to Detroit coming up this month. That will happen as planned. I also have an event late winter/early spring that will happen as planned. These were scheduled before this was decided. It is not fair to those involved to force their participation or put in less for they certainly deserve the most.
Clothing for Jacob - I will have to purchase summer clothing for him next year then again for fall and I have a HUGE tendency to go overboard! We're switching over to the 'buy seven' rule. 7 shirts, 7 pants, 7 shorts, etc. He has 7 days worth of clothing and I do laundry once per week. I have been selling Jacob's clothes on an online auction site - and we're having another garage sale to get rid of the overabundance of his clothes - most that he NEVER EVEN WORE! Shoes will be replaced as he uses them up or outgrows them. As always, I will try to do used where I can (he's getting to the age where clothing does wear out), yard sales, second hand stores, etc. I do that now but, really, his dresser is STUFFED!
Halloween: I have Jacob's costume already. We will buy candy and hand out candy. I'm not handing out chocolate this year. Bring on the bulk foods, individually wrapped Smarties. I can't take my kid trick-or-treating and not hand out candy myself. I may get really bitchy and require costumes to get candy too...
Thanksgiving: We're traveling to my sister's this year. One year, I prepared for like 10 people and we only had 3 show up. I'm simply not doing it anymore. I'll make a small dinner for us to have leftovers.
I have Jacob's birthday gifts already. We're not having a party this year. We're having a small dinner with cupcakes, at home with G & G H, G & G S, and I don't know who else. Just a small family deal, on a Monday night.
Christmas: Christmas for us this year is going to be homemade. I bought everything (except the consumables) back in February to make our Christmas gifts. We also pared down the list of people we are giving gifts to this year. Really, if I haven't spoken to you all year or for that matter, if we don't even get together unless it's a forced thing - why do I want to give you a gift? I certainly wouldn't expect one from you!
I do have some rebate money from an on-line auction to spend in October. I will use those rebates to purchase Jacob's Christmas gifts - which has been drastically scaled back from previous years.
Jeremy and I are not exchanging gifts at all this year. As you recall, I got a new camera and signed off on receiving any type of gift for the rest of my life. I really like that camera!
I will only buy clothing/shoes for Jeremy and I as a necessity. Shoes - they have to have no life left. Clothing - we're both set. We will replace Jeremy's work clothes as needed and we will also purchase underclothes as they are thrown out.
Vehicles and our home will still be maintained.
Our cat(s) will not change foods or litter - I may mix a couple brands depending on what is on sale. Sadly, we're about to lose 1 cat and but, that is another post.
No new flowers for the yard and no annuals in the spring.
We will purchase pool filters.
Toiletries will be replenished as they're close to being used up. No more stockpiling!
NO MORE BOOKS! My to read list at the library has 86 books on it. Plus I have 14 on the shelf in our den and another at least 30 on the shelf in the guest room.
Batteries - Wisely, last year, we changed to rechargeable and have been working those in. We will purchase other size batteries as needed - for smoke detectors, flashlights, safety type things.
Meals outside of the home will be limited to once per 2 week pay period. Jacob and I will still do our Sunday supper at "Donald's" on Sunday when Daddy works.
I can't say that I will not go out to lunch from work for the next year. I eat lunch at my desk most days and I do bring my lunch from home or I have stuff in my desk. Going out, isn't really an issue for me. I think limiting eating lunch out to once per month, will be an easy task. Besides, it's the only way I get to see Ember and, I'm keeping that.
No more afternoon trips to the vending machine for chips or chocolate.
No more pop, no more soda, no more buying flavored water at work!
My toughest = coffee. I try to take coffee from home with me in the morning. But some mornings there just isn't time to brew it so I buy coffee from work. I have a refillable cup - that they will refill twice for $1.50. Yet for the $1.50 - I get coffee in the AM as well as PM! I am going to limit my at work coffee expense to once per week. No more foo-foo coffee!
I will continue to send Birthday cards to our families, and Holiday cards to the little kiddies. The good Lord knows I have the cards to be sending!
I will send Christmas cards this year too. Again, God knows the stack of cards is already there. I'm sorry if you get the same card you got last year.
As for Jeremy - he hasn't been allowed to spend money for almost 8 years now. This isn't much of a change for him.
I've allowed quite a few exceptions, and I know that. My goal here is to really curb my spending. To buy less. To waste less. To use things up and wear them out. To not have so much stuff that's just stuff or stuff that's simply for convenience.Again, I'm happy to answer any questions and if you think I missed something, please say and I'll respond in the comments. I'm also open to suggestions.
Wish me luck!
Good Luck! It sounds like you have been really giving this alot of thought.. Good for you. I have been trying to not buy cappucinos and flavored water on my way to work. I have been taking my on stuff from home. Staring Sept. 8 Mike and I are quitting smoking. So that will help alot. Good Luck and keep up with the posts.
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