It is now March 3, 2014 and I haven’t shopped for any item that adorns the body for around 335 days. Let’s be clear when I say I haven’t shopped I haven’t purchased a single item clothing item in the past 335 days. No socks, no sweaters, no pants, no jewelry, no shoes, no coats, no hats, you get the picture. And this is t.m.i. I didn’t buy undies either. But, I had a giant bag of brand new pairs so I was fine. And no, I haven’t cheated-not even once. I could write a book about this experience and I probably will. Spending a year not shopping has had a profound shift in the way I think about how I spend money.
About a month ago I wrote a post stating my belief that my money is political. I reached this point of view after spending a lot of hours thinking about spending and its role in the daily lives of the average American. We wake up leave the house and buy coffee, or gas, or a muffin. We go to work and pick up a snack or maybe a a quick lunch. Then, after the day is done we pick up our kids late and pay a fine, we pick up groceries, or buy gas. In all of this spending we waste time and money.
I must admit that I started the No Spending Challenge as a bit of a lark and out of desperation. I was getting deeper into personal finance blogging and working hard to change my finances and felt that I was doing a lot of things with my money without giving them a lot of thought. Shopping was one of the things I was doing on automatic pilot. I wasn’t even sure if I would be able to complete the challenge because let’s be honest a year without shopping is a tall order.
During the year I went on six trips: Atlanta, London, St. Louis, NYC, St. Louis, and Montana. I didn’t shop once. It wasn’t that difficult to forgo shopping in London (it’s too expensive) but it was definitely difficult to not pick up a cute top, a dress, a pair of shoes, or even a sweater while in NYC. I had to fill my vacation time with activities that did not include window shopping. Instead, I rode bikes with my mom on Governor’s Island, went hiking in Montana, and walked for hours in London looking at the buildings and taking the time to sit down for a lovely Australian flat white coffee.
I discovered discipline. I told myself “no.” When all I wanted was to say “yes.”
I’ve discovered that I really don’t like the clothes that I have. I don’t like that for the past 5 years I’ve been buying things that aren’t really me. I used to be the girl who dressed up at work-because I loved dressing up and fashion. As I became more disappointed and bummed out about my life the more more muted my clothing became. As I’ve become happier and more in control of my overall situation I want to wear COLOR! I want to dress up, I want saucy shoes. I want to feel and look like myself again. It has been 5 years too long. For me my clothes are an outward representation of what I’m feeling inside.
I’ve been wearing dark colors for way too long.
I estimate that I’ve saved around $3300 not shopping last year. I was averaging around $275 a month-that included thrift shopping.
I learned that each piece of clothing is important because I’ve spent life energy earning the money to purchase the item.
I’ve become very vehement about how and where my clothes and other consumables are being made. I also have become very focused on keeping my dollars circulating in my community for as long as possible.
I’ve thought about why Americans don’t walk the talk when it comes to what we say and what we do. If we are so concerned about American jobs and Made in the U.S.A. then why aren’t we spending to reflect our values?
Colorado has a strong Made in Colorado movement. Products such as: Izze, Smashburger, Chipotle, Crocs, Coors, Justin’s, and Silk Soy/Almond milk products. I actively try to buy Colorado products and as I look forward to shopping again I realize that I want to buy Made in the U.S.A. goods. I have been searching for companies who manufacture items or entire lines of product in the U.S.A. I will also be purchasing from countries that have strong laws against child labor and long standing traditions of producing great products in their country by artisans who love what they do. Think Italian leather or items made in France.
I will be purchasing Levi’s 501 jeans (Made in the U.S.A), tops from C+C California, American Apparel (even though I LOATHE the CEO), and beautiful shoes from Emerson Fry. I will be buying boots from FRYE and actively asking, “Are these made in the U.S.A.?” I’ve become that girl.
I want my actions to match my beliefs. I’m not nuts though. I will be working with a strict budget, and have a very clear vision of what my wardrobe needs. I will also thrift shop and have signed up to learn how to sew. I want to know that everything that I do will help strengthen not only my bottom line, but also my family, community, and country’s bottom line. I don’t want 5 year old Ching Lan (beautiful orchid) making my clothes. What if that was my kid?
You can argue that the poverty of that country should change how I think about children making my clothes and how the money they are making helps their family-but it doesn’t change how I feel. I’m angry that in the rush to open up manufacturing since the Reagan years that profit has come before people, quality, and treating people well. I want to help spearhead a movement to make it fashionable to spend on quality products made in my country and think in terms of Return on Investment. Yes, I will be spending more on some items but when I factor in Return on Investment it makes sense to buy quality over quantity. Let’s be honest some things that aren’t made in the U.S.A. will slip in, but I will try my best to keep that from happening.
I’ve set my Clothing budget for 2014 it’s $2300 Clothes that I am needing (as some things exploded) and other items wore out.
- Saucy shoes
- Jeans-3 pairs
- Blouses
- Boots-FRYE-found a website with discounted shoes
- A new black coat
- A new spring coat-very bright color
- Tennis shoes
- Cream Wool Sweater (2)
- Dresses
I am pricing things out and some individual items will be quite expensive. Overall I will be spending $1000 less than before. How do I know if I will stick to my budget? I didn’t shop for a year, I’ve finally learned some self-control!
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Hah hah..glad you clarified the undies part as l was wandering about that! I think it’s admirable that you were able to go that long. Keeping to this budget should be a piece of cake. Good luck!
The first thing I wondered about when I heard of other people doing this is-what about underwear??!! This experiment has had a profound affect on me and has changed how I think about spending. I am changing how I live my life and how I spend factors big time in how I will afford my new lifestyle.
Man I could really use an updated wardrobe myself. I’m actually borrowing a winter coat for Denver/Iceland because it’s probably a pretty much one time use. I’m proud of your self-control. Even though I’m about 1/4 the fashionista you are, I would still have a tough time doing a no spending challenge on clothes for a year!
I love my fashion but I was sick of spinning my wheels financially. I won’t lie when I say that I am looking forward to buying some new things but 2012 will be the last year that I shop myself broke.
Good for you Michelle! That’s awesome you have made it this long without buying any clothing- so impressive! I also agree with trying to keep things local. Right now I just buy produce local, but would like to branch out to other things as well.
In the past few years I’ve been focusing more and more on buying local. We have a lot of great options in Colorado so it’s not hard to do. I am taking it a step further…I want to stay aligned with my beliefs.
LOVE this. I went two years without buying clothing when I was in college. I just didn’t have the money to do it. Every holiday, I would ask my family to buy me the clothing I needed (underwear included!) and that got me by for about two years.
I also love your strong commitment to upholding your values through your clothing. It’s very honorable.
I asked my mom for socks. This past Christmas I was thrilled to get socks and tights and my mom hooked me up! I’m still pulling new socks out of the haul she gave me. I will try to buy the majority of my clothes from American companies and Made in the U.S.A., I’ll also thrift shop, and buy from countries with similar views on ethical treatment of workers. The reality is that some things might slip into my wardrobe but I will try my best to avoid that.
How do you know how much to set for clothes budget per year? I’m trying to do better with shopping by going to thrift stores but I still feel guilty for spending. I also think that my outer appearance is starting to affect my self esteem.
To be honest, I set an arbituary number. But, I did look at what I was spending on average and then cut it by a third. I love thrift shopping but I will be really looking closely at the quality of the garment before purchasing. I’ve found some amazing items: $4 cocktail dress (brand new), gorgeous summer jacket, and some cute shoes-yes, I will wear used shoes…I just treat them before wearing them! The big thing that I’ve learned from this challenge is that quality comes before quantity. I would rather wait a couple of months and buy a nicer item that will last longer (hopefully on sale) than several items that are inexpensive. I really noticed that the items that looked good and had a better quality feel, etc made ME feel better about myself.
I would encourage you to take a month off of fashion shopping (no thrifting,etc.) and see how you feel throughout the month wearing what you currently have. Once you’ve done that for about a month you’ll be able to identify the items you really love, need, enjoy wearing. If you’re feeling like you’re not looking your best then identify the areas you’re not happy with and look for inexpensive ways to change. I also offer free shop your closet consultations via Facetime or Skype. Let me know if you’re up for one!
You are doing great, Michelle! I don’t care for shopping at all, but I guess I would feel similarly if I couldn’t go out to eat. Having discipline makes you think twice. I agree it helps to really think of spending as a political action — it is supporting something or someone. Who is that? Is it in alignment with your values? Those help curb the desires! Keep going, girl. You are saving a ton.
I love going out to eat-but for posh dinners!!! I think that everyone should stop doing one or two of the things that they really enjoy (that cost money) and see how it affects their daily/weekly lives and budget. I wasn’t fashion shopping everyday, but enough that by taking that one habit/hobby off the table I was able to progress a lot further on my financial journey.
A year without shopping is a long time! I hadn’t shopped for 9 months before the purchase of my birthday dress in January. Not sure I could have lasted the whole year. Well done you 😛
If you could last for 9 months you could do a whole year!
Great post! I like your thoughts about the political aspects of where we spend our money. Do follow up on learning to sew. It won’t probably save you money but you will be able to have Nordstrom quality clothes on a K-mart budget. Check out the blog Goodbye Valentino. She started by doing a year long ready to wear fast and made her own clothes during that year. The stuff she makes looks like designer clothing. I think they just started another year long fast and lots of sewers have signed up.
A HUGE thank you for the blog info re: Goodbye Valentino. Those clothes are lovely-she can sew!! I’m really excited about learning how to sew and I think that it is a life skill that I’ll really enjoy having. Will keep you posted. I’ve been doing a lot of research on American businesses and have found several that are fashionable enough and ok priced to shop from. I can’t wait to get new skinny jeans!!!