I’m going to look at YNAB! You know what I do? I give myself a secret excuse that it’s ok if I buy clothes if it’s used or vintage... but it still feeds my dang problem! It’s better than buying new, I guess. I should make a poll with all the women I know: do you have at least one pair of shoes that murders your feet but you still keep them?! I bet it’s a 100% yes!
So much better to buy used than new! You’re helping cut down on water waste. 🎊I read this startling statistic that it takes 700 gallons of water to make one t-shirt! Insanity. I bet you’re right about how many of us hang on to uncomfortable shoes. Wishful dressing I suppose. I should probably put them up for the sale in the hopes someone can Cinderella their feet into them and truly enjoy them.
So relate to this post, Stephanie. We started plugging all our expenses into an app called YNAB (You Need A Budget) in January. It’s been a real eye-opener and a good way to be mindful about spending. It’s crazy how much it costs to just live. I stopped buying new clothes about a year ago except for undergarments or in cases where I had a gift card I needed to use. I’ve never been one to follow trends, so I love finding one of kind pre-owned duds on RealReal or in thrift stores. I’ve also been patching, re-dying, and desperately trying to preserve my favorite jeans because the manufacturer went out of biz. Regrets, I’ve had a few. I bought a pair of shoes years ago that I love the look of, but they kill my feet so I never wear them and yet, they are still in my closet. Guess I’m hoping my feet get better with age. 🤣
Love this discussion Stephanie. I don't buy a lot of clothes but my purchase regrets and my worth-it purchases that come to mind are probably both of this category! I have so many things that I keep for years and years that I completely wear out and don't want to part with, but also things that were just not worth the money per wear because I don't feel great in them or they don't fit properly... so I don't reach for them! How to solve this dilemma... maybe a thousand questions before I buy anything?! Most of the time I just put off buying anything at all!
Jess it looks like your case is better for finances. I love that you wear your clothes out until you can’t wear them anymore. That’s how we are supposed to do it! But fast fashion has changed things and we now have a cycle of waste!!! I am like you too where I had good intentions in buying something to wear and I just don’t. I try them on every once in awhile with something completely different and sometimes it works. One thing I think I can’t get over is if the material feels terrible on my skin I won’t enjoy it at all
Maybe I'll have a dress up day where I try styling things I don't reach for - I often intend to do this and take photos so that I have those to remind me what to wear!
I agree with you on the material... I like everything to be as cosy as possible!
Great piece Stephanie. I have one of each- my regret buy is a bread maker which I used every weekend for the first month but has then just taken up space unused for the last 2 years! The purchase I’m glad I made is a coat 4 years ago- it was very expensive for me and I nearly didn’t but am still wearing it years later and makes me happy and feel good wearing it!
Thank you, Sian! Kitchen space is also very valuable. I can see how that could be a constant regret buy. When I did this exercise myself, trying to think of the good purchases, I found that they tend to be high quality things, and a lot of times with a higher price. I think that's where thinking for 30 days before I buy will be helpful, especially with more expensive things.
also, you should consider making bread again. only because I'm currently hungry :)
Love this - such great reflections! I actually told my husband last week that I’d like to do the same for next month... starting the year strong hopefully! We just moved to an empty house 3 months ago and it has been a lot of “we need to buy this” that the lines have gotten blurred as to what became extra and what was really necessary.... still need lots of stuff but starting to need a break and breathe a bit. Thanks for that reminder 🙏🏼
One thing I like to do is go to charity shops because sometimes there are things on my 'want' list - which have no time stamp or demand for them now - and if I discover it at a second-hand shop it feels more acceptable to purchase.
It's now become really exciting for me to buy at charity shops - I mainly look at books that have been read once and are still on shelves at your regular bookshops, or kitchen ware that is a bit snazzy - I was able to get a Le Cruset pot for nearly half of what it is in the shops and it only had a small chip in it. Worth it!
YES TO THIS SO MUCH! I've even been trying to get my kids used to getting stuff used, break that stigma of things needing to be new to be good. It's funny you commented on this today but I've been wanting an excuse to give an update that it's been a month since my no-buy experience and I've been doing so well!
Second hand shops are my haven! and weirdly, when I get this sort of itch that I want to go shopping - I go to charity shops and when I find nothing of interest it's sort of a reminder to myself that I don't NEED anything new, I just want something which isn't good for the environment or my wallet.
I wouldn’t necessarily say I regret all the makeup and beauty products I have in my “collection”(ahem, hoard). I do love a fancy lip gloss! However, I sheepishly admit that the amount I’ve accumulated is larger than a typical consumer. My fantasy self believes she is a beauty influencer! I would say I have enough products to cover my entire face and body for several lifetimes. Because I’ve become more keenly aware of my own consumerism, I’ve been actively trying to use up the stuff I have. One day, my hoard will be a more curated size... maybe when I’m 90!
I forgot to suggest to you that you put some of it on C's face this weekend. She mentioned wanting to wear makeup and I said oh well we are going to visit the right place this weekend!
Omg Elin. You might be happy to know my reality... I once again am not doing well with the buying issue. The holidays have not been great. Thank you for commenting on this, it’s like you were sent down from somewhere to remind me of my terrible habit! Room to improve
I’m going to look at YNAB! You know what I do? I give myself a secret excuse that it’s ok if I buy clothes if it’s used or vintage... but it still feeds my dang problem! It’s better than buying new, I guess. I should make a poll with all the women I know: do you have at least one pair of shoes that murders your feet but you still keep them?! I bet it’s a 100% yes!
So much better to buy used than new! You’re helping cut down on water waste. 🎊I read this startling statistic that it takes 700 gallons of water to make one t-shirt! Insanity. I bet you’re right about how many of us hang on to uncomfortable shoes. Wishful dressing I suppose. I should probably put them up for the sale in the hopes someone can Cinderella their feet into them and truly enjoy them.
So relate to this post, Stephanie. We started plugging all our expenses into an app called YNAB (You Need A Budget) in January. It’s been a real eye-opener and a good way to be mindful about spending. It’s crazy how much it costs to just live. I stopped buying new clothes about a year ago except for undergarments or in cases where I had a gift card I needed to use. I’ve never been one to follow trends, so I love finding one of kind pre-owned duds on RealReal or in thrift stores. I’ve also been patching, re-dying, and desperately trying to preserve my favorite jeans because the manufacturer went out of biz. Regrets, I’ve had a few. I bought a pair of shoes years ago that I love the look of, but they kill my feet so I never wear them and yet, they are still in my closet. Guess I’m hoping my feet get better with age. 🤣
Love this discussion Stephanie. I don't buy a lot of clothes but my purchase regrets and my worth-it purchases that come to mind are probably both of this category! I have so many things that I keep for years and years that I completely wear out and don't want to part with, but also things that were just not worth the money per wear because I don't feel great in them or they don't fit properly... so I don't reach for them! How to solve this dilemma... maybe a thousand questions before I buy anything?! Most of the time I just put off buying anything at all!
Jess it looks like your case is better for finances. I love that you wear your clothes out until you can’t wear them anymore. That’s how we are supposed to do it! But fast fashion has changed things and we now have a cycle of waste!!! I am like you too where I had good intentions in buying something to wear and I just don’t. I try them on every once in awhile with something completely different and sometimes it works. One thing I think I can’t get over is if the material feels terrible on my skin I won’t enjoy it at all
Yes, the waste is so sad.
Maybe I'll have a dress up day where I try styling things I don't reach for - I often intend to do this and take photos so that I have those to remind me what to wear!
I agree with you on the material... I like everything to be as cosy as possible!
Great piece Stephanie. I have one of each- my regret buy is a bread maker which I used every weekend for the first month but has then just taken up space unused for the last 2 years! The purchase I’m glad I made is a coat 4 years ago- it was very expensive for me and I nearly didn’t but am still wearing it years later and makes me happy and feel good wearing it!
Thank you, Sian! Kitchen space is also very valuable. I can see how that could be a constant regret buy. When I did this exercise myself, trying to think of the good purchases, I found that they tend to be high quality things, and a lot of times with a higher price. I think that's where thinking for 30 days before I buy will be helpful, especially with more expensive things.
also, you should consider making bread again. only because I'm currently hungry :)
Love this - such great reflections! I actually told my husband last week that I’d like to do the same for next month... starting the year strong hopefully! We just moved to an empty house 3 months ago and it has been a lot of “we need to buy this” that the lines have gotten blurred as to what became extra and what was really necessary.... still need lots of stuff but starting to need a break and breathe a bit. Thanks for that reminder 🙏🏼
One thing I like to do is go to charity shops because sometimes there are things on my 'want' list - which have no time stamp or demand for them now - and if I discover it at a second-hand shop it feels more acceptable to purchase.
It's now become really exciting for me to buy at charity shops - I mainly look at books that have been read once and are still on shelves at your regular bookshops, or kitchen ware that is a bit snazzy - I was able to get a Le Cruset pot for nearly half of what it is in the shops and it only had a small chip in it. Worth it!
YES TO THIS SO MUCH! I've even been trying to get my kids used to getting stuff used, break that stigma of things needing to be new to be good. It's funny you commented on this today but I've been wanting an excuse to give an update that it's been a month since my no-buy experience and I've been doing so well!
Second hand shops are my haven! and weirdly, when I get this sort of itch that I want to go shopping - I go to charity shops and when I find nothing of interest it's sort of a reminder to myself that I don't NEED anything new, I just want something which isn't good for the environment or my wallet.
I wouldn’t necessarily say I regret all the makeup and beauty products I have in my “collection”(ahem, hoard). I do love a fancy lip gloss! However, I sheepishly admit that the amount I’ve accumulated is larger than a typical consumer. My fantasy self believes she is a beauty influencer! I would say I have enough products to cover my entire face and body for several lifetimes. Because I’ve become more keenly aware of my own consumerism, I’ve been actively trying to use up the stuff I have. One day, my hoard will be a more curated size... maybe when I’m 90!
I forgot to suggest to you that you put some of it on C's face this weekend. She mentioned wanting to wear makeup and I said oh well we are going to visit the right place this weekend!
Omg Elin. You might be happy to know my reality... I once again am not doing well with the buying issue. The holidays have not been great. Thank you for commenting on this, it’s like you were sent down from somewhere to remind me of my terrible habit! Room to improve