I am joining you ! ( have also shopped too much recently and some stuff has still to arrive in the mail).

Exceptions:
1. There are some skinny pants I am stalking - so I can get them if they go on sale
2. My b-day is in October, so I can treat myself to one nice thing, whatever it might be

hmmm, well that would mean that I would have to do a bunch of shopping today- LOL.
Actually, my system is that I give myself a weekly allowance and keep that cash set aside, and when I shop, it has to come out of that. If I don't have the cash, I dont make the purchase. It has actually kept me from making so many impulsive purchases. I"m also much more inclined to return something that I bring home to realize that I don't just love it, or it doesn't work into my wardrobe well.

Good luck though on your shopping ban. It will probably force you to get really creative with what you have and you'll probably come up with some new ways to wear things.

I *should* be banned all year long, but I don't think I can do it. I'm weak and I always feel like I need something new. It's quite the bad habit.

I'll give it a go. I have such a weakness for clothes/shoe shopping, it might inspire me to stay home if I know others are in this with me.

Although I have been on a shopping frenzy lately, my autumn/winter wardrobe is almost complete. Ido have a few things to return at 2 stores today - can I still shop this weekend with the store credits?

I won't be on a complete ban, but I'm on a very limited budget until May (when DH graduates from grad school). My budget will probably go to a good haircut, accessories, and a pair of boots before the holidays.

It's nice to know others are restricting their shopping or budgets as well. Kym, I use store credits, even during shopping bans because I'm usually on a ban to use my money elsewhere. Store credits are an exception, because they can't go in my savings account. :) In fact, I take unwanted items from my wardrobe to Buffalo Exchange or thrift stores and get cash or credit to help supplement my wardrobe when I'm restricting my spending.

Welcome aboard Tanya :)
Thanks Queenie. I have myself on a budget, too, but I went off it lately (at first with dh's blessing, and then as a mistake!) Our weather is finally cooling off a bit, so I will finally be getting a chance to wear new things.
I hear ya Marianna!
Kym- I think that can be a part of your rules- to use your return credits if you want to. Welcome aboard!

No! Not with our vacation to the shopping mecca that is Hong Kong. :-)

Also it's Fall and that's the best time to shop for wardrobe additions, for my climate. Perhaps I will join you in a shopping ban from Thanksgiving through December. I rarely brave the malls in December because of the crowds. I rarely buy much in January-February either, because even with the sales, I never seem to find anything worth the discount.

LE- I am the same way. I will figure out how to get something without spending out of pocket LOL
Shiny- I wouldn't go on a ban on holiday, either. I am with you on the malls- I try to stay out from Nov to Feb as much as possible. Our local mall gets so bad, that employees have to park down the street and be shuttled in.

Yep, I'm on a shopping ban for the entire month of October! In fact I think my ban will go straight until the end of the year, as I am all done with my fall and winter shopping. The only exception will be one warm winter scarf from Target or wherever. Good luck with your shopping ban!

How timely; I have a blog post half-written about my plan to start a clothing budget this month. Since I started losing weight I haven't budgeted myself at all, just bought what I needed (and paid everything off every month). But now that my need for items in my new size has become less urgent, it's time to for some framework and control.

Thus a budget will be implemented starting October 1; I won't say how much it's for because it's still a fair amount of money, but it's what I can afford and what I want to spend each month to keep rebuilding my closet. There are still some big-ticket items in the next few months, like winter coats and another pair of bad-weather winter boots, and of course more sweaters and layers galore. I'm going to have to become a lot more discerning and choosy, which I'm looking forward to!

Count me in! I've gone a bit overboard the past month and need to set the brake. Here are my exceptions:

1. I need necklaces, but will limit myself to two and stay under $20 each.

2. I'd like another colorful scarf or two. I have a few belts I'm deciding whether to keep or return and I'll get the scarves only if I return the belts.

My best strategy is simply to stay away from the mall and out of Target. If I don't see it, I can't buy it!

I'm in. I have been spending a lot the past month and need to just stop all ready.

MY exceptions are:

1) I do need some new underwear and some tights.
2) I am stalking a specific pair of jeans...just waiting for the sale.
3) I am on the lookout for some simple white layering tops. They have been surprisingly hard to find...everything is embellished and colored in the stores lately.

I don't see a problem with not counting store credit purchases and returns since that is money already spent. Its the "new money" items I need to reign in!

Technically, you would be joining me, rather than me joining you :p

My shopping ban isn't really based on an arbitrary date. I have had no choice but to start using my credit card lately, so once I get a job, the first thing I need to do is pay that off. After that, the shopping ban can be lifted.

I always make exceptions for bras and shoes because these two things are the most necessary and most difficult for me. But the shoes I got most recently (the Eccos and those GE flats) were very cheap, and likewise, the bras I got were on sale (one from ebay which I know squizzes some people out, but it was a new bra I assure you).

I'm with you! I'm so completely broke at the moment that I've started turning into the typical graduate student eating instant noodles to save money!

I'm in. Think i need a 6 month shopping ban after what i spent during the summer ;-) However the shaggy waistcoat will be an exception to the ban and possibly a couple of winter layering tops x

I echo Shiny. No ban for me at this time of year. This is when I restock my wardrobe with the best of the best and prep for a long, long time of cold weather.

Good luck to the banners though! (Is that even a word?)

I have banned bans. They seem to backfire on me!

I echo Angie's best wishes to the banners, though. (Nice word).

And now I echo our lovely Laura. I've also banned bans. Love that!

Laura...too funny. Khris I wish I had your resolve. Working at AT part time...well just a group of shop crazy enablers...NEVER talk each other out of something, only reasons why it is a must have:)

Good luck to all...I am far too weak to join.

My October ban is going to be wine and sweets :-)

No ban right now I need too much stuff. I'm looking for a dress for my leggings, straight leg jeans, boots, moto jacket and pearls. If I think about it too long I need more. I will probably have to ban myself in a month or two.

Well, its half way thru October 1st and so far my ban is still in place.

LOLOLOL, Marlene! Very impressive restraint. :)

Taylor, working in retail makes it impossible to go on a ban. Heck, havings *friends* in retail make it impossible...all my friends from my days at F&T keep letting me know when the deals are coming!

I've already started my "lust list" for post ban shopping LOL

sorry- double post

Well, last night & today at lunch I used up my store credits and feel pretty good about not shopping for 4 weeks. I told a good friend at work about the ban and asked her to point a finger at me if I should head out at lunchtime (I always bring my lunch to work; the only reason that I ever leave the office is to shop).

I'll tell my hubby about it tonight too. I think that once the first few days have passed, the rest of the month should be a breeze :)

Hope you all go well with the ban. I won't be participating as I am planning a major summer shop for next week; I am trying to stock up at the beginning of the season as my size (esp in shoes) often sells out. But I have bought practically nothing since July (one $3 scarf and a $4top from an op shop is all, I think). I don't really need bans!

Hmm I was considering a complete ban, but I will make an exception if I come across something fabulous. I won't have much time for shopping.either, so it'll be unlikely, but there are so many lovely things posted here that I might be tempted. And I do need a new pair of running shoes, but that doesn't count :)

October 3rd....I think I am a hopeless case!

I bought some layering shirts from ATL today. I did return some items and used my $25 savings card so actually I will be AHEAD money-wise. PLUS these were items from my exceptions list posted above. So maybe I should let myself off the hook...I didn't buy the other 4 items I had in my shopping cart. Maybe I am a good girl after all?