I'll also recommend Your Money or Your Life by Robin & Dominguez.
Our time is our most precious resource, so consider prices in terms of hours worked. Would you rather have the item, or the time?

Big hugs to you Az. for what you are going through. It really puts everything in proper perspective.

Great thoughts all, and big hugs to you, Aziraphale.

Another expense is pets - we just added two more! They are well worth it, but their needs, like children, come first, and I worry about making choices that do not make my all my babies first priority (DS comes first, of course, but the furbabies are close behind)...

This is such a fantastic post and so are the replies that you received. It gives me a lot to think about, I will keep it handy to refer to it often.
Enjoy your new fur babies!

Yes, this is very attractive to me on some level. Years ago I found myself in a lot of debt and basically did what the blogger did -- cut back and used half my income for debt payment and didn't buy anything during the repayment period. It was one of the best experiences of my life, honestly. After that for years my then-husband and I were careful with our money and saved and avoided debt and had gotten to a great financial place.

Then, of course, I ran away from home two years ago and the emergency fund got spent, and I poured ridiculous amounts of money into my new house, and although I don't regret any of it I am still not sure what my "new normal" is going to be. And add to that a new gentleman friend who is a big ol' enabler when there is a shiny new barbecue grill to be bought or a trip to be taken. LOL I'm not taking on any debt but it's hard to get used to not having the massive cash reserves I'd had on hand when I was married

All of which is to say that after spending like mad for the past two years, I find the idea of a no-spend year rather appealing. The house is done, DS is out on his own, and I bet I could get through a year with the wardrobe I have in a pinch.

Hmmm...

No-spend periods have worked well for my household at various points in time. Not only are they good for the cash reserves, but we have found they sort of serve the same function as a palate-cleanser in a meal. After taking a break from consuming, I find that for a time I'm more thoughtful about purchases, make fewer of them, and genuinely enjoy what I do acquire.
In fact, this whole thread is a great motivator - maybe I should go on a shopping fast right now?

I am thinking that I will definitely be on a shopping ban (at least for wardrobe items) after NAS. The length of time will depend on how many items I end up keeping.

I love this post. I think what it is getting at is "mindfulness". I struggle the most with this when it is money spent on gifts, socializing, or e-books. I want to continue spending money on those things, but want to be mindful in the moment of how much I am spending and why I am buying, plus what that money is accomplishing versus what it COULD be accomplishing. For other people that might be coffee and clothes.

For me clothing has a lot of guilt associated with it because I hate "wasting" things --- I have very little guilt donating like-new pieces that don't work (a little irritation at myself for money lost, but oh well), but have a hard time deciding what to do with stuff that looks shabby but isn't truly worn out or things that wear out too quickly like work clothes that are too washed up, rayons that pill etc.

The ex was an enabler and I got myself into debt numerous times then took out a loan to clear it, paid off the loan and repeat. Since being single I've cleared the credit cards and loans, lowered the limit on the card to a manageable amount and am saving 25% of my wages each month this could be much higher as I'm still bunking with my parents (I do pay board) but I'm enjoying life after too many years of being miserable. I don't open another shampoo, shower gel etc until I've finished one but I do love clothes, nail polish and perfume but I enjoy the researching and buying of these things and live within my means. It was the most satisfying thing ever handing over £500 cash to get some work done on my car today knowing that I'd saved it although I did nearly cry about the amount of other stuff I could have bought with it instead!!!