YouLookFab Forum » Topic: NOT shopping...tips?

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: NOT shopping...tips? https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/not-shoppingtips Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sun, 19 Apr 2026 07:05:18 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php Keturah on "NOT shopping...tips?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/not-shoppingtips#post-1320914 Fri, 01 Aug 2014 17:03:15 +0000 Keturah 1320914@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Personally, I'm not against all shopping, just learning to do a lot less of it. I have found myself buying a lot less simply by focusing on building my seasonal wardrobe capsule. I purged a lot of things. I also realized I can "shop my closet" for a lot of what I need. I used to just impulse buy, purchasing items I would wear a few times then forget about in the closet. I did a couple of H&M hauls and well...I've returned 75% of it!! In the past, I think I would have hung on to it. But by looking at my goals and pinterest mood board, I've stopped a lot of shopping. I also do the occasional thrift store stop. Sometimes I find things, sometimes I don't. But that's the same even if I go shopping for new clothes. <div> </div><div>I think you've been given  lot of really valuable tips already. Hope it helps you in the NOT shopping!!!  </div> unfrumped on "NOT shopping...tips?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/not-shoppingtips#post-1320783 Fri, 01 Aug 2014 13:43:07 +0000 unfrumped 1320783@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I really echo Gigi--on a different level than   the practical tips of what to do instead, which are also right on target, I soon realized that if I added something like a new tapered pant or a new shoe color or style, I needed time to play with that and see if it really fit in, or "did something" for me, or, if I needed something to go with it, I might need time to figure out what would be best. So that helps, to have the focus of how a slower approach is a benefit you can really see,  not a deprivation. Also, I am more likely to make a duplication mistake if I don't give time to see how something in one color works before I add another. Lyn D. on "NOT shopping...tips?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/not-shoppingtips#post-1320673 Fri, 01 Aug 2014 07:55:23 +0000 Lyn D. 1320673@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Strict 1-in-1 out-  the new item has to be better than something in the same category I already own to earn its place! Marley on "NOT shopping...tips?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/not-shoppingtips#post-1320566 Fri, 01 Aug 2014 03:58:02 +0000 Marley 1320566@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Several years ago I was on a strict no-shopping budget that lasted 2 1/2 years - and during that time I still participated regularly on YLF - so, I can vouch that it can be done! I took a multi-pronged approach in managing my impulses, desires, obsessions, etc. 1)  I cleaned out my closet, bought all new hangars (ok, so that was kind of shopping, wasn't it?), purged, and organized my wardrobe.  This took me several months to complete - and is actually an on-going process. 2)  I challenged myself to "copycat" outfits from streetstyle pics that I found on The Sartorialist - one of my favorite "fantasy" blogs.  I mean, do regular people really dress like that? 3)  I tracked my outfits everyday - and at the end of each day, I would assess the outfit - proportion? fit? color?  what worked?  what didn't work?  And then I gave it a happiness factor rating.  Anything rated 9 or 10 was an automatic repeat outfit for me - below that, and I didn't wear that combination again. 4)  Related to #3 - I kept track of Cost Per Wear - something that I had never done before.  This was very helpful to me when I would get the urge to buy something - I found that my value system had changed - no longer was I willing to buy something that I wasn't going to get down to a low cost per wear rate (with a few exceptions) - it just felt wasteful to me. 5)  I went shopping with anybody who would have me!  I found that I got all of my shopping impulses very easily satisfied by helping a friend pick out clothing items, shoes, etc. - and I would walk away from those excursions, not feeling deprived, but actually fulfilled and excited - and at times glad that I wasn't the one bringing the piece of clothing home and trying to find a place for it in my closet! (Sometimes I would even try on a piece of clothing while I was shopping with the friend - and that would satisfy my itch - it seemed that by trying it on that that took the mystery and magic out of the item and I was able to easily leave it behind.) 6) I "fake" shopped on-line.  Constantly picking things out and putting them in my online shopping bags.  And they just sat there - and it was OK.  I don't know what that was about - but I do it with candy too.  I will buy a bag of candy and put it in my cupboard and not touch it - but just knowing that its there, satisfies my desire for the candy - the same was with the items I put in my shopping bags! 7)  I transferred my shopping obsession to other things - yep, I know - not the best thing to do, but it did keep me from shopping.  I did a lot of writing, painting, reading, and exercise - and started putting more hours into my volunteer job at the local animal shelter.  All of those activities helped me to fill and fulfill the 'need' that I had to shop. 8)  I only carried cash - no credit or debit cards.  I was not even tempted to pay cash for an item, while a debit or credit card did not have that kind of effect on me! 9)  I got gift cards for Christmas and my B-Day and I hoarded those cards - having a difficult time deciding just exactly what I was going to use the gift cards for!  I found that I was extremely picky and things that I would have bought in the past without a second thought, didn't even get consideration when I knew that I had a very limited amount of funds to spend!  I honestly found myself feeling as though I didn't WANT to shop!  So weird! That's all I can think of for now - if I think of other things I'll add them.  I'm still on a very limited budget - put not completely cut off like I was before.  Shopping my closet  was a good experience for me - I learned that I had more than enough.  I learned that I could be very creative with what I did have.  I learned that I could survive without getting new/different things - and that I could still be happy!  I got to know myself better in other ways - and I got to know others better too.  Life was easier. rabbit on "NOT shopping...tips?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/not-shoppingtips#post-1320554 Fri, 01 Aug 2014 03:44:50 +0000 rabbit 1320554@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ The things that work best for me are: 1)  Tracking everything I own.   I have a goal of wearing new clothes until they are down to a certain cost per wear, and with clothes over a year old, I'm targeting a certain number of wears. (3x each for summer dresses for example, this doesn't sound like a lot, but it's a start).     I plan out and try on outfits in advance, and I am really reluctant to add new things until my wears are higher for items I already own (I use color coding on a spreadsheet so I can see at a glance what needs to be worn more). 2) I'm also trying to donate, resell, or alter/fix items that aren't getting worn for good reasons, and this takes time as well. 3) The main reason I want to shop is to get out of the house/studio and see other people, and to also have a reason to wear something more exciting that lounge/messy studio clothes.  So when taking a break from clothes shopping, I grocery shop, but I coupon and use a price point guide, so there's a limit on cost there as well (and time that goes into planning the trip, figuring out the true needs, matching coupons, etc.).    Carla on "NOT shopping...tips?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/not-shoppingtips#post-1320540 Fri, 01 Aug 2014 03:21:14 +0000 Carla 1320540@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Since I tend to be good at deferring gratification, I might be the spanner in the works. I shop a lot, but I don't buy. I look at every magazine, catalogue, or store outing as an opportunity to recon what is out there and learn the merchandise. I like to keep Pinterest boards as well, with aspirational style, and copy-cat boards, as well as pictorial shopping lists. It is fun to SYC, and put outfits together. I challenge myself with putting together Angie outfit post combinations, or copy cat outfits inspired by Fabbers or street style pics, but working with the clothes I already have. ameelizabeth on "NOT shopping...tips?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/not-shoppingtips#post-1320512 Fri, 01 Aug 2014 02:42:29 +0000 ameelizabeth 1320512@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Excellent point, Aida! Aida on "NOT shopping...tips?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/not-shoppingtips#post-1320428 Fri, 01 Aug 2014 01:10:46 +0000 Aida 1320428@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Another thought that might help: If you replace all of your wardrobe at once, you will then likely have to update a LOT of it at once when it's time to update Better to add over time so that those updates don't pile up to so much at once. ameelizabeth on "NOT shopping...tips?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/not-shoppingtips#post-1320415 Fri, 01 Aug 2014 00:51:50 +0000 ameelizabeth 1320415@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Melanie - Thanks for the detailed response!  It's good to hear another "success story" and how you did it!  I'm so impressed by all of that, including not even grocery shopping!  So nice that your husband was so supportive! It's really helpful to know there are other purposefully non-shoppers on here...there are more than I thought! Joy - Thank for the tips on "if you find yourself in a store" situation...sounds like it's all about the mindframe (like pretty much most things!)  Good idea about shopping for charity purposes, too.  Viva - GREAT tips...I will probably try each and every one of them!  And you're so right about putting things in your online shopping basket.  I am a big Amazon fan (amazon prime is just so wonderful!), and have things in my cart or "save for later" area that I look at, and then think "well, I don't really need that yet/now/that badly" and it just sits there. I think I've had a set of vegetable peelers and a french rolling pin in my cart for the better part of a year now.  I don't buy clothes online, but maybe I should start...if only for the purpose of NOT buying them :) Thank you guys again for all the really helpful advice and stories...like viva said, I might duck out if I find it too challenging to peruse the site, or I might be on more for the support since it seems like a lot of us are in the same boat! viva on "NOT shopping...tips?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/not-shoppingtips#post-1319798 Thu, 31 Jul 2014 12:41:50 +0000 viva 1319798@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ August is a no-buy month for me, so this is a very timely question. So, what will I do to help myself through it?  I will create filters in my email so all shopping-related emails go straight to the trash. I will probably visit YLF less often to check out WIWs and Angie's posts. Sad, but true. I find that YLF can push my desire button. On the other hand, I may visit YLF more often to commiserate when I am having a tough time. There is great support here. I will try to dress more consciously -- creating interesting outfits from what I do have, which makes me more excited about my clothing. I will clean. Organizing closets, drawers, etc. makes me less interested in bringing new things into the house. I will exercise more. Exercising helps me work out all kinds of unhealthy impulses. If I do visit a shopping website, which I am sure I will, I will just put things in the shopping basket, and then I will leave the site. Sometimes, it is just the act of selecting and dreaming that I like to do. It's not even the purchasing and the having. We all go through times when we need to take a breather. I hope some of these strategies work for you. xxx Anonymous on "NOT shopping...tips?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/not-shoppingtips#post-1319755 Thu, 31 Jul 2014 11:42:29 +0000 Anonymous 1319755@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Sometimes a friend calls and wants/needs to go shopping. Being in the stores can be hard but it gets easier once you have a wardrobe that you like and are practicing one in/one out. I also start shopping with someone else in mind. Start your holiday gift buying. Shop for something that your church or other organization regularly collects...school supplies and children's clothing, Toys For Tots, baby and maternity clothes for crisis pregnancy centers, coat drives. You can even do some of this at garage sales and thrift stores. It doesn't go to your closet,but you get to scratch the shopping itch. Melaine on "NOT shopping...tips?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/not-shoppingtips#post-1319744 Thu, 31 Jul 2014 10:58:41 +0000 Melaine 1319744@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I haven't read all the responses, so forgive if I am repeating. Money is tight for us, we are a one income family with three kids and we homeschool, so I won't be getting back to bringing in an income soon. I have always been thrifty but I am also sort of a shopaholic which is kind of an awful combo. I have a thrift store two minutes from my house and another one about 5 which is amazing. I shop way too much. Not just financially, but it's easy to waste time and we also have a relatively small home so can't continue to bring home treasures, no matter how awesome. In December, I challenged myself to NOT shop all month. We really took it seriously and my husband took over grocery shopping as well. We made gifts to complete our list combined with what was already in our gift closet. It was such a good exercise for me. I was able to do spend more time baking and creating and decorating for the holidays. The kids and I did some of the pinterest-y things on our wish lists. It really took the stress off my husband who works so hard for us. All in all, great experience. A few things that helped me. 1) Picking a time frame. Just cutting back, or shopping "less" wasn't working for me. Moderation is not my strong suit. All or nothing, and from this date to that date. Clear parameters. For me, window shopping was absolutely out. 2) Sharing the goal. I am so NOT a facebook over-sharer. Quite the opposite. My posts are funny things my kids say, and pics of them....and maybe a random question to the group here and there. I do NOT share my exercise habits, culinary successes, thoughtful introspection. Not me. But I knew I needed the accountability so I put it out there: "I won't be shopping for the month of December". I knew folks would call me out if I failed. And putting it print made it like a contract. No going back. 3) Picking another focus. I love the ideas of shopping the closet, pinterest boards, crafting, cooking etc. Shopping is a hobby for me and I needed to pick another one. Over the holidays this was easy. August is going to be shopping free for me again and this month I will be focusing on setting up our homeschool year, planning for it, and de-cluttering a few areas of the home. I like to do "challenges" with the house too. Two years ago I did "2012 items for 2012" and I sold, donated or trashed that many items that were unneeded from our home. I might do a yard sale this month. 4) Reasons behind the choice. Writing down, "There are other joys in life besides shopping!" "Simplicity is beautiful", "Exercising self-control is freeing", "Our home is complete without more STUFF" etc. Just saying I shop too much isn't enough for me. I am obviously revealing that I am a true addict by all of this! I realize as I am thinking through this that one month is probably not enough of a shopping break for me! I am thinking I might make it August, September & October. That would be a good time frame for me with the start of school and our long summer (no need for cold weather purchases). At the end I would probably reward myself with some kind of large (for me) purchase that I really spend time choosing (opposite of an impulse purchase). Anyway, I'm glad you brought this up. It's an issue for me, and one I think about a lot. I have so enjoyed finding YLF and am excited about the non-shopping tips I can find here! The capsule wardrobe challenge is definitely one I will be focusing on for August. ameelizabeth on "NOT shopping...tips?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/not-shoppingtips#post-1319522 Thu, 31 Jul 2014 01:22:23 +0000 ameelizabeth 1319522@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Mona, thank you for chiming in!  It's really reassuring to hear about someone who went through the same thing and came out on the other side (and without having to quit YLF!).  I'll try to throw that shopping switch to the "off" position! Mona on "NOT shopping...tips?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/not-shoppingtips#post-1319466 Thu, 31 Jul 2014 00:09:13 +0000 Mona 1319466@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ When I was new at YLF, about 2 years ago, I went through a ravenous period where I wanted to buy every single item that I saw others on the forum had. However, my budget was very limited and soon I realized that buying everything blindly will not be possible for me. I live in Canada so a lot of stuff is not available here anyways and it can be really expensive to have stuff shipped to us.  To be happy with my style journey, I had to take baby steps first. I ordered a few reasonably priced items online to make my outfits look current and took a break from shopping. This was a very important step. I wanted to look awesome in my clothes and not look dated wearing ill fitting items. While on my break, I started culling my wardrobe which gave me something to do and really step back and analyze what my priorities are regarding fashion. I was still regularly participating in YLF at that time as it is one of my favourite passtimes but I had turned my shopping switch off (in my mind) so I was not terribly tempted by new items on the forum. I think what also helped was my extremely busy schedule (full time job, school, kids) so I just did not have any energy to put towards shopping other than purging the ill fitting and unloved items. After purging almost 3/4 of my wardrobe, I feel that now I am ready to shop a little bit more but the item has to fit in my budget and I have to absolutely love it in order to spend money on it. I am still far from where I want to be but I am really enjoying this journey. ameelizabeth on "NOT shopping...tips?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/not-shoppingtips#post-1319460 Thu, 31 Jul 2014 00:03:13 +0000 ameelizabeth 1319460@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Gigi - Constant buying and shopping can sometimes interfere with our developing style, because we aren't really allowing ourselves time to assimilate what we already have. Yes! This seems to be exactly what is happening...  Thank you for putting it into a nice neat sentence, that I can really think back to when I need to.  And thanks for that really helpful link, too! E - I think when I'm ready to shop again I'll have to hit up some thrift stores.  I went into a Goodwill the other day and was just totally overwhelmed and underwhelmed at the same time.  Everything looked so dated or worn out, I got out of there fast.  I need to do some investigating to find some decent ones in my area.  Haha, the paying bills thing...it's not things like my phone bill or rent that I enjoy paying, but things that are finite and I can watch go down...student loan, car, credit card (talk about something that snowballed over a couple years...lesson learned.  I swear most of it was from being part of/attending friends' weddings! Glad I am getting out of that era!)  It's just really exciting to me to think about getting closer and closer to eliminating those bills.  Thistle - Great solid advice, thank you!  I just unsubscribed to Loft emails (seriously, is their stuff ever not on sale at least 3 times a week??  I pity da fool who ever pays full price for something there! hehe)  When I heard about you guys tracking clothes, I thought "I don't even wear non-work clothes enough to track them" but I guess even though the few and far-between outfits could be tracked.  The backwards hanger idea might do the trick for me.  I will have to read into how to do this capsule thing, but it is intriguing sounding.  I did start a Stylitics account, and started taking pictures of garments.  I should pick up where I left off with that...I found that fun and free.  And thanks for that reminder at the end. :) Thistle on "NOT shopping...tips?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/not-shoppingtips#post-1319419 Wed, 30 Jul 2014 23:19:46 +0000 Thistle 1319419@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Not much to add to what you have already heard. 1. Stay out of malls 2. Tell your e-mail provider all the merchandisers are spam so you don't see them 3. Toss out catalogues immediately 4. Don't shop on line even just to browse. Now,go through what you do have. 1. Start making capsules and outfits with your current pieces. Photograph them and start organizing those photos. 2. Make a list of what you want to add to those capsules. Revisit often. 3. Create lists to track how often you wear your clothes. Or, flip all your hangers and flip them back once you have worn the item, this can be very enlightening as few people wear their clothes as often as they think they do. 4. Make a reasonable clothing budget you can live with financially. 5. Use the knowledge you gained above about what you wear and where your capsule holes are to start prioritizing your next purchase. Most importantly, have fun. Style is a journey not a race or destination. E on "NOT shopping...tips?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/not-shoppingtips#post-1319365 Wed, 30 Jul 2014 22:09:20 +0000 E 1319365@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm so glad my thoughts were helpful to you! Honestly, it's much easier to limit your shopping when your income level is below the poverty line (I still have all of the middle class privileges except the income though, with my background & support network & living situation, so I'm not comparing myself to actual poor people whose lives contain a lot of struggle & balancing & impossible choices; my situation is more like the voluntary simplicity movement) & all your belongings need to fit neatly & prettily in a studio apartment, lol. Not shopping/buying becomes a habit and places like malls start to seem overwhelming. Plus, when you don't buy things often, they become much more of a treat. :) I have much less sense of purpose & direction in a thrift store, where everything is within my financial reach! I do have a monthly thrifting budget & once it's spent, I don't go to the thrift store again until the next month, because I know my self control will break down. When I need to do a serious no shopping period, I don't step foot in a thrift store or visit Ebay until it's over; it's too easy to talk myself into making an exception. I completely agree that once I start shopping, if I'm not careful it somehow seems to snowball & I find the purchases begin to pile up (a ravenous period as you describe)! So I usually think of my purchases as 'one offs' instead of telling myself 'ok, now you can be in shopping mode.' I also keep a bookmarks folder where I save anything I find online & think I might like to buy, so that I can always go back & get one if I really really want it & save up first. Also very handy for birthdays/Christmases if someone asks for gift ideas! ;) Your planned trip sounds like fun & is definitely something to look forward to. I shall have to start trying to find enjoyment in bill paying as you do: might as well turn necessities into pleasant moments! Gigi on "NOT shopping...tips?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/not-shoppingtips#post-1319358 Wed, 30 Jul 2014 22:01:52 +0000 Gigi 1319358@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Here is a thread: <a rel="nofollow" href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-shop">http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....-cant-shop</a> Cutting back can be really useful. I have found that when I do that, I get more of an "experience" of the clothes in my closet and can better determine what I like and what I don't like. Constant buying and shopping can sometimes interfere with our developing style, because we aren't really allowing ourselves time to assimilate what we already have. The beginning of cutting back is really difficult, but once you get in the groove, it's a lot easier. Maybe you could approach the cutback in that way: giving yourself time to assimilate your closet so that when the times comes that you can shop again, you will make better decisions. Gaylene on "NOT shopping...tips?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/not-shoppingtips#post-1319331 Wed, 30 Jul 2014 21:33:03 +0000 Gaylene 1319331@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Well, I found it useful to tell myself I was only allowed to buy 12 (the number was totally arbitrary--it just sounded reasonable to me at the time) items over the next year, regardless of price. Every time I made a purchase, I'd use up one of my "chits". The year seemed like a long time, which had the effect of making me super stingy about using up my chits too quickly. A possible purchase had to make it through a rigorous evaluation before I'd decide to buy it. Since I didn't focus on price, the cost of each item varied wildly, but the overall amount I spent on clothes that year was a fraction of some of the previous years. My $$$$ cashmere sweater was balanced by a pair of inexpensive espadrilles, a small clutch, a flea market watch, and other less pricey buys. The common denominator, though, was each item was something that made my heart sing. Using a set number, instead of a monthly dollar amount, really put the brakes on my shopping without making me feel deprived. In my mind, theoretically at least, I could have anything I wanted, as long as I was willing to use up one of my chits. ameelizabeth on "NOT shopping...tips?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/not-shoppingtips#post-1319277 Wed, 30 Jul 2014 20:39:34 +0000 ameelizabeth 1319277@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ E!  Thank you so much for your thoughtful response, I really appreciate it, and it does help to bring me back from the edge and put things back in perspective.  It's like there's times when I can go months at a time without shopping or even thinking about shopping, but then the cycle comes around again and there is a period of feeling sort of ravenous about it.  I do feel like during this latest "ravenous period," I've made much smarter and more deliberate choices, thanks completely to YLF.  Maybe it has to do with the time of year...In the fall and winter I am always working on cooking something or a home project, and in the spring and early summer I am consumed with gardening.  I do make jewelry and sell it as a little side gig, and I've been putting off working on that for awhile.  That'll be a good diversion for a bit.  And you're right that it helps to keep in mind why you're not spending, and how good it feels to use money on that stuff (be it vacation or bills...yes, I weirdly enjoy paying bills!)  My BF and I are taking a road trip to Disney World in August, (he works for ESPN, so we get into Disney for free! I've never been one to be excited about Disney, but I am pretty psyched for a big free chunk of vacation!)  Even though the park is free and food/lodging is discounted, I'm sure there will be plenty of fun places to stop and visit/eat at on the way down.  So it feels good to be saving money for that. Thanks for steering me back, I really admire your stable sense of direction and purpose! E on "NOT shopping...tips?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/not-shoppingtips#post-1319265 Wed, 30 Jul 2014 20:21:16 +0000 E 1319265@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I don't go into stores if I don't want to spend: window shopping just wears down my resolve. I suppose if you really wanted to window shop, you could leave your wallet at home so you literally can't buy anything, but I bet it'll just make you feel deprived. When I want the satisfaction of browsing/finding the perfect thing (I'm one of those who enjoy shopping), I go to the library & wander about gathering all the books I want. ;) For me the real key is focusing on one of my other interests. In the past, for example, I have...tried to learn how to recognise my most common local birds by song or identify my most common local trees or make more elaborate recipes or teach my dog a new trick or learn a new knitting skill (of course, that can be dangerous if it requires me to buy yarn first!).  I think the forum can make you want to buy more, but you can also channel that new interest into playing with your current clothes instead. It all depends on your personality! For me, as I shop almost exclusively secondhand, I'm not that tempted by everyone's purchases, since it'd be impossible for me to buy them. However, it can suddenly feel more urgent to fill a 'hole' (i.e.: something that theoretically would perfect my wardrobe) when I spend more time here. I try to be aware of that & remind myself that clothes & style are very fun & a completely legitimate interest but also not the only fun hobby in the world! And that most people I interact with in my daily life aren't terribly concerned about whether my shoes bookend my hair. ;) It's also important to remind yourself of why you don't want to spend more on clothes. I live on a generally quite small budget (in comparison to my peers), and I save most of my fun money right now for occasional travel. It's easier to cut back on my spending when I remember my past trips & how fun they were. I'm also very concerned about how an item was manufactured/who my money is supporting/what resources the item is consuming, which conveniently cuts down on my desire to shop retail anyway. All of that together combines to make me feel prudent, not deprived, by my shopping restrictions. I'm gearing up for a no-shopping (except for groceries) period after an unusual amount of shopping in the past two months (that I needed to do & feel very comfortable with the results of) so all of this is at the front of my mind right now.  ameelizabeth on "NOT shopping...tips?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/not-shoppingtips#post-1319264 Wed, 30 Jul 2014 20:21:12 +0000 ameelizabeth 1319264@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thanks Mo!  I am glad to hear from you, since I know you've been abstaining lately.  I see that a lot is coming up with searching "shop your closet," and I will definitely check out that website! Mo on "NOT shopping...tips?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/not-shoppingtips#post-1319242 Wed, 30 Jul 2014 19:54:32 +0000 Mo 1319242@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Oh, and this blog might have some useful tips for you.  <a rel="nofollow" href="http://recoveringshopaholic.com/">http://recoveringshopaholic.com/</a> Mo on "NOT shopping...tips?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/not-shoppingtips#post-1319240 Wed, 30 Jul 2014 19:52:04 +0000 Mo 1319240@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Try searching SYC or shop your closet.   Making a list of what you want or need is a good start.  Then decide how much you can or want to spend.  That should give you a good guideline of how much you can buy at what pace.  I end up about $100 or $150 a month and 3 pieces on average, but everyone is different.  Lastly, out of sight out of mind.  Don't surf online stores or browse in person.   ameelizabeth on "NOT shopping...tips?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/not-shoppingtips#post-1319230 Wed, 30 Jul 2014 19:36:23 +0000 ameelizabeth 1319230@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thank you Sterling! Solid tips! Anonymous on "NOT shopping...tips?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/not-shoppingtips#post-1319219 Wed, 30 Jul 2014 19:27:04 +0000 Anonymous 1319219@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I do a few things.  First, I remove my name and email address from all merchandisers.  Second, I immediately toss all catalogs.  Third, I make a point of not going to the malls.  Finally, I distract myself.  I scan the internet for new recipes and I try new meals.  I take up a new sport.  I make a point of going out with friends rather than spending time on the internet.   ameelizabeth on "NOT shopping...tips?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/not-shoppingtips#post-1319207 Wed, 30 Jul 2014 19:19:15 +0000 ameelizabeth 1319207@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I am really trying to hold back on spending money for awhile on clothes.  Over the past couple months, I've been reevaluating my wardrobe and style, and this has resulted in lots of purging of clothes, and a desire to keep adding new things.  I have gotten a lot of good basics, but I keep seeing and thinking of things that I think would be good additions to a solid, simple wardrobe, where everything matches everything.  I realize this can and should probably take time, but I just keep getting that shopping itch and thinking "oh if I could just find one more flowy top (or skirt, etc...)" I tried searching for posts about this, but didn't come up with much...maybe I'm not using the right keywords.  If there are some posts already about this I would appreciate a link. What do you guys do when you reeeeally want to shop, but the practical, financially responsible side of you says "slow down!"?  I am afraid maybe coming to this site is partially causing the urge to go find great clothes, but I am hoping to not have to abstain from visiting here!  I was thinking I would go try on different combinations in my closet, see if that can give me some satisfaction.  Do you think going to a store just to see what's out there without the intention of buying is a plausible option, or is that dangerous territory? Any other tips to help me scratch this itch? Thanks in advance!