https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-shop Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Tue, 14 Apr 2026 23:42:41 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-shop/page/2#post-1125283 Tue, 31 Dec 2013 12:56:29 +0000 chadya 1125283@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Definitely get off the emails from all the retailers, flash sales etc.<br />I also think it depends on where you are in life.&nbsp; When I was younger I loved going shopping and looking at clothing, getting a good price.&nbsp; Now I am older I don't work, the places I have to wear a new outfit are limited</p> <p>.&nbsp; So even though I still love to go and look it is easier for me to not buy.&nbsp; I ask do I need another "t-shirt, jeans etc", and think about more stuff to switch out when the seasons change.</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-shop#post-1125160 Tue, 31 Dec 2013 04:06:16 +0000 Anonymous 1125160@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>karymk is so right! wine &amp; online shopping never mix well </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-shop#post-1125038 Tue, 31 Dec 2013 00:52:39 +0000 Linda 1125038@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>No one said it yet, so I want to:&nbsp; adopt a new pet or become a foster family for a needy animal.&nbsp; It is something that occupies you deeply and there is almost nothing like the feeling of seeing a puppy or kitten bloom and find a new home.</p> <p>I have been on a buying jag this year -- I think I finally came to terms with needing a better selection of items AND being able to dress well while striving for my best weight.</p> <p>I motivated myself a lot for running with a new sports bra or new shorts, and then it kind of mushed over to street clothing!&nbsp; But I'm happy with what I have now, though as someone said, I'm not going cold turkey.&nbsp; I plan to spend more time running and exercising, cook at home more (I love cooking!), set up a wardrobe to house some of these clothes, and reserve some time each week to spend with our pets or help with foster care, myself.</p> <p>Great ideas in this thread!!&nbsp; I got some new ideas too! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-shop#post-1124738 Mon, 30 Dec 2013 18:19:22 +0000 karymk 1124738@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Mo, NO! Don't drink wine! It makes it all too easy to pull the trigger online!</p> <p>I think of all the waste in my closet and I realize I must sell my stuff to earn a little back. I give too much away! Because it is so much easier to drop at Salvation Army than to keep track of consignment items.</p> <p>I need to get cash back out of my closet! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-shop#post-1124718 Mon, 30 Dec 2013 18:05:54 +0000 Von 1124718@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have had many periods when I couldn't shop (probably going to add spring 2014 to that list). What I usually do is go through my WIW photos and closet and recall all of what I DO have that is fabulous.&nbsp; I have a makeup+handbag weakness, because they are so easy to buy.&nbsp; I always have to have a very real talk with myself and remind myself that I know I have enough to last me until whenever.</p> <p>It's all wants, not needs...(it's a hard talk to have!).&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-shop#post-1124530 Mon, 30 Dec 2013 11:20:52 +0000 Mander 1124530@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Lots of pinning things to Pinterest and playing around with Polyvore.&nbsp; Oddly, I have found that sometimes just the act of "saving" something that I want satisfies the desire to buy it.&nbsp; This applies to my Amazon wish list and my eBay watch list as well. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-shop#post-1124060 Sun, 29 Dec 2013 17:03:52 +0000 Catnip 1124060@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Find other interests.&nbsp; </p> <p>Read, watch movies, play bridge, knit, learn to cook really well, decorate your home, plan parties, write a short story, do volunteer work, get involved in local politics,&nbsp;whatever works for you.&nbsp; </p> <p>I think you have to get your mind off shopping an onto something else that you find equally entertaining.&nbsp; For many, shopping is just a time-filler, a way to alleviate boredom.&nbsp; Everyone can have multiple interests&nbsp;in life, but it's not always easy to find exactly what they are. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-shop#post-1124047 Sun, 29 Dec 2013 16:25:26 +0000 Mo 1124047@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Drink wine. &nbsp;What? That's not a good substitute?!?? &nbsp;:P &nbsp;I also try and focus on exercise more. &nbsp;Not only does it help fill the time otherwise spent shopping, it helps the clothes you do have look better on you. &nbsp;Win - win!<br />Also spending time in the closet, analyzing my needs, thinking up outfits, etc. &nbsp;That's how I end up with the "how many do I need" threads and the master shop list for the coming year. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-shop#post-1124033 Sun, 29 Dec 2013 15:39:03 +0000 Janet 1124033@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Shopping is a huge diversion and procrastination tool for me. I am definitely a recreational shopper, and I'll often pop into the stores while I'm out running errands or to kill some time before an appointment. So this is a tough one for me. I'm self-employed, so theoretically, I could shop every day.</p> <p>However, I know that when I'm shopping too much, I'm generally avoiding some task or project. I have tried to shift my shopping energy in those times to some other creative outlet (carrying a camera everywhere works well for me) or try visiting something other than the stores -- galleries and museums, taking walks or hikes with camera in hand, etc. </p> <p>I also try to indulge some of my other interests. I'll spend time researching and planning future travels, planning home renovation projects, etc. Cleaning and organizing also help. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-shop#post-1124019 Sun, 29 Dec 2013 14:53:21 +0000 Shirley 1124019@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>If you are still "allowed" some shopping, I would not deny myself a small dose of retail therapy. A couple of items a month, maybe? If you stop cold turkey, there may be backlash later on. Also, change focus to something like skin care might help in my case. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-shop#post-1124013 Sun, 29 Dec 2013 14:24:06 +0000 Laurinda 1124013@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Many great ideas here, thanks for starting the thread!</p> <p>When I have been on a really tight budget -- i.e. not even cash enough for thrifting -- I learned to enjoy the smallest purchases: one beautiful&nbsp;orange, a new herb or&nbsp;spice from a bulk bin,&nbsp;or a small handsoap. Still shopping, but a person has to buy groceries. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-shop#post-1124002 Sun, 29 Dec 2013 13:47:58 +0000 Suz 1124002@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It's funny...I come at this from the opposite end. I had to teach myself <b>to</b> shop. And I am still learning. But I've also learned that once you start it can be difficult to stop. There's nothing like the thrill of the find! So&nbsp;I make all my online fashion emails go straight to my junk box. They still arrive, but I'm far less tempted to look at them. I only start looking if I have an actual need to fill; a wardrobe hole. Or when it is time to do my seasonal updates/ refreshers.&nbsp;</p> <p>My substitute for shopping is spending time on YLF! Looking at outfits, commenting.&nbsp;</p> <p>Also, making capsule wardrobes from my closet and taking photos. :)</p> <p>Shopping itself isn't that fun in my town in the bricks and mortar stores, so that makes it easier not to overindulge, I guess.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-shop#post-1123979 Sun, 29 Dec 2013 08:27:09 +0000 jayne 1123979@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Perfect timing on this thread as I want to cut back in acquisitions next year.&nbsp; Not only to reduce spending, but because my wardrobe has been rehauled enough the last two years, and because I am joining the gym and intend to change a size or two in the next 6 months.&nbsp; </p> <p>So I intend to focus more on exercise to strengthen this body to last another 40 years and skin and hair.&nbsp; Matter of fact, I need to start another thread on that looking for suggestions....</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-shop#post-1123814 Sun, 29 Dec 2013 01:21:56 +0000 Anonymous 1123814@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I need to do something different as well. My wardrobe is no where near perfect but I have DD going to uni in the fall, a new house/city in the spring and a terrible habit of shopping as entertainment. </p> <p>Exercise SHOulD be my focus </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-shop#post-1123808 Sun, 29 Dec 2013 01:05:13 +0000 karymk 1123808@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Gigi, you are on the right track.&nbsp; When I pull back, I focus on hair and makeup and skin.&nbsp; Or my house. Do I need to rearrange the living room? A fresh pillow? A new idea for a table setting? </p> <p>Hair and makeup are so important for our self esteem and our total style picture. It doesn't make sense to pay attention to one and not the other. </p> <p>I just went through a bunch of hair tutorials on YouTube to learn how to make a better ponytail.&nbsp; I had no idea! I learned so much.</p> <p>Then I went on Lisaeldridge.com and learned how to do perfect red lips.&nbsp; She's amazing. </p> <p>Maybe we can support eachother in 2014. I hate being a wasteful shopper. I want to be happy with my wardrobe and move on to other things. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-shop#post-1123628 Sat, 28 Dec 2013 20:09:23 +0000 Jewell 1123628@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>LOL @ Deborah</p> <p>I really like Meli's suggestion of unsubscribing to retail emails. I will keep that one in mind next time, as it seems my favorite stores have their best sales when I'm on a shopping ban. I know it's psychological, but still. I avoid malls and browsing online, too so I don't lead myself into temptation. After all, a person on a diet wouldn't step into a candy shop for a look around. I sometimes organize my wardrobe and take inventory of what I have. I tend to avoid purging items, though because purging often uncovers/creates holes that I'm not in a position to fill. I do a lot of reading and focusing on other hobbies with the extra time. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-shop#post-1123543 Sat, 28 Dec 2013 17:17:00 +0000 carter 1123543@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Culling and re-organizing the whole house, creating new recipes, canning (in summer), reading (fiction and health/nutrition books), moving my office more toward a paperless environment. I have several passions (including shopping), and all of them eventually hit the "enough already!" point. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-shop#post-1123407 Sat, 28 Dec 2013 09:16:41 +0000 Windchime 1123407@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Spend time taking really good care of the clothes and accessories I have. Mend, wash items by hand and do a little ironing. I end up with clothing that looks and feels as good as new, and I don't have to drive, deal with crowds, or spend money. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-shop#post-1123404 Sat, 28 Dec 2013 08:59:31 +0000 Jeanie 1123404@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Exercise, knit, cook. &nbsp;Do alterations and mending of the things I have. Organize closet. &nbsp;Make lists of wardrobe holes for times when I am shopping again. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-shop#post-1123389 Sat, 28 Dec 2013 08:04:57 +0000 MsLuna 1123389@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well... In 2014, I'm embarking on a weight loss journey and I'm also looking to partake in The Project 333 (<a href="http://theproject333.com/getting-started/" rel="nofollow">http://theproject333.com/getting-started/</a>). I'm trying to go minimal with my wardrobe because I've had to throw out a huge number of mistake purchases this year. </p> <p>Since I have a full time job and a part-time student, I will likely be focusing on my studies. I haven't had a lot of time to actually go to a store and shop, but I really should curb the online purchases.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-shop#post-1123376 Sat, 28 Dec 2013 07:36:41 +0000 Jacky 1123376@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I did that this year thanks to a job swap. I now spend a lot more time exercising (I went from going to the gym once or twice a week to five to eight times a week) and organizing my room. I've focused a lot more this year on general self- improvement as well - figuring out what in my life makes me unhappy or stressed out or what hobbies I wish I spent more time on and working on those things. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-shop#post-1123363 Sat, 28 Dec 2013 06:44:26 +0000 Adelfa 1123363@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Right now I'm shopping a lot less than usual because I'm organizing and outfitting my new apartment. That probably only works if you have a new apartment.... Also, I'm shopping less because my new internet is incredibly unreliable. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-shop#post-1123362 Sat, 28 Dec 2013 06:40:26 +0000 CocoLion 1123362@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Last year when I had time I made a big effort to clear inventory / purge items by listing the good ones on eBay. &nbsp;It is quite time consuming I discovered -- the measuring, pressing, photographing, writing descriptions for items. &nbsp;Then watching them being watched and hopefully purchased. &nbsp;Then packing them and printing the labels and bringing them to the post office. &nbsp;During that 6 weeks when I really devoted myself to it, I earned over $1000 and barely shopped at all. &nbsp;The money was later spent towards new items for Spring. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-shop#post-1123350 Sat, 28 Dec 2013 06:02:15 +0000 lyn* 1123350@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I clean my room, and try to bake a few things. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-shop#post-1123343 Sat, 28 Dec 2013 05:47:54 +0000 AJ 1123343@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Maybe you can spend time doing a wardrobe inventory and assessing how often you wear each item. Similar to how Lisa is trying to figure out how small she can cull down her wardrobe yet still have enough variety to make her happy. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-shop#post-1123339 Sat, 28 Dec 2013 05:40:18 +0000 Deborah 1123339@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Eat! No just kidding :). Reading, cooking, more time to hang with my little man:) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-shop#post-1123333 Sat, 28 Dec 2013 05:36:33 +0000 Ariadne 1123333@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm planning to spend more time exercising, playing in my existing closet, spending time with friends and family, and playing around with nail polish. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-shop#post-1123175 Sat, 28 Dec 2013 01:14:42 +0000 Meli 1123175@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is what I have done: Unsubscribe from all but my favorite retailers e-mails. Stop reading blogs that are all about new things/shopping/consumerism and switch to ones focused on minimalism, budgeting, shopping bans, and using what you have. Challenge yourself like you mentioned. Get into other (free/inexpensive) activities that you enjoy. And focus on your family! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-shop#post-1123173 Sat, 28 Dec 2013 01:12:42 +0000 E 1123173@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Honestly, doing WIW photos/posts on&nbsp;the forum takes up quite a bit of time, the time I would have spent shopping! But I also started researching sewing/sewing blogs &amp; knitting/knitting blogs, because for me my desire to cut back on clothes shopping coincides with my desire to begin creating more of my wardrobe. Oh and I changed my weekly 'thrifting on way home from library' habit to visiting a cafe also on the way home from the library instead.</p> <p>Looking at beauty instead seems like a good strategy! For me, the first 2-3 weeks were quite difficult&nbsp;but now that I've gotten in the habit of not visiting ebay/thrift stores, it's much easier. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-shop#post-1123170 Sat, 28 Dec 2013 01:09:14 +0000 ironkurtin 1123170@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Exercise, mostly.&nbsp; Read.&nbsp; Cook.&nbsp; Sew.&nbsp; Play video games. </p>