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Item # budget shopping challenge! Long and naval gazing...

Anonymous

The budgeting challenge + reframing January post reminded me to see if anyone wants to do a shopping challenge for 2019. Instead of $ budget, a fixed # of purchases for the year.

Why: I bought a lot last year, due to weight loss, and more disposable income earlier in the year. Those days are over, for now, and there's not much I really need now. I also made more mistakes than I'd like, so want to tame the happy little magpie a bit.
Also, 2019 is very uncertain for me right now, some good (dh finishing his phd), some worrisome (family health issues).
And Staysfit's wellness post reminded me I want to prioritize wellness-and magpie a bit more with fitness (aerial acro yoga is now available!).

The rules: no more than 1 bullet journal page of clothing/shoe/accessory/ jewelry purchases- there are 36 lines (last year 3...). Basics: underwear, plain socks and tights, sleepwear don't count-but workout gear does as it's my 2nd most worn category.

For accountability, purchases will go into finds.
Anyone want to join me? The specific numbers are rules are up to you!

General

39 replies

Latest reply was from Eva

anchie

Veteran

I would like to join. I bought a lot last year and honestly have more than enough. I have other priorities for this year and would like to slow down with shopping. I have ordered some things on after Christmas sales in December and some of it arrived in January. One item I have not even collected yet because it is delivered to such an unconvinient pick up location that I am not sure if I will be even able to pickup on time. So I don’t want to count those and will start with a clean slate as of today. I have to ponder exact rules and numbers for me, maybe this thread will give me some ideas.

Helena

Veteran

Yes, I am in! A few reasons for me:
- I have plenty in my closet right now for my life and needs and happiness. I have a high tolerance for repeat wears of items.
- I'd rather augment my style with a few well-considered and mindful additions and I think some structured guidelines will support this.
-last year I think I did too much buying for the wrong reasons ... Especially boredom and as a substitute for true self-care, evidence of sales goggles and unnecessary duplication was also present.
My rules:
-based on my outfit and wardrobe tracking, make one mindful purchase per month q
- I'll allow myself to sandbag ... If I go a month without a purchase, then I can do that purchase at some future time
- not included: basics like socks and undies, replacements for workhorses that are legitimately worn out (e.g. my white summer shorts will need replacing ... I wear these 3-4 times/week in summer!)
Thanks for starting this suntiger!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Oh, very timely! I was just realizing that the long burgundy coat I got a couple of nights ago is my first wardrobe purchase of the year. (I had a couple of new items, the Rag & Bone sweater and the flare jeans, squeak in at the end of 2018.) This, along with the big closet cleanout I did, is an incentive for me to pay attention to how much new stuff I bring into my closet this year.

I was surveying my collection of empty clothes hangers and thinking about giving them away to eliminate any temptation to think of them as refillable. If I get something new, something old needs to go. And I’m measuring potential new items against the things I already have and love wearing.

That might mean fewer wild cards for me this year? But that’s ok. The last 3-4 things I added to my wardrobe are already serious workhorses, and I like how that feels. The one that was a disappointment (a Halogen hoodie sweater) has already been returned to Nordstrom because it pilled during a mere three hours of wear.

I’m not sure yet whether I will commit to a set number each month, but I’m going to ponder a limit of something like 4 items a month (with an allowance to roll over if I don’t buy anything in a given month, since that is not uncommon for me). That seems reasonable for someone who likes to shop, with a fairly large wardrobe that spans seasons and activities.

Good luck with your goals! I like your approach very much and am inspired. Thanks for sharing!

Rag & Bone / Jean rag & bone Hudson Tee | Nordstrom

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AVEC LES FILLES Avec Les Filles Wool Blend Menswear Coat | Nordstrom

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7 For All Mankind 7 For All Mankind Dojo Wide Leg Jeans (Authentic Fate) | Nordstrom

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Anonymous

I LOVE challenges with all my heart. I can't join you in this particular challenge because it is my goal in 2019 to continue to build my wardrobe. A fixed number of purchases in 2019 would be too limiting for me.

Best wishes to you and other Challenge participants. I'll be cheering from the sidelines.

Anonymous

Clean slate can start today Anchie and sandbagging also TG

I figure asking the question "is this worth being one of my #?" will prevent a lot of mistakes, sales goggles, it'll do's, and make me buy the priority items first.
Old suntiger: I need trainers. That's no fun...buys earrings, necklace, 3 blouses, and a skirt instead. Repeat...
2019 suntiger: I still need trainers. It's still no fun. Will buy the ¡¿&^# trainers first.
Eta-see I did figure out how to add the Spanish keyboard to phone-but not Portugese yet.

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

I'm in. The planner page where I track annual purchases has 31 lines, so that's my hard limit. Last year, I leaked onto a second page.

Reasons: we're moving this summer, and in addition to not wanting to bring more things than necessary into the house before the move, setting up a new residence is always a big expense. Add in some trepidation about cost of living in the new location and a general feeling of wanting less, it's a good time for mindfulness.

Gear counts for me too. As does loungewear. Underwear does not.

Maybe we could check in once a month or so?

Helena

Veteran

Jenn I like the sounds of a monthly check in.
Suntiger, agree with what you said, and also, let's say I have x number of dollars to spend in a monthly and only one purchase, then I can feel good about investing more in that one good thing (when worthwhile) rather than try to sttretch my dollars across more things.

Anonymous

Oh, please check in once a month. I love seeing how everyone is doing.

Christina F.

Veteran

I may be in for this as well. In fact, I've already created a Finds collection for 2019 purchases. I've decided to track number of purchases as my wardrobe is larger than it needs to be. I want to buy no more than 5 things a month on average, but I expect it to be fewer some months and hope to add no more than 30 items total. I hope for a net loss in total items for the year, but the major purges will be when I take my spring and summer clothes out of storage, and this is getting off the subject, anyway.

I will not count sleepwear, or underwear, but I may count loungewear (such as the Boden cashmere sweater I bought.) Basically, I will count things that can be seen when I am outside my home

I have two keepers so far this year, and a third I'm on the fence about. I also have a pair of pants on order. If the pants work, I'm done for the month. If not, I may keep looking for something similar.

Anonymous

Yay Glad to inspire some mindful shopping!
@Sterling- it could be a number to increase your wardrobe too, it doesnt have to be a decrease! Or in a specific category.

nemosmom

Veteran

OK, I am insanely jealous of your acro-yoga classes... And, I laughed so hard at your trainers story! That was me last year... (the trainers story, not the acro-yoga...) and I am nodding along with torontogirl on her reasons for joining. Count me in!

My rules:

- One item per month; sandbagging/rollover allowed

- DO NOT BUY: t-shirts, long sleeve pullover sweaters, skirts, or anything grey.
- Not included: undies. Everything else counts, even denim.

I started a 2019 Finds collection. Three items were ordered in December but arrived in January, so those won't count in my annual total.

Anonymous

I'll be sure to post about it Magpie fitness!

anchie

Veteran

Ok, I was thinking about this some more and decided to be more accountable and include things that arrived in January too. Don’t want to start this with cheating;) Embarrassed to confess that it is already 8 items, 2 of those I may still return but not very likely. That means January shopping is over for me. And probably even February. Still trying to decide on numbers, maybe 4 per month as maximum but will aim for less. Will not count basics - underwear, bras, pajamas, socks and hosiery. Probably will not count gear and swimwear too, but those are not big categories for me anyway and I shop for those only if forced by imminent need.
I bought all of this on sale and had a great deal on all (this green BR cashmere sweater costed only about 30Euros for example), but still it is a lot things.

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Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Nice, Suntiger. Thanks for starting a good challenge. I'll be cheering from the sidelines.

A gentle reminder to all:

It's natural to feel like you don't want to shop much this year in January when many are recovering from an abundant holiday season, or year. So keep the challenge and your needs and wants flexible.

Anonymous

I cannot say no to a Challenge. I want in!!!!

How do I define "1 bullet journal page?" Everything in my life is electronic. I assume I could list items electroncially indefinitely.

I'm going to use your number of 36 as my "1 bullet journal page." That feels reasonable to me.

I will count everything except underwear and hose. I will count bras, sleepwear, gear, lounge wear.

The BR sweaters are not counted against the 36 items. Although both sweaters were shipped to the House in January, they were charged to my credit card in December.

The WHBM pants were purchased on January 6. They are the first wardrobe item purchased in 2019.

Banana Republic

Silk Cashmere Crew-Neck Sweater

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Banana Republic

Silk Cashmere Crew-Neck Sweater

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White House Black Market

Comfort Stretch Slim Ankle Pants

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Anonymous

Such happy finds Anchie!
And Angie, you empower us by pointing us to the good stuff Better choices-less duds!
I don't think any of us are going on a complete shopping freeze anytime soon

Style Fan

Veteran

Have fun lovely fabbers! I will cheer from the sidelines with Angie.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I’ll clarify something: I will not count gear, pajama/loungewear, underwear or hosiery, or jewelry. Handbags, outerwear, footwear and scarves will be part of my count.

Canada

I'm reading these timely posts and nodding my head but..wait..look at that ring in Archie's finds!!! I'm hopeless. No limits for me, even in the first days of a new year. But I never give up hope and I will definitely be cheering from the sidelines. And bras and underwear NEVER count

Anonymous

aerial acro yoga is now available (sounds like a lot of fun. Please don't get injured!)

The rules: no more than 1 bullet journal page of clothing/shoe/accessory/ jewelry purchases- there are 36 lines (last year 3...) -> Also fun (more like crossword puzzles fun tho ;-))

I don't like to commit to challenges that involve a lot of self-restraint because I'm actually pretty good in this arena, if I do say so myself!

Barbara Diane

Veteran

Not doing the challenge but may track my purchases.

Anchie, oh my goodness, those rings!!!
It never occurred to me that Skagen made anything besides watches. Like my much beloved watch.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Hmm, my purchases last year were

Metallic brocade boots

J. Crew shorts

J. Crew cord skirt

_________________________

white skinnies

pink skinnies

Muji jeans

black pants

green pants

blue sweater dress

red boots

blue pumps

blue tweedish cardi

white T-neck

red puffer jacket

Pikolinos sandals

Green floral blazer

That's 16. The line is when I started keeping track, in July. Even if I'm not remembering everything from the first half of the year (and the shorts and skirt might well have been from a year before), looking at the second half the year (when I feel like I bought a lot), I'd still be on track for 28 for the year. I do think I'm accurate on the first half of the year--I slowed way down, because I knew we would be moving overseas. Then I sped way up once we were here. The funny thing is, I think of things as "new" for a long time. I thought I'd bought my colorful loafers last year, but this week FB brought up a "memory" from Oct 2017 in which I'm wearing them.

So I don't *think* I'll be participating, unless I feel I'm getting out of control. In that case I'll come crash your party. I wrote my style goals with the aim of setting limits, but now I want to buy every berry-colored thing I see, which was emphatically NOT the point. I've ordered a dozen things, expect to keep less than half, and then be done until spring.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I've done aerial yoga, in a swing (my son came with me, then complained of a tummy ache for 2 days, which turned out to be DOMS in his abs, lol), but aerial acro? What is that?

Anonymous

Im guessing its like the aerial silks lady does at Faire, where shes flipping round them in different ways. But maybe they use regular aerial yoga hammock and do more inversions. Im fully expecting to be c^%¿ at it, but must try it anyway
Whats doms?

Roberta

Veteran

Sure, I'll try. My goals this year are $2,000 and 36 items. But the REAL governor will be my plan to buy only patterns (except for shoes). I counted, and my closet is 90% solid colors, and not very interesting textures, either.

Also, my jewelry box gave up the ghost over Christmas, and the best (reasonably priced) replacement I could find does not quite hold everything. So accessories are off the table. I have undercrackers and socks and leggings in every color, so those are unneeded too.

Given those limits, 36 items seems like a gracious plenty. But then I've already purchased these five things in January. The sales were so good, y'all!

Velvet Longline Blazer

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Long Sleeve Sparkle Breton

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Wearever Pintucked Floral Dress

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Modern Classic Shirt

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Women's 1988 rollneck sweater in wide stripes

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Women's 1988 rollneck sweater in wide stripes

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karen13

Veteran

I'm in! This will be a great way to be pickier. I too made too many mistakes in the past year (although fewer, with the forum's help). I ahve been thinking a lot about the emotions shopping engenders - positive and less so, the holes it fills and the the way I spend my time.

Gretchen

Veteran

Cheering from the sidelines! My goal for the year is to shrink my wardrobe, (and hopefully myself, now that the Christmas cookies are gone). But I still plan to buy higher quality items that make me happy.

anne

Veteran

I am in, barring massive size or circumstances change.
But it is an easy in, since I already on a limited plan. For a few years now I have been keeping to a 12-20 item per year purchase plan, including voucher purchases and that level seems sustainable. I do get more handed down items than most on Ylf, but they often don't fill specific wardrobe holes

Joy

Veteran

I am in. Last year I tried to keep it to 2 a month. This year I need to do a bunch of replacing so I will say a generous 36 or three a month.
So far in 2019 I have bought white booties and a pair of earrings. The boots are be.ow but I need to make a find for the earrings

Halogen Halogen Hailey Bootie (Women)

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