No Buy July - support needed! - YouLookFab Forum

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No Buy July - support needed!

MuseumGal

Veteran

For me, June was BUY ALL THE THINGS month. I was celebrating finishing the PhD, and I was traveling and, well, budget? What's that? So I'm fully on board with No Buy July.

BUT. One week in and I'm weakening. I could really use some white sandals ... they'd be cheap at Payless. I never did find a pair of cute cropped printed pants ... I could just look. I've needed new hiking boots for over a year ... those aren't fashion related, so don't really count, right? And on and on. I need help. And by help I mean support to NOT BUY.

What do you do to curb your shopping? Help me stay strong Fabbers!

Shopping

18 replies

Latest reply was from

Beth Ann

Veteran

Keep your goal in front of you ---

Sometimes, with similar resolutions, I make a 3x5 card with a reminder written on it. I keep these cards on my dressing table and glance through them a couple times a day. My favorite at the moment is:

"I'm not a donut girl."

Yep. My new church has a "donut" line item in the yearly budget. It's important stuff! I'd gotten in the happen of always eating one between services. Now, there's nothing wrong with a sugary treat now and then, but, truthfully, I'm not wild about donuts, and, well, eating one for breakfast doesn't keep me satisfied and is a bit like drinking before lunch -- not that I drink after lunch, either!

I never tell myself I "can't" eat something or buy something. I try to frame is as making another, better, choice.

What do you want even more than those white sandals? Financial peace is a great feeling, but a bit abstract when you see something really fab. Can you think of a way to make your goal more concrete?

Wearing your favorite outfits only for several days in a row might also be a strong reminder of what you already have in your closet!

Mo

(website)

Veteran

This is hard. Otherwise we wouldn't all be struggling with it! I am putting all my wantsies in their carts, or bookmarking them, for later. I visit them every so often. I tell myself I can do without for a few weeks. Yes, I may miss out. But most often we don't. What is three more weeks in the grand scheme of things? I will say that one of the anoraks I'd had earmarked sold out. But hey, it's 90 degree weather for me for months to come. I'm sure another one will come along by the time I'm ready for it, in October.
I'm also building in other rewards instead of shiny new clothes. Lip color and mini chair massage (like you see in the airport) are on the list.
Lastly, I want to prove to myself that I can do this. I've SYC before, for months actually, but it was a financial necessity. We were unemployed at the time. This is different. This is because I choose to slow the influx of new items this year. So it's harder for me, as an 'optional' thing.

Laurinda

Veteran

It can be traumatic, but I watch a random haul video to firm up my resolve.

MuseumGal

Veteran

Ha, Beth Ann, not even I have a budget item for donuts!
Mo, it IS hard. How ridiculous. I should go dig a hole in the 100 degree sun every time I think "This is hard."
Laurinda, yeah, those are pretty off putting, maybe I should try that ...

Mo

(website)

Veteran

LOL @ going out in the hot sun to dig a hole! Then fill it. And do it again!!

jackiec

Veteran

Ooh it can be tough. Personally, I need to step away from the computer for a significant amount of time. I find myself easily tempted by seeing things here, and via email for flash sales, regular sales, etc. It's easy to not go to the mall, but with all of the online temptations it can be quite difficult (for me). Good luck

Thistle

Veteran

If it were me, I would send all of your flash sale mail to the junk folder so it doesn't distract you. Then, if you really want it, you can always look through the trash.

Second, go through and take inventory of what you have. Play in your closet. Sounds like you just made some fab purchases.

And yeah, I suck at this. Honestly. The more i try to make myself participate in No Buy X, the more I want to buy because I am twisted that way. If you are like me n this way, I then enourage you to be PPP. The pickier you are, the harder it is to find the perfect white sandal, so you don't buy

pastrygirl

(website)

Veteran

I do one day at a time, sometimes one hour at a time. If I find myself browsing online, I close the browser. I might reopen it a while later, but I make myself close it again every time I catch myself.

When I'm out driving and/or have time for an errand, I make the decision not to go to a store. I might make that decision a billion times a day! But each time I say no is a victory, and one step closer to my not-shopping goal.

That was how I survived to not shop last month. This month, I allowed a shopping trip last week, and I've been white-knuckling it ever since! Right now, I keep thinking about how I'm going to want some new fall things soon, so just get over the summer wants. I have plenty already to make it through the next 1.5 months of hot weather!

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Yes, remembering that we have plenty to get by is a good tactic, too. Maybe even turn your hangers around and not buy anything until you've worn every single warm weather item you already have first.

Suja

Veteran

I'm sitting out no-buy July but I am trying to lose weight and these tips are helpful for me to stick to my healthy eating plan.
Thanks for sharing.

rachylou

Veteran

Instant deflation is me thinking about where I'll really be and what I'll really be doing in the next days and weeks, lol. I only do two things: Work and walk the dog.

TraceyLiz65

(website)

Veteran

I use that wonderful tool from childhood..."I think I can , I think I can" Yep, my mother read that story to her daughter over and over for years.... I've been the Little Engine that Could most of my life...Thankis Mom!!!!!

I love lists so I would make a list of those passing thoughts of things I think I need and table them to see just how pervasive that remains... In August, I would go back to the list and see how strongly I felt... Then again for me August would mean looking towards Fall...

Anonymous

Honestly? I have to change my reading material so that my mind goes on a different track. Sometimes that means (shhhh!) taking a break from YLF. I try to replace it with something different that will support me in reaching my goal.

minimalist

Veteran

Alternately, you could re-direct your shopping energies to help enable those of us in forced-shopping mode.

Or shop higher end, for items you'd rather put the price of low-end sandals toward when the better stuff is on sale in August. (If summer sales are in August, I have no idea.) If Beth Ann is not a donuts girl ...are you really a Payless lady?

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

Focus on something else - like cooking. Or art/design. Have you visited thekitchn blog? It's just one example, but there are thousands of wonderful cooking blogs filled with time consuming recipe ideas and glorious photos. But don't get suckered into buying kitchen gadgets ;-).

Look closely at your budget and your savings goals. That's usually a great shopping buzz kill. Clean your closet and do all your laundry to remind yourself that clothing requires work and it's not all about fun and shopping. Similarly, polish your shoes, clean out your drawers, etc. instead of spending the same time shopping. The reward is a tidy spot with all your loved items more organized and ready to wear!

And on here, you can spend some time in Off Topic instead of on the regular fashion part of the forum if you're just looking to connect with people.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Agreeing with the others. Making new outfits with my own clothes usually works for me. Hang in there!

Sal

Veteran

Be strong. It is not long. There are always more things in the shops!!

I did no buy June and held out. I have purchased one cream dressy tee in July and four pairs of socks. In June I felt tempted all around,now July has come and I have permission to shop I don't feel the need. In saying that I am pleased I held out in June.

I was the same when I gave up wine for a month - it haunted me- I began to get a bit worried that I was totally reliant (even though I am a three glass a week girl). Then when I could have the odd glass again I did not really feel much need. Forbidden fruit are so tempting!

Anonymous

I do have some tricks that might be helpful. First, I took myself off all of those lists that send you emails telling you about sales. I used to get them every single day. When I didn't know there was a sale, I never knew I was missing out on anything. Second, I stopped perusing all of the websites "just to see what was new." I can't tell you how many hours I wasted "just looking." Once again, if I stopped visiting their websites, I never felt the desire to buy or own. Third, I dropped every single catalogue in the recycle bin as I entered the house. I never even opened the catalogue. Finally, if you must shop, pin it. I created a folder for looks that I love and might one day want to try. Everything that tempted me went into the pinterest folder. I found that after several weeks or a month, that item bored me and I deleted it.

I hope this helps.