SYC - what's your record? - YouLookFab Forum

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SYC - what's your record?

milehighstyle (Linda)

Veteran

I'm curious to see how long anyone has gone without shopping. I just did my summer to winter clothing switch out and was a bit embarrassed at the amount of clothing I own. Good quality, nothing older than 5 years, it all fits and I donate what I no longer like. Still a ton of clothes. I said something out loud that I may regret: "I'm not buying any clothes for a year". My son heard me and excitedly told my husband. My husband said he'd buy me a gym quality treadmill if I stick with this plan. I have a treadmill that I use almost every day, but it's just ok. The console no longer works and I have to look at a clock to see how long I've been running and I just guess at milage. I admit I tend to make do with a lot of things that could be upgraded because I'd rather buy clothing so this may be a really good thing. It could also be impossible, but I'm willing to try.

Shopping

18 replies

Latest reply was from siniestra

rute

Veteran

6 months

Anonymous

For the 8 years I lived in Central America, I only shopped once a year when we went home to the States for Christmas. With the exception of school uniforms, that included clothing for my DH and children; not just for me. Actually, the first year we lived down there, we didn't go home for Christmas, so...

I don't miss the "good old days."

TraceyLiz65

(website)

Veteran

I completely understand the going without other things because I'd rather buy clothes, shoes or accessories. Once I get to my goal weight and get a good wardrobe together I am contemplating maybe just cutting back to one purchase monthly or if thrift shopping a tiny budget, not my current attitude of whatever... I think if we are overdoing it a cut back is important, but don't know if total deprivation will last and I am not one for setting myself up to fail. Good Luck figuring out what will work for you.

catgirl

Veteran

HAHAHA! I'm laughing because the minute I say I'm SYC all I do is feel deprived, panic and buy more... I do better when I'm simply busy with other things in life and don't browse. Am working on willpower and more of a one-in, one-out strategy.

It's especially tough when there's a streak of runway trends that are your style. If only a huge boho puffy sleeved acid wash pastel and beige wave would hit, I'd be all done shopping.

Sylvie

Veteran

Since I started working on my wardrobe a month, possibly two? I couldn't go a year without shopping - I'd need to replace underwear, socks, jeans and at least 2 tops.

I believe a year is unrealistic unless one has a gigantically overstocked wardrobe with duplicates of key items (ex: jeans).

JulieJohn

Veteran

It was much easier a few years ago when these beautiful, rich colors were not in the stores! And YLF makes me want to shop, gotta 'fess up (big shock, right?) I have gone 3 months on SYC recently, not a great record. And then I kinda splurged and went on a Spend Your Cash binge, so I guess I have learned the same lesson as others, which is that I rebel against deprivation. I think I'm finally listening to Angie, who tells me to shop often, so I know what's out there, realize there are lots of opportunities, and there are lots of fish in the sea.

MsMary

Veteran

When I was heavier I hated shopping so it wasn't unusual for me to go for a year or more without making any major purchases. I am absolutely out of money and space at the moment, and given those facts I am finding it reasonably easy to stick to spending the cash in my wallet and no more.

For 2013 I am seriously considering a 12 x 12 project (only buying 12 items in 12 months).

Anonymous

@Sylvie: I wouldn't have to do it now, but I shopped once a year for eight long years because (1) we were on a supertight budget and (2) all the clothing sold in the country we lived in was either imported and priced twice as much as what it would cost in the States or was inferior quality that I wouldn't want to wear. Was it easy? No, but I wouldn't say it was unrealistic or not doable. It's amazing what you can do (and do without) when you need to. We made sure to take extremely large duffle bags so we could haul everything back. I even brought a KitchenAid mixer back with me one year. I wasn't about to pay double for that! Those things are expensive enough as it is, and my mixer had bitten the dust. I had to cook everything from scratch, including bread, so it was a necessary purchase.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I have tried twice and made it about 2 months both times. I am with Una in the sense of deprivation once you tell yourself No. This is part of why I'm going for the one a month from here on out. I have enough clothing that I could SYC for a year. I would still have what I need for most any occasion in life - wedding, job interview, beach vacation. But I like clothes and I know I'm happiest without complete deprivation. I'm very curious to see how one item a month works out next year. I know it will help calm the discussions about buying too many clothes in our house.

Anonymous

1 year and often at least once a year for 6 to 8 weeks as a Lenten fast. It's easiest if you delegate the money you would have spent to saving for something. In my case I often used it still to shop but for crisis pregnancy centers, nursing home residents, gifts for homeless teens, etc. The shopping was just as fun and more rewarding.

rachylou

Veteran

As an adult? Sad to say, probably 3 months.

cheryl

Veteran

Probably a few months or more at a time, but never intentionally lol. I can go a few months without buying anything and i'm fine or I can hit a sale and buy 10 or more items at once if I have the money on hand.

Thistle

Veteran

Last year when I was pregnant, I shopped once, all year, for maternity clothes. I made my list, bought what was on the list, and was done.

Okay, i take that back. I bought one pair of shoes in my 8th month when my feet were so swollen than none of my regular shoes fit.

I didn't buy another item of clothing until 6 months post partum.

milehighstyle (Linda)

Veteran

I'm quite certain this will be one of the hardest things I've ever done. I'm sure everything I've ever drooled over will go on sale now. Thanks for all of your insight, ladies!

bj1111

Veteran

6 months, but it was inadvertent. there was a lot of stuff going on.

rae

(website)

Veteran

Eh... maybe a month?

In my defense, I do Shop My Pantry, Shop My Freezer, Shop My Ebay Sales and Shop My Gift Cards pretty darn well. The overall budget comes out alright, even if I can't say no to a new pair of boots sometimes.

Sylvie

Veteran

@Ruth, I'm impressed that you successfully did your shopping in one trip/year. There must be some fantastic stories behind that anecdote. Perhaps I should have said that it's unrealistic to go on a long shopping break without thoughtful advance planning. The basics do wear out and you obviously planned your annual purchases very carefully. In my case, I don't buy backups for my basics (ex: straight leg jeans) because my size or tastes or fashion may have changed by the time I need to replace them. If I did stock up beforehand, I could make it through a year.

siniestra

4 months lol when i was preg lol