SYC- One Month Reflections

chewyspaghetti

For those of us who started the SYC challenge in January, we're a month in now. Any thoughts on the process so far?
I've had a pretty easy time so far. I used some birthday money to replace a summer dress, and I was gifted a scarf- those are my only two acquisitions for the month. My goal was just to stay within budget, but my budget for the month ended up being zero so I am right on track. Even on the occasions when I was able to get out into stores, I wasn't tempted by what I saw.
My goal for Feb. is to get new bras. It will be a challenge to fund those, but they are a necessity so I need to get creative to do it.
How was your first month?

15 years ago

General

13 replies

Latest reply was from Lisa

Laura

(website)

Veteran

I am impressed, Khris! How did it feel? Did you feel deprived or saintly?

15 years ago

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Neither, really. We had a very busy month, and I have been spending a lot of time both cooking and watching cooking shows/reading about cooking- so that sort of filled in the gaps I guess. I gave up eating grains, and so I have been focusing on finding new and different things and ways to cook. I sort of fell like I just haven't had time to shop, rather than I didn't do it out of any commitment (but not having any money helped too!).

15 years ago

Lisa

Veteran

Well in 1 month of SYC I cracked, twice. Once for a black blazer that filled a wardrobe hole and once as fun shopping with no set list (I had a general idea in mind but it wasn’t as specific as looking for the blazer was). This may not appear to be a very good SYC, since I shopped, however, I typically shop 3-4 times a week (often out of boredom especially on lunch time) and did not do that at all this past month! I even went for walks outside the office, despite the 6F weather. Big difference between 20 times a month and 2, so I consider that progress. I had also started the wear everything twice challenge that a couple YLFers did last year (Kate comes to mind right away). I created an excel spreadsheet of my winter wear and quickly saw I have WAY too many items in some areas (27 LS T’s, really! Oh my!) and wore very few items twice. I started purging my closet and trying to create more combination’s of outfits instead of having so many individual outfits. My goal for Feb is to start SYC again and continue whittling down my winter wear. If I haven’t worn it twice after Feb, it’s going in the donation bag.

15 years ago

Isabel

Veteran

Congratulations to the two of you !!! Lisa, that is great that you have cut down sooooo drastically. It is like smoking, some people can go cold turkey and others taper down. Either way, it is a success ! I have really gone over the edge since November. I have a couple of things that I want for Spring, I don't need them, but it would up my style " quotient" and then I need to do a cutback or a ban for a while. I bought two things from Last May until October and in the meantime I got a really feeling for what I wanted and needed. It cleared my head tremendously !

CS, I think my first goal will be to get back on a budget for clothing !

You go girls !!!!!!!

15 years ago

MsMary

Veteran

I've done very well in January. Went from buying something every few days in November and December to (almost) cold turkey. I've only had two lapses:

I replaced my purple patent pumps that had gotten too big due to weight loss -- that filled a GIANT wardrobe hole.

I have been on the prowl for the perfect tan pumps for months, and ordered a couple of pairs to try from endless.com yesterday. Will keep a maximum of one pair, and only if they are perfect. Again, I figure SYC is to cut down on impulse buying and overspending and wardrobe orphans, not to make us miss out on things we know we really need.

And I think I should get a medal for passing up that FAB brown scarf with tan polka-dots yesterday when I returned a pair of jeans (from December) that didn't fit!

ETA: Uh, I did buy $1,000 worth of furniture for my guest room project this month. Transfer addictions, anyone?

15 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

I am struggling - a bunch of items I have wanted have gone on sale and the bargain-hunter in me is screaming to be set free to rampage! Plus the new spring fashions that are starting to show up are really tempting me. I have completely avoided retail stores, but I can't resist browsing on the computer. Who knew it would be THIS hard?!?

15 years ago

(website)

Veteran

that's why I decided to SMB (shop my budget) this time!! I mean, I ended up with a trench just made for me, out of the blue. Had I been SYC I would have missed out on a perfect piece because I would not have even been in the store.
You gals are doing really well. I am close to hitting my 2 month allotment, if my bras on order end up to be keepers, so that will leave me essentially on SYC for the month of Feb. It will be a nice break. And then I can look into some boots on sale in early March!

15 years ago

Lynne

Veteran

well done, girls! Mo, I like your 'SYB' - very cool! Lisa - well done. Khris, is the family enjoying your new gourmet adventures? Una and Mary K, we've been enjoying all your fab outfits - keep them coming!

15 years ago

Kim

Veteran

So far, so good. My purpose is to find noticeable holes in my wardrobe and to learn to be content with what I have, (learn to use my accessories and learn to remix what I have) and so far it's been good.

No holes, except a pair of wind pants for running which I've been putting off buying, (expensive!) but am going to find tonight. It's too darn cold here to run without windbreakers. Gear was my exception when I started SYC since I knew I'd probably have to get some pants.

I've been tempted a few times, but remind myself that everything will be on sale again next year too! LOL

I'm also realizing that I dress and keep my home the same way...Casual Chic. (At least it's what I'm going for anyway.) I've got the casual part down, now to work out how to add the Chic...I'm thinking accessories will be my friend here, and a few stand out pieces each season. Maybe two or three to help refresh my wardrobe and give me new remixing possibilities. I like that idea because then I'm controlling my spending and buying with a purpose instead of just picking up everything I see that catches my eye! (That's a lot of things these days! )

So I'm doing well with SYC, it's helping me become more effective with my wardrobe, and if I'm only buy 2 or 3 pieces each season I can spend a bit more on them without remorse. That ought to up the Chic part of my Casual Chic look a bit I think...Better quality clothes, instead of quantity...

15 years ago

crwilson

Veteran

I'm actually enjoying it now. I said that I was only going to be in for a month, but I might do it for a bit longer. I am finding holes in my wardrobe, but I'm not finding anything that I love to fill those holes. The only thing I'm really getting excited about is shoes, and since we're still in the midst of winter, I'm less tempted than I might otherwise be. It's fun to save the money I normally spend on clothes, knowing that when I find something I love, I can buy guilt-free.

15 years ago

Kate

Veteran

I'm feeling good! I didn't buy any clothes, shoes, or accessories for all of January! (And my only purchases in December were underwear and bras!) This certainly feels doable.

I haven't gone into any physical stores, but I've allowed myself to look at things online. Anything that appeals to me has been saved to my amazon wishlist. (It currently has about 50 items!!!) Most of these pieces are currently way too expensive for me to afford, and I'm hoping that by keeping track of them I'll be able to find them again after SYC and see what's on sale for a better price.

15 years ago

Scarlet

Veteran

I was planning to do zero shopping for 2 - 3 months, but since my weight is fluctuating I felt like I needed to pick up some new jeans because I was feeling very frustrated. I have to say that until buying those jeans I was really in a rut. I love shopping in spring and fall to plan for the new seasons, so I think from here on out I am going to focus on sticking to my budget, but plan to buy less in summer.

15 years ago

Lisa

Veteran

This is very interesting to read, I really like hearing about others perceptions and thought processes for their closets. And thanks for the support with my falling off the wagon ways.

15 years ago

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