five weeks down...

I'm thinking I should change the name from my "spending hiatus" to my "spending cutdown" or something like that. I made another purchase this weekend - this book. I looked for it first at the library, but they didn't have it, so I bought it at Half Price Books, a book reseller. Which means I recycled at the same time. That should count for something, right?

I'm not sure how much longer I plan on formally sticking with the no-spend (the sometimes-spend for me). I feel like I've learned what I want to from the experiment. We'll see...

Continued good wishes to everyone else...

four weeks down...

Well, from the photo above, you can probably tell that I didn't exactly stick to a NO-spend, but I did manage to walk out of Target with only the Orla Kiely coasters. I've been waiting for the Orla Kiely for Target line to come out for weeks, so I consider only purchasing coasters a victory (although if I find a Target with the pitcher or the canisters, those are coming home with me too)!

The spending hiatus is teaching me a lot – I feel a lot better about purchasing things when I have considered the purchase beforehand and then decided to go ahead with it. It's the impulse that causes the guilt for me. 

Continued good luck to everyone else!

three weeks down: hitting my stride

After last week's poor performance, I wanted to get back on the wagon this week and renew my sense of commitment to this experiment. If only Valentine's Day hadn't gotten in the way of it! I thought carefully about it, and decided to get something for my Valentine from Etsy. (Valentine – if you are reading this do not click on that link!)

The funny thing is that I didn't feel guilty or bad about this purchase like I did about the others, I felt great! And I realized that this just isn't about not spending money to prove a point, it's about consciously realizing what the value of material things and experiences are to me. Hope everyone else is feeling good about however this is turning out for them!

For those on (or not on) the spending hiatus, check out this leather wallet from etsy seller treeswithknees for a gentle reminder after all of this is over!

two weeks down: the sheets that killed the no-spend

I managed to avoid spending in spite of the fact that we had a rehearsal dinner and wedding to attend this weekend. This normally would be an occasion for me to go out and find that perfect new outfit (for both nights). However, I found those perfect outfits in my closet. And felt really great about it until...

Incident 1 - I bought new curtains for my living room. I might return them. 

Incident 2 - These sheets that I've been waiting for to go on sale from Kohl's went on sale (look at how cute the ruffle is!), and I couldn't resist. I might return them. 

What's up with me? Why even go into the stores if I know I have no willpower? The guilt is killing me. I think I will take this week to reflect, regroup and figure out whether I want to return the things I bought or not. Hope everyone else is doing better than I am!

one week down...

Here's the report for the spending hiatus. Continued well wishes to all those participating!

I managed to avoid:

- picking up a new set of 1000 thread count sheets just because they were on deep, deep discount, realizing that I have many sets of sheets in my linen closet, and giving further confirmation to my husband's assertion that I have an unhealthy bedding addiction.

- going into a home decor store just because it happened to be next to my grocery store.

- stopping by the mall just because it was on my way home.

I managed to:

- begin a major closet organization project in an effort to "shop my closet". 

- only spend money this week on food and one movie. And we went to the movie during the matinee. 

What I have learned so far:

- I do a lot of mindless looking around for things I don't need. A lot. 

- That time spent being mindless is much better spent being creative.

And so week two commences...

Image via everythingok on etsy.

and so it begins...

Today begins the first day of the self-imposed spending hiatus which is part of my new year's resolution to spend less, and enjoy what I have more. Wish me luck!

Today is also my niece's fourth birthday. I'm in charge of baking the birthday cake. Wish me luck with that too!

the no-spend zone....

Joslyn at Simple Lovely has started a support group for people who want to join her on a 3-month spending hiatus. Since this fell right in line with my own resolutions for the new year, I decided to join in. I'd already spent money last weekend trying to fulfill another of my resolutions, so I'll be starting my hiatus beginning on Monday, January 19. 

I'll still be buying groceries, gas, and paying my bills. But I won't be wandering the aisles of Target looking for something I don't need just in order to buy something. I'll also be cutting out our dining out to once a week. (Which may be the hardest part of all of this!) And I want to consciously enjoy the events and activities I do decide to spend money on rather than just doing something to pass the time. 

I'm excited and nervous to commit to this, but I know that I want to enjoy more the things I already have. Good luck to all the other people trying this out!

Image from everythingok on etsy. If you're not on a spending hiatus, check out this totebag for sale.