Nothing I'm about to say is profound, and I know it has all been said at least 50129 times (wild guess) before in some similar bout of realization (whether online or in real life). But these are my thoughts and that is all. Anyway, epiphanies are a good thing. Let's not go knocking them.
For illustration, here is the wish list I created mid-December. I actually intended on purchasing everything on it this year (before I took a whiff of the smelling salts and came to my senses):
- Kate Spade Gold Coast Tote: $450
- New Winter Coat: "budgeted" $200
- Additional David Yurman bracelet: $575
- A certain Temperley London dress I'd been eying: approximately $400
- Louis Vuitton Neverful: $750
- Tory Burch Jaden Tote: $500
- Several Rachel Pally Dresses: combined cost of approximately $450
It all adds up to about $3400. If I weren't in debt I could afford it, but even then, let's be serious. Do I really need three new bags? Is any of it essential? Would life suddenly become more interesting/bearable/exciting/stable by owning any of this stuff? More importantly, would owning any of this make me happy? Actually, it's on the contrary.
I won't delve into my story right now which, by the way, sounds so self-important. My story is less "compelling blogger tale that warrants attention" and more "Think Before You Spend - Life Skills 101: How Not to Make Bad Money Decisions (like I did)." Anyway, all these years of charging and acquiring didn't make my life happier or better. They made it worse.
I literally just got back from the post office--had to send off a Marc by Marc Jacobs bag that I sold on Bonanza. I paid for it using credit, carried it for only a week and then let it sit in my closet for almost three years. I don't want to think about the interest I paid on that bag that warranted purchase in the first place. The purse is just one of many items over the past five years that has fared a similar fate. This is at least the fiftieth time I've bought something, let it sit and then sold it for much less than I paid. Dumb, isn't it?
Anyway, I've discovered that not shopping is a lot like cutting sugar out of your diet. The less you consume, the more absent your cravings become. Furthermore, I'm approaching all future purchases the same way I approach eating: is that purse/cupcake really worth the money/calories?
When the day comes that I do pay down my debt and begin consuming again, I know it's going to be different. I want to think before purchasing anything. Stop and think about what I really want. Try things on. Look online for months before deciding what kind of bag I want (I'd gladly take the Mulberry I pictured!) Make sure I'm going to keep whatever it is for years to come and actually use it. Turn selling on eBay/Bonanza into a thing of the past. Be in control.
Don't get me wrong, I still get urges to buy, but they're not nearly as strong or frequent as they used to be. My new desire/obsession? To retire my debt and build savings. Only then will I reward myself with ANYTHING listed above.
So it looks like I'll be living vicariously through other people's fabulous purchases for some time being. Or perhaps I'll just live.
4 comments:
I've been doing the same thing! Paying down my college credit card (which thankfully isn't TOO much) and then focusing on my LARGE student debt. I've committed to not getting a new car until that college credit card is PAID OFF! I cannot WAIT!
You're doing SO well, my dear! xo
I Like this post. I think that there are more important things in life than shopping. Spending time with Family and friends is best. I need to remind myself sometimes. It is hard to not shop especially when looking at Fashion magazines and blogs. I realized that since I started looking at Fashion blogs my shopping has increased. That is me though, everyone is different. I wish you the best at getting out of debt and I think what you are doing is Great.
I love how honest you are. SO many people are in a similar situation. I read this blog http://uberchicforcheap.blogspot.com/ and she does posts called 'Look for Less' and she finds EXACT matches to so many gorgeous expensive items for a 1/4th the price, which I am still to poor to afford, but it's still fun to get ideas for when I do have money.
I agree with the comment above, I love your honesty in this post. There was a time in my life when I made similar wishlists of things I lusted after. Most of them were small and not super pricy, but they sure would add up if I had bought them all!
Since taking a big paycut when I switched to part-time, I've had to curb my shopping habits in a big way. And I have to agree with you - it's been a lot easier than I thought it would be! And on top of it, I've been purging my closet on eBay and getting rid of stuff! It's so freeing!
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