Did you know that October is Buy Nothing New month?!
Been there, done that … you see, a few years back I decided to challenge myself to go 40 days without shopping!
I was inspired by a book called “Not Buying It” by Judith Levine. My goal was to only purchase necessities for myself and my family, and to resist and avoid buying anything else; no treats, no luxuries, no impulse buys.
I thought I was rather clever, timing my 40 days without shopping to kick off immediately after the craziness of Christmas – by which time I’m usually heartily sick of the shops anyway. But it was not as easy as I thought ….
From My Diary: 40 Days Without Shopping
Day 1: That first night, I couldn’t help feeling rather smug as I watched the frenzy of the Boxing Day sales on the news – I’d avoided all the mayhem!
Day 3: The strap on my only pair of white sandals broke. But under the rules of my 40 days without shopping, replacing them would be a luxury – I just couldn’t justify it when I had at least a dozen pairs of shoes already.
Day 8: Of course wouldn’t you know it, I saw the cutest pair of white sandals on sale! Somehow I managed to resist temptation and kept walking ….
Day 13: My birthday fell right in the middle of my 40 days without shopping. To celebrate, the hubster took me out so we could choose my present/s together. Technically, *I* wasn’t the one shopping or buying … so I figured it was okay. It wasn’t til later though that I realised I *should* have chosen some white sandals while I was at it!
Day 17: I was home with the kids for the school holidays. Ordinarily that would mean regular trips to the shops just for “fun”. But in order to avoid temptation, I had to work extra hard to come up with other fun activities to fill our days …
Day 24: While doing some research online, I stumbled across an Aussie writer’s magazine. Normally I would have subscribed straight away, but didn’t want to break my fast. So I made a note of it, deciding that if I was still keen AFTER 40 days, I could go back and sign up then. Guess what … I never did.
Day 35: I’d avoided shopping centres for over a month, but temptation was everywhere! As I made a cup of tea in the lunchroom at work, there was a new Book Club selection to browse through – with a gorgeous craft book and kit for just $5. I knew Miss 18 (who was several years younger back then) would love it, and if I waited til my 40 days were over, it’d be gone. Dear reader, I cheated – I ran the idea past the hubster and he told me to get it, so I’ll blame him for my little slip-up! (But you know what, all these years later I can’t remember what it was … so how important was it really in the scheme of things, I wonder?).
Then there were the challenges that grocery shopping presented. Is a packet of chocolate biscuits a luxury? I justified it by figuring that we needed something in the house “in case” visitors turned up!
While not something I’d like to do again anytime soon, it was definitely a valuable exercise. It not only made me stop and think before making every purchase, reducing my impulse buying habits, it also made me reflect on how the activity of shopping has become something we equate with “fun”!
Was I really any worse off after 40 days without shopping? My only regret was that by the time my fast was finished, the summer sales were over. Not only that, the shops were filled with winter stock so I had to wait months before I was able to replace those white sandals …
Could you go 40 days without shopping?!
Linking up with Essentially Jess for IBOT.
Jody at Six Little Hearts says
Oh how hard! I have already failed but thankfully I didn’t even know about this challenge. I don’t know if I could miss the sales – good on you for willpower!
Janet Camilleri says
Yes, perhaps not the best time of year to do it, in hindsight …. 😉
Ingrid @ Fabulous and Fun Life says
I wouldn’t be able to do this challenge during the post Christmas sales! That’s the best shopping time! I’d consider doing this challenge after the post-Christmas sales. I would be all shopped out after Christmas and the sales and my wallet would definitely need some time out! I might make a note in my diary and try it in February, although I would need to make an exception for my twins’ birthday presents – I’m making exceptions already – hehe – not a good sign!
Janet Camilleri says
I’m beginning to think there’s never a good time to go on a shopping fast 😉
Amy @ HandbagMafia says
I did a shopping challenge this year too- I vowed to buy as little new stuff as possible when it comes to clothing and made it to october before buying a couple of pairs of shorts and tees for summer- otherwise, everything has been op shopped or second hand from ebay!
Janet Camilleri says
Well done!!!! As part of my challenge I wouldn’t even allow myself to go op shopping which made it even harder, oh sob oh weep!
Raych aka Mystery Case says
I didn’t know that. It’s been years since I’ve done a month of no spending challenge. Saved a small fortune when I did.
Janet Camilleri says
I’m not surprised, it’s amazing how easily we spend money and don’t even think about it (or is that just me?!)
Min@WriteoftheMiddle says
I think I could come close to succeeding at this challenge! I’m not a big shopper. I don’t really like shopping and I don’t really like shopping centres. I like to get new things but I like to know what I want, zip in and get it and zip out again. It’s all the other little grey areas that might slip me up! 😉 x
Janet Camilleri says
The grey areas are tricky … you can justify anything if you really want to 😉
Maxabella says
I definitely could, but not in October. October is a four birthday month for me and I’m just not organised enough to get ready in advance! Our wallet always thanks us profusely whenever we manage to avoid the shops. The internet has made that rather hard!!
Janet Camilleri says
Because I work from home I don’t get out to the shops as often, which was good – until I discovered internet shopping … uh oh …
JF Gibson says
If I really focused I think I could do it. At least for myself. No doubt the washing machine would irreparably break down, the kids would grow out of all their school clothes and the hubby would require something immediately. But me, yeah I could do it. I don’t buy a lot for myself really. It would though be hard not to buy a book, especially if I was waiting on its release!
Janet Camilleri says
See, I think all of those things are necessities so allowable under the rules of the game. It’s often the little things like chocolate, magazines and books, or a coffee, etc that are a problem!
EssentiallyJess says
I really like the idea of this, but I’m not sure how well I would go with it. I think if I said no, then I would miss a great bargain (like those sandals), but I do love the idea of shopping more mindfully. I need to get better at that.
Janet Camilleri says
It really annoyed me at the time Jess, because I had a pair of white pants that just didn’t look right without white sandals so it meant they were out of circulation for months. First world problems!
Hugzilla says
I could totally go 40 days without buying anything new, as I am a major op shopping fanatic (which I assume is technically exempt?).
Janet Camilleri says
It was out in my challenge, but I’m sure would be fine for the official Buy Nothing New month :-). I had to rule it out for myself because it wouldn’t have been a challenge otherwise!
Natalie @ our parallel connection says
I’m sorry but I couldn’t do it… I don’t need Tom hop all the time but chrissy sales and my birthday… No way.. You’re a better woman than me…
Janet Camilleri says
Love your honesty! And I don’t think I’ll do it again. EVER. lol…
Haidee@Maybe Baby Brothers says
I reckon I could do this pretty easily if I timed it right, I hardly get a chance to get to the shops anyway! Knowing my luck though, I’d need something desperately within that time frame and then I would do a sneaky ‘just this one thing …’. Next thing you know … Haha. Go buy those sandals this year!
Janet Camilleri says
Yes, not easy to go shopping with munchkins!
Vanessa says
I guess I do this fairly often, actually. I generally only try to buy things at the shops food wise twice a month, and at other times when things break (or just before they break, if I know they’re going to). Good thing I don’t like shopping centres. Makes it easier to stay away.
Janet Camilleri says
Staying away from the shops is half the secret I think 🙂