Spending Freeze Series - 2 Days to Go!

Only 2 more days to go!  YEAH!!  I'm not going to lie, there's a shirt on sale at the Limited that I've been wanting since this freeze began.  I'm very happy to say though that I've resisted all kinds of temptation (hello birthday coupons, Kohl's clearance racks, and almost daily Victoria's Secret catalogs) and stuck to this freeze!  (Go me)!

Over the past 30 days, I've come to several realizations:

1.  I have so many pieces of clothing, it's disgusting!  Granted, many of the pieces are years old.  Still, when I realized I had 62 layering tank tops, I was embarrassed, then disgusted when I realized that if I spent an average of $10 on each of the tanks, we're talking over $600 worth of freaking tank tops.  Ugh!

2.  Even when your clothing is older, adding an eye-catching necklace or pair of earrings can make it look new.  I keep the pieces I wear a lot unless they get really stained or have holes in them (and then if I love the piece, it gets deemed "every day clothes").  What I don't wear usually ends up on eBay.

3.  Speaking of eBay - if you don't wear it, SELL IT!  Over the past 30 days, I sold $25 worth of stuff on eBay.  I would've sold a lot more if I would've just taken the time to list it.  Items in your closets you don't wear are just wasting space and money.  That $25 can go towards my debt snowball (a la Dave Ramsey Total Money Makeover).

4.  (Getting deeper now) - I shop when I'm bored or stressed.  Over the past 30 days, I've perused eBay quite a bit and "window shopped" the Limited website, but I haven't pulled the trigger and bought clothes.  I've discovered that combating boredom and stress is something I need to focus on.  I could be cleaning, working out, or reading the many books and magazines that are in my office (and then selling them/throw them away when I'm finished).  

5.  I'm so blessed!  I could go on a year-long spending freeze and be just fine.  (I'm not going to, but I could).  It's an embarrassment of riches and I'm well aware of that.  Most of my clothing pieces may be in the $30 or less range, but I'm as blessed as any millionaire and I'm so thankful for the blessings the good Lord has bestowed on me!

In retrospect, this spending freeze has been a great experience and other than the one top from the Limited (and probably one item from the next Stitch Fix that is on it's way b/c I didn't cancel it in time), I don't plan on buying any clothes any time soon!  My new focus is on paying off my next snowball item! 

XOXO,

Stephanie