On To Bigger And Cuter Things

OK, enough about politics, I can shop again, which is oodles more exciting, right?

This morning marked thirty days since I gave up shopping (for thirty days). Thirty days of leaving Target with VERY LITTLE. Thirty days of being taunted by J. Crew sales and Crate & Barrel catalogs. Thirty days of looking at my bank account and not immediately dying on the spot.

That last reason? Kind of a silver lining, don't you think?

Over the last month I've been making a very conservative list of things I'd like to buy today and first was this top:

Sweet night, if I don't have good shopping karma as that lovely top was ON SALE today. I snatched it up for $29.95 (before tax and shipping) instead of $48.

There are a few other things I'll be purchasing today/tomorrow, a dress from Target that is also on sale and a jewelry travel case (something I actually need since we're going to Florida AGAIN next weekend), but—and here's where I take the crazy up a notch—I'm going to start another thirty-day shopping fast this Monday.

What I'm hoping to get from all this is a little lesson in budgeting (something none of my college classes offered me). I'd like to spend a certain amount each month on things for me and this "fasting" experiment has helped me realize I can do it, even if I have to sit on my hands every damn day once in a while to resist the urge to click purchase on these:

Another bonus to being "responsible" is being able to move out of our ridiculously small duplex (MUSTANG HOOD. RESTING AGAINST MY BACK WALL.) into a newer, larger rental house. Yes, you read that correctly. We're not buying our own home for another year or so. We could delve into the many reasons why, but let's just leave it at: Our early twenties. Ouch.

We're still excited about this move and Molly, well, she's FLIPPING ECSTATIC because this move includes a yard of her very own. (Heaven knows her mama wants nothing to do with that lawn-mowing nightmare.) One house we're looking at even has a dog run. What she doesn't realize is we may have to start whoring her out so she can earn her keep, but we'll let her bask in the glow of a yard before we gently remind her that although we adore her and her floppy ears, there's really no such thing as a free lunch.

Another lesson 20th Century British Lit didn't include in its course description.

Comments

[Jen]

I love that top - it's the perfect thing to warm your wallet right up again :)

I was just in Target today and ooohing over some of the cute dresses in there. I managed to resist, but you know I'm waiting for those bad boys to go on sale!

[slynnro]

You know, I was kind of thinking the same thing- sort of giving myself a shopping window. I have been really forced to reevaluate my purchases during these 60 days. I haven't really missed shopping, save for a few things I am dying to get. I think if I'm "allowed" to shop whenever, I will shop whenever. If I give myself a window, I'll really think about what I'm buying during that window.

[banana]

I think they should absolutely teach budgeting and credit score in high school. It should be a mandetory class.

[Someone Being Me]

I love the top and I don't believe in buying anything at full price. So see, you get rewarded for waiting. The shoes are awfully cute but the price is a little on the steep end for me on shoes. Maybe in another 30 days those will be on sale. Maybe you could get your husband to get them for Valentine's Day. I can't wait to hear all about the house.

[Leah]

Sorry to hear your house plans have been foiled for now, but YAY on getting a bigger, better place with a yard in the meantime!

[Raven]

I lived in a rental house for 9 years. Yes. 9 years. I would've continued to do so if Wills hadn't come along and made me move. :)

I see no harm in moving into one for a year until you can move more solidly into buying a house. Buying a house is HARD.

[Nic]

We have very similar taste in fashion. I'd wait on those shoes. In the past year or two I've become increasingly hesitant to buy anything full price at J.Crew because they turn over their line and go to sale so very quickly. When those flats go on sale I'll be getting them possibly in the pink.

[Jess]

Okay, is it just me or does that top link to a post by Moose in the Kitchen about Venice? A great post, to be fair, but I read it twice and I don't see anything about that top.

[Katie]

Congrats on making it through 30 whole days without shopping! I'm so impressed. I don't have that much self restraint.
And hooray for moving into a bigger place!

[Angela]

I am incredibly impressed by your shopping fast! I am also incredibly impressed by that shirt, but I would love to know where it is sold!

[Loralee]

OMG.

Perhaps one of the few things that would cheer me up today is THAT TOP GOING ON SALE!!!

I am usually not a lemming, but ever since you put it on your blog I think I have clicked on it in Anthropologie a hundred times, vacillating back and forth on whether or not to buy it. In the end, I just couldn't because with tax and shipping it was like, $60.00. A bit too steep for just a top.

$38.00??? TOTALLY doable.

Call me a copy cat, but I just sent my order in.

SQUEE!

[Pam]

I want the shoes -- but $148? Does someone wear them for you for that price? I am Imelda, I admit, but I cannot pay that much for a pair of shoes that likely would not last one season, much less two. But oh, how adorable they are!

[Rhi]

Loves the shoes. Only a few more days for me left to go - but want to buy new furniture (not of the Ikea variety) so may extend myself a bit too. Except, with an allowance.

P.S. I love that both you and Cherie have doggies named Molly.

[Angella]

Hooray for the yard!

Also.

Want to come and be my personal shopper?

I will pay you. In cookies.

[Kristie]

Congrats on the impending yard. Where are you moving to? House warming party?

[Emily]

J.Crew shoes are so ridiculously expensive! I really like the top though. Congrats on successfully not shopping!

[Stephanie]

Hey! Congrats on the yardage plans! Yards rule. And not just for dogs. Patio furniture. Private sunbathing. BBQs. No need to feel sheepish or down about the rental for a little longer. I was in my mid-30s before I bought. It's a big thing. Enjoy being kids a little longer! :)

[Sarah]

You have inspired me-I am going to give up shopping today. Yup that's it, I'm going to do it. I'm nervous, not gonna lie; but atleast I am not going it alone!And congrats on the new casa!

[Michelle & the City]

30 days without shopping? go you! i don't think i could do it unless someone hid my purse. lol

[EmilyPie]

The shirt is out of stock in my size! AGH! ...

So I bought a cardigan instead. Which is sort of similar... in cardigan form.

[Kristabella]

Congrats on making the 30 days of no shopping. And cute stuff!

And congrats on the move! Nothing wrong with renting.

[kerrianne]

Those shoes are CUTE. I totally want them.

And the move sounds great. I completely hear you on the "Oy, early twenties" part. Also Chris gets antsy. He's already talking about moving and WE JUST GOT HERE. I tell him that. I am not moving. I am a nester. At least, for now.

[Camels & Chocolate]

I've always wondered how one finds something on sale at Anthropologie and manages not to buy it. That's will power that I'll never possess.

[Erin]

Since B's in school and $ is tight, I've been shopping a whole lot less than I did a few years ago. I've come to realize that I was impulse buying way too much, and that when it comes down to it and I hold off and really think about what I'm going to spend my money on, it's much more enjoyable, and I buy things I'm happy about purchasing at the end of the day. I'm so sad we don't have an Anthropologie here where I live, because I adore that top, but wouldn't dare to shop through a catalog since I'm so hard to fit! I'm so jealous!