my life, my joy, my dreams
My 11-month long shopping fast has finally come to an end. I am proud to announce that it was a success! I was able to resist shopping and I also learned a lot in the process.
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Allow me to share with you the realizations that dawned on me during the challenge:
Note: I started my self-imposed shopping ban on January 1, 2014. I made it official online through this post, and called it a “shopping fast.” I also shared there the reasons why I took the challenge and laid down some rules to guide me while on it.
Shopping Fast: January Report
Shopping Fast: February Report
Shopping Fast: March Report
Shopping Fast: April Report
Shopping Fast: May Report
Shopping Fast: June Report
Shopping Fast: July Report
Shopping Fast: August Report
Shopping Fast: September Report
Shopping Fast: October Report
Yesterday marked the end of my shopping fast. This 11-month long challenge has turned out to be a success. Yes, friends, I did it! I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all of you for all the words of encouragement and praise. In your own little way, you have inspired me to go on and win. Again, thanks to you!
Note: I started my self-imposed shopping ban on January 1, 2014. I made it official online through this post, and called it a “shopping fast.” I also shared there the reasons why I took the challenge and laid down some rules to guide me while on it.
Shopping Fast: January Report
Shopping Fast: February Report
Shopping Fast: March Report
Another month has passed, and I’m still shopping-free. I’m starting to be proud of myself. Haha. But seriously, it’s not easy. I still go to the mall and get to see pretty stuff, from clothing and shoes to fancy jewelry and household items. Every time, I’d just look at them with delight and warmth in my heart and that’s it. I admit sometimes I’d get this urge to buy them and give up on this self-imposed challenge. But when I’d think about what I’ve started so far, I’d get motivated enough to move forward.
Continue reading “Shopping Fast: April Report”
Note: I started my self-imposed shopping ban on January 1, 2014. I made it official online through this post, and called it a “shopping fast.” I also shared there the reasons why I took the challenge and laid down some rules to guide me while on it.
Shopping Fast: January Report
Shopping Fast: February Report
March has arrived and left swiftly. I’m giddy to tell you that I succeeded in making the whole month shopping-free. I think I deserve a pat on the back. Haha.
But just like in February, I did receive some new stuff. Only two items, though. One is a clutch (given to me as pasalubong by my boss when she travelled to Hong Kong) and the other is a skirt (given to me by my very generous and thoughtful MIL).
Note: I started my self-imposed shopping ban on January 1, 2014. I made it official online through this post, and called it a “shopping fast.” I also shared there the reasons why I took the challenge and laid down some rules to guide me while on it. I decided to include this post in my documentation and labeled it as my January report…
If there’s one thing I’m really proud of last month, that would be the fact that I didn’t do any retail therapy. Of course, I did dine out with the hubby and shop for groceries but that was all. I was able to stop myself from indulging in the big 3’s of girl shopping: clothes, shoes, and accessories. It’s a feat on its own, I tell you.
I hope to continue this self-imposed shopping ban as long as I can. It will not only save me money, but it will also teach me to have more discipline and be more in control of my finances. I can imagine the next months will be harder because of the regular mall-wide sales and the various special occasions approaching (e.g. Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, etc.), but I will work on it.
As a self-confessed cheapskate and a trying-hard frugal person, I try to stick to my budget every time I’m out shopping for our home, my husband or myself. I admit to doing impulsive shopping on occasions, though. But then, I still make sure that I get full value for my money.
The idea of saving while shopping thrills me. Promos like buy 1 take 1, up to 70% off and the likes appeal to me like they’re some sort of pampering services waiting to be enjoyed. It must be due to the fact that I always challenge myself not just to stick to my budget but if possible, spend less than what I intended to as well.