Jaime’s No-Shop February: Week Three
February 23, 2010 @ 3:15 pm
Written by Jaime Palmucci
Missed the first few No-Shop February posts? Click here and check them out!
Hey guys! Things have been very chaotic around my house lately, and I think it’s flowing into every aspect of my life. One thing that I’ve definitely been working on though? Kicking this debt to the curb and calming my shopping habit. For how challenging week two was, week three ended up being a LOT easier.
I’ve set up a payment plan for all of my debts, and we’re slowly working through them. Sure, it’s hard, but I’m really intense (in fact, I’m Gazelle Intense, for those of you Dave Ramsey fans out there) and I’m committed to getting this done. I only have one more week of not shopping at all, but I am happy with this lifestyle, and I really think I can change for the better.
What did I buy in week three? My big splurge was a bottle of sulfate-free shampoo which, with coupons, cost me $3.99… and it was pretty crucial to have that stuff, since you can’t use shampoo with sulfates on a Brazilian Blowout (and I want this hair to last a LONG time!).
There is something really, really painful about this, and I guess I never really realized that I probably have a shopping problem. My lifestyle, despite how well-dressed I am, was not right for me. If you’ve been hassled by credit card companies, you understand how I’m feeling; there’s just a peace that you find by getting them off your back!
I took week three, and it’s calmer demeanor than week two, as a chance to really clean house both literally and figuratively. I threw out a bunch of clothes, donated even more to my local Goodwill (which I’d highly recommend you do, if you’ve got a ton of extra clothes sitting around!) and am shipping some to my sister in Ann Arbor. My boyfriend and I sat down and created a hardcore budget and we’re committed to making a full-scale lifestyle change. Crazy, huh?
Have you been taking part in a No-Shop month (or are you going for a No-Shop year, you amazing chica!)? What has been the hardest part for you?
To see more of Jaime’s work, check out DenimDebutante.com.
About the Author: Jaime Palmucci
Hey Jaime! Congrats on your week three of the no-shop. I am one of the crazy chicas who has embarked on that journey for a whole year. My BFF and I (she’s in Toronto, I am in San Fran) gave up shopping this past May and have lived to tell about it!
We both are/were shopaholics and felt like all of our hard earned cash was just hanging in our closets. We thought we would have owned some of kind of asset by now (we are in our early 30′s) or at least a decemt 401K. Anyway, having a friend do it with you is amazing for support and any other survival techniques come in the form of either complaining a lot (on the bad days) or being creative with my closet (on the good days!). Check out our blog when you have a chance. http://www.365fashionrehab.com.
Good luck! Love,A
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Just a suggestion….but a lot of people are turning to selling the things that they no longer wear on Ebay or in consignment stores. It’s a great way to clean house/closets and also make a buck or two back to pay down the credit cards. I personally use it as a way to buy new things. I can only spend the money I make.