Rampant Consumerism

OK, so those of you who know me IRL (and probably most of you who don't) know that I am a bit of a rampant consumer . I have a really, really bad case of see it, want it, gotta have it and as a result my kids have far too many clothes, and I won't even go there with toys and nappies (can anyone say "excessive" ). I can't go anywhere without $10 or $20 "falling" out of my wallet, and altho at the time it seems like a small amount, it all adds up. For example, yesterday it was $4 at Starbucks, $19 at St Pierres for sushi for lunch, then $19 at Jesters on frozen pies for dinner, even tho we already have a freezer full of meat.

I saw in the Canvas section of the Weekend Herald yesterday an interesting article in which one of their journalists went without 'spending' for a month with the exception of neccessities like groceries.

I've been pondering on it, and I've decided that it's not such a bad idea. The question is,can I go a month without spending? I've already decided I'm not going to take it as far as the Canvas lady did - she cut out meals out etc. - as we already have plans to go out pretty much every weekend this month, but I am not going to buy anything uneccessary (think toys, clothes etc.), no takeaways, no stopping at the bakery to buy Maya a biscuit for her preschool lunch when there is plenty of food at home, no trips to Lynnmall just to get coffee from Starbucks, and worst of all - no more daily Sugarfree V drinks .

At the end of the month I'm hoping my bank balance will be a little healthier, and that I will find a little more self control when it comes to shopping.

So wish me luck! And anyone else who wants to take the challenge, feel free to leap in! I did consider asking Ginger but....

Oh bugger, the trip to the Snazzipants shop Oh well, will have to drool over nappies and dream about when I'll be able to buy them again.

I'm contemplating a Phil n Teds Sport buggy and getting rid of the two I have, so a month of not spending will be a fair bit of $$$ towards one. Haven't decided yet tho, as the toddler seat only takes up to 15kg so not sure how long it will be before a gremlin outgrows it.

BTW let me know how much weight you lose...you may become inspirational....

and what about the wool...and the trip to spotlight??

gandt wrote: and what about the wool...and the trip to spotlight??

The wool doesn't count - I had already committed to buy it And in a roundabout way it's not consumerism coz it's so someone else can make me something. The bedroom letters will have to wait...

Argh, I'm already trying to justify spending. Bad, bad Emma!

Never happens when you arent saving though does it

No way baby - I'm in

In fact, just yesterday, I realised that I'd run out of my expensive moisturiser, and in an effort to cut back etc and achieve more out of my budget, I'm trialling a moisturiser and skin care set which costs about a third of my current one.

I think we need to go public with this and be super dooper honest about spending, and see how we go

Edited by ginger

GOODLUCK LADIES!!!

ginger wrote: No way baby - I'm in In fact, just yesterday, I realised that I'd run out of my expensive moisturiser, and in an effort to cut back etc and achieve more out of my budget, I'm trialling a moisturiser and skin care set which costs about a third of my current one.

please do tell about this moisturiser...i too have just run out of the expensive stuff the "kids" got me for xmas...

I think I need to jump onto something like this too!! Cor it would be nice to see a healthy bank account.

I have been very restrained with wool and sewing purchases though!