STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

Kitty · Hermes

Shopping ban?

valenciana · Dooney & Bourke

i find that when i avoid temptation, i kind of forget about it altogether. when i get busy with school, i get way behind on magazine reading, don't go shopping as much, and spend less time on here...and then i find that i have less interest in shopping and buying stuff (shocking, i know!). but when i spend hours pouring over mags, browsing stuff online, and seeing what all the ladies here are buying and drooling over, i have this uncontrollable urge to shop!

i don't know if that would work for you, but it definitely does for me. that and trying very hard to find the "look for less" at cheapie places like target, forever 21, h&m, old navy, etc.

NCshopper · Hermes

Full on shopping bans absolutely don't work for me. It's like a diet--you can't completely cut out everything you love without starting to feel deprived so then you end up bingeing when you know you shouldn't. Make sense? So when I feel the need to cut back on my spending, that's what I do--cut back, but don't quit cold turkey. I usually will give myself a weekly allowance that allows me to still buy things here and there without going overboard.

I also try and find fun things to do on the cheap--find a museum to check out, go to a bookstore to read (but not buy) magazines, stuff like that. Also, sometimes a quick trip to Target to buy something fun and cheap for the house and a drink from Starbucks is all it takes to feel like I've treated myself.

ETA: Also, you can go shopping in your closet by pairing different pieces together and taking pictures. And also, stay away from the Shopping & Fashion section of the forum. It certainly doesn't help matters to see what everyone else is buying.

-- Edited by NCshopper at 17:20, 2006-10-04

Cortney1982 · Chanel

Stay away from shopping and shopping websites! When I put myself on a ban I even deleted every shopping e-mail before reading it. It didn't matter if it was for a great sale or not. That worked for me. Also I always allow to get myself something small, like under $20. It fills the shopping void!

erin · Chanel

well, i am big on checks and balances. after a gluttonous splurge (big or small!) i tend to go through my closet and gather up items to sell on ebay. but $1500 is a bit more than i am used to, is there anything you can return?

shopgirl82 · Chanel

i always find when i'm reading smartmoney.com, checking my investments, ING, etc...i'm better at saving money. i find when i see it grow, it keeps me movtivated. so maybe check out cnn money, and read up a bit.

when i want to shop, i go to the grocery store or shop for something i need, not not for stuff i want.

also, maybe have money automatically taken out of your paycheck. it really keeps me from spending. let me know if you want an ING invite.

good luck. stay focused, and make sure you look at pictures of your vacation spot often to keep you motivated!

cahabo · Kate Spade

Before school started I was shopping practically everyday. But now I don't have time so that helps keep me from shopping all the time. I too delete my shopping e-mails before I open them, and have stopped browsing online. Helps so much. Grocery shopping helps fill my need to buy things though! So keep busy, avoid the shopping centers, and just stick with the grocery stores.