Resurrecting The "Shopping Bans" Topic

Faithful readers of this blog and close friends know that last year, I embarked on one of the hardest challenges I've ever set for myself: From the beginning of May to the end of September 2008--just a little under five months--I was under a self-imposed shopping ban...no clothes and accessories were purchased during that time. Recently, I've been seeing more and more fashion bloggers impose bans on themselves to save some money for the holiday season or for other goals, prompting me to look through my archives at what inspired me to not shop and how I fared when I ended it.

Right now I once again find myself on a mini ban of sorts to save money for other people's Christmas presents without compromising my personal savings goals (although I've already slipped up and bought a netbook).

Are you on a shopping ban? How have you fared so far? Let's share and commiserate in the comments. And for the readers trying to watch their spending, check out this old post from August 2008 with tips on how to make it through. Good luck! I know how difficult it can be.

21 comments

  1. I'm not sure if I would call my shopping hiatus an outright "ban" because just the other day I couldn't resist Sephora's 20% off sale and bought some goodies heh heh.. but I'm definitely trying to scale back on clothing after I maxed out on my credit card FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER. Granted, a portion of it went to buying a Christmas present (I vow to get everything done early this year!) but it wasn't a good feeling seeing my online bank statement. It's just so hard sometimes, but I'm trying to use my tentative Eurotrip and saving-up-to-move-out plan as motivation. I remember reading about your shopping ban (I even commented!). I think I'd crack after a month. 5 months is amazing!

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  2. I have been on a shopping ban since August. I really don't have time to shop because I always have something to do for my classes. But, I must admit the only thing I am asking for Christmas this year is money or clothes. I miss shopping so much, but I can take a break from it.

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  3. I'm avoiding bans since mine created a long and damaging binge backlash. But I've started socking money into a bank account that I have no idea how to access, and am proud of my progress!

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  4. I've found it impossible to keep to any shopping ban I impose myself, but I have been trying to buy less. I browse on ebay for a few things and use the money I make from selling for buying new stuff. Saving for New York has taken a backseat but I should have enough to survive....

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  5. lisa!! good luck :) if you could do 5 months before, you can do it again.
    maybe just a little bit shorter...

    netbooks are good!! if you needed a new one, then that's fair.

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  6. I am so there with you Lisa. I am on a quest to simplify my life right now. Downgrade on material stuff and travel more.

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  7. I was actually thinking about this, this morning. I think that from here through Christmas, I'm only going to purchase gifts and holiday decor!

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  8. they don't work well for me, that's for sure. I tried to do one a month ago but i broke it buying a gift for my hubby.

    online shopping is the worst - i keep getting emails notifying me of free shipping and sales...

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  9. I've never been on a shopping ban. But then again, I don't shop so often. When I do shop tho, I shop for big, expensive purchases. Lately, I've been buying electronics and I have a feeling my next purchase will be a MacBook.. It's expensive! & I might have to go on a shopping ban soon after that? maybe...?

    A ban is so extreme tho, in my opinion. I'd rather give myself a shopping budget per month-a reasonable amount. I'm afraid that after the ban's lifted, I'd go on a shopping binge or something and end up spending a lot more....?? possible?

    I admire you that you were able to last for 4-5mths! That's amazinggg!! I might go insane if I ever do that to myself. Haha =)

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  10. This is such an interesting discussion so far! If there's anyone else out there with a shopping ban experience, I'd love to hear about it. Jump in anytime. :-)

    Sal and Joanne, you both brought up excellent points re. the post-ban binge. It's definitely something I've tried to avoid when I'm on a ban, so I say to myself that categories in certain purchases are strictly off limits (clothes and accessories) while purchases in others are okay. During my 5 month ban, I let myself buy makeup and magazines. It looks like this time around I've expanded to electronics. :P Anyway, the important thing is that to make this work, you can't make yourself feel like you're being extremely deprived. It's too masochistic and bound for failure that way.

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  11. i am sorta of on a shopping ban after going over my winter wardrobe and my shoes again..... ouch! xoxo

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  12. Hmm...I have to impose that ban on myself pretty soon, since I need to save for both my list and rent. It's gonna be hard, since I have problems imposing bans on myself, but we'll see what happens.

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  13. I'm trying to save...definitely.

    Thank you for today, you turned my mood around and reminded me to be thankful.

    XO!!!

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  14. I'm TOTALLY on a ban right now. We're scaling way back this year. It actually feels pretty good!

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  15. so far i'm doing pretty good. i had to buy a new bag for work, to fit shoes and food...and i had to get some makeup necessities, but other than that, i haven't bought clothes or shoes. i even went to metro 3 times this week and came out empty handed! even though aldo had some killer deals on sexy electric blue ankle boots. it hurt me to walk away. actually.

    you can do it!

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  16. Shopping bans are tough; however, I find that it is made easier by admiring/cherishing your last purchase before imposing the ban. In your case, I think it was the netbook?

    I wish I had more encouraging words to say! I went on a semi-shopping ban by not purchasing any accessories/handbags for about 9 months. It was so hard, but I adored the first clutch I got when the ban was lifted!

    Good luck!

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  17. I'm on a ban....unwillingly....sort of...being a student is like a moral shopping ban. I can't buy things with a good conscience when I have no job and my fiance is paying all of the bills. BUT, I can get HIM to buy me things!!

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  18. It has been more of a sort lack of funds shopping ban, but it's been about three months since my last clothing purchase! Totally want to get a cosy winter sweater though. Hope you're having a beautiful weekend :)

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  19. I'm on something of a pre-holiday ban, although if I need minor stuff like lipstick etc. I'll still get it. It's more the big fashiony stuff I'm scaling back on. I think what makes it easier to not splurge, is the fact that the temperatures are so mild this year, I can't even wear many of my winter clothes yet, let alone buy more. I was going to purchase a pair of OTK boots, but I won't even be able to wear them, so I've decided to hold off. The second reason is that I hate buying stuff full-price and I'd rather save my $$ for the sales in January when I'll end up paying half and will get more bang for my buck. If the temps keep being this mild, I'll probably even be able to get my boots for half off, so I don't see a point spending any money now.

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  20. Wow I am so behind on my comments haha, any way, I'm 22 days into my ban and can say that I don't hate myself haha, but have felt a little down knowing that there are sales going on but I can't buy anything. I took your advice on the makeup loophole as evidenced by my most recent post where I bought a bunch of Benefit cosmetics lol. I think I'm getting to the point where I'm slowly losing the will to shop hahaha, which is probably a good thing but at the same time, I miss shopping. I do have a post-ban reward purchase in mine and as long as I focus on that, it seems to keep me from breaking my ban!

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  21. I've never been on one, but I think I might need to for college.

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