A Year without New Clothes

It is no secret that I have a shopping problem. I kind of always have. I love to shop. I love the thrill of the hunt. I like searching through the sale racks to find that perfect dress that maybe I don't need right now, but it is on clearance and it fits like a glove. I have a passion for reinventing a plain white sweater and jeans into a fabulous ensemble by adding a chunky belt and my personalized Converse tennies (if I was British I would have typed "trainers" there. I wish I was British.) I am the Queen of the Bargain Hunters and Making it Work. However, it has to stop. The madness has to stop.

My closet is overflowing. My drawers are overflowing. My laundry room is overflowing. I sometimes randomly find tops that I had forgotten I owned. How do I get control over an addiction that I LOVE to have? It is New Year's Resolution time, Baby!

Now, my initial thought was to not shop for an entire year. I have enough clothes that I can find something for every occasion. But here is the deal, I love to shop. It is my addiction, my past time, my hobby. I know that it seems silly and vain but the heart wants what it wants and mine wants new clothes!

My revised resolution? To not buy any "new clothes." I can only buy previously owned, gently used, clothing. This means, thrift stores, here I come. I have become quite the frequenter of thrift stores in the past few years, but I am ready to step up my game. The only NEW clothing items that I will be purchasing in 2011 will be socks, undergarments and bathing suits (because second hand panties are just NOT OK!)

I am really excited about my goal, I hope I have not set my hopes too high. Only good can come of this: 1. I can rid myself of an addiction. 2. I am helping the environment by buying "recycled" clothing. 3. The majority of thrift stores are locally owned so I will be supporting local businesses or they are owned by organizations that reinvest in the community by job placement and such (i.e. Goodwill) 4. I will stimulate the creative areas of my brain because I am really going to have to think outside of the box when it comes to putting together outfits. (I may even have to learn to sew!) and lastly, 5. It should really make an impact on my checkbook balance! You can get jeans at the Goodwill for $3!
I will be recording my adventure for all to read and to hold myself accountable. I am completely committed to do this and am so looking forward to it. I get excited just thinking about all of deals and interesting clothes just lying in wait for me. Wish me luck!

Jan 3
Three days in and I haven't bought anything! I am so proud of me. I don't even have any withdrawals yet! (Of course, I did buy a camera yesterday, but that is not a clothing item and I really did need it - it's to take pictures of my kids for crying out loud!) Anyway, I realize that three days is not a very long time, but I am counting the mini victories along the way!