A Confession – OR How to Take Control Of My Shopping Addiction

I spend loads of time and money buying clothes and shoes. Mostly by
checking out sales at chains like BCBG, Banana Republic, Bebe and J.
Crew and department stores like Saks and Neimans. I also buy lots of
stuff on Ebay, where I get European designer items and vintage stuff,
and I regularly visit Filene's Basement in search of interesting
designer bargains.
In fact, I buy so much stuff that I now (a) don't have room for it,
and, worse and quite sad, (b) no longer really derive much pleasure
from shopping.
I recently cleared out three large bin liner–sized bags of clothes from
my closet and could easily have set more stuff aside for charity, based
simply on how little of the clothes I own I actually love and value.
I also recently calculated that I spend between $500 and $2000 a month
on this stuff.
So I decided to stop shopping year–round, and instead save that money
to spend on really high–end items twice a year, at season–end at
designer sales. I currently cannot justify spending more than $150 on
any item of clothing, including coats and boots, which is why I end up
with dozens of cheap items that I don't care for at the end of the day.
I also can't justify paying full price for clothing, particularly when
it's expensive. What drives my shopping is the search for bargains!
Hence my decision to shop at season–end sales only. We're talking
non–essentials here, obviously, stuff to revive my wardrobe only.
Really nice stuff, that costs a lot (by my standards, ie; say, $500 a
piece) and that I'm going to love a lot.
When I've told people I'm close to of this decision, they were all
surprised that I would remove such a big pasttime out of my life
overnight like that. So, really, I don't know how I'm going to cope
when the 'need to shop' hits me.
I'd love to hear how other people who've taken hold of their addiction
– because really that's what it is – have dealt with the withdrawal.
So far, I've bought a new lipstick instead!

I should mention that my case is by no means a full–blown shopping
addiction of the kind that gets one into debt. But I do have this

to check out the shops every couple of weeks or so, and I end up

things I could do without.

That sounds like a neat alternative and I do feel stupid for spending
so much money and not having anything seriously fabulous to show for
it... I don't really budget myself which is why I got a fright the
other day when I added up my spending on shoes and clothes over the
past few months...

I also like the idea of keeping a shopping list and staying in focus
when I do go shopping.

That sounds like a neat alternative and I do feel stupid for spending
so much money and not having anything seriously fabulous to show for
it... I don't really budget myself which is why I got a fright the
other day when I added up my spending on shoes and clothes over the
past few months...

When I've told people I'm close to of this decision, they were all
surprised that I would remove such a big pasttime out of my life
overnight like that. So, really, I don't know how I'm going to cope
when the 'need to shop' hits me.

Jamie, I think my aim at the end of the day is to become more like you,
buy what I need, when I need it. I too am now bored with weeding
through sale racks, yet I can't bear to pay full price. The thing is
that I do love clothes and fashion and I enjoy dressing up. So I don't
think I can constrain my shopping to only things I need... I guess I'm
going in circles... :–/

I spend loads of time and money buying clothes and shoes. Mostly by
checking out sales at chains like BCBG, Banana Republic, Bebe and J.
Crew and department stores like Saks and Neimans. I also buy lots of
stuff on Ebay, where I get European designer items and vintage stuff,
and I regularly visit Filene's Basement in search of interesting
designer bargains.
In fact, I buy so much stuff that I now (a) don't have room for it,
and, worse and quite sad, (b) no longer really derive much pleasure
from shopping.
I recently cleared out three large bin liner–sized bags of clothes from
my closet and could easily have set more stuff aside for charity, based
simply on how little of the clothes I own I actually love and value.
I also recently calculated that I spend between $500 and $2000 a month
on this stuff.
So I decided to stop shopping year–round, and instead save that money
to spend on really high–end items twice a year, at season–end at
designer sales. I currently cannot justify spending more than $150 on
any item of clothing, including coats and boots, which is why I end up
with dozens of cheap items that I don't care for at the end of the day.
I also can't justify paying full price for clothing, particularly when
it's expensive. What drives my shopping is the search for bargains!
Hence my decision to shop at season–end sales only. We're talking
non–essentials here, obviously, stuff to revive my wardrobe only.
Really nice stuff, that costs a lot (by my standards, ie; say, $500 a
piece) and that I'm going to love a lot.
When I've told people I'm close to of this decision, they were all
surprised that I would remove such a big pasttime out of my life
overnight like that. So, really, I don't know how I'm going to cope
when the 'need to shop' hits me.
I'd love to hear how other people who've taken hold of their addiction
– because really that's what it is – have dealt with the withdrawal.
So far, I've bought a new lipstick instead!

Lady Penelope Creighton–Ward wrote:
need
buying
I agree that it helps to find a better habit in replacement, and I've
got just the one for you: become an investor!
When the urge to shop hits, just log online to someplace like Vanguard,
research funds, and then plop your $500–2000 into it. I am telling you,
you will get such a thrill!!! And you can watch it grow and grow and
grow for even more thrills! :–)
Otherwise, what I do myself is to keep myself on a budget.
Theoretically, after bills, 401K, emergency fund, etc, is deducted, if
I could spend $1000 a month on clothes, I would instead, have, say, an
extra $750 automatically deducted before my paycheck hits the bank.
Then whatever is in my checking account would be free for me to enjoy
without guilt. I can still shop, but it has to be more realistic and
stay within a more reasonable amount. I do a lot of window shopping.
:–)
jen

I spend loads of time and money buying clothes and shoes. Mostly by
checking out sales at chains like BCBG, Banana Republic, Bebe and J.
Crew and department stores like Saks and Neimans. I also buy lots of
stuff on Ebay, where I get European designer items and vintage stuff,
and I regularly visit Filene's Basement in search of interesting
designer bargains.
In fact, I buy so much stuff that I now (a) don't have room for it,
and, worse and quite sad, (b) no longer really derive much pleasure
from shopping.
I recently cleared out three large bin liner–sized bags of clothes

my closet and could easily have set more stuff aside for charity,

simply on how little of the clothes I own I actually love and value.
I also recently calculated that I spend between $500 and $2000 a

on this stuff.

So I decided to stop shopping year–round, and instead save that money
to spend on really high–end items twice a year, at season–end at
designer sales. I currently cannot justify spending more than $150

any item of clothing, including coats and boots, which is why I end

with dozens of cheap items that I don't care for at the end of the

I also can't justify paying full price for clothing, particularly

it's expensive. What drives my shopping is the search for bargains!
Hence my decision to shop at season–end sales only. We're talking
non–essentials here, obviously, stuff to revive my wardrobe only.
Really nice stuff, that costs a lot (by my standards, ie; say, $500 a
piece) and that I'm going to love a lot.
When I've told people I'm close to of this decision, they were all
surprised that I would remove such a big pasttime out of my life
overnight like that. So, really, I don't know how I'm going to cope
when the 'need to shop' hits me.
I'd love to hear how other people who've taken hold of their

– because really that's what it is – have dealt with the withdrawal.
So far, I've bought a new lipstick instead!

But I think, whatever limit
you set, you try not to worry about all of the things you may be missing and
just try to be pleased with the items that you do find.

I spend loads of time and money buying clothes and shoes. Mostly by
checking out sales at chains like BCBG, Banana Republic, Bebe and J.
Crew and department stores like Saks and Neimans. I also buy lots of
stuff on Ebay, where I get European designer items and vintage stuff,
and I regularly visit Filene's Basement in search of interesting
designer bargains.
In fact, I buy so much stuff that I now (a) don't have room for it,
and, worse and quite sad, (b) no longer really derive much pleasure
from shopping.
I recently cleared out three large bin liner–sized bags of clothes

my closet and could easily have set more stuff aside for charity,

simply on how little of the clothes I own I actually love and value.
I also recently calculated that I spend between $500 and $2000 a

on this stuff.

So I decided to stop shopping year–round, and instead save that money
to spend on really high–end items twice a year, at season–end at
designer sales. I currently cannot justify spending more than $150

any item of clothing, including coats and boots, which is why I end

with dozens of cheap items that I don't care for at the end of the

I also can't justify paying full price for clothing, particularly

it's expensive. What drives my shopping is the search for bargains!
Hence my decision to shop at season–end sales only. We're talking
non–essentials here, obviously, stuff to revive my wardrobe only.
Really nice stuff, that costs a lot (by my standards, ie; say, $500 a
piece) and that I'm going to love a lot.
When I've told people I'm close to of this decision, they were all
surprised that I would remove such a big pasttime out of my life
overnight like that. So, really, I don't know how I'm going to cope
when the 'need to shop' hits me.
I'd love to hear how other people who've taken hold of their

– because really that's what it is – have dealt with the withdrawal.
So far, I've bought a new lipstick instead!

I should mention that my case is by no means a full–blown shopping
addiction of the kind that gets one into debt. But I do have this need
to check out the shops every couple of weeks or so, and I end up buying
things I could do without.