The decision to not buy anything new in 2010 began to surface during the Christmas season. During our shopping we realized we were having a difficult time choosing gifts for each other and the rest of the family. There was nothing we needed or even wanted that we did not have. Our children suggested we adopt a family through a local charity and we would all buy gifts for the family which we did. We still bought gifts for each other and the rest of the family. Although we all enjoyed the gifts it was apparent that we all had so much! We have a wonderful family and we really do not need all the "stuff" we have. I also love to buy things, new kitchen gadgets,books, furniture, the list goes on and on. I rarely go to Target etc without spending at least $100 dollars. We really did not need all of the things I would buy so I began to think I should just go "cold turkey" and not buy anything. We talked about it and developed our plan on paper and signed it like a contract. Briefly it says we will not buy anything new with the exception of running shoes and items for our biking trip. We can buy gifts for each other and for the family but only for legitimate holidays and birthdays. We also have $50.00 discretionary money each month which is cumulative.
So how are we doing??? We started on January 1 and that day we went to Starbucks for coffee and I started to pick up the coffee mugs that were on sale from Christmas until Jack reminded me that they were new! It really has been an eye-opening experience it is so easy for me to pick up things to buy without really thinking. It has been good for me I simply do not think about buying things which is somewhat "freeing" I know where my weakness is because I have spent the discretionary money on books mostly cookbooks. Doing this for only a week or two a month could be a way to start.
44 days to the Spokin' Home!!
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