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Well I've come to the end of my Frugal February challenge - well done, me. It was an interesting month filled with ups and downs but overall, I think I did pretty well. Let's see how I went:
Well I've come to the end of my Frugal February challenge - well done, me. It was an interesting month filled with ups and downs but overall, I think I did pretty well. Let's see how I went:
WEEK ONE
Look, to be honest, I ended up at the shops during the first two days of Frugal February. On the plus side, I didn't buy anything and I wasn't there for the purpose of shopping. I was there to watch my mother shop.
I really tried to wear things I hadn't worn in a while. I rehashed a pair of satin Sportsgirl boxer shorts which were great to wear on really hot days. Those shorts were the only "older" item that I started to wear again.
Overall, one week without shopping wasn't a challenge.
WEEK TWO
Confession: I spent money on a birthday present. I personally don't think it counted as a fail because it wasn't a purchase for myself.
Things did start to get harder - my favourite brands were releasing and advertising AW16 stock. Instagram was alive with many NEW SEASON posts. It was a downward spiral from there - seeing the posts, going to the website, having a good look on the website and creating a shopping bag. I also received some NEW ARRIVALS chat from my sister. Our chat began with her message saying, "Warning: do not go to the shoe section at DJs in the city!" Great...
Things did start to get harder - my favourite brands were releasing and advertising AW16 stock. Instagram was alive with many NEW SEASON posts. It was a downward spiral from there - seeing the posts, going to the website, having a good look on the website and creating a shopping bag. I also received some NEW ARRIVALS chat from my sister. Our chat began with her message saying, "Warning: do not go to the shoe section at DJs in the city!" Great...
I almost caved at the sight of all the new season arrivals but I stuck to my challenge. Instead of shopping, I made several cakes...YUM!
WEEK THREE
FAILURE ALERT: I bought a lipstick and two t-shirts. However, I paid for them with my credit card which I don't have to pay off until March so that's fine, right?
In my defence, that day was not a good day emotionally for me. A month of no shopping isn't that long, but this one emotional day made me weak. Why was it emotional? I was consumed anxiety and disappointment in myself and I felt like I was lacking direction in my life. I wanted to relieve that distress by buying something. Yes, it was nice to have new things, but that post-purchase satisfaction wasn't there. Shopping wasn't a problem solver and it should never be treated like that. Overall, I'm disappointed that I let my emotional state take over me.
In my defence, that day was not a good day emotionally for me. A month of no shopping isn't that long, but this one emotional day made me weak. Why was it emotional? I was consumed anxiety and disappointment in myself and I felt like I was lacking direction in my life. I wanted to relieve that distress by buying something. Yes, it was nice to have new things, but that post-purchase satisfaction wasn't there. Shopping wasn't a problem solver and it should never be treated like that. Overall, I'm disappointed that I let my emotional state take over me.
On a non-depressing note, I started to notice that I was missing mix-and-match pieces. There were tops or bottoms I wanted to wear, but nothing to wear them with.
WEEK FOUR
The end was coming and I could feel it. I would embrace it. I made a few shopping carts on my favourite online stores. I don't know why - I didn't plan on buying any of the items straight away.
University was about to start, so I made sure I had a planner - thanks Kikki K! I considered that an essential purchase. Again, I tried wearing things I haven't worn in a while with some success.
You know what was fun about Week Four? I rocked a sequin skirt :P
University was about to start, so I made sure I had a planner - thanks Kikki K! I considered that an essential purchase. Again, I tried wearing things I haven't worn in a while with some success.
You know what was fun about Week Four? I rocked a sequin skirt :P
FINITO and REFLECTION
I think I had this impression of myself that I was obsessed with shopping, but Frugal February has allowed me to see that perhaps I'm not that crazy. I don't feel the need to go shopping, which is great!
Frugal February really allowed me to observe and take note of my current wardrobe. I now know what I need rather than what I want. There are items that are missing from my wardrobe, so I need to focus on purchasing those rather than making emotional purchases. I need more vibrancy and colour as well as "going out" options. There are only so many basic tees you can buy.
While technically I may have failed with my emotional purchases, I have learnt from that experience. I feel like I'll be able to re-adjust how and what I spend my money on.
Frugal February was a success and will be back next year!
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