Here Goes Nothing: A Year Without Clothes

Not exactly "without clothes". I just thought it sounded better.

I have decided to go ONE whole year without buying any new clothes. The Rules:

1) I am starting a new school, so I can buy school attire (t-shirts, polos) etc. I cannot go overboard because I get buy happy. Maybe 1 general shirt and then depending on if I coach/ sponsor anything, I will buy what is needed.

2) If I lose weight, I can buy clothes I need to replace what no longer fits. I will try to buy used first.

3) If I desperately am in need of something (and even my uber cheap  husband thinks so) I may buy it. Unfortunately I don't think this will happen. Chris informed me that "need" means I have no more shoes, jeans, shirts, etc. Considering I have multiple of each, I think I'm set.

4) We run our first marathon in October. This is a big deal. If the shirt we get is ugly, and they have other options for sale, I may buy something.

5) If we move somewhere with a totally different climate, I can buy what I need.

6) I can buy used clothing- but only if I need it. Not the desperate "Chris has to approve" need, but not buying things because I can.

7) Gloves/ Hats for winter don't count. Why? because I need (and yes, need is a great word to use here) new gloves. Mine have holes.

8) I think that's it for rules/ exceptions. Oh! If I get a gift card as a gift I can buy new.

Reasons to do this:

• I have too many clothing items. I really do. Some would say I don't have that much, and compared to many, I probably don't, but I still don't need all I have.
• I want to push myself. I like a good challenge.
• I really like a good challenge when people don't think I can do it. :)
• I am wasting money buy buying things that I don't need.
• It's kind of dumb to buy new when there are so many old pieces floating around.

Stuff

Chris and I are enjoying our last night of a week long vacation in Boston. Of course, I am feeling social media deprived, so I am catching up.

We have absolutely LOVED Boston and I can't wait to share photos; however, there's one thing I have noticed that I don't like. It's not something that only happens in Boston. I have noticed it before. I think I just needed a "big city" to really see it. I am tired of the obsession with "stuff". More importantly, I am tired of my obsession.

Our country is not doing too well when it comes to our financial situation. The nationalal debt increases all the time. The average family has $8,000 of credit card debt, according to DaveRamsey.com. This of course doesn't include student loans, mortgage, car loans, etc. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate in June of this year was 9.2%.  And yet, our malls are packed. People shop ALL THE TIME. Designer jeans and purses seem to be a "must have" by consumers. It's no problem to drop $100 on a pair of shoes.

And, why? because they're "comfortable" and "fit better than others". Or my most used, "They'll last forever."

Lies. I know this because I use them. The fit thing- I get. I agree. But no- they won't last forever (usually). Why? Because you will get tired of them, or spill something, or gain/ loose weight. Most of my clothes don't last too long at my house- even if they were made well. So why do I feel the need to buy new things often?

For me: I love to shop. I like to have new things. I like the feeling of wearing a new outfit for the first time. I love to shop. Clothes make me feel good about myself- a little confidence boost.

So again- why? I don't need most of the things I buy (truly need, not just need- you know the difference).  I have plenty of clothes. I am confident-ish. I have plenty of things to wear. In fact, I need to get rid of tons of stuff.

Let me be clear- I don't spend tons of money on clothes. The most I have paid for a pair of jeans was 40 bucks. I go to the sale rack at stores. I buy second hand. My purses come from Kohls (1/2 off). I do spend money on shoes- but they're practical. Not just cute. I am cheap.

But still, I don't need this stuff. It's just adding to my collection of stuff. But I love stuff. But I don't need it. I really don't. Stuff complicates life.

So, in conclusion to my rant, I have an idea. And it's only an idea right now. Not my original because apparently people around the country are doing it. In fact look here: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/527947/the_compact_movement_asks_can_you_go.html
There's lots of other information too. Much of which I have not read, because I don't plan to do everything they do. But I am considering not buying clothes/ shoes new- and really only used when I actually do need something. And this need will be decided with the help of my Idon'tliketobuyanything husband.

I haven't decided yet, but I am seriously considering it. Any takers?