20 Jan 2012
06:40:00

Would you give up shopping for 3 months?

Most of us find the waiting period between December and January's paydays excruciating - here's an interesting concept that could save you money, time and stress this year...

I first saw the idea of the 'shopping hiatus' over at one of my favourite blogs, Heart of Light, and for the last few years I have followed blogger Rachel as she gives up all non-essential shopping for three months of each year.

It sounds radical, but I'm actually keen to give it a try.

Not only would it be good to have some extra money to play with each month (or more sensibly, more money to save), but I've recently reached the realisation that my possessions really do possess me, as every time I need to move house, the task is completely overwhelming and I find myself panicking over how I am going to pack up (and then find somewhere new to put) all my stuff.

And that's all it is, isn't it? Stuff.

Apart from some treasured gifts and purchases made while on holiday, a lot of the things I own are a result of impulse or emotional purchases, things I don't reallllly need and/or lose interest in not long after I bring them home.

(I sound like a total brat, don't I?)

I love the act of shopping (and clothes) so much that sometimes I buy things knowing I'll probably return them, but at least if I take them home and try them on there, I feel like I've given them a real chance.

Lead me not into temptation

The idea behind cutting out frivolous shopping is to give myself more time to consider purchases, so if I'm still thinking about that dress two weeks after I saw it, I know it's real love. My hope is that it will also mean that I won't be so sorely tempted to make impulse purchases on small, silly things as they are technically 'off limits'.  

After her first spending hiatus, Rachel said, "Shop mindfully is my new mantra. This means viewing my money as a resource that I want to use and spread wisely."

Being more mindful of what you habitually spend money on could be very enlightening - showing you where you make foolish purchases and figuring out how to shop with forethought and sense.

Want to try it yourself?

Firstly you need to figure out what exactly qualifies as 'not essential'. Groceries are essential. Work clothes are essential. Running shoes (if you commit to running regularly!) are essential. 

Little Mr Price dresses that are only R89,99 are not essential. Wine (bless it) is not essential. Makeup is more tricky - foundation and mascara are non-negotiables, but a new, bright fuschia lipstick, not so much.

If you have any luxury but still important purchases you need to make (a cocktail dress for work functions, for example) add it to a list and make a point of shopping around before you settle on one. That way you won't be tempted by one you hadn't seen yet when you chose the dress you bought - at least this is what I am hoping!

If this all sounds too strict for you, try keeping a list of your spending

I suppose this is a similar idea to keeping a food diary - the reasoning being that if you see all your unnecessary purchases in harsh black and white, you might see the error of your ways and reform!

Does this sound like something you could get on board with? Who wants to give it a go with me?