First Goal of 2012: No Shopping!

I love reading The Minimalists blog. Their blog entries are short and sweet but give real life advice and wise ideas. One of their recent entries talked about failure and went back to the main author's resolution for 2011: to not buy anything for one year.

Doesn't this seem crazy?! It does to me a little bit. Of course he still bought food, hygiene products and things like movie tickets and gym memberships that are considered experiences.

But this idea does bring me back to something I've always wanted to do: not buy anything for at least a month. In fact, it is one of my goals for the year.

I simply love shopping. I love the thrill of looking in a store, finding something new and taking it home. However, I do not love looking at my bank account or wallet after I purchase something, even if it is just $20.

If I really think about it, most of the things I buy I do not need. I always think I need new clothes, but my closet is bursting with clothes I rarely wear. I always think I need new makeup or beauty products and I do love to test new items and share them with you on my blog, but I can do this much less often than I do.

So for now, I do have gift cards from Christmas I have yet to use, so I am allowing myself to use those if I want to since it was not my money, but I will not shop for at least a month and see how I do.

This will definitely be difficult. It is so easy to go down the street to Target when I'm bored, go shopping with a girlfriend to hang out, or find things online or in catalogs that I want so badly. I am going to do my best to ignore my impulse to buy and concentrate on spending money on experiences and saving. So here goes...

I will not buy anything unless I truly need it (example: running out of something like deodorant that is necessary!). I will be allowed to buy food, experiences such as a movie with a friend and I will take a close look at everything I spend my money on.

...I'll keep you posted! Give me some tips or advice!