Community Chat

[SunValley]

Unlike many newer homes my master closet is relatively small. which has forced me to take a look at what I am really liking and what us taking up space. What I discovered is that what I don't wear are my impulse buys or sale items I just couldn't pass up at the store but seem to in my closet. I am ashamed at how I have wasted my hard earned money. No more! I cleaned out the mess and got rid of any shoes that were uncomfortable after the first hour, tops that were a smidge short or tight, half of my black pants (how many do I need!), purses that just collect dust, and other odd bits that hadn't been worn in years. I vow to do better! QVC is also making it easier as the prices are now $50 and up on the tops and pants I typically bought. The $ I gave to Goodwill yesterday would have paid for a plane ticket, a small piece of furniture, a nice chunk in my retirement fund, or a meaningful donation to church or charity. Next time I see a sale I will think about that first! Of course I will continue to purchase new items, but I plan to be wiser.

[tansy]

Hi, SunValley -- Over in Fashion and maybe Beauty, I've seen threads about cutting down on purchases. I think one is called shopaholics -- might be good support for you

[Allegheny]

I congratulate you.  I think many of us are finding ourselves in your same situation and are now seeing the light.   

[SunValley]

Thankfully I am not a shopaholic. I don't spend my days shopping. These were things collected over multiple years that I just pushed aside in my closet for various reasons and realised most of them were sale items. I just want to simplify my life and make good choices. My mid-year resolution! I thought this might ring a bell with some folks.

[tansy]

Oh, it does ring a bell with me, SV. I just thought you maybe didn't know there were other threads on this that you might enjoy. The shopaholic title is just in fun...I think

[SunValley]

Thanks tansy. It's nice to know how supportive folks can be and I took no offensive. I think as we get older it is easier to put our lives into perspective and I think that is where I am. I have made a lot of good choices too, but the lure of having stuff seems to lessen as I age, and I am happy about that.

[Allegheny]

Sunvalley I am not a shopaholic either.  Like you I have things (not clothes) purchased over the decades, and then things inherited after the passing my and DH parents.  Walking into my home people would think I live a minimalist lifestyle.  They would know differently if they open any closet or went into the attic or basement.  I keep donating and finding new homes for my stuff, but it doesn't seem like I am making a dent.

[wagirl]

I LOVE your post!!! I came to the very same conclusion,myself, about 2 months ago when I decided to hoe out all the junk that has been accumulating in my whole house over the last 30 years. I would say that at least 1/2 of it was stuff that I thought I HAD to have and then never used. Most were still in their original boxes and not opened. What a huge waste of time and money and needed space as I have no extra storage in my house. Feels very cleansing, doesn't it. I stop to think about where will this item will live when not in use and if I can't see that, I don't buy it. I am all about re purposing what I have and it's amazing what I am putting to use now. Then the rest goes to donations. Thanks!!

[millieshops]

Absolutely.  You're not alone in having too much, in having spent more on "things" than you maybe should have, etc.

A few years ago, I put all my non-essential purchases on an end-of-year spread sheet so I could see where I was overspending or where I might need to add.  I also took a good look at my stashes of products and decided to use them down before buying new items in the categories where I had too much.

That was 3 years ago and I'm still using up and off-loading, but my closets and cabinets are so much easier to use now and I feel good that I'm using what I have instead of buying new.

One thing I'm doing different from you though is that I'm not deliberately shopping sales - at least for clothes.  I'm buying so much less (one top in the first 6 months of 2015 whereas before I might have bought 6 or more pretty much becasue they were on sale) that I can buy exactly what I want/need and still spend less than I was spending before.

I, too, wish I'd done this years ago, but here I am 15 years into retirement and still learning how to live.  It's never too late for this trip!   Good luck to you.

[Puzzle Piece]

I have met a gal who is young enough to be my daughter and I have given her my things that I don't want or wear.  She is thankful to receive them as she isn't working at present.  Maybe you can find someone to give your things to as well.