A thought about purging and spending - Page 3

Mominohio · ‎08-08-2010

@on the bay wrote:
Oh and when I drive by Homegoods, a TJ Maxx, Pier one etc, I pretend its not there!😫

I find those stores to have nothing of interest to me about 8 months out of the year, but beginning in about September through December, I'm a mad woman, and need to limit my exposure during that time! I go about every week, and almost always find something (or a lot of somethings!).

Mominohio · ‎08-08-2010

@GCR18 wrote:
I am pretty good in the purging department other than with holiday decor. I have more than I want to have. I have things I know I won't use, so they are moving to a new home. I usually would look at year end decor sales, but not this year. I deleted the Pier 1 emails. I just need to keep reminding myself of the plan. I am an impulse buyer, I know it.

@GCR18

Me too, and I'm glad to know others admit it!

Mominohio · ‎08-08-2010

@on the bay wrote:
Does anyone think that when you used to watch Valerie's shows, there were so many things that were hard to resist?
But this year, I felt like a lot of her things I saw so many similar just as nice things for really 3/4 less in price even at Rite Aid! And some of the reviews were not so good as well on a lot of things.
So it was easier not to buy anything.
Plus I do think her things have gone up in price, from what they were before and just not as unusual or unique.
Did anyone feel this way?
I still like watching her though!

@on the bay

I find fewer and fewer of Valerie's things that I want or need. I love to watch, but since the onslaught of the MG phase (in which I did buy some candle pedestals, but not the spheres and other things) I think a lot of the more classy or traditional things disappeared. I did notice this past year, a shift back to some more traditional, but what I'm seeing is that she brings a neat thing, like those big sleighs, but they aren't really 'complete' or done as nicely as others I see out in the market place.

I bought her red truck, but honestly I found others I liked better for less money afterward. So often, QVC is missing the mark on their goods. They are 'on trend' but not really giving us the best product with the most features or details.

It is getting easier to say no, if I just make myself wait a day or two to think it through.

Mominohio · ‎08-08-2010

@software wrote:
If you are happy with your spending why change??

If you don't want to spend money, make a budget.
Shopping also takes time as well as money
Find something to do with your time.

@Mominohio

That is exactly what this thread is about. Making changes in not only actions (spending or acquiring too much stuff) but in ways of thinking about money and 'stuff' to initiate those changes (as well as sustain those changes, which isn't always easy for people to do), and be successful in choices and decisions made.

ZoetheCat · ‎11-30-2014

This is an interesting topic @Mominohio and one I have been thinking about for the last year or so. I have found myself feeling that the endless acquisition of things is just excessive and, ultimately, unsatisfying. I used to spend a lot of money on clothes, seldom wearing much of what I bought. When I stopped working a year ago, there was no need for new clothes, and I haven't missed clothes shopping at all. I occasionally buy a new item, but nowhere near what I used to spend.

I've really made a conscious effort to think about what is truly important to me. First, of course, is my little family unit: just me, husband and our fur baby. Our extended family, as well as friends, fall into this category. Second, is our home. We love to be at home and love to have people over, host dinner parties etc. So, I do spend on our house, but I deliberate over my purchases. We have spent this year renovating different rooms, and that is always a hit to the budget, but we've put a lot of thought into what improvements are important to us, and which ones can wait. Our next priority is travel. It's something we both love, and we've been fortunate to see many parts of the world. So, we will spend money on travel, since I find it more fulfilling to spend on experiences rather than things.

I've discovered that, in addition to clothes, the thing I don't miss is dining out. Where we once ate out twice a week or more, now we might do so once every other month. My husband is a really good cook, and we find that we can eat better at home than at a restaurant.

I find that it has been really helpful that my husband and I are in sync when it comes to spending money. We also agree as to our priorities, and I think that is really important.

The one area of spending that I am not happy with is food. There are just two of us, and I feel that we spend way too much on our grocery bill. That is something I am determined to work on this year.

Mominohio · ‎08-08-2010

@ZoetheCat wrote:
This is an interesting topic @Mominohio and one I have been thinking about for the last year or so. I have found myself feeling that the endless acquisition of things is just excessive and, ultimately, unsatisfying. I used to spend a lot of money on clothes, seldom wearing much of what I bought. When I stopped working a year ago, there was no need for new clothes, and I haven't missed clothes shopping at all. I occasionally buy a new item, but nowhere near what I used to spend.

I've really made a conscious effort to think about what is truly important to me. First, of course, is my little family unit: just me, husband and our fur baby. Our extended family, as well as friends, fall into this category. Second, is our home. We love to be at home and love to have people over, host dinner parties etc. So, I do spend on our house, but I deliberate over my purchases. We have spent this year renovating different rooms, and that is always a hit to the budget, but we've put a lot of thought into what improvements are important to us, and which ones can wait. Our next priority is travel. It's something we both love, and we've been fortunate to see many parts of the world. So, we will spend money on travel, since I find it more fulfilling to spend on experiences rather than things.

I've discovered that, in addition to clothes, the thing I don't miss is dining out. Where we once ate out twice a week or more, now we might do so once every other month. My husband is a really good cook, and we find that we can eat better at home than at a restaurant.

I find that it has been really helpful that my husband and I are in sync when it comes to spending money. We also agree as to our priorities, and I think that is really important.
The one area of spending that I am not happy with is food. There are just two of us, and I feel that we spend way too much on our grocery bill. That is something I am determined to work on this year.

@ZoetheCat

The phrase I highlighted in your post is spot on to how I've been feeling.

For many years, when we had less and less money, When I would buy something for my home, even small things, it was very rewarding to bring them in, and create with them. I found them to be 'new' and exciting for a very long time.

Now, I have so much that some things I get home and find that I can't even get excited about them for a short time. This is a sure sign that I have way too much, and need very little.

Lately I'm finding more satisfaction in reworking the older things I have.

homedecor1 · ‎03-09-2010

This year I spent less!!! I normally give a generous check to my sons & family, niece & nephew. My GD is 5 so she enjoys presents.

I had a great time in the stores this year & the sales were terrific. Being home a week before was nice because I was able to get "ideas".

I was happy that everyone enjoyed (and wanted) their gifts! I enjoyed shopping & wrapping, in fact, I did all of it at Macys, Kohls, Bed Bath & Beyond. My GD I did online w/free shipping from Toys R Us. With all the sale prices, coupons & more I did

well.

As for me I am quite disappointed I bought shoes (Clarks, Vionics) , clothing (AnyBody loungewear, Denim & Co) from Q and now I need to return (I added up the return shipping fees - ugh!) because they didn't fit😬😬😬).

I have more home decor, Christmas decor & anything else that this year I will not be buying much. Before Thanksgiving I took a good look at clothing, home items, and donated the better things the rest found its way to garbage.

For me, I used to love "after Christmas" sales for wrapping paper, cards, etc. but not this year. I did send after Christmas gift to my son & his fiancé because I saw a great price on Caphalon cookware & I had Kohls cash ($70) & free shipping. They definitely needed cookware since they had mix & match low end cookware & they signed up for cooking classes.

I am looking forward to our community yard sale to sell excess Temptations, kitchen gadgets, small appliances (I buy & use seldom) & more.

My goal is not to buy on Q or other shopping channels! If I want something I will find it in a traditional store at a better price & no shipping fees.

I did buy a lot of VPH from "as is" which I love but I'm done. I have to be honest, nothing appeals to me Q has to offer. Maybe, this will be the year of "no impulse buying"!!!!

I think 2018 will be a year of extra travel with the savings!!!

@ZoetheCat - great reply! I agree 100%!

Happy New Year!

Susan Louise · ‎03-14-2010

I have stopped watching the Q (don't watch the other shopping channels) a few days ago and the only shows I will still watch are the gardening shows.

I have lost all desire to watch clothing shows...my faves were Carole Hochman, D&Co and QF...

When I buy gardening supplies (that I need...ie particular plants for our gardens, fertilizer, etc) I either get them at our local nurseries or online nurseries. So watching gardening shows on the Q were just uplifting for me due to the Spring/gardening theme.

As each day passes I'm leaning more and more toward not watching Valerie's shows. I have to keep reminding myself 'I DO NOT NEED/WANT TO BUY ANYMORE DECOR OR HOME-TYPE GOODS/PRODUCTS'.

I have plenty of decor to mix/change without bringing in one more piece. I still have a few new pieces from this year and last I have yet to use...ie, like the cardinal/wreath pedestals and the sage Luminara candles I bought for them...among a few others.

I have been using the same Spring/Summer decor for several years now and only bought 2 VPH 'as is' mosaic eggs back in October to add a touch of freshness/new for Eastertime. I'm still satisfied and content with our Spring/Summer decor enough that I can see using it all for another decade...no joke.

Just trying to be helpful for others to think of their own situations if they feel they will still be very tempted watching Valerie's shows/other shows next week or in the future.

After lots of serious thought, I will be planning my day on Tuesday to avoid watching the shows.

mousiegirl · ‎03-09-2010

@Susan Louise wrote:
@Mominohio Wow! That is quite a lot of gifts for each person.

We only buy mainly one gift for most family members...down to just 8 for the past several yrs...2 gifts for just 4 of those which includes their birthday gift...that's it.

The last time I got more than one gift for Chirstmas or my B-Day (besdes from DH) was when I was about 14-15 yrs old from my parents.

Next year our family has decided to collectively not exchange gifts for most. We'll only be giving gifts now to 4 others besides ourselves.

One thing I'll be doing is not teasing myself by viewing 'as is', checking out retail by even browsing. I also have stopped being subscribed for several retailers emails like Pottery Barn, Pier One, Yankee Candle, etc.

I'll still watch VPH shows, but absolutely no buying whatsoever. Seriously I am done...not for life, but at least for all of 2018. If I can get through 2 yrs or more...all the better.
I'll be living vicariously through everyone else's purchases.

I know my talking about the dinnerware is becoming old now, but I must refer back to it to use as an example. I cannot buy even just one more dish whatsoever...
....over the next 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, anytime in 2018...or at least the next few years unless I am willing to further purge what I already have. The same for clothes, and decor. My space is maxed out and I want to reclaim some of it back.

I wish you luck with all your plans

@Susan Louise I tell myself not to look for trouble by perusing ebay, zulily, etc., that is my problem.

RedTop · ‎09-01-2010

My decluttering efforts are based solely on the fact this house is full of too much unused, no longer needed stuff. We have lived on this property for 43 years; never moved, no downsizing, only one previous purge 6 years ago.

I have always been “thrifty”; not a shopper, have never bought stuff just because I can, or been tempted thru a sales pitch. I don’t relate to overspending/overbuying anything, or need to change my habits.

What I face with clearing out my basement is tossing drawers full of nails, washers, bolts, screws, etc that have been untouched for many years. Several fans, boxes of canning jars, totes full of paperwork that can now be burned, old rugs, curtains, bedspreads, a box of appliances that belonged to my grandmother who died in 2002, a box with my husbands butchering tools (we haven’t butchered anything since 1990), and lots of other unpleasant surprises. It all needs to be pulled out, looked at, and dealt with.

It’s been nearly 15 years since we moved the laundry out of the basement due to my bad knee, so I just haven’t been down there enough to really see what’s been piled up by my husband and daughters. That will change real soon.