Kara’s Shopping Challenge

Slow days around here!
Laura and I have been talking about maybe taking a new direction with Everyday Present.
I think it is going to be good.  A good direction that will be true to where we are and what we are learning.  You know us; we do this for friendship & fun!

So, where are we? What are we learning?
Laura shared a bit last week about what she was learning.
I guess I better share about me.

Let me start by saying, “I am NOT reading the book Seven.”
I refuse, but I watch the videos.

The video below is what got me started down this road…darn you, Jen Hatmaker!

Jen COUNTED how many articles of clothes, shoes, & accessories were in her closet.  She counted 327 articles.  At first I thought that was a lot, but then I started doing some laundry and realized that I probably have more than that.

When I think about how much I spend each month, I don’t feel that bad.  Probably about 50-100 dollars each month.  Not too bad, but I collect.  I never get rid of clothes if they are still in good condition.  SO, I’m sure I have a lot.    Simplicity IT IS NOT.  What does that say about me and my character?  Do I want to know?  NO, I refuse to answer that question!

I’m headed to my closet to count…I’ll be back next week with THAT number!

My friend Travis once said that, when you give someone money, that shows that you agree and believe in what they do.  So, I can take that to mean spending money too.  Where I spend my money and what I collect shows what I care about most.  I am not as brave as Laura to look at the real numbers.  Even if I have the money, do I need to be spending it to collect clothes just because I think they are cute?  Can I spend less & change some thing to show a better character in my spending, PLUS still be stylish?

THAT is my challenge.  Spend less; buy used/thrifted; be stylish. What does that look like?

1. Starting in November, I will not buy anything new for 6 months!  I said it…6 months!  Here are my rules: I can buy new things that you just have to buy new, for example socks.  Next, at Christmas, I can spend gift cards given to me…only if they are staples pieces (jeans, sweaters, etc).  I get ONE pass.  I think that is okay…one pass!

2. When I buy thrifted/used items in the next 6 months, I must get rid of comparable items.  Sweater for a sweater. Jeans for jeans.  Shoes for shoes.  If they are in good condition, I will donate them.  If they are not, I will throw them away.  I will not give out of season items…that would go against the comparable condition.  I can’t give a sundress for a sweater this winter.

3. I will have a good attitude about this challenge!  I get three passes to complain…whine about not being able to buy what I want!

BTW, I bought a really nice sweater at the thrift store for $5 today! SCORE!  I donated a sparkley shirt & nude heels.  Two for one right now until I get that number down.

7 – Month 2: Clothes, Bloom (in)courage Book Club from Bloom (in)courage on Vimeo.

Any advice for my challenge?  I am going to have to keep my schedule full when I visit Dallas so that I will not go into H&M.  I will have to avoid Target…oh, I might cry (challenge starts in November so that whine doesn’t count).   Can I do this?  Send over some encouragement!

What do you think is a good number of articles to have in your closet?

~Kara