I’m going to be attempting the near on impossible next month, a whole month without spending. Just typing that out made me feel a bit anxious, because I am a self confessed shopaholic, but I’m determined to break my spending cycle. I must be strong 💪🏼

It doesn’t sound like a hard thing to do, but I am an absolute nightmare for spending money. My friends will probably read this and laugh their butts off because they know how much of a shopaholic I really am. 

Now I do earn pretty well and I usually budget pretty well so I’m not left totally broke at the end of the month, and I do have my savings account that I add to every payday. So, it’s not a terrible thing, but I do spend a lot of my time shopping and when I’m not shopping, I’m looking around online for more things to buy. I compile wishlists of things I want to buy and browse through magazines getting inspiration ready to hit the high street. Crazy, right? 

I don’t think being a big shopper is bad as long as I have the money for it, but that money could go toward to so much more, and I’m going to see how much I save at the end of the month. And no, I won’t then do a huge spend come October 1st, but I’ll certainly be celebrating when (if) I complete the challenge. 

I’m now trying to downsize my wardrobe, sticking to pieces that work together so I can buy less and wear more, since a lot of my gorgeous clothes rarely get to see the light of day more than once a year. I’m selling off items that don’t “fit in” with the theme of my wardrobe and buying key pieces that will go with everything so I don’t have to keep buying new items to fit in with other things I’ve bought. You see the vicious circle here? I buy things, then buy more things to go with that thing. Nightmare.

I’m also an emotional spender. If I feel a bit down and out, I’ll buy something to cheer myself up. If I’m happy, I’ll buy myself something as a “reward”, which is daft. Some people comfort eat, I comfort spend. I’m not sure which is worse though, honestly. 

But anyway, I’m going to be hanging up my shopping bags and surrendering my cards for a whole month, not buying a single clothing, makeup, jewellery or footwear item come September 1st. I’m dreading it, but I’m also super excited to prove I can do it. I know I’m capable, but a shopping obsession like mine is hard to avoid so it will take some serious willpower. 

I have bought a few bits and bobs this week before I start the challenge, which I’ll upload in the coming days as it’s an autumn haul I’ve been building throughout August. But that’s the last of my spending now. Scary. 

I’ll keep you updated on how I’m getting on when I can. Wish me luck!!