Just in case you didn't believe me...

...brought to you by a moment of disgust.

I fully believe that people don't make changes within themselves until they have first taken a look inside, admitted they have some things to work on, and decide to act on it OR they see themselves end up having a brief moment of disgust. You all have read our numerous blogs about shopping and quitting and getting better not just to improve our relationship with money, but also because it's just a little out of hand.

I decided to spend a portion of my new found free time to get everything in one place so I can do my taxes...eventually. Well in that I came across these.

Yes, these are my 2009 receipts...from SHOPPING. There are no grocery or target receipts here..this is purely shopping (clothes, shoes, etc). Talk about a moment of disgust. But perhaps I needed this just to keep pushing me to cut out the shopping and also to realize how much I've actually bought in such a short time. Do I even still have some of these things? Some of you know that I tend to purge every season and that coupled with the fact that I moved this year leads me to believe that I don't have many of the things on those receipts. OH well..that's the past...but it is surely fuel to keep me moving in the right direction.

Learning to walk away...

...from a sale. Consciously NOT shopping is really a challenge. Of course I've "not shopped" before but that was during times of a substantially lower income. It's so easy to make a commitment to do something when it's not really going to cost you anything. On the other hand, when it is something that actually means something or is special to you...its another story.

I went in the mall today to make a return and got caught up in looking in other stores...intending to "just take a peek". Of course this one item that I'd been waiting on was ON SALE...FOR CHEAP! I toyed with the idea of buying it and then my mother reminded me that if I didn't make an effort to stick to the plan set for myself, I won't ever be disciplined in that area. So true! So, I bowed my head and left the store.

Learning to be disciplined in our lives can come in several ways. We can learn from others (i.e. Parents), situations, or from ourselves. As a part of "The 25 Project" my goal is to become more disciplined especially in the area of shopping. So I have to learn to say no to myself and simply walk away. I've been blessed with a closet FULL of clothes, shoes, and accessories. I know that I can do without some things for a while. I know that temptation won't go away (especially since I haven't stayed out of stores or away from online shopping), but it takes discipline to not give in and I know I can do it!

I AM AT CAPACITY!!!!

I have started this year and ended 2009 with a few of the same activities. One in particular is shopping! After re-categorizing my shoes and clothes. I have decided I have come to capacity w/ my blessings ( I am now living in overflow, literally)! I told myself I AM NOT, I really mean, I AM NOT going to any clothing/shoes stores for 2 months! This is ridiculous ,I have no room anywhere...anywhere. I am really tired of not having any room for anything so maybe give some stuff away, not a good idea. I will then start back shopping. So I have decided to cease all clothing/shoe shopping until March!