One Month Challenge: Shopping Ban, Week Two

April 10, 2010 5:00 pm     Posted in Reality  Kelly - University of Iowa g+ page

Only 5 of the 24 scarves I own.

Everyone’s got a vice, a bad habit, something they know they need to change. Unfortunately, everyone also has a million excuses why they just can’t do it. Not anymore. Every month we will be following a different CollegeCandy writer as she takes on a personal challenge. This month we’re following Kelly as she proves to her mom, and her wallet, that she can go one month sans shopping.


By Kelly

So because of a recent underwear purge (I estimate I have about 60 pairs), I found myself needing some nude n0-show undies for an ivory dress my mom bought me over Spring Break. What started as an innocent visit to VS.com for one $10 thong turned into a $250 shopping bag that won’t stop staring at me. There was a sale on swim suits, please don’t judge!

Besides being begged by my wish lists to type in my credit card number, I haven’t bought anything. But it has not been that easy. You don’t want to know how much will power it took to not by a t-shirt from the Alexander McQueen sale on Gilt yesterday ($99 instead of $300 to own some McQ? I die.)

On top of giving up shopping, I’ve been keeping track of exactly where I spend all of my money.

$105 on going out to eat in one week? How did I NOT catch that before? (For those of you wondering, I am not spending my parent’s money, all of the “Money Made” is cash I walk out with every night from work). I made $200 this week and as of now, I have nothing to show for it. I’m actually making myself a little sick thinking about it. I have a great job with potential to make great money to put away in savings or buy a vacation, but instead I spend it on BDubs and Hawkeye rum.

But what can I say? I love going out to eat with my friends and having a good time. Isn’t that what college is about? Giving up this lifestyle would be a great way to save money, but I’m not sure if that’s a sacrifice I’m willing to make.

But just to prove (mostly to myself) that this week wasn’t a total bust, I made a $25 payment on my American Eagle credit card, $75 on my Visa, and $50 to Victoria’s Secret. Unfortunately the satisfaction of being financially responsible is not making me want a new swim suit any less.

13 Comments on "One Month Challenge: Shopping Ban, Week Two"

  1. Kiko says:
    Sat, 10th Apr 201012:15 pm 

    I. Understand. Completely. I spend way too much money on stuff like this. For example, whenever people ask me to go out to eat with them (even if we're not close friends!) I never say no. That adds up. And then last weekend I went to the mall to return shoes that I spent way too much money on. I returned them and bought MORE shoes along with a dress and a shirt and some nail polish and got my hair done. Ahhhhh! Yes I have a job too, but it's not paying me THAT well.

  2. b says:
    Sat, 10th Apr 201012:22 pm 

    Good job not clicking "submit order" :)

  3. Tina says:
    Sat, 10th Apr 20104:41 pm 

    absolutely no sympathy for you.

  4. emily says:
    Sat, 10th Apr 20105:15 pm 

    I don't think she was asking for your sympathy.

  5. Maddie says:
    Sat, 10th Apr 20105:23 pm 

    agreed emily.

  6. Adelle says:
    Sat, 10th Apr 20105:29 pm 

    whenever I have to give up something. It helps to keep whatever you're going to use out of your reach…somewhere you'd be too lazy to get up and go get it. Never keep it on you at all times and if you have to go buy something you should only bring about however much you need

  7. Kiko says:
    Sat, 10th Apr 20105:31 pm 

    What helps in the beginning i think is bringing absolutely no money with you. No debit credit gift card and no cash.

  8. Clare says:
    Sat, 10th Apr 201010:07 pm 

    ^ agree with tina. i WISH i had your problems, kelly.

  9. Courtney says:
    Sun, 11th Apr 20106:44 am 

    First off Tina and Clare are rude. There's no problem with treating yourself after working hard. I completely agree with Adelle, though. I used to have SUCH a problem with buying stuff. Then I started putting away the debit card after buying the necessities and only bringing out $20- 30 for a night out with the girls and believe me, you save so. much. money. Definitely worth a try! Good luck, girl!

  10. grace b says:
    Sun, 11th Apr 20106:08 pm 

    Agree with putting the cash outta reach. I have heard of people freezing their debit cards and I got rid of mine (wish I could say I spend less….). Good luck! Making priorities with money is HARD and I wish I was better at it too.

  11. Jenna says:
    Mon, 12th Apr 201011:34 am 

    yup, nothing wrong with treating yourself, but there is something wrong with buying so much you go into debt! seriously, its not that hard, its pure greed and vanity. i pay everything myself too (no parent help at all) i am in debt from student loans, you better bet your ass i would never blow all of my hard earned money on clothes when there is so much more that i need.

    if shopping is your only problem, i wish i had your petty little problem.

  12. Catherine says:
    Mon, 12th Apr 20103:51 pm 

    Keep up the good work! I've always made a written statement of my income and expenses, like you did above, and though it gets tedious at times, it definitely has helped me stay out of debt, sometimes with money left over at the end of the week for savings! I look forward to hearing about next week.

  13. miu says:
    Thu, 29th Apr 20106:17 am 

    "if shopping is your only problem, i wish i had your petty little problem."

    she hasn't said shopping is her only problem. this challenge is about shopping so that is what she is going to talk about…

    and also, it's not that easy to stop shopping. if you've never had the chance to buy whatever you want (to some extent) you have no idea how hard it can be to stop.

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