My shopping challenge

Posted on 14 Jun 2010 - by Katkat In: self-help tips

Shopping is the biggest stress reliever activity for me. I don’t go out much or eat out or do any activity outside work and home; in short, my social life is almost non-existent. So to keep my sanity, I go shopping at the mall or go online shopping. I’m not much of a mall-shopper rather I spend a lot of time browsing through internet shops and do my shopping from there. It’s easier and fuel-saving for me.

My shopping activity has increased over the past few months. I have boxes of items delivered to my house almost every week. My brother who always receive my package for me joked that he’s now best friends with the UPS guy. And the UPS guy will make a comment that with all the stuffs I buy, I could have set up a store already or buy my own house. In defense, I return most of the items because they don’t fit me well so I really don’t have too much stuffs.

To convince myself that I don’t need to go to shopaholic anonymous yet and to curb my credit card spending, I’m taking a stand and set myself up a challenge.

For 2 months (June and July) I won’t be spending anything on apparel, shoes, accessories and cosmetic. Absolutely no spending but window shopping is allowed. It will only make me yearn though. I will have no referee but my conscience if I fail to win this challenge. It has been almost 2 weeks since I last bought anything and I’m feeling the itch. But I feel good that I’m not spending.

So what will be my punishment or reward if I fail or win this challenge? I haven’t thought of it yet. It would defeat the purpose if I reward myself a shopping spree after the 2-month-drought. Although there will be lots of benefits while this self-imposed challenge goes on: my savings will go up, my self-discipline will be reinforced, I will be credit card debt-free, my budgeting will be back on track again, and the money I spend on clothes will be set aside for fun stuffs like travel or gym or classes or bucket list activities. I will also be able to focus my energy to other worthwhile endeavors like studying and improving my baking skills.

Will I keep my sanity? I hope I will. I will still keep on browsing online shops and looking through fashion magazines to satisfy my inner fashion shopaholic. However for the meantime, my credit card is off-limits. Wish me luck!