Joining.
A little background:
- I had been trying to be sensible and somewhat minimalist about my purchases for the last few years but in 2023, my spending spiraled out of control.
- I have very limited space so whatevet I buy contribute to a cluttered space, even if I actually need what I buy.
- I have become reliant on especially online shopping to pass time but I still consider myself sensible because I buy stuff other than the usual suspects (clothes, cosmetic etc.). Fooling myself really.
- I had a serious book buying problem in the past; buying a Kindle has supressed this issue a bit but I still have tons unread on my shelves.
- I hate clothes shopping because I feel good in pretty much nothing, so finding something I like is an arduous process with a lot of buying/returning and sometimes I just run out of steam and forget/neglect returning stuff I won't use.
I don't have a specific goal for my saving or buying less, I want to be able to buy a flat for myself at some point in the next five years but the housing market here is out of control and well beyond the reach of an average earner. The currency here has lost a lot of value since pandemic and my income, once comfortable, will soon become just enough. Unless I change my frivolous spending habits, I won't be able to budget when I actually need to. So this is sort of a practice round for harder days to come.
I want to:
- Cut down on cab rides. I can walk or take the subway/bus to most places where I live. I need to save cab rides for late nights, when I'm carrying a heavy load or for bad weather. That'll also help me walk more.
- Cut down on takeaway. That is what I have spent most on in 2023, I think. This is a tentative goal because I also want to eat nutritious food and make it convenient for myself until the habit sticks. I'll try to cook morr but if not, I'll go for food that'll actually feed me, rather than give into my emotional eating tendencies for the sake of comfort.
- Stop Amazon and other online shopping time when I'm bored. This is non negotiable, When everything is a click away, it's too convenient.
- Stop buying any more books, at least until I've read half of what I have waiting, and decluttered what I didn't like.
- Get my credit card cancelled and renewed so I won't be able to memorize the number this time. This one did me dirty last year, as I don't even need my purse or card near me. I just type in the info and click buy. I need to make it harder for me to shop randomly.
- Stop buying hobby supplies or clothing for my "fantasy self". I will stay away from stuff I know I won't use or I hope I might use, one day. No more drawing pencils or charcoal or thread or fabric or yarn, I have enough. No more cheap, trendy clothes that I hope will make me look cooler. They won't, they look awful on anyone who isn't 19 and fit. That's not me and that will never be me. Embrace myself as I am.
What's fine with me:
- Dining out once or twice a month, for socialising and good food. If the food will be just junk or snacks, I'll eat before I meet people so I won't spend money on bad fries and questionable chicken at the pubs.
- Having a drink or two, once or twice a month. Alcohol prices are also skyrocketed here and I don't take pleasure in drinking enough to excuse spending loads on it. I won't sweat it if I really want to drink something specific, but if it's just to keep my mouth busy, I'll stick to nonalcoholic beverages.
- Buying clothes when I really need them. I won't berate myself for spending money on a good waterproof coat or good boots or trainers etc if I need it. I have never regretted buying something needed in excellent quality, as I haven't needed to replace it for years and years. But I won't windowshop online or in person, just to see if there is something I can buy.
That's all I can think of. So far I have only purchased some disinfectant wipes to restock my bathroom cupboard, and shampoo as I detested my current one and I can't finish that regardless of my budget. I have logged out of shopping websites, deleted my card info on them and I already don't use the apps. I'm also decluttering slowly, trying to be less sentimental but we have had a loss in family last year and it affected me in a way that makes me anxious about letting go of anything that I've received from my parents. I'm trying to be better. I also have doctor's appointments and some treatments waiting for me in the upcoming month, the medical expenses won't be cheap. Eventually I'd love to see my credit card bill cut in half or more. Wish me luck.
sparked joy