Remember this post about consumption and how I was trying to reduce my spending/consuming of 'stuff'? Well I guess it's time for a wrap-up about that, since it's now December and all.
Overall, I did decently well. I did really really well for about 3/4 of the month, and then I had major wardrobe boredom the week before Thanksgiving break and treated myself to a new pair of shoes and a new flannel top. I feel like I made other random little purchases, but maybe not? I don't know.
I think I did pretty well for my first attempt at this though! I think I'll try again in the spring or summer and see if I can go for two months or longer!
Showing posts with label 30 day consumption challenge. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 30 day consumption challenge. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
30 Day Spending Challenge--Update!
I first mentioned doing a challenge for myself of 30 days of only spending money on essentials--food, rent, utilities, things I absolutely NEED, etc. in this post about consumption.
I started my challenge on Nov. 1 and wanted to do a little update now that it's been 11 days. I've done relatively well, I think. My only "non-essential" purchases were a few books in the Austin airport and dinner out once last week because I was too exhausted to cook. I also purchased a few tees on StyleMint because they were running a BOGO sale (and that's a good deal)...but technically it "doesn't count" since I ordered them the 31st.
In order to clarify the hazy issue of the word "need", I mean things that are essential. Shampoo because I'm all out? Yes. New lipstick just because it's a limited edition color? Not so much. A warm cardigan because all of my others are worn through with holes? Yes, within reason. Dinner out with friends? This falls into the gray area and I'm going to give it a 'yes' because a) I really don't eat dinner out all that much, and b) if I can eat a meal while socializing with some of my favorite people, I would much rather do that than eat a meal while sitting at home alone.
I'm interested to see how the rest of the month goes...maybe I'll stretch this out for a few months next time!
I started my challenge on Nov. 1 and wanted to do a little update now that it's been 11 days. I've done relatively well, I think. My only "non-essential" purchases were a few books in the Austin airport and dinner out once last week because I was too exhausted to cook. I also purchased a few tees on StyleMint because they were running a BOGO sale (and that's a good deal)...but technically it "doesn't count" since I ordered them the 31st.
In order to clarify the hazy issue of the word "need", I mean things that are essential. Shampoo because I'm all out? Yes. New lipstick just because it's a limited edition color? Not so much. A warm cardigan because all of my others are worn through with holes? Yes, within reason. Dinner out with friends? This falls into the gray area and I'm going to give it a 'yes' because a) I really don't eat dinner out all that much, and b) if I can eat a meal while socializing with some of my favorite people, I would much rather do that than eat a meal while sitting at home alone.
I'm interested to see how the rest of the month goes...maybe I'll stretch this out for a few months next time!
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Real Talk: Consuming vs. Not
When I was interning and living in Atlanta this past summer, I went to Peachtree Presbyterian Church. I also signed up for their daily email devotional, and I still get it even though I'm now back in Alabama. Mark Crumpler, the pastor who writes the devotional, has a really great way of explaining the devotional while not condemning or judging the reader.
Anyway, I was scrolling through Tuesday's devotional on my phone and it really stuck with me. The topic of the devo was consumption of worldly goods and how that affects our "social space" and self worth.
This is something I struggle with almost daily. As a member of the fashion industry, I'm expected to know the latest trends and wear them and always be at the forefront of what's "in" and what's "out". I'm expected to embrace new trends and through that, show others what's fashionable. In order to do this, I feel pressured into continuously buying clothing and accessories or browsing through catalogs and websites 24/7 in order to stay in the know. And to be completely honest, I derive a good bit of my happiness through shopping and buying new things, whether it's clothing, something for my apartment or just stuff.
However, that's not how Jesus called us to live our lives. Earthly possessions can burn, break, or be stolen. They're fleeting and only around for a small portion of our lives. Jesus, and our relationship with him, is eternal. To quote Mark: "We were made to know who we are in relation to our creator. Our "social space" is defined by one key relationship: our relationship with Jesus Christ. That relationship defines all others. It tells us why we're here and what we were put here to do. Those things can never be given to us by something we purchase. They come by grace from one who loves us."
Wow. I definitely needed to read those words and the accompanying Scripture (Luke 12). So much of my energy is focused on acquiring things when it needs to be focused on my relationship with Jesus and the Lord. I'm going to challenge myself to not purchase anything that's not a necessity for a month (hopefully longer).
I have a closet full of clothes, a pantry and fridge full of food, and a cabinet full of beauty products yet I always want more, more, more. In the end, these things don't matter. My relationship with Christ does.
**I can't find the link on the PPC website to sign up for the email devotional...if you're interested, email me and I can forward you the most recent one and you can sign up that way**
Anyway, I was scrolling through Tuesday's devotional on my phone and it really stuck with me. The topic of the devo was consumption of worldly goods and how that affects our "social space" and self worth.
This is something I struggle with almost daily. As a member of the fashion industry, I'm expected to know the latest trends and wear them and always be at the forefront of what's "in" and what's "out". I'm expected to embrace new trends and through that, show others what's fashionable. In order to do this, I feel pressured into continuously buying clothing and accessories or browsing through catalogs and websites 24/7 in order to stay in the know. And to be completely honest, I derive a good bit of my happiness through shopping and buying new things, whether it's clothing, something for my apartment or just stuff.
However, that's not how Jesus called us to live our lives. Earthly possessions can burn, break, or be stolen. They're fleeting and only around for a small portion of our lives. Jesus, and our relationship with him, is eternal. To quote Mark: "We were made to know who we are in relation to our creator. Our "social space" is defined by one key relationship: our relationship with Jesus Christ. That relationship defines all others. It tells us why we're here and what we were put here to do. Those things can never be given to us by something we purchase. They come by grace from one who loves us."
Wow. I definitely needed to read those words and the accompanying Scripture (Luke 12). So much of my energy is focused on acquiring things when it needs to be focused on my relationship with Jesus and the Lord. I'm going to challenge myself to not purchase anything that's not a necessity for a month (hopefully longer).
I have a closet full of clothes, a pantry and fridge full of food, and a cabinet full of beauty products yet I always want more, more, more. In the end, these things don't matter. My relationship with Christ does.
**I can't find the link on the PPC website to sign up for the email devotional...if you're interested, email me and I can forward you the most recent one and you can sign up that way**
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