Here are Husband Mike‘s thoughts on my six-month shopping ban. PROMISE that I only edited for grammar!
It’s hard to believe that Sally’s ban was for 6 full months. Time went by pretty quickly. I have some thoughts and observations:
- At about month 3, things seemed to be pretty tough for Sally and there seemed to be an increase in requests for gifts and discussions about ways to justify purchases. My favorite was, “If you buy me some black tights, I’ll buy you something that costs the same.” This did not work and she made do without new black tights.
- Sally was significantly less worried about money. Many people use money for things other than clothes, and Sally was soon talking about buying concert tickets, getting cable TV, and even buying an actual TV (which is awesome; how I ever watched TV on a set smaller than 32” I will never know). This change of view helped me out as well. We began living life more fully when we weren’t worried about money.
- Sally was able to be more selective in her purchases. She knew when something was important to have, and when she had enough. Shoes seem to be an exception, but I do not really understand women with regards to shoes.
- Sally now seems more relaxed and secure having built a financial safety net as a result of not spending so much on clothes. It’s amazing to know how much better one feels when you know that you can pay for a major car repair without having to charge it.
As most of you know, we were in San Francisco when the banned ended. We scheduled the vacation around the ending of the ban, like any normal person would, and this was a good idea considering the good shopping that was to be had. (I bought a new hat.)
On the day the ban ended, Sally and I took a streetcar to an outdoor market to look around. It took Sally 11 minutes to buy 2 necklaces. I timed her. I tried to discourage her initially by saying that the first necklace looked like a string of cocktail weenies, but she still bought it. The green turquoise necklace that followed was awesome, though.
Sally’s post-ban shopping activity was completely reasonable and rationally paced (after she got those two necklace purchases out of the way). It is great that she had her bloggy friend Audi to shop with since I do not have much patience when shopping. I hung out with Audi’s S.O., Mark, who is interested in all things and was a great travel companion.
As I write this, it is a week or so after the ban, and things around the house seem pretty normal. Sally seems excited to have money and realize that she has choices with the things she buys, and that the things she buys do not have to be clothes.
The greatest change I see in Sal’s post-ban life if that she is conscious of the choices she is making and aware of her feelings and motivations around her purchases. Her growth makes me want to try a life experiment of my own. I’m open to suggestions.
{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
Fantastic- this is a good revelation & conciousness moments ~Cheers Sal! Lovely weekend 2U*
Yes!!!
Congrats beautiful Sal!!!
It tottaly worked, so you must be proud, dear!
I think it’s great when we feel more consciencious about what we have.
When I did my “shopping seasons” I always had to check what I had at “my closet” to organize things, to not have “orphan” pieces.
Than I didn’t feel the need to buy for almost the whole season ahead.
This year I feel different. Since I had no time to do what I wanted I feel that I must search here for some pieces. But if I’ll find them I’ll be satisfied. Maybe it helps that I’m skimpy… lol
Have a gorgeous weekend you 2
xoxo
Glad to hear that you didn’t go too crazy when the ban lifted, it would almost defy the point.
What a wonderful post
I suppose it’s nice to see that there was a definite positive change, that your husband could see! And it’s nice to know that the results mean that it felt less like a ban of something you enjoy, and more of a shifting of mindset 
So were there lots of grammatical errors then?
And yes I totally agree with Husband Mike, Sally you are completely crazy about shoes! But in a good way which has led to a shoe collection I would not hesitate to steal if I lived anywhere near you.
Sal – I loved how you bargained and negotiated with your husband. That’s so something I’d do.
hehe, great to see the ban from your boys views. Sounds like all in all he thinks it was a good thing for you to have done.
Well done!
How sweet! I loved the part about you trying to bargain for tights! I totally went back to your post ban photos to see which necklace looked like “cocktail weenies.” (which it does not. at all!) Good to see the ban went so well!
What – you weren’t even able to buy new tights?
Interesting how your perception of the value of things changed Sal.
I find that as I shop so much with clients, it helps me not need to shop as much for myself as I’ve had my retail fill, without the credit card bill!
Oh congrats lady! I so have to this. I worked for two weeks full time and I’ve spent almost all the money I made. Way inspirational.
Why I like husband Mike:
“…this was a good idea considering the good shopping that was to be had. (I bought a new hat.)”
Classic.
Great post by Mike, he seems like a wonderful and supportive husband! It was fun to get his perspective on this!
S.
rahhahaha!! that was great! i especially appreciate your husband’s comment about not understanding women and shoes. my boyfriend is the same way. we will walk into Payless and i think he must see this strange fire in my eyes and then he considers hiding or at least ducking for cover.
Great post. I’m kind of going about this backwards. I’ve just started spending so much money on other things (namely restaurants, which I love, but also home renos) that it would be insane to shop for more than the absolute necessities (which is to say things I reeeeeeally want
) I’m going to try to see how long I can go this spring/summer without buying. Not a ban, just amusement.
I love this post! Not only am I so awe-inspired by the entire ban, but I love the feedback from Husband Mike, it’s sweet.
Longtime lurker here: Just a suggestion to tag this post with the rest of the shopping ban posts. I went for a full read-through (it’s Sunday and I’m procrastinating!) and had to hunt this one down because you mentioned it was coming, but wasn’t included with the set.
I’m considering a shopping ban myeslf, so great series of posts- lots to think about!
Thanks, Amber. It is actually already tagged for “shopping ban,” and comes up if you click the category in the left rail … not sure why it didn’t come up for you!
Good luck on your ban!
Dear Sally, I am so inspired by this shopping ban idea! I have been spending all my spare money, that’s not immediately required for essentials, on clothes. I have wonderful clothes! But am always having cash emergencies. I’ve just found your lovely blog recently. I know this post is a few years on now. But it’s so relevant to me. I am going to search your blog now to read all the ‘shopping ban’ posts I can find. I love Husband Mike’s post. I have a Husband Mike of my own. He would be astounded if I could stop buying clothes, shoes, bags, jewellery etc. I don’t know if I can do 6 months though. Scary! The psychology of it is complex I’m sure.