Today is February 28th and I made it. My husband said it couldn't be done, but yes it can. And yes I did.
At the beginning of this month, Mike challenged me to make it through the month of February without buying any clothes, shoes or accessories for myself or my girls. Being that I'd been on a continued spending spree since Christmas, I'd say this challenge was long overdue. It's the shortest month of the year, so surely I could make it 4 short little weeks without indulging in the latest adorable scarf, cute bracelet, awesome boots, or a sweet dress to wear with leggings! I think this challenge was just as much for our youngest daughter as it was for me. I'd gotten into the habit of buying her little things here and there. She tricked me into buying her a t-shirt on February 1st, but after my older daughter reminded me of the challenge, we decided from THAT point on...we'd be good. And let's face it, I'm just the enabler with cash in her wallet. My daughter can't help it. She's just a little shopaholic like her mama. But I am also cheap. and a bargain hunter. and I will find the best deal any where. any time.
But then I decided to take it a step further. Not only did I not buy any new clothes, shoes or accessories this month, but I decided to ONLY wear 1 necklace, 1 ring, and 1 set of earrings for the ENTIRE MONTH! This choice is brought to you by Jen Hatmaker's latest book "7 - an experimental mutiny against excess". I do recommend.
Honestly, I don't think anyone even noticed. Or if they did, they thought I was just lazy and didn't bother to pick out a necklace or whatever to wear with my outfit. I chose a sweet little necklace my hubby bought for me for Valentine's day a couple of years ago. He bought it on etsy - two tiny silver interlocking hearts on a dainty silver chain. One thousand points for Mike. I wore my wedding and engagement rings, of course, but then I also selected a simple sterling silver band with a very delicate braided rope design running through the middle of it. I bought this ring at a consignment shop downtown Staunton. It cost me $3, people. It's my favorite ring because I bought it on a date night, at Sparkles and Sweets, with my hubby, so it reminds me of that night. For my earrings, I chose a simple pair of silver studs, also purchased from etsy, made by an aritsan in Israel. Again, special. And the top hole earrings are a pair Mike gave me 2 Christmases ago and I leave them in all the time because one of them is stuck and I cannot get it out! So there you go. That was my entire jewelry ensemble for the entire month of February. What did I learn? I miss my ring made from a spoon that I bought in historic Williamsburg. I miss my ring I bought from an artist at the Fall Foliage Festival. I miss my awesome pieces made by Kate Nesmith - my friend in Harrisonburg. Those pieces have meaning behind them and are very special to me. So why do I have all of these other pieces of jewelry that I have no attachment to? Why? That being said, I will soon be giving away/selling several pieces of jewelry!
Oh and just so you know, Mike DID buy me an awesome chevron scarf from LTD7 for Valentine's Day. God bless him. I got my fix right there in the middle of the month.
So the answer is yes. A habit CAN be undone in 28 days. Because of this month's challenge, we've finished off our emergency fund (again), and I actually have some cash in my wallet from my LAST payday! Imagine that! That never happens. Wish me luck in March!
I would like to thank Mike, Jen Hatmaker and Dave Ramsey for changing my life.
