Advice for not shopping for a year

Thanks for all the support y'all have given me this last year during my resolution of not shopping for an entire year! I have had a lot of questions on how I defeated the temptation, so here are some tips and tricks for sticking to it!
Organize your closet. The first thing I did (you can read about it here) was organize my closet. You can organize it any way you would like, but I sectioned off my tops, pants, skirts, dresses, and jackets. I then made a promise to myself to wear every top once before repeating it. If I wore a top and didn't feel comfortable in it throughout the day, it went into the donate pile when I got home. If the fit wasn't right, donate. You just have to commit to it and not make any excuses. "I'll lose a couple pounds and it will fit better." "I will wear this if I ever need to attend a (blank) again." If the item is worn out, just toss it. The main thing is no excuses about how you could salvage the item. A lot of my clothes I have had since my freshman year of college. When it came time to wear some of the tops, they hadn't been touched in two years. I instantly donated them. It felt so good to make room in my closet. Unsubscribe from ALL clothing emails. I was getting coupons emailed to me all the time and that is what alerted me when there was a sale. I unsubscribed from all of the clothing coupon emails and never had to worry about missing out on a "huge" sale that only happens "once a year." Guess what? That same sale will happen again the next year. Don't temp yourself. If you know you will cave, don't go to the mall or your favorite stores and always leave your wallet in the car or only take in with you some cash. If you don't have your wallet, you can't buy anything :)  Save your gift cards for at least the first three months. I have told this story before, but on December 31st of 2012, I was sitting in the Albuquerque airport searching my phone to try and get in last minute purchases. The internet connection in the airport was terrible and by the time I got home it was 2013 and my resolution had begun. Those items that I thought I couldn't live without soon became faint memories and I no longer had the need for them. If you have gift cards you can treat yourself at benchmarks throughout the year. Maybe every three months or so. Just know that things you think you need, you can live without. Get a support group. When I told my friends and family I was doing this, I got a lot of comments along the lines of "no way can you make it a whole year!" Thank you, people, for fueling my fire. After they realized I was completely serious, everyone was so supportive. My mom treated me to a couple shopping trips and my girlfriends and I always met up for coffee or lunch instead of meeting at the mall. Know that you can! I had so many people who would say things like "Good luck! I could never do that!" or "I am addicted to shopping, so I could never do that!" Believe me, you can! When you say you can't do something you have already convinced yourself that you will fail. It is just like any other thing in life you want to accomplish. When you set your mind to it, you can do it! Not only did we save hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars this year, but I learned so much about myself and my style. And to be completely honest, this year flew by! Maybe it was the anticipation of this resolution being over, or the fact that they say times flies the older you get, but I can't believe I made it a whole year without shopping. 
I hope this list helps guide you if you do decide to do some sort of spending freeze. Like I mentioned yesterday, I think for 2014 I am allowing myself to purchase one item per month. If I don't buy something one month, I can buy two things the next month...and so on. With that being said, if anyone else wants to try a similar resolution I am thinking of hosting a monthly link up to showcase the one item you purchased that month. What do ya'll think??
Have a wonderful day!  

10 Months of No Shopping: Update

Ten months down and two to go. Where do I even begin?

I will just start with dishing out my best advice. Stay busy. This challenge has truly been so simple because this year has been pure craziness. I feel like every weekend Chris and I are up to no good (totally kidding) and there has literally been only a handful of times where I had the time to even go to the mall. 

When I was in accounting in the spring I was too busy to go shopping. Then summer happened and I was looking for a teaching job, so we were a one income household. I found my dream teaching job and ever since the first day of school in August I have not slowed down. And, when I do have a chance to kick back and relax, I am usually sleeping or eating ice cream; not shopping. 
My wants have changed throughout the year. In January, I was dying for an Aztec printed sweater. Now, mehhh. If I got one I would be happy, but I am not longer dying to have one. Over the summer I reallyyyy wanted new wedges. Seeing that I only dressed up a couple times this summer, I realized that would have been a complete waste of money. Now going forward, I am hesitant to really, really want anything because I know if I wait it out, I'll probably be over it in about a week.

I have decided that when I do shop, I want to stick to classic and mature pieces. Pieces that I can have for years and not have to give away when I become a mom. Pieces that show off my style. Trendy, yet simple and classic. I want to think twice before buying the "item of the season" because I can count the hundreds of dollars I have spent on items that were sooooo cool....for a hot minute. 

Most importantly I have learned what it is like to be secure with what I have. I have shifted the weight I used to put on materialistic items to a relationship with the people in my life. Instead of meeting up to go shopping, we meet up to have coffee or actually hangout. I don't need new clothes to go to a wedding. I don't need a new dress just for one occasion. I don't need that Aztec sweater just because everyone and their mom has one. I am okay with what I've got.

The thought of going to the mall and searching for clothes doesn't even sound appealing to me. After only stepping foot in a clothing store probably six or seven times this year, I can honestly say that I might have officially broken my shopping habit. Not shopping has allowed me to never get stressed with parking spots at the mall, never get stressed about lines and crowds, and never have to worry about those dreaded sales where you are conned into spending $200 to get $50 off just when you wanted to buy a cardigan. 

So, I would like to tell you what I am just dying to buy on January 1st, but since that list has changed 100 times over the course of the year, I'll just wait it out and see what I find when I make that first trip back to the place that used to suck up all my time and money. This time, though, I am going in with my fists up. 
If you would like to read all about my 2013 Resolution, click here.
Happy Tuesday!

9 months of NO shopping

September has flown by! I feel like each week goes by so quick when you love what you do!
I only have three months left to master my resolution!
I have been in total teacher mode ever since starting in August. Even if I was able to shop, I don't think I would have any time or energy to. Through this process I have been converted to an, almost, exclusive online shopper.
Here are some outfits I wore throughout September.

On my list of must haves for 2014:

- booties for the cooler weather

Yup, one item. You might say, "You haven't shopped for almost an entire year and the only thing you really want is booties?" My answer to that is...I can honestly not think of what was on my list before today. That, to me, speaks volumes as to how impulsive us girls can be. At the moment I want things REALLY bad. Then, when I don't cave and get what I want, I forget that I ever wanted it. 

Lesson learned in September: the urge I get to buy things can go away with a little time and thought.

My YEAR of NO shopping: Update

Read about my resolution and the reasoning behind it {here}.
Weddings, weddings, weddings. I feel like that is the only reason I have been dressing up lately.  To be honest, it is flipping hotter than you know what. Every outfit is planned on disguising sweat marks, and every hair style is based around an up-do. Even the dogs can't take the heat. I cannot believe that seven months are gone and I haven't bought any clothes. To say this journey has been life changing would be an understatement.  I know I say it every time, but I have become more humble than I ever thought possible. Even Chris is blown away that I have stuck to this challenge, and it has almost become fun to not shop. It is challenging to rediscover your own closet and everyone knows I love a challenge.  Getting down to the financial aspect of this resolution has been mind-blowing. Y'all, we have saved so much money. More than we ever have before and I know a lot of the savings comes from me not shopping. Here's the deal with girls and shopping. We don't just 'run' into the mall for one thing. We make a day of it. We go out to eat, we shop the entire mall, we hit up stores around the mall, and we buy for other people.  I used to go to the mall for a dress and come out with Starbucks, Dippin' Dots, a candle, a couple items for Chris, make-up, a scarf, a purse, a dress, and a shirt, and a pair of shoes. As you can see just the act of going shopping is expensive! Here are some tips on not going overboard when shopping: - Eat before you go. You won't be tempted by all the expensive mall food.  - If you have a shopping buddy, make sure they are honest. I have some friends who would tell me I look great in a trash bag and I know not to bring them shopping. I want honesty. Tell me if I look fat in that dress, or if it isn't my color. Having someone tell you that everything looks great on you only hurts your wallet, and you may not even be in love with the item. - Try to buy online. Buying online is awesome for saving. Not only are you more likely to use coupons, but you also are not tempted by all the other things in the mall. - Set a time limit, or go between activities. If you have nothing to do for the day, you have no time limit. Going shopping on your lunch break or one hour before closing is a great way to force yourself to not linger and buy tons of unnecessary items. - Have a budget. Really analyze how much you are wanting to spend before you go. - And my #1 rule. Carry the item around for at least 10 minutes before deciding on purchasing it. That really allows you to get over the "oh-my-gosh-I-NEED-this-so-bad" stage and clears your mind to let you realize if you really love the item. Only five months to go! Thanks for joining me on this journey!

I bought a shirt...ooops.

Let me explain.
Last year Chris and I decided it would be a good idea for us to get a new credit card. We wanted one that we could see the benefits and wasn't a "college" credit card. 
As I was checking out at Banana Republic one chill November afternoon (it's story time, okay?) the cashier asked me if I would like to sign up for a Banana Republic credit card. Usually I am a stickler for saying no, no, no, but this time I let her explain. 
Did I mention the sales person is a friend of a friend who I highly trust?
So, after she told me all the benefits, I signed up. No annual fee, on the lower end of the interest rate scale, and awesome rewards.
Let me tell y'all what a great decision that was! Chris and I both love shopping at BR, so the rewards are perfect. We put everything we spend on the card, pay it off every month, then get rewarded with 'free money' at BR, Gap, Old Navy, and a couple other stores. 
Let me say I am in no way getting paid for this post, I am just setting up the scene for how I bought a brand new shirt without breaking my resolution of no shopping for a year. 
You see, we had $40 in rewards money to spend and Chris repeatedly said he didn't need anything, so of course I couldn't let the money expire!
I wandered into BR last week while at the mall with my brother and his friends and knew I had to find something under $40 or I could NOT buy it.  
I have really been eyeing those Gingham shirts, but that little resolution of mine is holding me back. Well not anymore, ladies! The most perfect Gingham shirt was IS on sale for $39.99. 
I know you're thinking, "but with tax that is over $40..." BUT WAIT, that's not all I have to say. For some really odd reason/blessing, the size small Gingham shirts were marked down to $32.99. SCORE!
So basically I just wrote a whole pointless post on an awesome shirt that I have yet to wear because it is still scorching hot here in good 'ole Tejas.
But actually I just wanted to let y'all know that the shirt is still on sale for $39.99! Marked down from $64.50! BR has the top in pink, lavender, and blue. 
I can't wait to pair it with a statement necklace, skinnies, and my favorite boots for fall. Now, if only Texas would leave the heat advisories in the dust and squeeze on into fall...wishful thinking. 
GET THE LOOK:

Resolution Recap: June & I haven't bought a thing!

The year is half way over and I am still holding strong! 
I cannot believe I haven't bought anything for a whole six months. That is seriously nuts. 
The main thing I have learned from this is that, going forward, I want to purchase classic pieces of good quality. I am at the point in my life where being the trendiest person on the block isn't that important anymore. Plus, living in the south, seer-suckers and other Southern staples will never go out of style. 
I will continue to buy the "trendy" pieces, but will make sure they are super cheap. As this challenge evolves, I feel a pull towards my classic pieces that have held up over the years.
I know this challenge was meant to happen this year. Since I haven't been spending money on clothes and shoes, Chris and I have noticed such a difference in our bank account. That turned out to be a HUGE blessing when I found out I lost my job. God's timing is so perfect, isn't it? 
And did you hear I passed my test? Whoop, whoop! Celebrating with a massage tomorrow, instead of a new pair of shoes. 
And did you read this post where I am accepting questions for my Blogiversary Vlog?? 
You can read about my other monthly recaps {here}
Here are some of the outfits I wore this month. Ever since I lost my job I have been living in yoga pants and a t-shirt, so I always documented when I put on real clothes!

Half the year over, half to go! Can't wait to see the changes to come all because one shopaholic decided to give shopping up for a YEAR ;)
Have a great day!

Resolution Recap - May: Shopping Rules & Breaking Rules

I got new tennis shoes...
BUT...
Chris bought them for me for my MBA graduation...
SO...
I didn't break the rules!
May, May, May..
May may (I know, I am wearing out that word) have been my easiest month yet. Being that I lost my job on April 30th, my attire has consisted of PJs, yoga pants, tee shirts, and yah, PJs. 
I don't really leave the house because sitting my butt on the couch is better. Or I work on DIY projects, walk the dogs, run errands, etc.
You would think with all this "free" time I would just want to go shop, shop, shop...and you're completely right!! Who am I kidding?! Of course I would love to spend countless hours at the mall, par-oozing the isles, but let's be real here.
Until last Thursday when I got a job we only had one for-sure income. I am still getting a severance until June 30th, but before we knew if I would find a job or not, we were being cautious with our spending.
Many people have asked me "How do you do it?!" or "How do I stop being a compulsive shopper?"
Let me start buy saying I love to shop. Nothing beats a new pair of shoes, right? But think about it. WHY are you buying those items? Do you NEED them? Do you WANT them? Could you spend your money more wisely? Are you trying to impress someone? Feel better about your appearance? Mask a deeper issue? Could you remix what you already have?
There are a million questions you could ask yourself before you buy something. And that is exactly what it is, just something. A materialistic something. 
My rule of thumb is: if you find something you like, walk around the store with it for at least 20 minutes. After that 20 minutes, reevaluate and ask yourself if you are still in love with it. Nine times out of ten you won't be that in love with the item anymore. 
Another tip: organize your closet. I wrote {here} about how I organized my closet. Having an organized closet allows you to see ALL the items of clothing you have. There have been multiple times I have thought I didn't have a certain piece of clothing, so I went out and bought it only to realize if I would have been organized, I could have found it. 
Lastly: think BIG picture. Disregard this message if you are swimming in cash and money is no factor, but I don't feel that is the situation for most of us. What do you want for your financial future? Last year I am sure I spent well over $2,000 on clothes, shoes, accessories. That could have been a vacation, a memory, money in savings, etc. I will say that (thank God) we have no credit card debt because it is easy to sign up for credit card after credit card to get that instant 20% discount. Don't do it! 
A huge realization for me was that going shopping, no matter for what, wasn't cheap. When I go to the mall, I usually eat, then get Starbucks or ice cream, then stop by Bath and Body Works and spend $75 on candles and lotion, oh wait, then I see a shirt Chris might like and buy him that, and now I am hungry again so I need a cookie, and my Mom would really love that bath salt someone just sold me, and on and on and on and on. Very rarely was I in and out with the only thing I went for. What I am saying is the atmosphere of a mall or shopping center is to get you to spendspendspend. That is why now I avoid it all together. Most of my shopping (for gifts) is done online so I don't have to endure the temptation.
All of what I have said is my own opinion, so take it as you will, but I just have one more item to hit on for those of you who have told me you are really struggling with cutting back on your shopping.
The biggest lure for bloggers is other bloggers. "Oh, so-and-so wore this dress and she has 5,879 followers, so maybe if I spend the outrageous $350 for that dress, I will have that many followers too!" Wrong. Guess what? No one even notices a) that whatever you are wearing costs $250 dollars, and b) that a blogger once wore it. Most bloggers that big get things given to them anyways, and I guarantee they didn't get there by wearing name brand clothes. And if they did, great for them! But that doesn't mean it happens to everyone. 
You have to realize that many, many bloggers get paid by selling you things. "You NEED this (fill in the blank)!!" and "You have to have one of (fill in the blank) in you closet. It is a must!" and physiologically we think, "maybe I really do need this? and since she is a popular blogger, if I buy it then I will be popular!" When in reality they are getting money in their pocket for you buying what they promoted...all while you are thinking you will suddenly hit the follower jackpot and BAM...you gained one more follower. 
I don't mean to sound like Debbie Downer, but my resolution has really opened my eyes as to how I want to live my life and how I want to be portrayed. I don't want to be the girl who has to have new clothes to feel pretty, or the girl who has to have to most expensive wardrobe just to brag about it. That isn't me. If I was rolling in the dough, then maybe I would have some Louboutins chillin' in my closet and Lillie P. dresses lining my closet walls, but I would still make sure I never lost my identity in my clothes. 
I don't want to leave this Earth as the "girl who was really fashionable." Ouch, that would sting a lot. So the only impact I made on people was that I am stylish and have a big closet full of stuff? Bum-mer. I want to leave the world known as a woman with a big heart, a heart for God, who loved her husband and family more than anything. I want to be an impact on people and be talked about as an inspiration. Inspiring people through your words and actions is what is talked about for centuries. Inspiring people to buy more clothes and become more trendy won't leave a mark in history...it will just go out of style just like perm I had in fifth grade. Gone with time, never to be brought back. 
I just want to leave you with this verse that I wrote along with my initial resolution announcement.
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:19-21   

Tuesday Tune Up: thank you, SO SO much

I just want to start this Tuesday off with a THANK YOU!

I know I have said it before, but I'm going to say it again...thankyouthankyouthankyou!

After yesterday's post I got a flood of emails, the sweetest emails, from tons of you! Your words of encouragement and uplifting thoughts are so heartwarming, honestly. Hearing people say that I am inspiring them is such a blessing.

I went into this challenge for me. Already, within a month, I feel as though this challenge is changing me and YOU! God is cray-cray, isn't He?! Even if I only inspire one person to shop less, or be content with what they have, I have done my job. Some have told me I have inspired them spiritually as well. What an honor. 

I want everyone to know that I read each and every comment and it truly puts a smile on my face. With graduate school in full swing, tax season upon me (I am a tax accountant for those wondering what my "day" job is...), and the stresses of life, reading sweet comments from y'all is such an awesome feeling. 

I am truly humbled by this experience. I get emails from some of my blogging idols (shout out: Cassie and Shanna) saying how I am inspiring them to shop less, and be more content in what God has already blessed them with. Ah-mazing. Seriously. Little 'ol me talking about being a shopaholic and suddenly I am helping people grow in their relationship with God and open their eyes to more than materialistic items. Whoa-buddy. 

I won't go on much more, but I cannot WAIT to see what this year has! It is only January and so much has sprouted from this resolution. I eeeekkkk with excitement thinking about it!

Okay, onto some biz-nass about clothes. 

I kinda sucked at remembering to take pictures last week. Here is all I have, but most importantly...I still haven't repeated a shirt! 

Ladies, it is amazing what you can find in your own closet. Organizing my closet was the key! I seriously forgot I had half the shirts I have. It is almost like getting new clothes...almost :) 

This outfit made me happy. Maybe because this shirt is loose fitting so I could "let my gut hang," or maybe just because I was feelin' it that day. Whatever the reason, this will be a repeat outfit.
Bubble necklace: shoplately.com// Blouse: Vintage Cottage// Skinnies: Target// Flats: Target

Can't ever go wrong with the lumberjack look. Never-ever-ever-ever. I adore that I can dress like this at work. Sometimes, me and the guys I sit with have "flannel" day...and I happily fit in with this shirt :)
Top: F21// Jeans: Marshalls// Boots: Steve Madden

I have had this shirt for YEARS... and worn it twice. Whomp whomp. Not-no-mo, peeps! I felt slightly Army-ish, and the earth tones worked! Keep an eye out for a WIWW post about this little get-up.
Cardi: Nordstrom// Top: Target// Necklace: Park Lane// Jeans: Banana Republic// Boots: Chinese Laundry

Chris demanded Wrigley be in the picture...Wrigley is NOT supposed to be in our room, yet he always weasels his way in the door. Spoiled rotten.
AND I have to thank Maddie for this adorable jacket. More details about the HUGE box of clothes she sent me coming soon!
Long sleeve: Banana Republic// Checkered jacket: Maddie// Trouser jeans: Banana Republic// Flats: ALDO

Disclaimer: this dress is NOT flattering. Ugh. I bought it for $7 and that was literally the only reason I bought it. It washes me out and the belt hits me in a funny spot BUT this challenge is training me to be blessed to be clothed! Woo hoo!
Dress: Target// Cardi: Target// Boots: Chinese Laundry

I hope everyone has a fabulous Tuesday! I am knee deep in tax returns and homework, so I bet your day beats mine :)   Linking up with Helene!   Blessed to have this day He gave me!   xo,

Resolution Recap: January, easy peasy

If you would have told me last year that I was not going to shop for a year I would have laughed in your face. Seriously. I was a shopaholic and put way too much effort into making sure I had the latest and greatest of fashion. 
One word I learned from that: exhausting.
At work, I sit in a room with a group of guys who wouldn't notice if I wore the same outfit every single day. I am married to a Prince who could careless what I am wearing. And only I notice when I "repeat" an outfit or shirt within a certain amount of time. Re-dic-u-lous. 
I know it has only been one month on this journey, but I have seen my heart change in so many ways. 
I am labeling the month of January as "easy peasy" because, well, it was. Thanks to two different ski trips to Colorado and a trip to Boston, I had no time or energy to shop. I spent most of January on a plane, or in another state, so shopping was the last thing on my mind.
February is now here and I still have no time or energy or desire to hit the racks and spend my hard earned dough on clothes. Instead, my energy is focused on finishing my last semester of graduate school (whoot, whoot), concentrating on the busy tax season ahead, and trying to not lose my mind.
Last year at this time I was planning a wedding, buying a house, taking a full load of graduate school, and dealing with tax season....and somehow I found plenty of time to shop. I "needed" outfits for my bridal showers, and birthday parties, and yada yada yada. Looking back I realize I was using shopping as a distraction to it all. The mall was my oasis and I was addicted.
I know that this challenge will get tough. I know it is not meant for everyone. But the positive feedback and the way God is stirring in my heart only confirms that this is the best decision I could have ever made.
Things I have learned so far: - The Aztec sweater I want/needed SO bad on December 31st is no longer on my radar.  - Saving money for our future is better than spending it on meaningless items in the present. - People still have their doubts and that keeps me driven. - I have way too many clothes. - I am less stressed worrying about keeping up with the trends and more focused on being thankful for what I already have. - I will be rockin' the bubble necklace and colored skinnes no matter how long those trends last. No shame here.
So, here's to February, month two of the challenge. May it be as easy as January and may God continually show me how to be content with what I have.
Thanks for the constant support! Chris, and our bank account, really appreciates it! 
Here are most of my daily outfits for January. Not one top/outfit was repeated. Proof that I don't need any new clothes. Follow me on IG (@sarahtuckerup) to see what I wear each day!

Come back every Tuesday for my weekly "Tune Up" on what outfits I have worn!

Linking up with Join the Gossip, Sami's Shenanigans, Still Being Molly, Life on LeRoy, and Lipgloss & Crayons!!