Also just saying in May I’m OUT of mindful spending…that is plant/flower/garden/outdoor decor buying month and I’m ALL IN! 
You know…i realized a long time ago that there is NOTHING I need at Homegoods. There isn’t really anything I need at BBB either (except wedding gifts…and I’m not counting those in the spending freeze). I can’t stand the mall (but will need to go there to try on wedding shoes), and Nordstrom Rack is 45 minutes away and not in a direction I frequently travel.
I just stay out of those stores!
@thumper1 , I feel that I have to just stay out of stores, also. If there is something in particular I’m looking for, then fine. But I can’t just browse, it’s too hard.
Ha, like how I have to stay out of restaurants!
I very much enjoy home decorating and we also have a cottage that “needs” decorating along with regular replacements of kitchen items. You can take away a lot of things from me, but don’t mess with my HomeGoods trip… 
We all have our spending vices I suppose. Be it food, or makeup, or clothes, or home items.
I feel like I really haven’t bought anything frivolous for years – probably the result of not being gainfully employed anymore. (Both DH and I are about 90% retired.) I do buy housewares like serving dishes at Goodwill, but only if they’re a super-bargain, and I buy clothes and shoes generally only to replace something that has worn out. Where we do spend our money is on health and dental care, home maintenance, and travel to see our kids. Oh, and our dogs!!
But for me, the “spending freeze” is pretty much a way of life.
(Except for when I was looking for a dress for S1’s wedding and wound up keeping three dresses that I didn’t really need.)
(Boy, do I sound smug. You may all slap me now.)
I’m in for life. I have a single litmus test for every potential purchase, “Do I need this?” If I don’t absolutely need it, then I think about why I’m considering it. Occasionally, I DO buy things I don’t need, but my justification filter is extremely narrow by now, and I clearly understand why I’m making the purchase, no guilt. That is my definition of “mindfulness,” and it weeds out all impulse and “duplication” purchases. Like others, I direct the money I don’t spend on stuff to experiences and our retirement fund.
I’m staying here for the great stories and the encouragement for those times when I do stray. @MaineLonghorn: Restaurants. I hear ya.
Came home last night to learn that Mr. B bought $150 worth of blades for his new multitool. Sigh. We have power tools and screwdrivers and similar junk spread out on our rather large kitchen island. 
But to give him some credit, he never buys anything that never gets used… it will get used someday. For example, last night he used the drill bits he bought a year ago and drilled holes in the bottom of the flower pots that I will be using to replant the saguaro and barrel cacti that we brought from AZ in 1997… they are too big for their pots finally.
I will NEVER get Mr. Thumper on this plan. He has a direct line to places for bicycle supplies…and Barnes and Noble for his Nook. Those are the only purchases, besides airline tickets, on his VISA bill.
Just think how much money you save by having a handy husband, @BunsenBurner. My husband has amazing qualities but that is not in his wheelhouse and we hire out those jobs.
My husband and I agreed very early in our marriage that certain things are important to each of us. For me, books, fabric, supplies. For him, tools and wood, metal, etc. We acknowledged that our “hobbies” for lack of a better word are part of who we are, and have always budgeted for them. Now that we’re retired there’s no guilt in these purchases; this is what we were saving for.
Same. Just read a book on minimalism, am in line for 2 more at the library.
I helped my parents move yesterday, to their new smaller home. Boy was sorting and reducing and finally moving their STUFF a process.
Came here to confess. Fell off the wagon at 3 am. Couldn’t sleep so went on NR’s website. Admittedly, I DO need a packable down coat because I lost my last one and I’ll be hiking/camping in Yosemite this summer and the nights will be really cold but, not only did I select 2 but I also put two tops in my cart and, $171 later, I hit “purchase” and felt that delightful rush. I do buy and return a lot and could return 1, 2, 3 or even all 4 of these items as NR is nearby and it’s an easy thing to do. But, this was exactly what I was trying to NOT do this month. The packable downs are justified (would only keep one) as I’m concerned that there won’t be any left soon and I’ll be backpacking–can’t take a big, bulky jacket. But that mindset of ‘well, I’m here and it’s easy to return so what else looks good’ is what I’m trying to avoid. Okay, back on the wagon today.
I went to Menards to buy a shop vac. Who knew they had cute doodads? I bought a small rolling pin because I hate pulling out the heavy wood one for small jobs. But if I’m being honest, I bought it because the handles are turquoise. At least it was only $3 and it will get used.
@abasket, all the pic changes are messing with me
@collage1, we all need to live a little, and just thinking about things sounds like a step in the right direction for you.
Hey, admitting is the first step…
I do the same @collage1, all the time.
Relevant article about stopping spending:
Apologies if this has already been posted.
I am doing a no-spend year (more accurately, a no-new-stuff year) and I made it through two months.
I am pleasantly surprised it was easier in February than it was in January. I had some good motivation this month. Since I gave up buying, I made myself give up on-line “window shopping” too. I think I enjoyed the Olympics a lot more without so much multitasking with my iPad and best of all, the pain in my neck from iPad over use is much less frequent.
I also subscribed or donated to all my favorite news sources to support quality journalism. I’ve always done one or two in the past, but never all four at once. Since I’m not spending on all sorts of other stuff, it seemed the time and it makes me happy.
Today I have a strong urge to buy something at Dick’s in support of their decision to stop selling assault guns. It’s a dilemma I rationalized a solution for - since I am allowing myself to buys gifts, this year Easter baskets for my sons will be something from Dick’s.
On to March. I am going to stick to my resolution of no buying for one year, but I really like the concept of mindful spending I’ve read about on this thread.
Barely put February away and I bought something this morning.
I’ve been looking for a very lightweight vest of good quality that I could wear for running since the first of the year. Fit and color important to me. Eddie Bauer has an extra 40% off clearance items. I found a vest that fits all those needs - lightweight, packable, good pocket storage, reversible, festive color- everything checked off. Originally $129 on sale for $89, take an extra 40% off, had a $10 rewards certificate, recently got bumped up to free shipping on all orders and 2% back on ebates. It’s a piece that should fit my specific needs and last a long time. And because it’s reversible it’s sort of like two looks in one!
Sometimes the struggle is real… putting that out there. It’s really hard some days.
I spent more on groceries this past month. We did eat at home more and I did stock up on some household items. And there were things I ran out of, so I had to replenish. It will be interesting to see how March goes.
On a positive note, we are paying off the kids Stafford loans and we are making big progress on those. Have been for a while but all of a sudden, things seem to be snowballing. Trying to keep positive.