This thread inspired me. I was all set to buy a new pair of sneakers, because mine were looking awful (they’re white). Instead, I thought of this thread and washed them and they turned out looking great. I’m going to look for more opportunities to think about what I already have - and whether it can be repaired, washed, etc. - before making new purchases.
I think Food and Beverages purchased for home cooking, in general, are excluded. But like @doschicos said…perhaps the $$$ of the bottle should be taken into account as a need vs. want.
If you have wine every night, it’s not a purchase; it’s a grocery item. IMO.
Definitely F&B category. We treat our Rombauer as such. Plus, when it is gone, it is gone. No cluttter in the house.
Yes, better to spend on consumables (most of our holiday gifts this year both received and given were consumables).
I say it depends on your household. Wine is a very infrequent item in our house - or any alcohol - so it would be considered a splurge to buy it and definitely something I would think twice about - definitely not a “need” for us.
Now my good quality whipped cream? MUST HAVE. 
Just mended our drapes, partly because of this thread and partly because it’s very difficult to find pleated draperies any more. The drapes are aging pretty well, but at some point we may need to get new rods and new style curtains.
Before I’d even read this thread, I mended (I think that’s the right word?) two of my favorite cashmere sweaters. They had tiny holes in them, and they came with thread for just such a purpose. Somehow I remembered where I put it, and both look fine now. I worked hard not to buy any new cashmere sweaters this year when they were on sale. I’m wearing what I have instead, and kind of enjoying the old ones.
Posting this a bit late in reply to thumper1’s comment in #127 about buying a shower gift for her daughter. This type of purchase is a “must” in my view. Unless of course you could give her some heirloom china.
Actually, it makes me sort of sad that a lot of young people don’t want fine china. I suspect that some day, they will.
I think the outcome of estate sales varies a lot with locale. My aunt and uncle had a profitable estate sale when they downsized from a large house to one side of a duplex.
@QuantMech my daughter has staked a claim for some of MY china…she wants my Lenox plates, and my Lenox Christmas dishes…and all the matching serving pieces…they are HERS…as soon as she has a place for them.
The knives…well…I don’t have an extra set of steak knives!
Thanks to this thread, I’m returning an impulsive purchase I made tonight. I got it from Costco as I was making my way from produce to checkout and came across a display of nice designer purses—whoops!
Anyway, I bought a purse that is attractive but read reviews on the same purse on the designer’s website after getting home and am underwhelmed. 
There is ONE review 3 months old with a buyer who said the purse broke a few months after she purchased it and she’s gotten no reply to her 5 emails nor the voice message she left (since no one answered the phone). I’m glad the review was posted but don’t understand why the company doesn’t respond or address her issues and indicate whether the matter was resolved.
I’m taking the purse back next time I go to Costco. I won’t support designers who are unresponsive to customers.
Checking in. How’s everyone doing? Just last night I was thinking about how proud I was of myself – over 1/3 of the month and I’d yet to do any “mindless spending”. The only thing (that I am not counting) that was questionable is that I took D out for her birthday with a particular plan (what I’d spend $ on, etc.) and we went in a different direction and spent much more than I expected and for less benefit/value. But, I put spending for gifts in a different category.
This morning, however, I went ahead and spent a whopping $17 on two products that I want to try. They definitely could have waited and, who knows, maybe by March I would have decided I didn’t feel the need to try them. So, I just did my first “mindless spending” for the month (as I’m defining it for myself). I really can’t believe I went this long! Now I’m going to see if I can make it through the rest of the month with no other slips.
I haven’t gotten anything for myself…and believe me…I’ve seen plenty I could have purchased.
The weather has kept me inside all weekend so no store shopping. I will admit that I was just doing some online looking for a lightweight down vest for running. Didn’t push any purchase buttons.
I have definitely thought of this thread several times when my online time has ventured to searching…
I was having lunch Friday with a friend and she suggested we go into Ross. I told her no I was on a February no spending spree. I needed a few things at Costco ( in the same center) so we went in together. My no spending forgotten and I am the owner of a new top. It was under $20 and I will use it but didn’t need it.
I also was going through the new Sundance catalog of spring items and I liked a lot of things. I was considering ordering several items but I’m going to put it off and see if I still want them next month. In the meantime I need to do another go through of my drawers and closet to see what I really need versus just want.
Doing well but DH is not helping. I have not told him of my efforts though so I am not blaming him and his spending is his, right ;-). Anyway, resisted his offer to look for something for me at a local store’s going out of business sale. He did buy black dress shoes for himself but he does wear them for work. I did my target run but passed on anything not needing replaced. Have also been more consciously eating those leftovers out of the fridge instead of cooking more or eating out. This gives me less to throw out when it goes bad and gives me more time to watch the Olympics!
I gave in and bought a gym top at Marshall’s, $10. My friend was wearing it and I thought it would be sold out. I guess I should have gone straight home.
I gave in and bought a $7 holder to attach your cell to the windshield my husband wanted (on sale from $12) Used an Amazon gift card - so does it still count as spending?
I have spent money for a trip to see my daughter - tickets, hotel, etc. (and will spend money when I am there). Also, purchased her enrollment in a couple of classes.
I also did a closet clean out yesterday and am listing a few things on eBay -so even better to make $$ than to spend $$! I also have a goal in saving/earning some extra $$. D1 just booked a trip to visit her BF who has a fellowship abroad and I’d like to give her some cash to help her with her trip - so saving on things I don’t need and selling things I don’t need make me feel good to help her.