Have you ever looked at your bank account and said. “Where did the money go?” Or, opened a drawer and said. “That’s where that is.” “I haven’t used that in a long time.” or “Why did I even buy that, I didn’t need it?” These are all things we say when we mindlessly spend money.
If you are here today because you received my monthly Norwex Newsletter and you want to learn more about how to stop this behaviour, you have completed the first step. Realizing that there may be a problem with your mindless spending. I know, I have been there! I have tackled the beast and know how difficult it is but I also know how rewarding it is too.
It all started when I read (listened to on audible) a book called: The Year Of Less by Cait Flanders. This book resonated with me because I had been aimlessly spending money on all kinds of non-necessary things. I think it began during Covid… Bored, frustrated and seeking some kind of enjoyment meant on-line shopping for me. I loved the search but I really savoured the unboxing. My house began to look like a store room rather than a home. Something had to give.
Listening to the words of Cait as she became real with her spending habits, I felt a kinship. I knew it was time for me to take a serious look at what I was buying and make some very drastic changes. I followed Cait’s tips: No purchase that wasn’t replacing something needed, broken, for my business or a gift. I committed to the next 3 months which were Sept. Oct. Nov. of 2024. I was on a shopping moratorium!
It was really easy for the first two weeks. I could not believe all the messages I received from all the stores I had been shopping on-line at that came into my mailbox. WOW! So one Saturday morning I spent 2 hours unsubscribing and deleting those messages. I promised myself that when a new message from other online retailers arrived in my mailbox, I would do the same. This was a daily task.
The following weeks were tough, I had business events that I wanted to buy new clothes for. I have an entire closet full of very nice clothes. I went into my closet and pulled tops, bottoms and sweaters from the hangers and created outfits for each day of my event. I was shocked to see items that still had tags on that were tucked way in the back. But pleasantly surprised to have some great options for my event.
Over the next few months I was able to cut my spending by 75%, and that is a huge eye opener for me. I would rather travel and have fun with my family than waste money on things I really do not need. It was difficult at times – especially when Amazon sent me texts that said. “We found something you might like.” I actually didn’t even open them, DELETE was always the word of the day. I also found when I was at markets for my business that although I wanted and typically supported other vendors, I just couldn’t. Unless it was a gift. Being close to Christmas meant I could purchase a few gifts for my family. Gifting is my love language, so I have become much more creative when figuring out what to gift.
As we roll into 2025, I still have this rule. No Mindless Spending! I look at an item and I ask the questions: Do I have this already? Is this replacing a broken or worn out item? Can I get by without this item? I am able to forgo so many purchases. Which means that once January rolled around, I had a very small balance on my credit card that I easily paid in full. That hasn’t happened for a couple of years for me and it was such an amazing feeling.
If you are up for the challenge, ready Cait’s book, and determine to make February 2025 a Spend Free February. Click the link below to be added to our Facebook group. https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1DMhapDM1K/
Coleen Cleans With Norwex 