JustAnne.

Transitions.

That shopping problem thing that I had. I haven't spoken about it for a while. Months in fact. So it is probably time for me to make a few notes. Now, if Friday night's booze fuelled impulse purchase of tickets to Good Vibrations (on my iPhone!) is anything to go by, I am not 'cured'. But come on, how could I say no to Salt'n'Pepper? And besides, The Universe clearly wanted my friend and I to have those tickets. I know this because It later saw fit to play Shoop at the pub. *cough* 

But seriously, I think I have been doing fairly well. And now that I am living out of home and am forced to budget for things like food, I am shopping remarkably less. Although, I did just spend $80 on materials to make my costume for my housewarming. But lycra bodysuits need a lot of fabric, you know? And I am sure I will wear it again . . . 

Actually if moving did anything for me it once again highlighted just how much crap I already have. Particularly clothes and accessories. I have a lot of those. Okay, so I have made more than one summer frock purchase, but these were not made in the same frenzied way that purchases were made prior to the GSD. And I am slowly taking on board the message of thrift - many of these frocks were purchased at Op Shops. It's hard not to shop when each season takes you on a journey to a new look. Last summer was all about the denim mini. This summer is all about the frocks. With an occasional denim mini, worn in a nautical way. So yes, I have shopped. But responsibly. 

Indeed, I keep having all sorts of mini-victories where I look at and lust after things, and then put them back and walk away. It makes me feel so virtuous. Like when I find a fantastic frock at Lifeline and it costs $12. And do you know what? I even restrained myself when purchasing Tupperware. I DID NOT order the $50 Christmas Cookie containers. It was an agonising decision let me assure you.

So I am definitely not 'cured', but I think I am transitioning into a new phase where I've reintegrated responsible shopping into my life. Certainly it feels much less manic when I shop now. But I still love it . . . 

Shopping Rehab - Month One

*cough*splutter*cough*cough*

Alright. No, it's okay. Really. Sort of. Okay. Well. Actually, no. It's not been too bad. Mostly. Eeek.

Month One. Shopping Rehab. Lapses? More than three, but no greater than five. I think. Purchases made on credit cards? None. Definite win. Although, I did find myself spending money I had put aside to pay off my credit cards. Money transferred out of savings? Yes. Tragically. But still, no money spent on the credit cards!

The reasons? I am not entirely sure. My idea of tracking my spending only lasted about a week. Although I did spend $160 on accommodation at the Sunshine Coast (tax deductible, next financial year). And I bought Britney ($220) and Parklife ($140) tickets. And I got my hair done ($145 - totally worth it though). And I had to replace practically all of my skin care products (easily $80 - $100). And then there was all of that going out and living it up malarkey (turns out being a lady about town is quite expensive these days). So basically I have be hemorrhaging cash at an almost epic rate. But not on meaningless clothes, accessory and make-up shopping. Well, for the most part.

I did get a new iPhone on my second day out of detox. But it was totally well thought out, calculated and approved by my rule mistress. Some of my downloaded aps and iPhone accessories however, were not. And okay, I did have some unplanned clothing purchases. But they were thrifty! Some strategic op-shopping got me three skirts, two dresses and a t-shirt for around $35. And my other purchases got me a dress, a top and two pairs of shoes for under $40, new. So it wasn't too bad. Not like those $300 dresses hanging in my wardrobe that I still haven't worn (but I will in the summer!!). Sigh. They're so pretty.

So what will month two of Rehab bring? Well, I might give tracking my expenditure another go, and continue to remain strong in the face of shopping malls and department stores. I haven't been perfect this month, but when have I ever been perfect? Perhaps, maybe, I could take a break from all of the partying. It is costing me a bomb, and surely all of that alcohol cannot be good for my skin. Perhaps sobriety can save me money? But then, my sober activities do not come cheap either. Reading, sewing, watching movies or DVDs, these all have hidden costs (mostly overdue fees). I am not sure what the answer is. Although I am beginning to suspect it may involve sitting indoors and staring at walls. Unfortunately I am not that fond of walls, so I shall have to come up with something else. Hopefully this next month will bring some inspiration, and maybe even a positive balance in my bank account.

We can always hope.

Shopping Rehab - The Rules.

I have only just realised that the commencement of my Shopping Rehab coincides with the Financial New Year. It must be a fateful time for new beginnings because the first of July also marks my first anniversary of Weight Watchers.

So without further ado, I present - The Rules . . . 

• Credit cards OUT of the wallet
• Only take keys and membership card to the gym (two out of three of my semi-local GloboGyms are located in shopping centres) 
• When grocery shopping - stick to the list! NO additional beauty products to 'try'. NO buying things just because they're on sale or a multi-buy. NO impulse magazine purchases.
• Only ONE magazine purchase is permissible per week.  
• When experiencing boredom, hangover, emotional crisis or hormone-related mood swings, I must try to avoid shops and food. Instead I can call a friend, see a movie, sew a cushion cover, blog, or stare listlessly at a wall. These things are all preferable to the aftermath of shopping and/or eating.

Free-Purchase Conditions.

I am allowed three 'free' purchases per week. These purchases must be under $20. Any purchases over $20, or additional to my three 'free' purchases must be discussed with and approved by one of my two Rule Mistresses. Any purchases over $150 must be approved by both Rule Mistresses. 

Just to clarify . . . 

• Going out to dinner and 'hitting the town' do not constitute shopping.
• But concert and theatre tickets probably do. So in future, I must seek permission for these in accordance with the Free-Purchase Conditions.
• Holiday transport and accommodation costs do not constitute shopping, but holiday shopping budgets must be negotiated with both Rule Mistresses.

Date for Review: 1 October 2009

During this period I will also be tracking all of my expenses so I can develop a realistic budget. Pre-GSD I was just too terrified to record any of my binge-spending but now that I am feeling more in control of things I can actually stomach recording my spending. Although I am sure this process will still reveal many a scary insight into my consumption. Goodness knows how much I spend on bottled water every month just because I have left my recycled water bottle at home/at the office/in the car/at the gym. 

I am not sure I really want to know just how much my absent-mindedness is costing me . . . Sigh. But I suppose I will never be a fabulous financially-independent feminista if I do not face up to these things.

Alright peeps. Game on.