The turtle moves.... slowly

astrocytic_kitten

Nice relaxed Christmas was had, and this afternoon I’ve had a cry at Casablanca and then Paddington. Online sales shopping has occurred: very tea and pj focused. I drink a lot of tea and spend a lot of time in pjs so it’s at least more practical than the shiny sparkly clothes I spent a while browsing, before thankfully realising I no longer need to dress myself up for work events. Though I suspect I now have enough tea to get me through 2025 and potentially 2026 too.

Semi considering a no buy January to reset myself after opening the floodgates on holiday shopping…though considering the amount I’ve ordered over the past couple of days it feels a bit like closing the door after the horse has bolted. I’m in between sizes at the moment and never know which one will fit so ordering 2 of everything which is a pain, and means I’ll have a mountain of returns. 

Ironically enough I read a book called breaking up with fast fashion last week, which was focused on how we need to reduce overconsumption and replacing shopping sprees with ethical shopping sprees is still bad. It was good, made me think. But based on recent activity I have a way to go 😬

Not including today, this year I’ve bought 14 new items of clothing that have been worn a lot and I like, 3 items of clothing that were mistakes and that have gone to charity (all hugely discounted sale buys - self of today should take note), and 6 pairs of pjs (potentially excessive, though in my defence I didn’t have a single proper pair that fit until this year, I slept in old gym stuff or pj bottoms and old T-shirts. There’s probably an argument that the non-pj clothes were more excessive). Also some underwear. I still need to look back to see how it compares to previous years, but I think it’s safe to say the battle to buy less continues 🤦‍♀️

savingholmes

14 new items is not a lot - especially if you gifted away 3. Perhaps be less hard on yourself?

Happy new year!

astrocytic_kitten

Thanks SH, I'm just feeling quite uncertain with the state of the world and my health and my financial future. I feel like if I could be sure I'd be working for the next decade or two this spending would be fine, but as it is the money's better in my pocket. Though I remembered that my clothes size has changed over the past couple of years so some of the clothes really were needed so I could be comfortable. There's not much that actually fits from my extensive previous wardrobe. There's some thermals I could do with buying, but otherwise not much I actually need now though.

But anyway, 2024 spending breakdown: (2023 in brackets)

• Food, household: 220.67 (208.26)
• Cat food and litter: 89.13 (75.66)
• Toiletries: 8.73 (14.98)
• Books: 18.83 (23.78)
• Plants: 9.13 (7.12)
• Yoga: 65.7 (23.18)
• Clothes: 77.4 (73.32)
• Home stuff: 47.86 (49.30)

So it's not terrible...most categories up a bit, some slightly down. Yoga up a lot but that's a good thing - last year's figure is low because a class had been cancelled and I was looking for a replacement. Strategic requesting of favourite toiletry brand gift sets last Christmas reduced the overall toiletry spend. 

Although.... I'm too embarrassed to include the posh tea and coffee amount because it's ridiculous! I now have enough to get me through the next year (ok, the next 5 years) so I'm going to see how long I can go in 2025 without buying. I'm not going to ban myself from buying entirely because I know that just wouldn't work.

I'm so glad I came back to the boards, it's been good for me to really examine this and catch up with everyone. Onwards to 2025!

redofromstart

There are far worse habits to have than nice tea and coffee!  We were gifted some decent tea leaves, and started having tea from a pot, made with filtered water and a year on I find tea bag tea with kettle water undrinkable. 

astrocytic_kitten

That’s exactly it redo - now I’m used to the good stuff I can’t manage anything else. And I drink a lot of hot drinks.

I think one of the wisest financial decisions past me made was to NOT develop a palate for very nice wine - I dated someone who was very into it, but I decided to stick to what I considered ‘nice’ wine. Which was a fraction of the cost of the actually nice stuff 😂

South_coast

I think the same about coffee - can't stand the stuff, must have saved a fortune over the years 😀!

astrocytic_kitten

I have a lot to learn from you SC!

astrocytic_kitten

I’ve ended up spending today reading an excellent book that really spoke to me.., though in a way which resulted in crying for the last fifth of the book then a good while after too. Doesn’t feel like the best omen for the start of the year. I’m not even hungover! It’s like I’ve found a way to give myself the post-alcohol low mood without the alcohol 😂

On the plus side, it was a good book, it was from the library so ticks the moneysaving points. And I haven’t bought anything today despite mindlessly finding my way to various websites. I’ve had worst 1st Januarys!

Happy New Year all x

savingholmes

It sounds like you really resonated with the book. Perhaps ask yourself why and how that can help you move forward.