Week 12: The End

Torrid.com

We made it! This is the last blog entry of the shopping sabbatical, and I am so relieved. For the past 12 weeks, we have become slaves to our own shopping habits (good or bad). I have learned so much about my spending patterns throughout this semester.

About an hour ago, I made a purchase online. As usual, it was the last day for my coupon! I had $75 off of $150 - too good to pass up. Torrid is probably my favorite plus size retail chain even though there isn't really that much to choose from. I can always find something that's my style at Torrid. I found this "duster," which is something I've never seen on a plus size website. I have to try it out, so I snatched it right up!

This shopping sabbatical project has really taught me to be more responsible in my spending. Before I wasn't keeping track of what I was buying, but now I am more aware of my habitual purchases. This project was probably one of the most interesting things I've had to do here at ISU.

Cheers!

Week 11: Taking Up Photography, Maybe?

Again, no new clothing purchases this week. It was a hectic one for sure. Half of the week, I was helping out with the AMDA Fashion Show (which was totally worth my time). And the other half of the week, I was busy with homework, of course.

Yesterday, I made a hefty purchase and bought a nice camera. (I had a coupon - old habits die hard.) It's not super fancy, but it's better than my phone's picture quality! Just a beginner's camera. Since we've had to blog so much this semester, I kind of want to continue with it, so I figured a new camera would be a good place to start. I didn't spend as much as I would have liked to for a good camera, but what do I know about photography? I thought it would be best that I start small, and if I actually make use of my purchase, I can save up for a better one.

Week 10: Sustainable Fashion

I wouldn't say that this particular shopping sabbatical blog has taught me anything specifically. It has definitely made me more aware of my spending habits though. In most of my classes this semester, sustainability has been a big topic, so I've been more immersed in the sustainability conversation.

Since January, I have been volunteering at the Ecology Action Center, putting together the Renewable Fashion Challenge with six other fashion students at ISU. It has been a very interesting experience through learning about "going green" in the fashion industry. This whole semester has given me a meaningful knowledge about sustainability that I can tie into my future career.

Week 8: Last Hurrah of No Shopping

I made it! I survived. I can proudly say that I didn't buy any clothing items this week. Even though it was my birthday week, I kept myself busy enough. I had plenty of temptation because of the many birthday coupons I received through emails, but I restrained myself. Sometimes I would rather have a good meal than a good clothing purchase. So of course on my birthday I spoiled myself with Krispy Kreme Doughnuts and Starbucks! I have a major sweet tooth. It's a problem.

I did accept a couple gifts this week... Shania Twain tickets! How could I ever turn those down?!

Overall, it's been a pretty good month. I went home for spring break, I finished a season on Netflix, I turned 22, I kept myself busy at school, and I kept my shopping to a minimum!

Week 7: Socks Galore

Socks were the only clothing items that I ended up buying this week. It sounds a little unusual, but one of my favorite pairs of socks got holes in them, so of course I had to go out and buy more! I spend a lot of time in my big comfy socks, therefore I broke the rules and got some that were on clearance at Target (again, with my Target obsession...)

I'm surprised at how well I'm doing with this shopping sabbatical. I initially thought that I was going to fail miserably, but I'm not doing too bad! It's really easy when I've kept myself busy these last few weeks. Not buying things makes me feel good, but it hasn't exactly been my decision - it's been my daily/weekly schedule's decision.

I'm not so confident about next week though. Birthday week!

Week 6: Surprise! No Shopping!

Technically, I didn't buy any new clothing items this week. That's because I did all my shopping last Saturday.... It was Spring Break, and when my mom wants to go shopping, I go shopping!

So this week, I only went to a thrift store and got a couple shirts, which I don't think they count as new items since they were bought and used by someone else. I also don't think it counts because I'll probably end up donating them back because I won't wear them. Other than that, I didn't really have a lot of temptation to shop when I was at home. My parents kept me busy with doing housework and meeting people for lunch every day. They missed me.

I also accepted a couple gifts this week because I won't see my family on my birthday on the 24th, but I didn't get any clothing items! Just a mattress pad and a wine glass. What else do you need in life, right?

This challenge has proved to be interesting in the fact that some weeks I don't buy anything for the mere fact that I'm just too busy. This semester has been so busy for me that I don't even think about shopping! So in the name of the shopping sabbatical, that's good! For my sanity, maybe not so good...

Week 4: End of Month 1

OldNavy.com

This week, I only took a quick trip to Old Navy and bought this lightweight scarf and a men's thermal that was on clearance for under $5. On top of that, the entire store was 30% off, so I was glad that I was able to stop by and look around for a little bit. (I love sales...)

Because this is the last week of observing my shopping habits, I have realized that it will be a challenge to refrain from buying fashion items for an entire month (especially when there are sales). March is my birthday month, and because of that, I have begun to receive birthday coupons, and I for sure will be getting birthday presents over spring break because I probably won't see my family on my actual birthday, so I might be breaking a few rules this month. I will try my best to keep my shopping at a minimum, or at least be more aware of my habits throughout the month of March.

Week 3: Doughnut Indulgence

Surprisingly, I did not buy any fashion items this week, which is pretty rare... I keep trying to look back at my bank account statement to make sure that I'm not forgetting something. It was one of those weeks where I've been too busy to shop. So the only thing that I purchased were food/grocery items.
As a busy college student, it is incredibly difficult to plan meals and prepare food for yourself, so I've been eating out more than usual. From sit-down restaurants to fast food burger places, I've indulged. Yesterday, I especially indulged myself because it was my last day at my retail job, so I treated myself to a few doughnuts from Krispy Kreme Doughnuts. I deserved them, and they were amazing.

Week 2: Ode to Target

Target.com

This week, I didn't get as many things as last week, although I still got a considerable amount of fashion items. I only went to Target a couple times (which is average for me), and I had Cartwheel coupons. For any of you that don't know what Cartwheel is - it's a Target app for your phone that offers multiple coupons that you can scan at the end of your transaction. So this week they had an extra 25% off of women's and men's apparel, and an extra 20% off of throw pillows.

My roommate and I have been looking for new throw pillows to put in our living room, so these coupons came at the perfect time! The one I got for $5 (in the right hand corner) matches one of our blankets, and my roommate got a cute Nate Berkus pillow. I have a slight obsession with Nate Berkus.

Then with the apparel coupons, I decided to just browse the clearance section in Target, and to no surprise, I found something! In the women's section, I got a couple Mossimo t-shirts for under $10! And I always browse the men's section because I'm not afraid to wear men's clothing... so I found this Mossimo quilted sweatshirt! Their men's clothing usually always fits me, so it was a no-brainer.

Week 1: For Coupon's Sake

Well, I spent more than usual this week. Fortunately to my closet (and unfortunately to my wallet), I was basically forced to use the coupons that I had previously acquired from all of the after-Christmas sales. It is so hard for me to NOT use coupons that I have earned. 

First, I had "Haute Cash," which is a $25 off of $50 coupon for Torrid, a plus size retailer. Torrid is in my hometown (which is how I got the coupon), but not in the Normal/Bloomington area, so I ordered a couple things online. As you can see in this screenshot, my subtotal was over $50, so I got free shipping as well! What a deal.

Torrid.com

At the end of this week, I also had "Super Cash," which is a $20 off of $50 coupon for Old Navy, so I braved the snowy weather to see what Old Navy had in their store! And of course, I had to get something - more leggings, sweatpants, a crewneck, etc... Cold weather calls for comfy clothes.

Sometimes I can get a little out of hand with sales, but I can't let a good coupon go to waste!