How I didn't buy anything new for an entire year

I just realized that yesterday made 3 weeks without buying anything new. I have found something constructive to do with my time. I have been making a little bit of money writing articles on ehow. Here's my article of things to do instead of shop! http://www.ehow.com/how_4622028_other-things-do-instead-shop.html

I made it. I was so tempted to shop last Wednesday. I looked around a website, but didn't make any purchases. I guess I window shopped.

I am sooooo tempted to buy stuff right now. It's the deals. I think this is my weakness. If I find something for 80 or 90% off, it makes me want to buy it. Even if I don't need it. I think this is my biggest problem with spending. I like to buy stuff on sale. Especially 60% or more off. I have to stop this. I don't need the stuff.

I've been coming up with a list of things to do for free....check it out. http://www.ehow.com/how_4622028_other-things-do-instead-shop.html

I'm at the two week mark!!!! I went to Walgreen's today for some shampoo and milk. I had to practice a great deal of control. It's hard doing this during the Christmas season. All the sales out there tempt me a great deal. But I held on. I didn't buy anything aside from food and shampoo.

I've decided to get rid of some of my stuff. It is so crowded in my home. I need to turn some of my unused stuff into $$$$. Day 12 and still going strong.

My wallet is feeling better already. I give myself a certain amount to spend every week on gas and other things that may come up. I looked in my wallet today and I still have money. By this time I would have spent all of my money for the week on stupid stuff. Now maybe I can put the unspent money away for a rainy day or pay a bill with it.

Why did I decide to do this? A lot of people want to know why I chose to not buy anything for a year. Here are a few reasons why: 1. I would like to do what is better for the planet. 2. I like the idea of recycling. 3. I have bills that I need to pay so I figured this would be a good way to cut back. 4. My house is crowded. I have too much. 5. New stuff is expensive. My reasoning is a mixture of "save the planet" and "saving money".

Well I've gotten through my first week of not buying anything new. The temptations are certainly out there. Especially with Christmas coming up, the sales are out there like crazy. I'm still looking for a safety gate for my daughter. I also need two baby bows for Christmas. I don't know what to do. I kind of don't want to buy them used. If I make them, I will still be buying new product for ribbon, etc. So I don't know what to do. That's my dilema of the day.

Still going strong. My parents need us to get a baby gate for them. I'm going to have to find a used one from somewhere.

It's day 5 and we havn't made any new purchases. We've made it 5 whole days!!!

Didn't make any new purchases. This has been a little easier than I thought.

I was given a coupon for $30 off of $30 at Kohl's. I purchased underclothing for the enitre family.