Y’all — we made it! January felt approximately 378494012 days long, but we finally are at the end of January. Earlier this week, I talked about my 2020 word of the year and some financial goals I have for the year. One of the things I tend to do each January is a no shop month. It helps me rebuild savings/pay extra on my credit card after extra holiday spending as well as get back in the habit of saving.
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Tips for Successfully Completing a No Shop Month | How Do I Define A No Shop Month?
The first time I did a no shop month was under my very first style blog. Doing a full no spend month isn’t -totally- realistic so set your own parameters. For mine, I do a strict no shop rule on clothing, significantly limit the number of meals I’ll buy out during the month, and focus my spending on necessities like car insurance, bills, etc.
How to successfully complete a low spend month! Click To TweetRELATED: How to Create 20 Winter Outfits from 10 Bold Staples
If a no shop month isn’t realistic, create your own rules for a low spend month or limit no shop to certain types of expenses.
Tips for Successfully Completing a No Shop Month | How to Be Successful
Plan in advance what, if any, exceptions you expect to make. Maybe you know that a friend’s birthday falls during the month and you’re going to treat them to dinner out or pick up a gift. Setting these intentions before the month starts makes the process easier and helps avoid guilt for not sticking to your goal.
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For this month, I knew I planned to go to my monthly girls’ lunch and that the only exception to clothes shopping I’d make was my monthly Evereve trip which is covered by a gift card from the brand. Knowing this going into the month made it easier for me to delete promotional emails without opening them. {Not opening those sale emails is KEY to saving money. If you don’t know about the sale, you’re not going to shop it.}
Tips for Successfully Completing a No Shop Month | Shop Your Own Inventory
This could be different for others, but I have way more things than I need. Utilize a no or low spend month as an opportunity to shop your own stash. Shopping my own closet helps me better understand what I’m wearing and what it’s time to donate, consign, or get rid of. One of my bad habits is thinking I have no food when I have TONS of food at home in reality. Intentionally saving helps me to eat through items already in my fridge and pantry.
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Let me know in the comments if you have any questions about low spend months and if you’ve ever done one!
Tips for Successfully Completing a No Shop Month | The Valentine’s Day Outfit
This Chicwish sweater is definitely proven to be a blogger favorite and for good reason. Nervous that it would sell out before Valentine’s Day, I snagged mine last summer. While it’s available in more colors, I love the blush pink for both Valentine’s Day and spring. Since the fit is a bit oversized, I like to wear it over my favorite lace bralette.
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One of the trends that people are going all in on right now is fashion sneakers. To be honest, I love them on other people but wasn’t so sure about myself. But — I spotted this pair of leopard Gola sneakers at my local Evereve store, tried them on, and fell in love. They’re incredibly comfortable and have a faux pony hide to add texture to the print. If you worry about white sneakers, I’ve used a Magic Eraser on the platform already to clean up scuffs. {And I have to share: Evereve has these P448 sneakers on sale right now; they hardly ever get marked down!}
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Oh wow your baby pink jumper is so sweet. Jacqui x
I really like your style and I appreciated that you shared a post on Not spending money. You gave great practical tips on how other people could do it as well. This is Not the norm that I see on many fashion blogs.
One of the reasons I follow your Blog Nicole is that you seem to have a great balance of affordable pieces and you style them so well!
I first found your blog on Pinterest when I was looking for other Women of color that had great style. I think of your style as Chic, Feminine, and even your casual pieces, well you make them look fun!
I don’t wear a ton of color but there are some looks that I saw you wear that may have me reaching for a few more Pops of color for my own wardrobe.
Your transparency is appreciated btw!