Sunday, January 19, 2014

The Shopaholic's Detox, in 6 Steps

Happy January, dear readers! How are those resolutions coming? I'm sure you're all hard at work on your fitness goals, and more power to you. I've been seeing a lot of new faces at my spin studio and on my jog route around the neighborhood. Get it, girl!

Speaking personally, however, I've been thinking about finances. I'd really love to experience a year where I don't break out in a cold sweat every time I open my credit card bill. There's a distinct possibility I overdid it in December. Well, let's be honest. I overdo it every December. Duffett Christmas is not exactly an understated affair. I love shopping for my big family and my geek-chic boyfriend, sending yummy cheeses to his family in England, and giving lots of little prezzies to coworkers and friends. And then you're on a roll, so why stop there? And suddenly it's January, and you're still shopping . . . but for yourself.

Enough is enough. Even the most diehard of shopaholics needs a reality check now and then. Here's what's working for me.


Step 1: Put down the credit card until March

I know it sounds harsh. Are you sitting on your hands? I'm sitting on my hands. There are so many tempting post-Christmas sales. But the truth is, I already hit my favorites up in Portland with my mom (Anthro, Lulu), and it's really not a good use of my time or money to continue obsessing my way through picked-over racks. More to the point, I have more than enough fabulous Christmas presents to console me. I'm calling out the January shopping hunt for what it is--a compulsion. Stop it. Put down the credit card. We'll do it together.

Step 2: Hit unsubscribe

It's time to clear out your virtual inbox. Take a look at the marketing emails you've been getting, and cut loose anything that you don't actually care about. That menswear boutique where I bought my brother's Christmas sweater? I don't need to hear from you every day. It's not you, it's me. Thanks so much, bye bye!

Step 3: Create a shopping folder

This was a coup for me. I created a filter, so all of those charming little missives from Hautelook, Rue La La, and others get cached in one place. When I'm opening and reading them every day, I'm much more inclined to impulse buy. But this way, I actually make the decision when I want to look at stuff. When the inclination inevitably hits, I can still "go shopping" in my folder.

Step 4: Put a pin in it

I'm fully aware that Pinterest has already crossed over to the dark side when it comes to partnering with e-retailers, but I still think that I can work it to my advantage. For me, Pinterest is where excel spreadsheets meet online shopping, and those are two of my favorite things! Feeling like you'll just die if you don't get that lion-headed soup bowl from Sur la Table? Pin it. See if you still feel the same way in a week. My guess is that you won't. But by pinning it, at least you'll feel secure that your prey hasn't vanished into the underbrush.

Step 5: Stack your catalogs to read later

This one's a tip from my friend Malavika. Stack all your catalogs, and wait until your credit card bill arrives before you open them. It really puts a damper on the buying spirit. This is going to be a deep breath for me. I love print catalogs. I love them so hard. When the J.Crew catalog arrives, I pour myself a glass of wine, I tell my boyfriend he's not allowed to talk to me, and I sink into a magical world of pin stripes, pencil skirts, and perfect pony tails. We all have our guilty pleasures.

Step 6: Focus on experiences, not stuff

I'm having a battle of wills against a fur-trimmed anorak right now, and I won't lie to you. I want it. I want it bad. It's defeated all of my defenses: I've wanted it for several months, so it's not an impulse purchase, and the price just got slashed in half, so this is likely the best deal of the year. The only thing that's seeing me through is the thought that I'm going to Scotland in June, and I'd really like to actually be able to do stuff when I get there. Think about your travel plans, summer adventures, classes you've been wanting to take, new experiences you've been wanting to try. Aren't all of those more important than a coat you're going to wear for maybe the next 6 weeks?

Okay, so I might still cave and buy the anorak. To err is human, to look and feel fabulous is divine. But the point stands. Stay strong. Fight the good fight. To quote the Cub Scouts (who probably never have these problems), "Do your best!" And J.Crew, darling, I'll see you in March.

Do you cut back on shopping after the holidays? How do you do it?