One Day More

The Awk's feelings about Enjolras' voice are...awk.

Don't judge.  I loved Les Miserables before you did. #hipsterawk

Frugal Fabruary starts at 12:00 am.  I'm starting to get a tad bit antsy, but I'm just going to pretend that I'm a well-adapted, non-Ebay addicted human being and hope that no one notices the fact that I have beads of sweat forming on my brow due to purchasing deprivation.  

In other news, I just moved into my new (and very first) office at work.  And, of course, I'm so tempted to forget Frugal Fabruary altogether and go on an office decorating shopping spree.  Trying my best to practice patience.  Let's see what I can do without spending money.

I just need to take a page from the ladies of RuPaul's Drag Race.  Did you see Lineysha Sparx's trashsterpiece this week?

To die for!  If she can create a ballgown out of discarded wallpaper, I should be able to put together a handful of presentable outfits by using my bottomless collection of cardigans.  Right?

Think like a drag queen.  Think like a drag queen.  Think like a drag queen.

Slow Taper

Yay!  Awkward and unnecessary brush effects!

So, when they prescribe me prednisone, they tell me two things: my already round face will start resemble a moon and I must taper off the steroids slowly and carefully.  

Online shopping and steroids are sort of the same, right?  Both involve euphoria, mania, and ill-fitting clothing.  Totally the same. 

I'm slowly weaning myself off my beloved eBay in preparation for Frugal Fabruary, and my tapering plan consists of a three-step plan.  First, I frantically bid on every J. Crew item I could find while screaming, "I'm just not ready!  I can't get through February without a chambray button-down!  And patterns!  I need more patterns!"

Then, on January 21st, I decided enough was enough.  No more bidding on clothing.  Only cheap scarves and necklaces from China.  A lady isn't presentable without a striped infinity scarf.

As of today, I'm not to bid on any more items.  I can ride out the wave of my remaining auctions, but that's it.  This is the end.  For real real, not for play play.

Was that actually three steps or was it just a hot mess of thoughts?

Frugal Fabruary

The Premise

I intend to hard reset my spending/shopping habits and creativity by forcing myself to do more with less in the month of February.

Also, I intend to use awkward and unnecessary alliteration when referring to this endeavor, because that's how I do, yo.

The Rules

1.  From February 1st to February 28th, I shall not purchase a single item of clothing*, accessory, new home decor item, or makeup product.  I shall make do with my well-stocked closet and depend heavily on the miracle product known as coconut oil.

2.  When possible, I should attempt at finding new ways to wear my most neglected items of clothing. Successful ensembles shall be posted on my blog.  Should the use of the item result in really awkward and unflattering ensembles, said items of clothing will be delivered to Goodwill and/or Freestyle Clothing Exchange on Saturday, February 23rd, 2013.

4.  The purchase of one used/thrifted furniture home decor item under $40 is allowed, but only if I intend to refurbish it within the month of February.

5.  During this period of time, I am allowed to buy a purchase a single, medium-sized caffeinated refreshment of my choice go out to lunch with my fab lady co-workers once per week.

The Participants (will be edited as participants join)

• Me
• Mi madre
• The seest
• Several co-workers (their participation is 100% involuntary)
• YOU!  Leave a comment and come along for the ride!

The Fine Print

*Two teeny-tiny (yet hella expensive) exceptions.  I kinda need to buy my bridesmaid's dress for The Seest's wedding within the next month and my bottom retainer broke and I need to replace it unless I want to develop a seriously messed up grill.   I promise not to derive pleasure either of these purchases.

The Problem

So here's the deal.

I developed my unhealthy obsession with Ebay at the tender and impressionable age of 12.  If I remember correctly, my first purchase was something decidedly adolescent, like an imitation driver's license of a Backstreet Boy.  My initial dabble with internet auctions pre-dated the blessed service known as PayPal, so I believe I sent a check through the mail and received my purchase two weeks later.

Fast forward to the present.  Since October 2007, I have purchased approximately 250 items through Ebay.  Mostly clothes, but there's a home decor item or two thrown in there, as well.  While I typically average about one purchase a week, there are days (like today) when I fall prey to an all out online shopping binge.  And I'd be lying if I claimed that Ebay was my only vice.  I'm also quite fond of Amazon and the incredibly dangerous J. Crew final sale page.

It adds up fairly quickly.  And while I love the rush of finding a package on my doorstep, I'd also like to save some money for 2014 European Tour and/or a down payment on a house.  While I'm in a comfortable and secure financial state, I could benefit from putting aside a little more money each month. 

The problem isn't just centered around my spending, either.  In my lean undergrad days, I genuinely enjoyed the creative challenge of putting together an outfit using the meager selections from my budget-conscious wardrobe.  Though I still had a bit of an Ebay addiction, my spending threshold was much lower and I typically adopted a "buy whatever Anthropologie item you can find for less than 10 dollars" approach.  My outfits were typically a hodgepodge of vintage consignment store finds, hand-me-downs from my mother, and pre-owned Ebay wins.

Over the past couple of months, I've realized how much I've missed the challenge of doing more with less.  There are two many blouses still boasting tags in my closet, yet I'm always seeking my next bidding "fix."  

It's time to hit the reset button.  In the coming days, I'll be compiling a set of guidelines for a creative and financial detox.  I'd love some company in my endeavors, so feel free to leave a comment if you're interested in joining me.

(Full disclosure - I definitely splurged on a Blogger theme on Etsy.  See?  I have a problem!)