I'm thinking of starting a buying fast

[harper]

It's an idea I read about several years ago...to spend three months only buying food, medicine and absolute necessities. I've done it before and liked it. No more debating if I should buy something or not, just put it back and reconsider the purchase in three months. I'm fortunate that I'm employed (so far) and can do this as an option instead of being forced to by virtue of not having a job.

[Kenneth ken]

1. It's probably a good idea.

It's similar to how I buy - I usually think, "I ought to buy (something)" then just kind of kick it around in my head for a couple months, then see if the thing still appeals to me. Then if it still does, I'll go shop, get a better sense of it, and wait another couple weeks to see if I still want it.

Except every once in a while, I lose my mind or something, and binge-buy. I was looking for a dvd last week, didn't find it, but ended up grabbing half-a-dozen other dvds. :( :) Good movies, but none were on my mind when I went in to the store.

Right now, I'm kicking around paint for the interior of my house. Since October; I'm debating whether to start home improvements, or wait another year or so. I really sort of need to, having been here for four years, but I really hate spending the money, because I know it will turn into a multi-year pattern of first this room, then that room, etc. I've set January as decision month.

On the plus side, most things I do this process with, I eventually talk myself out of.

[wildeyed]

2. Watch out.

They will send you to Consumer Re-education Camp if you keep up with the crazy talk. Force you to buy things you don't need with money you don't have. ;)

[harper]

3. I'm already teetering on the edge

When I bought my house the real estate agent was horrified to discover that I planned on getting a MUCH smaller house than she thought I could afford. When I bought my car I saved money to be able to pay cash for an small economical reliable car...no $30,000 SUV for this girl. I'm sure I'm already on the anti-consumer watch list.

[wildeyed]

4. Subversive non-consumer list.

Ve haff vays of making you shop, nyay, nyay, nyay......

[KarenS]

5. LOL @ Consumer Re-education Camp!!!

Methinks it's gonna be full!!!

[Glenda]

7. No Consumer Left Behind in Consumer Re-education camp

I'll see ya there!

:toast:

[crispini]

6. I'm thinking I might try this.

Maybe starting in January. It would be interested to see how far I could take it.

[Eloriel]

8. I've been on mini-fasts a number of times

Kinda self-imposed and not necessarily as a political act, just because. But for me they kinda backfire -- there's a lot of pent-up demand that happens and when I come off them I go a little wild (well, not wild but make up for lost time).

I'm not really much of a consumer, but there are certain categories where I definitely have to budget myself: books, music, yarn, fabric, knitting books, sewing patterns.