I'm not sure I'm ready for this post today! I'm sharing a fail, or a partial fail, which is quite the way to start a Monday, right?! Before we get into all of that, how was your weekend? Did you do anything fun? Summer over here is quickly wrapping up so I want to squeeze all the fun in that we can handle. I'm totally wavering on how I feel about summer ending. Some days, I'm sad to see it go and other days... I'm counting down the days 'til school starts. I feel like, in a perfect world, school would be four days a week from 9-2. I'd love to have time each day to get things done yet I feel like kiddos these days spend all their time at school.
So with summer coming to a close and a crazy amount of projects going on lately... life has been CRAZY. That's just the norm for everyone these days it seems. If it was slow-moving, I'd probably complain about being bored. =)
Ok, I can't chitchat anymore. Let's get right into the update on the "No Spend July." If you have no idea what I'm talking about, check out my "No Spend July" post to get started.
The goal of the month was to make it a priority to finish house projects that we have floating around (and have the supplies for) without jumping to new projects and spending more on supplies for those new projects. On top of not spending money on house projects, I also mentioned that I was going to cut out spending for clothing and home decor.
In hindsight, this was a tall order. I mean, I could have just picked one of those things or two out of the three. I actually think I could have been successful with that formula.
So, I'm sure you've already guessed, but here's how it went.
I did AMAZING the first 23 days (yes, I counted every single one of those days). Seriously, I didn't buy anything! I felt super great about it and I know my bank account felt amazing about it as well. BUT, it's like being on a diet. You know the kind where all you can think about is that chocolate in the cupboard. You just think about it and think about it until it just drives you batty. That's exactly how it felt. The first two weeks weren't bad, but after that, it was like this piece of chocolate that I desperately wanted.
I do want to clarify that I really don't think I have a shopping problem nor am I consistently over-spending or anything like that. I do think that we have plenty of projects to complete and decor items around the house that we don't need anything. So, I was trying to not add anything else that we don't need.
So, what did I spend on? Well, I purchased a few things off of Nordstrom's Anniversary sale. I told Luke that I slipped up (he kinda laughed - I think he was surprised that I made it as long as I did). I then proceeded to tell him a few days later that I felt like it was a slip-n-slide. Seriously, one little slip and I slid down the whole hill. #oops
If you are trying to not spend anything - skip over this next part.
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So, back to the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. I read quite a few blogs and follow quite a few on social media. It seems like every blog everywhere was touting all the amazing finds at Nordstrom. One click is all it took and I fell down the shopping rabbit hole. But since I fell down it, I thought I'd share a few things that I bought because I'm in love with them!
I'm all about good jeans and I'm tall so I can't buy jeans just everywhere. I've loved Joe's Jeans forever so I scooped these up and hoped that they fit. Just a tip on Joe's jeans - they stretch out a bit so make sure they are snug to start with. The other pair of jeans are a tad short but will be perfect for booties. Plus they have an elastic waist (on the inside where you can't see) so they are so comfortable! The leggings I bought after I read the reviews. I'm between a small and medium but went with the small. They fit perfectly and I LOVE how high the waist comes up. I think all three items are going to be staple items for me.
As far as home renovation spending went, I bought one small plant for a photo shoot. I'm calling that a win. I'm not calling our project progress a win though. We didn't get hardly anything done this month!
I got this cute little fern for our bedroom photo shoot:
My thoughts on the "No Spend July" - it was hard! I don't think I would do it again but I do think I need to be more aware of what I'm buying. Maybe for every project that we finish up around the house (that we have supplies for) we can get small supplies for another project. I think that I succeeded in changing my outlook, or at least re-thinking shopping, so the month wasn't a complete fail.
I know a few of you decided to go this route as well. How did you do? I bet you did better than me. Tell me!!!
cassie @ primitive & proper
i always think i want to do a "no-spend" but the reality is i can't do it. i just can't. props to you for making it so far!
Ashley Mayes
Thanks girl! I think it was worth a go but so hard!
Charlotte W
I think you just picked the wrong month 😉 I read another blog that does a no spend month in January - which I think might be easier since you've just spent a bunch of money over the holidays. kuddos for a good effort, 23 days is pretty strong! Maybe you should do Feb, it's the shortest month! HA!
Ashley Mayes
Oh my gosh, you are so right. Jan or Feb for sure!.
Jenna
I have to say I did really well! I did spend money on rubber mulch for a play area for my daughter because I was tired of looked at the muddy weed patch and couldn't handle it. I got a TON of little projects done. Installed the dryer exhaust vent, put up pegboard in the shed, installed the rain barrel, finished painting the trim around 2 windows, put up hose hanger, cleaned out the shed, sprayed weeds, stuff in the attic, etc. My garage is empty! It felt so good to get those little projects 100% completed and get the misc. parts out of the garage. Thank you for the push to do this!
Ashley Mayes
yay Jenna! Go you!! It sounds like you got so much accomplished. I bet that feels amazing!! Congrats my dear!
Carol @ CAD INTERIORS
I did a "no spend" month back in February, but only for home improvement and decor related stuff. The intent was to finish in-process projects before moving on to the next... which we have a tendency to do! Those "finish" details can be so tedious. 🙂 We accomplished some tasks; definitely not all! I had a hard time with NOT buying home decor stuff (esp with all the post-holiday sales at the time), but managed to do it. I think you did awesome on your no spend month! That's a tall order to do a "blanket" no spend, esp when the Nordstrom sale lands in the same month. 🙂
Ashley Mayes
Thanks Carol! I'm pretty pleased with the outcome. =)
Carrie
I have tried to do a no spend month before too. I think I only made it two weeks. I think I may try again next January. Clothes and home decor spending is not a problem for me at all, but I am terrible about buying supplies and starting new projects without finishing the old ones!
Ashley Mayes
haha, it's so hard! Jan or Feb are good months to give it a go. Maybe we should tag team it!