One of my rituals for each new year is to choose a word to influence me for the year. My word for 2011 is EXPERIMENT. To support my EXPERIMENTAL focus, I commit to post the results of a new experiment each Sunday of this year.
As you may or may not remember, in late January, I experimented with buying nothing during the week and flunked.
And as promised, I tried it again this week.
YOWZA! It worked this time!
I gotta tell ya though, it was tough. I started on Sunday. By Tuesday I was saying very lightly to a pal that I was going to go buy some Diet Sprite. Then I thought, “No I’m not.”
This whole experiment may seem silly to ya’ll. To me it was a mission.
I bought no gas, no food, to snacks not even any coffee.
I made do – or is it due?
In any case, I used what I had this week. It worked out more than fine.
And it taught me this – I buy mindlessly. I DON’T BUY midFULLy.
::good sigh::
What was the last time you didn’t buy like for you?
Lisa’s Cheap Therapy blog 
I have yet to really be successful at “not buying”….HOWEVER, I am being more mindful about my grocery shopping. I am trying to clean out my freezer so I can “start over” and fill it with food options I really want there instead of just having there.
Way to go with your week and sticking with your promise to yourself!!!!! 🙂
I just ordered something online! It was easier to not buy before internet shopping.
Since retiring, my husband considers grocery shopping fun. We have a random, odd assortment of condiments from Earth Fare and Jerusalem Market and cases of things like green beans and pasta from Costco stacked in the garage. I’m mindful of his shopping!
Wouldn’t I have to buy more to stock up before I decide to not buy for a week. Not sure if I could do this. Any suggestion? 😉
Susan- I am finding that if I plan my menus for the week, I can handle only going to the grocery store once a week. Seems to save me time and money….when I get myself organized to do it!!!!
Can’t you just experiment with eating chocolates from around the world for the week?! Bestest gal pal there are times when I am so in awe with how disciplined and strong you can be. And then there are times when well, it just pisses me off. I can’t do silent retreats, would rather have “most” humans in my house than be alone and would bomb on not spending. That’s why God invented Dollar Tree. This week my Walgreens had a closeout on Simply Mint Altoids smalls. They were only .32 a tin!! That’s only $2.88 for the case of 9. Who could resist? Nevertheless, I am so proud of you! By the way, wasn’t it you who got me hooked on those “curiously strong” mints? So, I guess you could say it was really your fault. 🙂 Love you tons…..
I’m with Linda….. YES Lisa, why don’t you go for a week of trying chocolates from around the world???????? That would be an easy experiment for us all to replicate for you……. 🙂
Judi ~ good for you about that whole grocer mindfulness thing!
LOL, Robin! i feel your pain about the online ordering thing. now about that green bean stash, tho…
Susan ~ i see Judi offered some great advice. it really is amazing how much i buy that i absolutely do not need.
Linda ~ you crack me up :). be sure to tune in this coming Sunday 🙂