New Years Resolution, Tightened Budget, or Lifestyle Change?

The credit card is going into hibernation.  The fashion blogs are losing a reader.  Boutiques' IG posts will have one less like.  My closet will gain some much needed breathing room. Target might call and wonder if I died.  But I'm doing it.  I will not purchase a single clothing, footwear, or jewelry item in the year 2017.  Why so extreme?  Let me give you the back story.

I have been a "stay-at-home" mom since my son's birth in April, but I didn't stop receiving paychecks until September.  Helloooo perk of working in education.  Even after our monthly income was drastically cut, I didn't really feel the heat until our son's costly surgery took a sizable chunk out of our savings account.  It was then that I realized there would be no way to recoup that loss on one salary without a change in my spending habits.

As I started thinking about what changes I could make, I began reflecting on my spending and the what/when/why.  I don't have (and have never had) credit card debt, so surely I'm not actually a "shopaholic" right?  I only buy things that are relatively inexpensive or on major sale.  I can window shop without buying anything.  Girl, stahhhhp rationalizing. 

So delusions confronted - yes, I probably would qualify as some type of "shopaholic."  I can't remember the last time a week went by when I didn't buy a material possession of some sort.  Anytime I go out for an event or even just a night with friends, I've bought something new to wear.  I have many things in my closet that have never been worn and probably 100 items that have been worn only once or twice.  No, we're not in debt, but should we have more money saved?  Absolutely.  Is it mostly my fault?  Absolutely.

As I started gaining momentum with my plan, I became more determined and more impassioned about what really needs to be a lifestyle change.  Yes, I want to save more of my family's money for vacations, new cars, retirement, our children's college, etc., but this goes much deeper than my bank accounts.  I want to break free from consumerism, from the need to amass possessions, from the endless cycle of buying new clothes only to want something else new a week or two later.  It's time to give the middle finger to the culture of materialism that runs rampant in our country.

So as the new year begins, I plan to spend more of my time and money on things that truly matter - family, friends, loving the Lord and sharing that love with others.  I'm going to blog about it here because honestly I'm going to have a looooot of free time now that I won't be online browsing, shopping, pinning, or reading fashion blogs.  Plus I hope this will help keep me accountable, and I'm excited to share my journey!