#5 Let's do this - let's talk about spending fasts

or how I make sure I don't buy too many handbags

Hi friends

Happy Valentine’s weekend to you. I’ll write about mine next weekend because what we’re doing is one of the things on my #25in2025 list.

A confession - I have a hot mug of tea, it’s drizzling outside and I really had to think hard about whether I wanted to write or go read my book.

I am also a girl who loves a streak and so I am here for my #write25in2025.

I must also tell you… for the next 3 days the high will be… 19 C (65F) which is delightfully chilly but I don’t have winter shoes out so I decided sneakers are going to have to do.

Has your work attire changed since the pre-lockdown days?

Let’s talk about spending fasts

They seem to be all the rage these days and (another little confession) I even had a spending fast on my 24 in 2024 goals list.

When would you do a spending fast?

1. if you feel like your spending is out of control generally, or in a specific category

2. if you feel like you’re spending money instead of dealing with your emotions

3. it’s a chance to reset your spending to be done more mindfully

organisingqueen

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A personal story

Years ago I was spending at least R800 on books every month. That was about 5 books’ worth in those days, so maybe the 2025 equivalent is R2000.

I knew it was ridculous because I couldn’t read them (mostly non-fiction) as fast as I was buying them.

So I did a spending fast, the old-school way.

I wrote the words “NO BOOKS” on a post-it note and folded it around my credit card as a very visual neon yellow reminder.

It worked because once it was over (I seem to recall it being about 3 months) I never quite went back to the craziness of those days ever again.

4 ways to reset your spending

By time period

Choose a length of time during which you want to curb your spending. It helps if it’s short so that you don’t give up before you’ve even got going.

Emma Edwards of Broke Generation is not buying any clothing again for this entire year (she did this in 2023 too).

organisingqueen

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By category

If you feel like you overspend on clothes, make-up or books, you might want to consider putting a halt on spending in that area.

Last year I did a project #Declutter24in2024 specifically for body, beauty and bath products. I am proud to say I used up all those speedsticks and body lotions :)

By store

Maybe you generally have a good handle on your finances but there’s a specific store where you spend way too much.

You might want to give yourself a break for a month or two just to break that addiction.

organisingqueen

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I have a weakness for a particular store that makes leather goods in scrumptious colours. Last year, I put myself on many spending fasts which helped me decide if I really wanted something or if it was just an impulse. When I eventually bought this bag, I was so happy to receive it and maybe it’s because it’s a gorgeous colour or maybe it’s because I forced myself to wait a month before buying it? (exceptional self-control)

By subscription

I don’t watch a lot of TV so I don’t like to pay for all the streaming services at any one time. Right now, Prime Video ends on Tuesday and we will only have Netflix and AppleTV (have you watched Bad Sisters yet?!).

I flip these around according to which show I’m currently watching. Now if it was a difficult thing to do to switch subscriptions on and off, I might have a different habit, but it’s as easy as three taps on the phone to stop a subscription.

The same goes for books. When my Libby holds come in thick and fast, I pause my Everand subscription until I’m out of books to read or listen to. Same with Kindle Unlimited. I enjoyed reading 15 books for the last two months but then made sure to finish a book before my subscription renewed again.

Have you ever done a spending fast? If yes, let me know how you approached it.

Thanks for reading and have a great week

Marcia xx