For the last few Black Fridays, I've adhered to the buy nothing prescription. I deleted all of the sale emails + moved on. The thing was that in the days to follow, I was buying gifts + realizing that some of those gifts had probably been on sale over the weekend. My budget could have benefited from a little selective Black Friday shopping (as little as I like to admit that).
So...this year, I selectively looked through the emails (+ unsubscribed from the majority). There were a few things that I had listed out ahead of time + I considered looking for deals on those pieces. Even with all of the sales, I couldn't realistically buy everything on my list. Here's what I didn't buy: (along with the thought process that led to that triumph) :)
-Steele grocery bags :: I can not quite settle on the color or size to buy...so I take that as a sign that they may not be the ultimate solution for me. The sale was hard to pass up, but paying full price would not be the end of the world (in comparison). I decided to make my bags work with just a little more testing + tweaking of the new system. Steele bags would take up more space + not be as washable (but would probably last at least my lifetime).
-Cydwoq boots :: The sale here was so good...but I just could not decide between three styles. Again, I took this indecisiveness as a sign. I decided to save the money + make my thrifted boots work for at least one year, even though they are not my ideal. (Thrifted boots in my size that are comfortable + cost only $24...that is a gift worthy of a bit more attention.)
-Pants :: My list is holding up. I'm considering one more pair of pants, because I have found that my sarouelles are a bit too light weight for winter (and one may shift into the role of shorts instead). I'm considering Ijji, Everlane, + making. Making is winning!!
-A new sweater coat :: I found my dream coat in a bit more affordable version (both made in Peru)...but I am allergic to this alpaca (I tried it on)...and my mended sweater coat is so good (+ I don't need two).
What I did buy:
-Mr. Tribe's (December) birthday gift.
-Two wooden combs. Julia + I were recently laughing about how many teeth our combs are missing, so this will be a good stocking stuffer (plus one for me).
As with most things that find their way into this space...this is all personal. What I hope to share is that using sales is obviously not the problem. The problem comes when the sales use us. I don't like to feel manipulated, but I can be easily manipulated. I want to look cool...to give my girls the biggest smiles...to appear generous... But I also want to be in control of my budget, my desires, my values. I'm working on it. :)
Love,
Jane
P.S. All of these things are good things made with care by companies I would love to support...someday. I just don't need all of the good things...at once. :)
So...this year, I selectively looked through the emails (+ unsubscribed from the majority). There were a few things that I had listed out ahead of time + I considered looking for deals on those pieces. Even with all of the sales, I couldn't realistically buy everything on my list. Here's what I didn't buy: (along with the thought process that led to that triumph) :)
-Steele grocery bags :: I can not quite settle on the color or size to buy...so I take that as a sign that they may not be the ultimate solution for me. The sale was hard to pass up, but paying full price would not be the end of the world (in comparison). I decided to make my bags work with just a little more testing + tweaking of the new system. Steele bags would take up more space + not be as washable (but would probably last at least my lifetime).
-Cydwoq boots :: The sale here was so good...but I just could not decide between three styles. Again, I took this indecisiveness as a sign. I decided to save the money + make my thrifted boots work for at least one year, even though they are not my ideal. (Thrifted boots in my size that are comfortable + cost only $24...that is a gift worthy of a bit more attention.)
-Pants :: My list is holding up. I'm considering one more pair of pants, because I have found that my sarouelles are a bit too light weight for winter (and one may shift into the role of shorts instead). I'm considering Ijji, Everlane, + making. Making is winning!!
-A new sweater coat :: I found my dream coat in a bit more affordable version (both made in Peru)...but I am allergic to this alpaca (I tried it on)...and my mended sweater coat is so good (+ I don't need two).
What I did buy:
-Mr. Tribe's (December) birthday gift.
-Two wooden combs. Julia + I were recently laughing about how many teeth our combs are missing, so this will be a good stocking stuffer (plus one for me).
As with most things that find their way into this space...this is all personal. What I hope to share is that using sales is obviously not the problem. The problem comes when the sales use us. I don't like to feel manipulated, but I can be easily manipulated. I want to look cool...to give my girls the biggest smiles...to appear generous... But I also want to be in control of my budget, my desires, my values. I'm working on it. :)
Love,
Jane
P.S. All of these things are good things made with care by companies I would love to support...someday. I just don't need all of the good things...at once. :)
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