~Ban Island~ Moral Support! ~Let’s Resist Temptation Together!~

[Evia]

I haven't caught up on the thread reading, but i got a hard slap in the face as to what being on ban can do for me. As many of you know I am visiting my sister in Florida. While here I am on a self-imposed bag ban. My last purchase was December 5, I think...? Yeah, wishful thinking...JANUARY 5.... was my last luxury bag purchase. It was for this trip. I've been tempted here and there for "stuff" but held off. My personal ban is lux purses, but I have tried to make it all purses and wallets. Sister and I went on a quilt retreat, so of course, I had fabric to purchase, and a souvenir tote bag, and a souvenir jacket. Things went a little crazy getting to the airport where this SOCAL girl had to clear ice from a windshield, crack open iced closed doors, I rolled down my door window to a sheet of ice that my sister proceeded to shatter all over me! (this is on tape) because the airport had an ice storm a day early. On the day we were to depart. In looking at our rebooked flights for the next day on the Delta App, I noticed that our seats were not together. In attempting to fix it, I cancelled them. We were in Comfort Plus. Then we were in middle seats in Coach. Yeah, no. NOT happening.....

Sister got on the phone, I joyfully paid to upgrade us to first class for our next day's flights. I spent much less on quilting fabrics and trinkets than I had thought I would. $200 watch to move from middle in coach to first class? Yes, totally worth it. Especially for my sister who never goes in first unless she is with me. So, we had a glorious night in Kansas City. I thought our hotel smelled like Chicken Tandoori that the owners were cooking or something. It really ruined my mood. Turned out it was just one of my nosey migraines where I smell things that aren't really there.

Next up was my sister's granddaughter. She has a condition where one eye's pupil appears larger than the other. Her pediatrician referred her to an ophthalmologist who checks infants. She is four months old. All the opthalmologists in her medical plan will not see an infant. So even though her insurance doesn't have this type of specialist, they will not pay for the visit. So, instead of more shopping for the grand-niece, I paid for her consult. This child could very well have cancer, but her insurance says too bad, we don't have that kind of doctor...isn't that strange. I guess you'll know if it is cancer when her eye pops out of her head, and she gets black eyes that look like she went 4 rounds with Mike Tyson. But they still won't have a doctor for her...or maybe the'll find an oncologist by then..but she sure cannot see an eye doctor first to check out the symptom that is showing!

So, instead of taking the cutie shopping, I paid for her exam with one of the best infant eye docs in the area. It looks positive, but she needs a test at six months of age to rule out cancer as the cause. Unfricken believable her plan will not pay for this visit. If it is cancer, best to catch it earlier than later, but whatever.

All this to say I am grateful for my ban, because I was able to afford they extra night in the hotel, the upgrade the first class for the trip home (soooo nice!), and most importantly to be able to pay for the "Boss Lady's" eye appointment that Mom and Dad could not afford. They are feeling much better now, and will follow up in two months.

Wow, they must be so grateful for your help in getting the little girl to the right clinician. This is a shock to me as I live in the uk, and I've made my career in the NHS, I can't believe she wouldn't have been seen if you hadn't generously stepped in, thank goodness you were able to help

 

[Hobbsy]

Some of you already know this, but our family suffered a terrible loss when my husband and children’s father unexpectedly passed away on Monday at the age of 54. I am heartbroken. I haven’t forgotten you but I won’t be focusing on the ban or bags right now. Hug your loved ones and tell them you love them!

I am so very sorry for your loss. There just isn't any words. I'm going to pray for you and your children. (((Hugs)))

 

[Cocoabean]

Some of you already know this, but our family suffered a terrible loss when my husband and children’s father unexpectedly passed away on Monday at the age of 54. I am heartbroken. I haven’t forgotten you but I won’t be focusing on the ban or bags right now. Hug your loved ones and tell them you love them!

I am so very sorry. There are no words. You and your children are in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[More bags]

I haven't caught up on the thread reading, but i got a hard slap in the face as to what being on ban can do for me. As many of you know I am visiting my sister in Florida. While here I am on a self-imposed bag ban. My last purchase was December 5, I think...? Yeah, wishful thinking...JANUARY 5.... was my last luxury bag purchase. It was for this trip. I've been tempted here and there for "stuff" but held off. My personal ban is lux purses, but I have tried to make it all purses and wallets. Sister and I went on a quilt retreat, so of course, I had fabric to purchase, and a souvenir tote bag, and a souvenir jacket. Things went a little crazy getting to the airport where this SOCAL girl had to clear ice from a windshield, crack open iced closed doors, I rolled down my door window to a sheet of ice that my sister proceeded to shatter all over me! (this is on tape) because the airport had an ice storm a day early. On the day we were to depart. In looking at our rebooked flights for the next day on the Delta App, I noticed that our seats were not together. In attempting to fix it, I cancelled them. We were in Comfort Plus. Then we were in middle seats in Coach. Yeah, no. NOT happening.....

Sister got on the phone, I joyfully paid to upgrade us to first class for our next day's flights. I spent much less on quilting fabrics and trinkets than I had thought I would. $200 watch to move from middle in coach to first class? Yes, totally worth it. Especially for my sister who never goes in first unless she is with me. So, we had a glorious night in Kansas City. I thought our hotel smelled like Chicken Tandoori that the owners were cooking or something. It really ruined my mood. Turned out it was just one of my nosey migraines where I smell things that aren't really there.

Next up was my sister's granddaughter. She has a condition where one eye's pupil appears larger than the other. Her pediatrician referred her to an ophthalmologist who checks infants. She is four months old. All the opthalmologists in her medical plan will not see an infant. So even though her insurance doesn't have this type of specialist, they will not pay for the visit. So, instead of more shopping for the grand-niece, I paid for her consult. This child could very well have cancer, but her insurance says too bad, we don't have that kind of doctor...isn't that strange. I guess you'll know if it is cancer when her eye pops out of her head, and she gets black eyes that look like she went 4 rounds with Mike Tyson. But they still won't have a doctor for her...or maybe the'll find an oncologist by then..but she sure cannot see an eye doctor first to check out the symptom that is showing!

So, instead of taking the cutie shopping, I paid for her exam with one of the best infant eye docs in the area. It looks positive, but she needs a test at six months of age to rule out cancer as the cause. Unfricken believable her plan will not pay for this visit. If it is cancer, best to catch it earlier than later, but whatever.

All this to say I am grateful for my ban, because I was able to afford they extra night in the hotel, the upgrade the first class for the trip home (soooo nice!), and most importantly to be able to pay for the "Boss Lady's" eye appointment that Mom and Dad could not afford. They are feeling much better now, and will follow up in two months.

Kudos to you for having the cash on hand to address the life road bumps but especially to assist your sister’s granddaughter. Best wishes on her future eye health.

 

[ksuromax]

I haven't caught up on the thread reading, but i got a hard slap in the face as to what being on ban can do for me. As many of you know I am visiting my sister in Florida. While here I am on a self-imposed bag ban. My last purchase was December 5, I think...? Yeah, wishful thinking...JANUARY 5.... was my last luxury bag purchase. It was for this trip. I've been tempted here and there for "stuff" but held off. My personal ban is lux purses, but I have tried to make it all purses and wallets. Sister and I went on a quilt retreat, so of course, I had fabric to purchase, and a souvenir tote bag, and a souvenir jacket. Things went a little crazy getting to the airport where this SOCAL girl had to clear ice from a windshield, crack open iced closed doors, I rolled down my door window to a sheet of ice that my sister proceeded to shatter all over me! (this is on tape) because the airport had an ice storm a day early. On the day we were to depart. In looking at our rebooked flights for the next day on the Delta App, I noticed that our seats were not together. In attempting to fix it, I cancelled them. We were in Comfort Plus. Then we were in middle seats in Coach. Yeah, no. NOT happening.....

Sister got on the phone, I joyfully paid to upgrade us to first class for our next day's flights. I spent much less on quilting fabrics and trinkets than I had thought I would. $200 watch to move from middle in coach to first class? Yes, totally worth it. Especially for my sister who never goes in first unless she is with me. So, we had a glorious night in Kansas City. I thought our hotel smelled like Chicken Tandoori that the owners were cooking or something. It really ruined my mood. Turned out it was just one of my nosey migraines where I smell things that aren't really there.

Next up was my sister's granddaughter. She has a condition where one eye's pupil appears larger than the other. Her pediatrician referred her to an ophthalmologist who checks infants. She is four months old. All the opthalmologists in her medical plan will not see an infant. So even though her insurance doesn't have this type of specialist, they will not pay for the visit. So, instead of more shopping for the grand-niece, I paid for her consult. This child could very well have cancer, but her insurance says too bad, we don't have that kind of doctor...isn't that strange. I guess you'll know if it is cancer when her eye pops out of her head, and she gets black eyes that look like she went 4 rounds with Mike Tyson. But they still won't have a doctor for her...or maybe the'll find an oncologist by then..but she sure cannot see an eye doctor first to check out the symptom that is showing!

So, instead of taking the cutie shopping, I paid for her exam with one of the best infant eye docs in the area. It looks positive, but she needs a test at six months of age to rule out cancer as the cause. Unfricken believable her plan will not pay for this visit. If it is cancer, best to catch it earlier than later, but whatever.

All this to say I am grateful for my ban, because I was able to afford they extra night in the hotel, the upgrade the first class for the trip home (soooo nice!), and most importantly to be able to pay for the "Boss Lady's" eye appointment that Mom and Dad could not afford. They are feeling much better now, and will follow up in two months.

Brilliant story!! this will give you a much better feeling of satisfaction of spending your $$ on than any handbag!! and will help to resist further, keep it up!!

 

[ksuromax]

Awesome Post! This illustrates so beautifully how our disposable can be used for things even better than bags. And, I hope everything continues to turn out well with future eye exams.

I did something similar though more playful than practical as some of your spends were. I haven’t bought a bag (or much of anything else for my wardrobe) since August. So, my play money fund has been happily growing. I’ve been tempted to buy bags but, have been repeatedly talking myself off the cliff. So, today, I booked a girls’ trip for DD and me to go to Aruba in November. I will treasure that experience and those memories far more than another bag.

Another great example!
my 'play $$' are starting to grow now as well, i haven't spent much, and don't plan to buy anything at all, but instead i am thinking over a trip to Europe (in summer) and see as many new places as we can catch in 20 days time!
Sweet memories will last forever and will always stay with you!

 

[Sparkletastic]

Another great example!
my 'play $$' are starting to grow now as well, i haven't spent much, and don't plan to buy anything at all, but instead i am thinking over a trip to Europe (in summer) and see as many new places as we can catch in 20 days time!
Sweet memories will last forever and will always stay with you!

Yes, yes, yes! Go, go, go!! You may remember that we did 3 weeks in Europe last summer. I am sooo glad we did. Those are memories we’ll cherish forever.

BUT! It was also a shopping temptation like no other. I think you know that already though since it’s not your first time at the rodeo. Lol! Gawd, I spent so much while on that trip. I had an extra packable duffle bag and still had to buy a large suitcase.

So, gird your loins and blind your eyes or just plan to careen madly off of ban island.

 

[ksuromax]

Yes, yes, yes! Go, go, go!! You may remember that we did 3 weeks in Europe last summer. I am sooo glad we did. Those are memories we’ll cherish forever.

BUT! It was also a shopping temptation like no other. I think you know that already though since it’s not your first time at the rodeo. Lol! Gawd, I spent so much while on that trip. I had an extra packable duffle bag and still had to buy a large suitcase.

So, gird your loins and blind your eyes or just plan to careen madly off of ban island.

actually, when i go to EU i am not going to the malls, or shopping areas, so there will be no temptation for me, i plan carefully every day route/area to cover as many places of interest as possible during a unit of time, and museums, galleries, monuments, churches, towers, etc are the main places we visit

 

[HopelessBagGirl]

actually, when i go to EU i am not going to the malls, or shopping areas, so there will be no temptation for me, i plan carefully every day route/area to cover as many places of interest as possible during a unit of time, and museums, galleries, monuments, churches, towers, etc are the main places we visit

That's how I vacation as well, so I'm always confused when people talk about shopping on trips because when I'm visiting a place I almost never go to stores. I'd rather do anything else, for example soak up the natural scenery and relax ....or people watch and hang out. Enjoy the company of the person I'm with on long walks outdoors or through museums, sitting in squares, going to watch evening performances, etc... Shopping for fashion would not register on my radar while traveling unless I was in a situation where I was standing around, say waiting for my husband to get out of the bathroom (why do men take so long???) & there happened to be a really one of a kind boutique right in front of me, then I might pop in and browse until he got out of the bathroom and tapped me on the shoulder.

 

[ksuromax]

That's how I vacation as well, so I'm always confused when people talk about shopping on trips because when I'm visiting a place I almost never go to stores. I'd rather do anything else, for example soak up the natural scenery and relax ....or people watch and hang out. Enjoy the company of the person I'm with on long walks outdoors or through museums, sitting in squares, going to watch evening performances, etc... Shopping for fashion would not register on my radar while traveling unless I was in a situation where I was standing around, say waiting for my husband to get out of the bathroom (why do men take so long???) & there happened to be a really one of a kind boutique right in front of me, then I might pop in and browse until he got out of the bathroom and tapped me on the shoulder.

we usually go together, i mean at the same time, say, in a cafe, or before taking a ride, we just go 'for the road', so then we just go as per planned route, and if any unplanned stop is required, we usually are in a museum, or a similar place, so there will be no way to 'sway' anyway
unfortunately due to the nature of my job and Company i work for in particular, i cannot fully relax, i have to stay connected, so if it's really a 'pause' i will stick my head into my phone to check emails, rather than windows and shops. Otherwise, like you, i love to 'blend into the scenery'

 

[ksuromax]

like this...

 

[More bags]

Yes, yes, yes! Go, go, go!! You may remember that we did 3 weeks in Europe last summer. I am sooo glad we did. Those are memories we’ll cherish forever.

BUT! It was also a shopping temptation like no other. I think you know that already though since it’s not your first time at the rodeo. Lol! Gawd, I spent so much while on that trip. I had an extra packable duffle bag and still had to buy a large suitcase.

So, gird your loins and blind your eyes or just plan to careen madly off of ban island.

LOL at gird your loins! Hilarious.

like this...

Wow, beautiful pic!

 

[ksuromax]

LOL at gird your loins! Hilarious.


Wow, beautiful pic!

thank you! 2500 m above the sea, and that is the snow in a far distance, snow in August

 

[yayuii]

Aight ladies, please welcome me on this island. I bought a Givenchy Mini-Antigona (a bag I have been lusting over for 4 YEARS) that set me back about 1000 euros.

I am hereby on a self-imposed ban for the next 5 years. Yay me.

 

[msd_bags]

That's how I vacation as well, so I'm always confused when people talk about shopping on trips because when I'm visiting a place I almost never go to stores. I'd rather do anything else, for example soak up the natural scenery and relax ....or people watch and hang out. Enjoy the company of the person I'm with on long walks outdoors or through museums, sitting in squares, going to watch evening performances, etc... Shopping for fashion would not register on my radar while traveling unless I was in a situation where I was standing around, say waiting for my husband to get out of the bathroom (why do men take so long???) & there happened to be a really one of a kind boutique right in front of me, then I might pop in and browse until he got out of the bathroom and tapped me on the shoulder.

Shopping is usually part of my itinerary when I travel just because a lot of things are more expensive here than elsewhere. So grab the chance to get better prices! I am happy with a good balance of shopping and touring.