I am going on a ban - who else is in? join me for a support group here

[newsophialover]

Hi Ladies -

I did this ban last year, and did fairly well overall until the end of 2012. I said I wouldn't buy any bags in 2012 until Christmas. I only fell off the wagon once in June, but that was a bag I had wanted a while, it went on sale, and I told myself I needed it for an upcoming vacation (although I didn't end up even bringing it with me, LOL!). Then Oct/Nov holiday shopping season came, and I've been really bad since. It's like I binged on a year's worth of purse buying cravings!!

So, I'm back to being serious again. I found the 2 things that helped me in 2012 were:
(1) Asking myself "Do I really NEED this? Or just want it?" and
(2) Avoid browsing (especially on-line browsing, which will cause you to want something you didn't even need minutes before!). It helped to delete eBay off my phone, and any other shopping apps that make it really convenient to "browse" throughout the day. This is actually what re-started my problem in October...I had downloaded a shopping app that I got addicted to. Working to ween myself off of it now...

These 2 were the best tips that helped the most for me. For a comprehensive list of tips, see page 92 of this thread for things I listed out last year. Good luck!

Thanks for the useful tips! I am starting today. I used to be really good until I joined this forum. I couldn't control myself ever since. I'll probably need to stay away or just look at updates on support group threads such as this one. Good luck to us!

 

[indiaink]

Well, I'm starting the new year out right - just paid off my Bill Me Later debt, found a black bag that I really like for 70% off (yes, 70%!) and that leaves me with four bags that will last me, most likely, the rest of my life.

I'm done with the madness, and it feels good! I've also figured out I can still be on tPF without feeling like I have to buy something. It is possible to enjoy the camaraderie and not give in to buying something!

 

[Esquared72]

I'm kind of overwhelmed with how many bags I have, so no more for me.

This is me, too. I went through in late 2012 and gifted/sold/donated a bunch of bags...felt like a weight off my shoulders. Have my collection to a size I'm comfortable with (about 20 bags) for now, though I hope to thin out further during this year to the key core pieces I use, love and absolutely can't live without.

I'm in on the ban. I need to use and appreciate all the great bags and wallets I already have!

So glad this support thread is here. I'm gonna need it!

 

[Hatfield1313]

I'm new to this forum, just signed up this morning, but I think I need to do a ban myself. I went CRAZY the last year when I discovered Michael Kors and ended up buying at least 10 over the year not counting other designers. 2013 is here and I haven't bought a handbag yet. I am looking at a Gucci Sukey and if I get it, I need to make it my last purchase for a while. It's time to focus on getting out of debt! And @indaink I hear you on the Bill Me Later, that account got me in a lot of trouble. Now it's closed and I just need to work on paying it off. Looks like I'll be visiting this thread a lot lol.

 

[chessmont]

Well, I'm starting the new year out right - just paid off my Bill Me Later debt, found a black bag that I really like for 70% off (yes, 70%!) and that leaves me with four bags that will last me, most likely, the rest of my life.

I'm done with the madness, and it feels good! I've also figured out I can still be on tPF without feeling like I have to buy something. It is possible to enjoy the camaraderie and not give in to buying something!

Congrats! I am beginning to feel the same way, I still have twinges of "Oooh and Aaah" when I see certain bags jewelry shoes etc, but am 'almost' to the point where I am not needing to buy. It does feel good! I went on a recent binge but sent everything back and am enjoying seeing the balances on my credit cards go down!

 

[pbdb]

Haven't bought a bag for a whole year, now moving onto shoes ban.
I think am well into the right track.
Lets stay strong ladies!!!

 

[Hatfield1313]

Alright, did it, ordered the Sukey Boston yesterday. BUT, my 30th is next week so it's my gift to myself. From today on, no more bags. My goal is to go 6 months because that seems achievable at the current moment. Hopefully I can find a couple I have now I'm willing to part ways with to pay off a couple credit cards. *sigh* Here it goes!

 

[All Smiles]

I'm on a Bag Ban for 2013. I've acquired alot in 2012 (5 1/2 bags, 1/2 being one I paid for and didn't receive until a few days after new years) and a permanent wallet ban (there is no need to have any more than 4 wallets •_&bull

I've said this aloud to dh, so I'm accountable but he knows it's specifically bags for a year ) and it's not limited to gifting *nudge* to him lol.

 

[zaphia]

Thoughts on how to help your bag ban:

I have a custom made bag by a designer. [Part of the reason that this bag is so satisfying is because this designer doesn't really custom make bags for people. So this is a one-off.] Having been given this bag, it is difficult to find something on the market that is as valuable in comparison. No matter how many cult bags I look at - it just doesn't have the same value. I measure any bag I am going to buy against mine as a standard. I simply haven't been able to buy a bag in over a year despite looking desperately.

Setting a standard is the key: Compare anything you consider buying in terms of personal value, unique-ness, and durability. Here I refer to durability in terms of being time-less.

This has worked for me and hope other members find some useful points to help along the bag ban. Honestly, to me it doesn't feel like a ban at all anymore - I will only buy a bag that can top what I already own.

 

[thedseer]

Well, I'm starting the new year out right - just paid off my Bill Me Later debt, found a black bag that I really like for 70% off (yes, 70%!) and that leaves me with four bags that will last me, most likely, the rest of my life.

I'm done with the madness, and it feels good! I've also figured out I can still be on tPF without feeling like I have to buy something. It is possible to enjoy the camaraderie and not give in to buying something!

what 4 did you keep, if you don't mind me asking? my favorite "collections" on here are the edited ones where you can tell a person has carefully considered what they love and what works for them.


i wouldn't say that i am on a ban exactly, but i have put myself on a very limited "extras" budget this year and am focusing on enjoying what i have and refocusing my energy. i purged a bit at the end of 2012 and will probably get rid of a few more things. i think i can hold off on buying for a while.

 

[scaredycat]

I'm getting rid of a few bags to fund my perfect collection,which took 3 years for me to formulate! After that I will either stop buying completely (my collection will be composed of all classic bags from my favorite design houses) or limit myself to changing 1 or two bags a year.

 

[Hatfield1313]

Thoughts on how to help your bag ban:

I have a custom made bag by a designer. [Part of the reason that this bag is so satisfying is because this designer doesn't really custom make bags for people. So this is a one-off.] Having been given this bag, it is difficult to find something on the market that is as valuable in comparison. No matter how many cult bags I look at - it just doesn't have the same value. I measure any bag I am going to buy against mine as a standard. I simply haven't been able to buy a bag in over a year despite looking desperately.

This is what helped me stop with my wanting LV's every five seconds. My last LV purchase was a mon-monogram speedy and I spent months picking the colors I'd want before ordering. Once I had it, I decided it was time to purge my LV collection and now only have the mon-monogram, my Stephen Sprouse Roses speedy, and my Watercolor Papillon. I ended up selling off about five or six bags and one wallet once I had that custom bag. It somehow ended the addiction.

Great tip!

 

[nygrl]

I'm on a bag ban for 2013 too! I haven't bought a bag in more than a month and I don't want to buy anything either, which is a big plus for me. I'm usually a very impulsive shopper. I do have one more bag coming, but it was a special order I joined last year, so I'm not counting that one as a purchase for 2013. My last bag purchase was a RM black basketweave mab, which was a bag that I'd been wanting for a very long time, so I think that was what stopped my urge to buy.

 

[grietje]

No ban for me. But I'd like to continue down the path of showing restraint.

 

[autumn.lily]

Avoid browsing (especially on-line browsing, which will cause you to want something you didn't even need minutes before!). It helped to delete eBay off my phone, and any other shopping apps that make it really convenient to "browse" throughout the day.

This is an excellent tip. I'm a sucker for deals on full priced bags!

I need to go on a ban, at least through February 2014. (my birthday) Sorry for the story but I felt like this is the one place I could share...:shame:

I bought my first Coach bag at an after Christmas sale in 2011. Fast forward to January 2013 and I now have 11 Coach bags. (Guess I'm a bag girl )

It started with a need, as I just started at a new job and needed good bags to carry my iPad and other essentials to work. I literally had no bag wardrobe to speak of and was self conscious about carrying a big bulky computer bag to work just to save money.

I've justified my spending with classic lines like "I'll keep it for years, it's a different color", and "okay, NOW I'm on a ban." TBH I only have one color left on my wish list: orange, but lately I've caught myself thinking "patent is different from regular leather" or "I can sell this one then get that one" and both are dangerous thoughts IMO. It makes me worried that I may never be satisfied with my collection, and that's not the way I usually am with things

I NEVER carry a credit card balance but I have one now. My saving grace with my purchases is that I've kept my vow not to pay over $200 for a single bag. I've wavered a few times but I stayed strong and have found some amazing deals, I've paid anywhere from $45 - $179.

To help with my ban I have locked up all but one of my credit cards in my safety deposit box, and the one that isn't locked up is kept in a drawer for emergencies. I'm also going to delete eBay from my iPad and phone.

Thanks for reading