Times I Walked Away

Since my previous post was about highlighting my spending struggles, I thought it only fair to be transparent and discuss victories too.  I've been watching budgeting content in an effort to keep me motivated in 2026 and one habit that I decided to put into practice is: keeping a list of the times I walked away. It may sound strange, but writing down all the times I wanted to buy something and walked away instead (please note that today's photos are from a time I definitely did not walk away, but rather found a dress that has always been very pricey, even thrifted, for under $35) has really helped me to see that how far I have come at gaining self control and using discretion on my purchases. I've gone from constant impulse buys in every category to just the necessities in every area except clothes, and even then frequently walking away from things that just aren't worth it to me, no matter how low the price drops. 

 Rather than only looking at the totals for all the things I bought in a week or a month, which can feel like a tally of my failures, I can look at this list of all the things I didn't buy and see my successes as well.  For example, over Memorial Day weekend (you know, for the sales) I had a number of items in various carts.  Looking at just this thing here or there it didn't seem like a lot, but rather than immediately buying, I prepared my carts, looked at the total of everything together, and then waited until Sunday evening to purchase.  During that time I realized I didn't want to spend that much money.  I removed all the items I was buying just because it was a "bargain" and not because I really loved it.  I whittled a couple of carts down to half their contents, and the others I deleted altogether.   

In a more recent example, I needed, actually needed, some walking shoes.  They're a performance item and I found a pair with great reviews and had worn a pair in the past that I loved.  I went to buy, and found a great promo code...that only worked if I bought 2 or more pairs.  The shoes were originally $110.  If I used a promo code, it took two pairs down to $70 each.  But then I'd end up spending $140 and did I really need two pairs of walking shoes?  I thought long and hard, even asked a friend for advice on whether this was a good deal or just a gimmick.  In the end?  I found a NIB pair for $30 on a thrift site.  So, it was a win all around.

If I were to just look at the total spent on an ever continuing tally, it might not feel like a win.  But, if I look at how much I intended to spend and then didn't, combined with the fact that I had been waiting for this sale for weeks, delaying purchases to try to get a better bargain, and then took 3 days to think it through before buying, it seems like a total win.  Taking time to record the things I didn't buy or found at a bargain price is a great reminder of the fact that not only do I have will power and self-control, but I actually use them more often than I give myself credit for and that is a far better motivator to keep going than guilt and shame will ever be.

Outfit Info:  Anthropologie Maeve Star Turn Dress, YeMak Cardi, Amazon Flats