40 Day Shopping Fast and Swap Meet!

Well, I've decided to do it. I'm taking 40 days off from shopping or buying anything new. Starting May 1st, the only thing I plan to buy brand new is groceries. If a birthday comes up or some other special occasion, I'm going to either re-purpose something I already own for a gift or buy something that is second-hand. Now that it's out in the blogosphere I have to stick to it!

I just want everyone to know that the reason I'm doing this is not because I'm running my family into the poor house, but because of my own personal convictions about excess spending. We abide by a strict budget in our home, and I always try to keep my spending/shopping under $250.00 per month for non-necessity items. I also check with my husband before buying something more than $50.00. The purpose of this Fast is to see my relationship with Christ flourish because I'm giving something up in order to be closer to Him. That $250.00 per month I spend on clothes, accessories, make-up, eating out, etc. can go towards furthering Christ's kingdom, not adding to my closet.

Several ladies have emailed me and are thinking about participating as well. I encourage you to think about your own spending habits and convictions. If the excitement of buying something new is quickly replaced with a feeling of remorse or guilt for buying something that you don't need, then I encourage you to try Fasting or reducing your excess spending for an amount of time.

If you decide to participate or if the idea of a Shopping Fast appeals to you in some way, then let me know!
As part of my 40 day fast of not buying anything new, I've decided to have a party. Not just any party, but a Swap Party. Here's what I mean.

I will have several items up for swap. Each party guest will also bring items that they are wanting to trade for my items or other party attendees items. Items to swap can include jewelry, clothes (only Spring/Summer wear), shoes, purses, knick-knacks, dishes, towels, home decor, tablecloths, books, cd's, magazines....the list is never ending! There will be a sign-up sheet for each guest to list what they've brought, and whoever borrows an item will have 40 days to use it and then will need to swap it back. Of course, if you don't want your item back you can do an even trade for keeps! :)

The purpose in having this party is so that women around me can experience having something new without actually having to pay for it. The way I see it is, we're all family, so why not share? I'm not saying bring your Grandmother's ruby ring to swap, because there is always a chance that something could happen to it. But I would like to see items that are in good shape only and that you care about and would eventually want back. That's why this is a "Swap Meet", not a garage sale. I know that we as women get attached to our belongings, that's why I think this would be good for us all to let go of some of that anxiety we have when it comes to our things. After all, they're just THINGS, right?!

Let me give you an example. I have 2 pairs of black dress pants, 4 floral-print tank tops, 2 Dooney and Bourke purses, TONS of necklaces (not my good pearls, but things from American Eagle and NY&Co), several nice candles, and a set of adorable dish cloths. Since I have several of each of these items, I plan to bring at least one of each to Swap. Is this starting to make more sense to you? I LIKE all of these items and will eventually want them back, but for 40 days I can go without them. Things I would like to swap IN EXCHANGE FOR would be some new necklaces, maybe a couple new books, a new pair of heels, etc.

Ok, I know I've given you a lot of information here. Your turn. What do you think? Would you like to come to my Swap Party??