Buying boycott

(I realize this sounds a little silly on the heels of a post showing off the necklace I bought, but, for the record, I bought the necklace before the boycott.)

Each year, for one month, I don't buy things for myself. I can buy household items and food and experiences, but no books, no shoes, no clothes, no toaster jewelry, no ridiculous plastic dancing solar flowers for my desk, etc. None of that.

I do this for a few reasons:

• It saves me a nice bit of money (in time for the holidays).
• It helps me discern want from need.
• I have more money to donate to food banks as the weather turns cold. 
• It makes me feel less like a conspicuous consumer. 

My friend Duff (jokingly, I hope) admonished me, telling me I'm tanking the economy, but I don't think the discretionary spending habits of one editor are going to tip the scales one way or the other.

If I want something during boycott month, I might write it down to remember it for when the boycott is over. But, most of the time, what I wanted on October 8 sounds silly by November 8.

I challenge you to do the same this year. It's easier and more rewarding than you think!