The Rada Way: {Test "Tar-jay"---look without buying!}

I've recenlty become VERY deliberate about what I decide to bring into our home since the great 2013 junk overhaul :)

For me, one BIG way to prevent an accumulation of unnecessary things and unnecessary spending is to STAY OUT OF STORES!

Sounds pretty simple right?---the problem is my undying love of browsing around and admiring all the pretty things (especially in Target!) and not being able to resist a mindless purchase.

And just so you know...today was test day! I made my first trip to Target this year and I'm proud to report that I was able to get in and out without breaking any of my (flexible and self-imposed) rules.

Here's how it went down :)....

My trip was planned not JUST to shop but to return something I didn't need. Otherwise I wouldn't have gone in the first place. However, since we needed food and drink items, I went ahead and did some grocery shopping while I was there.

This will be my only "frivilous" shopping trip for this month. I'm pretty proud of myself! (I will still go "shopping" with my friends and family I just won't be "buying!) I'm happy to report that other than consumables, I stuck to spending just $13!

Those funds went to a new Valentine snack bin for my desk.

I have only 1 festive item on my desk to enjoy so it adds no clutter but allows me to still feel festive :) I trashed my Christmas snack storage so I didn't accumulate an "extra" item.

I also bought a set of 6 notecards from the One-Spot. I LOVE writing friends, family, and co-workers encouraging notes and these were super cute. Plus, I had used the last of my old cards earlier in the day and that justified me buying more.

One item I bought was a household item. I invested in two wine bottle stoppers for $5 (packaged together) because we didn't own one and I have needed one on several occasions. This is an item that I could have done without but one I know will be used. This being said, I am not trying to live the most frugal life ever, just trying to keep junk at bay. This won't end up in the junk drawer.

My last purchase was a candle (to-die-for!!!!) called "woodlands" that smelled like a warm cozy fireplace.

I completely finished burning my Holiday Gumdrop candle from B&BW so I needed a new one ;) This purchase is debatable since I have plenty of other candles I could burn but I like to keep two on my table between our chairs in the living room and didn't want to "borrow" one from a different room in the house. Is this cheating??? :)

I'll probably be using my blog to keep myself accountable until junk and clutter are a thing of the distant past! Hopefully you won't find these posts too boring and can even use some of the tips yourself :)

Oh...and I also treated myself to two different varities of hot tea and a new bottle of honey---those count in the consumables, right? ;)

P.S. Did I tell you that I've challenged myself to not buying any new clothing, shoes, or accessories for the entire year??? I'll be giving updates regularly about the ups and downs of this "project". One thing is for sure, I already have WAY MORE than I need :) And just in case you're interested, don't forget to check out my food journal page through the "DAILY BITES" link on the right side of my blog.

Ooops...one more thing!