Should have posted yesterday – I’m at Kaia’s OU orientation, so all bets are off.

I know today’s color is red, but I got to the last day and had to use this bag. This is a hype brand bag that I got at TJ Maxx. I’d gotten a promotion at work 11 years ago and I splurged on this purse to the tune of $99. I’ve never spent that much on a bag before and haven’t since.

Fifty days later – really, ninety days later – what have I observed or learned?

1. I love bags.
2. I love giving bags away.
3. I really enjoy having fewer bags.
4. Yes, I still have more than fifty bags, but fewer than sixty. And many of those are backpacks or totes.
5. I shop less and buy even less. Meaning I window shop and take photos and let people know where to go and get good bags.
6. This process has helped me want to give away more and more stuff, and not just bags. I was already that way, but it’s even more of an obsession to purge, purge, purge and not bring as much into the house in the first place.
7. I resist the urge to rescue bags. Someone else can come and save them.
8. I question every purchase. I ask myself: do I need this, or just want it? What am I losing if I buy this? What am I gaining? I’m even more critical now, even at the thrift store. If something costs $1, and is unnecessary and takes up space, that’s a cost. I’ve bought lots of stuff because it was inexpensive and ended up giving it away.

I could go on, but essentially, I’m better off because of this blog. Over the last five years, I’ve changed my buying and my generosity – both for the better. I still get the urge to shop, but now have the discipline to not buy everything I want.

Will there be a blog next year? Not sure. If I do, it will definitely be the last one.

Peace! Thanks for being with me!