Almost an addiction on used clothes, and how I stopped .

I was almost addicted in online auction. And so I write it in a report way and share with you :

The Reason :

I grew up with used clothes. I never minded new or used, just clothes that are neat and clean, with minor flaws is acceptable to me. Today I do online shopping for used clothes for better saving.

My drawers are regularly cleaned during season change. I would donate those older but still good in shape, discard the very poor one, and look for replacements from other second hand or renewed stuff.

My wife said I am fine and just for few more colours better than dull pure khaki, olive green, plain white, black, grey. She wanted me to try some fresher colours.

The Discover :

The bills are always clear to me, each season is just barely $70 expense (yes, seriously, used clothes won't cost a lot) . But this winter/spring time , it spurs into around $200 as I am checking the bills.

From the purchase record, I found myself was repeating buying similarly : parkas/ jackets , fleece among different brands and colours. No colour repeated, but some styles are very close.

The Event and Process

I do online bidding and shopping. Each items have time and amount limit.

These "limiting" effects + my actual needs + my desire +my busy work life = more checking & bidding frequently during the leisure time. My awareness shifted off , into chasing the bidding unnoticeably.

Shipping usually takes 4-6 days , and that is sufficient for another round of new listings. And so I was thinking : if that last one came in poor , I still have a chances to get a better one.

Thus, this cycle ran endless like until I checked my bills.

Solution and taken action:

I opened my box and take pictures of each of the jackets. Then I hang them outside my closet. I would hang them till spring ends. I plan to donate at least half of them later, and the rest would keep til next year's spring. I promised myself won't any new jackets in the coming years.

Lesson learned:

I understand my expense is just $200 , but for used clothes, the amount is 16 jackets that I don't actually need that much.

16 jackets... I could have try one each day and ended up probably twice per month. Its beyond my actual needs, and it makes me feels I took that chance that people who really needs them.