Resolution "LOW-BUY" 2014! Who wants to play?

kait0

Well-known member
Yay for the beginning of a new month! My goal is to go on a total no-buy for the month of July. I shamefully ordered a lipstick today, and I feel guilty about it. I got sucked in by new sephora perks, so I felt like I needed to buy something just to get a few of the 100 point perks. I've been lusting over colours like this lipstick for a while, and I will enjoy it. But no point perk is ever going to be a good deal/a savings when I spend $36 on a lipstick I didn't need. i really want to commit to going all of July without buying beauty items. I have a ton of new items and I need to spend some time using and enjoying them. I have enough make-up. Period. Having the perfect peach lipstick isn't going to transform my life or make me into a different person. It's just make-up. Sorry for my ramblings, just needed to write it out.
 

Glitteryvegas

Well-known member
Yay for the beginning of a new month! My goal is to go on a total no-buy for the month of July. I shamefully ordered a lipstick today, and I feel guilty about it. I got sucked in by new sephora perks, so I felt like I needed to buy something just to get a few of the 100 point perks. I've been lusting over colours like this lipstick for a while, and I will enjoy it. But no point perk is ever going to be a good deal/a savings when I spend $36 on a lipstick I didn't need. i really want to commit to going all of July without buying beauty items. I have a ton of new items and I need to spend some time using and enjoying them. I have enough make-up. Period. Having the perfect peach lipstick isn't going to transform my life or make me into a different person. It's just make-up. Sorry for my ramblings, just needed to write it out.
Hey Girl!

Yep, you are right - no lippie will transform your life! But don't beat yourself up. Tomorrow is another day to start again! :) The sephora perks get me too, but the truth is I usually don't use or like my 'perks' and I give them away. I usually save my points up for a big perk and that helps me to keep the inflow of stuff at bay too.

Hope you have a successful July! :) I'm doing a no buy too, so I feel your pain, but it will be worth it! Maybe carry one day over into August so you can do a 30 day no buy!
 

veronikawithak

Well-known member
@Glitteryvegas I've been layering products to use them up too.. and reapplying throughout the day. I'll carry my lip products with me and usually apply blush once in the morning and once when I get home from work. I really want to use up a blush by the end of the year.. I'd be so proud of myself since I've never finished one.. ever! Great job on figuring out which areas are problems for you! It makes it a lot easier if you start with those first. For example, getting rid of all but one or two of those red glosses. It kind of starts a snowball effect.. I'm great at getting rid of things that aren't my favorites right now, I just need to focus on not bringing so much in to start with! Congrats on skipping Moody Blooms too!
cheerleader.gif
One day at a time, one collection at a time!

@mel33t I'm not sure if you've seen this blog post before.. or if it will help you or just make you anxious (I really hope it does help!) but someone calculated how many applications are in each pan of blush (300-500) http://www.brightestbulbinthebox.com/2013/07/how-many-applications-are-in-pan-of.html. Even if you reapplied once during the day, that's only 1-2 blushes per year that you could use up. It was really helpful for me to think that I could go decades without buying a single blush. Plus if I focused on trying to rotate them all, I'd be using things I didn't like as much instead of my favorites. That realization was key in my decision to let go of a lot of my blushes and just keep my top 2-3 per color. I'm planning on buying 2-3 blushes from the fall collections and when I do I'm going to let go of some of my older ones!
Thanks lady! I really appreciate what you said above regarding looking for acceptance, etc. and filling the void through makeup. For me I think a big problem is that I buy when I'm sad or happy. Buying seems to make every emotion better, but it doesn't. It just makes me poor and I eventually forget about all of the lovely things that I bought.

I'm determined to put my money into more exciting ventures, like quality time with my loved ones. You can't buy the time back once it's gone.

I know other women who are maybe more obsessed with finding a good deal/shopping than I am. They have incredible potential but look like they are going around in circles accumulating. I don't want to be 60 and still running around in circles with my life. It's time to get a grip and take control. I have a lot to do and life is precious!

The other day I was describing my collection to an woman who is good with her money. As I was talking to her, I came to this very obvious realization. Paying off debt means you are constantly living in the past. Paying for things that you can't afford (or, paying for things that you can afford but have a lot of) means that you can't move forward with your life as quickly and go in the right direction. You remain tethered to your history (through debt and old bad habits).

Every day I make new realizations and I get closer to my best self. (Sorry for the Louise Hay/Oprah moment...haha..actually I'm not sorry - OPRAHH!!!!!! I love her!!!)

@mel33t - Your collection sounds dreamy (not to encourage you or anything!) - I applaud your strategic tactics here with your spreadsheets, organizing and your rating system (love it!). I think the rating system will be especially helpful! You are making great strides towards success! Thanks for sharing your story. xo
I really loved this post.. I've had a lot of these same thoughts over the past few months. It's hard to stay in that mindset sometimes when we're bombarded with psychological cues to purchase all day every day. One of the main reasons I decided to unsubscribe from all of the collection threads. Usually I can tell from a color story if I'm interested in something.. so why do I need to hear what other people want or recommend in order to make a purchase? Easy answer - I don't. And I should be checking things out in store if I can anyway! It's really fun chatting with everyone but it makes such a negative impact on my life that I need to take a step back until I feel strong enough not to be influenced.. easier said than done. I think we don't realize the extent to which others influence our buying decisions, even when they're people we don't know.

You're so right that life is precious and we have a lot to do! When I look back on my life I don't want my legacy to be a makeup "collection".. In my opinion anyone with money (or credit) can go and purchase a lot of makeup.. I need something more than that in order to feel fulfilled. I know I'll be much happier spending more of my money and time on activities rather than researching and purchasing makeup.. I shudder to think how much time I've spent on it already (both in actual time spent reading about new things and the time it took to work for the money to buy those things). I don't even want to know! That being said, in no way am I trying to devalue anyone else if their goals are different from mine! If someone wants a large makeup collection that's great for them and their life. I personally know it's not the right choice for me. And for those who work in the industry that's just part of the job. I don't. I'm not a makeup artist and I don't work in the industry in any other way, so I really don't need or want more than I can personally use.
 

lyseD

Well-known member
I know this is a low buy thread and I don't mean to enable but I have been using this cleansing balm for the last month and have to share.

It gets off every bit of make up including fluidlines and waterproof mascara. You just smooth it all over your face, massage it in and wipe or wash it off (I tend to wash it off since it is a little too rich for my skin). Beautiful. It is only $16 in Canada (cheaper still in the US) and at the Body Shop you can always get deals.

Let me know if you try it and love it as much as I do.

 

NaomiH

Well-known member
I know this is a low buy thread and I don't mean to enable but I have been using this cleansing balm for the last month and have to share.

It gets off every bit of make up including fluidlines and waterproof mascara. You just smooth it all over your face, massage it in and wipe or wash it off (I tend to wash it off since it is a little too rich for my skin). Beautiful. It is only $16 in Canada (cheaper still in the US) and at the Body Shop you can always get deals.

Let me know if you try it and love it as much as I do.

Oh I might give this a go,thanks!
 

mel33t

Well-known member
@veronikawithak thanks for that blog! That's really interesting. I love blush and that's the thing that makes me feel special so its going to be hard to get my collection under control. I was thinking last night and I might just sell a bunch or give some away. I don't really use a lot of MAC ones. And they're a bulk of the collection. If I had to pick, I could not part with my Tate or NARS blushes. I think the quality is amazing on those. I know its an ungodly amount and a bit of a wakeup call. I watched a makeup collection video online last night and it gave me some relief to know I wasn't the only one who had a problem. Granted I don't do that for an living... I want to see how the rest of my spreadsheet pans out and see what becomes of my e/s palette challenge. So far I'm liking the Naked 3 for the most part. We will see how I feel about it come Sunday.
 

Glitteryvegas

Well-known member
@Glitteryvegas I've been layering products to use them up too.. and reapplying throughout the day. I'll carry my lip products with me and usually apply blush once in the morning and once when I get home from work. I really want to use up a blush by the end of the year.. I'd be so proud of myself since I've never finished one.. ever! Great job on figuring out which areas are problems for you! It makes it a lot easier if you start with those first. For example, getting rid of all but one or two of those red glosses. It kind of starts a snowball effect.. I'm great at getting rid of things that aren't my favorites right now, I just need to focus on not bringing so much in to start with! Congrats on skipping Moody Blooms too!
cheerleader.gif
One day at a time, one collection at a time!

I really loved this post.. I've had a lot of these same thoughts over the past few months. It's hard to stay in that mindset sometimes when we're bombarded with psychological cues to purchase all day every day. One of the main reasons I decided to unsubscribe from all of the collection threads. Usually I can tell from a color story if I'm interested in something.. so why do I need to hear what other people want or recommend in order to make a purchase? Easy answer - I don't. And I should be checking things out in store if I can anyway! It's really fun chatting with everyone but it makes such a negative impact on my life that I need to take a step back until I feel strong enough not to be influenced.. easier said than done. I think we don't realize the extent to which others influence our buying decisions, even when they're people we don't know.

You're so right that life is precious and we have a lot to do! When I look back on my life I don't want my legacy to be a makeup "collection".. In my opinion anyone with money (or credit) can go and purchase a lot of makeup.. I need something more than that in order to feel fulfilled. I know I'll be much happier spending more of my money and time on activities rather than researching and purchasing makeup.. I shudder to think how much time I've spent on it already (both in actual time spent reading about new things and the time it took to work for the money to buy those things). I don't even want to know! That being said, in no way am I trying to devalue anyone else if their goals are different from mine! If someone wants a large makeup collection that's great for them and their life. I personally know it's not the right choice for me. And for those who work in the industry that's just part of the job. I don't. I'm not a makeup artist and I don't work in the industry in any other way, so I really don't need or want more than I can personally use.
I think a big key is reapplying throughout the day. I hadn't thought of reapplying blush, that's a great idea. By the afternoon, mine have worn off anyways (as I don't wear foundation to hold it in place). I've been focusing on reapplying lippies/glosses but not other products, so I should give it a go!

It is exciting to start selling some of my products. Kind of depressing also because of shipping prices, you almost start to wonder if it's worth it - but even if you make like $5 bucks, it's still worth it if you aren't using it, at least I think so. By the time I get around to using some of them they'll probably have gone bad, and it's such a waste. Doing my inventory has probably been the most essential motivator to my low buy goals. I know some people make money by reselling LE products, etc. but I just don't see how I could justify the time it takes to sell (it's a lot of work!) with the money that you will clear once you've paid for the product, postage, postal items, etc. I admire people who can do it quickly and have it down to a science, but it's not for me for making $$. More of a de-cluttering thing!

Yes, I agree, I think if I don't change things my legacy will be my makeup collection, book collection, etc. I know this sounds extremely lame, but sometimes I worry - if something was to happen to me, I would be saddling my loved ones with all of this crap to shift through instead of dealing with bigger things. I know that is morbid and I've never admitted that to anyone, but I think about it a lot. It's time to funnel my funds into bigger things.

I've also been thinking about something too, and I'm curious for opinions on this. I get kind of ashamed to admit that some of my purchases have been on credit - it's embarrassing. But in a way, if I have other debt to pay off and I'm still buying makeup that you don't need, even if I buy something with cash, isn't it still 'on credit'? I mean, those funds could be used towards my debt, but I'm still spending them on things I don't need....so it's all relative, isn't it? This is something I've been thinking about recently - not meaning to step on anyone's toes, we all deserve to treat ourselves and I certainly believe that giving ourselves the occasional treat motivates debt repayment! But any money that we spend on things that we don't need (that could be used towards repaying debt of any kind - car, CC, LOC, PL, mortgage) is money 'wasted' (relative term), no? Thoughts? Opinions?
2cents.gif


Hope everyone is having a good week! I'm going to sob as I watch Fault in Our Stars tonight. Haha!
crybaby.gif
 

veronikawithak

Well-known member
As promised, here is my Week 1 plan for my July No Buy. Yesterday was Canada Day so my post is late because I was out celebrating (and not purchasing - yay)! Again, this will be a long one so I've separated it out in case you want to skip ahead.
July No Buy - Week 1 Goals:


I think having new goals every week will really help me - I've heard this quote a lot before about goals: "Anyone can do anything for a week."

Goal 1: Purchase 0 material items - no beauty products, no clothes or accessories. Basically nothing non-consumable. Allowable expenses include food and drinks, monthly bills, experiences like movie tickets.

Goal 2: Use up a lipstick - I've chosen MAC Plumful since it's the closest to being finished. I'm going to wear it as many days as I can but I'll allow myself to wear other things too by changing it up for half the day.

Goal 3: Get rid of 3 nail polishes (including minis) - I purchased 2 last month and I want to make sure I'm keeping my full size nail polishes to 15 or less including base & top coats.

Goal 4: Get rid of 3 eyeshadows - Again, I purchased a few last month and I know there are some I can get rid of that I'm not using.

Goal 5: Try a new eyeshadow look - I need to play with my eyeshadows more. I usually end up doing a wash of color with the same 3-4 eyeshadows.

I really think I can do all of these this week (#1 will be the toughest - I want to go a whole month but I'm chunking it into 4 individual weeks so it seems more manageable).

July No Buy - Tips & Plans

Another awesome article was featured on Recovering Shopaholic this week - How a Shopping Hiatus Can Help (not affiliated). Posted the day before I started my July No Buy challenge - HOW PERFECT IS THAT? The universe is seriously trying to tell me something here!

There's a lot of great points about setting yourself up for success, committing to the goal, and identifying factors that can help or hurt you. I got a lot out of it that I'll share below if anyone is interested (and also as a record for my own accountability).

First, I removed temptation and put up barriers to shopping - unsubscribed from ALL makeup blogs, Specktra collection threads, YouTube channels with a major haul component, online retailers. I only kept the channels where they were decluttering, doing Project Pan or Pan That Palette challenges, or where there wasn't a large beauty component. I didn't realize how many messages I was getting per day telling me to "buy" - no wonder I've been struggling so much.. I firmly believe that choices are mostly NOT about willpower and are more about creating an environment that points you in the direction you want to go. It really bothers me when I hear people talk about things like this in terms of just having the willpower to not do something. It's really not that simple and there's a lot of research confirming that.

One of the next things I did is create a "love to do - instead of shopping" list. I made sure to include things that I would consider productive rather than just things to keep myself busy.. because part of the attraction of shopping for me is that feeling of accomplishment when I find the perfect item and can cross it off. I want to get those feelings of accomplishment elsewhere. I also made them specific, measurable activities because when I've made lists like this before I tended to get intimidated that the activities didn't have a defined goal or end point.. unlike shopping which tends to be directed at picking up certain items rather than browsing for me. My list is: read a chapter of a book, take a walk, go to an aerials class, stretch or do yoga for an hour, try a new recipe, clean a room, go for a drink/meal with a friend, make a piece of jewellery, try a new makeup look, read an article or watch a video about minimalism/decluttering/simplicity. Whenever I feel like shopping, I'll pick one of these things and do it. Repeat until the feeling goes away. Some of them require attention and some are things I can do while giving me time to think so it's a good mix. I'm hoping to really get in touch with my emotions this time rather than distracting myself with movies or TV shows, games, etc.

July No Buy - Reward

One of the major things I want to accomplish with this is not feeling the need to splurge on anything at the end to "reward" myself in any way. I've been successful in not buying for periods of time before but once I start again it snowballs out of control. Reaching my goal is its own reward! That being said, I do think rewards are important.. so if (WHEN) I make it to Tuesday next week without purchasing a single beauty product I'm going to reward myself with takeout at one of my favorite places.

Good luck to everyone working on their own goals! You all are a HUGE source of support and inspiration to me and I truly value reading each and every one of your posts.
 

charlotte366

Well-known member
I think a big key is reapplying throughout the day. I hadn't thought of reapplying blush, that's a great idea. By the afternoon, mine have worn off anyways (as I don't wear foundation to hold it in place). I've been focusing on reapplying lippies/glosses but not other products, so I should give it a go!

It is exciting to start selling some of my products. Kind of depressing also because of shipping prices, you almost start to wonder if it's worth it - but even if you make like $5 bucks, it's still worth it if you aren't using it, at least I think so. By the time I get around to using some of them they'll probably have gone bad, and it's such a waste. Doing my inventory has probably been the most essential motivator to my low buy goals. I know some people make money by reselling LE products, etc. but I just don't see how I could justify the time it takes to sell (it's a lot of work!) with the money that you will clear once you've paid for the product, postage, postal items, etc. I admire people who can do it quickly and have it down to a science, but it's not for me for making $$. More of a de-cluttering thing!

Yes, I agree, I think if I don't change things my legacy will be my makeup collection, book collection, etc. I know this sounds extremely lame, but sometimes I worry - if something was to happen to me, I would be saddling my loved ones with all of this crap to shift through instead of dealing with bigger things. I know that is morbid and I've never admitted that to anyone, but I think about it a lot. It's time to funnel my funds into bigger things.

I've also been thinking about something too, and I'm curious for opinions on this. I get kind of ashamed to admit that some of my purchases have been on credit - it's embarrassing. But in a way, if I have other debt to pay off and I'm still buying makeup that you don't need, even if I buy something with cash, isn't it still 'on credit'? I mean, those funds could be used towards my debt, but I'm still spending them on things I don't need....so it's all relative, isn't it? This is something I've been thinking about recently - not meaning to step on anyone's toes, we all deserve to treat ourselves and I certainly believe that giving ourselves the occasional treat motivates debt repayment! But any money that we spend on things that we don't need (that could be used towards repaying debt of any kind - car, CC, LOC, PL, mortgage) is money 'wasted' (relative term), no? Thoughts? Opinions?
2cents.gif


Hope everyone is having a good week! I'm going to sob as I watch Fault in Our Stars tonight. Haha!
crybaby.gif
this is my opinion is a good way of thinking about it...I am not advocating the have absolutely nothing approach until all forms of debt has been paid off, but we all have a choice to make to as to whether we buy something or put the funds to other use.

I have in the past bought make up on credit, but not anymore, I make a habit to clear my CC monthly and if it isn't clear then all luxuries disappear until it is clear. I however view my mortgage slightly differently, I set a goal each year on how much I want to overpay by, once I have reached this target and done some saving a splurge on luxuries like holidays etc, because although technically the money would be better spent against the mortgage, paying the mortgage doesn't provide me with amazing memories, the holiday does. Thats the comprimise that I make because it gives me the best financial and happy result !
 

charlotte366

Well-known member
As promised, here is my Week 1 plan for my July No Buy. Yesterday was Canada Day so my post is late because I was out celebrating (and not purchasing - yay)! Again, this will be a long one so I've separated it out in case you want to skip ahead.

July No Buy - Week 1 Goals:


I think having new goals every week will really help me - I've heard this quote a lot before about goals: "Anyone can do anything for a week."

Goal 1: Purchase 0 material items - no beauty products, no clothes or accessories. Basically nothing non-consumable. Allowable expenses include food and drinks, monthly bills, experiences like movie tickets.

Goal 2: Use up a lipstick - I've chosen MAC Plumful since it's the closest to being finished. I'm going to wear it as many days as I can but I'll allow myself to wear other things too by changing it up for half the day.

Goal 3: Get rid of 3 nail polishes (including minis) - I purchased 2 last month and I want to make sure I'm keeping my full size nail polishes to 15 or less including base & top coats.

Goal 4: Get rid of 3 eyeshadows - Again, I purchased a few last month and I know there are some I can get rid of that I'm not using.

Goal 5: Try a new eyeshadow look - I need to play with my eyeshadows more. I usually end up doing a wash of color with the same 3-4 eyeshadows.

I really think I can do all of these this week (#1 will be the toughest - I want to go a whole month but I'm chunking it into 4 individual weeks so it seems more manageable).

July No Buy - Tips & Plans

Another awesome article was featured on Recovering Shopaholic this week - How a Shopping Hiatus Can Help (not affiliated). Posted the day before I started my July No Buy challenge - HOW PERFECT IS THAT? The universe is seriously trying to tell me something here!

There's a lot of great points about setting yourself up for success, committing to the goal, and identifying factors that can help or hurt you. I got a lot out of it that I'll share below if anyone is interested (and also as a record for my own accountability).

First, I removed temptation and put up barriers to shopping - unsubscribed from ALL makeup blogs, Specktra collection threads, YouTube channels with a major haul component, online retailers. I only kept the channels where they were decluttering, doing Project Pan or Pan That Palette challenges, or where there wasn't a large beauty component. I didn't realize how many messages I was getting per day telling me to "buy" - no wonder I've been struggling so much.. I firmly believe that choices are mostly NOT about willpower and are more about creating an environment that points you in the direction you want to go. It really bothers me when I hear people talk about things like this in terms of just having the willpower to not do something. It's really not that simple and there's a lot of research confirming that.

One of the next things I did is create a "love to do - instead of shopping" list. I made sure to include things that I would consider productive rather than just things to keep myself busy.. because part of the attraction of shopping for me is that feeling of accomplishment when I find the perfect item and can cross it off. I want to get those feelings of accomplishment elsewhere. I also made them specific, measurable activities because when I've made lists like this before I tended to get intimidated that the activities didn't have a defined goal or end point.. unlike shopping which tends to be directed at picking up certain items rather than browsing for me. My list is: read a chapter of a book, take a walk, go to an aerials class, stretch or do yoga for an hour, try a new recipe, clean a room, go for a drink/meal with a friend, make a piece of jewellery, try a new makeup look, read an article or watch a video about minimalism/decluttering/simplicity. Whenever I feel like shopping, I'll pick one of these things and do it. Repeat until the feeling goes away. Some of them require attention and some are things I can do while giving me time to think so it's a good mix. I'm hoping to really get in touch with my emotions this time rather than distracting myself with movies or TV shows, games, etc.

July No Buy - Reward

One of the major things I want to accomplish with this is not feeling the need to splurge on anything at the end to "reward" myself in any way. I've been successful in not buying for periods of time before but once I start again it snowballs out of control. Reaching my goal is its own reward! That being said, I do think rewards are important.. so if (WHEN) I make it to Tuesday next week without purchasing a single beauty product I'm going to reward myself with takeout at one of my favorite places.

Good luck to everyone working on their own goals! You all are a HUGE source of support and inspiration to me and I truly value reading each and every one of your posts.
I can't wait to hear how you get on, amazing post!
 

veronikawithak

Well-known member
I want to see how the rest of my spreadsheet pans out and see what becomes of my e/s palette challenge. So far I'm liking the Naked 3 for the most part. We will see how I feel about it come Sunday.
You're welcome! Glad you found it interesting. The way I think about mine is.. assuming both X and Y blushes are light cool pinks that look pretty much the same on my skin, would I rather wear X or Y blush? If 9 or 10 times out of 10 I'd rather wear X, why do I need Y too? It's just taking up physical and emotional space and making me feel guilty. There's only so many times you can wear blush (once or twice per day maybe) so you're splitting your wear time with ones that aren't your favorites rather than focusing on something you love every day.

Another thing I've learned through this whole process is to NOT start with your toughest area. You're a self-proclaimed blush lover.. it's what makes you feel special so any of them could be hard to get rid of! And that's perfectly okay! Why not start with eyeliners or finishing powders or something a little more innocuous? Or even say you'll get rid of 1-2 per month for a year. :) It will get easier the more you do, as long as you go gradually.

Good luck with your spreadsheet too! Inventories are the best. <3

Quote: Originally Posted by Glitteryvegas
I think a big key is reapplying throughout the day. I hadn't thought of reapplying blush, that's a great idea. By the afternoon, mine have worn off anyways (as I don't wear foundation to hold it in place). I've been focusing on reapplying lippies/glosses but not other products, so I should give it a go!

It is exciting to start selling some of my products. Kind of depressing also because of shipping prices, you almost start to wonder if it's worth it - but even if you make like $5 bucks, it's still worth it if you aren't using it, at least I think so. By the time I get around to using some of them they'll probably have gone bad, and it's such a waste. Doing my inventory has probably been the most essential motivator to my low buy goals. I know some people make money by reselling LE products, etc. but I just don't see how I could justify the time it takes to sell (it's a lot of work!) with the money that you will clear once you've paid for the product, postage, postal items, etc. I admire people who can do it quickly and have it down to a science, but it's not for me for making $$. More of a de-cluttering thing!

Yes, I agree, I think if I don't change things my legacy will be my makeup collection, book collection, etc. I know this sounds extremely lame, but sometimes I worry - if something was to happen to me, I would be saddling my loved ones with all of this crap to shift through instead of dealing with bigger things. I know that is morbid and I've never admitted that to anyone, but I think about it a lot. It's time to funnel my funds into bigger things.

I've also been thinking about something too, and I'm curious for opinions on this. I get kind of ashamed to admit that some of my purchases have been on credit - it's embarrassing. But in a way, if I have other debt to pay off and I'm still buying makeup that you don't need, even if I buy something with cash, isn't it still 'on credit'? I mean, those funds could be used towards my debt, but I'm still spending them on things I don't need....so it's all relative, isn't it? This is something I've been thinking about recently - not meaning to step on anyone's toes, we all deserve to treat ourselves and I certainly believe that giving ourselves the occasional treat motivates debt repayment! But any money that we spend on things that we don't need (that could be used towards repaying debt of any kind - car, CC, LOC, PL, mortgage) is money 'wasted' (relative term), no? Thoughts? Opinions?
2cents.gif


Hope everyone is having a good week! I'm going to sob as I watch Fault in Our Stars tonight. Haha!
crybaby.gif
Selling can be tough, especially in Canada with the postage. I gave away or trashed everything that I've gotten rid of. Maybe try listing things on local sites like Kijiji or Craigslist? Might be more trouble than it's worth though. It feels like a waste but the waste already happened when I bought it and I feel better with it out of my life so I can move on.

I'm noticing the worry about saddling loved ones with possessions to deal with is a real concern with our generation.. I feel like our parents had so much and we don't want to continue that cycle! I know when my dad passed away my mom had a terrible time trying to get rid of everything he'd accumulated. I don't think it's morbid at all! Just a fact of life. I think you're very considerate to think about those things. :) Fortunately my fiance and I are on the same page and are really trying not to own more than we need (difficult around holidays). Was it you that was also into The Minimalists? I have a terrible memory.
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Love them though!

Totally agree about the debt.. it is all debt in the end. That's something I struggle with too since I have so much from university and I'm still a student, although I've always worked through school and during the summers. Any money coming in that I don't spend paying off my debt is still technically on credit. I don't want to deprive myself so much that I end up overspending on things when I graduate though - I'd never get debt-free that way - so I do spend some money on luxuries. I could definitely cut back though which is why I'm here and why I'm determined to make the next 6 months better than the last!!
 

veronikawithak

Well-known member
I know this is a low buy thread and I don't mean to enable but I have been using this cleansing balm for the last month and have to share.

It gets off every bit of make up including fluidlines and waterproof mascara. You just smooth it all over your face, massage it in and wipe or wash it off (I tend to wash it off since it is a little too rich for my skin). Beautiful. It is only $16 in Canada (cheaper still in the US) and at the Body Shop you can always get deals.

Let me know if you try it and love it as much as I do.

Thanks for the recommendation!

I'm also really glad you posted this today.. because I have to confess that although I'm on a No Buy this month (including all beauty products), my first thought was planning out how I was going to purchase it.. "There's a Body Shop close to my building, I could stop there on the way home from work."
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I immediately stopped that train of thought.. that's how it all starts for me. Good practice for the rest of the month!
 

CrimsonQuill157

Well-known member
I think a big key is reapplying throughout the day. I hadn't thought of reapplying blush, that's a great idea. By the afternoon, mine have worn off anyways (as I don't wear foundation to hold it in place). I've been focusing on reapplying lippies/glosses but not other products, so I should give it a go!

It is exciting to start selling some of my products. Kind of depressing also because of shipping prices, you almost start to wonder if it's worth it - but even if you make like $5 bucks, it's still worth it if you aren't using it, at least I think so. By the time I get around to using some of them they'll probably have gone bad, and it's such a waste. Doing my inventory has probably been the most essential motivator to my low buy goals. I know some people make money by reselling LE products, etc. but I just don't see how I could justify the time it takes to sell (it's a lot of work!) with the money that you will clear once you've paid for the product, postage, postal items, etc. I admire people who can do it quickly and have it down to a science, but it's not for me for making $$. More of a de-cluttering thing!

Yes, I agree, I think if I don't change things my legacy will be my makeup collection, book collection, etc. I know this sounds extremely lame, but sometimes I worry - if something was to happen to me, I would be saddling my loved ones with all of this crap to shift through instead of dealing with bigger things. I know that is morbid and I've never admitted that to anyone, but I think about it a lot. It's time to funnel my funds into bigger things.

I've also been thinking about something too, and I'm curious for opinions on this. I get kind of ashamed to admit that some of my purchases have been on credit - it's embarrassing. But in a way, if I have other debt to pay off and I'm still buying makeup that you don't need, even if I buy something with cash, isn't it still 'on credit'? I mean, those funds could be used towards my debt, but I'm still spending them on things I don't need....so it's all relative, isn't it? This is something I've been thinking about recently - not meaning to step on anyone's toes, we all deserve to treat ourselves and I certainly believe that giving ourselves the occasional treat motivates debt repayment! But any money that we spend on things that we don't need (that could be used towards repaying debt of any kind - car, CC, LOC, PL, mortgage) is money 'wasted' (relative term), no? Thoughts? Opinions?
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Hope everyone is having a good week! I'm going to sob as I watch Fault in Our Stars tonight. Haha!
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Yes you are. Be prepared. Bring tissues.
 

veronikawithak

Well-known member
Quote: Originally Posted by Glitteryvegas
I like your comment that the mortgage doesn't give you amazing memories - this is true. We all have to achieve that balance between our responsibilities and fun! Sounds like you have a achieved a good balance that works for your lifestyle - this is my goal! :) Thank you for sharing!

Yep, shipping in Canada is atrocious. Can't believe it actually! It's cheaper to ship to the States than within Canada. YES. RIDICULOUS.

Yep, I love the Minimalists! Going to see them in Vancouver in August thanks to you!
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I didn't know about their tour until you told me. Too bad you don't live in Van so we could go together!

I agree, I think maybe Craigslist would be better - maybe sell as a bundle or something. That way I don't have to ship and someone has to come and get it all! The money's gone, gone, gone, so there's no sense worrying about that now. If I can get anything great, if not, it's going to my SIL who I know will use the hell out of it! She lives in the country, so there's not a lot of stores, etc. around her. She might appreciate some new makeup!

The whole possessions thing is crazy for our parents generation. My parents are pretty good, but still have a lot of stuff. I know some families that have a hell of a time with their buying/cluttering. It's hard. I'm not one to judge, I'm not in their position. But I do think of the burden of it, and how it weighs on people during their lives and for those who are left behind.

Also agree about the debt thing - no need to go without as debt takes ages to pay off. I think for me personally I need to learn the word NO. Funding those $$ towards savings, retirement, mortgage, or a vacation are going to take center stage!

I like your July outline - very well written and thoughtful. Thanks for sharing!

Hahaha I've been warned!!! I will bring some tissues and go easy on the eye makeup. Can't wait! I cried during the book so much.


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Yay! I'm so glad you get to go to their talk. I wish we could go together too! They've been so inspirational for me. I've really been loving this blog as well: The Nife en L'Air - she's doing a shopping fast too actually! Must be the time of year that gets people thinking about their goals again.

That's really sweet of you to think about giving your SIL some of your makeup. I'm sure she'd love it and would get more use out of it than you might!

I don't want to come off judgmental when I talk about my opinions or plans either, I just know for me personally that a lot of possessions is not the right choice for me or my situation.. and I don't think there's anything wrong with voicing our thoughts on what we want or don't want out of our own lives. I would never tell someone else that they have too many possessions or too much makeup. I'm sure most people here will understand that we're just thinking through things and anything we say is coming from a place of personal belief, not judgment.
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Glitteryvegas

Well-known member
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Yay! I'm so glad you get to go to their talk. I wish we could go together too! They've been so inspirational for me. I've really been loving this blog as well: The Nife en L'Air - she's doing a shopping fast too actually! Must be the time of year that gets people thinking about their goals again.

That's really sweet of you to think about giving your SIL some of your makeup. I'm sure she'd love it and would get more use out of it than you might!

I don't want to come off judgmental when I talk about my opinions or plans either, I just know for me personally that a lot of possessions is not the right choice for me or my situation.. and I don't think there's anything wrong with voicing our thoughts on what we want or don't want out of our own lives. I would never tell someone else that they have too many possessions or too much makeup. I'm sure most people here will understand that we're just thinking through things and anything we say is coming from a place of personal belief, not judgment.
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OHHH!! I will check out that blog! I'm a big minimalist blog lover (I'm sure you've heard of Leo from Zen Habits?)! Thanks! xo
 

veronikawithak

Well-known member
Quote: Originally Posted by Glitteryvegas
OHHH!! I will check out that blog! I'm a big minimalist blog lover (I'm sure you've heard of Leo from Zen Habits?)! Thanks! xo



Me too! Love Zen Habits! I also love miss minimalist, Project 333, mnmlist .. all of them pretty much lol. NowBoarding has some great videos on downsizing and I also LOVE this video from Carrie LeighAnna on her minimalist wardrobe!

I really want to work on living more simply in all areas of my life but it can be so difficult sometimes. It's a constant work in progress. :)
 
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