[MENTION=79469]VAL4M[/MENTION] ~ Too funny! I tend to enable myself when I can! 
My hubs always tells me for birthdays and Christmas, that it is okay to suggest things you might not otherwise buy for yourself...that a gift does not have to be a necessity...And there have been other times where he just wants to do something special for me and he'll offer to treat me. Usually I sway away from beauty stuff and get fitness related stuffs. 
I am allowing myself a roll over, this way it would give yourself a cushion for that month in wish you decide to make a purchase. I found that in the past, when I didn't allow roll over, I ended up blowing my budget when I do make a purchase.
To answer your question, I would not count gift cards as they are "gifts".The way I see it, those gift cards can help you stay on track in terms of your set budget as helps you to spend less of your own funds, and instead of buying items "just because"/mindlessly spending it just to spend it, you can use it to purchase replacement items
)
I was going to allow rollover...I think I only had one month where I did that... because I blew it...
I think, it makes sense to allow rollover. Then you can bank monies for the spring, fall, and sales in between...or if you have to stock up on essentials.
I have a question too. I bank Ebates and points for gift cards. When I use those, should they count against my monthly total? Lol! Already trying to spend more
Again, I think this is ok, as long as you're not buying stuff just mindlessly, and you're doing a one in one out, or you're buying replenishment of something you use frequently, or you wanted to purchasing something that you meant to and haven't gotten around to it like the WG air brush. I'll give you an example, I received 2 KL(Kathleen lights ) nail polishes part of my Birthday gift, a nude color which complements my skin tone, and a pretty dark vampy purple. when I decluttered my Nail polish collection the year before, I decided I wanted to now stick with a 5, 7 or even 12 free formula, however it's to find colors that I loved in those formulas that lasted as long as OPI on me. I have 5 Orly polishes, but I didn't like anything else until KL polish(and there are very few influencer collabs I support using my $$$ due to the problematic behaviors of many) now that the brand is closing, I used my 60 dollars Ebates cash and took advantage of the 20% discount on the colors that I wanted to try but didn't pull the trigger on cause, just , well a procrastinator I guess. sorry for the novel. now you guys know what I've purchased this month so far!
I think I agree with @shellygrrl ~ Even though it is not cash out of pocket, I am still spending and consuming...Ugh! I hate when I know I am being so sensible.
What about combining rollover monies with points/gift cards? LOL! Let's further muddy the waters of sensibility...
That's that I was thinking. I'm running out of shampoo and conditioner this month so I planned to buy those in March, and I should be able to wait until the VIB spring sale to buy other essentials.I think, it makes sense to allow rollover. Then you can bank monies for the spring, fall, and sales in between...or if you have to stock up on essentials.
I have a question too. I bank Ebates and points for gift cards. When I use those, should they count against my monthly total? Lol! Already trying to spend more
Maybe keep the item packaged up and use up a similar product? Like a one in, one out situation.
/ In Heavy Rotation:
February Check-In
Purchases:
No Makeup Purchases!
Hair & Skin Care:
Ulta (20% coupon + $59.00 in points – out of pocket -$1.91) - DevaCurl One Condition Conditioner and Arc Angel Gel; Clinique Dramatically Different Hydrating Jelly 4.2 oz. - my new fav. moisturizer
Meijer – Hair Color ($11.12)
Amazon – 3 pack of (90) Stridex Sensitive Pads ($11.91 - Used a gift card, no out of pocket expense) - These are low dose salicylic acid and do not irritate my skin.
Total for month – OOP -$13.03 - Total with points & gift cards - $99.14
Gave Away /Disposed Of/Used Up:
Gave Away:
Following my one in-one out rule when it comes to my closet, I purchased a couple tops for work, so gave away several tops & sweaters to a student assistant. Clinique Mini Chubby Stick lipstick (gwp)
Disposed of: Nothing of note. I did put a bunch of old sample jars and bottles in recycling.
Used Up:
CeraVe Skin Renewing Serum – opened back up
DevaCurl One Condition Conditioner – replenished
Clinique DD Hydrating Jelly – Travel size – I really like this lightweight moisturizer, so I purchased a full size bottle.
Mascara Round Up: None to dispose of this month
Will Dispose Of / Give Away:
I have a real nice collection of eye shadow brushes now. There are still a few brushes, I never reach for, that could be decluttered. I am thinking ahead too. I would like to add a Sonia G. face brush…so stuff must go if I add anything.
Favorites of the Month
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TF Sole di Positano and Mandarino Di Amalfi.
I absolutely love citrus scents. It is the dead of winter and I am wearing scents that evoke spring/summer. They are uplifting and happy. By the by, I purchased these in February on eBay. These were not counted in my budget, as I saved money from last fall. I waited until the end of the holiday season, knowing I would be able to find what I wanted at a decent savings. I saved over 55% off retail for sealed, brand new bottles.
Mindfulness:
My lust/must beauty list is so short now! I have to say it is getting easier and easier to ignore all the noise! Every day another new brand pops out of the woodwork and known brands are dropping products all over the place, all the time! I am seeing so much duplication, copying, overlap…oversaturation is the word that comes to mind.
On The Horizon:
Sonia G Sculpt Two Brush – I love my SG eye brushes and think this would be a nice addition to my face brushes.
Estee Lauder DW Foundation – I am just about out of my samples and need a full size bottle.
Spring Sales (usually in March):
Knowing the Sephora sale is on the horizon, I chose a boosted Sephora gift card (extra 10% added to balance) from Ebates for my February payout. This will pretty much cover my must/lust list during the sale and I should have no OOP expense.
I am still on the fence on how to define use of gift cards and point program benefits in regards to my set monthly budget. So for now, I am reserving them for when there is a sale, thereby allowing me to get more for my “money.”
Fitness Stuffs:
February was a bit off, with all of our winter weather delays and closures. At the mid mark of the month, I was feeling funky…perhaps a touch of the winter blues. Definitely not feeling motivated or energized. I tried to be gentle with myself, knowing whenever I am feeling down, it eventually passes. I guess I am sharing this, because as upbeat as I am with my fitness activities, there are times where it can be hard. You just have to acknowledge it and push on through.
Homebody Happiness
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Doslot Bibimbap! We recently had lunch at a Korean BBQ and my husband ordered Doslot Bibimbap. Hubs loved it so much, he decided to surprise me by making it at home. He even ordered the special stone bowls to prepare the dish. Steak, shitake mushrooms, rice, kimchi, onions, marinated leeks, spinach...Yummy goodness! And such a happy surprise for me!
We now have 4 saltwater mixed reef tanks.
This has become hubs hobby and passion of now. And I confess, I am coming to love it too. It is shared time. We have tank maintenance days, go to coral swap shows and visit local fish/pet stores. I have also become the “mistress of lighting,” as our tanks have lighting that is programmed via wifi and apps. Very cool stuff. The tanks each have a mix of corals, fish and other critters. My favorite fish have the funniest behaviors and characteristics.
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Newest tank - 88 gallon with 30 gallon sump tank
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Maroon Clownfish in Watermelon Bubbletip Anenomes - I originally had one anenome and then a couple months ago, it decided to grow and split into two. So very cool!
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Lawnmower Blenny - One of my favorites. Strange combination of a dragon/dinosaur, reptile, snake, eel fish critter, with an interactive personality. If you walk up to the tank, he will swim right up to the glass to look at you. I think because he thinks he is going to be fed...lol
Hard to believe the time change is this coming weekend and spring is only 2 weeks away! It has been quite a winter...I am so ready for warmer, sunnier weather.
