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2016
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January
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- Spending ban: one month down
- Time for a haircare change up!
- Sachet city: samples used in January 2016
- January 2016 favourites
- Lust Have It Women's Box January 2016
- Project Pan 2016: update #1
- Janary 2016 empties #2
- Garnier Micellar Cleansing Wipes - review
- Trilogy Make Up Be Gone Cleansing Balm - review
- OGX (Organix) Hydrating Macadamia Oil Intensive Mo...
- Announcing another spending ban!
- The Edit: Mememe Goddess Rocks - review and swatches
- Kevyn Aucoin The Pure Powder Glow in Dolline (Apri...
- Organix (OGX) Argan Oil of Morocco Renewing Shampo...
- Mecca L3 Beauty Loop Box January 2016 - unboxing
- Essenzza Fuss Free Naturals Micellar Cleansing Wip...
- Bodyography Lip Gloss in Pucker Up - review and sw...
- Sachet city: samples used in January 2016
- Dr Lewinn's Multi Moisture Balm - review
- January 2016 empties #1
- 2016 beauty resolutions
- Alpha-H Absolute Eye Cream SPF 15 - review
- Project Pan 2016 mini update #2
- 2016 beauty wishlist
- An introduction to Argo Naturals
- Villainess Ginger Snapped Whipped! Body Cream - re...
- Paula's Choice Resist Vitamin C Spot Treatment - r...
- Alpha-H A-List Kit - review
- Perricone MD No Foundation Foundation - review and...
- Alpha-H Protection Plus Daily SPF 50+ - review
- Project Pan 2016 mini update #1
- Kérastase Resistance Bain Force Architecte (Shampo...
- Lust Have It Women's Box December 2015
- Radox Feel Uplifted Shower Gel with Pink Grapefrui...
- Most disappointing products of 2015
- Mr Bean Coffee Bean Scrub in Mandarin - review
- Nars Sheer Glow Foundation in Santa Fe - review an...
- Suki Moisture Rich Cleansing Lotion - review
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January
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Announcing another spending ban!
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If you read this blog, you'll know that I put myself on a beauty spending ban back in October 2014, which I'd hoped to maintain for a whole year. While I didn't quite make a year, I lasted for around eight months - which I'm rather happy with, to say the least!
I found it helped me reduce the size of my collection and of course made my bank account a little happier, plus it helped me learn not to make impulse buys from the clearance bin at Priceline whenever I was in there buying nappies.
I ended up breaking the spending ban after eight months because I needed something for me: I became a mum for the first time back in February last year, and after that I lost many of my outlets because I had neither the time nor the effort to do things I really loved. I'm sure I'm not the only parent who would say that!
I ended up breaking the spending ban after eight months because I needed something for me: I became a mum for the first time back in February last year, and after that I lost many of my outlets because I had neither the time nor the effort to do things I really loved. I'm sure I'm not the only parent who would say that!
Anyhoo. I've still maintained my twice-daily skincare rituals throughout the past year, and I've been able to apply makeup every day - even though it sometimes takes half the day to do it. I've wanted to do this because makeup and skincare are like meditation for me, and I've needed those things to help me face the daily challenges that motherhood presents.
Now, however - when our finances are tighter than they've ever been - it's time to bring the spending ban back into action. My daughter is also starting childcare this week (just a couple of half days for now) and I'll hopefully be able to go back to work and contribute financially to household expenses. And of course, part of contributing financially is not spending what little cash you have!
So, as with the last spending ban, I've set out some boundaries:
- No spending on non-essential beauty items
- If I run out of something like body wash, I can replace it - but no replacing things like lipstick
- Re-purpose what I own where possible before buying something new: eg, I've run out of night cream so I'm using my day cream for night and a hydrating primer as my day cream; I could also use things like CC creams as day creams because they have skincare benefits anyway
- Current ongoing subscriptions are allowed: so I've already paid for a year of Marie Claire's The Parcel and Ageless Parcel; and I can keep my monthly Lust Have It subscription for now
- Gift-card spending is allowed: so if anyone wants to buy me a Sephora or Mecca gift card, feel free! ; )
- There's no time limit on this ban: I'll keep it going until we're in a better place financially and I can go back to my $50 per month beauty budget (which I've been doing since I ended the spending ban last year)
In sum
I'd really hoped I never had to do a spending ban again because they're not easy or fun! But in this case it's needed, and the ban is extended to things like meals out, clothing etc (not that I spend much on that stuff anyway - I'm all about beauty); and any other non-essential expenses.
The other benefit of the ban, of course, is that I'll be able to continue streamlining my collection and hopefully finish a bundle of things throughout the year. I don't have truckloads of stuff anymore, but I do have quite a few back-ups of skincare items so I'd like to see more space in my cupboards before buying anything new.
Have you ever gone on a spending ban or low buy? Do share : )