Beauty

[DL2843]

Mmom I understand your feelings of deprivation. I have gone through the same thought process. Every day we are inundated with messages about how we deserve a little treat. My question is how do we live in society and ignore big brother?

[geezerette]

On 1/2/2014 rnmom said:

I just read that last sentence that I typed and had to shake my head at myself. Deprived, really? What the heck am I talking about? Not only do I have plenty of beauty items, I have plenty of everything, a nice house, two great kids, a great husband, lots of good food to eat, plenty of warm clothes to wear, the list goes on and on. There is nothing that I NEED that I don't have. That sentence sounded really selfish after I wrote it and I actually felt a little ashamed because I know I have more than enough. Maybe that's part of my problem, never being satisfied and always wanting more. I need to learn to be content with everything I have. That will start to be one of my new daily goals, being thankful every day for everything that I have been blessed with and focusing on what I have, not what I want.

Good for you! That's the perfect attitude to have, although we're inundated at every turn to buy more, have more, do more, MORE, MORE, MORE!!!

I try to remind myself at least once every day of the very things you stated. Intellectually, it's easy. But everyone is appealing to your emotions constantly. The key is to tune the racket out and listen to yourself, have the courage to believe all that you just wrote even if everyone around you is going nuts with the commercialism.

Enjoy all those things in your life that money truly CAN'T buy, while you still have them...

[rnmom]

annacat-my goal is not necessarily to not spend any money, but more, to be more aware of what I spend my money on. I tend to get excited by a great sale, or get caught up in a great sales pitch, then I buy things that I don't like or don't need. For example, right now I probably have a years worth of body wash here. Normally I would be all over the BBW semi-annual sale because their prices are so low. But I'm not going to buy something just because the price is good when I won't be able to use it for a year because I have so much here, I'll wait until I actually need something and then buy it.

I believe NetteJ summed it up when she said it's about shopping mindfully, not mindlessly. For me it's just about not getting caught up in the hype and shopping just for the thrill of the purchase. I want that to apply to all my purchases this year, beauty, stuff for the kids, household items, etc. I want to mak sure we really need it before I buy it. For example, today we went out and bought some winter clothes for my kids because they are outgrowing everything. My oldest only has 2 sweatshirts and they are getting small, so he needed some sweatshirts and sweatpants. Same for my yougest. I have two boys, so all the clothes were needed and will get used. We bought their clothes and left, no extra purchases. That's how I want to approach 2014, buying only what we need, not no spending at all.

[rnmom]

geezerette-I know, I get so tired of everyone always telling us we need MORE, MORE, MORE! Why can't we just be content with what we have? I try to say a little prayer of thanks every day too, for all the blessings that I've been given, I am truly grateful for all that I have in my life. But that still doesn't stop me from wanting to try a new nail polish or a new blush that is just so pretty! I just have to learn to say NO!

[dosey]

Welcome to all of the new posters!

Annnacat - Yes, you will have something to add to the thread. In fact, you already have given me something to think about. Thank you.

I don't see our thread as being like an AA meeting, athough it is similar because we are a support group. Alcoholics cannot ever drink alcohol, again. However, people have to buy things. My problem is that I buy too much of certain things, like cosmetics. My goal is to spend wisely when I need something. I have decided not to buy specific things for the month of January because I have enough. Instead, I am appreciating what I have by using it. So far this week, I have used a different eyeshadow palette and lip color each day.

I'll repeat what other posters have stated. We are told to buy something because we deserve it, it's a pick-me-up, we need to treat ourselves, etc. So my checkbook is lighter, and I don't feel better. Sometimes, I feel worse. There are better ways to lift my spirit that do not cost a thing.

Rnmom - Don't beat yourself up. We have been trained to feel deprived if we do not own this or that. Everyone else has it. We should, too. You don't want to be left out of the latest and greatest thing. I believe more and more people are stopping the madness. Being left out is beginning to sound nice.

[gammaO]

Hi Ladies.

I'm a long time lurker. My question is this: Do you still watch presentations of products you like? I'm a long time Philosophy gal and Skinn fan. Demitri could sell snow to Eskimos!

[Beauty$Junkie]

annacat: are you able to get to shopping malls? There seems to be a lot of sales going on right now that you can try on and probably do a lot better than e-bay. Congrats on your weight loss. Wishing you continued success.

[FindingMyJoy]

Dosey - I'm going to use your idea of using a different eyeshadow palette each day. I think this will be a good way for me to help weed out shadows that just don't work for me.

gammaO - I still watch presentations. Serious skincare, perlier and korres are my favorites on hsn, Laura Geller on qvc. I find that I need to take a look at my stash before watching. It helps to remind me that I have several items to use. That way, I can watch my favorite lines without the old urge to buy buy buy. It also helps remind me of how to use certain items AND it reminds me that I have items in my stash that I really should dust off and use! I know some people go cold turkey and don't watch but I need a little tv shopping especially when it's been a rough day.

[LBandS]

On 1/2/2014 Dosey said:

Welcome to all of the new posters!

Annnacat - Yes, you will have something to add to the thread. In fact, you already have given me something to think about. Thank you.

I don't see our thread as being like an AA meeting, athough it is similar because we are a support group. Alcoholics cannot ever drink alcohol, again. However, people have to buy things. My problem is that I buy too much of certain things, like cosmetics. My goal is to spend wisely when I need something. I have decided not to buy specific things for the month of January because I have enough. Instead, I am appreciating what I have by using it. So far this week, I have used a different eyeshadow palette and lip color each day.

I'll repeat what other posters have stated. We are told to buy something because we deserve it, it's a pick-me-up, we need to treat ourselves, etc. So my checkbook is lighter, and I don't feel better. Sometimes, I feel worse. There are better ways to lift my spirit that do not cost a thing.

Rnmom - Don't beat yourself up. We have been trained to feel deprived if we do not own this or that. Everyone else has it. We should, too. You don't want to be left out of the latest and greatest thing. I believe more and more people are stopping the madness. Being left out is beginning to sound nice.

Thank you so much for the explanation. I share this goal, I just need to replace a lot of OTC meds and other basic living supplies, so making a no spend pledge would not work for me. I guess what some of you are saying is No Buy January refers to beauty products and not food etc.

[LBandS]

On 1/2/2014 Beauty$Junkie said:

annacat: are you able to get to shopping malls? There seems to be a lot of sales going on right now that you can try on and probably do a lot better than e-bay. Congrats on your weight loss. Wishing you continued success.

No.

I am in a wheelchair and cannot drive it myself due to lots of physical trouble with my hands. I need someone to actually take me, help me and do all the things I can't do for myself.

My family is estranged from me and I have one friend with a big heart and a very busy life and she makes lots of lovely promises but never fills them. I still love her when she shows up but I cannot depend on anything she says.

Also I have some very severe problems with my legs and back and sitting, standing, and walking causes such extreme pain, I am unable to function after 10 minutes out of bed.

I got some devastating news today. My doc has been working to get me an experimental treatment for pain and medicare has denied all our requests and appeals. I have requested my docs to give me assistance in ending my life if nothing has been arraigned to treat my pain in the next 4 months.

Its not what I want to do but I cannot live in this much pain much longer. I meet the criteria in my state and will follow through if a miracle does not occur in this time frame.

Sorry to post something so negative but the cuts the President made to medicare in order to pass the ACA (which I still support) made it unbearable for many of us to live anymore and I may be the canary in the coal mine and I will go very publicly so my death might help others so they will not have to face this decision too because what happens to the first of us forced to make this choice because care we need is being denied. My death might help others get the treatment they need.

And the awful thing about this is that this treatment when considered over the course of my expected lifetime will cost a fraction of the other drugs I would need if I continued to take them!

My new goal is not to spend recklessly knowing I will die soon and maintain mindful spending and not leave a mess for others to have to fix.