Beauty

[summerlust]

Week 2, so far so good on the mindless shopping. Of course, its been somewhat of a help that its been so cold I really don't want to go somewhere everyday, looking for that certain something that pops into my mind for one of my many projects. I do still watch the shopping channels, mostly for background noise and that's not proving to be a problem. I am in the middle of a deep purge of closets, its amazing how few clothes I really do wear. Taking then to a consignment shop Saturday, hopeful for maybe a few bucks back on my impulse purchases. It's a lifestyle change and one for the better.

[AnotherView2]

On 1/6/2015 Favorite Son said:

This is week two of year two for me. I have been curtailing purchases for the past year, with a goal of retiring in four years. Sold some things on eBay. No expenditures except for major car repairs this week - yikes - but it is cheaper than buying a new car and having a car payment.

Favorite Son, you're being very smart!

As a cautionary tale for all of us ladies, my SIL has been divorced and single for many, many years and has a Masters degree in Business and makes very good money. But, she has always had a serious spending problem, and she never reined it in or had any plans in place, also has almost nothing in 401k. She is 60 years old. She developed serious health issues (much of which she admits is of her own doing) and now she is nearing a self enforced retirement due to health, and she is losing her house at the end of the month to foreclosure.

Not to be to be too glum here but, we ladies need to make sure that if we are a breadwinner, we make sure that all those years of hard work weren't for nothing like she did. Make sure you still find time to budget, save, and be involved in the financial process so you are protected. If we work in the home instead, we still need to make sure we are an equal partner in the household budgeting/spending/saving processes that go on to insure it's 1) done right 2) we are protected if our spouse dies and 3) we are protected in retirement.

[Kelleygrrrl]

I did a serious closet cleaning this weekend-clothes, coats, purses,

shoes. Everything was in great condition. Dropped it all off at Goodwill and was amazed at how many empty (Huggable) hangers I had. It was eye-opening! Next will be my beauty stash. How many eye shadow palettes do I really need??? I am hoping to be demoted from VIB Rouge status at Sephora real soon. Not saying I will never return but I will wait until I have depleted only whatever I have used up completely. Wish me luck! I am rooting for all on this thread. We can do it!!!

[Jolexi]

Good afternoon all! I am glad it's the second week and so many have made so much progress. Pacing ourselves so that we don't lose focus is a good thing, as others have mentoned but the truth is, if we don't tackle it now, then WHEN? It's so inspiring to read all of the effort made by every poster, be it big or small...it all counts because it means we are being MINDFUL as we all have noted. In my own efforts to declutter (I really haven't been buying much lately, but I have been wanting to minimize what I do I have), I had placed a couple of large recyclable bag (the kind you get when you go grocery shopping at the warehouse clubs) in each room: one for donations and the other for toss items For the past week, I was adding to each bag everytime I went into a room and went on a hunt for something I was meaning to use and came across something I didn't need, didn't use anymore, was damaged, didn't fit anymore, etc. Needless to say, each bag is filled to capacity. The tossed items will be put out for trash pickup tonight. I went online this morning to make an appointment to have the Salvation Army pick up the other donation bags in the next few weeks. It IS liberating! I had a similar experience to happy housewife as far as realizing how much stuff I had when I moved into my new place about 9 yrs ago when I was still married. I curbed the buying and bringing in stuff because I was the one who'd packed and got rid of so much stuff the first time around. The things I'm finding now are not things I specifically purchased recently, but rather things I was using that I no longer need, clothes I no longer fit into (I lost a lot of weight since the move), things purchased for the home during the marriage, and my children's clothing, books and such they've outgrown. Honestly, a lot of it is just things that had been put away and forgotten and I'd just been avoiding going through. But, this thread has made me realize that it's now or never. My children are on board helping me declutter, so it helps it not be so overwhelming, even though I know it's not a lot, per se, it's still daunting to tackle after being at work all day, too. Thanks for inspiring me, as well, ladies (and gents, if there are any present partcipating :-) ).... Also, I had a great spreadsheet tool that was provided here and I'd been using to help with my debt and managing my accounts and balances. It was a wonderful tool and I can't recall who was the poster who posted the link. It has been a lifesaver and has helped me in ways I cannot begin to describe. If you are interested, the link is: http://www.vertex42.com/Calculators/debt-reduction-calculator.html You cut and paste if you prefer. Continued success, everyone! And thanks again for all of your ideas, tips and inspiration! Jolexi

[Jolexi]

My apologies for the spaceless post :-( Tried editing to add them, but it didn't work!

[jackthebear]

On 1/7/2015 DrKelli said:

@Jackthebear--your comment made me laugh! I love a good snarky remark every now and again. And to be honest with you--it's true. I cannot put a word to why I do this, but I have the feeling that my comment on the original thread about it being tied to being a perfectionist may be closest. I have so much stuff that it is ridiculous and I certainly do not have any room for more stuff, so the common sense thing would be to not bring anything else except consumables into my home, but there is a trigger that causes me to spend and that is what I need to pin point.

So, here is my tale of progress:

I got the last of my QVC packages last night--2 pairs of the Clarks TSV (because they came in narrow) and the Isaac knit quilted jacket. The Clarks are going back because they run short. I am keeping the jacket.

I found a clipping that I was going to use to help me reduce stuff and I thought I would share with you:

Should it stay or should it go? Ask yourself the following questions:

When was the last time you really used the item? Was it last week, last month or last year--or is it just collecting dust? If it is the latter, toss it (donate, sell etc)

Do you already have something that serves the same purpose? A second copy of a beloved book? Too many oven mitts or dish towels to count? If you have a version that you use, give the others away.

What would it take to replace this piece? Could you easily find it again or is it one of a kind? Does it have real sentimental value? Be honest with yourself: if it is special enough, keep it.

If you are having a hard time deciding where to start, write down each area or room that you want to declutter on individual pieces of paper or index cards. You can write down the above questions on each card to remember them. Throw them into a jar or bowl or whatever and draw one card out. Work on that area until it is done. Draw the next card out, do the same until all cards are completed. If you are discouraged about the sheer amount of work, start with a bathroom or another small area.

Thanks for the comment, sometimes it is hard to make your point from the keyboard. If you think about it we really don't need much, but then there would be no business' to support etc, etc. So there must be a balance between spending recklessly and being a miser.

Well today I returned 4 items to Athleta that did not fit I never order online and this is why. Not going to do that again unless I have already tried on the item.

And I didn't go to TJ's.

[spud188]

Wow you have all really done great.So inspiring!!!

[BrerRabbit]

checking in.. I am so proud of myself even though it's just been about 10 days since my last purchase. This time is different though I can just tell - I've unsubscribed from nearly all shopping-related emails. Thanks to whoever posted the "Un-enroll" tool to make unsubscribing so easy. It did require me to 'share' the tool on facebook, so I just shared it privately to my own page. I had over 200 subscriptions! Skinstore & Overstock 'sales' always lured me in.

Also instead of browsing beauty blogs & various stores online, I've been perusing Pinterest's 'Organizing' & 'Budget Ideas' boards. Lots of great info out there.

I want to beat the Marketing people at their own game and not be one of the many 'sukkers' they lure in to hand them all my money! We know their tricks, lol

That said though, I feel a little shaky about the IT TSV coming up, I do love my IT Cosmetics

[jackthebear]

On 1/7/2015 MeAgain said:

checking in.. I am so proud of myself even though it's just been about 10 days since my last purchase. This time is different though I can just tell - I've unsubscribed from nearly all shopping-related emails. Thanks to whoever posted the "Un-enroll" tool to make unsubscribing so easy. It did require me to 'share' the tool on facebook, so I just shared it privately to my own page. I had over 200 subscriptions! Skinstore & Overstock 'sales' always lured me in.

Also instead of browsing beauty blogs & various stores online, I've been perusing Pinterest's 'Organizing' & 'Budget Ideas' boards. Lots of great info out there.

I want to beat the Marketing people at their own game and not be one of the many 'sukkers' they lure in to hand them all my money! We know their tricks, lol

That said though, I feel a little shaky about the IT TSV coming up, I do love my IT Cosmetics

You can always "unshare" with Facebook later if you want to. I do that often when I decide I nolonger want to use the app or site

[Jolexi]

MeAgain, I do like the IT cosmetics but if you want to curb the possible spending where that is concerned, just take a look at what you have and compare to what you're being offered in the TSV. If you already have the items (even in smaller sizes), it doesn't make sense to purchase it. Even if they are offering larger sizes, I find that the regular sizes last a long time for me. I am STILL using the super size Bye Bye Concealer I originally got from the last TSV well over a year ago! Just a thought to try and help you to resist the temptation! :-) Also, would you use all of the products in the TSV? I don't know if you have any near in order to do this, but when I'm curious about any of their products, instead of buying them here, I'll go look at them in Sephora or Ulta where i can sample what they have. I have to tell you that about 99.9% of the time, I pass. Look through your beauty stash...you may not even need to get anything new.