Beauty

[catlover00]

I have enjoyed reading this thread. Although I dont have any credit card debt, I do spend unnecessarily. I want to save more instead of buying more "stuff." One of my goals for 2015 is to have more experiences...traveling, plays, concerts, etc. My goal is to put money towards this instead of another handbag, top, scarf etc. I have also started decluttering. Getting rid of clothes and shoes I no longer wear/like. Cosmetics and jewelry next.

[AnotherView2]

Woo Hoo! Discovered a discount grocery store in my area and really cut my bill today! It's called Save-A-Lot. A friend who likes their store brand products turned me on to it. My other closest discounter is Aldi and I am planning on checking them out next. SAL is closest and only about 5 min away. Aldi is about 10 min away but want to see what they have. I couldn't believe how much lower my bill was today...

You can't get absolutely everything at SAL or Aldi since the stores are much smaller so I plan on getting the stuff we love and can't get at a discounter at Walmart instead since I have one of those close by, too.

[gfpdem]

Love the weekly check in! Helps keep me mindful!

1. Cleaned out my cosmetics and was excited to shop in my own cupboard as my Rosacea hasn't been flaring and I found I could use some products I had tucked away and frankly forgot about. Gave my daughters several lip products (wrong colors for me ) Concealers (again, shade just off enough to bypass it every morning) and some Josie maran color sticks that had dried a bit but still work for young skin!

2. I constantly have a goodwill bag going in my laundry room, and when it gets full, I put it in my passenger seat so it "bugs me" until I drop it off. If some thing comes thru the wash looking worn or I know it doesn't fit me or my daughters well (too much midriff etc) in the bag it goes! Its a great way to keep your closet clear of relics!

3. Have conquered most of my excessive spending over the years except for skincare and makeup. Always looking for my HG I guess. Have resolved to only buy things in TSV's where value is exceptional and I will use or do use every product. Also resolved NOT to return anything. It is too easy to order because I'm lulled into the "ill just return it if I don't like it". I notice if I know I can't return I'm MUCH more thoughtful about the purchase in the first place.

4 set up auto deduct at work for retirement and my 2 savings accounts so my actual paycheck is way less. If it comes off the top, I never have it in my "hot little hand" to spend!

5 unsubscribed to all the marketing emails from everyone

6started a wish list on minimalist-anything I see that I want I just add to the list. I've done this before and it really works-after a month I go back to my list and have budgeted one item with a dollar limit-90% of the time theres nothing I want on the list anymore! Delete the items you no longer are interested in and start again. Curbs impulse buying.

That's it for this week! good luck for next!

[3redheads]

Many of us may give in to temptation. The goal isn't to completely stop spending, but to be mindful of our purchases. Need vs. want. We will stumble, but don't give up.

Thank you all for sharing your stories, hardships, tips and encouragement. One day at a time!

[icezeus]

I am still hanging in there. I am making mindful purchases only.

I purchase one item from HSN this past weekend and that was the Origami organization shelves.

[MindyPA]

I have been reading a lot about decluttering, saving, etc. The top pieces of advice that have stuck with me over the past few weeks are: 1) think twice about buying if you have something similar and 2) ask yourself if the cost of what you're buying is really worth the numbers of hours of work you need to pay for it (so if something costs $60 and you make $20/hr, is the item worth 3 hours of a work day? Basically think of work day hours as paying for purchases, and is it worth it if you're not saving? That really resonated with me...).

[springers]

'We buy things we don't need with money we don't have to impress people we don't like.'

This is a quote from Dave Ramsey. I listen to his radio show and it has helped me think how my impulsive spending was affecting our family.

I wanted to add that when I started (last year) and would purchase something I would return it. Going to drop it off at p.o. and paying the return cost has helped me limit my spending. I was getting pkgs, sometimes multiples daily to now one pkg. a month (if that).

[cerb]

Hi everyone, I'm on board. Have to admit I'm NOT off to a great start. I've already purchased a second-hand Isaac Mizrahi sweater online, and then found a scarf that matches an Isaac sweater that I already own.

In addition, I ordered 57 used books (I have an actual library in my house). I got a good deal on them, but the problem is, my library is full. So this week I've been taking inventory of my books and organizing them. I've put 61 books in the donation box so far. I'm really happy to be getting rid of more than I'm bringing in.

The other reason I'm going through my books is to make an imprint on my mind, just how MANY books I actually own. When I look at them and touch them, it reminds me that I have "enough." For me, it's definitely a work in progress.

[DahliaGirl]

Thanks for all of the valuable suggestions! They are really helping! I know that for myself, it's easy to justify purchases by putting them on Easy Pay or Value Pay when available. The problem is, it can really add up after awhile. This week I started paying those little payments off. It might take a couple of cycles to take care of them all. It's an easy trap to fall into! No more Easy Pay for me! If I can't afford it all at once, I don't buy it. And I only buy it if it's essential (and most purchases are not).

[vicki is ok]

On 1/7/2015 3redheads said:

Many of us may give in to temptation. The goal isn't to completely stop spending, but to be mindful of our purchases. Need vs. want. We will stumble, but don't give up.

Thank you all for sharing your stories, hardships, tips and encouragement. One day at a time!

3redheads did you ever think this thread you started would be so appreciated and commented on? I am so happy you started this and have come in faithfully everyday to read and post.

I have really done a lot of organizing, spending less and de-cluttering. Haven't even seen the QVC homepage and so far I don't feel like I have missed anything.

"Being more mindful of our purchases" is really the key here. Of course we are still going to shop, but for many of us the shopping had become a non-stop event.

The home shopping channels are not a bad thing, but we have to keep in mind their goal. They need to sell their products and they have trained their staff how to do that. I am one of those people who get carried away when the host is presenting the product and then I end up ordering, sometimes more than one of the same product ie clothing in different colors.

I think what made me wake up to my terrible spending habits was when I ordered the "mop" right before New Years. After ordering, I saw this thread and thought about my recent purchase. I already had a mop and was really stunned that I fell for the hype. I never before had ordered that kind of thing and it really made me realize my shopping was getting out of control. Of course I cancelled the "mop", all auto deliveries and orders I had just made involving clothing.

Thank you again for starting this. I can't tell you how much it has meant to me.

Vicki