Reason number 23 why you shouldn’t go shopping today:
Driving to the mall in ice/sleet/rain/snow is a bad idea. Unless, you can walk…then you’re screwed. Get those snowshoes out!
Tag: cleaning
Back at it…and Embarassed
There is no doubt I stopped writing because I’ve been busy…but there is a side reason as well…I’m back at spending, but wisely. Is that a thing? Is bargain hunting bad? I sure hope not. It seems to me that there is no grey area with deciding to stop spending frivolous money. You either lose all hope, or you don’t even spend money on gas. I’ve decided to break all of these stereotypes. Let’s be real, rationalization at its finest here, folks.
Why deprive ourselves? Saving money is like dieting. When you deprive yourself of an ice cream cone or a cookie, you tend to break your diet more and HARDER. So, I’m proposing, save…but spend responsibly. (I sound like a beer commercial) Don’t fool yourself, because if you are an instant gratification gal or guy, you always will be…let’s look at the hard facts. How would you know? Take a second and think about the past couple of days. Did you think about how much better your room would look organized? What about how much better it would be if your kitchen plates were in a different place? And then think about your reaction. If you went out to Bed Bath and Beyond or the Container Store and GOT and organization rack without weighing out the pros and cons…you’re instant gratification. FACE IT. I know I know…now let’s get over it and DEAL.
Since we last spoke, I left my job because of unhappiness. I still work for the company, just in a different, closer place. BUT this cause a severe dent in my wallet due to lack of paychecks. SIGH. Talk about struggle. Here’s a tip: During unemployment…don’t spend. Seriously, you’ll need your extra cash while looking for a job…or in my case, racking up hours again so you have a reasonable paycheck.
I have spend less money on eating on the way to school or work, which I am very proud of myself. I have taken advantage of my savings account, and decided to start putting money in (for the long run…and my dream wedding) (just kidding?)
Okay, time to jet. My room has been painted and I am SO EXCITED to see it… pictures? Okay…whatevs.
Happy Saving/Spending/Being Responsible?
xoxo
Utilizing What You Have
Hi Saving Beauties!
Sorry for the writer’s block lately. While being away, I did not spend much money, and when I did…I was using up gift cards that I received for my birthday. Topic for today? Utilizing what we have.
When going out, how many of you change purses and wallets? That’s right, every single one of you. How many of you just take what you need for the night and leave the rest of your items begging for a home in your old purse? Here’s what I’ve come up with:
- Gift cards that are half used tend to be forgotten about. “Out of sight, out of mind”
- Items that fall out of you bag and into your car or in your room go missing forever.
- Going through your coat pockets can bring a bit of wealth your way.
Just some thoughts I thought I would share…the main point? Use what you have before you go out and buy more. You would be surprised the amount of money you have in half used gift cards!
Another point of random interest? Buying nail polish bottles is not a crime! Think about it: A whole bottle of nail polish is $10.00 tops? A full manicure and pedicure is $20.00 minimum. How many manicures can you give yourself with a WHOLE bottle of nail polish? My justification skills are phenomenal!
Happy savings!
The Adjustment Bureau…Makeup Edition
That’s right, this is going to tell you the hard truth about makeup. As much as I am SUCH a hypocrite in that I have more makeup than anyone, I still do have a couple of ideas in order to tighten up makeup collections and help rationalize not buying more. Time to control yourself and learn to manage with what you have.
First things first, take all of your makeup OUT of your current storage. This way, you will be able to see everything you have, including things you may have *ahem* forgotten about. Next, conquer your storage compartments. Clean them out, take a Lysol wipe to them and make sure to clean up all the old, spilled makeup.
Reorganization:
- Part ONE- Look at your foundations. Any that are your wrong shade? Any empty bottles? Throw it out. Have you found a certain brand that you like? Make sure you have enough.
- Part ONE A- Look at your eye and face primers. Ask the same questions as above and continue to throw out old or empty tubes. I feel like as avid makeup users, we tend to accumulate samples and different types of products just to have them. Break the habit! It’s not worth the space or the money!!
- Part TWO- Check your bronzers and blushes. Do you have two of the same? Is there a shade you didn’t like and just kept? Guess what? Different stores that sell makeup do indeed have a return policy. If you waited a while after your purchase, you lost out on your money. Learn to speak up! You don’t like something? RETURN IT.
- Part THREE- Okay, confession time. Eye shadows are my kryptonite. I am SO weak..SO weak. Le sigh. Look through them, I know it’s hard…but just do it. If you find a palette or shade you don’t use, throw it out. I wouldn’t suggest giving it to a friend, because of germs, but if you haven’t used it…go ahead! I stick to Urban Decay eye shadows…if you like a specific brand, just stick to your colors. Let’s face it, you’re never going to try that hip, cool, and new way of doing your eyes…so let’s stop fooling ourselves.
- Part FOUR- Lipstick. My love, my obsession, my downfall. Last thing to look at would be your lipstick collection. I know, I know…open each lip color and see if you’ve used it…if you don’t recognize it, guess what? You haven’t used it…throw it out. If you have three kinds of the same pink or red…give one to a friend.
I know it’s hard to hear…but as I’m writing this I’m laughing. I actually SHOULD do this. By minimalizing your collection, you will be able to be more organized and more prone to use the products you already have, instead of buying more because you can’t see the ones you already have.
…I know what I’m doing tonight. Do you?
Trick Your Mind
When you get the itch to go shopping, clean your room. I swear it works! If you are as messy as I can be, cleaning off a chair filled with clothing can almost be like shopping, without hurting your wallet. You tend to find things that have been out of your sight for weeks! This goes for periodically cleaning out your dresser and refolding clothing. You are able to rotate your clothes and find a piece that you forgot you had! Sometimes, I am able to go through my whole dresser and find items you never even wore! Last night, I found 3 pairs of Gap pants that I completely forgot I bought, and was able to create fantastic outfits with them! This was from yesterday:
OOTD: Gap Neon Pink Khaki, Chiffon sleeveless shirt from Urban Outfitters and Jack Rogers Platinum sandals.
The benefits of cleaning out your room are endless. You are able to dive into an abyss filled with clothing and come out with a clean, organized room AND “new” clothes! This also goes for “taking inventory” of your make-up and jewelry collection. I am the biggest repeat offender of keeping make-up I don’t use. It’s like I have separation anxiety from it. GET OVER IT AND THROW IT OUT! If it’s old, past it’s expiration date, the wrong color, broken, or empty…throw it OUT! Don’t take up space with items you do not use.
Jewelry is a little bit tricky when it comes to taking inventory. I suggest separating items into expensive and cheap, costume types. After you have done that, examine each piece and determine if there are any broken parts, and if it is worth getting it repaired. If not, throw it out. If you like what’s on the necklace, take the pendants off and save them for a potential future project. As for expensive pieces, hang them or store them away from other pieces. This way, they do not have the potential to be tangled…and you can see everything clearly.
Stay tuned for more ideas…and try your hardest not to spend today!
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