15/03/2013

My 'spending ban' - what it's taught me

You may notice that I've used the word 'spending ban' in inverted commas in the title of this post. That's because I have to admit (although you probably already know), that I have essentially been rubbish at my spending ban.

lots of beauty products
Just part of my stash *shame face*

I think the longest I went without making a beauty related purchase was about 3 weeks. Admittedly that was a personal best for me, but still, in comparison to some, who have done 10 weeks, I look a little pathetic.

I have however learnt a few things from doing it, so I thought I would share them with you.

1. I can not spend money. This is possible.

2. I am an impulse purchaser. Give me some cash and free reign and I'll get over excited and splurge on stuff I hadn't planned to. This very often leads to buyers remorse.

3. You will not die if you don't buy the latest releases and/or limited edition products. It might feel like it, but see point 2.

4. Don't forget you actually need to buy clothes and shoes too. For the past few months all of my spare cash has gone on beauty products. Whilst I love them, my wardrobe is feeling a little neglected!

5. When I actually look at it, I'm quite ashamed of the size of my stash. I need to actually use some of the products I already have before buying new ones.

6. I spend a LOT of money on food whilst at work. The culture there is to buy lunch out and I've got sucked into it a little. Taking my own lunches a few times a week has made me realise I can be healthier and spend less money each week.

I'm planning to continue cutting down on my spending over the coming months. Yes there will be hauls, and yes, I will buy things but I've learnt that often I buy things not because I need them, or even because  I want them, but purely for the sake of filling time and/or buying 'something'.

That's the biggest change I plan to make. What's yours?

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34 comments

  1. Great honest post Kat. I am an impulse buyer too and I always feel like I need the latest things...but you are right, you wont die if you dont buy!
    I also feel really guilty about my stash, its out of control and even in the last 80 days I have barely made a dent in it. Its terrible. I am thinking of having a month off once the ban ends and then doing another one...I dont think it would be hard and its almost "needed" to use up some of what I have.
    I too buy too many beauty products and dont update my wardrobe enough, I am so unfashionable, its a joke!
    Dont feel too bad though, you took part in the ban to learn somethings, even though you have had some bumps along the way! xxx

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    1. You have been seriously amazing at your spending ban! I think we could all do with working through our stashes, it's just hard to avoid wanting the latest 'new' thing. I'm sure you will keep me motivated in the future! x

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  2. I am exactly the same. I've not bought any cosmetics bar a nail polish since starting my ban, and it doesnt reeeaallly bother me, because I have enough of everything in my stash already.

    I've bought so much other stuff though, that I feel like it's been cancelled out? I've paid off about £300 of my overdraft though so maybe it's not all bad!

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    1. That's amazing! well done! Even though you've bought other things at least you've cut down on beauty x

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  3. Great post, I know exactly what you mean! I'm trying to avoid impulse buying by walking past Boots/Superdrug etc rather than going in 'for a quick browse', it doesn't always work but I'm trying haha xx

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  4. I love this I totally can relate to every point. I spend way too many beauty products and not enough clothes. My collection is ridiculous now!

    Gillian from glamupeveryday.com x

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    1. :) I think beauty products seem cheaper so easier to make a quick purchase. x

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  5. You're just as bad as me - hahaa

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  6. I've had a few splurges and I've enjoyed them :) but on looking back at my weekly wants I probably won't get half of them! x

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    1. looking back is a good way to see if you really want it or not x

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  7. Not spending is not something easy to do, I know the feeling plus Im a real sucker for limted edition things, and all these offers I see online and instore,plus seeing raves & reviews from bloggers about something also tempt me too!
    your point number 5 is true, I should really start using too and point 4 has happened to me as well - my beauty collection is growing way faster than the items in my wardrobe! x

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  8. I think we're all guilty of this - but we love beauty! I have to say my foundation collection is abit out of hand and I only really use 2 of them regularly, naughty i must try and get the others used up, especially now i'm trying to convert to natural make up instead!
    My problem is nude palettes and eyehsadow palettes genrally I certainly don't need any more but ................. well you know how the rest goes.....lol! x
    Great post!
    Jen @redheadbeautydiaries.co.uk x

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    1. he he - nude palettes are lethal - they look so different and yet the same ;)

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  9. Love your honesty! Makes me feel a bit better for not being very good at being on a spending ban, 3 weeks seems like quite an achievement to me :) I know how you feel as I'm an impluse buyer as well


    A little bit Unique - Blog // Facebook // Bloglovin



    x

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    1. I've been rubbish, but better than I thought i might be! x

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  10. This is really the best part of doing any kind of spending ban - learning a few things about your habits! It's very easy to just buy 'stuff' all the time without really thinking about it, so I think my lessons learned will be very similar to yours! x

    Evelyn @ We Were Raised By Wolves

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    1. I agree :) At least I know what to look out for now x

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  12. Great post, I have to admit I wimped out of doing the spending ban as I really didnt think I could, but I am going to start one in the next week or so as I'm starting to worry I've got a problem! Interesting to see what you learnt about yourself, and well done for beating your personal best! xx

    Sheona @ thebeautyobsession.com

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    1. Let me know how you get on - they are hard! x

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  13. I'm just over half way through the spending ban myself. I completely get what you mean, it's so difficult to stop the impulse spending sometimes - I'll probably try to continue on a little bit longer after the end of the 100 days too.

    Sharon x

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    1. Good luck - am so impressed by anyone that's doing the full 100 days x

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  14. I really want to try a spending ban its so easy to waste money on magazines and things I dont really need!

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    1. if you decide to do it let me know how you get on! x

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  15. OMG I totally feel the bit about the wardrobe being neglected - it seems I only spend my £££ on beauty recently and I have too many products as it is!

    Mademoiselle-Lala.com

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  16. My spending ban has gone out the window as well this month, only I'm the complete opposite - I've spent so much money on clothes and shoes!

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    1. I need to take a leaf out of your book, he he x

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  17. I wish I could say I have learnt something but I really don't think I have. lol. x

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    1. ha ha - at least you're honest about it! xx

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  18. Great post. I've learnt I am an emotional spender, any down day and I want to head straight to the shops. The ban has been a good way of breaking me out of that. My stash is something I feel bad about too, but I have loved building up a bag of empties to share at the end of it. I hope that after the ban I'll be restrained. And totally agree on the wardrobe front, these days I feel like I am only wearing one or two outfits. x

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