February No Buy: What Have I Learned?

Source: Chiot's Run

Good afternoon everyone!

I think it's a good question, and a good place to start: what have I learned?

Well, a few different things:

1. I can still find things to post about, even if I'm not constantly buying and trying new things.
2. I already have a good amount of makeup I can use to look pretty!
3. I'm still learning, and I can experiment with what I have.
4. I can overcome stress without retail therapy.

There are several others, I'm sure, but I think these are the four biggest points. I remember being concerned that I wouldn't have anything to post about if I wasn't buying new stuff, but then I realized that I have a lot here to work with (although to be fair I did have a good chunk of posts about stuff I bought in January). 

I also realized that I should utilize my 88 Original Palette a lot more (which is on sale right now by the way, check it out!). It's pigmented well, even more so with some Nyx Milk underneath, so I should try and use it more, and for more than just my brows (seriously y'all I'll take a picture one day and you'll be able to pick out IN AN INSTANT which color I use for my brows). 

I also remembered how satisfying it is to use up a product entirely. It feels good to know I've used something to its fullest and that I've gotten my money's worth. This was just as comforting to me as buying, in a way.

Going off of that, I've sort of replaced my need to buy with Otome games on my phone where I can use in game money to buy stuff (even if it isn't fancy or a lot). It sounds silly, but they're nice for bus rides or waiting for the bus. 

Does this mean I'll never buy makeup again? Hell no. I already know something I would like to get with some birthday money I got a few weeks ago. But it does mean I will be more careful with my dollars, and not use buying as a way to deal with stress.

It was tough, I almost broke a few times, but I made it. I made it, and here I am, perhaps a little more learned because of it.

I was even good about my food budget and using what food I already have here; I brought a lunch with me almost every day! I feel accomplished that I was able to apply this to more than just makeup.

Have you gone on a no buy? How did it go? Let me know!

Cheers!

No Buy Month: February 2014

Good afternoon everyone!

Firstly, I'd like to apologize for posting so late in the day - I know my posts usually go up in the morning, but I was far too tired to work on a post last night due to some extreme insomnia I've been having, and last night I was actually able to sleep so I slept as much as I possibly could! 

Anyway, moving on. I'm really glad that I decided to try out more beauty products and expand my horizons, but that isn't always easy on the budget! So I decided a No Buy Month was in order. What does that mean, you ask? Here are my rules:

1. No buying new products unless an essential runs out (like if my makeup remover gets all used up before the end of the month, I am allowed to repurchase that)

2. No buying new clothes

3. No eating out (my one exception would be plans I made about two weeks ago before I decided on a no buy month - I feel it would be rude to cancel now, and I'm going out with a friend who can get 50% our meal, so... I guess it isn't too bad?)

4. I am allowed to buy groceries, but only if I absolutely need something (so I'm trying to use up all I have first)

5. I am allowed to pay for my bunny's vet bill (since it's essential, of course) and buy him things he needs, like litter and food

What do I want to accomplish?:

1. I want to better appreciate the products I do have, and learn to use them well

2. Help cut back on impulse purchases

3. Use up some of the product I have (hopefully)

So there you have it! I still have lots of things to renew and to talk about, and one of my goals for this month is also to try and go through all of my nail polish and really decide what I want to keep and what I don't (it hasn't really come up on this blog yet, but I have a TON of nail polish). 

I'll report back at the end of the month!

Have you done a no buy month before? Are you planning on it? What were your reasons, and did it work out? Let me know!

Cheers!

Ps - I snagged the picture from Alice's blog - she's doing six months! Wow!