No Buy – Days Five thru Seven

So… yeah. I forgot to post anything for the past few days. It was the weekend and I was being super lazy, not to mention cleaning, organizing, and doing some medical billing for one of my part time jobs. I like to think, despite my feeling like a failure a few days ago, I’ve done remarkably well.

Side note, all day while I’m at work, I come up with cute quips that I tell myself I’ll add to one of these posts. It’s yet to happen. Brain dead after 5 PM seems to be my general way of life. I’m trying!

Today, I spent some money, though. I ordered a wall mount for my TV so that when the handyman comes over, I can get him to put it up which will free up some shelf space on my current TV stand. I’m kind of excited about that, and the fact it only cost twelve bucks. I can’t argue too much about that. I also ordered a scale. My old one died somewhere along the way and I swear it keeps telling me I’m getting old instead of my weight. And, I’m -trying- to lose weight (I think about it all the time, at least), so a scale that actually works will be beneficial. Finally, I ordered some nail files and buffers. I have all this gel polish, soak off kind, to use… and no files to scratch it up to finally soak it off. I feel like it was a practical need. Maybe. Either way, I can justify all these expenses as not entirely frivolous, which is the exact kind of spending I’m trying to curtail.

FYI, right now, MAC Cosmetics has these Monochromatic Bundles (or something akin to that). I want the Velvet Teddy collection so much. That’s my jam. Neutrals but gorgeous, shades I can wear at work and anywhere else. Ugh. It’s very tempting to log on to the site and place my order. SO TEMPTING. I don’t need it. I don’t need two more eyeshadows or another blush. I certainly don’t need another lipstick or lipgloss. I DON’T NEED THEM. But I want them so bad. Grrrrrrrr!

NEW GOAL:

My friends and I are making it a goal that some time during the month of April this year, we are going to have a little vacation. Probably in Charlotte, SC. The specifics haven’t been fully planned out yet, but that’s the plan. We figure it will be loads cheaper than Dragon*Con in September (not that it’s off the table), so if Dragon*Con ends up being a no-go for a few of us, we’ve at least gotten to spend some time together and having fun.

No Buy – Day Four

Wow. Payday and I have already spent close to $100. I needed new moisturizer, completely ran out today, so I ordered a replacement. Bonus, it was on sale, so there’s that. Also, I needed some heavy-duty bug spray. Bed bugs are no joke and I’m tired of playing. If this stuff I ordered doesn’t help, I may have to burn the house down.

Joke.

Maybe.

I already feel like I’m failing at this. I can think of at least a dozen things to go out and blow what’s left of my paycheck on. None of it is necessary and will ultimately only take up precious space in my tiny room that I can ill afford to lose.On the flip-side of that coin, though, is this urge to completely purge my space of all my possessions and just start over. Not that I could ever find the energy or drive to actually do that. I stare at my bookshelves and immediately tell myself, “That’s a big fat nope!” Eventually, it’s gotta happen. I hate the clutter. I hate the feeling of drowning in material possessions. I hate the feeling that I have so must -stuff- but nothing that really makes my head turn. I have my books, and with the rare exception of about a handful of books I’d be willing to give away, that I could never part with. I have all this makeup that I… actually get the warm tinglies when I think about (sad, I know). My clothes are just clothes. Everything else, all my The Walking Dead Collectibles and other odds-and-ends, is just… there, taking up that space I mentioned earlier.

It’s raining outside right now. Maybe it’s the weather speaking, but I just feel… lost right now. With this, with everything, hence the “failing.”

I need to keep on this. And those precious few of you who have read even one of these posts so far, you make my day and keep me inspired to keep sharing.

Feedback is welcome.

No Buy – Day Three

I didn’t spend a dime today. Go me!

But, I wanted to. Desperately. I had even logged into my Stitch Fix account to schedule a fix. I got to that last page and saw that “Save” button, date selected… and hesitated. I don’t even need anything. Yeah, the $20 styling fee may not seem like much to people, but the cost of each item in the box? The entire box? Could be upwards of $200, if I wanted to keep it all. That would’ve killed any semblance of a budget I have (or trying to have). So, I closed out of the Stitch Fix app and pushed my phone away. I felt a small tick show up in my Win Column. I’ll take what I can get, ya know?

There’s makeup coming out that I want, too. Need? No. Want? Yes. So. Much. Please and thank you. I don’t know if I’ll be able to resist, but I suppose it will ultimately come down to the final price of the items. Prices can scare me off pretty quickly, but deep down, I don’t know if I should be hoping for a high price or a lower, more affordable price I can pull off.

It’s weird, though. Tomorrow’s pay day, and I still have money left. More than I’d expected to have, too. I didn’t go out and blow the last little bit. Granted, I also know I have bills coming due and I need to make sure I have enough to cover the necessities, but that doesn’t matter! Again, another notch showed up in my Win Column for the day.

Despite those wins, all I can seem to think about is, “What can I buy?” “Do I need anything? Want anything?” This is why I have the debt I do, why I needed to go on this self-imposed No Buy this year. Now, I’m not saying I won’t amend the rules to make them work better for me as time goes on. What I am saying, however, is that as slow and difficult as it may seem, I just might make it through this.

Day One

2019 No Buy Year

Inspired by Hailey Evans (Template provided by Hailey, as well)

OBJECTIVES

Start Date: Jan 1, 2019 End Date: Dec 31, 2019

-To ultimately quit unchecked spending on non-essential items (ie. Casual Shopping)

-To save for a prosperous future

-To live on a small income

-To focus on small, long term health goals

RULES

-No spending on non-essentials for 1 year.

Main categories are:

Clothing

Makeup

Housewares

Snack Food

-No spending on essentials that you already have covered.

-You may replace an essential item that has worn out or finished if you do not have a similar replacement item already (at your discretion) ex. Mascara, face cream, shoes, paint, canvas.

-You may buy gifts

-You may buy experiences and travel

Essentials List

Shampoo, conditioner, face cream, toner, body wash, deodorant, TP, soap, laundry/dishwasher detergent, haircuts, cleanser, mascara, brow pomade, brow gel, concealer, lip gloss, eyeliner, shoes, boots, jeans, undershirts, underwear, paint, canvas, groceries (meat, veggies, bread, milk, eggs, butter, cheese, wine, beer, whiskey, potatoes, pasta, rice, tea, coffee), bills (Xfinity, Amazon Prime, AMC A-List, Sirius XM, Apple Music, RAC), gas.

NON-Essentials List (Things you may DEFINITELY NOT buy no matter what)

Eyeshadow, Blush, lipstick, highlighter, bronzer, powder, setting spray, eyelashes, ANY colour cosmetics, face masks, serum, sweaters, fashion pieces, jewellery, house plants, mugs, kitchen tools, takeout coffee*1, books*2.

*1- Exception: if you are staying at the cafe and working/reading/visiting with friends

*2- Exception: You must wait 30 days, if you still want the book you may purchase, stipulating item is under $30USD.