[@]audrey c[/@] thanks! It did seem like a lot. In my head I'm still trying to find a way to cut back without missing out on anything - if that makes sense. I'm going to start going through my collection today. I did make a big step a few weeks ago and I organized a bunch of things that I had just thrown in a 'new products' drawer. It gave me a shock to see that I was running out of room in my Alex drawers. I never thought that would happen.
Resolution "LOW-BUY" 2014! Who wants to play?
- Thread starter PixieDancer
- Start date
LinenWhite7
Well-known member
So, so many great ideas! Thanks ladies! My PB is currently up for sale and I've had a few people interested. I'm eyeing the Cargo Meet Me in Paris eye palette that's at Ulta today for $20 but I think I might rather get some skin care.
aradhana
Well-known member
I think I'm going to need to buy less than one item per collection...well, at least when it comes to MAC. they just have too many collections. i mean don't they have three collections launching on boxing day? so three items per collection would put me at nine items, which would be a sneaky way of bypassing the low-buy...
the other brands i am usually better at resisting, but in reality, i don't NEED any new makeup next year, with the exception of mascara replacements.
the other brands i am usually better at resisting, but in reality, i don't NEED any new makeup next year, with the exception of mascara replacements.
KiKi Kontour
Well-known member
wooooow this thread is perfect and must've been reading my mind lol. i was just tellin my sister in 2014 im gonna slow up on makeup becuz im gettin overwhelmed wit shyt i've had since spring/summer that i've yet to even open n touch and im just adding more to the pot. i got a whole handful of vampy lip colors i've barely wore yet i was debatin on gettin the punk couture coll
uggggggh!!! the madness needs to stop. im gonna limit myself to a certain budget a month or something. i gotta do better cuz shyt is just gettin redundant in my stash and i end up giving it away!!
Bcteagirl
Well-known member
I never really got much into MAC, perhaps because it is not in Sephora. But three collections on boxing day is madness.
PixieDancer
Well-known member
I guess when I was setting the goal of three items per collection, I had the bigger collections in mind. The ones with multiple skin finishes and multiple lipsticks and multiple eyeshadows. Not the smaller collections that they rollout every month or so. So basically, I plan to set a goal of no more than three items per large collection and 1-2 items max for the smaller collections. If that makes more sense! Because it is really important to clarify your goal. And setting a monthly budget might even be a better idea than that. When I started this thread I had the large collections in my head. The ones that I buy everything from out of fear of missing out! So three items seemed like a very tough but realistic goal for those! I'm glad we've started this dialogue early. That gives me some time to really fine-tune my mission before the first of the year!
Athomasgsu
Well-known member
Yes!!!!!
2browneyes
Well-known member
So I am really feeling AudreyC's comment about using something a few times before adding to your collection. With that being said I have alread planned to use my Restores Dazzle at least 3 times this week. Here goes nothing... 
Glitteryvegas
Well-known member
I'm loving the spread sheet idea - but I'm so, so scared. I've gotten quite a few items as gifts too, so I think I'd need to take that into consideration when making the lists.
Another thing that I've been thinking a lot about is this - I've been considering going to make up school part time for a few years now. Instead of buying up loads of make up, wouldn't that $$ be better spent on that goal? I think yes.
With the $$ that I'm saving on not buying, I can also do a lesson with my wedding make up artist one on one. I can work on learning and perfecting new techniques rather than just acquiring and acquiring new products.
In this way, I can be funneling the $ into my passion (makeup) while not acquiring more products. Win/Win!
Another thing that I've been thinking a lot about is this - I've been considering going to make up school part time for a few years now. Instead of buying up loads of make up, wouldn't that $$ be better spent on that goal? I think yes.
With the $$ that I'm saving on not buying, I can also do a lesson with my wedding make up artist one on one. I can work on learning and perfecting new techniques rather than just acquiring and acquiring new products.
In this way, I can be funneling the $ into my passion (makeup) while not acquiring more products. Win/Win!
Kaori
Well-known member
These kinds of budgeting spreadsheets could help with your goal =)
https://drive.google.com/previewtemplate?id=0AqSw5UvrxNaFdFRHNFlkbzEtR2xXNWJCS0JNRTZNdEE&mode=public
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/templates/personal-monthly-budget-spreadsheet-TC010073882.aspx
http://christianpf.com/10-free-household-budget-spreadsheets/
PixieDancer
Well-known member
Very helpful! Thanks for posting this! I love how we're gathering so much useful info in one place!!
Audrey C
Well-known member
Don't cheat on that spreadsheet woman!LOL Even a gifted makeup item is one less you may need to purchase... it just wouldn't count against your money spent or towards any budget you might set! Just some tough love for you sweetie!
I do like your idea of using your money towards your passion without adding to your stash! A little cheerleaderfor your WIN/WIN!!
Disclaimer: My educational background is finance and I have financial planning and various securities designations so I'm really passionate about people's financial security. I say this only because I've seen so many financial plans get derailed with unthinking, small purchases that add up to a crap ton of spending over time. It doesn't seem like a big deal to buy a $20 lipstick or $10 nail polish or a few palettes. Until it's done 50 or 100 times and suddenly we're talking about real money.
I am in no way being judgmental about loving or buying makeup - it's my vice too and like all of us I have more than I need. I've bought a lot lately and I want to just pause now, have fun getting to know my new additions and figuring out what I can do with them. I'm dreaming of a big trip with my family this coming summer, and I'm going to be tough on myself because it's ridiculously easy to spend a thousand dollars (or two...or more) on makeup and skincare without meaning to a bit at a time without even realizing it. That's why I'm spreadsheet girl. Not only does it force me to be honest, but it keeps me in control.
I think it's great that you're thinking of stepping back and investing in training instead of more makeup. Not only does that open up a potential new career path for you but I'm sure you'd figure out lots of new ways to work with what you already have.
walkingdead
Well-known member
Not only is this thread helping me with my make up spending but it's helping me cut back on my spending habits on clothes and shoes!
PixieDancer
Well-known member
I think that's going to be the surprise side effect of this thread... once you force yourself to be aware and accountable for your spending, it's almost certain to bleed into all our spending habits... Of course that's my secret wish and you've given me hope with your post!!
Serenityy
Well-known member
Now that is hard for me! I think I'm just addicted to retail in general
walkingdead
Well-known member
We can all start one step at a time....with everyone's support we can succeed!!Now that is hard for me! I think I'm just addicted to retail in general
Serenityy
Well-known member
Glitteryvegas
Well-known member
I SO agree. Most of us have already done far too much rationalizing - time to just be brutally honest about how much money there is in the collection. Some may be gifts, but I don't see spending a giftcard on makeup or asking for specific items as different from spending. Not really - often we chose to receive that and just financed it with someone else's money.
Disclaimer: My educational background is finance and I have financial planning and various securities designations so I'm really passionate about people's financial security. I say this only because I've seen so many financial plans get derailed with unthinking, small purchases that add up to a crap ton of spending over time. It doesn't seem like a big deal to buy a $20 lipstick or $10 nail polish or a few palettes. Until it's done 50 or 100 times and suddenly we're talking about real money.
I am in no way being judgmental about loving or buying makeup - it's my vice too and like all of us I have more than I need. I've bought a lot lately and I want to just pause now, have fun getting to know my new additions and figuring out what I can do with them. I'm dreaming of a big trip with my family this coming summer, and I'm going to be tough on myself because it's ridiculously easy to spend a thousand dollars (or two...or more) on makeup and skincare without meaning to a bit at a time without even realizing it. That's why I'm spreadsheet girl. Not only does it force me to be honest, but it keeps me in control.
I think it's great that you're thinking of stepping back and investing in training instead of more makeup. Not only does that open up a potential new career path for you but I'm sure you'd figure out lots of new ways to work with what you already have.
Most of the time it is me suggesting my own gifts, so it's so true that I am financing my items with other people's $. That cash could be better off saved or funneled into something meaningful as we've been discussing. Too much of a good thing is just that - too much. I'm curious about some of the other responses on here (not that I'm judging) - are we really better off if we just push those funds not spent on makeup into more consumer goods? Is that really an effective goal? I guess it depends on our individual circumstances, our own personal goals, etc. Again, not judging, but I'm trying to make sense of my own goals to make them more concrete. Honestly, I don't need more of anything - clothes, makeup, shoes, bags, etc, etc. The list goes on and on. I have more than enough stuff for myself and about 15 girls. So it really is about having your 'stuff' work for you, and not the other way around.
I'm not sure if people are up for it, but I'm so interested in other people's collections. I might post up my spreadsheet findings when I'm finished tallying the damage.
I really hope I can restrain myself with the spring collections... I know there will be some stuff that's going to tempt me, looking at the Nars blushes and the one from the YSL spring collection.
I just had to buy a new phone after my ''old'' one randomly decided to stop working. (it was only a few months old!) So there goes my xmas money that I had planned to use for makeup purchases next year. Sigh.
I broke down and ordered the Laura Mercier powder I had been thinking about for weeks (and thought I had talked myself out of successfully). Of course, that was hours before my phone stopped working, I surely wouldn't have bought it if I had known I have to buy a new phone!
I just had to buy a new phone after my ''old'' one randomly decided to stop working. (it was only a few months old!) So there goes my xmas money that I had planned to use for makeup purchases next year. Sigh.
I broke down and ordered the Laura Mercier powder I had been thinking about for weeks (and thought I had talked myself out of successfully). Of course, that was hours before my phone stopped working, I surely wouldn't have bought it if I had known I have to buy a new phone!
