Project No-Buy 2014: Week 1

Week 1 (January 6-12)

Well, not much to post this first week. As usual, the beginning of a low buy makes you want to buy everything! However, I am sure that will pass, as it did last time. I hope. I think with the money I save I am going to take a few makeup classes at KRYOLAN, they are starting up again for the year and they look interesting. Instead of buying makeup I will learn different ways to use it! :-)

Purchase Total: $0

Money in Makeup Bank before purchases: $0

Money after purchases: $0

Week 1 Goals

Goal 1: Winter cleaning.  I cleaned out A LOT. Donated 3 boxes of books to the thrift store and 4 bags/boxes of art supplies to children's group homes. Switched up my makeup storage to make room, organized a bit more.  *COMPLETED* +$5

Goal 2: De-stash.  Organized new makeup and got rid of old makeup and will add a blog post this week for items to swap/sell. *COMPLETED* +$5

Writing/Blogging. Two blog posts. +$8

Art. None.

Reading.  I finished Orange is the New Black: My Year in a Women's Prison +5 and The Kite Runner +5

Empties. None this week.

Self Control. I did not go over my allotted spending this week.

Makeup Account this week: $28

Makeup Account Total: $28

Goals Week 15 (January 13-19)

Goal 1: De-stash Post.

Goal 2: Start Art Journal.

Project No-Buy Week Fifteen and Final Wrap Up

Week 15(May 26-June 1)

Well, I made it to the end. I'm pretty proud of myself because I really wasn't sure I was going to be able to do it. I learned a few things about myself in the process also.

1. I have a tendency to go crazy when I see the word SALE connected to indie cosmetics companies.
2. I see the words LIMITED EDITION (LE) and freak out and must purchase everything.
3. I impulse buy, especially at the drugstore, if I take the time to stop and think about a purchase I am much more likely to not go through with it.
4. If I see it for cheaper on e-bay/trade groups I'll buy it thinking I got a good deal.

I think the idea of rewards/allowance is a good idea. For me it encouraged me to do more of things I already enjoy but put off for one reason or another. It got me to start doing more, I still didn't work quite as hard as I think I should(but I'm like that haha) but it's got me thinking and building up to where I want to be. I think I may continue the idea, maybe alter it a bit more, but it's helped me from impulse buying and looking through things to see if I have something comparable before I buy. However, I am giving myself a pass in June, vacations!!

I did buy a couple things this week too, the new Milani shadow eyes pencils and a couple shadows from Shiro Cosmetics.

Purchase Total: $35 + $25.45 = $60.45

Money in Makeup Bank before purchases: $70.33-$60.45 = 9.88

Money after purchases: $9.88

Over the last 15 weeks I spent $203.62 on cosmetics, when I add it up it seems like A LOT. However, I know in the past I could easily drop $100 in one purchase at Sephora...hell during winter sales I could spend the entire $200 at once(yes this is embarrassing to admit). So, I am sort of proud that I decreased my spending by a lot. I think if I stop buying every time I see an indie company have a sale, my impulse purchases of $15 here and $20 there will help a lot. It seems like such a small amount when it's only 10 bucks here and there but when you add it up ad the end of the month it's quite a chunk of change. No wonder my savings account is growing!

I highly recommend trying a no-buy or an altered no-buy/low-buy. It really helps!

Project No-Buy Week Fourteen

Week 14 (May 13-May 19)

Well, not much to say this week, as I hardly did much of anything the last 3 days of the week but lay in bed. Ah the joys of being sick. I felt so bad I didn't even want to read or watch tv, just sleep. I guess that's one way to keep yourself from buying makeup! ;-)

I can't believe next week is the last week! Technically 100 days is on Tuesday but I'll just try and finish out the week. Let's hope I don't go crazy come the weekend! I will also do a re-cap of the 15 weeks/100 days.

Purchase Total: $0

Money in Makeup Bank before purchases: $60.33

Money after purchases: $60.33

Week 14 Goals

Goal 1: Upload all of the photos from the wedding shower and open a group for everyone to share their pictures. *COMPLETED* +$5

Goal 2: Transfer files from my old laptop onto my portable hard drive. Now I just need to figure out how to clean it off...factory reset or something? *COMPLETED* +$5

Writing/Blogging. No blogging this week. :-(

Art. None.

Reading.  No reading this week, I know, sad. 

Empties. None this week.

Self Control. I did not go over my allotted spending this week.

Makeup Account this week: $10

Makeup Account Total: $60.33 + $10.00 = $70.33

Goals Week 15 (May 27-June 2)

Goal 1: Continue with/cath up on my blog every day in May. I stayed away from the computer a lot last week because I was ill but I really want to try to finish it.

Goal 2: One look and one review.

This will be my last week on my altered low/no buy but I may(probably will need to, haha) start back up after my trips and PHAMEXPO.

Project No-Buy Week Thirteen

Week 12 (May 13-May 19)

*NOTE* I should have posted this on Monday but yay me, came down with a lovely stomach bug for the week.

This week was so busy. I took pictures at my Mom's best friend's(basically my auntie) wedding shower. Her first marriage!! She so deserves happiness. It turned out really great, I had a lot of fun taking pictures, I finally picked up a 50mm lens for my Nikon and I don't think I'll ever take it off again! Well, I probably will, but I really love it, it's the exact kind of lens I have been wanting and I finally don't hate my camera, haha, seriously, my dslr and I have a love-hate relationship. All I need now is a tripod and I'll be set...and maybe a 35mm lens. ;-) I did some nice makeup for the party but as soon as I went outside my eyes just started crying, allergies. All week, every time I went outside my allergies just kicked up. I finally went to the doctor and she prescribed some allergy medication, I really hope it helps or I am never going to be able to put on eye makeup this spring or summer! Everyone I run into seems to be having the same allergy issues this year, they are so bad. I also finally started getting into airbrush foundation, I've had my machine forever but I don't ever allow myself time to learn it properly, but now I am. As far as purchases I got the new MAC blush in Ripe for Love and the Pro-longwear bronzer from the new summer collection. I have never ever used bronzer, it scares me frankly, I am so pale, but I have heard good things about the pro-longwear one so I thought why not try it for summer! And I love peachy-coral blushes, they are my weakness. *sigh* I also picked up the other LE Stila Smudgestick in Periwinkle, I love the unusual colors this spring. I am still on the lookout for a really good mint green shadow though. I guess I have blabbed on enough here...only two weeks left of my no-buy. I may continue it just another week or two after since I am leaving for NYC on the 12th and plan on doing some serious shopping! Plus I am 90% sure I will be going to PHAMEXPO in Southern California at the end of June, I really want to save up a bit. But there are just a feeew indie shadows I want to pick up, so we'll see how good I can really be!

Purchase Total: $9 + $57.77


Money in Makeup Bank before purchases: $100.10

Money after purchases: $33.33

Week 13 Goals

Goal 1: Practice with my airbrush machine. *COMPLETED* I finally broke it out and am teaching myself. +$5

Goal 2: Clean my makeup brushes. *COMPLETED* All 1000 of them...ok maybe not that many, but it sure feels like it sometimes. I love my scrubby board. +$5


Writing/Blogging. Seven blog every day in May posts. I am liking this challenge because it is getting me to think and write again. I also started my personal blog because posting all these non-makeup entires on here seemed off...and I have been meaning to start one, so this figured like an appropriate time. You can check it out here: Once Upon a Time...And Other Lies Our Parents Told Us... +$14

Art. None.

Reading.  Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn +$4 Dead Ever After: A Sookie Stackhouse Novel...yeah I had to finish the series. +$4

Empties. None this week.

Self Control. I did not go over my allotted spending this week.

Makeup Account this week: $27.00

Makeup Account Total: $33.33 + $27.00 = $60.33

Goals Week 14 (May 20-May 26)

Goal 1: Upload all of the photos from the wedding shower and open a group for everyone to share their pictures.

Goal 2: Transfer files from my old laptop onto my portable hard drive.

Project No Buy: Week 12

Week 11 (May 6-May 12)

This week went by fast, I didn't do much in the way of makeup. I was feeling a bit ill with my allergies and I am not sure if I was coming down with something, or had a mild cold or something but my whole body just hurt and I didn't want to do much but sleep. I found the last color tattoo that I had wanted Seashore Frost at my local CVS, who knew the closest one to me would finally have a full display? I also picked up a Stila Smudge Stick in the LE color Turquoise(I think?), I really wanted that one and Periwinkle, Turquoise was sold out though, but I found it on Ebay and I got it in the mail Friday, I love it, the color is so pretty. That's it for my purchases. As the weeks go by and there are only three left now I looked back on how much I have spent so far, I added up from week one and I've spent $138.85 in eleven weeks, now this does seem like a lot, but I admit (embarrassingly) I could easily spend that in one month before I started this no/low buy. I am really learning a lot, and while I know myself and I know I won't be that good when it ends, I think I am going to make sure I am much better and be thinking purchases more thoroughly.

Purchase Total: $9 + $7.49 = $16.49


Money in Makeup Bank before purchases: $81.06

Money after purchases: $64.57

Week 13 Goals

Goal 1: Do one contest look, one face of the day and one review. *FAILED* I  hardly wore makeup at all this week actually, between allergies and feeling ill I wasn't much up to it. +$0

Goal 2: Finished up paperwork. +$5

Goal 3: Practice with my airbrush machine. *FAILED* I knew it would be a stretch but I am going to do it this week. +$0

Writing/Blogging. Seven blog every day in May posts. I am liking this challenge because it is getting me to think and write again. +$14

Art. None.

Reading.  Sisters Grimm: Book 10: The Council of Mirrors +$4 This is a really well written children's/YA series, it's a really fun read, I recommend it to anyone of any age. :-) I also started Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn, haven't finished it yet though.

Empties. None this week.

Self Control. I did not go over my allotted spending this week. I also received my check from ebates.com for using them when I buy online, an extra bonus for shopping smart! +$12.53

Makeup Account this week: $35.53

Makeup Account Total: $35.53 + $64.57 = $100.10

Goals Week 13 (May 13-May 19)

Goal 1: RETRY. Practicing with my airbrush machine.

Goal 2: I do need to wash all my brushes...how sad I really can't think of anything else right now.

Project No Buy Week 11

Week 11 (April 28-May 5)

This week was so incredibly warm that every time I tried to attempt putting on makeup I stopped because my face would start sweating. Not attractive. I really wanted to wear makeup too! I managed about three days, two with pretty simple looks and finally by the weekend it cooled off and allowed me a little bit of fun. And to top it off this week all around was kind of a bummer, some negative family stuff and personal things came up. When that happens I usually make myself feel better by doing what I do best...BUYING ALL THE MAKEUP!! But I did my best to control myself. I did want to take advantage of Victorian Disco Cosmetics 35% off sale, probably the last big one she has before she goes on vacation. I picked up a couple mini jars, so with the discount I only ended up spending $13.24. Plus MAC came out with their Art of Eyes collection(or something, haha) and I had really wanted to check out their fluidliner brow gel back when it first launched, so I picked that up this week too. I think that's about it, I managed to control myself pretty well. OK...on the makeup front, haha, I did go out and splure on a massive amount of comics during Free Comic Book Day. Went in to get two free comics, came out with about 15 others, haha! Oh well. I tried. ;-)

Purchase Total: 13.24+17.44= $30.68


Money in Makeup Bank before purchases: $61.18

Money after purchases: $31.50

Week 10 Goals

Goal 1: Do one contest look, one face of the day and one review. *FAILED*  I did one review and one look but not a contest look. Every time I tried putting on makeup it melted off. LOL. +$0

Goal 2: Work on Intern application and volunteer application and back paperwork. *COMPLETED* I managed to get through most of it, now I just have to get over to my old school and acquire some paper work and signatures. Plus some more paperwork came up today, but I did what I had planned. +$5

Writing/Blogging. Five Blog every day in May blog posts, one brush cleaner review, one face of the day. I'm on a roll! This blog every day in May is giving me some inspiration. +$14


Art. None.

Reading.  None. *shameface* This is the first week I haven't read anything new! I finally finished A Casual Vacancy and I am not sure what to read next, plus I got sucked into some shows on DVD.

Empties. None this week.

Self Control. I did not go over my allotted spending this week. I also received my check from mrrebates.com for using them when I buy online, and extra bonus for shopping smart! +$30.56

Makeup Account this week: $49.56

Makeup Account Total: $31.50 + $49.56 = $81.06

Goals Week 12 (May 6-May 12)

Goal 1: RETRY. Do at least one contest look, a face of the day and a review.

Goal 2: Finish the last of my paperwork.

Goal 3: I am adding a third goal, we'll see if I get to it. I want to become proficient in using my airbrush machine, so begin practicing with it this week.

Project No Buy Week 9 and 10

Week 9 and 10(April 17-27)

I combined a week and a half for this post because I got a new laptop finally! Which if you refer to my first No Buy Post one of the things I was saving for was a new laptop so yay! I'm in the process of transferring files and such, plus my lack of camera issue is now solved as I have a new point and shoot. Now onto the makeup!

Found almost all the LE Maybelline Color Tattoo's I wanted! It was quite the hunt, every store was pretty much wiped clean if they had the display set up yet. I finally found a semi-stocked Rite Aid. If you are ever hunting for something LE, dig around the permanent items, I found two of them behind the permanent rows of Color Tattoo's. I managed to get Cool Crush, Lavish Lavender, Shady Shores, Precious Pearls and Blue Paradise(the last two found at CVS). AND they were all Buy 1 Get 1 half off thankfully. I have to say I am truly amazed at the price differences I found at the three stores. BB&B they were only $4.99, while at Rite Aid they were $6.99 and lastly CVS $7.49! Amazing. While at Rite Aid I also found a miraculously full stock of Wet'n'Wild lippies that I can never find at any of my local stores, so I got 24 Carrot Gold megalast lipstick.

Monday, the 21st, was also the last day of Sephora's Chic week and I wanted to grab a couple things, including my face wash which I'm almost out of, unfortunately the one thing I really wanted, the new UD liner's were OOS, so I ended up not buying anything! I can't believe a sale went by and I spent nothing. Kind of crazy for me. However I ended up finding out about the makeup exchange on reddit.com (Thanks to Nail Sparks!) so I got the three liners for $12 each, way less than even the 15% off at sephora. Plus I managed to get three 3oz Philosphy Purity on ebay for 17.99, again cheaper than the sale, so I feel pretty good about saving at least even though it doesn't count towards my spending because I used up my previous one and had no other face wash and it is an essential.

What were people saying about me being so disciplined? ;-P But I take into account the first eight weeks I really didn't buy anything, and have stayed within my earned money and followed my rules. I am finding I am wanting things a little less as time goes on, I hope I can keep it up after the end of May.

Purchase Total: 33.71 + 36= $69.71


Money in Makeup Bank before purchases: $120.03

Money after purchases: $51.68


Week Nine Goals

Goal 1: Four blog posts. *Failed* +$0 I did have four written out but I haven't been able to take the pictures for all of them, *fail* so hopefully I can do that now that I got my new point and shoot working.

Goal 2: Spring cleaning. I cleaned the cabinet, fridge and freezer of anything old or past expiration dates, the kitchen is nicely emptied. *completed*+$5

Writing/Blogging. Three blog posts- Two Friday Favorites posts because I had to combine weeks and No buy update. +$6


Art. I did some drawing with a young friend this week, she just may get me back into it. It felt nice to just play with colors and relax, I wish I had taken a picture but I ended up giving her mine and she gave me hers to keep. It wasn't an extremely elaborate piece so I will award myself half since it wasn't as time consuming. +$2.50

Reading. The Casual Vacancy by JK Rowling. +$6 

Empties. None this week.

Self Control. I did not go over my allotted spending this week.

Makeup Account this week: $19.50

Makeup Account Total: $61.18

Goals Week 9 (April 28-May 4)

Goal 1: Do at least one contest look, a face of the day and a review.

Goal 2: Start an intern application and a volunteer application, as well as work on back paperwork.

I've been slacking lately on everything the past week and half so this week is time to get back on track a bit!

Project No Buy Week 8

Week 8 (April 11-17)

This weeks post is pretty late, I considered just combining weeks eight and nine but figured I would just post this now and week nine in a couple days. It has been a couple of slow weeks all around.

Purchases

I've been on the hunt for the new LE Maybelline Color Tattoo's, unfortunately I only found one color when I went to Bed Bath and Beyond in Icy Mint.

Purchase Total: $5.37

Money in Makeup Bank before purchases: $113.40

Money after purchases: $109.03

Week Eight Goals

Goal 1: Two looks and Two post. *FAIL*

Goal 2: Spring cleaning. I managed to clean out a dresser, book shelves and two tables. *completed*+$5

Writing/Blogging. Only one post this week. +$2


Art. Nothing. I swear I should just forget this, I haven't had much creativity lately.

Reading. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. +$4 This is the least amount of reading I have done in a while, I just haven't found new books yet.

Empties. None this week.

Self Control. I did not go over my allotted spending this week.

Makeup Account this week: $11

Makeup Account Total: $120.03

Goals Week 9 (April 18-24)

Goal 1: Four blog posts. I am not going to attempt posting any looks until I get  a proper camera again.

Goal 2: Clean out my kitchen- fridge, freezer and cabinets.

Project No Buy Week 7

Week Seven (4/3-4/10)



Purchases

I didn't purchase anything with my own money this week. However, for Easter my grandparents gave me money to buy the lippies from the MAC Fashion Sets collection that came out last week. Since it was a gift it doesn't count towards my purchases.

Purchase total: $0

Money in Makeup Bank before purchases: $88.40

Money after purchases: $88.40

Week Six Goals

Goal 1: Two makeup looks posted. *fail* +$0
Goal 2: Spring cleaning. It feels really good to get rid of tons of old papers and junk. My Dad always says, an empty surface it's just calling to acquire junk. LOL.  *completed* +$5

Writing/Blogging. I did two posts this week. +$4

Art. Nothing.

Reading. Read Beautiful Chaos. +6 Dream Dark. +2 Beautiful Redemption. +6

Empties. My Philosophy face wash and my Jack Black lip balm. My first two empties. Thank goodness Sephora's sale is coming up this week! +$2

Self Control. I did splurge a little on the MAC fashion sets collection but since my Grandparents gave me the money for Easter to buy them it falls under the present/gift category. At first I felt a little guilty but since it was a present it doesn't count. :-)

Makeup Account this week: +$25
Makeup Account Total: +$88.40 +$25= $113.40

Goals Week 7 (April 11-17)

Goal 1: Two more posted looks plus two more blog posts.
Goal 2: More Spring cleaning, eesh.

Project No Buy Week 6

March  27-April 3

So I have a hard time updating my weeks on Sunday because usually we do something with the family on the weekends. Wednesday work better and I find myself writing then generally. This last week has been a good week for makeup it seems. I finally captured a couple looks!

Purchases

After five long weeks I did break down and buy something! I am proud of myself for making it an entire month without a single purchase. What did I buy? Victorian Disco Cosmetics was having an Easter sale, plus a free shadow if you spent over $10. The free shadow was so gorgeous I broke down and placed an order. It was a small order, which is another victory for me, usually I have to buy the entire collection. I bought 2 mini jars from her re-vamped Sailor Scout collection and 2 mini jars from her new Interwebz collection, plus the color of the month.

Purchase total: $14.60

Money in Makeup Bank before purchases: $71.00

Money after purchases: $62.40

Week Six Goals

Goal 1: Two makeup looks posted. *completed* +$5
Goal 2: Exercises and vitamins. *completed*+$5

Writing/Blogging. I did three posts this week. +$6

Art. Nothing.

Reading. I read Warm Bodies. I really recommend this book, it is very well written and quite intrigue. I'm not a total Zombie nut like some people, but I loved this book! +$4. Read Beautiful Darkness. I am liking this series a lot. +$6

Empties. None. $0

Self Control. I did not go over my earned money.

Makeup Account this week: +$26
Makeup Account Total: +$88.40

Goals Week 7 (April 4-10)

Goal 1: Two more posted looks plus two more blog posts.
Goal 2: Spring cleaning; cleaning out my office hutch and shelves.

No Buy Week 5

Week 5 (March 18-24)

I came down with the stomach flu (I have a crappy immune system) so not a lot of makeup things associated this week. Plus my camera's are both in the shop and I just can't take a good picture with my phone to save my life. (edit: My DSLR is back now!)

Purchases

None, it's starting to get easier. I have a few things on my list that I want to get, but all the impulse buying is gone. I found myself about 4 times in the last week or two turning down LE items and Indie items I thought I wanted, and even though I had some money in my makeup bank I decided not to use it. That feels good actually.

Week 5

Goals:

Goal 1: Makeup looks and posts. FAIL. +0

Goal 2: Taking vitamins. I have managed to take my vitamins every day for the past 2 and a half weeks now. +5

Writing/Blogging: Nothing this week. +0

Art: Nothing. +0

Reading: Beautiful Creatures, 541 pages. +6

Empties: None. +0

Self Control: Did not buy anything.

Makeup Account this week: +11

Makeup Account Total: +71

Goal Week 5:

Goal 1: Two posted looks.

Goal 2: Leg exercises and continue vitamins. I had knee surgery a few years ago and my ankle and knee have never been the same, I am trying to walk better so I really need to consistently do leg excercises that I don't do, thus the goal and inspiration.

Project No Buy Week 3 and 4

Week 3 (March 4-10) and Week 4 (March 11-17)

Well, last week went by and before I knew it was almost over so I figured just combine weeks 3 and 4, since not too much happened. It's getting much easier to control impulse buying actually and it's nice seeing cash in my bank account!

Purchases
No makeup purchases this week, which feels pretty good. I'm halfway through March and have not bought anything, if I make it through the entire month without buying any makeup I will give myself an added bonus, even though I do have money in my makeup account, it feels good not to buy anything at all, at least for a while.

Week 2 and 3

Goals:

Goal 1: Doing two makeup looks. FAIL. I *did* actually do two, but failed at capturing them and posting them. Both my DSLR and point and shoot cameras are broken. I am forced to use my camera phone right now and I haven't mastered being able to take very good pictures of makeup yet. +0

Goal 2: Organizing. Finally finished and pictures are posted in my most recent blog about storage. Feels pretty good. +5

Writing/Blogging. Three blog posts. +6

Art. Sadly nothing yet. +0

Reading. The Time Keeper by Mitch Alboum +4 I feel like I read some other things, but can't remember for the life of me what.

Empties. No empties this week. +0

Self Control. No buying this week!

Makeup Account this week: +$15

Makeup Account Total: +$35


*ADDENDUM* Part of organizing has had me getting rid of products I never use. Last week I sold three items for $30(-$5 for shipping the items). Since they were makeup items I decided part of the money would go to my makeup account. I did not take this into account when I was devising my "rules," which I should have, since I have gotten rid of a lot of un-used products this way.

NEW TOTAL: + $60

Goals Week 5

Goal 1: Two makeup blog posts and at least 2 other blog posts.

Goal 2: Health goals; I know I should be taking a multi-vitamin regularly but I don't. I purchased them last week and started them, my goals it to take them every day as I tend to forget or slowly just stop things I start.

Project No Buy Week 2

Week 1 (February 25-March 3)

Well, this week I came down with a cold, which also went into my eye, so no makeup was allowed to touch my eye for the week. Total bummer, although I was too tired to really want to do anything for the most part as it was.The one positive thing I suppose was it kept me from really thinking about buying anything this week! Aside from the normal daily stuff I had to get done I pretty much stayed off my feet and rested this week.

Purchases

Being sick made it easier not to buy anything this week, haha. Granted I only had twenty dollars in my account which made me second guess everything as it was, any time I thought about something I was interested in(say a new eye liner) I re-analyzed my thought, reminding myself that even a small purchase wasn't worth it if something I really want comes along and I haven't saved up enough. So I guess it's working to make me think about purchases!

Week 1

Goals:

Goal 1: 2 makeup looks. FAIL. Since I was sick all week and my eye was affected, no makeup. :-( +0
Goal 2: Organizing. FAIL. Again, being sick most of the week I didn't go beyond the things I HAD to do, classes and such. +0

2. Writing/Blogging. +0

3. Art. Nothing this week. +0

4 Reading.
Stephanie Plum: Seventeen 156 pages- +2
Stephanie Plum: Explosive 18: 302 pages- $4
Stephanie Plum: Notorious 19: 356 pages- $4

Being sick has some advantages, I read a bit!

5. Empties. No empties this week. +0

6. Self Control. Didn't buy anything! Being sick again has it's advantages, I didn't shop or spend.

Makeup Account This Week: +$10

Makeup Account Total: $30

Goals Week 2

Since I failed both goals for last week, I'm going to put them up again for this week since I am feeling better now. :-)

Project No-Buy Week 1

Week 1 (February 18-24)

Well, this has definitely been harder than I thought! Mainly because I am just used to impulse buying, see a sale? Buy! A new collection? Get it RIGHT NOW! I'm learning I have to stop and think, plan out what I *really* want and then, save. Plus I have to figure out what I want as opposed to what I want right now, just because I see it. I am learning(slowly) that tomorrow, or the next day, or next week, I don't really need it or want it as much as I thought.

Purchases

Well I had zero to spend so as hard as it was I bought nothing. Although, I am still getting items I purchased the weeks prior in the mail, so it doesn't feel completely real yet I suppose, although the not buying is hard and I am tempted frequently. Sad as it is, shopping is my coping mechanism for stress, and the last two weeks hav been full of stress! I am learning other ways. So that's a good thing, right?!

Week 1

Goals:

Finish organizing my makeup. This I did do, but I am still waiting for my vanity to be finished, my dad had to take it home for some adjustments, so my makeup is not all in it's final spot, but everything is in it's drawer/container. +5 (Blog post will be up tomorrow after I try and get pictures with my camera, both my cameras decided to nosedive on me this week :-/)

Playing catch up, since I was gone all the week before I had so much to catch up on and luckily somehow I did manage to finish my to do list. I honestly don't know how I did that, but I did. +5

2. Writing/Blogging. I did manage to put up THREE blog posts this week I think. Surprising even myself! +6

3. Art. Nothing this week. +0

4 Reading. I'm in the middle of two *fun* books. Naked Heat and Stephanie Plum Smokin' 17. 300 pages. +4

5. Empties. No empties this week. Although my foundation is getting close and I think my lip balm is at it's last squeeze. +0

6. Self Control. Didn't buy anything!

Makeup Account: $20

Goals Week 2

1. Post two makeup looks and a review to my blog.
2. I have been avoiding cleaning out my dresser and folding everything neat and proper, so I am going to attempt that, it sounds easy, but trust me, if you saw it, you would think otherwise. :-P

Well w'll see how week 2 goes!!....remember to Stay Beautifully You!

Project No-Buy

Currently I have been re-organizing my beauty products(further posting on this will be up shortly this week) and I have decided that I indeed need to curb my impulse shopping. At the beginning of this year I made it a decision to become stricter with myself when it comes to buying makeup and with my budget in general. So as part of that I have decided to start myself in project no-buy. Now, I am the first one to tell you I am not sure how well I will do at completely cutting myself off, but, I do think I can do it. However, unlike the traditional no-buy, where you literally can buy nothing but products you run out of I think, it will be tweaked, of sorts. I know if i restrict myself it will only make me want it more! I admit I am a beauty addict, I know I have more than I could every use or need, but it is one of my passions, so there you have it. As I was looking through the concept of a no-buy through other bloggers I saw that Nancy at The Dark Side of Beauty created her own version that I much align with my own ideas. After asking her permission to share on here what she came up with(and a possible adjustments to my own lifestyle) here it is!

Project No-Buy Goals

Instead of a traditional no-buy, she decided to create a project to 1) finish makeup I currently own, 2) not horde so much new makeup, 3) to keep up with my 2013 resolutions and 4) save money for something else other than makeup. I will be updating this project every Sunday and like those people doing the 100-day No Buy, I will make a wish list for myself. If you are curious about the No-Buy project or if you also want to be part of it, keep reading!

Rules

As of February 18th, 2013 I will not be allowed to buy any beauty related products, unless...

1. the product is an absolute essential (shampoo/conditioner, cleanser, deodorant...etc.) and I have run out.
2. I run out of a product and I have nothing else to replace it (ex: I run out of my current eyeshadow primer and I have no other primers in my collection)
3. I receive a gift card, money or am gifted makeup and therefore am not spending any of my own money on it.
4. If I am in a place that I usually never go and has products that I am otherwise never able to get (ex: if i am traveling to another country or go to a store that is not available close to me).
5. They are giveaway prizes!

*Remember that I have tons of products that I purchased before February 18th that I have yet to show on my blog! Keep that in mind with any upcoming posts! I will be honest with all of you on this project; I gain nothing from lying to you guys! This also gives a a chance to talk about some of my favorite permanent products and re-discover lots of items!

Although I am calling this a "No-Buy", I am making some exceptions for myself. These are rewards for myself for 1) following the no-buy, 2)following weekly goals, and 3) sticking to my 2013 resolutions. 

1. Weekly Goals. Every week (on Sunday) I will set two goals for myself. Each of these goals should be met by the end of the week. If the goal is met, I will award myself $5 of allowance for makeup (therefore, I have a possibility of earning $10 per week). If I do not met either of them, then I get $0 of spending money. 

2. Blogging and Writing. One of my goals this year is to write more consistently, which also includes my blogging. I started this blog for many reasons, I love beauty products, for one but I also love fashion, art, photography, writing, etc. I consider all of these things as part of beauty, not just how we look but who we are inside. I want to push myself to do more. So for every blog post I will award myself $2. For other writing(essay, poem, story, etc) I will award myself $1 a page, so if I write a 3 page essay I will get $3, a poem, $1 and so on. A lot of people have been encouraging me to write more about my life, so hopefully this will encourage me to do more.

3. Art. This may sound like an odd goal, but art used to be a huge part of my life,   and it's slowly taken a back seat to so many things. This year I am really hoping to get back into it. Painting, drawing, photography, sewing are all things I used to do consistently. So for every piece I do, or if I create something I will award myself $5.

5. Reading. Another part of my life that used to be huge and I let slip. I love to read but tend to do it in "spurts," meaning I will read voraciously for a week or two, a ton of books and then go back to nothing. I would like to be more consistent, because I love reading, I just tend to get side tracked. So for anything under 200 pages, $2, beween 200-500, $4 and over 500 pages, $6.

                     

6. Empties.

It is great to finish a product, especially products you don't particularly care for that are just taking up space. Therefore, for any empty product I have, I will award myself $1 of makeup allowance. 

7. Self-Control. 

This is not really a reward, but a punishment. If I don't follow my no-buy, then I will get negative cash for whatever amount I spent. For example, if I buy a $10 product when I have no reward allowance to spend, then I will subtract double the amount I spent on my total reward allowance, in this case being -$20. This means my allowance will be in a negative number and I will have to work even harder to have money to spend on makeup the following weeks.

During the week's update on Sunday, I will let you know whether I have kept up with my No-buy for that week, show you products I've used up, and update you and show you if I have earned any money through the rewards system. If, for example, I meet both of my weekly goals for that week ($10), perhaps read a 300 page novel ($4), and blogged three times that week($6), then that means I earned $2 worth of makeup allowance that week. Then that means that starting Monday after the update, I can buy makeup with my $20 allowance.Any makeup I buy using this allowance will be shown during that week's update. 

The reward money does carry over to the weeks following if I do not spend it. So If I had $20 and only spent $10 that week, then I will have $10 left over. Then I can add onto that any new allowance I get from the following weeks. I am going to call this my Make-Up Account since it is essentially the money I have to buy makeup. None of my other money will go into makeup/beauty products. This will help me save up for collections I am waiting for, and hopefully help me plan what I purchase better, instead of automatically buying what I see. For instance, I know I really want the Cold Chemistry palette coming out soon by Sugarpill, I know it's going to take a few weeks of saving for it, so before I go out and spend say the $20 I earned over two weeks on something I don't need, I'll be more inclined to stop myself from purchasing it, knowing I really want that palette when it comes out so I better not spend what's in my makeup account. :-) I think it actually helps to see the value of a dollar this way.

This is a bit confusing, but basically what I am trying to do is to control the amount of makeup I buy, not completely stop it. Not only can I more efficiently control the amount of makeup I buy, but I can also become a more knowledgeable person when it comes to my own finances, wise purchasing and researching a product.

If you have any questions or want any clarifications please leave a comment and I will get back to you as soon as possible.

Weekly Goals for 2/18:
1. Organizing/Cleaning. I started organizing my collection before I left for a week away, now that I am back I need to finish what I started. So this weeks goal is to clean up my makeup area.
2. I won't kid myself, I have so much to catch up on after being gone a week, my second goal is to make sure I finish my to-do list, including, appointments, tons of errands and chores. I know I have SO MUCH to catch up on I will end up not having time for much else this week.

Wish List: I also mentioned that I am also doing this in order to save up for non-makeup things I really want. One is a new laptop, mine is slowly dying on me, I have already started saving but am hoping I will be able to put more savings towards it and reach my goal faster because I won't be spending so much on cosmetics. Two, is semi-makeup related, in that I want a new makeup vanity including a nice lighted mirror, they are pricey, but so worth it. If I have anything to add to my wish list I will share later on.

Makeup Account: $0.

That's it for this week! Wish me luck, I'm going to need it! :-D