So as you can tell from my title, I broke my spending ban. Man, it was hard. I know that some of you might be thinking “you only lasted 30 days! That’s a fail because you had less than 50% of your goal”. Yeah that’s true. But the fact I made the goal and tried, is something. We don’t always achieve greatness instantly, and I am proud that I gave it a good go! I thought I’d write this post to come clean about what I went through during the spending ban, what I think worked, what I think didn’t work, and my general thoughts of setting goals.
So firstly, I set a goal. I set goals all the time throughout my day. I am going to get that client’s work done today. The kitchen HAS to be cleaned today. I will not spend three hours on YouTube tonight. Sometimes, I achieve these mini-goals, and sometimes life gets in the way, temptation gets the better of me, or something else happens, and I fail. And that’s ok. Failing doesn’t mean I failed at life, it means I am experiencing life! If you fall off the horse, you dust yourself, get back on, and ride off into the sunset. Presumably.
During my the 30 days of my 100 spending ban, I didn’t buy any fashion or beauty products. I did need to purchase new work clothes as ours ditched our uniform (wee!). While reflecting on the first 30 days, I realised that:
a) I don’t need to buy every single new thing that comes out.
b) You don’t need to buy a lipstick every time you enter the drug store
c) It’s good to search your collection for hidden gems.
I found a great lipstick love of mine called Blushing Mauve by Revlon. It’s a great everyday colour that I had kind of pushed to the back of my collection, and it was fun to pick it up and use it again. It’s not my favourite, but you can’t tell that to your babies. I also found my Rimmel London Coral blush that I had forgotten about. It’s been popping up every now and then when I need to inject some summer into my look. It’s good to rotate your collection, change it up, and make sure we are using it to its full potential!
If you follow me on Instagram or Twitter, you may know that I have also begun eating healthier and cleaner. I am going on this adventure with my great friend Caitlin, and I have to say that this journey is far more exciting and the end result much more attainable by doing it with a friend. I think if I ever go on a spending ban again, I will be trying to do it with another spend-a-holic who can understand the pain and anguish of not being able to buy that great new mascara that everyone has been talking about. Misery loves company amirite?
I think my ban did not work because I never really had an outcome at the end of it planned. For example, I believe my reason for the spending ban was ‘to save money’. Yeah, well duh Kate. I think by saving towards something that will eventuate in some kind of reward immediately after the spending ban is over. I respond well to rewards and positive reinforcement. Kind of like a dog.
Quantity does not equal quantity. I do not need every single product that comes out. I do need, however, quality products that I love and would recommend to my lovely readers. This requires research, and research requires time. Time (and not buying products the instant they are released) equals money, and less disappointment.
Apologies for the lengthy post. I am not trying to justify breaking my spending ban, nor am I saying I won’t do another one. It was certainly a great way to gain perspective on my ideas and thoughts on beauty, products, marketing and especially my finances. I will still be watching what I spend, and will certainly be keeping a (lengthy!) wish list in lieu of buying everything instantly.
So, what broke my ban you ask? That my friend, is another post
Stay minty!
Kate Xx