Quote: Originally Posted by eastofthesun /img/forum/go_quote.gif
Ok, I've been stalling for far too long on my Low Buy/No Buy goals for this year. So here goes:
Monthly goals:
JAN- Low buy ($20), sell on ebay
FEB- No buy, sell on ebay
MAR- Low buy ($20), sell on ebay
APR- No buy, do the Zoya Earth Day nail polish thing
MAY- Low buy ($20)
JUN- No buy
JUL- Low buy ($20)
AUG- No buy, sell on ebay
SEP- No buy, sell on ebay
OCT- No buy- instead, have fun decorating house for the Fall, going on walks, etc.
NOV- Take advantage of all the good deals ($200)
DEC- Lowish buy to take advantage of the good deals ($100)
(Ok to replace necessary items, including: Paula's Choice skincare, personal hygiene items, mascara, concealer, and foundation but only when I run out!)
Planned buys as of Jan, 2014: Used Clarisonic on Ebay (maybe- or get muslin cloths), NYX jumbo eye pencil in 'milk' ($4.50), UD Naked 3 palette ($52), a few new makeup-brushes by Sigma or Real Techniques (crease, blending, flat kabuki for mineral foundation), Faber Castell perfect pencil ($13), prescription sunglasses ($150), Butter London backstage pass with 'yummy mummy' ($44) (only if I consistently use my current nail polishes and like them for two months). May need new camisoles with bra shelves built in ($36), as well as new panties ($7), and perhaps a new pair of jeans ($45). Would be nice to have a classic purse or briefcase-type bag for my job ($60).
General beauty goals:
1. Take inventory of all beauty items, keep it in Google Docs so I can access it from anywhere.
2. Determine how long each item lasts me, and how much it would cost annually to keep using it.
3. Start actually using my eyeshadows, try two develop two go-to looks that work with my eye shape.
4. Declutter and minimize- if I don't like or use a product for more than 3 months, it's time to donate it or trash it.
5. Remember: cruelty-free only! And make myself reusable cotton squares with my sewing kit!
6. Make a monthly 'most wanted' list and must wait 30 days minimum before buying, and only during 'low buy' months, within the price range.
General financial goals:
1. Fully fund my 2013 Roth IRA
2. Fully fund my 2014 Roth IRA
3. When raise comes in, put a larger percentage of gross income into 401K
4. Check credit report three times a year on annualcreditreport.com and use creditkarma and mint.com monthly
5. Save at least $100 every month into my Emergency fund (ideally $300)
6. Consider trying the envelope method or get online bank that allows unlimited sub-accounts
How to stay on my No Buy:
1. Impulse control- must still want it at least 30 days after first feeling the need (see above).
2. Train yourself not to get a thrill from purchases, instead, go on walks, bike rides, and visit the library often for books, magazines, movies, music, and graphic novels. In short, do instead of buy.
3. Try DIY projects if you already have the materials- no going out and purchasing! This is to save money, not create a new hobby.
4. Trade or buy from sold items on ebay
5. Consider making a chart of goals and rewards, kind of like a rewards calendar. Each week I don't spend any money, I can give myself a point, which will allow me to add $5 to my next low buy month's quota, making it possible to change that low buy of $20 to a low buy of $40 if I meet my no buy goal each week of the previous month. Conversely, if I slip up in a week, I will have to be on a no-buy the next month again.
6. I can buy anything I want if I sell stuff and increase my paypal balance, but no more than my paypal balance.
That's all I could come up with for now! But hopefully I'll make it fun, and I'll spend enough time actually enjoying life that I won't even notice the lack of buying. And maybe that'll help my willpower. Come on 2014!!! Be the year for me to be disciplined!
For some reason I couldn't edit my original post, but I want to make some alterations, so I'm quoting it and changing it here (see above!)
Just an update:
I'm still on track for January as I sold $50+ on ebay and I'll keep listing things. I switched February and January so that January was a low-buy instead of a no-buy. Even though I sold more than I spent, I didn't do so well on the impulse control- as I bought a palette after having only known about it for...6 days....*gulp*. But if I hate it, I will stay on my return just in case.
Also, I went to return an eyelash curler I just bought after realizing it wasn't the right shape for my eye, and she said I could keep it and get a refund, so with the refund I bought the one that is right for me. I'll either sell the one that was too big, or give it to my sister.
The only things I'm really wanting right now are a bag/purse that is somewhat classic, fancy, timeless, and durable all rolled into one. Also, I still want the UD Naked 3 palette, and well..a few other things.
/emoticons/
