topic Re: 2025 - THE NO-BUY, LOW-BUY, BUDGET-BUY ACCOUNTABILITY AND SUPPORT THREAD in Beauty Confidential

2025 - THE NO-BUY, LOW-BUY, BUDGET-BUY ACCOUNTABILITY AND SUPPORT THREAD

ElleElleG — Sat, 04 Jan 2025 22:46:43 GMT

WELCOME TO YEAR 11 OF THE NO-BUY/LOW-BUY THREAD HAS ARRIVED

There's been quite a buzz around starting no/low-buys for 2025. I'm excited about the growing interest and hope this thread can help everyone achieve their respective goals.

The original threads were created by @lnum , here's how she described the purpose of this challenge:

This thread is a support system for all of us who are trying to maintain a budget and keep our beauty spending limited. Post here when you have a weak moment, post here to hold yourself accountable, post here when you just need someone to talk to, post here when you have advice for all of us, and post here when you make mistakes but also make gains! Many of us post here to keep track of our monthly purchases. Anything you need to say, we are all here for each other. There's no judgement here.

Feel free to share your goals, items that tempt you, missteps (we don't believe in failures), and any successes. Above all else, encourage and support one another.

Additional insights from @lnum (circa 2016, Challenge Year 3):

My motto for this thread is that I strongly believe, even on a budget, you can have the things you want that make you happy without feeling like you're limiting yourself.

This thread is a support system for all of us who are trying to maintain a budget and keep our beauty spending limited. Post here when you have a weak moment, post here to hold yourself accountable, post here when you just need someone to talk to, post here when you have advice for all of us, and post here when you make mistakes but also make gains! Many of us post here to keep track of our monthly purchases. Anything you need to say, we are all here for each other. There's no judgement here.

I am so excited to spend another year with you all. If it wasn't for the first two years of this thread, I would never have been able to cut down my beauty spending. My goal for this year is to maintain low spending on beauty, and cut down my clothing purchases. I will be funneling that money into traveling, which is what I have done in the past and it's a great goal that truly motivates me.

I'm still so proud of everyone for making it through 2015 and 2016, limiting ourselves in the beauty product area in order to improve our lives in other areas. We all did great and here's to another year of learning and saving!

Interested in Other Challenges/Threads that may help your no/low-buy goals? Check here:

Pan It! - 2024 Challenge
Capsule Makeup Collection Challenge
What are you wearing today Pt2
Love At First Sample!!! 🥰
Makeup Challenge of the Week 2021/2022/2023/2024

*Feel free to PM me if there are additional challenges that should be added*

Curious about past threads? Links to all here:

2015 https://community.sephora.com/t5/VIB-ROUGE/2015-The-No-Buy-Low-Buy-Budget-Buy-Accountability-and-Sup...

2016 https://community.sephora.com/t5/VIB/2016-The-NO-BUY-LOW-BUY-BUDGET-BUY-ACCOUNTABILITY-AND-SUPPORT/t...

2017 https://community.sephora.com/t5/VIB/2017-THE-NO-BUY-LOW-BUY-BUDGET-BUY-ACCOUNTABILITY-AND-SUPPORT/m...

2018 https://community.sephora.com/t5/Beauty-Confidential/2018-THE-NO-BUY-LOW-BUY-BUDGET-BUY-ACCOUNTABILI...

2019 https://community.sephora.com/t5/Beauty-Confidential/2019-THE-NO-BUY-LOW-BUY-BUDGET-BUY-ACCOUNTABILI...

2020 https://community.sephora.com/t5/Beauty-Confidential/2020-THE-NO-BUY-LOW-BUY-BUDGET-BUY-ACCOUNTABILI...

2021 https://community.sephora.com/t5/Beauty-Confidential/2021-THE-NO-BUY-LOW-BUY-BUDGET-BUY-ACCOUNTABILI...

2022/2023 https://community.sephora.com/t5/Beauty-Confidential/2022-amp-2023-THE-NO-BUY-LOW-BUY-BUDGET-BUY-ACC...

2024 https://community.sephora.com/t5/Beauty-Confidential/2024-THE-NO-BUY-LOW-BUY-BUDGET-BUY-ACCOUNTABILITY-AND-SUPPORT/m-p/6881970#U6881970

I'll share my personal goals in a follow up post.

Re: 2025 - THE NO-BUY, LOW-BUY, BUDGET-BUY ACCOUNTABILITY AND SUPPORT THREAD

ElleElleG — Wed, 01 Jan 2025 07:34:28 GMT

Tagging those who have participated in past threads and/or who've expressed interest in joining this year ...

@peculiarzmakeup @caitbird @lmaster @CorgiMommy @Loretta55 @Ispend2much6 @danielledanielle @jaaayp @ather @faeriegirl @PrettyPaint @greeneyedgirl107 @anaaii @itsfi @blackkitty2014 @Margalee @missjeanie @sistakimberk @WinglessOne @makeitup305 @newcarlee @SportyGirly125 @AMK721 @Mellmars1185

Please tag others who may be interested.

Re: 2025 - THE NO-BUY, LOW-BUY, BUDGET-BUY ACCOUNTABILITY AND SUPPORT THREAD

ElleElleG — Wed, 01 Jan 2025 08:10:44 GMT

2024 was filled with quality wins and random set backs.

Wins:

I purchased ONE eye shadow palette all year (a couple days before Christmas) - many of you know I'm all about eye shadow so this is huge for me. I went back and forth on adding this palette to my collection which helped me rationalize buying it. (One of my rules is to sit on a purchase for a while to see if it's just based on hype).
I had only seven Sephora orders and all of them were during sale times - fewer than years previous but I can do better here.

Setbacks:

Fewer orders but I managed to re-VIB in record time.
Increased spending at Ulta
Clothes shopping
Unplanned trips

2025 Goals:

Improve budgeting/designated spending funds (only use what's set aside)
Continue sales-only shopping (improve in non-beauty areas)
Saying "no" more often
Work on using current makeup stash (limit re-buys to when key products are running out)
Increase personal investing
Likely more to come 🙂

Re: 2025 - THE NO-BUY, LOW-BUY, BUDGET-BUY ACCOUNTABILITY AND SUPPORT THREAD

peculiarzmakeup — Wed, 01 Jan 2025 13:07:29 GMT

Thank you for sharing your victories and congratulations on one eye shadow pallete I know what that’s like with that one category of makeup that is always coming out with new products (well all of them do) but the really tempting kind. Love your goals for 2025 ❤️ @ElleElleG I feel like it’s been working great work!

Re: 2025 - THE NO-BUY, LOW-BUY, BUDGET-BUY ACCOUNTABILITY AND SUPPORT THREAD

itsfi — Wed, 01 Jan 2025 15:29:36 GMT

Wow, you did incredibly well @ElleElleG! Ohhh, one eyeshadow palette? That's impressive, and just days before Christmas. That's inspiring. Love your goals for 2025. 😍

Thanks so much for hosting this thread for another year. Wishing you and your loved ones a fabulous new year!

Re: 2025 - THE NO-BUY, LOW-BUY, BUDGET-BUY ACCOUNTABILITY AND SUPPORT THREAD

PrettyPaint — Wed, 01 Jan 2025 16:14:23 GMT

@ElleElleG Thank you for the tag. Eyeshadow palettes are probably my biggest makeup weakness, so purchasing just one is impressive. Out of curiosity, what was the one palette you purchased?

I need to minimize shopping for clothing. I feel like I have nothing to wear most the time, which prompts buying new stuff.

Re: 2025 - THE NO-BUY, LOW-BUY, BUDGET-BUY ACCOUNTABILITY AND SUPPORT THREAD

AMK721 — Wed, 01 Jan 2025 16:23:54 GMT

@ElleElleG thanks for the tag, yes, I'll be on a low/no buy for a while. Crossing my fingers I can stick to it.

Re: 2025 - THE NO-BUY, LOW-BUY, BUDGET-BUY ACCOUNTABILITY AND SUPPORT THREAD

peculiarzmakeup — Wed, 01 Jan 2025 16:24:42 GMT

I am very excited to start the New Year with some goals in mind.

My Weakness’s

Offers

4X Multipliers

New Releases

My Strategies

Utilizing This Thread!
Empty rule “my product has to me 3/4 empty before restocking” or I have to finish X amount of this category before buying or trying a new one.
If I’m curious utilizing in store sampling to see if it’s a good fit to come back later

Finally with a smile 😊 remembering the products don’t have feet and won’t run away and if something does run out the products I need to find will find me

❤️

Re: 2025 - THE NO-BUY, LOW-BUY, BUDGET-BUY ACCOUNTABILITY AND SUPPORT THREAD

PrettyPaint — Wed, 01 Jan 2025 16:28:50 GMT

@peculiarzmakeup Ugh - I am so bad with the 4x multipliers. I usually try not to take advantage of them unless they are more or less necessities (shampoo and conditioner), but I still feel like it sometimes prompts unnecessary spending.

Re: 2025 - THE NO-BUY, LOW-BUY, BUDGET-BUY ACCOUNTABILITY AND SUPPORT THREAD

AMK721 — Wed, 01 Jan 2025 16:35:10 GMT

@ElleElleG eyeshadow palettes are my greatest weakness. I have similar 2025 goals as you, with investing, using what I have and saying "no" more often. I wholeheartedly think that purchasing only when items are on sale is a great strategy, because throughout the year, there are several sale opportunities for just about anything.

We can do this!

Re: 2025 - THE NO-BUY, LOW-BUY, BUDGET-BUY ACCOUNTABILITY AND SUPPORT THREAD

AMK721 — Wed, 01 Jan 2025 16:39:10 GMT

@itsfi I was thinking the same thing, that is an amazing win!

Re: 2025 - THE NO-BUY, LOW-BUY, BUDGET-BUY ACCOUNTABILITY AND SUPPORT THREAD

CynthieLu — Wed, 01 Jan 2025 17:32:20 GMT

This is a very solid sounding strategy @peculiarzmakeup

"remembering the products don’t have feet and won’t run away" This thou! Exactly. The need to have backups is a habit I am going to try and break this year. Good luck to you! 💚

Re: 2025 - THE NO-BUY, LOW-BUY, BUDGET-BUY ACCOUNTABILITY AND SUPPORT THREAD

CynthieLu — Wed, 01 Jan 2025 17:36:00 GMT

Oooh same @ElleElleG Eyeshadow Palette's feel pretty darn irresistible. You accomplished a lot last year. You should be so proud. 💪👏 1 eyeshadow palette is phenomenal imo

Re: 2025 - THE NO-BUY, LOW-BUY, BUDGET-BUY ACCOUNTABILITY AND SUPPORT THREAD

CynthieLu — Wed, 01 Jan 2025 17:46:57 GMT

Alright, last year I attempted a low buy and it was a sad rollercoaster. I kept getting on and off that ride. 😟

This year I'm attempting mindfulness and curbing my poor shopping habits.

I hope to:

- Stop buying backups.

- Limit palette's to none or only something very special.

- Use up my stash and pile of foils and mini's before purchasing anything new. I went through my stash, and there are generous sizes of face washes, serums, moisturizers etc.. I want to finish, gift or declutter these by the end of the year.

- Stay mindful of purchases and spend less than the last few years.

The positive ☮️

Though I did stumble a lot, I did spend quite a bit less in 2024 and I hope to improve more this year with everything I learned from myself and everyone on BIC. 🙏

Money saved is going into a trip for my family this summer and just boring ol' saving for the future. 😉

Re: 2025 - THE NO-BUY, LOW-BUY, BUDGET-BUY ACCOUNTABILITY AND SUPPORT THREAD

peculiarzmakeup — Wed, 01 Jan 2025 18:00:16 GMT

Definatley I find it’s especially challenging when I want to get a certain points for a specific reward and I’m really close so the next two 4X multipliers before that are always challenging but will definatly have a back up plan, glad you can relate it’s tough! @PrettyPaint

Re: 2025 - THE NO-BUY, LOW-BUY, BUDGET-BUY ACCOUNTABILITY AND SUPPORT THREAD

peculiarzmakeup — Wed, 01 Jan 2025 18:01:18 GMT

thank you so much! It’s helpful to keep these strategies in mind. It’s always great to have a plan 🙂 @CynthieLu

Re: 2025 - THE NO-BUY, LOW-BUY, BUDGET-BUY ACCOUNTABILITY AND SUPPORT THREAD

Mellmars1185 — Wed, 01 Jan 2025 21:07:51 GMT

@ElleElleG You did an amazing job this year! Thank you for the tag and inspiration. I definitely could use some pointers on how to resist new releases and limited editions. I hope in 2025 you can reach your goals! I am looking forward to hearing more ☺️

Re: 2025 - THE NO-BUY, LOW-BUY, BUDGET-BUY ACCOUNTABILITY AND SUPPORT THREAD

ather — Thu, 02 Jan 2025 01:25:22 GMT

@ElleElleG Thanks for the tag! I will definitely be participating this year too!!! I was good and spent $600 less last year. So I am aiming to match my $600 again!

Re: 2025 - THE NO-BUY, LOW-BUY, BUDGET-BUY ACCOUNTABILITY AND SUPPORT THREAD

faeriegirl — Thu, 02 Jan 2025 01:36:06 GMT

I did so much better in 2024 than I thought I would! My husband even noticed the reduced amount of packages😂. I didn’t re rouge until October! This year I hope to do even better. I have so much product and backups that I could most likely make it through the year without having to buy anything. I’m going to try to stick to the spring and fall sale for Sephora and point multipliers for Ulta. I spent more at direct sites like Dior because of the GWPs so I am really focusing on not doing that because I have way too much accumulated.

Re: 2025 - THE NO-BUY, LOW-BUY, BUDGET-BUY ACCOUNTABILITY AND SUPPORT THREAD

faeriegirl — Thu, 02 Jan 2025 01:36:48 GMT

Good luck this year @CynthieLu !