2021 - THE NO-BUY, LOW-BUY, BUDGET-BUY ACCOUNTABILITY AND SUPPORT THREAD

[ElleElleG]

Hello, hello! Welcome to Year 7 of the No/Low Buy Thread.  

        *Many thanks to all who have participated over the last few years.  While I don't

         post often I do read the notifications sent to my email and I cannot say it enough,

         You all are truly amazing!  Thank you for your dedication and support!!

For reference here's the purpose of this thread (from Thread Originator, @lnum )

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.

A note from lnum (2016):

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Welcome to 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 past threads?  Check Here:

Spoiler

Past Threads:

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...

Challenges to Help You Use Your Stash:

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* Coming Soon *

[ather]

@eshoe  you’ve got this!!! 

[eshoe]

Thanks @ather , Day one down🙌🏼 I actually told my husband about my plan just today and he looked at me in disbelief. So I am even more determined now to make it six months! 

I selected a random bag of samples today and was so excited to try them. Normally, I would let them sit for a special day. But this helps me make the most of what I have, so yay! Hope you are excited about your monthly samples, too!!!

[l8totheparty]

My goal this year also is to use my skincare samples and full containers before buying new skincare! @eshoe 

[eshoe]

Wow, that sounds like an ambitious goal, @l8totheparty! Good luck, sounds like a great way to challenge yourself:)

[faeriegirl]

Good luck @eshoe! I wasn’t even tempted yesterday to get something for myself, I only shopped for my Galentine.

[eshoe]

Great job, @faeriegirl! That takes some serious willpower 🙌🏼

[ather]

@eshoe  Awww your husband had the same reaction mine had lol. I didn’t actually use any samples today but I plan on it tomorrow! I had a super lazy day today. 

[eshoe]

Oh my goodness, @ather, I had a couple of pretty lazy days post-Christmas. Just finished getting everything up on the attic and now it’s time to get ready for the second half of the school year! I have tried three samples so far, one I started today Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder - Honey as it should last the ready of the month (love good size samples like that!). 

[ather]

@eshoe  Ooo I love that setting powder! And it’s a bonus when it’s a good size sample!! Last night I tried Algenist GENIUS Sleeping Collagen  it felt so good on my skin. I may have been able to get 2 days out of it but I decided to use it down my neck and chest! My skin felt so happy today! The only problem using all these new products I may find some more loves in my bags 🙄

[eshoe]

Oooh yes I love that moisturizer, @ather! I know how you feel, though. I am keeping notes on everything I try, in case I find a must. The good thing is that I have so many backups and samples right now, that I know if I jumped ship, it would only be my fault. I need nothing. No excuses for me!

[ather]

@eshoe  I know what you mean! I have two full size night creams in my back up drawer right now! 

[eshoe]

We will do this, @ather 

 

[LuxFlora]

Sounds great! @eshoe    The good thing is that you make the rules here, this is a no judgement zone. 😃 👍

[eshoe]

Thanks, @LuxFlora 🙌🏼 I felt I had to add that just to give myself some wiggle room. I don’t plan on using it, but I have a weakness for skincare 🤷🏻‍♀️

[LuxFlora]

Thanks for starting this thread @ElleElleG Its my first time participating but I love everyone's positivity for a brand new year of SAVINGS! I really need to focus this year. Luckily, I am so happy with my beauty purchases in 2020 that I think I am set to go without needing anything for 2021, minus skincare. My final purchase this year was yesterday. I have been wanting real gold hoop earrings for a while and I found great ones at JCPenney on clearance. The money I had saved not getting a Beautylish lucky bag was instead used for these earrings and I am so glad I set this money aside for an item of memorable value to me. (Not to say I am not jealouse of those who will be getting the lucky bags, tho!) These will be worn in 2021 as a reminder that sometimes better things come along if you just wait and save! The earrings ended up costing less with an additional discount. I look forward to hearing all your motivating stories in 2021 or feedback of how your low buy or no buy is going. I will be checking in when I can. Happy New Year everybody!!!

[ElleElleG]

Very welcome, @LuxFlora , and glad you're joining in this year!  Sounds like you're already off to a good start by reallocating funds for a beauty purchase to an item you've wanted for a while/will get more use out of.  

[faeriegirl]

Good luck @LuxFlora! Happy New Year!

[ather]

@LuxFlora  Great plan! I love you got something at a better price!!

[lnum]

Yessssssss another year of savings I’m excited! At this point it’s almost fun seeing how long one can go without actually needing to buy something beauty related. 😉

[ather]

@lnum  I agree. I honestly need nothing for it least 2 years yet I keep buying 🙄

[lnum]

@ather Totally agree! I have enough lip balms for a lifetime. 😂