2024 - THE NO-BUY, LOW-BUY, BUDGET-BUY ACCOUNTABILITY AND SUPPORT THREAD

[ElleElleG]

New Year,  New Thread, cheers to Year 10 of the  of the No/Low Buy Thread 🥂🥂

This thread was initially created by the amazing @lnum and this is 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.

Some 2016 insights from lnum:

Spoiler

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

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...

Other Challenges/Threads that May Help You/Your Spending Goals

Spoiler

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*

[ElleElleG]

So I need to recommit to my low buy .... after this coming sale. There are some base items that I need to replace like foundation, sunscreen, and makeup brush cleaner. I've also fallen out of love with how my makeup has been looking lately so I want to try to items that I've had in my loves for a long time (press/loose powders) and a newly released item that should help with oily-ness. My cart was at $500, more than I've spent at Sephora in YEARS. So far I've cut it down to $300. Pretty sure I'll only get 10% off for the sale so I plan to remove a few more items.

After this sale I'm planning to cut my "wants" spending down considerably so I can focus on other things. Will flush this out a little more in the next week or so.

[makeitup305]

@ElleElleG Rouge members can give out a code for 20% off to someone. If my friend doesn't want mine, I'll be happy to send you a link!

[ElleElleG]

OMG if you can that would be amazing @makeitup305 ! thanks for the offer!!

[newcarlee]

Thanks for the tag @ElleElleG. This year is the first in quite some time that I am no longer VIB, so last year’s low buy was a success. I just counted up the number of orders I placed in years’ past. I had 8 online orders in 2019, 11 in 2020, 9 in 2021, 10 in 2022 and only 6 in 2023. Not only did I place fewer orders last year, I also purchased fewer items per order. We’re already past 3 months into 2024 and I’ve only gotten the Sun Safety Kit so far. I’m definitely trying to use up what I had accumulated especially in 2020 and 2021 as I had subscribed then also to a beauty box. i just started to have more than I could use but and hence the low-buys for the past couple years. Keep up the good work everyone! 

[ElleElleG]

That’s awesome @newcarlee !! Would love to get to a place where I’m confident in what works and am less tempted by new releases.

[SportyGirly125]

I have been on a low buy since October of last year because I don’t have a job at the moment. I also just finished cleaning my whole house last month so I know what I need and don’t. I have been trying to buy stuff that I really want or need. Most of the time I have been using my Rakuten cash back, points or Nordy notes and promo codes so I don’t pay full price. 

I also have been putting stuff that I don’t use up for sale. 

[ElleElleG]

Hi @SportyGirly125 👋🏾👋🏾👋🏾! Cash back and other promos are a must! In your cleaning did you discover anything that you used to love? Or things that no longer grab your attention?

I definitely need to follow your lead and see what I have here! So many things w ere packed up from moving that I never unpacked 🫣

[SportyGirly125]

@ElleElleG @I found a lot of bags and clothes I needed to start using and wearing.  I cleaned out old skincare and makeup. Basically made more room but hopefully I won’t use that as an excuse to buy stuff I don’t need. 

[ElleElleG]

More room = less to clean in my book @SportyGirly125 ! Sounds like you’re on a good path and we’re here to support 💙

[ElleElleG]

Tagging some past participants. Feel free to tag others who may be interested!!

@itsfi @AznAngelLiz @furbie @Mellmars1185  @danielledanielle @Margalee @faeriegirl @caitbird @lmaster @QueenMarceline @heartsmyface @Loretta55 @curlychiquita @WinglessOne @sardeanna @GeorginaBT @SportyGirly125 @Skunk12puzzola @newcarlee @Saradestin @ather @Guessgal @Samtian @AMK721 @kj1219 

[AMK721]

@ElleElleG  thanks for the tag! I have a few things on my list for the sale, but after that, I'm definitely going on a no/low buy. Only going to buy essentials. I have found that not watching influencers on social media has really helped curb my spending. 

[ElleElleG]

@AMK721 I was just thinking about how invested I used to be in watching various influencers on YouTube! Completely agree that not watching that content has helped me not want everything. Even though I’m on TikTok far too much I find that beauty content tempts me far less

[itsfi]

Thanks for starting up the post @ElleElleG, and the tag! Tagging @missjeanie @makeitup305 

[makeitup305]

thanks for the tag! I was just thinking about the old thread today.

[ather]

@ElleElleG  Thanks for the tag!!! I am definitely going on a low/no buy! I have been all year but I will allow myself to make purchases during the sale!! 

[ElleElleG]

Very welcome @ather ! Anything that you've been waiting to purchase on sale?

[ather]

@ElleElleG  I am mostly looking into restocking! I’ll grab a new foundation and some hair care! And maybe pick up new things too!! 

[Mellmars1185]

@ElleElleG Thank you for keeping this thread going. I was supposed to be on a low/no buy this year. I have made some purchases for Lunar New Year, some new releases and I have my cart going for the sale. A lot of the items in my cart are restocks, while a few are new items. The Capsule Makeup Collection Challenge has been helping me shop my stash and realize how much makeup I have. My weakness is Lipstick but it is also starting to become Foundations and eyeshadow palettes.

[ElleElleG]

LOL @Mellmars1185 you found this before I tagged you 🙃 Also thanks for highlighting that thread, I've added that to the OP.

Restocks can be so tricky. Like the temptation to add a bonus item or two 🤐. What times do you have your eye on and are you completely out of things or restocking more because a sale is on the horizon?

[Mellmars1185]

@ElleElleG Thanks for the tag!! The items that I am almost out of completely that I use all of the time are:

Givenchy Prisme Libre Loose Setting and Finishing Powder 3 Voile Rosé 

Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Natural Glow Foundation 3.5 

Yves Saint Laurent Lash Clash Extreme Volume Waterproof Mascara Black (i need a Waterproof mascara)

Oribe Gold Lust Dry Heat Protection Spray (this is new but I am looking for something to spray in my hair when it is dry and I am adding heat)

The items that are sitting in my cart because of the sale are:

Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer Fuchsia Flex 

Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder Flushed - Matte Color for Cheek & Lip Jubilee 

Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Blush 10 Rosé Latte 

Yves Saint Laurent YSL Loveshine Lip Oil Stick 204 Melted Honey 

HUDA BEAUTY Rose Quartz Eyeshadow Palette 

Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Eyeliner Stick Aubergine 

Oh dear...more wants than needs here.

[ElleElleG]

lol @Mellmars1185 @you’re trying to get me to add more wants to my cart 😉