The Answer is NO!

I'm going through and cleaning my massive collection of personal care in the basement today.  This is just the basement.  I'm not including the collections under the sink, in my dressers, on my dresser, and other miscellaneous places.   It's overwhelming.  My family should not need to buy any soap or shampoo for at least two years.  At least.

There's also the books, kitchen ephemera, stockpile of pantry food, clothes, make up, paper supplies, school supplies, laundry supplies, storage containers, office supplies, pet toys, and other stuff I've probably forgotten.  I've gotten better.   I'm bringing less home from stores and frequently leave thrift stores empty handed now.  It's not enough.   From now on if we don't need it, I am not dragging it home.  I am done.  Done taking care of stuff I don't love.  Done stockpiling things and couponing because it's free.  Done signing up for free samples.  Done shopping for fun.

Back to my sorting and laundry in the basement.  I've got to start somewhere.

“Have Nothing In Your House That You Do Not Know To Be Useful, Or Believe To Be Beautiful.”  William Morris

My Gazingus Pin, My Weakness, My Love- Lip Stick

I blogged about my gazingus pins in 2010 when I acknowledged that acquiring lip products was a problem for me. 

Lipstick is a quick pick me up.  In less than five seconds I can slick on some lip goo and feel better.  It always perks me up.  So, when I started my makeup buying hiatus last month I knew it would be hard to quit buying more and it has been. 

But, I'm also noticing a trigger.  I have a close family member who is not behaving responsibly lately and is doing some very destructive behaviors.  In fact, they have told me that they can't help themselves and have hinted at me helping them or taking care of them.  Which would be all fine and good if it was give and take relationship but I know for a fact how draining this person can be on one's patience, resources and well, everything.  I can't do anything but tell them how I feel and warn them that I am not their soft place to fall and they need to stand on their own two feet.  I have my own family and I can't borrow their problems and I don't need another child.  Especially a grown one who will suck the life out of me.  I can't say more about it than that.  I know worrying will do nothing to help them or me.  And I feel incredibly helpless. 

This week was a worrisome week.  I ate more crap that I should.  I bought two lipsticks.  I can't fix them but I can have pretty lips.  I can't make them be a grown up but boy will that chocolate make me feel good for five seconds. 

I'm putting a rubber band around my credit card so I have a reminder when I go shopping.  I don't want to numb myself with consumption and candy.  I need to find a healthier way to deal with my own issues- especially since I can't solve other's.

That 24 cent clearance lipstick that I rationalized buying because it was so cheap is still in it's package.  I'm going to pass it on to someone else.

Update- Two Cheats and Weight Watchers

This cosmetic/book/candle/purse/shoe purchasing hiatus is going well.  I am almost finished redoing my tiny walk in closet on the cheap.  I hung a mirror above my dresser, added a velvety scarf for decoration and put some pretty containers on top.  I'm in the process of changing over to the thin velvet covered hangers to free up some much needed space on my side of the closet.  I put a vintage lamp my Mom gave me in there too.  I just need to find a extension cord for it.

I took many bags of cast offs to the thrift store yesterday.  Most of it was my daughter's clothing.  She is becoming very picky and instead of fighting it I am helping her minimize and define her wardrobe so she only has what she loves in there.  I bought her some velvet hangers too.  She doesn't fight me nearly as much about putting away her clothes because she loves her stuff.

I am getting ready to the shoes nearly every day.  I have a primping system in place now and and finding that I enjoy getting ready more.  I lotion  and do nighttime facial care now where I was very bad at it before.  My nails are always done.  I love using my stuff.  The more I use my stuff the less I want to buy different stuff.

Now is where the cheating part comes in.  I just bought a book at the Dollar Tree.  It's so hard to justify not buying books for a dollar.  I did just donate three books to the thrift shop.  But, still.  It counts.
Also,  I bought a nail polish I'd been wanting for a while when I saw it on sale at Dollar General.  I'm looking forward to painting my nails with it tomorrow for my movie date night with my husband.  We're going to see Pompeii.  Pompeii has a special place in our hearts as we spent an entire day wandering around there holding hands and exploring.  It was truly a trip of a lifetime.

Currently, I am hungry.  I started Weight Watchers online this morning after I got off the scale.  I use my clothing as a guideline and they still fit so I was upset when I saw that I was about five pounds past my normal high.
Which is fat.  But, I'm not name calling myself.  I just need a healthy change.

I think that about covers it.
I need to run my little monkey boy to the pediatrician because he's feeling a bit poor.

The Empties Are Piling Up

My beauty shopping hiatus has spurred the urge for me to use up any almost finished products. 
I cut open a lotion bottle today to get the dregs that I couldn't squeeze out.  Tomorrow I'll be doing the same to my face wash.

I stopped by two Dollar Trees and a grocery store today and I bought nothing on my no shopping list.

I reorganized my products and put them in pretty containers.  I gathered up a collection of cosmetics to use daily and I am pretty sure I'll be hitting pan soon.

Right now I am content.  Right now life is good. 

Use it Up, Wear it Out, Make it Do

You Know What Helps?

This whole decluttering/not buying thing I am doing is a lot easier when I don't shop. 

I've been in stores about five times since my hiatus started and I've pretty much bought what I went in for.  I've been leaving with one or two bags and that's it. 

Since unsubscribing from those tempting beauty company emails it' gotten a lot easier to not think about it.   I still love to watch a Dollar Tree haul on youtube. 

I'm hoping my next credit card bill will show my results.  We'll see.
That's about all for now. 

Decluttering, Unsubscribing and Letting them eat cake.

Decluttering is what's going on here.  Yesterday I started remaking over my tiny walk in closet that I share with my husband.  I moved in a dresser from my daughter's room to hold my purses, scarves, swim suits and extra beauty products.  It looks pretty good and I have more room on the floor of my closet.  I got rid of a few purses, clothes and shoes. 

I've been whittling down my collection of samples and foil packets.  I've been deleting and unsubscribing from any beauty company emails.  It's refreshing to let go of all this stuff and I don't need the temptation from a good sale anymore.  I need so little.  And I'd rather have the money.


Today I am baking a birthday cake for my son's 8th birthday party.  It will not be bakery gorgeous.  I don't do that.  But, it will be fun.  I bought Lego shaped candy to decorate it and a big Lego person pen to put on top. 

I'd better get to it.  I'm actually excited about a clean closet.  Isn't that weird?  The happier I become with my house, the less I will want to shop for an escape.

Temptation is Everywhere!

Today I have held steady and not bought anything on my no buy list.

I definitely need to retrain my brain though. 

A Little Cheat on my No Buy List

We stopped by Goodwill on our way home today.  I found a ten dollar Protection System winter coat for my daughter.  I always buy ahead when it comes to our winter gear.   And I  found ten dollars in the pocket when I got home!

I picked up a new Thirty-One soft wallet in Black Parisian for one dollar.  Wallets are on my no buy list.  However, I just donated my old one and the "new" replacement Guess one (bought for $1.90 at a second hand shop) has been chewed by the puppy.  I don't think the Guess will last me a year so I rationalized this purchase.  I like the soft edges which will cram much easier into my heavily burdened purse. 

Also, I picked up a $3 ziplock full of headbands, rubber balls for the dog and a new Hex Bug for the kids.  It just happened to have a brand new Clinique mascara still in the pack.  It's one of my favorite mascaras too.  

So, a little cheat but nothing I feel too guilty about.  I'm pretty jazzed about getting a new $16 mascara and a Thirty-One Wallet for $4.

Shopping With Purpose And Not For Fun

This is going to be a long year.  I have a bit of a bargain store shopping addiction. 

My daughter needed a present for a birthday party.  In December we donated our cache of sale toys for Toys4Tots.  I did manage to scrounge up a new card and gift wrap from my stockpile but I still needed to buy some gifts.  We stopped at 5 Below.  All I bought for myself was a 50 cent bottle of water. 

Soon that won't seem like a big deal.  Right?

The First One to Go- Love My Nails Bright Star Polish

My oldest nail polish is too thick to use anymore.  I don't even know if it is still being made.    It's probably 12 years old so I shouldn't be too upset, right?

The 99 cent Love My Nails and Love My Lips brand cosmetics were my go to before I had any real money to spend.  I had a Love My Lips lipstick in a frosted sand color that I used down to the nub when I was in high school. 

 Love My Nails Star Bright, I will miss you.  But, I will not replace you.


I cancelled my Birchbox and Ipsy subscriptions this week.  I am still waiting on my last Ipsy bag to arrive.  I think I should save it until I have a huge urge to shop.  I have been whittling down my email subscriptions to online stores so I don't have any temptations.  If I don't know about a sale it's a good thing.  Less junk email = less shopping= less crap in my way= a more simple life = more happiness and less guilt.  

The kids and husband are off at a birthday party.  My only companions are the noisy dishwasher, two barking dogs and two candles flickering next to me.  Life is good.  I think I'll hop in the tub and use some of my precious bubble bath.  The Bath and Body Works Velvet Sugar bath bubbles a friend gave me for Christmas smell so good.  The bubbles last a long time.  I need to hide it from my daughter.  Once it's gone I'm down to using the kids Superman bubbles before I can buy more. 

Adding to the List of No Buys

No Buys

Purses, Handbags, Wallets, etc.  
I will not purchase another until this date a year from today- February 13, 2015.


Jewelry 
I will not purchase any jewelry for a year.  I am allowed to make anything I want with what I have on hand though.

Storage Containers

I will use all the available storage containers I have or make do with homemade ones for the next year.


Low Buys and Slow Buys
Candles

I will burn all of my candles completely before I purchase a new one.  This includes tea lights and wax melts.  I will use up all my incense and air fragrances.   I don't think it will take me a full year so I am allowing myself to repurchase when my supply is gone.

Shoes
I will allow myself two new pairs of shoes for the next twelve months.  No more.

Books
I can get books from the library but I must read and get rid of a dozen personal books before I can buy a new one.  I will need to keep a list and keep track of this.  I consider books listed on paperbackswap as being the same as donated.


This list doesn't leave me much to purchase for myself.   Perhaps I can spend my time doing other things I enjoy like gardening or walking my dogs.  Shopping has been my go to entertainment for way too long.  Time to embrace a healthy change.

My Face Is Spending My Fortune- Make Out 2014 and Project Pan

I am finally getting around to my New Years Resolutions.

My first and most important one is to stop buying any personal care products or cosmetics for a complete year.  I have gone a lot crazy with Dollar Tree make up hauls, sephora.com, beauty.com, ulta.com, shopmissa.com, etc.  

I will not purchase any of these items until February 13th, 2015.   The only exceptions will be my Birchbox and Ipsy subscriptions (which I plan on cancelling in the next few months) and anything I have used up completely.  For example, if I use up a mascara I cannot buy another if I have another tube in stock.  I mean I need to be completely out of that particular thing.

Any gift items or free samples that come in the mail will not be counted.

I am looking forward to "hitting pan" on many of my items.  I plan on making a list of items to repurchase as I use products up. 

This is scary but also kind of exciting.  A year is a long time but I've got so much stuff to use up.
Here we go.

Alive and Kicking

I'm still here.  It's a new year.  I'm thinking about renewing my interest in frugal living.  It's taken a back seat for me for the past year or two and now it's time to get back to it.

I miss scratch cooking.  I miss my freebies.  I miss posting about recycling and reusing my items rather than buying new.  I'm tired of the consumer treadmill.  I want to be a more conscious consumer.  My children need to learn from my example.  Delayed gratification is a good thing.

We're getting a late start because we took a last minute trip to Disney after Christmas.  We've been home a week and everyone has a cold.  I don't really have any good ideas for how to save money at Disney except maybe pack snacks.  Also, the kid's meals at the parks are really a decent size and easily enough food for an average adult. 

For starters, I'm going to read this list of 56 Things to do Instead of Spending Money.   I know I have old gift cards laying around that I can use when I get the urge to splurge.  And the pantry is in need of a major clean out.  Plus, I have pinterest ideas sitting around that I've never gotten around to making. 

Gonna go throw ingredients in my bread machine and get started on the after Christmas clean up.  Today is a stay home day.  Hubby starts his new job tomorrow and the kids go back to school. 

Just Checking In- Just Rambling On

Seems as though I'm a once a month blogger now.

We haven't finished cleaning up our old house to sell yet.  It's so close.  I have to tell you that I'm so glad it's the last time I have to clean that house.  Every room upstairs and down has white doors and white railing- so much area to dust and for little fingers to smudge.  It's a pretty nightmare.
Anyway,  my Mom left me enough money that we are financially able to pay off that mortgage this month!  Yay!  And once it's sold that money will hopefully get us enough to pay off our new house.  I just need to push myself to get it done and listed.   Because we've never been this close to being debt free. 

Today I am at home with my sick boy.  I have started searching job ads and thinking about returning to school to get more marketable skills.   I would like to have a part time job to get me out of the house and to make a little money for our retirement/savings.  Honestly, I loved being at home with the kids and I miss having them with me every day.  But, now that they are in school all day it seems like I should be doing more with myself.   Also, I'm not sure how well it will work out since I'm the parent on call for sick days, errands, and the weekends/night when my husband has to work.  His new job is satisfying for him on many levels but the hours he's working significantly cut into family time.  It's a good thing I am home.  I don't know.  I honestly don't. 

Tonight I am in charge of my daughter's Girl Scout meeting.  We're working on a service project by writing letters to soldiers and children in the hospital.   My daughter's new girl scout troop experience is pretty dissatisfying.  They don't get sashes or vests and no one bothers with badges.  This is only our second service project of the year and we've had no field trips.   I really don't want to be in charge of the troop either so I don't feel like I can really complain.  None of the other moms are upset by this lack of organization either.   Anyone have any ideas for me here?  This is our third year with GS and I've always been a peripheral part of it.  My daughter said she's not that interested in doing it again next year because the troop doesn't do much but I think it is such a positive thing and it has helped her meet new girls at her new school.  

Better go check on my sick munchkin.  He's actually in the mood to snuggle today so I am missing out.  So little time left when they'll actually cuddle with me.  Time flies when you don't know you're having fun.  

It's a Journey, Not a Destination

I feel like I've forgotten my frugality lately.   I'm not much of an example for those who are new to saving money.

My husband is making decent money now.  My Mom left me with some inheritance that will help us pay off our mortgage.  Money just isn't that much of an issue lately because we've become lazy and comfortable.  I've bought more stuff online in the past year than I ever have before.  I think it's because of my deep sadness over my Mom's death and also to enjoy spending freely in a manner that I never have been able to before.  Those boxes of goodies that show up on my porch give me about five minutes of real happiness.   And then it fades.  It doesn't matter that I used coupon codes and got money back.  The happiness is temporary.  The stuff is just stuff.  And the money is used up. 


 My goal is to have a paid off mortgage, money saved for the kid's college fund, and a tidy pile saved for retirement.  We haven't accomplished that yet.   I need to remember that. 

I don't need new stuff to make me happy.  Today I am wearing a sweater that I bought at a New Orleans thrift store in 2001.   It makes me happy in a way that a new sweater can't.  This morning I ate a slice of scratch pumpkin pie made from last year's jack o' lanterns.  It was way better than any store bought pie. 

Frugality may not be as fun or as easy as spending money on new stuff.  But, it is way more satisfying. 

End of the Year Total

I ended up with $19.78 in the Mom jar.

The 2011 total is: $308.28

$691.72 off from where I wanted to be. But, for mostly passive money collection and the fact that this year has not been easy I will take it.

A Year of Cans

Since I decided way back in January to save $1000 to put towards our mortgage, I've been saving aluminum cans. All year. All the cans.
I think we had seven or eight bags living rent free in our garage. Truth be told, I thought we'd have more cans since we tend to drink a lot of soda. Anyway, I don't know how much money I expected to make from my little can hoard but I know it was more than $7.70.
Oh well, at least now I know to just recycle them from now on and save the space.

I haven't tallied up my current savings amount yet because I have a Mom's found money jar that I've been collecting in for months. Anytime I find money laying around the house I put it in my jar. In fact I know there's a nickel on the living room floor that I need to go get. At his point I could have been giving my kids the same allowance money over and over. I was hoping someone would notice all the missing money but no one has. Maybe my goals for next year should be teaching my children to be better stewards of their money and quit the soda habit.
Oh well, off my can to go retrieve that nickel.

Add another 25 cents to the total

From now on I think I'll just list any $1,000 goal money on my side bar.

Found a quarter in the washing machine.

Mo' Money

Found a dollar in the K-Mart parking lot.
Discovered 75 cents in the washing machine.

Received a check from Ebates.com for $25.92.

Found a Penny- Lose A Pound

I found my first bit of parking lot change yesterday. Add a penny to my $1000 goal.
I'm really going to have to kick in gear soon so I can start adding those numbers up. I don't think trolling parking lots is going to get us there very soon.

I started back up on Weight Watchers again. Luckily, I haven't gained much since I quit doing it a few months ago. But, I also still have a long way to go. Tonight I start going to zumba once a week again too.

Lots of other busyness here with two kid's birthday parties this month. February is craziness here.
As for Valentine's Day I don't think Hubby and I have anything planned. I don't want anything else to do right now anyway.