Wallet Saver Update!

hello hello, two blogs in one day? It must be an apocalypse! No need to worry, I'm just popping on really quick to share an update on my progress with "the wallet saver" (link! if you haven't seen it yet, there it is). Pretty much it's my attempt to save money. :) So far, it has been a success!

My first challenge was make up (PROJECT 10 PAN).
I'm proud to say I have almost used up:

• MAC studio fix foundation
• a Lancome eye shadow
• Benefit's they're real mascara
• Smashbox full exposure mascara
• MAC splashproof mascara
• an Elizabeth Arden blush
• and finally, a MAC studio fix powder

Although I have used up completely a MAC mineralized skin finish, and two softlips lip chaps!
I think I'm going to continue this little project, to refrain from over spending on make up and after I reach my goal of completely using up 10 items, I've decided to only purchase something new after I finish another product. ie, want a new foundation? finish the other one!

Also for my make up, I went on a major purge. I'm glad to say that I have condensed my make up collection from a ridiculously packed four drawers and hoarding in my purse, to a neat three drawered plastic container and have given away: over 10 eyeshadow pallets, several nail polishes, several lipsticks/glosses, a few blushes, some powders and a foundation.

My second challenge was clothing, and it's safe to say I have not bought anything and broken my rule of no clothes spending until April 24th! And, I have also been shopping my closet and trying to make different outfits of the clothes I do have and never wear! I have also planned for after the wallet saver money goal is achieved, I will separate small amounts of my pay cheques into a "shopping fund" and save up for the clothing items/shopping trips I want! So, another success!

My final challenge was my spending, and it was still a success, but still a work in progress. I have gone over my budgets of 15-20 dollars a month a few times, which is acceptable under some circumstances. Also a lot of my friends birthdays were in February, so I had to of course get them presents! Not to add the few concert tickets I've bought... I've definitely gone over. But I do make sure I'm careful with the spending, and I haven't exceeded my budgets by very much! But of course, cutting down ones spending is not something that happens over night!

All in all, the wallet saver has been a success! I have almost reached my money saving goal, and then afterwards will increase it again and continue the project, but not as strictly!

I hope those of you who are trying the wallet saver as well are just as successful!

saving not spending,
little jo

I was abducted by aliens and taken to mars...

Just kidding. School has once again overtaken my life and it's a bit difficult to find a balance between studying, working, maintaining a skeleton social life with my friends, time with my family, seeing my boyfriend, you get the picture? But it would be pretty sweet to be abducted by aliens...

So I don't have very much to blog about, but there's a couple things that are blogworthy. Since working in the hospital for school, it's been a real eye opener to things in my life. I always thought I was appreciating the little things, but I can only say I've been hypocritical when I see the amazing people on the unit I'm working on. I've never seen such strength, determination and inspiration. Working with these people has made me look around at my life and appreciate everything that much more, and appreciate everyday given to me that much more. I'll be honest, I don't always live life to the fullest. If I was to pass away, I would have a lot of things left I would want to do. Maybe I'm making excuses by saying I just don't have the time, but as a student drowning in midterms it's difficult to find the time and money to do some of these things. So I decided, why not make a bucket list? No, I'm not about to die of some terminal disease, but with a reminder of the things I want to do, perhaps it'll focus me, and I'll get most or all of them done.

1. save a life
2. overcome my fear of heights and sky dive
3. go to disney land -- i've never been. i'm 18 and deprived.
4. make a change in someone
5. do something that really matters
6. volunteer in a third world country
5. go to africa and work on an orphanage (the above is similar but not quite the same)
7. do something spontaneous
8. do something I would originally never ever do
9. learn to surf, and actually stand on ONE wave -- one because if you know me, i'm horrible uncoordinated
10. sing really drunk and horrible karaoke.
11. watch the sunset on the beach with the love of my life
12. see new york again
13. do something life changing for 3 people. -- a la pay it forward.
14. get at tattoo

I have a lot more, but that's just a snippet of the things I want to accomplish. Who knows, maybe I've subconsciously done some of these but if I've done it once I'll do it again! I don't want to live my life with any regrets or "what ifs" and I want to appreciate to the fullest everyday I'm given to live. Life is short, and passes too fast and before you know it everything you wanted to do, you can't anymore.

peace and love,
little jay

extreme makeover: my life edition

Last night I was watching Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. That show makes me completely bawl my eyes out and feel so lucky and blessed to have the life I do. It also makes me think.
The episode last night was a family whose 14 year old daughter, Lizzie, lived on donated blood due to a rare blood disorder that basically made the blood her body made, not work in her body. She would get two transfusions a month, and had an extremely weak immune system. Their family home had termites, black mold, snakes, and the house was sinking into the Earth which was proven by all these massive cracks in the foundation.

I watch Extreme Makeover on a regular basis (it is one of my favorite shows), but never has there been an episode that I've seen at least, with a girl that had such a bad health problem so close to my age. She was alot like me too. She loved fashion, sketching, and just looking at peoples outfits seeing how the clothes, colours, patterns, silhouettes and everything would tie together. Extreme Makeover makes me realize alot of things when I watch, but this one inspired me. It inspired me to make a list of all the things I want to do with my life to make it better, and make me a happier person. One of the things on the list: Be apart of something bigger than myself.

I was googling some habitat for humanity stuff, like volunteer opportunities. I found that there's an opportunity close to my house, that has just begun or begins in the next couple weeks. I think it'd be amazing to help build a house for someone. I love the reactions of the people when their house is unveiled, and if we're being honest I always cry. I'd love to see that in person, and know that even if it was a small part, I helped. Of course I have to talk to my parents, and if the habitat for humanity thing doesn't work, I want to commit to volunteering atleast once or twice a week. I just want to help out more, make a change even if its only to one person.

I promised myself I wouldn't be lazy this year, and actually achieve the goals I set for myself. I began with my getting healthy (eating healthy, jogs, excersise), and now I want to help out the community. If we don't help eachother out, who will?