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

The Wallet Saver

So, I have spontaneously decided that I am going to put myself on a regimen. Not a diet sort of thing, but for those of you who don't know, I have three addictions that just eat up my pay cheques like candy: make-up, clothing and money spending. I can't even describe the happiness I feel when I buy something... or a lot of things, just because I can. It's pure bliss. But what's not bliss, is looking at my bank account afterwards with "The Frown" -- you know, the face you make when your heart breaks a little bit at the balance staring bluntly back into your face? I've decided I need to kick my habits hard, before they kick me even harder. I call this the "The Wallet Saver".
& Here's how I'm going to do this...

1. Make Up: for the people close to me, they know how much I enjoy it. I have drawers completely full of make up I don't even use on a regular basis, just because I like having it. I love buying the brand new plastic wrapped products, trying them out and then stuffing them into a drawer waiting for the perfect moment to wear it. To kick this habit, I'm going to start Project 10 Pan. Also for those of you who don't know, I am an avid youtube watcher and love watching make up tutorials, so to explain Project 10 Pan (a youtube-given idea) it's pretty much I have to use up -- COMPLETELY USE UP-- at least ten products from my make up collection (preferably more). With this, I'll actually use the things I intended on using before and actually finish them before I buy anything else.

2. Clothing:  I also have a problem of buying a bunch of clothes then just shoving it in my closet because I never have a "time" for wearing it. To kick this, I'm going to force myself to wear everything in my closet --everything-- at least once this year. This may not seem like a big deal, but since I'm heavily addicted to sweatpants, yoga pants and sleeping in late... Even wearing everything once will be a challenge with school. I will also force myself to not buy any new clothes for 3 months at a time, and at every 3 month period I will reward myself with ONE clothing item. This means, I will not buy anything new until APRIL 24TH, 2012 (except maybe a Coldplay t-shirt... because I'm seeing them). Just so you know, I might just die because shopping is a massive part of my life... but I'm determined to kick this. Maybe I'll take it even one step further and force myself to take a picture of my outfit everyday for the next year... but that's undecided.

3. Spending: Spending can range from something small as a 6 dollar sandwich to ridiculously priced shoes. Everything in between. I'm making my monthly budget ridiculous, keeping it from 15-25 dollars a month. BUT, there are exceptions to the budgets such as friend's birthday's and such. I seriously want to maintain it to this, of course with an increase when I meet my bank account goal (which for privacy purposes I'm not revealing on the blog, but trust me I'm a ways away).

I'll keep you all posted on how this little escapade will unfold... and hopefully, I don't go through too much withdrawl in the process, and even if you're feeling daring, try it out with me :)!

To do it yourself just pick three things bad habits that consequently affect your wallet and bank accounts, set goals and try it for a year! :)

saving instead of spending,
little jay :)