Spending Ban - 2 Weeks In and Counting

I am officially half way through my first month of the spending ban. It's been easier than I thought and harder at the same time. 'Old me' couldn't go a day without having to buy something, anything be it a magazine, a new shampoo for the sake of it, or a pricey lunch from Itsu... Breaking that habit has been the easy part. The difficult part has been resisting those lovely nail varnishes ('ooh look at this new shade, perfect for spring') and inevitable new season make up releases. So - here are my confessions:

I bought:  Oz Theodora Palette (oops)
MAC Archie bits (double oops)
Oh, and a bath bomb from Lush, on my way home tonight....

Guilty as charged!

The Defence:  Well my defence is I knew about the release of the Oz Palette and the MAC bits before I decided to undertake this spending ban and I never said I wouldn't not buy them.  Flimsy? Perhaps.

However, two weeks in and my ISA is looking fuller than it has done for quite some time.  Aside from the monthly amount I've committed to save for my holidays, I decided that every time I'm tempted with something, rather than part with the £3, £5, £10, whatever it is, I'll stick that in a second ISA and I'll be able to see just how much I'm saving by not parting with my cash for these 'impulse' purchases.

Saving result:  The result of this? On top of my holiday savings I've managed to put away £175 in two weeks.

The weeks ahead: OPI Oz Varnish release is looming and yes I will be having another little splurge.  But a planned purchase is much better than an impulse one.  Anything else I see, I'm putting it on my birthday list (roll on May) and I'm ashamed to say it's getting longer and longer.

How is everyone else doing?

Spending Ban - January - April 2013

Twelve Little Rules to live by....

So I need to get saving some money.  I'm planning two potential holidays and they simply won't happen if I keep living my current lifestyle and spending like an idiot (how many nail varnishes do I really need?).  

My ban actually started a week ago but shall run until April and then I'll take stock, see what I've saved and re-evaluate.  Hopefully by then I'll have enough to get my train/plane fare sorted and feel like an adult with some proper savings for once.

The Rules:

1. Will not buy anything I don't need, be it shampoo, body lotions, make up* etc (if I run out completely that's fine, but I will have enough to keep me going for quite some time).

* aside from the Archie MAC collection where I shall have a little splurge.

2. No new books - I realised quite shamefully that I have yet to read around 50% of the books I own.  I have enough to keep me going!

3. No clothes until I've reached my desired weight and most importantly NO PYJAMAS.  No matter how cool/cute/snuggly they are.

4. No red wine (I have quite a habit) unless I've been invited to a house party and then I can take a bottle.  

5. No DVDs/Box Sets - again I have enough to keep me going.  I've not even started Dexter Series 1 nor the set I got for Christmas.  And in the meantime, I've unfrozen my Love Film account to keep me going.

6. No meals out each week - another waste of money that could be saved and not good for the waistline.  I shall instead have 1 cheat night a month where I can make the most of it.

7. Concentrate on my guitar lessons and yoga, reading, writing and generally things I can do indoors that won't cost me money.

8. Make the most of working in London and visit all the art galleries and museums that I can - free AND cultural (I kicked this off last week with a visit to the Saatchi Gallery).

9. Save a set amount each month (on top of the savings from all the stuff above) and not use it as an excuse to have a pot to 'dip in and out of'.

10. No magazines - I have books I need to get reading and magazines are not helping me be constructive (and show me pictures of things I convince myself I need).

11. No Pret/Itsu/Pod/EAT lunches - I shall be making and taking my lunches to work.

12. No homewear buys for the sake of it - only things I really need, nothing decorative!

If I think of anything else I'll add it in after - these rules are to share with you guys but also to act as a reminder about what I need to focus on and why.  

Anyone else having a spending ban?  Would love to hear about it.

(Image Source: Blunt Card)

Recent Home Buys & Spending Ban

For a while now I've been planning a spending ban.  I've armed myself with a book on how to stop shopping/spending like a mad woman (it may seem obvious to some, just don't buy stuff! But I'm from the school of 'but I need it' and 'just this last thing and then I'll stop'), a budget planner and a strong will to use up all the beauty products I've convinced myself I need (no more until they are all gone).  I will then be able to save for the holidays I plan on taking this year.... I hope.

Anyhoo, before this ban was in place (as of today, Friday 25 Jan, until say March (or whenever MAC see fit to release the Betty and Veronica range in the UK)) I bought a couple more home buys.

Big project this year: revamp my home.  Photos up, as and when it's finished.

So here are the latest additions:

As mentioned, I love things with animals on, so obviously I couldn't  resist these.  By the way, if you are concerned (as is my husband) that my house is going to start resembling an Ark, then you would be completely right.

The cushion is a soft suede and around 42cm x 42 cm:

(Tiger Kitty Cushion - Culture Label/Ohh Deer.com)

The coasters -also from Culture Label:

Anyone with any recent home buys to share, I'd love to see them (animal related or otherwise).

Take care x