It's finally happened, I've hit rock bottom. I have finally realised that it's all too much - I have too much. I used to look back at spending ban posts and wonder why people ever did them - surely they couldn't have that much? Yes. Yes they could. And now my time has come. Moving around had made it that much more obvious. I can't keep using up half of my baggage allowance on stuff I simply don't need, multiples upon multiples of products that I never get through. So, as of today - 15th May 2014 - I am on a strict spending ban. To start off with, I will only be on the ban for a month - y'know, not throwing myself in at the deep end - but I might do some longer ones later in the year. I'm not hurting for money, but I'm certainly not saving either - and living in a capital city can be expensive. I start my final year of uni in September, so I want to have as much saved as I can before I graduate so I start off life on the right foot. So, I have a few rules/conditions; 

I am not allowed to buy any makeup/skincare/haircare/nail items unless; 
- I run out of the product and have no other alternative
- I use a gift voucher that I received for Christmas 
- Someone else purchases the product for me.

I am going to be very strict on myself as I really want to cut the skincare products I have in half before I return to the UK, and if I manage to finish any makeup items that'll be good, but the main point is not to buy anymore. This is going to be a huge challenge for me, as I'm very much an emotional shopper, and the next month is going to be very stressful. However, I'd rather spend a bit of the money I save on enjoying the rest of my time in Madrid, and then saving the rest for the years to come. Well, wish me luck - and if I do slip up (which I'm determined not to), I'll be sure to shamefully post about it so you can all tell me off! 

Let me know if you guys have any tips or tricks that might help me! 

25 comments

  1. Good luck! I did a big challenge last year and cleared all my skincare/bodycare/hair stuff down to one of each product, with *maybe* a back up if it was a Holy Grail.

    The best advice I can give you is not to think too much about it - difficult, I know, but if you go out and tempt yourself by thinking 'no, I can't have that', then it's you'll end up with a 'just this once'… I get you on the emotional shopping, though!

    In terms of skincare - is there anything you don't love that you can repurpose? Face cream as body cream, cream/gel cleanser as shower gel, other cleansers as bathroom cleaner? Sounds drastic, but it helps!

    Sorry for the novel, I just get a bit excited about this sort of thing :P

    The Oxford Owl

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  2. Grace from Amble.travelblogMay 15, 2014 at 9:41 AM

    Haha you never cease to amaze me with your collection ;) my current make up bag consists of 1BB cream, 1 face powder, 1 liquid liner, 1 mascara, 1 lipstick and 1 lip balm and I use it so rarely I thought I lost it when you came down to Seville! I could never be a beauty blogger LOL Maybe you should help me shop for some more :P then it wouldn't be you spending!

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  3. I'm trying to do the same sort of thing as I need to actually use up products! I have so many back ups and products I haven't even opened yet or only used once yet I still buy new things. Need to start only buying products if I haven't got any other alternatives to use :) xx

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  4. omg 'emotional shopper' is pretty much me in a nutshell. I am considering doing a makeup spending ban too (not clothes though as my wardrobe is in desperate need of an update). Good luck!

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  5. Thanks! I'm afraid that I'm pretty much stocked up on everything! The only thing that's on it's last legs is my beloved Nars Creamy Concealer... :'( going to be hard not to repurchase that! x

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  6. p.s. I love a good novel-post! Have at 'em! x

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  7. DEAL! We shall hit up Sephora in a BIG way when you get to Madrid - a birthday present for you is allowed under this agreement :) Oh, and get your arse on FB and reply to my message! ;) xxx

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  8. I know how you feel! Luckily I don't have too many backups, but still tooooo many things. You do great empties posts though so hopefully you can whittle things down a bit! We can do this!! x

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  9. I know, my two emotional weaknesses are chocolate and beauty shopping. Help me! I am the same, need more clothes but less of everything else x

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  10. Good luck with this! I should have been put on a ban a year back.. but better late than never!

    Forgotten Makeup Heroes | The Conscience Fund

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  11. I wish I had the willpower to do this, but I just get caught up in a buzz in Boots all the damn time! x

    Amy / srslylou

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  12. Good luck! I did this from February to April and although it was difficult to start off with I began to not miss being £20 lighter every time I exited Boots! x
    www.talkingaboutm.com

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  13. Good luck! This is such a good idea! x


    emilyh0ughton.blogspot.co.uk

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  14. Thanks - let's do it together! x

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  15. It's more necessity than anything! I'm moving back from Madrid in 3 months and I want to bring back as little as possible x

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  16. Thanks! Ahh that must be a good feeling! Well done you!! x

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  17. Thanks - I'll keep you updated ;) x

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  18. Sometimes it's so good to do this, I love finding old products in my stash that I used to love :)

    Kate xo // www.beautybabbles.com

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  19. Good luck! I'm also an emotional shopper haha - Sephora shopping can make any day a little brighter!


    Melissa | M is for Melissa

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  20. Good luck! I've done 2 spending bans so far this year and they have definitely helped me save money x

    daisy-drops

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  21. This is a great idea and something that I need to follow as well. I seriously buy way too many products these days and I need to stop! xx

    Celina | The Celution | Bloglovin’

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  22. GOOD LUCK! It's so tough when you realise how mad you've gone and stuff isn't getting used- almost scary xxx

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  23. omg I totally agree with you! I'm currently on a ban, I'm guilty of buying too many foundations!

    LauraThinksAbout

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  24. Good luck with this, I'm envious of your self control. Although, I WILL do a ban some time in the future...hopefully!

    Belle ♥
    Mascara & Maltesers

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