Reformed shopaholic? please can you give me the benefit of your advice

debtdesperado

I have had a victory this week... I cleared out all my old makeup. Previously I had a full size tool box full of make up (not toiletries - I had drawers full of them but have now reduced them to just what I have on the go) and I would keep buying make up... spending less than £20 on an eye shadow or a lipgloss seemed to be a nice little treat. When I didn't feel I had enough money to go clothes shopping, I'd go make up shopping instead. Usually though I would get home, and realise that I had been too shy to actually try a colour properly (does anyone else have a fear of those overmade up orange sales assistants?) and so would get home, put it on, think oh that's awful and chuck it in the box.

For some reason though it made me feel really secure to have this huge box of make up, but it also made me feel bad to think hmmm, 20 lipsticks that I don't use, which each cost say £15 on average, is £300. £300 could have bought me a pair of Jimmy Choo shoes, which I would actually have worn. I think as well that unlike clothes, used make up has zero value, which made me feel worse.

I don't know why I resisted but it was the last thing that I have decluttered after my clothes and my toiletries... and I did it! 4 carrier bags FULL of make up has been passed round my family and friends to help themselves or bin.

I now have one little everyday bag of what I actually use, and another small box of stuff to keep which I'll use when the seasons change (eg half used bronzer).

The weird thing is that I didn't realise how bad looking at that huge waste of money every day made me feel, but now it's gone I feel as if I have a clean slate and a weight off my shoulders...

velocity.girl_2

well done for getting rid of 4 bags, that's an achievement in itself...i bet you were very popular with your family and friends joking aside it's a really big step getting rid and realising you have a problem...
i've never been one for make up or shoes or stuff like that, i'm a tomboy...my weakness is kids clothes and books...
xxxx

salesaddict

debtdesperado wrote: »

I have had a victory this week... I cleared out all my old makeup. Previously I had a full size tool box full of make up (not toiletries - I had drawers full of them but have now reduced them to just what I have on the go) and I would keep buying make up... spending less than £20 on an eye shadow or a lipgloss seemed to be a nice little treat. When I didn't feel I had enough money to go clothes shopping, I'd go make up shopping instead. Usually though I would get home, and realise that I had been too shy to actually try a colour properly (does anyone else have a fear of those overmade up orange sales assistants?) and so would get home, put it on, think oh that's awful and chuck it in the box.

For some reason though it made me feel really secure to have this huge box of make up, but it also made me feel bad to think hmmm, 20 lipsticks that I don't use, which each cost say £15 on average, is £300. £300 could have bought me a pair of Jimmy Choo shoes, which I would actually have worn. I think as well that unlike clothes, used make up has zero value, which made me feel worse.

I don't know why I resisted but it was the last thing that I have decluttered after my clothes and my toiletries... and I did it! 4 carrier bags FULL of make up has been passed round my family and friends to help themselves or bin.

I now have one little everyday bag of what I actually use, and another small box of stuff to keep which I'll use when the seasons change (eg half used bronzer).

The weird thing is that I didn't realise how bad looking at that huge waste of money every day made me feel, but now it's gone I feel as if I have a clean slate and a weight off my shoulders...

Hello dd
that's fantastic. Well done for doing that. I have an enormous amount of cosmetics particularly Stila. I find I have a problem resisting anything that used to be considered a premium brand but that is now available on Brandalley at bargain prices. I find it really hard to part with any of my make up. Yet really a lot of my friends say that I don't look like I wear any( I do, I love applying make up:))

I am so glad that you feel so much better now. I have joined the toiletries and make up challenge and I am finding it quite hard not to buy any more. I have fallen off the wagon about 3 times I think. Hopefully this weekend when it is all laid out in one place and photographed, this will be the' cure'.

salesaddict

velocity.girl wrote: »

well done for getting rid of 4 bags, that's an achievement in itself...i bet you were very popular with your family and friends joking aside it's a really big step getting rid and realising you have a problem...
i've never been one for make up or shoes or stuff like that, i'm a tomboy...my weakness is kids clothes and books...
xxxx

You sound such a lovely Mum:)

salesaddict

I am really finding it hard to resist the lure of marks and sparks. I wanted to go to a larger branch today but I am too busy at work. I have given my debit card back to dh.
I searched on ebay last night and realised how little everything is worth second hand. I feel overwhelmed by my possessions and clutter at home yet I still have this urge to shop.
I have £20 emergency money in my purse. I wonder how long I can make that last?

Babafette

salesaddict wrote: »

I find I have a problem resisting anything that used to be considered a premium brand but that is now available on Brandalley at bargain prices.

I completely identify with this. Before I buy, I have to stop myself and think; do I actually really want the item or am I just buying it purely because it is a premium brand? I have wasted money over the years buying things I will probably never use just because I want a brand name on my bathroom shelf or dressing table.

Anglea

Hi all

Morocha - congratulations on being an Aunty :beer:

Yesterday I went out with 6 x pound coins to be spent in Iceland but when I got to the shops I realised I had forgotten to eat and was starving. So then I was deciding whether to use the cash in the cafe which would mean using my debit card in Iceland (and getting cash back). Instead I went to Greggs and bought a sandwich and was very pleased with myself to when I chose browsing the library over 3 charity shops which were enroute.

Well done to the lady getting rid of all that make-up.

Salesaddict - I think it might help if you decided what you call an emergency. e.g. satifiying your craving for shopping or having money to hand when something unexpected or unpleasant happens.

Anglea

This afternoon when I had a 'shop craving' I decided to stay in and do some chores. I'm sure a lot of the time I go out just to avoid my to-do lists, hence they are extremely long.

How are the rest of you doing?

debtdesperado

I decided that instead of going to buy lunch today (which would involve going to the shops and getting cash out, probably as a cash back and buying loads more than I would need), I would eat only what is already in my drawers at work... an orange, a packet of oatcakes and 4 apples. Also had a slice of cake as it was someone's birthday....:T

salesaddict challenge yourself to find at least 10 things to donate to the charity shop or declutter a drawer or small area. I used to be a terrible hoarder, but start small and after a while you'll really get into it!

What I discovered though now that I have decluttered my wardrobe and can actually see what is there is that the stuff I wear is KNACKERED... I mean, completely worn out Before I couldn't see it though as there was so much stuff that was brand new (and didn't fit/wasn't nice but had just been so cheap I bought it anyway, so had never been worn) that when I looked at my wardrobe I used to get really cross with myself that I could never find anything to wear etc even though there were loads of clothes....:D

Anglea

My wardrobe's like that too and I always wear the same few things.