No Buying Unnecessary Toiletries in December

mcculloch29

ruby_eskimo wrote: »

Thanks for starting off the new thread Kiplingmonkey!

I had a weird idea last night; I have almost £100 on my Advantage card, and next year I want to try and see if I can just use this to buy all my toiletries... Am I just being ridiculous? I think I'm certainly going to give it a go. Just need to get a replacement for my day cream this weekend and I should be set for a while!

I think that's a great idea, and very do-able. It does mean you'd have to stick to what they stock, but with SO's throughout the year you would do it easily, I feel.
Are you easily able to switch product loyalties and do most ranges suit your skin/hair?

Do you remember the costings exercises some of us did last year that showed you could shower, deodorise and moisturise every day, along with washing and conditioning your hair 4 times a week, for under a tenner a year? That was on April 2011 prices, which are significantly more now, but even at B's prices that should still bring you in under £100. It's here: (partially! The discussion went on for ages.)

Rosemary, that page from April 2011 also mentions the loss of your lovely cat on the road - didn't want to trigger any sad memories, if you read it unexpectedly.

The threads were more active then, so many people no longer post. I'm partially guilty, I was posting nearly every day back then.

indiepanda

tokkiandoliver wrote: »

Has everyone finished xmas shopping? I have 2 more things to buy and I'm done for this xmas. I am being frugal this year as I need to start focusing on grown up things now such as getting a new place to live, getting a car, etc. etc. lol!

I've almost finished mine - just got the men in my family to buy for - find them so much harder to buy for than women.

Unfortunately I haven't done too well on the being frugal front despite having plenty more sensible things I should spend my money on.

Ended up buying more expensive gifts for some of my girlfriends because I got carried away with how good some of the Amazon black Friday deals were. Ok, a Sekonda Seksy watch is good value at £25-£30 when full price is £60-£80... but then I would usually only spend about £20 on them at Christmas so I've spent more than usual.

Mind you, I think my favourite part of Christmas is seeing how pleased people are when they unwrap their gifts... I just hope it doesn't look tastelessly excessive... Oh the trauma of Christmas shopping eh!

I did at least get some Olay Regenerist and Oscar de le Renta perfume for my mum at a very good price on Amazon and managed to resist the urge to just buy more stuff. It would be a waste to be honest, she's sick with depression and I could buy her the loveliest gift in the world and she's just complain I'd wasted my money on her. (I know that sounds very unsympathetic but she's not been doing what the doctors have told her to do to help her recover and my patience has worn more than a little thin!).

indiepanda

emslovesmickey wrote: »

I'll join again - hoping i will actually go a month without buying something unnecessary. At least i know i won't be buying the S and G box this year!!!

Oooh, don't mention S and G to me. I have a shower gel of theirs that I got free when I bought some new make up bags for my nail polish. It's taking FOREVER to use up and it smells so bland. It's as if when I leave the bathroom some sneaks in and refills it.

emsjune78

ruby_eskimo wrote: »

Thanks for starting off the new thread Kiplingmonkey!

I had a weird idea last night; I have almost £100 on my Advantage card, and next year I want to try and see if I can just use this to buy all my toiletries... Am I just being ridiculous? I think I'm certainly going to give it a go. Just need to get a replacement for my day cream this weekend and I should be set for a while!

That sounds like a fantastic idea and an interesting challenge to follow - if you look out for special offers for those products you need and are maybe a bit flexible on brands I'm sure its very doable. Good luck if you decide to give it a go!

emslovesmickey wrote: »

I'll join again - hoping i will actually go a month without buying something unnecessary. At least i know i won't be buying the S and G box this year!!!

I wholeheartedly second this! I'm sooooo over S & G, can still remember scrambling to get the OOTW last year even I don't know if its just me but I haven't found the weekly offers very appealing this year - the only one I've bought is the FCUK bag which I thought was much nicer than last year's offering and which I got for Mum and will fill up with extra goodies. It may just be that I've finally programmed myself to stop buying things I don't need just because they're on offer?!!! :beer:

mcculloch29 wrote: »

I think that's a great idea, and very do-able. It does mean you'd have to stick to what they stock, but with SO's throughout the year you would do it easily, I feel.
Are you easily able to switch product loyalties and do most ranges suit your skin/hair?

Do you remember the costings exercises some of us did last year that showed you could shower, deodorise and moisturise every day, along with washing and conditioning your hair 4 times a week, for under a tenner? That was on April 2011 prices, which are significantly more now, but even at B's prices that should still bring you in under £100. It's here: (partially! The discussion went on for ages.)

Rosemary, that page from April 2011 also mentions the loss of your lovely cat on the road - didn't want to trigger any sad memories, if you read it unexpectedly.

The threads were more active then, so many people no longer post. I'm partially guilty, I was posting nearly every day back then.

Thanks for this And, I found it really interesting to read. I've been trying to 'downshift' on basic things like shower gel and shampoo lately and buy cheapest brands and items I can without feeling like I'm compromising on performance now that I've run the stash down considerably. I've found it quite good fun tbh.

I've noticed the thread has been quieter lately too but we've had a few newbies lately who I hope will stick around and I'm sure there'll be an influx after Christmas - I really enjoy keeping up-to-date and posting on here. A few of the other threads I've ventured onto have been nowhere near as friendly :eek:

VALM

Catriona_P wrote: »

I'm thinking it might be easy to get a no spend month (hah) since I'm so distracted with the xmas build up and will probably get loads for xmas anyway!

I was thinking this too Catriona until I totted up my totals for November and it made me realise that I haven't bought myself anything nice for ages! The Elemis TSV is calling me I'm afraid. x

maddiemay wrote: »

Thank you Kipling, count me in again for another month.

I almost it the "buy" button on a Liz Earle order yesterday, I am almost out of C&P, and although I have enough cleansers for many months I do like to have a C&P in my overnight bag, will need toner soon and a nourishing mask, which would have made the order up to £55 for a free gift and free p&p, but part of the free gift is Eyebright, which I used to love, but now react badly to. Left the order open on the pc for ages, then eventually deleted it completely:j.

I do need to put an order in with LE this month but am waiting to be in funds again after 7 December. Will be ordering enough for the free C&P and free mini gift. I'm not a fan of Eyebright either. It doesn't cause a reaction but doesn't really do anything for me either. Will probably use it as eye make up remover.

emsjune78 wrote: »

Hi All,

I'm back in, as ever! Thanks to Kiplingmonkey for starting us off on the new thread.... December OMG :eek:

Will post my updated stash list later, its dwindling but will probably get bumped back up over Christmas (without being too presumptuous) Not that I really mind, free IN are my kind of IN

I do love receiving lots of smellies for Christmas. I'm thinking of starting a list now for the January sales as well. x

emsjune78

indiepanda wrote: »

I've almost finished mine - just got the men in my family to buy for - find them so much harder to buy for than women.

Unfortunately I haven't done too well on the being frugal front despite having plenty more sensible things I should spend my money on.

Ended up buying more expensive gifts for some of my girlfriends because I got carried away with how good some of the Amazon black Friday deals were. Ok, a Sekonda Seksy watch is good value at £25-£30 when full price is £60-£80... but then I would usually only spend about £20 on them at Christmas so I've spent more than usual.

Mind you, I think my favourite part of Christmas is seeing how pleased people are when they unwrap their gifts... I just hope it doesn't look tastelessly excessive... Oh the trauma of Christmas shopping eh!

I did at least get some Olay Regenerist and Oscar de le Renta perfume for my mum at a very good price on Amazon and managed to resist the urge to just buy more stuff. It would be a waste to be honest, she's sick with depression and I could buy her the loveliest gift in the world and she's just complain I'd wasted my money on her. (I know that sounds very unsympathetic but she's not been doing what the doctors have told her to do to help her recover and my patience has worn more than a little thin!).

I agree about the present giving, its such a great feeling finding something for someone you know they'll love, its so exciting. I always can't wait to give it to them and see how pleased they are.

VALM

kiplingmonkey wrote: »

Well done for resisting the LE. :T. I have had a pre order email for the Elemis tomorrow on the Q but have deleted it. I have put £5 in my SPC which starts again today (had £145 for the last 12 months - £80 of that was from resisting TSVs (£5 went in the pot for each one I managed not to buy)). I am thinking I might crank that up to £10 in the New Year but Dec will be a tough month so sticking at £5 for the time being.

I think I'm gonna end up getting this TSV but in my defence I think the last one that I bought was the OPI one back in the Summer (know it was before my holiday) so I have been better than I used to be.

tokkiandoliver wrote: »

Has everyone finished xmas shopping? I have 2 more things to buy and I'm done for this xmas. I am being frugal this year as I need to start focusing on grown up things now such as getting a new place to live, getting a car, etc. etc. lol!

No. I'm waiting for 7 December for more cashflow and then will be blitzing it. Have just pulled all the gifts we have bought for Emma out and even though we said she was not having much she has quite a bit to open. I'd like to get her one other thing then that's it. Don't have anything for MrM but we have now agreed we will not buy each other what we wouldreally like - Ipod Touch for him and Kindle for me - until after Christmas due to the cost of the new bedrooms so far. Do want to get him something to open though but don't know what. Usually get him a book but he's said he doesn't want any this year. Have my sister's gift to buy as well. She wants Marc Jacobs Daisy shower gel so it's not difficult to get hold of. Have my Secret Santa sorted out. Thankfully, the one man at work doesn't take part so my recipient is getting a couple of Yankee Candle votives and two holders or a Yankee Candle burner with two wax tarts - we have budget of £5.00 each and I got these items in the Jan sales for this amount so I'll look generous at least. This shows how well I've done in this challenge cos usually I can bulk out my sister's gifts and Secret Santa from my stash but have nothing in there this year.

Valli

I have read, but never posted before but now, as we start December, I want to share with you all that I STILL HAVEN'T BOUGHT SOAP YET THIS YEAR...

I used to buy liquid handwash for the bathroom - it's less messy than bar soap but I have tablets and tablets of soap; many came in gift boxes. Well, earlier this year one of your threads caught my eye. I immediately went upstairs; removed the liquid soap from the bathroom (put it in a cupboard), unearthed the soap dish and out went a bar of soap.

I think I STILL have enough to last until the end of 2013.:eek:

(I have had to put handwash in the kitchen but I haven't had to buy any!)

Thanks for the inspiration!

CookieMonsta

I'm definitely in again

Last month was fun and hopefully I'll get some smellies for Xmas to give my my 'new toiletries' fix!

I was wandering round TKM*xx today buying foodie and toiletry bits for my aunties and uncles. Good golly it was hard not to buy things for me!!

rogueylawyer

Well today I am finding it very tough. We're packing everything ready for the house move. Unfortunately I have something approaching a compulsive hoarding instinct. I feel bereft without things around me and my response to running down the freezer/cupboards/toiletries is to buy lots more to keep around me.

I've spent a long time looking at a company my mother used to buy things from when I was younger, and last night have put in an order of products as part of a pamper package for mumsie. It's possible I am projecting my issues on to her here....!

No UU yet but did go to the hairdresser this morning and resisted buying bumble and bumble products. Think I'm going to buy some nice food to scratch the itch though.