Diary of a reformed shopaholic (I hope)

shoppingobsessed2020

Thanks @alt80.  It’s my husbands man cave and he already has a ton of gym equipment that he uses when he’s home as he hates the gym so it will be worth the spend even if I don’t use it as he does a couple of hours a day in it when home.  Just means he now can’t have his rowing machine as my barbel is in the space he designated for that.

i need the motivation of a class and when I’ve had gym membership I’ve really enjoyed these classes so I’m optimistic that I will use it.  

ive already done a step class this morning before work so I can get it out the way which I enjoyed as I used to prefer going to the gym at the crack of dawn so feeling positive as my day is off to a good start  

I have put my bank cards in the safe so I can’t spend anything.  I’ve got a little bit of cash but I’m designating that’s for fuel use only if I need any and I will.

BlytheDoll

Hey.. Just reading your diary from the beginning so it will take a little while to catch up and get upto date. Well done on everything so far, you are taking all the right steps moving forward.
Blythe x

shoppingobsessed2020

I can’t stop spending at the moment,  £30 on breakfast with Santa.  Ok it’s the one Christmas activity we will be doing this year as I trust the restaurant with their social distancing measures.  Panto tickets were bought last year but it’s been cancelled and postponed to next year,  the downside is I am £15 in my overdraft so need to raid a savings pot to clear it but it’s interest and fee free so I’m actually leaving it as his lordship gets paid this week.  

bonus wise well I’m not getting cash, I’m getting an extra weeks paid holiday instead which is actually better for me in the long term and the downside I’m not actually getting my pay rise till mid November but it will be backdated.  It’s due to to transferring at year end and switching between companies.  Boss is really pleased with what I’ve got done so far and once I’ve got the office up to scratch we might be looking at expanding my role further with a pay incentive of course as realistically the role I’m in now isn’t a full time position but it has been in the past due to archaic practices.  Staff don’t like me but tm Not overly fussed, as I’m not there to be liked, I’m there to make their jobs easier and once they understand that and stop fighting me on every change I implement they will understand that and grow to like me as I’m lovable lol.  

shoppingobsessed2020

At long last it’s the weekend.  I have a grocery shop coming and I’ve got to go pick up my car tomorrow (needed a little bit of work doing that I wasn’t happy about when I picked it up) but once I’ve got my car back and topped up the tank as it was almost empty when I gave it to the garage I will be locking the  doors and having a chilled weekend with monkey boy.

Been reading another diary and it’s making me have some serious self reflection as I recognise large parts of myself in the wife, and it’s making me cringe reading as Im recognising what a spoilt brat I have been and still am.  I’ve had a privilaged upbringing And life all things considered, a decent degree and no student debt due to family support, my husband earns decent money and set to increase (seriously if he doesn’t do this one course next time he is home that will see him increse his salary by more than what I earn I will brain him) and whilst my earning potential is stunted through family choices I did at least in my early to mid 20s earn pretty decent money.  I just need to stop spending the way I did in my 20s as I don’t have that income yet the thought of switching from high end skincare and make up to what I could buy in boots has me turning my nose up but it shouldn’t as really I can’t afford the brands I gravitate towards.  Thankfully I have a rather large stockpile which in itself is embarrassing but on the plus side I know I’ve got about 18months worth of make up (skincare not so much) before I need to buy more.  Food it doesn’t bother me buying brands, my cupboards are a mix of branded and own brand and basic range depending on the product yet I can’t do that with what I put on my face and body.  I just need to stop being such a spoilt cow and get with the reality that I can’t afford to be me at the moment and unless I stop spending I can never afford to be me!

strawb_shortcake

I've dipped in and out of your posts, I'm just dipping into more higher end beauty products, not massively but introducing them slowly. I do get some decent discounts through work and always go through Quidco for a little extra back. 
I was able to get some Elemis Camelia oil for £25 instead of £40 recently. 
Could you ask family for gift vouchers for birthday and Christmas to contribute towards your beauty purchases?

GeorgianaCavendish

I agree with Anna, there’s no need to give up your skincare products if that makes you happy! I ask family to buy stuff for Christmas and birthdays, and then if I have to buy it myself I use cashback sites and double check for promos / vouchers as well. I think it’s more about finding where you can make a switch to cheaper products (food etc) and then finding a way to make the more expensive products slightly more affordable. 

ohdearhowdidthathappen

Ha, I can guess the diary you've been reading The wife on that diary is a proper princess though and guilts her hard working husband for their equally questionable past spending while refusing to work.  You work and contribute financially, so not comparable.
Have you considered beauty pie for skincare? I love high end face creams/make up and have been really impressed with them and they're saving me a fortune

Sarahwithlove

I have two lots of make up. My every day for when at work which is a cheaper brand and a nicer one for events and days out. I do the same with perfume. I find it's a good compromise. 

shoppingobsessed2020

Thanks everyone, my parents already do buy me skincare for my Christmas and birthday which I appreciate as i use some very expensive brands. @annabanana82 check out qvc for Elemis, they generally have pretty decent deals on and it’s where I get a lot of my Elemis from.  I am an Elemis addict as nothing compares to their moisturiser or their cleansing balm for me.  

Yesterday ended up being a spend day, I finally got the documents to transfer my plate on my new car so I had to pay the Dvla transfer fee which came out the car account, but looking out the window and seeing my plate on my car makes me smile.  Monkey boy was asking why I was changing plate and I explained the meaning behind mine and his dads plates and now he wants one to match when he gets a car.  I’m tempted to buy it in the next couple of years and whack it on retention for him.  Bit twee I know having matching plates but it really makes me smile and giggle when someone gets the meaning of them.

Today’s plan is an exercise class, followed by housework and I’m going to have a wrapping marathon and finish the Christmas wrapping tonight when monkey boy is in bed.  Got a nice joint of brisket in the slow cooker and some brownies in the oven for a neighbours birthday parent.  Nice and domesticated day today.

strawb_shortcake

@shoppingobsessed2020 thanks I'll have a look. 
Don't suppose you have any tips on Penhaligon perfumes? I've decided I'd really like a bottle but the price tag if a little bit wincy