No Buying Unnecessary Toiletries October 2019

sstevo19
sstevo19 Posts: 1,491
First Anniversary First Post I've been Money Tipped!
Forumite
edited 5 October 2019 at 7:20PM in Health & beauty MoneySaving
Here we go again for another month. As usual this initial post has been shamelessly copied from the many previous months. A big thank you to sstevo19 for starting us off last month.

Welcome all newbies and regulars to this very friendly and chatty thread where we give lots of lovely tips on how to use up your stash and lots of support and encouragement if you need them.

Keep up the pampering and keep down the spending: let's make the naughty step an empty and lonely place this month (rather than one so long that it can be seen from space)! Will this be the month when the "usual suspects" rein it in a bit? Let's see..... (but I doubt it!)

Remember - those products do nothing for you while they are stashed in drawers, boxes and cupboards!

We are eternally grateful to Katie Clampet who set up this fab challenge in January 2010. Here's her original challenge post:

"No buying any new toiletries, cosmetics, perfume etc... until I have used up ALL the ones I already have. I got a huge amount of (really nice) stuff for Christmas but I am going to resist the urge to browse Boots, Asda, Superdrug etc, and pop another tub of cream, face scrub, shampoo or conditioner into my basket. I reckon the stuff I have will last me until possibly June. I have decided that the money I save I will put into my special holiday account. Anyone else?"

Lots of us have taken part in the challenge over the past few months (and some of us even years!!) and are making great progress in reducing our stashes and unnecessary/excessive spending.

Regulars can ignore this, but a quick resume is always helpful for newbies:

Why not add the challenge to your signature as a reminder?

How about taking a bit of time to do a stock-take and see if there are any gaps in your stash that you might need to spend on this month? Some of us set a budget for the month for essential purchases or to help with withdrawal symptoms, others like to go cold-turkey!! Other ideas which some people find useful: Listing everything out so you can cross things off as used to increase the sense of achievement, and putting a sum of money in a pot each time you use up an item to save for something you really want, or simply to assist in making future essential purchases "cash neutral".

Remember the challenge is about making the most of your money, enjoying your products, finding which products really suit you best and are worth buying, giving yourself a well-deserved pampering and breaking the habit of buying for the sake of buying. In money-saving tradition, it should also be about making your products l-a-s-t as long as possible (although the temptation of using an unloved shower gel extravagantly to finish it off is sometimes too much to bear!).

Brand new products (or opened perfume) sell well on eBay.

Unsuitable products can be repurposed and used for other jobs (shower gel/shampoo as handwash etc).

Some items can be returned to certain stores for exchange (for essential items or gifts!!) without a receipt.

Unwanted items can be recycled as gifts or for gift hampers (saving the money you'd have spent on gifts).

Unsuitable items can be donated to charity or a local women's refuge as mentioned earlier

It helps to avoid the places where temptation lurks for you; be it QVC, Boots, Body Shop, email newsletter, the supermarket toiletries aisles, Grabbit board, online toiletries browsing, seductive department store beauty counter offers etc. Remember retailers are making offers and promotions all the time, so there will always be another deal! Honest!

Good luck all for this month and indeed the coming months, and remember to keep your stash lists updated, keep popping in for inspiration and support and to report your UU's and IN's, especially any sales bargains - we want a nosy!

Welcome to all newbies - the more the merrier. Please introduce yourselves so we can welcome you properly! Do de-lurk if you are lurking, this is one of the friendliest threads on MSE.

Oh - and anyone thinking "OMG my stash is FAR bigger than all of theirs, I cant possibly join" - believe you me, we have been doing this challenge for well over a year some of us - you wont scare us, and I can almost guarantee that someone somewhere will have had more and survived.... we are very supportive (and protective - so don't be scared!!) oh - and did we mention that are nosy??!!


Useful abbreviations and jargon!

WBA - Will Buy Again
UU - Use Ups
IN - Self explanatory - stuff you've gained into your stash - warning: lines may be given out for unnecessary purchases or you may be sent to the naughty step!
NBI - A non-bought item such as a present, gift with purchase or free sample
WNBA - Will Not Buy Again!
Glitch - when a shop/online store make a pricing mistake so you end up paying less or even get freebies!
PYN(M/T/W/Th/F/Sa/Su) DELETE AS APPROPRIATE! - Paint Your Nails Monday/Tuesday...... it allows everyone to try and finish those dastardly nail varnishes with group support! You can never be too groomed for this thread. Also see PY(T)N... - for toenails!
Splutterer - the stage where an item is nearing the end of it's life and spluttering - also the most annoying and seemingly never ending stage!
GWP - Gift With Purchase - a sample or mini sized item
HG - Holy Grail - this is the product you would go back for time and time again, it does the job brilliantly, and is either economical, or so fantastic price becomes no object!
NPI - Near Purchasing Incident (OMG we all have those!)
LHJ - Long Haul Job - for those products - love 'em or hate 'em - that never seem to end no matter how often you use them
PRCP - Pink Rose Candle Philosophy inspired by Erma Bombeck who said: 'If I had my life to live over again I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose that melted in storage'. Don't keep things 'for best' or 'for a special occasion'. That day never arrives. Give the best to yourself now and enjoy it. (Thanks to McCulloch29 for introducing this thought provoking sentiment to us)
GA - for an out that was given away to charity, as a present, or "just because" rather than binned or UU
TA - for an out that was thrown away due to going off (generally as it has been lurking at the back of a stash since time immemorial) or for any other reason such as a broken container or spillage
PP - Project Pan: a list of specific items targeted to be used up

If anyone can think of any more we can add to the list so newbies won't be intimidated by our jargon!


Graduates

Here is a list of our lovely,fragrant ladies who have polished and pampered their way through their products and managed to get their toiletries stash under control. Ladies - congratulations, you are an inspiration to the rest of us, xx . Thanks also to InaPickle who suggested we start the Graduate list. To join the list of graduates let us know by posting that you are graduating in big colourful letters, that way the OP can easily spot you and add you to the list, or better still - PM the OP as the thread can move really quickly! You may also wish to add how many products you have used up during the challenge. Good luck ladies! xx

1. mineallmine - graduated with honours March
2. Bronnie - graduated with honours March 2011
3. lostinrates - graduated with honours around June 2010
4. Ruby_Eskimo - graduated with honours June 2012
5. Seaside dreamer - graduated with honours October 2012
6. InaPickle - graduated with honours September 2014
7. Fiasco55 - graduated with honours May 2017


Previous threads

In case you need to refer back to a previous stash list or product review, here are links to past challenge threads. Click on the date to take you straight to it:

January 2012
February 2012
March 2012
April 2012
May 2012
June 2012
July 2012
August 2012
September 2012
October 2012
November 2012
December 2012
January 2013
February 2013
March 2013
April 2013
May 2013
June 2013
July 2013
August 2013
September 2013
October 2013
November 2013
December 2013
January 2014
February 2014
March 2014
April 2014
May 2014
June 2014
July 2014
August 2014
September 2014
October 2014
November 2014
December 2014
January 2015
February 2015
March 2015
April 2015
May 2015
June 2015
July 2015
August 2015
September 2015
October 2015
November 2015
December 2015
January 2016
February 2016
March 2016
April 2016
May 2016
June 2016
July 2016
August 2016
September 2016
October 2016
November 2016
December 2016
January 2017
February 2017
March 2017
April 2017
May 2017
June 2017
July 2017
August 2017
September 2017
October 2017
November 2017
December 2017
January 2018
February 2018
March 2018
April 2018
May 2018
June 2018
July 2018
August 2018
September 2018
October 2018
November 2018
December 2018
January 2019
February 2019
March 2019
April 2019
May 2019
June 2019
July 2019
August 2019
September 2019
«13456717

Comments

  • pinkfluffybabe
    pinkfluffybabe Posts: 2,983
    Name Dropper Academoney Grad First Anniversary First Post
    Forumite
    edited 28 October 2019 at 10:46AM
    Thanks for a new thread sstevo!

    I'm in again for October, PP list:

    [STRIKE]Soaper duper passion fruit shower gel[/STRIKE]
    [STRIKE]Aesop a rose by any other name body wash[/STRIKE]
    [STRIKE]Aveda shampure shampoo[/STRIKE]
    Aveda shampure conditioner
    Elemis apricot toner
    Odilyque coconut cleanser
    [STRIKE]Beauty Pie Japanfusion cleanser[/STRIKE]
    [STRIKE]Caudalie Premier Cru moisturiser[/STRIKE]
    [STRIKE]Caudalie Premier Cru serum[/STRIKE]
    E45 body lotion
    [STRIKE]Living Proof Prime[/STRIKE]
    Not buying unnecessary toiletries 2024 9/53 UU, 3 IN
  • shed35
    shed35 Posts: 240
    First Anniversary Combo Breaker First Post
    Forumite
    Hi

    This my first post for October

    UU
    Avon Supreme Shampoo
    Superdrug B Glycolic Cleansing Peel
    Aveeno Baby Daily Wash
    Marsellie Cleansing Soap 600g
    Molton Brown Travel Lotion
    Santuary Spa White Lily Demesk Body Scrub

    IN
    Weleda Almond Facial Oil x3
    Superdrug B Muliti Acid Retexurising Pads x 2
    Superdrug B Glycolic Cleansing Peel x 2
    Liz Earle Body Cleanse and Polish
    Body Shop Coconut Hair Oil
    IT CC Cream

    Total 100
  • dolly84
    dolly84 Posts: 5,851
    First Anniversary Name Dropper Photogenic First Post
    Forumite
    edited 21 October 2019 at 8:20AM
    Thanks for the new thread sstevo.


    October PP List

    [STRIKE]Poppy King Lip Crayon in Dancing (b/f from September)[/STRIKE]
    Clinique Happy Body Lotion
    Moa Aphrodite Oil 30ml
    Clinique Happy EDP 50ml
    Korres Mango Shower Gel 250ml
    Soap & Glory The Righteous Butter (full size)
    Avon Cocoa Butter Hand Cream
    [STRIKE]Philip Kingsley Moisture Balance Conditioner 1L[/STRIKE]




    Finish 7 by Christmas list.


    1.Garnier Oil Free BB Cream 40ml
    2. Bare Minerals Mineral Veil
    3. Benefit They're Real Mascara Mini
    4. Clinique Lipstick in Black Honey
    5. Benefit Champagne Pink Eyeshadow (b/f from the last project)
    6. The Balm Down Boy Blush - would like to hit pan (b/f from last project.
    7. Mini Bobbi Brown Eyeshadow in Taupe


    Will not need to buy in 2019

    Shower gel - one can of Rituals foaming shower gel bought January, and one that came with my Liz Earle order.
    Body moisturiser - set of 3 Sanctuary Spa Body Butters bought March from the CS
    Hair conditioner/hair masks - one Bumble & Bumble styling cream bought January
    Foot cream
    Nail polish - 2 BN Ciate polishes bought for £1 each from a CS
    Hair serum/oil
    Makeup (except maybe foundation) - eye primer bought March, mascara & foundation bought June.
    Perfume- 1 bottle of Clinique Happy bought from a CS in July
    Bubble Bath

    May need to buy in 2019

    Shampoo - we have lots but everyone is using the same ones now - have used all the stash and moved to shampoo bars.
    Cleanser - will need to buy in Spring - have purchased a few cleaners now
    Eye cream - only have the one which is in use
    Day cream - already bought Liz Earle
    Curl cream - have one in use and one backup
    Deodorant - will be good for quite a while
    Hand cream - 2 from Avon in January


    I will finish the Poppy King lip crayon if it kills me. I am so ready to start using a different colour.
    Debt Free and now a saver, conscious consumer, low waste lifestyler


    Fashion on the Ration 28/66
  • dolly84
    dolly84 Posts: 5,851
    First Anniversary Name Dropper Photogenic First Post
    Forumite
    A uu from last night


    Ren Rose Centifolia Hot Cloth Cleanser 150ml - WNBA.
    Debt Free and now a saver, conscious consumer, low waste lifestyler


    Fashion on the Ration 28/66
  • Thanks for the new thread sstevo, I'm in again.

    I want to UU/TA/GA 75 things by Christmas, because I always get given or buy some nice new toiletries/make up/candles etc at this time.
    I started on 1st Sep, with my 30 things in 30 days challenge and therefore need to do 15 each in Oct/Nov/Dec to meet my target.

    Oct total: 0/15

    Running total from Sep: 31/75

    Good luck everyone!
  • sstevo19
    sstevo19 Posts: 1,491
    First Anniversary First Post I've been Money Tipped!
    Forumite
    edited 2 October 2019 at 9:49AM
    My PP list for October is:

    Avene Extremely Gentle Cleanser Lotion 300ml
    Bioderma Sensibio Micellar Water 100ml
    Cosrx BHA Blackhead Power Liquid 100ml
    Klairs Supple Preparation Facial Toner 30ml
    Pixi Vitamin-C Tonic 100ml


    These are the items I'm going to try and consistently use throughout the month.

    And I have some INs today:

    Maui Moisture Strength & Anti Breakage Agave Shampoo 385ml
    Maui Moisture Strength & Anti Breakage Agave Conditioner 385ml
    Maui Moisture Strength & Anti Breakage Agave Hair Mask 340g
    Soft & Gentle Lavender & Patchouli Deodorant 50ml
    Colgate Total Advanced Pure Breath Toothpaste 75ml
    Superdrug Pink Fizz Shower Gel 250ml
    Superdrug Daiquiri Shower Cream 250ml


    Some essentials, I'm nearing the end of my shampoo and conditioner, and the hair mask is to try once I've finished my current one. Same with the deodorant. And I needed shower gels.
  • ponypal
    ponypal Posts: 416
    First Anniversary Name Dropper Photogenic First Post
    Forumite
    Thanks sstevo!

    My no buy continues...

    PP List - I want to use all these up before 2020
    & other stories Topanga Waves Body Lotion
    Lush Dream Cream
    Superdrug style expertise heat styling spray
    CeraVe Facial Moisturising Lotion w/SPF
    REN Clean Skincare Rosa Centifolia Hot Cloth Cleanser
    Pure Deo Co Natural Deodorant
    Nivea suncream
    Superdrug devotion body spray
    Roots intensive spray
    Debt Free since December 2017#11 3-6 month Emergency Fund - £3,207.08/£6,000.00
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 0
    First Anniversary First Post Name Dropper Xmas Saver!
    Newbie
    edited 1 October 2019 at 11:00PM
    I'd like to join.
    I will do a proper list tomorrow of the stuff I have to use up but basically, today doing weekly shopping I almost brought nice shower gels but then I clicked the remove item button on them as we have a whole basket full of mini shower gels, body butter etc from last Christmas to use up.

    As my money is extremely tight right now (Meaning - I only got paid half of what I usually do because of illness , I've had to borrow £120+ out of mine and my hubs honeymoon fund ; money gifted to us from family for our wedding) I'm trying to save pennies where I can. The hubs says money isnt a worry for me as he has lots but I'd rather have extra money for date nights or saving for a new house then on stuff we already have at home.
  • VALM
    VALM Posts: 5,819
    Name Dropper First Anniversary First Post
    Forumite
    Quick post and go. Will catch up later.


    My 12 pans of Christmas Challenge update


    Shower gel - still untouched

    Corresponding body cream - ditto
    Eye cream - used since beginning of challenge. Tube is squishy
    Tweak’d hair mask - FINISHED
    Essie cuticle scrub - same as eye cream
    Primark Pomegranate and Black Tea fragrance - about a third left.
    Smashbox Full Exposure palette. Shimmery shadow FINISHES. Dip in matte shade.

    Rich Girl from Too Faced Chocolate Gold. Have hit pan so hopefully can finish.
    Colourpop Supershock shadow Birthday Cake - untouched
    MAC On The Line lipgloss - FINISHED. MAC Dare You lipstick in constant use.
    NARS Gilda and Outlaw blushers. Still ongoing (as ever). Can see dips though.
    Bobbi Brown Shimmerbrick - really undecided about depotting this as don't want to ruin the effect of the product.
    Back for the No Buying Toiletries challenge. I pledge to only buy when I run out of a product that is not already in my stash no matter what wonderful emails land in in my Inbox or threads I read on MSE re: glitches!

    SPC Member 046
    £2. Challenge member 55
  • whotourloz
    whotourloz Posts: 179
    First Anniversary Name Dropper First Post
    Forumite
    Okay, I'm pretty new to this, so go easy on me!

    UU
    John Fried Shampoo
    First Beauty Day cream
    2x Lush Bath Bombs from Christmas(!!!!)
    Si Perfume sample
    Black Opium Perfume Sample
    Miscellar Cleansing water

    GA
    Huda Beauty lipstick sample set
    Clarins Remove cleanser
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 342.4K Banking & Borrowing
  • 249.9K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 449.4K Spending & Discounts
  • 234.6K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 607K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 172.8K Life & Family
  • 247.4K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 15.8K Discuss & Feedback
  • 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards