I never publicly declared I was on a spending ban. Oh wait, that isn´t entirely true.
I did in the first year of blogging, when I had gone on maternity leave and that, albeit paid for, was way less than the income I had beforehand. See, before that we lived the life of Double-Income-No-Kids and the amount of money I was able to spend on makeup and skincare was immense.
After approximately a year of not buying much stuff, I realized that my stash was still overflowing. And that I had skincare in my drawers that I had purchased more than a year ago and not even thought about opening. I decided to keep up my “spending ban” a little longer, despite being back to work and having more disposable money.
Fast forward two years and another kid, I still have unopened skincare. And I now have an Excel spreadsheet helping me to keep track of all my supplies. I do divide my skincare in different steps, as you have seen in my routines (morning and evening), and now I know exactly how many I have waiting in line for each and every need. (Not enough serums and way too many AHA products and face oils, if you are curious).
That, not a spending ban per se, but more of a lifestyle change is what I have been doing for the last three years, and I have to say it feels great. Not only do I save money I can spend on other stuff, I get the recurrent feeling of accomplishment when once again I finish a batch of products and can show you the empty containers.
Please do watch the video below in HD and on You Tube to see the satisfaction in my eyes!
https://youtu.be/-pRR85S8eWM
Of course it does help that I am lucky enough to work with PR and am send stuff to try, something I am grateful for and do not take for granted. It helps to satisfy the inner magpie if there is the odd parcel with new and shiny things to unbox.
Products mentioned
Pixi Double Cleanse Solid Cleanser (Review)
La Roche Posay Serozinc (Review)
Caudalie Grape Water Soothing Moisturizer Spray (Review)
Instytutum Anti-Wrinkle Brigthening Serum* (Review)
DNA Renewal Eye Renewal (Review)
Odacite Green Tea and Lemongrass (Review)
Starlooks Luxe Longwear Eyeliner Pen
Manhattan Supreme Lash Volume Colourist Mascara* (Review)
Dior Diorskin Forever Perfect Cushion Foundation (Review)
Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation
Clarins Loose Powder Translucent
How do you keep track of your stash? Or have you long given up trying?