I experienced both the pros and cons of my low buy-turned-no buy this month when I first found myself feeling unflatteringly resentful about all of the things other people have been buying and I have not, and then wildly proud that because of our commitment to cutting back on unnecessary discretionary spending, we have already been able to pay for half of our now-booked Disney anniversary trip! I’m so proud of this accomplishment, and it came about at just the right moment, precisely as our joint motivation was really beginning to wane. Being financially virtuous is kind of a pain in the arse, and it’s no fun abstaining from the fun things in life, even with the promise of even funner things in the future. So quite literally being able to put my money where my mouth is is a great feeling indeed. 🙂
Other positives to this unintended no buy of a low buy? Learning to identify other poor or lacking financial habits outside of the area of discretionary spending. That’s one spending foe I thankfully seem to have vanquished – I haven’t made a wax purchase in over three months, and I doubt I’ve spent more than $75 on the non-essentials of life during that time either. And as for the essentials, I’ve now begun paying a directed mind to them, looking for ways to maximize our hard-earned money. But man, being virtuous truly sucks, and I miss the little rush that accompanies a new purchase.
However – and this would be another unintended positive – I don’t miss coughing up for exorbitant shipping fees on my online purchases. International shipping fees are just beastly, and I can’t bring myself, even now with the benefit of hindsight and some gained wisdom, to make a full accounting of the shipping and customs fees I paid in 2017. I have a feeling the number is terrifying. And while we’re on the subject, I absolutely do not miss dealing with the always-clumsy postal system, nor do I miss guiltily breaking down reams of cardboard boxes to sneak out in stages so my neighbours don’t think I’m some sort of weird box hoarder (a candle hoarder, sure, but cardboard? Never!)
And as I have noted the past three months running, a wonderful positive of the no buy-low buy is that I’m actually using up that which I did buy; my once fit-to-bursting stores are now merely bursting. 😉 And as I promised scent highlights, here’s one from this month – Rosegirls’ Mini Melters in the comfortingly cozy blend of Birthday Cake, Marshmallow Smoothie and Vanilla Bean Noel. I actually used to really dislike Vanilla Bean Noel; there’s a musky note to it that does not always play well with some of the juicy fruit and berry scents I prefer. But it is so darn scrumptious on its own, and it’s amazing in combination with fluffy marshmallow and rich, frosted cake. This is a simple, “warm hug” kind of a scent – it just makes you feel cared for and comfortable. Not bad work from a few hunks of scented wax!
Next month I really hope to find a bit of balance in my spending habits. As in, I should not feel absolutely ridden with guilt because we ate out once in the past month. Life happens and money needs to be spent – now I just need to learn to find a happy medium between the two states. To another month of continued positive financial growth!
Finger Candy 