333.2025
I start a new job next week! Considering I have spent more of the year unemployed than employed, this is a Big Deal. I should be excited, but I'm just kinda... numb. Like I will believe it when I see it. I half expect to get a call
Latest
Monthly Empties: July-Sep 2025
Maybe instead of Monthly Empties, this should be Quarterly Empties??? Yay, for the Summer of Chaos and Depression, making me not want to do anything other than simply survive each day. Anyway, here are the products I used up or discarded during the last three months: Used up: 1. Redken
Monthly Empties: May/June 2025
Used up: 1. Avene - Hydrance Light (40 ml): I've used up samples of this before. I like it as a daily moisturizer since it's light and soaks in nicely before I put on makeup. Doesn't irritate. Should I ever get to the end
Monthly Empties: April 2025
Used up: 1. Batiste - Original Dry Shampoo (deluxe sample): this isn't my favorite brand but I can work with it. It's pretty reliable, although I don't think it "disappears" as well as other brands so it makes my hair feel a
118.2025
I'm convincing myself I'm done with a tariff stock up. Yes, there will be items I haven't thought of and we'll just have to deal with paying more (and questioning if it's really a need). But I also feel like
116.2025
I'm trying to be a rational creature and not let anxiety and the "what ifs" get to me, but I did spend some money this week on those little electronic things that may be harder to get in the near future. Also some basic toiletries (such
112.2025
Been a bit – busy week at work and just general life stuff. I spent $210 on a Shiny item but I feel vaguely justified because it's not something I have (fancy edition of books I love and I only own beloved-and-battered paperbacks) and it commemorates an important year.
105.2025
Small win! I did not spend money at the smelly store. I have a couple of free product rewards that expire next month so I keep toying with carts, but I don't need anything right now and nothing is catching my eye. I was very tempted for a
101.2025
Triple digits into the year! I feel like this should be a good time to look back and reflect. After all, in some cultures, reaching 100 days in a milestone and worth celebrating. Funny how I don't feel like celebrating. Instead, I'll mention a small win:
99.2025
I spent $1.80 (and a buncha points) at the Orange Cosmetic store today. They sent a prestige coupon and I had been worried about stocking up on a product that comes from overseas (sigh). It's a bit of a luxury splurge but I love it and I&
96.2025
Declutter time, part 4! Knowing I had a couple full-size hair products arriving this week, and that I wanted a better idea of the random samples I had stashed away, I went through my hair product hoard. I ended up decluttering approximately (I lost count near the end as I
93.2025
I spent $108.96 on items from the Orange Cosmetic store. On the bright side, a full quarter is the longest break I've taken from spending from that store in years. I'm hoping to continue the streak after today. This whole tariff fiasco is really putting
No Buy Year 2025
91.2025
One of my go-to clothing stores is having one of their big quarterly sales and I am tempted but I have not purchased anything. Even with the discount, there isn't anything I really need or desperately want. I could use a refresh on some things now that I&
Monthly Empties
Monthly Empties: March 2025
Used up: 1. Belif – Sleeping Mask (10 ml): This was a sample that I had in my travel bag so I focused on using it up. It says "Sleeping Mask" but because of the gel consistency and the fact it dried quickly, I used it as a morning
No Buy Year 2025
88.2025
I spent $119.94 on clothes I don't really need, but will actually use. While I've gotten much better about avoiding the triggers that make me want to shop, sometimes I still get pulled into sales, especially for items that rarely go on sale. So I
No Buy Year 2025
84.2025
Finally, some actual No Buy Year content again! This morning, as I was convincing myself once again that a terrible dry shampoo could work for me (spoiler: it doesn't), I was sad to eventually decide to put in in the discard pile because it was a very generous
No Buy Year 2025
80.2025
It's so hard to be focused on the little things when everything is crashing down around you, but I am trying. I had a decent interview this week for a job I can absolutely do. It would be a downgrade from what I'm doing currently but
No Buy Year 2025
76.2025
A little more sporadic lately because of everything going on. Maintaining a daily check-in for a No Buy kinda slides down the list of things to do. But I am glad I have started this earlier so I could better weather whatever transition may follow after I leave this job.
No Buy Year 2025
71.2025
I'm not feeling quite as dire as I did yesterday. It will still be rough but I will find something. The little initial interview today went well, I think. It's the first interview in a while so I felt a little rusty but that's
No Buy Year 2025
70.2025
I'm still processing and planning and trying to find rays of hope in the chaos. This economy right now is the worst I've seen it, and my family went through the dot-com bust, I graduated into a recession, I've cycled through a few jobs
No Buy Year 2025
68.2025
Took a little break. Not just because of everything going on in the world. But also because I was given an informal heads-up that the org I work for will be doing more budget cuts and losing some personnel. Because I see the money and the budget, I'm
No Buy Year 2025
61.2025
So... I bought dinner on Saturday. It was a late work night, I did my best to talk myself out of it, but it was relatively inexpensive and delicious and I only mildly regret it (mostly due to the heartburn in the evening that made it difficult for me to
No Buy Year 2025
59.2028
Because of a big unexpected expense* last night, I am more determined than ever to be more strict in March about being on a "no buy." So then tell me why this afternoon while working a long day I was like, "Hmm, maybe I'll pick
No Buy Year 2025
58.2025
Apparently social media is calling for a consumer boycott today. An "economic blackout" supposedly. I didn't hear about it until after I scheduled a grocery pick-up, but that's probably all we will do today. I did schedule a prescription approval but I don'