The New Thirty Day Challenge
As you all know, H was laid off last month and I the lowly, if ever paid writer am feeling the pinch. Every time I consider buying something I am consumed with guilt. But hey, at least our pantry isn't so full of crap anymore and I only bought one pack of cookies for my pregnant belly to consume this week. Less consuming has become even more of a theme in our house these days.
All that being said I've decided to institute a thirty day challenge upon myself. Being the product junkie that I am, I have a hard time resisting organic, green or other earth friendly products at the new Wegmans nearby or even Drugstore.com. I'm just silly for clickable nail polish, aromatherapy candles, body lotions of all degrees and hair removing products. It is a disease people. An addiction. Neiman Marcus holds their bi-annual beauty events for me alone. Then you add in the fact that under every sink in my house there is a wealth of products half-used or barely opened I really do not need to shop.
So here it is- For the next thirty days I will not buy anything. I will make use of what I have. This will be particularly hard when I have to travel to BlogHer next week and won't get to buy any tiny toiletries for my bag, but it should be worth it for a couple of reasons.
1. Less buying and consuming equals less waste.
2. I'll finally be wading through the four million deodorants, numerous bottles of sunblock, body lotion, facial cleanser and shampoo I have lurking in my bathroom. Come to think of it thirty days might not be enough time!
3. It will help us save money. I'm even instituting the rule on T.D. who has so much detangler in the house and baby lotion that I'm quite sure I'm good for even Dash Two.
There it is- for the next thirty days this product whore will rely only on what she has. No new stuff unless it is free stuff for a review. You think I am kidding, but you have no idea how much I love trolling the Internet, local Tarzhay or CVS for undiscovered products. I am like the Christopher Columbus of product scouting. PR agents and companies have only scratched the surface of my avarice and greed.
Heaven help us all when the four million deodorant nubs all run out.
If you want to help me name this Thirty Day Challenge I'll be willing to part with a surprise box of products - just comment here and leave me a way to get in touch with you if you are the winnah! Deadline is Sunday, July 13.
48 comments:
Spenders Spree Cancelled is what you can call it.
I don't think I am creative enough this morning to think of a name, but I did want to thank you for this lovely post. I am inspired, and as such am going to try this as well. Maybe this will make hubby stop whining (and he is so good at it)about all the bottles and jars under both sides of the vanity and he can again have a "his" side. Maybe not; but this should at least make a dent :)I am such a sucker for a pretty package, I swear they are AIMING for me. Thanks again for the inspiration!
Mummy's Minimization Month
The Shopper has currently left the Building
jceko77@yahoo.com
How about the Stop Shopping Spree?
And I must confess, I have the disease too.
You could call it the Free Sample Utilization 30 Day Challenge. I know how you feel! I have so many free samples of things I should take the challenge also. I could survive for months an all the lotion and shampoo samples I have received! Great giveaway, thanks.
How about something like 'Mummy's Money Management'?! :)
Consumerism Minimalism 30 Day Challenge
Lovely idea and indeed, a challenge.
How about Pennyjar Pampering? You're saving your pennies but still pampering yourself with all the products you already own. And I guess you're also pampering your pennyjar with a little love by saving more pennies.
Call it the month of blessings or frivolous free.
samsakara@twcny.rr.com
Good idea. All we're spending money on at the moment is food, gas, and monthly bills. It's so hard to resist when I see new products at the grocery, but I'm doing my best to hold off.
Being poor sucks.
How about the "Nuking Non-Necessities" challenge"?
I need to be on this boat with ya!LOL!
Sara L.
sblilly14(@)yahoo(.)com
Consumption Consummation. Say that three times fast. Bet you can't.
Hmmmm...
Spend-Less Summer?
Vacation from Shopping Challenge?
Empty Bags Challenge?
Sorry for multiple ideas. Best of luck to you!
Reduce Reuse Recycle
How about "Purge not Splurge" month?
I can totally relate to what you are saying. I LOVE to try new things (I love to do reviews too when possible). I have lots of freebies and other goodies around the home. Sometimes I wonder why I have two or three of something. So yes, it's an addiction. Maybe we can form a new group? Ha Ha.
Good luck on your challenge. You gave me food for thought.
Thanks for the awesome prize give away too (yeah... more stuff! That's ok... I love stuff! LOL!).
Kimberly
HunnyV "at" Optonline "dot" net
I would call it "Spend less on antiperspirant fest". Thanks for the contest!
Cash Fast ( you know... like a food fast but cash...)
How about the "Lean, Green Machine?!"
Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com
Hmmm, can I offer more than one name? I like thinking up ideas!
How about:
- Minimalizing and loving it
- Stop, drop and use what you got!
- One womans challenge: Use it or lose it in 30 days
- Pinching products, in 30 days
- Kicking the habit: no shopping for a month
- The product roundup
- No shopping, no buying, no browsing, no ogling - just use it!
- 30 day green challenge
- The waste buster
- The green waste challenge
I think I'm pooped, and running out of ideas. They're starting to all mesh together, but it sounds like a great idea!! Good luck, can't wait to hear how it goes. (but if you run out of deodorant, maybe keep that to yourself - ha, ha)
laurachilton {at} hotmail {dot} com
30 days of no shopping hell. excuse my language. Thanks for the opportunity.
planetmisty at gmail dot com
Mother Hubbard clean out
Kate
Kate@katelaird.com
"Defeat the Urge to Shop Month"
No Green for Me Challenge
hetz-junk(at)hotmail(dot)com
More With Less Month
Product Slut on Strike
kmbckelly at netscape dot net
How about:
Raiding My Stash Challenge
Just Say No To Shopping
My Closet Is My Shopping Mall
My husband was laid off when I was five months pregnant, so I KNOW how it is! I lvoe products too, so I hope I win yours! :)
tuesdayef (at)aol(dot)com
Free for Thirty!!!
What about ' Pretty for Pennies' or 'Want not, waste not'?
"The Pantry Pillager"
"Use What I've Got"
It would take more than 30 days for me to use the stash too! Title: Thrifty for Thirty?
Hmmmm - this is a great post but hard name! Let's see...
Use it or Lose it
Don't splurge, purge
Cut the crap (and most of it is crap!! At least in my house!)
Slash the stash
Saving Money Challenge
"If This Doesn't Work I'm Moving to Africa"
I've been lugging around so many half-empty bottles through all our moves because I can't bear to throw them out. I'll have no choice but to use them up now.
The Dematerialization Challenge! Since you are challenging materialism. :)
How about "Out with the New, In With The Old". Wow, good luck! I bet you'll save a lot of money in the end.
About two months ago I made a little sign for my desk. It says:
Use it up.
Don't replace it.
Keep it neat.
First things first.
The use it up referred to my tendency to stockpile stuff, like your beauty products. If it's a really good sale (can you say, "Bath & Body Works Semi-Annual Clearance Sale?) I buy three!
The don't replace it referred to not stockpiling junk anymore.
Keep it neat was mainly for my desk.
First things first means to do the important things in the day right off the bat and do the one chore you are dreading the most first and get it out of the way so you can enjoy the rest of the day.
First things first also refers to long term planning, such as putting aside money for retirement or kids' college before buying doodles.
Which is all a long-winded way of saying, "I feel your pain." (read that in a half-choked voice)
Call it:
SA: Shopaholics Anonymous - 30 Days on the Wagon that Isn't Headed to the Mall
How about "30 day shopper starvation challenge"? Yeah, that was lame..I'm so un-creative. Great giveaway..thanks for the chance to win, and good luck with all you've got going on!
blueeyedbabyboys@aol.com
30 Thrifty Days. Thanks for the giveaway!
the 30 Day I Don't Need To Buy That Diet
Good luck! I'm a reformed shopaholic and I've been clean for 1 1/2 years! lol
doot65[at]comcast[dot]net
Elizabeth
Something for Nothing.
Money Starvation Challenge
Good luck. I got laid off for two years and it was such a struggle. I now look at everything differently and still after sitting comfortably for over a year I still ask myself "Do I REALLY need this?" on virtually everything I buy.
How about "The 30 Day Fiscal Diet". I know exactly how you feel. I've had a case of the "spendies" and need to cut back myself. Thanks for the giveaway.
Mine is
"Use what you got"
Hi,
Every one is feeling the pinch. We farm in Washington State and I pinch.
So I was just thinking....don't make it a negative thing..rather...a
Cupboard Cleansing. Like-- 'I am not dieting....I am just eating healthier' That way you can think you are just organizing and making room. Which if you think about it you are.
cobber@sagensun.net
Hope things go better for you
"Use What You Have Quest"*Thanks* for the giveaway!
ols[dot]moonmaiden[at]gmail[dot]com
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