Why I Am Buying Less And Saving More
Am I a reponsible adult yet?
Over
the last year or two, there's been a big change in my way of seeing
fashion, beauty and shopping. I've come to a stage where I rarely buy
anything, don't jump on the trends and focus on what I need, not what
I lust after.
There hasn't been a big epiphany to come to this stage, no life-changing moment, it just happened over time. Yeah, I became more responsible and aware. I thought it would be interesting to address this in a blog post, and see if any of you could relate.
There hasn't been a big epiphany to come to this stage, no life-changing moment, it just happened over time. Yeah, I became more responsible and aware. I thought it would be interesting to address this in a blog post, and see if any of you could relate.
Here
are some of the things I've come to realise since I started buying
less...
Breaking news: I am not in desperate need for anything
Sounds
silly, but really this is the key thing to remember. I have stopped
buying nail polishes every month or clothes that I wasn't even sure
I'd ever wear. I have stopped buying while telling myself 'I'll get
it, it was only £10' and ending up never using the said item. I
don't restrict myself, I just know how to stop from buying
unnecessary things. And happily, I'm doing just as well as I did when
I bought three nail polishes in Boots just because they were on
offer!
All
the things I bought were all extras I splurged on because I could
afford it, and because it feels great to buy new stuff. It really
does! I get super excited when I buy new makeup. But all the makeup I
bought on a whim, I barely use now. I didn't need it, so it's there,
taking up space. I could have done without it... and I think that's
the most important thing to understand - buying less doesn't mean
restricting yourself or being frustrated. Once you realise that
you'll be fine buying only what you need - remembering that these are things you
do want as well of course - you'll start thinking about the way you buy.
I appreciate my new purchases more
Because
I buy mostly things I need, I always look forward to the purchase.
Most of my shopping lists are thought through: I'll note down that I
need a new scarf, and look for the perfect one. Needless to say, when
I do find the scarf I want, I'm super excited and I want to wear it
until the end of time. I feel more responsible towards my
possessions, I care more about what I own and it makes me feel more
aware of what I have. When I fall in love on an item, I don't buy it
straight away - I wait for a bit and see if I still want it as much.
If I do, awesome, I'll get it! If I've forgotten about it, it means
that I can probably do without it. Wouldn't it be cool to absolutely
love everything you have?
Quality over quantity
This
is an obvious one, but buying less means that I have more money to
spend - well, once I've paid the rent! I'd rather spend that money on quality
items, that will last me a while and that I won't throw away six
months later. Because these are often items I need, I want them to be
top quality so I enjoy using or wearing them all the way. Last
January, I needed a new foundation and got the Magic Foundation by Charlotte Tilbury. It was expensive, but it's the only foundation I
used all winter and spring - and it is bloody great. Last December, I
wanted a new winter bag and got a burgundy Coach bag. It was the most
expensive bag I'd ever bought, but I've used it a lot, taken it in
trains and at school where I worked, and it still looks brand new -
the leather is perfect, nothing fell apart, no scratches anywhere,
the gold details haven't lost their colour... Best investment ever. A
few years ago, I would have gone through three Primark bags in six
months instead.
Although
I do still buy from Primark and the like, I've been drawn to sturdier
materials for accessories and clothes. Have you ever noticed how the
quality of some of the clothes in Topshop or River Island is awful?
Is it really worth that price tag? Going on less shopping sprees
could potentially allow you to access items that are a little bit
more expensive, but a lot better quality-wise.
Are you a compulsive buyer or do you think through your purchases?
Lots of love,
Julia x
Lots of love,
Julia x
