Using More, Spending Less Challenge Results – September 2023

Another month has gone by and I a surprised at myself at how well I handled the emotional chaos that was September. You see, I planned on sitting two exams in the year up to September 30th and I fell really behind on this goal due to some unforeseen events that took place. As September drew near, I obviously panicked more than I already was by the prospect itself. However, I did it! I not only sat my exams but passed them as well.

All of these emotions, first the stress and then the celebratory mood combined with the avalanche of advent calendar released could have turned out to be a huge disaster, but it has not. I am however not as happy that I did not manage my streak of no buys which lasted me two months (more than ever before!), but the results are not all that bad.

Keep on reading to find out how I managed in September.

September’s Purchases

Bath and Body Works Gentle Foaming Hand Wash in Rose & Amber – £3.89 x 2

Bath and Body Works Gentle Foaming Hand Wash in Mountainside Mist – £3.89 x 2

Bath and Body Works Gentle Foaming Hand Wash in Champagne Toast  – £3.89 x 3

Bath and Body Works Gentle Foaming Hand Wash in Fresh Cut Lilies – £3.89 x 2

Bath and Body Works Gentle Foaming Hand Wash in Sea & Sandstone – £3.89

Bath and Body Works Hand Sanitising Spray in Rose Water & Ivy  – £2.51

KLAVUU – Blue Pearlsation Marine Aqua Enriched Cream 50ml – £15.06

In September I ended up spending a total of £56.47 on beauty products.

September’s Empties

• Spacemasks Spacemask – £3.2
• Make P:REM Safe Me Relief Watery Ampoule 50ml – £13.16
• Starface XL Pimple Spot Stickers – £8.35
• Aussie Koality Moisture Vegan Solid Shampoo Bar 70g – £6.66
• Ziaja Hand and Body Wash 400ml – £1.93
• Bath and Body Works Gentle Foaming Hand Soap in Crisp Morning Air – £7.04
• Bath and Body Works Gentle Foaming Hand Wash in Champagne Toast  – £3.89
• Bath and Body Works Mini Perfume in In the Stars  – £5.68
• I Dew Care, Glow-Key, Brightening Vitamin C Eye Cream, 0.50 fl oz (15 ml) – £11.88
• Bath and Body Works Hand Sanitising Spray in Rose Water & Ivy  – £2.51
• Huxley Secret of Sahara Toner Extract It 4.06 fl oz (120 ml) – £11.69
• Bath and Body Works Gentle Foaming Hand Wash in Sweet Min and Rain – £3.46

In September I ended up emptying £79.45 worth of products. This resulted in an allowance of £39.72.

Allowance from posts

Allowance from Reviews – £0

Allowance from Social Media – £6

• Instagram Reel – £3
• TikTok Video – £3

Total allowance from posts: £6

£39.72 (allowance from empties) + £6 (allowance from posts) – £56.47 (September’s Spending) – £3,232.36 (previous closing balance) = -£3243.11

Okay, so I might have not been able to keep up with my no purchases streak, however I did not go overboard either and for the purchases I did make, I have very good and valid excuses.

Bath and Body Works has increased the prices of their hand soaps by quite a bit and they were already quite high. As such, I kept putting of buying more soaps until a new reasonable promotion came along. In September they ran a an offer which stated that for every 300CU (currency units) you only had to pay 150CU. I thought that maybe I should skip this one, but I skipped the last and it took a while to come back around. I debated waiting again, but my stash was vastly diminishing and I doubt I would have made it till it came back around.

I placed only one other order and that was at YesStyle. I had some loyalty points that were expiring so I decided to get a little something – the Klavuu moisturiser is one that I am very curious to try especially since the serum from the same range is one of my favourite hydrating serums on the market. I did not need anything per se so it took me quite a while to decided what to get, but I truly did not want to lose those points. With this occasion, I also picked up a sponsored products I qualified for with me being in their influencer program and all. Stay tuned for the review!

Okay, the above purchase is not only one I did not plan to make, but I was a bit upset about having to make it. I was a tiny bit upset as I wanted to hold onto my points until the advent calendar launched in case I decided to purchase it. It is not a big deal, but it would have been easier to justify the calendar purchase haha.

So yes, I placed two orders to beauty retailers but overall I do not regret any of them. These are all things I needed ultimately even of my total did go up a bit compared to previous months.

Given the month I had, I am happy with the results.

However, I do believe that one of the reasons why I managed to hold off making any more purchased, especially some fuelled by anxiety is the fact that I learnt that I had another, smaller, parcel on the way from Typology. The brand kindly gifted me with some additional products and let me tell you, they are incredible. For real. I am not being paid to say this, but I really do not get why they chose me to promote their products given just how amazing they are. I have yet to try the entire range of products I received as I am slowly integrating them in my routine, but the serums, scrub, moisturiser and eye cream I have tried are incredible! I saw the brand all over social media for ages now and been emanating to try it, but it was totally unexpected to love it as much as I do. The reviews will be coming soon so do stay tuned.

If you want to check out Typology in the meantime, you can do so here. Make sure you take their diagnostics test as they will recommend the products which are best for your skin type. I did the test myself and my results are pretty accurate. The products from them that I am suing are those that the test recommended and they all seem to be working quite well for me.

Overall, I am happy with the results.

How did you do in September?

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