Using More, Spending Less Challenge Results – February 2024

We often remark that January seems to stretch on endlessly, or at least it gives off that impression. Surprisingly, this year, January breezed by quite swiftly, but February has presented its own set of challenges from numerous angles. Nonetheless, we’ve persevered, and with spring looming just around the bend, there’s hope that things will start looking up for both you and me.

Now, it’s time to assess the “damage” left behind this seemingly interminable February.

Are you ready to dive in?

February’s Purchases

• Cult Beauty Fragrance Essentials – £40
• Bath and Body Works Hand Sanitising Spray in Champagne Toast – £2.49 x 9
• Style Korean New Year, New Skin Box – £118

In February I ended up spending a total of £180.41 on beauty products.

February’s Empties

• Bath and Body Works Gentle Foaming Hand Soap in Twisted Peppermint – £3.94
• Bath and Body Works Gentle Foaming Hand Soap in Moonlit Flurries – £3.94
• Bath and Body Works Gentle Foaming Hand Soap in Frozen Lake – £3.94
• Coco and Eve Super Hydrating Shampoo – £18.32
• Decree by Dr Aj Sturnham SOS Revitalising Eye Mask – £12

In February I ended up emptying £42.14 worth of products. This resulted in an allowance of £21.07.

Allowance from posts

Allowance from Reviews – £15

• Beauty Bay The Breakout Box 
• IsnTree Onion Newpair Gel Cream
• Juice to Cleanse Half Lime Hand Cream

Allowance from Social Media – £1

• Instagram – £1

Other – £497.34

Total allowance from posts: £513.34

£21.07 (allowance from empties) + £513.34 (allowance from posts) – £180.41 (February’s Spending) – £3496.74 (previous closing balance) = -£3,142.74

Once again I barely made it to the end of February and I was getting more confident that I would be able to get away with just a small purchase, but of course that did not happen.

I made the “mistake” to check out the BBW website and of course I ended up placing another order. To be honest here, I did get more sanitising sprays which I use to clean my phone and such and I was running low so I cannot say that I am sorry or blame myself to falling into this trap. The sanitising sprays are not always available and when they are, they are just a few scents and often ones I cannot stand. This time I found a scent that I do enjoy but one I have nor purchased since the first time I got some of these sprays as I never saw it again in the sanitising spray format.

Quickly afterwards, the new Style Korean beauty boxes launched and after falling in love with their advent calendar and the products included, I had to get it. There has yet to be a proper K-Beauty product that I did not like I believe. Sure, I have liked some better than others, but now on top of my head cannot recall one that I truly disliked. As such, I thought it was a safe bet to give the box a try especially as it comes with products I am not familiar with but also others I haven’t prioritised from my wish-list.

And there is the purchase I knew I would make – the fragrance discovery edit from Cult Beauty. This is the first time I purchase done of their fragrance boxes. Truth be told, I am not even sure if this is not the first they decided to ship outside the UK. I recall that the first such boxes being released could not be ordered abroad.

Considering the weird month I’ve had, I think I did pretty good and this is without taking into account the “other” aspect mentioned in the equation above. Work wise and health wise I have been feeling rather down thus the reason why I have not posted as much. I also lost my enthusiasm for beauty products for a second there, but as I started investigating more Asian, yes, not just Korean, beauty products, I started regaining some of that enthusiasm back.

But hey, it’s a new month and with the weather getting warmer and spring flowers starting to bloom, I am feeling optimistic. Maybe March will be the turning point for everything to start improving.

I recognize that I am not always operating at my absolute best, and while I may not be able to give 100% every single day, I do make it a point to give all that I can on any given day, even if that’s just a bit more than what I thought I had in me. And honestly, that should be more than acceptable. This mindset is something I believe should apply to you as well. There’s no valid reason to burden yourself with guilt or to push yourself to such extremes that it begins to negatively impact your overall well-being or mental health.

I often find myself making decisions, especially in the realm of beauty, that later lead me to feel guilty for indulging in purchases of items I don’t truly need. This cycle of indulgence followed by guilt is a common experience for many, and it’s important to remember that treating oneself or having interests that might not seem ‘necessary’ by conventional standards doesn’t warrant self-reproach. It’s crucial to find a balance where we allow ourselves some leeway for enjoyment and personal satisfaction without crossing into the territory where it detracts from our mental peace or financial stability.

In essence, it’s about understanding and accepting our limitations, recognizing that giving our current best, whatever that may look like, is perfectly fine. It’s also about learning to navigate our desires and indulgences in a way that brings us joy rather than guilt, and making peace with the fact that perfection is an unattainable and unnecessary goal.

I am going to stop now, before I become too philosophical. Am I the only one who is surprised that I a managed to actually post a review, let alone three reviews, in February?

How did you do in February?

*This article is not sponsored. This article contains affiliate links which means that Blush Suede might receive a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make any purchases by clicking the links included in this article. Thank you for your support. It is you that keep us going.