No-Buy July

Why no-buy?  Because the universe told me so!

There were just so many signs these past few weeks that have spurring me on to this point, that I could no longer ignore them. Signs like: I managed to finally get some products I have been lusting after for a long time (more on that in an upcoming post), my dream store is coming  to town and the reasons I needed to do it was just, well, you'll see in a sec.  

Many of us beauty lovers embark on no-buys for similar reasons, commonly spurned on by wanting to get a grip on certain behaviours that we feel have spun a little out of control.  We may realise that we have been buying way more than we can use; we've been shopping compulsively or rushing to get all the latest releases; we don't use/enjoy the products we already have; or we may want to save money, in general or for something specific.

Perhaps you can identify with one of these?  They all pertain to me right now, every last one of them.  Most of all though, I made the decision to embark on a no-buy because I wanted to go back to the days of having a reward system.  You know, setting goals in order to reward yourself with items from a wish list, and that sense of accomplishment you get when enjoying those rewards.

My goal for the month of July is simple: I do not want to buy one single item, for myself that is.  Event gifts for others is on the acceptable list! So yup, this is every bit the literal no-buy.  From what I can tell, there is nothing I need right now, but I know that life loves to throw curve-balls to the best laid plans!  So fingers crossed.

My wish-list is exactly one item long.  Can you guess what it is?  A very obvious hint is that picture up there.  That's correct.  All my heart desires right now is to shop up a storm at the soon-to-launch Forever 21 store in Cape Town*.  My shopping dream come true.  H&M, Target and Forever 21 is my dream store trifecta!  Ok, and maybe Staples! 

Any curve-balls or Forever 21 store launches will definitely be part of my 'No-buy July: the wrap-up' post on Friday, 1 August 2014, where I'll also let you now if I was able to stick it out for 31 days of no-buying!  In the meantime, daily progress updates can be found on twitter.

Have you ever embarked on a no-buy? If so, do you have any helpful tips for me? Let me know in the comments below if you can identify with any of my reasons?  Tell me I'm not alone on this.  Please.  Anyone? 

*Exception: The exact launch date has not yet been released, but if it happens to open during July, I am hitting that store hard!  All other shopping is off limits.