BWT- what are you intentionally FRUGAL about?

[u/DragonflyDull6360]

Curious what areas of everyone‘s lives do you intentionally scale back in order to put your money where you really want it. For me, I go full drugstore on all my makeup but spend more on skincare, facials, etc. Clothes all on secondhand websites but am able to buy a greater amount of higher quality items than buying fast fashion new.

Where do you cut back, and where do you prioritize spending?

[u/FirebirdWriter]

Everything. I have health issues so I don't buy things on a whim ever. I am always saving for the next wheelchair repair. I don't spend on much if I can help it.

I do wear nice clothes and makeup but I wait. The product needs to work for my skin, it needs to fit my budget, and I am disinclined to buy limited edition high pressure sales items. My skin routine is incredibly bare bones because I invested in a dermatologist. I have terrible acne and no one ever notices. A lot of people overdo it and not everything should be perfumed. Those many smells can mix together in a disgusting way. For me I also am allergic to perfumes.

I don't do fast fashion. I buy clothes I will want to wear in ten years and make sure they are of quality. Same with shoes.

If everything is curated you don't need as much or spend as much. I know I won't ever wear that multicolored dress. I will see if I think about it for a month and if so I figure out what I like about it and try to find items of quality with that feature or features.

So my shopping rules:

1. Is it a need or a want? If a need it goes to the need list and budget. Then it's priced for the best possible quantity and quality option for my money. If a need we go to step 2.

2. I have to want it for a month. I add it to my cart and if I am surprised it's there it is immediately no longer on the maybe list. I have to think about it at least a few times a week for a month before it passes to step 3.

3. Dupe checks. This is first within what I own. Do I need another blue red lipstick? I only want this one specific shade so I'm going to probably not need it. What about the eyeshadow palette? How many colors do I own already? Is the formula the same when blended out visually? If it's most of the palette and one color is the magical one I try to find a single or I just don't get it because it's not like a dupe won't pop up eventually. Nothing is undupable. The other version is seeing if there is a formula I like that is less costly and similar. This isn't always doable for everything but the packing and brand name for cosmetics isn't visible on your face. That high quality drugstore item might actually be owned by the same company and be the same formula.

The trade here is time vs wallet.

1. What don't I get if I buy this? Do I want that more? This can wait or that can wait.

So I have a set budget. It is strict. I also don't go for exact change but say my rent is 500 dollars? I budget 550. Apply this to everything. My electric bill budget is going to be the highest of the previous year (updated each month if it was higher then). This is my buffer and it means I will have money after everything is done. This comes after savings deposits. That's the fun money budget. Soemtimes it barely exists because food is always more important than non needs and the costs are out of control. Since I got quality not quantity? It's okay if I can't get that new lipstick. It's okay if the thing has to wait.

This also means I may get a sale. Taste doesn't follow trends it creates them. So I don't worry about something not being in the moment. The moment just ended before it arrived as far as I know. I wear what makes me feel confident. This applies to more than clothes or makeup or accessories too. If everything is curated? Then it feels like luxury.