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Personal no-buy challenge

cindysmith

Veteran

I must be insane, because I have been struck by the urge to try a no-buy challenge. I want a new tattoo (actually, three new tattoos), and I decided that a no-buy would be a good way to rationalize it. I think that I am going to allow myself one new tattoo for every six months I don't buy anything for my wardrobe.

I'm going to allow myself some exceptions. If I NEED to replace undergarments, socks, or any black garments for my job, I'll replace them. I shouldn't NEED any of those things for at least 967 years, considering the hoard of those type things I have on hand LOL

I've actually got my off-duty wardrobe in a pretty good place, with enough of everything to keep it interesting long past La Pedestrienne's November shop-your-closet challenge. Seriously, I don't need a single thing right now. Except those new tattoos

I'm not looking to get anyone else to join me; i figure one forum-wide challenge per month is enough I'm just posting this here so I can ask you guys to hold me accountable.

For fun, I'm attaching some pics of the tattoos I'm considering. I want the third step prayer of the fellowship that saved my life (pic 1). I want an iris tattoo, possibly watercolor style (pics 2-4). And I want a whimsical dachshund tattoo, likely a combination of 5 & 6

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Shopping

22 replies

Latest reply was from abc

taylor

Veteran

The Iris/Gladis are really colorful and pretty , those get my vote to start ! But start with the one that speaks to you.

I am going to be rooting for you on the side here . I have tried and tried to adhere to the *no buy * challenge myself I just cannot make it . Too much temptation out there for an impulse buyer like myself ! Best of luck

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I'm LOVING the doggie tattoo of Mollie. That makes my heart happy, Cindy. And yours too I bet.

The floral water colour tattoos are stunning, and I can see them work for your fresh, honest, earnest and pretty persona.

As for the no-buy challenge - Xmas prezzies don't count so load up Santa's list.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I think it is a great idea to work toward two goals this way. Goal one no buy leads to goal two tattoo. I often play this game with myself (not with tattoos but you gett the idea).

Jane

Veteran

Goodness Mollie is cute. Good plan. For me this would be quite (very) tough! I think I would need to find a new hobby to fill my time! The images are beautiful.

rachylou

Veteran

I’ve never seen a watercolor tattoo. That’s pretty cool. All are good. I suppose if I were ever to get some, I’d have to one of Lilypup... it would have to be done like the ones people
do of their mothers...

Jessikams

(website)

Veteran

Good reasoning! Tats are expensive and well worth saving for — you can really look forward to it.
Be careful with the watercolor though— my friend has one and it has faded a LOT despite being relatively new— something about the multicolor inks and lack of edging lines. Looks blotchy and gross now tbh. I’m sure a good artist would do a good job though and they can be so beautiful.

jussie

Veteran

Good strategy, have something to reward yourself with for cutting back on shopping. I also do this type of thing to motivate myself with stuff.
I like the watercolour tatoos.... I’m a really big watercolour fan and I can see the light purple working well with your dippin dots. ..... here’s a little w/c sketch I did today to keep busy because there was no teaching work available.
Good luck Cindy

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Laura

(website)

Veteran

#1 is beautiful. What a godsend that program has been to so many.

LaPed

Veteran

Brilliant idea! Now I'm wondering if I might want to put that plan in action for 2019. I haven't gotten a tattoo since 2013, before I get pregnant, and now I have a backlog of ideas. I have wild asparagus tattooed on one calf, and have always wanted to do a wild flag iris on the other. I love #5 too -- that is a great little doggie tatt.

Also, Jussie, your watercolour is really impressive! I find it such a challenging medium.

Bijou

Veteran

Oh the dashund tattoo! Love it, but even more the third step prayer of fellowship. I really think it is beautiful when tattoos have special meaning and the iris tattoo is incredibly pretty and will suit you perfectly.

Here's to us all completing the November challenge successfully.

Kate

Veteran

Those watercolor iris tattoos are exquisite, especially that third one. But I like all your choices.

cindysmith

Veteran

Part of me is fighting the urge to shop myself stupid until midnight tomorrow night LOL

Taylor, I'm an impulse shopper too. I'm having to avoid the stores and websites and its already hard!

Angie, Santa already got me a huge chunk of Moldavite to wear as a necklace (its wrapped to go under the tree when the tree goes up). A Brahmin Ady wallet went on the list and he usually includes some kind of fun jewelry in my stocking. Mom will likely give me money, and I'll probably stash it to go towards an investment purchase from Poetry (cashmere leggings OMG) at some point in the future.

Shevia, thank you! I don't feel so crazy/silly for finding an incentive to reward myself for not buying XOXOXOXO

Jane, I have a yarn stash that I need to crochet something from. It mocks me from the pile of hoard behind my couch. My fitness equipment is back there mocking me, too. I might should use it LOL (pic for reference, so you can laugh with me at my hidden hoarding secrets LOL)

Rachylou, I love to look at a good photo-realism tattoo! You should totally get one

Jessiekams, yeah... I've read that about the watercolor tat designs. There seems to be a consensus that having black in them helps them pop; I'll probably have a nice dark outline and have them use shading to give the petals & leaves that watercolor look.

Jussie, that's a really pretty drawing <3

Laura, thank you XOXOXOXO

LaPed, please tell me the story behind the wild asparagus!

Bijou, the iris tattoo is in honor of the song "Iris" by The Googoo Dolls. That song is... well, it's got so much meaning for me that I could write a book about it. The crux of it is to live without regret; because even though lots of things went south, there were moments that I wouldn't trade for anything. The moments that remind me I have truly LIVED.

Kate, thank you! XOXOXOXO

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Anonymous

How about this, once you saved up for a tattoo, get one. Then allow yourself a fun clothing purchase. Repeat ×2! (Says the lady with the tattoo that really needs to get refreshed and has been saying that for like 10 years....)

jussie

Veteran

Ooh I like suntigers idea..... save save save..... then a tattoo and some new garb.....
when I used to work night shift I would treat myself to a massage every weekend.... to reward myself for getting through a week of nights. It kept me going for a while

Carla

Veteran

Could you incorporate the first tatoo and the Iris idea? Have the words writ tiny along the stem and outlining iris petals?

I think we all have a 'stash of shame' - yeah, I moved 4 years ago...LOL!

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Anonymous

The watercolor iris are so pretty, do you know how they age...stay fresh or become a giant oil slick on your skin?
Could the words in #1 be done on top of the iris? Do tattoos limit your job opportunities in Texas? (I have seen a lot of covered tattoos on receptionists and others who deal with the public. (One was even covered by a cast-like bandage which caused me to ask about the “ injury”)

cindysmith

Veteran

Suntiger, there is definitely the possibility I could add a splurge purchase to my incentive

Jussie, I'm about to make weekly PT sessions a part of my routine. My lower back still bothers me, & I had such success with my shoulder that I'm all for trying it with my lower back & hip. A massage is a brilliant way to treat yourself!

Runcarla, I think I'm going to put some different words with the iris; either the line from the song that took my breath away the first time I heard it ("you bleed just to know you're alive"), or "love something dangerous" because love itself is dangerous in that it sometimes leads to heartache. I want them on opposite forearms (inside, where the pulse & IV sticks are done), to remind me to stay on my recovery path and also balance that with living for those moments that take my breath away. And your stash of shame? I say you get a pass because you just retired, which means you were working and busy and stuff til now. That's my story and I'm sticking to it LOL

Joy, the really pale ones without a lot of black do not age well. The light colors do fade really easily & quickly I would have to go for really saturated color (like this pic) so that it would fade to a more ethereal look, and I'd also have black outlines put in it so there's some contrast & to help define edges when it starts fading. As for the job search, yes it could affect that. It could probably affect my current job if I didn't wear a long sleeve shirt to work every day (I literally work in a refrigerator and need the layers), but I have seen cashiers in short sleeves that have tattoos so I don't think it would get me fired like dying my hair purple would (yes that's a rule, hair dye has to be a naturally occurring human hair color).

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Thistle

Veteran

What a fabulous way to use those dollars on something else!

I admit, I have been hiding from the forum for a while as I tend to buy more while here, and my kitchen remodel has turned into an expensive nightmare!

cindysmith

Veteran

Thistle, I totally understand. We just finished our house, and I'm 100% sure DH had no idea how expensive it was going to be or he'd never have agreed to some of my wants (I spent big in the kitchen)

Momo

Veteran

I am on a no buy myself
It is actually fascinating to see how my mind works when it comes to buying clothing and shoes and accessories.
I want want want and then it passes. And I have so much cool stuff already it is fun to play with that !

I think it is a great idea to plan to use the money saved for something you really want .
The tattoos look amazing !

Karie

(website)

Veteran

First, I love the tattoos! I have 3. I am also mostly still on a no-buy and have been for almost two years. I did recently replace some lounge wear, but that’s it. The no-buy gets easier the longer you do it.

abc

Veteran

Love your taste in tattoos!! I have yet to get one but inching closer every time I see beautiful pieces like this. I love the meaning behind your ideas and that’s what I want for my own, someday.

I like the idea of saving and getting one when you have the money. I think if you want 3 tattoos and each “costs” you 6 months of no buy, it’s going to be a long, possibly painful process. I think you should set yourself up for success! And the idea of getting one when you have the money seems fair. Because you know you’re gonna be itching for those tattoos well before you have the cash in hand!

Best of luck. Congrats on your recovery.