Many of you said you really enjoyed my 'Planning my 2022 Finances' video so I thought I would do an updated version for 2023!
I found it to be a really useful exercise last year to sit down and work out where my priorities lie and also what will deliver the most value to me - something that has become more important to me after finding myself earning a lot less than I used to.
Please bear in mind we all have different circumstances, budgets and values. Sharing this with you isn't to suggest what is important or not, because what is important to me won't necessarily be important to you. I just aim for transparency to hopefully inspire you to look at your purchases with scrutiny, work out what's important to you and then perhaps spend accordingly.
For 12 months in 2020 into 2021, I bought absolutely nothing but essentials, sometimes referred to as a No Buy Year. I did this in a bid to save the most money I possibly could, so that not only would this help with my financial goals, but that should the worst happen through this weird time, I'd be ok financially. Through completing a year long no buy (along with other money saving methods) I managed to save more than 50% of my take home salary which is both mind boggling and life changing. I'm fairly certain I will have changed my relationship with money forever.
Whilst completing this no buy year, I also bought no clothing for two years, and I've shared my experience on my channel. If you are looking to do a no buy year, or a smaller goal of a no buy month or a no spend month, be sure to check out my other videos as you may find tips and insights that might help you. Doing a no buy challenge or a no spend challenge isn't easy, and I don't recommend as a permanent lifestyle, but it certainly has its benefits. You might want to take a slightly less extreme approach and try a low buy year or a low buy month instead - you'll still find plenty of tips here on my channel.
These days I prefer to adopt a buy less, buy better approach, with a focus on quality over quantity, removing the clutter, and utilising my money in the best way possible.
MAKE UP WORN: ABH Modern Renaissance Palette (Warm Taupe) Estee Lauder Sumptuous Extreme Mascara Benefit Brow Powder Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation Laura Mercier Translucent Powder MAC SkinFinish in Medium Deep (As Bronzer) MAC Blush in Mocha MAC Lipstick in Viva Glam II
NAILS: Chanel Le Vernis Nail Polish in Nuvola Rosa
CLOTHING: Knitwear - H&M
LIGHTING: I use natural light (i.e. I sit in front of a window) supported by a ring light on darker days.
DISCLAIMER: All products were purchased with my own money and this video is in no way sponsored. Should a video ever be sponsored, or should I receive goods for free to review I will always aim to disclose this either in the video or in the video description. My views will always remain honest and my own. Items marked with an asterisk were received as a gift or as PR. I do sometimes use affiliate links in my description, these links do not cost you any more to purchase, often you will receive a discount, but I may earn money from these links.
