Yesterday, I wrote about evaluating what you really need. While I think it’s good to cut down on unnecessary purchases, I also think it’s sometimes fun to buy stuff you don’t technically need.
For example, I have some “Warm Vanilla Sugar” soap from Bath and Body Works. I bought it because I love the smell. I’d barely used it for the 6+ months since I bought it (shortly before my wedding!) and I recently got inspired to use it more often.
Why should I use it more if it’s a special treat?
Because otherwise I won’t use it at all.
I spent Thanksgiving at my parents’ house—in my old room with my old stuff. While there, I noticed some yummy cucumber vanilla lotion I bought a few years back. Maybe 3 or 4 years back. I tried some but found it had lost its smell. It still works as lotion, but it smells kinda funky. The matching soap (Body Shop) was still in my parents’ shower—and once again it didn’t smell nearly as good as when I bought it.
They haven’t lost their usefulness, but they’ve lost a good deal of their value (it’s still useful as soap/lotion, but it doesn’t have the happy smell). All because I thought they were so valuable that I didn’t use them on a regular basis.
So now I pull out a bath poof (another one of those things I’ve been saving) and lather up on a regular basis. I encourage Micah to use it too, since I like the cinamonny smell.
Mom and Dad, I know you’re reading this. You might as well use up that green soap in the shower. Unless you don’t like the smell–then I’ll use it whenever I’m visiting.
I’ve done the same with crayons, colored pencils, chocolate—some of these things last and some don’t. But if they never get used, then they’re not worth what you paid for them. So go “shopping” at home and find those thing you’ve been saving for a rainy day. Unless you’re the time who really will use them on a rainy day, start now. Enjoy what you have, don’t let it moulder or ferment.
Related Posts
- Frugal Tip for Cleaning Smelly Stockings
- Mrs. Micah and the Bad Generics (with a few good ones thrown in)
- If it’s worth buying, it’s worth buying used!
If you've found this article useful, why not get new posts in your RSS reader or in your e-mail? Your e-mail will only be used for new posts and you can unsubscribe at any time.
8 responses so far ↓
1 Bellen // Dec 7, 2007 at 11:22 am
Yes, do use the ’special treat’ items. I’m always so sad when someone I know is cleaning out the home of a departed loved one and finds, usually in the same box as given, the special items that were lovingly chosen. That is something that just should not happen.
2 Curtis // Dec 7, 2007 at 12:06 pm
Excellent advice. That’s one of the ways we are planning to save money on groceries this year:
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/RealWorldFinances/~3/180634832/budget-cuts-groceries.html
3 Free From Broke // Dec 7, 2007 at 1:01 pm
I tend to be one of those pack-rat, don’t waste it people but lately I’ve been realizing that by not using your special stuff and saving it you’re not really living. So go ahead and use what you have! Every day is special!
4 paidtwice // Dec 7, 2007 at 1:17 pm
Mmmmm
Just fyi, I have some Bath and Body Works stuff that is years and years old, and it still smells just as good.
But I do agree! use the special stuff! Use your stuff in general.
I find it hard to use the last little bit though of scents I love and are discontinued. Therefore I have an inch of 7 different lotions left in bottles. Bring back Blackberry! Bring back Victoria’s Secret’s Passionate Kisses! lol
5 Kacie // Dec 7, 2007 at 2:27 pm
Excellent! You’re absolutely right. I use our “good” dishes daily–because what’s the point in having them if we just use them for special occasions?
6 Fabulously Broke // Dec 7, 2007 at 5:29 pm
I started doing that too with my special lotions and whatever. Now that I’ve found THE PERFECT lotion, I’m trying to use up the other ones for the smell and just keep stocking up on my favourite one… (Olay Quench Concentrate in case you were wondering)
7 plonkee // Dec 8, 2007 at 9:56 am
I’m all in favour of using up the good things. Accept that you will be able to buy them again when you really want to.
8 wealthy_1 // Dec 8, 2007 at 10:36 am
You deserve to use your good stuff. Why do we save it anyway?
Even though we’re budgeting and living frugally, we deserve a treat every once in a while. Don’t you think?
Leave a Comment