No Buy Year: Halloween & Scorpio Seasons (October 2024)

October: Halloween and the start of Scorpio season. 

Following on from last month and my urge to decorate for Halloween this year, as well as thinking ahead to my mid-November birthday, it was an interesting month. So, let's get into it...

> What I Bought:

Halloween

As well as the soap dispenser I mentioned in September, I decided to treat myself to two jack-o'-lanterns. I had been to every TK Maxx in the city looking at decor. I went to some stores back-to-back and returned to others the following day. I was a girl obsessed, on a mission. And it led me to conclude that nothing topped the Pumpkin Terracotta Tealight Holders. Some things came close, of course, like a pumpkin vase with pumpkin flowers, ghost pillows, candy bowl holder, and ghost tealight holders - but I kept going back to Dusk. I always knew I wanted a pumpkin, I'd been saying it for weeks, but something a little elevated/sophisticated (and non-plastic) because I don't plan on buying more in the future (I'm very wary of storing things and I want to keep my collection quite minimal. I currently own three items). I ended up buying the large and medium sizes. 

Total: $46.31 with discounts (I had a $15 gift voucher, plus 10-40% off, and gifted visa cards* so it was free =P Obviously they're going super cheap now that Halloween has come and gone but I had them out all October. Also not bad considering they originally retailed for $79.98 total)

*Additionally with my gift cards, I purchased toothpaste, face powder, battery operated tealight candles, 6 additional Casa Domani Portofino plates (which I spoke about last month) and a replacement jacket (I've been wanting for years!). Both the plates and jacket were from Savers, on my allowed list, and just over $5 each.

Birthday

I decided to buy myself a birthday present. I don't normally but I've always wanted some meteorite-type jewellery. The opportunity presented itself, so I took it. I know the stones are becoming quite rare as well, but the benefits too are great. I got a pair of Authentic Moldavite Raw Stud Earrings from The Empress and Wolf in Daylesford for a great price. I also love that they're green! My fav! No regrets here. 

Total: $139.50 with discount (or $0 for items removed within the rules)

Technically it falls under my rules that I set at the beginning of the year, so I'm taking this as a win. I'm also proud of myself for having restraint (I know how crazy people can get buying themselves gifts). 

I went to the theatre twice - for TINA: The Tina Turner Musical (tickets were free but the programme cost $30) and Beauty and the Beast (free ticket and programme gifted for my birthday). I went to the cinema once for Terrifier 3 ($19.80 for a ticket) - you can read my comprehensive review here. 

> Temptations:

That momentum from last month must have continued because I wasn't really tempted by much at all this month. Obviously, there is no denying that I spent money this month and perhaps that was slightly the cause, but even spending on items that were actually allowed still hurt to purchase. So that feels like growth. I really do think that last month's huge clutter shift helped overall and was worth the trouble.

It is also possible that my mind was focused instead on doing my spooky movie marathon that I do every October rather than on spending. However, I even felt guilty spending money and that hasn't happened so much on previous months. Like, even the pumpkins that I knew I wanted from the beginning, I felt guilty about purchasing - from the initial decision to purchase all the way to actually owning. But they're currently sitting beside me as I type this and bringing me so much joy! They'll be part of my minimal Halloween for years to come! 

I'm currently tempted to buy a large Christmas tree. I've never owned one but there's something about this year that makes me want to decorate for the seasons. I'd still keep everything quite minimal but I'm trying to remain strong by reminding myself that there will be other years.

I didn't do much shopping except for one day where I was very tempted to buy a Charlie Bear (if you don't know, they're very collectable). There was one that I saw on TVSN and had been very tempted but then I saw him in store and gosh, I fell hard. He's so cute! I'm trying to remain strong.