Hey July - you left me so money poor!
> What I Bought:
As explained last month, I bought two works of art (and hopefully my last). The first was a glass work by Tom Moore ($1200) and the second was a drawing by Noel Fielding ($893) which I finished paying off in four.
I also bought a pair of Williams boots ($35) because it was buy one and get a second one at 50% off and my Mum was buying a pair. I knew I should have waited though as it went to 30% just days later. FML.
I had put two purchases on zip pay (which is a buy now pay later service) last month, so I paid those off. I had bought theatre tickets for myself ($62) and two artworks from the Incognito Art Show ($200) for charity.
Total: $2328
I went to the theatre for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory ($27.70 ticket/$8 programme), The Pirate Queen ($45* ticket and $10 programme) and Hadestown twice ($199^/$109^ ticket and free programme).
I went to the cinema for Materialists (free ticket) and The Fantastic Four (*$13).
^I put on next month's zip pay payment *I used a visa gift card
*Additionally, as well as the tickets I put on the visa gift card, I also purchased x4 lunches out, x2 dinners, choc top, vitamins, a glass of wine at the theatre and some lollies. Super riveting stuff haha. I have $15.64 left on it.
Oh, I also got one of those little golden books on Steven Spielberg from Big W for $3.15 for reasons.
> Temptations:
I went to the new Barbie Miami Cafe in Chadstone to look at the merchandise and I was tempted by a t-shirt, macaroon keyring and mug. That same day, I was tempted to get a Simpsons t-shirt from Zing.
I saw a union jack mug and saucer set for $8 each. I was SO tempted! I took a photo to think about it, but I know better... I also liked some Oscar the Grouch socks at that same market. That same day, I tried on so many pairs of pointed toe knee high faux suede boots to replace boots I bought probably 20 years ago and stupidly got rid of (the toe was kinda wearing and I hadn't worn them in a while). I'm on the lookout to replace those one day!
I also loved some items you/you'll see in some recent/upcoming posts. I was tempted by a lot of fashion items this month. I didn't buy any, of course, but tempted I was indeed. Shoes just get me more :/
> What I Learnt:
I wanted to go more into depth regarding the Incognito Art Show because I like going back and reading these. Last year I purchased two stock standard "me" artworks. I had only planned on buying one and I would have had I not seen the second artwork first because it remains my favourite and is the only one I have currently framed on my wall. That's not to say I don't still love the other, I do, but I only had space for one.
This year, I was wary of making the same mistake again so when the online sales went live, I hesitated. There was nothing that really grabbed my attention enough that I was like, "I'll be really upset if someone gets this instead of me." I tend to go for kind of quirky animal prints, but I felt like something different.
I had placed some mock rules on myself - I had to purchase something from the wishlist I created before online sales began and I would allow myself to get up to three pieces. I leaned towards something either 3D or with texture (completely out of character). As I was stalking Instagram, seeing the videos and photos people had shared during the live sales, I was intrigued by artwork CC. The image on the website is absolutely terrible though. I originally thought I'd get BB, but this video footage of CC really intrigued me and so I jumped on it then without any hesitation even though it wasn't on my initial wishlist. The second one (17748) is a gift.
You can see CC in all its glory here. You can view my full wishlist here.
So obviously art was at the top of my 'Low Buy Year' list of items I was trying to avoid buying that I set at the beginning of the year. I've definitely failed miserably with that. Obviously, the Tom piece was already in my allowed list so I'm okay with that. The reason for the Noel piece is that I've wanted one of his works for the longest time! I'd always thought I'd end up with a large work but as they're all over $10,000 and I think that money could be better spent. And if I do want a large artwork, I will try and support an Australian artist instead. Being able to get a framed work under $1000AUD is incredible for an artist of his caliber and I doubt that opportunity will come around again. I've always said that you shouldn't buy a piece of art just for the name, price or potential resell value, and my reasons for buying have been pure. I'm so happy to own it!
The buying experience of Incognito and Noel were very similar though in the fact that I was hesitant with both. I took my time to really think it over and make the right decisions. I've learnt to trust my instincts.
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At the beginning of the year, I set a list of items I was trying not to buy in 2025. Let's see how I'm doing:
1. Art - While I can justify 3 of the pieces, the two most expensive ones were impulse buys... but art does go up in value eventually so hopefully I'll be laughing in many, MANY years to come when I do sell it. For now, I'm just happy to have them on display until I end up in an old folks' home.
2. Skincare, haircare and make-up - I've done well and only bought replacements I've needed.
3. Home stuff - Hmm a little mixed here, considering I have bought a slug ceramic, monopoly plate, crystal bird, vinyl record, vase, two Christmas ornaments and a phone/PlayStation holder.
4. Merchandise - I've bought one hoodie so that's good.
5. Pyjamas - I haven't bought any this year.
6. Printed t-shirts - I haven't bought any this year.
7. Books - I haven't bought any this year.
8. Pop vinyl figurines - I only bought one Keanu Reeves pop which is allowed.
9. Shoes - I've bought three pairs of replacement boots.
10. Alcohol - I bought three peach schnapps bottles on discount (and still haven't gotten through one).
So, apart from art and home stuff, I feel like I've done pretty well all things considered ^_^
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Also, let's see how I'm doing per month (not including "free" things):
January:
- christmas decor
- playstation/phone holder
February:
- vase
- art (paid off in March)
- art (paid off in May)
March:
- christmas ornament
April:
May:
- vinyl record
- pop vinyl
- hadestown hoodie
- crystal bird
- slug ceramic
- monopoly plate
June:
- art (paid off in July)
July:
- art (paid off in July)
- boots
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Now let's talk regret because I spoke a lot about that during my failed No Buy Year. Even though I'm on a Low Buy Year and am allowed to buy some things, that doesn't mean I can't/won't have regrets. Using the list above with "free" things added back in, I put a * at the front if I absolutely 100% think it was a great buy!
January:
- christmas decor - I don't regret it, but it probably was a bad buy. It's white and gold, and I prefer white and silver. However, I do think it's gorgeous, so I'll save my judgement for after Christmas.
- playstation/phone holder - I don't regret it, but it probably was a bad buy. I don't get as much use out of it as I thought I would but I'm holding out as I think one day I will. And, as I said when I bought it, if I was to sell it at least I could make a profit on it so in that regard, it wasn't a bad buy at all.
February:
- *vase - I have no regrets. I thought it over, I got a discount, and it's being used.
- art (paid off in March) - My regret for this is more the strain that it put on my finances because it's been really stressful using all my savings and still having to pay for other things. I go back and forth on this all the time but mainly because I think it makes me think of stress. One day I hope that passes.
- art (paid off in May) - This was an impulse buy and seeing as I don't physically have it in my possession yet, I don't think I can actually adequately make a decision on it. At least, unlike the art above, I worked out how I would pay it off over a number of months and wasn't just left with a scary bill.
March:
- christmas ornament - Like above, I'll save my judgement for after Christmas.
- *red jumper - No regrets. I wear it often!
- *black boots - No regrets. They're the perfect replacement.
April:
- sparkly pants - Not a regret per say, but I don't wear them a lot because they are more for special occasions, so it depends how you look at it. I still like them.
May:
- vinyl record - I don't have a record player yet and I told myself to wait, and then I didn't. I think part of me wanted the artist to see and acknowledge me or maybe I held some guilt. Not sure.
- pop vinyl - After I bought it, I put all my Keanu pops back on display as I generally don't display my pops anymore. But I only lasted a couple of days before I changed my mind so they're all back in storage. I think I would still buy more Keanu ones but I'm not that into them anymore (or ever was).
- hadestown hoodie - I keep going back and forth on this as well because deep down I know I didn't need it. But at the same time, it's a musical I love so shouldn't I not support them? I do wear it.
- *crystal bird - No regrets. I've wanted one for years and I'm happy to own one!
- slug ceramic - I bought this one so that I wouldn't be tempted to buy one with teeth as I wanted to originally but in reality, I still want one with teeth :/ I still love the one I got though!
- monopoly plate - This is a kinda yes/kinda no because obviously I can use a plate, but I have enough anyway. But it holds a nice memory and was heavily discounted on clearance.
- tan boots - The problem with these boots is that the 37 were slightly too small but the 38 were too large. I ended up going with the 37 so if my feet swell or anything, they can be quite uncomfortable. They're okay in short periods and I still love the look of them, but I'm leaning towards a bad buy.
June:
- art (paid off in July) - I don't think I've had enough time to process this because it doesn't have a permanent spot. I've kept it leaning against a wall in my walk-in wardrobe so I don't get to appreciate it the way I should. I've always wanted a Noel work so no regrets there but the question of if I should have waited for a larger work still remains. I think I'm happy, but I need to see it more.
- *incognito art - The money goes to charity and I still like my choice so I'm happy.
July:
- *art (paid off in July) - I absolutely don't regret! I've wanted one of his works since forever and I love it so so so much! I actually cannot believe that I finally own a Tom Moore! I'm so happy!
- boots - I didn't need them per say but they're a good basic to have because my usual have been getting a bit ratty and uncomfortable so I'll alternate. I'd looked at them for months and tried them on numerous times (I believe I spoke about it when I bought my tan boots in May).
Until next month!
x
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