October 2025 and I'm on another payment plan...
> What I Bought:
Soooo I'm on another payment plan, this time until November, so I can get citizenship by descent (well, at least start the second step in a very long process), which I briefly spoke about last month. This means that I'm once again having to count every penny and stick to a strict budget ie. no impulse purchases (you'll see that I failed).
Remember how I said that every five-to-six-months I crack and buy many things in one month? It happened in May, and it happened again in October. I really need to do some desperate soul searching as to why this is. It's like I do well and then I just get that itch to spend. At least the rest of the year should be cheap haha.
But continuing on from last month, I decided to zip pay a pair of Irregular Choice heels^ ($275) on sale at Shoe Fun. I mentioned how it wouldn't be smart to get a pair that would only be worn one day of the year and yet I bought a pair of Christmas shoes with a fun heel. But I figure there are Christmas parties, Christmas day, Christmas in July (as it's winter in July in Australia, it's a thing here) etc. So not only will I wear it multiple days over many years, but I will also wear them more than I would a regular pair of their shoes, so I chose wisely. I love their quirkier styles, but sadly I know I wouldn't feel confident wearing them on a regular day-to-day basis.
However, shipping was $15 but as I was only $25 off the free shipping, I decided to throw in a pair of Erstwilder x Megan Roy Halloween earrings^ ($25). I asked myself if I would spend $10 on them and yes, I would. I kind of regret now buying the ones from The Reject Shop last month, but I have worn all of them at least.
I shared the Heraldry Border Cardi by Dangerfield back in May, and I finally got it on sale ($59). I'd been looking for it in store, and I ended up finding it at their sample sale in early October. I was tempted by many items, but I talked myself out of them. I walked for 30 minutes in the wind just to get there and spent an hour in store.
I thought it would stop me thinking about the Selkie unicorn print clothing, but I think it only made it worse and it made me think again of getting the jumper or sweatpants (maybe as a Christmas present for myself) but there's a lady on TikTok who models the jumper and the colours don't pop like I wanted and the price is still too high for me. By coincidence, a unicorn tapestry skirt showed up on the Salvos website for $30, originally by made 590. It's from their 2022 range which is no longer for sale, but their skirts range between $110-$260. I previously had a tapestry skirt from BlackMilk that I sold (which I regret), so I feel like this is kind of an amalgam of Selkie, BlackMilk and made 590 in a neat little package. Let's hope it finally scratches that unicorn itch!
I bought a second cardigan ($30). I had liked it full price maybe last year, so I was patient and it finally went down over half price. It's incredible and so unique. I went looking for some earrings for an outfit, saw the cardigan and told myself I didn't need it. I walked out the door and within a minute I walked back in and got it. I ended up wearing it out the first chance I got - surprisingly - because the colours aren't me but I love it!
A friend of mine also bought me a Cats musical tote bag featuring sketches by John Napier from the Museum of Broadway ($40) which I regretted not buying when I was in New York in June 2024. I'm glad I finally own it.
I found these incredible white tree Christmas ornaments ($11.95 for four) on sale and from a small family run business. They remind me of my pinecone ornaments I bought last year. It's not very often that I fall in love with decorations that I feel like I have to get them. But I did. I felt like my Christmas tree was lacking in ornaments last year and all my Christmas decorations still fit in one small box, so I feel like it was justified.
And I bought a toucan jug ($45) at Clayfire Gallery in Daylesford (more on this below), slippers ($12) and a used Lego Jurassic World video game from EB Games ($18). Can you believe that's only my 2nd ever ps3 game?! I usually only look for Ratchet and Clank (my favourite!), but I thought I'd take a chance on this. And to be fair to myself, I have been looking at getting some new games, so I jumped when I found one. I've been enjoying it.
I'd been looking for an around-the-house summer dress for ages now. My previous one I bought around ten years ago, and it served me well. It was well ripped and stained but I still wore it until the strap broke and it wasn't worth fixing. It did only cost me $5 though - so anyway, I'd been on the lookout for a $5 dress to replace it ever since. I had been looking at second hand online and in store and still nothing. But I was at DFO and found one at Dotti for $15 that I liked and, now that you can use your Myer loyalty program of which I had a $10 voucher that I was going to just blow on a Christmas decoration if nothing else (which I might do with my upcoming birthday voucher), I used it on the dress instead and it went down to $5. A serendipitous bargain. And it has pockets!
Total: $250.95 (but I put $300 on zip pay)
I went to the theatre for Hair (free ticket and programme). I went to the cinema for Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire ($69 ticket, which included food and drinks), Kiss of the Spider Woman ($0) and Frankenstein ($22).
^I put this on next month's zip pay, which I said I wouldn't use anymore except when buying tickets, but I have wanted a pair of Irregular Choice shoes for so many years and with them closing, I decided to jump while I had the chance. I'm going to wrap them up as a birthday present to myself so I can wear them in December.
> Temptations:
There were MANY pairs of Irregular Choice shoes I wanted and was tempted by but like I said above, I know in my heart that they wouldn't get the wear they deserve nor to justify the price. I only wish I liked some of the cheaper ones as some are selling for as low as $69.95 but I was very particular about the style I wanted and that sadly ended up costing me (more than I wanted to be fair), but I know I made the right decision for me.
Again, there were at least four items I wanted from Dangerfield - two from the sample sale and two from the regular store. I was close to getting one sample (which I can't seem to find on the website so I'm unsure if they even decided to produce more of them or not) but decided I had other jumpers that would serve the same purpose as it. So, although I've wanted an argyle print for some time, I have similar styles I can wear. I really liked these Lace On Lace Heels too, but I own something very similar so no point in buying them either.
I've been looking for a fruit bowl for a long, long time. I'm very picky, you see, and I've finally found one I like. The problem is that I want it in matte pink but it's only available in pink gloss, so I'm unsure if I should go for gloss or get another colour. White would make the most sense but it's just so boring... I dunno what to do so I'm going to wait, especially as their 2026 collection has some fun things I might purchase instead.
I've also been watching a lot of Alice in Borderland lately and want a Chishiya t-shirt. I said at the start of the year that I didn't want nor need any new t-shirts, but I'm still tempted nonetheless. And I once again thought about getting a unicorn item from Selkie... and I almost bought some press on Halloween nails and another slug.
> What I Learned From Daylesford:
Around mid-October I won a $1000 voucher to spend at Bromley and Co's spring sale. If you don't know, David Bromley is an Australian painter and sculptor who creates figurative, colourful and whimsical artworks. I had visited his gallery earlier this year during his Sesame Street exhibit. I remember being tempted by a few of the homeware pieces but I was heading to the theatre afterwards so I wouldn't have been able to take anything with me and the gallery was closing, so I walked away empty handed. I remember specifically liking an Oscar the Grouch pillow, but I convinced myself I didn't need it especially considering it was $220.
So then came the voucher and I knew I wanted the pillow and probably a blanket or tea towel. I had considered an artwork but the ones I liked stretched further than my $1000 budget allowed (like $9000) and the cheaper ones just weren't to my personal taste. I had been in touch with them via Instagram and was told that most of the Sesame Street pieces were at Daylesford so off I went to find my dream pieces. And I got them.
I purchased a cookie monster blanket (with an oscar border), oscar pillow in the softest velvet feel, ernie mug with the whole gang on the back, and a second pillow as a gift for my mum featuring rosie totally $1037.
I got home and looked at the bags and immediately had buyer's remorse, even though they were technically free. Now, that's not to say I don't love the pieces that I got. I do. I love them and I'm grateful I won. But then the reality set in that I would now need to house these items, and I immediately felt overwhelmed.
So, as I sat there staring at the bags I had trekked across four hours on train and bus rides, I realised that my mind has shifted so much from the former hoarder I was, and I don't need all this extra stuff. The pillow is too big for my bed; I certainly don't need a mug (although low key, it's my favourite piece and was basically just bought to reach the $1000 total); and I have three other blankets in storage already (and the reason I haven't given any away is because I bought each of them on different vacations) with another on my bed.
It's so weird to me that I so badly wanted to win too. Like I saw the competition, and I really pushed to win. I wanted to win. I wanted to buy these items, but I just feel so differently now. I will use all three items, no doubt, but did I realistically need them? No. It's a weird feeling to have and I kind of feel guilty for taking this prize over other people who could have used it more. But then again, I love the pieces I got. It's weird.
I also bought the toucan jug afterwards. And granted I'd been wanting a jug for a while now to fill up the water filter in the fridge. With the fruit bowl a bust (see temptations), I considered getting a jug from the same company instead, so I'd been looking for the perfect one for a while now. And I really do love the one I got but as soon as I left the store, I felt instant regret. I'd been managing just fine without a jug. This will make it easier and quicker to fill, yes, but again, now I have to house it, and I don't know where that'll be. Again, weird.
> Birthday and Christmas:
My birthday is in November and Christmas is obviously coming quickly, so I've been thinking about presents I need, and I really can't think of anything. I do want to see Wicked so I'm hoping someone will pay for my ticket and maybe snacks at the cinema. Theatre tickets are always appreciated but I can't see that happening. Maybe that'll change and I'll think of something but for the moment I'm drawing a complete blank.
It also has me thinking about the end of year sales and if I want to purchase anything. At this point in time, I think I'm going to purchase some skincare. I've spoken about this before but with the US tariffs, I can't justify buying drmtlgy at the moment (you can get cheaper delivery on Amazon, but you will NEVER see me buying anything off Amazon!). Don't get me wrong, I think drmtlgy is worth every penny and I've used it for years, I just don't have it in my budget at the moment. I recently discovered a brand called Weleda that is more affordable, has an Australian website and is sold in Australian stores. But I'll look up many reviews before purchase.
I still need to get custom frames made for artworks I purchased last year. It's so expensive though :/
Sometimes I get items, look at them and think why did I buy this? It's not that I dislike it, but I just think about the money I could have saved had I not purchased whatever it may be. It tends to be more with the items that aren't practical, but it varies. I want to think about these feelings moving forward. I already know of one thing I'm going to buy in November (more on that later) but it is practical and needed. So, hopefully nothing else.
> What I Learnt:
It's funny now in hindsight that I consider the unicorn cardigan to be a bad buy even though I have wanted it for a long time, I looked for it in every mall, I walked all the way to the store to purchase it, and I have already worn it. It's actually grown on me a lot since owning it so maybe I just need to warm up to things (and that seems true for everything I buy). But I also realise that just because you have been thinking about a purchase for a long time, it doesn't necessarily mean it's a good one. Now that's not to say that I won't continue wearing it but want and need are two different things. And mostly everything purchased this month I consider a want over a need.
I have WANTED a pair of Irregular Choice heels since forever. I WANTED some pumpkin Halloween earrings (and the website just happened to have some). I WANTED clothing with unicorns on it. I WANTED that Cats musical bag. I WANTED the ornaments. I WANTED a game. All these are definite wants not needs. And looking back, I'd say most of the things I have bought this year have also been needs over wants ie. I could live without them.
But let's have a look back:
October:
- Irregular Choice Heels - WANT
- Pumpkin Earrings - WANT
- Unicorn Cardigan - WANT
- Cats Tote Bag - WANT
- Christmas Ornaments - WANT
- Jug - NEED
- Slippers - WANT/replacement
- Skirt - WANT/replacement
- Game - WANT
- Dress - NEED/replacement
- Cardigan - WANT
September:
- Flat Boots - NEED/replacement
- Heeled Boots - WANT/replacement
- Art Piece - WANT
- Halloween Earrings - WANT
August:
- Thomas Sabo Pendant - WANT
- Under The Knee Boots - WANT/replacement
- Killer Klowns Hoodie - WANT
- Smoothie Glass - WANT
- Slug Ceramic - WANT
July:
- Tom Moore Art - WANT
- Noel Fielding Art - WANT
June:
- Fluffy Boots - WANT/potential replacement
- Incognito Art - WANT/charity
May:
- Vinyl Record - WANT
- Tan Boots - WANT/potential replacement
- Peach Schnapps - NEED/replacement
- Officeworks Programmes - NEED
- Pop Vinyl - WANT
- Hadestown Hoodie - WANT
- Crystal Bird - WANT
- Slug Ceramic - WANT
- Monopoly Plate - WANT
April:
- Sparkly Pants - WANT
March:
- Christmas Ornament - WANT
- Heeled Boots - NEED/replacement
- Red Jumper - WANT/replacement
February:
- Vase - NEED/replacement
- Horse Art - WANT
- Vipoo Art - WANT
January:
- Christmas Decoration - WANT
- Phone Holder - NEED
- Flat Boots - I absolutely love them, and I wear them all the time. They've become a staple in my wardrobe. I already considered repurchasing them when I got them wet at the beach.
- Under The Knee Boots - These are a replacement so I guess I did purchase them again and would do so again in a heartbeat. They're just insanely comfy and classy. I love them!
- Incognito Art - This was my second year purchasing and I love that the money goes to a good cause. I probably wouldn't buy a gift again but I'm happy with the ones I own.
- Peach Schnapps - My favourite drink and one I will always replace, as expensive as it is.
- Officeworks Programmes - I never regret having my programmes.
- Crystal Bird - I've wanted one for years and I love the one I have. He sits by my desk and just makes me happy. I would like a larger one so would purchase again if I broke mine.
- Heeled Boots - Another replacement and staple in my wardrobe.
- Red Jumper - I love how light this jumper is in comparison to my others because it's better in warmer weather. Besides, I love the colour and fit. I would purchase again.
- Vase - I love my vase and if it did break, I would consider purchasing another one.
- Dress - I needed a replacement, and I'd buy this one or another one again.
2. Love but wouldn't purchase again:
- Irregular Choice Heels - I love these heels! But I couldn't justify buying another pair for the price.
- Cats Tote Bag - I love this tote bag but if it got ruined, I wouldn't go back to New York just to repurchase it. Maybe if I was there but wouldn't go out of my way.
- Christmas Ornaments - I love them but if they broke, I'm sure I'd find something else.
- Killer Klowns Hoodie - I love it. I wear it. But I have no need to repurchase if I did ruin it. As long as I owned one oversized hoodie, I could manage without it.
- Tom Moore Art - I love this art, and I love his work, but I said I would stick to one art piece per artist so I'm going to stick to this as much as possible. It's my favourite though!
- Noel Fielding Art - I'm glad I finally own a Noel piece but one is enough.
- Pop Vinyl - I no longer buy pop vinyls unless they're a Keanu Reeves character, so if something happened to my collection, I wouldn't repurchase them.
- Hadestown Hoodie - I love the show, but I don't need another hoodie, whether that be from this show or another one. I'm glad I got it, but I don't need to replace it.
- Halloween Earrings - I'm happy with the ones I've got, and I don't plan on buying more.
- The Smallest Muse Art Piece - This was somehow both an impulse and planned purchase. The idea behind the artwork is smoothing but it wasn't something I'd thought about for a long time.
- Thomas Sabo Pendant - I do wear this quite a lot, but I really didn't need another necklace. But I do love the look of it and how versatile the pendant is.
- Slug Ceramics - I didn't need another two slugs so I can't really justify my spending here, but they do all look cute in my pot plant together. They do bring joy, but I don't need any more.
- Monopoly Plate - It's good to have and I will use it, but I didn't need it so could do without.
- Christmas Decoration - I put her in this category because she's harder to store unlike the ornaments which all fit in the same box. I love her but I could live without her.
- Phone Holder - I thought I would use this more than I do and I could have lived without it. Even though I thought a lot about the purchase and was convinced that it would make my life easier having one. I think this'll be something that will be more used in the future.
- Slippers - I used to own sandal-like slippers but I'm unsure what happened to them. I didn't need them per say but it will be nice to have some not-as-closed-in slippers for warmer weather.
- Game - I've been enjoying Lego Jurassic World actually. It took me a while to get into it, but it definitely doesn't beat Ratchet and Clank (I'd repurchase that in a heartbeat!)
- Cardigan - I love it! It's so unique and eye-catching but I really didn't need it.
4. What was I thinking?! I still don't regret it, but I should have saved my money instead:
- Unicorn Skirt - I probably could have done without it. I have enough clothes.
- Unicorn Cardigan - Don't get me wrong, I wear it and love the look of it, but I should have just left it behind as I have enough clothes. I don't think unicorns makes it a justifiable purchase. To be fair to myself though, I have been wearing it most days now so take that as you will...
- Jug - I did need a jug, but I should have paused and thought about this more especially for the price. I was very short on time, rushed, so I bought impulsively.
- Laced Heeled Boots - Although these were a replacement, I didn't really wear the original boots anyway. The only thing was that these were super discounted so bargain, yes, necessary, no.
- Smoothie Glass - I'd been managing just fine without it. It's cute though.
- Fluffy Boots - I love the look of these, and I do wear them, but if I didn't own them, I could easily find something similar in my collection that does the same job.
- Vinyl Record - I could have waited until I actually own a record player.
- Tan Boots - I went back and forth on these so often and that should have been a sign. I got them to replace other boots, but I prefer the others and have kept them. The only benefit is that these have a smaller heel so I can wear them more regularly. The con is that they hurt my feet a little.
- Sparkly Pants - I did wear them as intended and I feel like they don't really belong in this category. But I haven't worn them too often to justify owning them.
- Horse Art - I love this art but buying this put me in such a debt that I can't even look at it without thinking of that stress. I hope that'll pass.
- Vipoo Art - This art's payment plan stressed me out also. I love it though!
TBH, it really sucks that that last category has the most items... here's to doing better!
x
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