DEBT MOM WANTS TO KNOW: DO YOU HAVE A MAKEUP DRAWER THAT’S OVERFLOWING, TOO MANY PERFUMES AND FRAGRANCES TO CHOOSE FROM, OR SHELF OR TWO OF HEALTH AND BEAUTY AND PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS THAT ARE ALWAYS BACK STOCKED?

You’re not alone. Heck I’ve been known to say that beauty products are my weakness. I love perfumes, makeup, skin care, hair and body products a little too much. Couple my previous shopping addiction with my love of a good GWP (gift with purchase) or PWP (purchase with purchase) or a great sale with an added discount and you have the perfect storm of an overflowing caboodles.

“Project Pan” is believed to have began back in 2015. The past few years I’ve heard my daughter talk about “Project Pan Challenge” or as I’ve remember “doing the hit the pan challenge.” It’s a way to “buy less and mindfully use what you already have.” And sure it sounds like a great idea… but have you actually attempted and accomplished a full year of not buying ANY beauty products?

Another quick question, Debt Mom wants to know, “Did you buy any of those items on a credit card?” Be honest.

Let’s say you purchased and paid for the items, and they didn’t create any financial burden, they’re paid for… have you used them to completion?

Beauty products have a shelf life, they do in fact expire, and can go bad. Health and beauty, personal care products can harbor bacteria over time. Knowing that information can help not only clear away the clutter, but help streamline your daily life. Using what actually works for you can become a lifestyle. The thing is, having so many products to choose from, can lead to buying even more. It becomes a game, a collection, a treasure trove of STUFF. And that stuff accumulates. And… it’s usually not free!

Take a look around. How many products have you used to completion before buying the next item? I’m going to take a wild guess and say that you might use about 50% of an item, before you feel the urge to buy something new or different. Take a look at your eyeshadows, how many palettes are going unused every single day? How many shades of lipstick are in the drawer that you don’t wear because you don’t love the color on you? How about skin care, cleansers and moisturizers… Have you abandoned a product that either didn’t quite work for your skin type or maybe you just saw an ad for something new and you just HAD to buy it and try it? Be honest.

We’ve all fallen victim to an online ad, or a review or testimonial that hooked us. And with one swipe from the comfort of your home, you can have anything you want, not necessarily need, on your doorstep, just by a few keystroked and clicking “buy now. “

It’s time to be honest with yourself. Take a step to get out of debt, and get off the beauty merry-go round. Take a break from buying and trying and start using what you have. You might even rediscover a long lost favorite, or find a few expired items that you can let go of.

And remember DEBT MOM is here to help you make the first move.