DEBT MOM WANTS TO KNOW: IS YOUR MAKEUP DRAWER OVERFLOWING? TOO MANY PERFUMES, HALF-USED PRODUCTS, AND BACKUPS YOU FORGOT YOU BOUGHT?
You’re not alone, and it might be costing you more than you think!
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. Pair 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 begun back in 2015. The past few years I’ve heard my daughter talk about “Project Pan Challenge” or as I remember “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?
How to Start the Project Pan Challenge (5 Simple Steps)
Here are 5 simple steps to start your own project pan challenge.
1- Gather all your beauty products
2- Choose your focus items
3- Set a no-buy rule (or low-buy)
4- Track your usage
5- Celebrate finishing products
It’s really that simple, but the impact is bigger than you think!
This isn’t just about makeup… it’s about breaking the habit of buying more when you already have enough!
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!
I HIT THE PAN!
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.
This is how clutter turns into overspending, and overspending can quietly turn into debt.
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 keystrokes 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.
Why the Project Pan Challenge Works
- It forces you to face your spending habits
- It reduces clutter and waste
- It saves money immediately
- It helps you appreciate what you already own
- It breaks the cycle of buying just to feel better
It’s time to hit the pan. Start today, use what you have. You’ll spend less. That’s the move… are you ready?
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