Adult hot December Thirty-First. - lookmybody - lookmybody

I am ringing in the New Year alone.

I just finished reading Andrea Gibson’s The Panic Button Collector for the 429 091 123th time.

I am burning scented candles, and the air smells like caramel.

I am sitting within arm’s reach of the six plants I have managed to keep alive for the past 2 seasons.

My curly red ‘fro is tickling my forehead.

I am wrapped in a blanket and drinking a cup of warm peppermint tea.

I am building a home for these words that I have held onto for so long.

In the next room, my mother snores, and I can hear the rustling of my dad and brother.

So actually, no.  I am not ringing in the New Year alone.

- J

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Adult hot Stop Buying for the Life You Don't Have. #MinimalismMonday - lookmybody - lookmybody

I'm guilty of doing this all the time.  I buy a dress to wear for a wedding "just in case" I have to go to one.  I pick up some makeup from the store "just in case" I want to wear it.  A new jacket "just in case" the other two I have don't match my outfit.  Just in case, just in case, just in case.  And with today being Boxing Day in Canada, I need to remind myself of this more than ever.

For most people, once they reach a certain age or stage in life, their lifestyle sort of becomes regular, and they get more familiar with their personal likes and dislikes.  For me, after graduating from school and getting a full time job, I know what my regular life looks like.  I also know who my friends are and what we like to do when we hang out, so certain things (like party dresses) are not necessary for me to own.  I also know what I like to do in my spare time, how I like to dress, what my decor style is ... Bottom line is I know who I am.  And while there are some parts of myself or my life that I might like to change, I cannot shop for the life I don't have.  Which means I need to learn to stop buying things that don't fit into my current life.

Perfect example - I wanted to decorate my room with a certain theme.  Instead of planning ahead and thinking about the practicality of the items I wanted to use, I just went with it and bought any and everything that fit that theme.  Now I have been getting rid of several gently used (expensive) items that not only add no value to my life, but also don't work with the theme or even the space I purchased them for.  Bottom line?  If I had shopped for the space I had instead of the space I wanted, I wouldn't have wasted money and time buying junk.

If you're not a party girl, don't buy club wear unless you actually need it.  If you're not moving into your own space, don't shop for housewares.  If anything you should be SAVING for the life you want, instead of shopping for it.  That way, if that life doesn't become a reality for you, at least you have your savings, with which you could pursue a new goal.

Take it from me guys - stop buying for the life you don't have.

xoxo, Jayy

Adult hot Winter. - lookmybody - lookmybody

Every year I hope that this one will be different.
But then the bad days start happening.
Closer and closer together
Until it's like one long day.  Or night.
Something that doesn't end.

Winter Solstice.
Merry Christmas.
Happy New Year.

Now I hope things will be exactly the same.
I hope I survive this one too.

J.

Adult hot Tips for Selling Clothing! - lookmybody - lookmybody

Selling clothing to consignment stores is something that I've grown to love.  There's nothing more rewarding than doing a huge closet purge, and getting paid for it!  To be quite honest, it is what motivates me to get rid of items that I struggle to let go of.  I often make a deal with myself - if it sells, then I will let it go.  If it doesn't sell, I might allow myself to keep it.

Anyways, here are my top tips for selling clothing to consignment stores.

1. Locate several consignment stores in your area.
Chances are, if one store doesn't take all of your items, another might.  I have located two consignment stores in my area (both are Plato's Closet).  I have sold at each store several times, so I am familiar with what each store will take.  One store is pickier and prefers to take items that are in pristine condition, so I let them have the first pick of my items.  After that first store goes through my items, I head on over to the second store, who will gladly accept more worn items that the other store rejected.  Only after going to both stores will I donate the remaining items to the thrift store.

2. Choose your items carefully.
There are some things that consignment stores will not take.  I know that Plato's Closet is not into buying vintage items, "mature" styles (pretty much anything that fits my current business-casual style), or items that are too casual, such as sweats and plain t-shirts.  So when I choose items to sell to Plato's, I usually will avoid including these items.   That way I don't waste anyone's time, including mine.

3. Pay attention to the season.
If you've ever worked in retail, you know that stores start bringing out clothing for the next season at least 2 months in advance.  Some consignment stores will do the same.  So when choosing items to sell, try to avoid selecting out of season items, or items that are just going out of season.  For example, avoid bringing in your heavy winter sweaters at the end of March, when spring is just around the corner.  Instead, try re-evaluating your need for these items halfway through the season.  If you haven't worn the item in 1.5-2 months, chances are you won't be picking it up for the rest of the season, so pass it on to your local consignment store!

4. Be persistent, ask questions.
If something doesn't sell once, don't be afraid to try again if you think the item has real value!  Stores may not purchase items for a variety of reasons.  Don't be afraid to ask why they didn't choose your item(s), or what you could do to ensure they buy it next time.

5. Follow their social media pages.
The two Plato's I go to both have Instagram pages.  This is perfect for me to get a sense of what items they want, which helps me tailor my selection of items to suit their tastes.  Plus there's always a thrill associated with seeing your items featured on their page!

6. Time your visits.
Following social media pages or signing up for mailing lists can help you figure out when a consignment store needs items.  It's also a good idea to time your selling trips both before and after major sale events such as Black Friday, pre-Christmas shopping, Boxing Day, etc. This way you know stores are in need of items, and more likely to accept your items.

That's it for today my friends!

Cheers to making money off the items we purge!

xoxo, Jayy

Adult hot How Minimalism Changed My Mind - lookmybody - lookmybody

When I first began my minimalism journey, you/d be surprised how easy it was for me to spend money wastefully.  I would get rid of bags and bags of items, only to bring in bags and bags of more items that I was convinced I needed.

Recently I did another purge, after only doing one about a month ago during Canadian Thanksgiving.  I was very surprised at the fact that I was able to get rid of one whole garbage bag full of donations, plus two garbage bags full of clothes, shoes (which I never thought I would get rid of), purses (another surprise), belts, and random household items.  Three garbage bags of stuff?  That's a lot.

A lot of those items were things I had purchased within the last year that still had tags on it.  That was a HUGE wake up call for me.  The fact that I had purchased items that had mo meaning or value to my life within the last year was disappointing.  After all, this year was supposed to be the year of minimalism ... I felt a little bit like a failure.  Especially after receiving only about $70.00 for those items a the consignment store.  I knew it was time to make a change.

Only, I was surprised to realize that I was already making a change.  Without realizing it, I had been able to change the way I thought about purchasing items.  I no longer grabbed items aimlessly, I put some thought into shopping around the store.  Instead of grabbing items in colours or styles I liked, I walked around the store with the item, to see if I liked it after the initial excitement wore off.  I almost unconsciously ask myself if this items really makes me happy, or if I could walk out of the store and never think of this item again.  Usually, it's the latter.  I avoid salespeople so their constant pestering doesn't influence my decision to buy.  And I don't even go into a store if I don't need anything from there to begin with.

After a year or so of really trying to be a minimalist, I'm breaking old habits and learning to shop more consciously.  It's working folks!  I'm on my way :).

Cheers to a new minimalist mind!

xoxo, Jayy

Adult hot Declutter Every Day in December Day 6 - Your Phone - lookmybody - lookmybody

Hello again!  Yesterday we decluttered our technology, and got rid of the items that no longer added value to our lives.  For the next couple of days we are going to look a little closer at some of those items, and get rid of the things they hold that are no longer useful to us.

Today we are taking a closer look at our phones.  How much stuff is stored on your phone that you don't need?  How many apps do you not use?  How many pictures do you have that could be deleted? (I mean how many selfies from the same day do you need to keep?  You've posted one already ... get rid of the rest!)  Are you perhaps on too many social media sites?  Maybe you could downsize your music collection?  There have to be a few contacts that you no longer need to have saved in your phone.

Now, not all of the files you are deleting need to be permanently deleted.  Grab one of those USB keys or hard drives you uncovered yesterday, and transfer those items!  Some things can be kept in a safe place, freeing up your phone's memory to capture new memories, or download new songs, or try new apps.

Isn't it surprising how much we store on our phones that we don't need?  Today I managed to clear out about 1 GB of space on my phone, including contacts, pictures, videos, and 1 app.  I'm even going through my apps like Spotify to delete songs from my phone to make room.  Is it weird that my phone kind of feels lighter?  I actually plan to continue to declutter my phone and transfer photos and videos from over a year ago to my external hard drive, so I can take lots of pictures this holiday season.

How did your phone declutter go?  Let me know in the comments below!

xoxo, Jayy

Adult hot Minimalism & The Holidays - Gift Giving - lookmybody - lookmybody

I don't know about you, but I absolutely hate being given gifts that I don't want/need.  Nobody likes those generic bath and body products that break out your skin, or that itchy sweater two sizes two small, or that really ugly room decor item that you are now forced to display for the next year.

On the flip side, nobody likes knowing that they're giving someone stuff that they would hate.  (Unless you're a Scrooge, which you might be).  So, how do you avoid giving people gifts that add no joy or value to their life?

1. Straight up ask them what they want.  People are often willing to at least hint at the items that they need, or would really like to receive for Christmas.

2. Pay attention to what people talk about.  Some people unintentionally (or maybe intentionally) drop hints about what they would like to receive as gifts.  I have a friend who talks non-stop about how much she loves my blanket scarves, so I grabbed her one as a gift.  When I go shopping with a friend, I pay attention to the items they say they love, but never pick up.  Those are great hints for what you could get a person for a gift!

3. Take them shopping with you!  Sometimes it's nice to make a day of things.  Take your gift recipient out on a nice lunch or dinner, and allow them to choose an item for you to purchase.  It makes the gift giving process more inclusive and enjoyable.

4. Gift Cards!  I know gift cards have gotten a bad rep as being impersonable, but they really aren't a bad option!  I have a friend who loves to shop at a particular store, and I'd hate to get her something she's already bought.  So I give her a gift card for said store, and now she's able to pick something out, on me!

5. Give the gift you know they need.  Gas cards, socks & underwear, grocery cards .... these may not be fun or exciting, but it definitely would be appreciated by someone who appreciates the value of the necessities.   

6. Gift receipts are your best friend.  If all else fails, ensure that they can return the gift if they so choose.  I know some people are wary of their friend/family member knowing how much they spent on a gift.  But if you're like me and you really don't care, pop that gift receipt in there so they can exchange it if they wish!

Those are just some tips for gift giving with a minimalist mindset.  I know there are more out there, so please do share if you have any ideas!

Cheers to keeping the clutter out of everyone's homes this holiday season!

xoxo, Jayy!

Adult hot Declutter Every Day in December Day 5 - Technology - lookmybody - lookmybody

Hello and happy Monday my friends!

Today we are decluttering our technology.  And at first I know this will seem odd, but hear me out.

How many extra/back up pairs of headphones do you have?  Or how many pairs do you have that are half working?
How many of your old phones are sitting in a drawer somewhere?
How many extra cords and cables do you own that you don't even use?
What about old batteries?
Do you still hang on to old cases for laptops, phones etc.?
Do you own several USBs?  Do you even know what's on them?

Were you surprised by your answers to those questions?  I know I was.  I own  a lot of random technology items that I don't need, use, or even remember that I own.  So, it's time to pull it all out, and re-evaluate.

After you have set up your pile of technology items (including cameras, phones, laptops, tablets, cords, cables, house phones, DVD players and even your TV!) it's time to get started.  Now for this one, I don't recommend throwing all of your items on the floor, especially something as big as  TV.  Just make sure you don't forget to re-evaluate each item's usefulness in your life, even if you aren't physically moving it.

Okay here we go with the questions!  Only 5 today, but I think they make their point:

• When was the last time you used this item?  Do you enjoy using it?
• Do you know what this item is for?
• Does this item function properly? (If not, maybe you could use some of the money you make during this challenge to replace it!)
• Do you own multiples of this item?  Do you need to?
• Could you do without this item? (For example, if you usually use your cellphone, do you need your home phone?  If you usually watch shows online, could you perhaps do without a DVD player?)

Once you have sorted your items into their respective piles (keep, sell, trash, donate), put your keep pile away.  For the items you are giving away or selling, make sure to wipe items clean of personal data before sending them on their way.

And my friends, you have decluttered your technology items.  Congrats!  As we head into day 6 of this challenge, how are you feeling?  I hope that this challenge is making a positive impact on the way you view your posessions 😀.

Cheers to a new outlook!

xoxo, Jayy

Adult hot Declutter Every Day in December Day 4 - Belts, Watches, Jewelry, Scarves & Miscellaneous Accessories - lookmybody - lookmybody

It's day 4, and today we are getting rid of the rest of the unnecessary accessories in our closets!  Let's pull out those belts, watches, jewelry, scarves, hats, brooches ... if it's an accessory, pull it out!

This is so similar to the other 3 posts so I will spare you the commentary.  You know what to do.  Don't keep items that don't add value to your life.  Make your 4 piles - keep, donate, sell, trash.  Items that are damaged, worn, too big/too small, and don't fit your current style all need to go.  That belt that only accentuates the features you don't like?  BYE!  That scarf that has a big hole in it?  BYE!  That watch that you don't even like?  BYE!  That item you have 3 of "just in case" one breaks?  BYE!

Add your items to the piles from the first 3 days.  I recommend taking items out of the home on this day, just because at this point you should have a fairly large amount of items to get rid of.  Also, this is a nice way to start your work week (if you work Monday-Friday) - clutter free!

Today's post was short and boring, I know.  I apologize.  Tomorrow will be a little more exciting, I think.

xoxo, Jayy

Adult hot Declutter Every Day in December Day 3 - Bags - lookmybody - lookmybody

We're back at it again, and this time you've definitely got this one in the bag!

Hehe.

Today we are decluttering bags.  Notice I didn't say purses/handbags.  I mean every single type of bag you can imagine.  I think you might be surprised at just how many bags you can accumulate!  You know the drill by now ... pull those bags out onto the floor!  Here's a list of bags you should be including in today's declutter:

• Purses/Handbags
• Satchels
• Backpacks
• Laptop/Camera/Equipment Bags
• Makeup Bags
• Travel Bags
• Suitcases/Carry-on Bags
• Beach Bags
• Wallets/Wristlets/Clutches
• Plastic Bags (I know I'm not the only one with a bag of bags ...)
• Paper Bags
• Reusable Bags (you'd be surprised how these pile up!)
• Garbage Bags 
• Any other type of bag you can think of 😀

I wish I had taken pictures of this, but I did this at 2:00 in the morning, and wasn't thinking too clearly.  But as I'm sure you can imagine, I had a lot of bags.

And again, you know the drill.  Create your keep, donate, sell, and trash piles, and begin to sort.  If it's broken or damaged beyond repair, let it go.  If you have duplicates, let them go.  You know you don't need that many makeup bags!  If you haven't used it in over a year, let it go.  If you think it's ugly or childish, let it go.  If it does not add value to your life, let it go.

Image Source

Now in regards to the plastic/garbage/paper/reusable bags - Even if you have excess of these items, I recommend hanging onto them.  You will always need these items in some capacity.  Just store them all in an accessible place, and avoid purchasing more of these bags until you have used up your excess.

And like before, put your items away, and distribute your giveaway items accordingly.  And you're done!  If you haven't already sold/given away your items yet, I recommend holding out for one more day!   Tomorrow's declutter will wrap up the clothing/accessories portion of this challenge, so be sure to check back to see what we're doing!

Cheers to letting it all go!

xoxo, Jayy

Adult hot Declutter Every Day In December (DEDD) Day 2 - Shoes - lookmybody - lookmybody

Welcome to Declutter Every Day in December, day 2!  Today we move past the clothes in our closets to something a bit more difficult to get rid of ... shoes!

Shoes are considered an essential item - we need them for practical reasons as well as for fashion.  So to get rid of something so essential can be really difficult. 

Like yesterday, we are going to pull all our shoes out from the places where we store them.  Take those shoes out of the closets, under the bed, out of your car ... pull them all out!

That was my pile, so there's no need to feel guilty about yours!

Anyways, now the fun begins!  Go through each pair of shoes and decide if it adds value to your life.  If you can answer yes to any one of the following questions, then those shoes need to go!

• Does it hurt? 
• Does it cause blisters?
• Is it generally uncomfortable/unsafe?
• Are these shoes damaged beyond repair?
• If shoes are damaged and reparable, make sure you will actually repair them within the next 6 months, or it's time for those to go as well.
• Do I have to purchase clothing that matches these shoes?
• Have I outgrown this style of shoe?
• Do I have multiples of this shoe? (I answered yes to this one more than once ...)
• Do I have many shoes in this particular style/colour? (Who needs 4 pairs of black pumps, or 3 pairs of brown booties??)

Additionally, ask yourself when you last wore those shoes.  If it's been over a year, chances are you won't be reaching for that shoe again.

Likes yesterday, we will sort our shoes into 4 piles - keep, donate, sell, and trash.  Go ahead and put your keep pile back in their appropriate storage spaces, and distribute the giveaway piles accordingly.

And there you have it.  DEDD day 2 is complete!  Do you feel lighter yet?

See you on day 3!

XOXO, Jayy

Adult hot Declutter Every Day in December (DEDD) - Day 1 (Clothing) - lookmybody - lookmybody

Welcome to DEDD my friends!  Today we start off with the easy task of decluttering a different set of items each day for the rest of the month.  The goal?  To enter into the New Year with only the items that add value and meaning to your life.

Let's get into the easier stuff - clothing.

If you've never gotten rid of clothing before, this is going to be a difficult task.  For the newbies, I recommend setting one or two extra days aside to complete this task.  I also recommend checking out a few YouTube videos to see how other people got rid of their excess stuff.  Here's one of mine for reference:

Here are the steps we are all going to follow:

1. Take ALL of your clothes out of closets, drawers, boxes, bags, etc.  If you have too much clothes, either do this over several days, or go by category (tops, bottoms, dresses/rompers, etc.)  However ideally you will do all your clothes at one time, so you can see exactly how much stuff you have.

2. Go through each item, and consider if it adds value to your life.  (Hint - the item you haven't worn in 2 years doesn't add value.  Nor does the item that gives you blisters.  That item that is falling apart at the seams needs to go!)

3. Sort the items you are giving away into 3 piles - Sell, Donate, Trash.

4. Store the items you are keeping in their proper storage areas, and marvel at the items you have kept!

5. Make sure the giveaway items are removed from your home within 7 days of completing this process.  For this challenge, it's okay to wait a couple of days before getting rid of items, or else you would be selling/donating items every day!  Just make sure to keep them stored away and ready to be taken out of your living space, so as to avoid having items creep back into your closet.

And that's it!  We have completed day one!

Cheers to decluttering our clothes!

xoxo, Jayy

Adult hot Minimalism & The Holidays - Black Friday - lookmybody - lookmybody

Hello Lovelies!

Today I wanted to talk about the challenges of adopting a minimalist lifestyle during the holiday season.  I LOVE the holidays - thrive on it even!  Despite the winter blues, the holiday season is always a happy time of year for me.  But this year, after getting rid of all of my junk, I really was curious to see what the holiday season would mean to me.

Cue Black Friday - and oh what wonderful sales there were.  There were a few items I did NEED - a new winter coat, winter boots, and a couple of work appropriate sweaters.  As I shopped (online) for these items, I found some real gems!  But I made the mistake of purchasing a few items that I really didn't need .... and I instantly regretted it.  I was actually quite surprised to look at the items and realize that they brought me no joy.  Look at that - I adopted the Konmari method without even reading her book!  I ended up returning 8 items - sweaters, shirts, and even a jacket that I realized brought me no happiness, and added absolutely no value to my life.

I've come to realize that even though I still (and probably always will) love shopping, after getting rid of things that add no value to my life, I see no reason to continue to purchase items that will only end up in a giant donation bag in a few months.  There's no sense in wasting my money for the thrill of shopping, when I can achieve the same thrill from window shopping or online browsing.  Even if those items are on an incredible sale (40-60% off!!!!!), it still amounts to waste if it's not a necessary addition to my life.

Black Friday will always be fun for me.  The time spent on finding a great deal on an item I really need, or on an item a friend wants for Christmas, will always be enjoyable to me.  But what's even more enjoyable is the satisfaction I get from knowing that I have spent my money wisely, and that my life will remain light and uncluttered.

Cheers to you, and to finding items that bring joy to your life!

xoxo, Jayy

Adult hot Unlearn! [#MoneySavingMondays] - lookmybody - lookmybody

Decluttering can be fun, addictive even.  I remember the first time I got rid of items I didn't want ... it felt so freeing.  The more you purge, the more you want to purge, until you've gotten rid of all of the items in your home that do not add value to your life.

But ... then what?  When you're staring at empty drawers and piles of empty hangers ... what do you do?  If you're someone who is addicted to the concept of purchasing and owning material possessions, then all you've done is created space for more items.  That's the problem I ran into when I first started decluttering.  I did a great job of cleaning out my clothing and accessories, but then I felt ... empty without all of my stuff.  I felt the urge to replace my items with newer ones, and so the cycle began.

When trying to make a life change, such as trying to lead a more minimalist lifestyle, it is important to tackle the habit, and not the result of the habit.  Yes, I may have too much stuff, but that's the result of my shopping/hoarding tendencies.  I can't just get rid of my excessive possessions, I need to stop myself from purchasing items in excess.

Does that make sense?

The point is, when you are trying to save money, you have to focus on unlearning those poor habits that cause you to spend money.  Treat the problem at the root.  Why do you feel the need to purchase so many pieces of clothing, when you won't really wear them all?  Why do you feel the need to go out to eat so often, when you are great at cooking and could make this food for half the price?  Why spend money, when there are ways to save?

Cheers to unlearning unhealthy habits, and learning to be financially healthy!

xoxo, Jayy

Adult hot Auto-Transfer! [#MoneySavingMondays] - lookmybody - lookmybody

Today's tip goes hand in hand with an earlier #MoneySavingMonday post.  Remember when I said saving 10 percent of your income is a great way to save slowly? Well, if you set up automatic money transfers? You can save 10 percent AND do it without lifting a finger.

I transfer a set amount of money into an untouchable Tax Free Savings account on a biweekly basis, which coincides with my payday. This means that whether I want to or not, I'm saving money, and the money is not accessible to me unless I go into my account and request it to be moved to my chequings or savings account.  I have chosen to deposit my money into a TFSA, however feel free to deposit your money into whatever account you'd like!

This tip may be difficult for those who are not on a fixed income, however don't worry!  Your automatic transfers don't have to be in large sums.  Something as small as 5 or 10 dollars a paycheck is a start until your income increases or becomes more predictable.

Hope you enjoyed this little tip! Cheers to saving without thinking!

Xoxo, Jayy

Adult hot Do It Yourself! [#MoneySavingMondays] - lookmybody - lookmybody

I'm willing to bet that a large number of services you pay for can be done at home for free.  Don't believe me?  Here are some services that I used to/currently pay for that I for SURE can do at home for a fraction of the cost:

1. Manicure/pedicure
2. Oil change
3. Detailing your car (grab a vacuum and go for it!)
4. Dry cleaning (hand-wash those clothes girl/guy/person!)
5. Facials (Check out the 'Beauty" tab for some awesome DIY face masks!)
6. Colour your hair (as long as you're not trying to do anything fancy, dye your own hair my friend)
7. Make your own coffee (skip those drive-thru lineups! You'd be surprised at how much you save)
8. Trim your hair (and now you know you won't get scissor happy!)
9. Grooming your eyebrows, beard etc.
10. Hair removal (waxing especially!)

I could go on, but it's getting late and I'm sleepy.  But there are 10 different tasks that you could save time and money on by doing yourself.  Ok some of them might take up some more time, but it's worth it in the end.  I mean, if you're not busy, why not give yourself a manicure or tweeze those brows!  You'll learn a new skill, and become less dependent on others to provide certain services for you.

At the same time, balance your DIY undertakings with your need for self care.  If you need to go get a mani/pedi, do it and enjoy every minute of it!  But do your research - chose an affordable salon, pick a cheaper service, space out your salon visits.  Do what you need to do, but be money smart while you do it!

That's it for today folks.  Cheers to doing it on your own!

xoxo, Jayy

Adult hot Live Within Your Means [#MoneySavingMondays] - lookmybody - lookmybody

Today's post could be separated into several posts, but I feel like it's going to turn into a rant, so I'm going to post it as one big tip.  Ready?  Let's go.

When I was younger my mom always told me that we had to "live within our means".  This was what she said to me whenever I really wanted something in the store and she refused to give it to me.  While I hated this phrase as a kid, I've come to appreciate it as an adult, especially as an adult with a credit card and no self control (lol).

Living within your means simply means living within your budget.  You can't be making a bread and butter salary, while living a fillet mignon life.  You can't be making ALDO money while living a Kate Spade life.  You can't ... ok I'm done with the bad analogies.  You get my point.

Now, I know that there are times where people's means do not cover their expenses.  This post is not about them.  This post is about spending money wastefully on luxuries like eating lunch out daily, buying new and expensive clothing, going on vacation, buying designed bags, all while racking up the credit card bill and not having enough money to pay it off.

I get it, having stuff is nice.  But using ONLY your hard earned money to buy those possessions is even better.  The BEST feeling is looking at that $0.00 credit card balance, and knowing that everything you own belongs to you.

Take it from me ladies and gents.  Living within your means is the only way to achieve financial freedom.  All of the tips I have posted, and all of the tips to come, are really about teaching you to live within your means, and be satisfied with what you have.  If you take nothing else away from this post, please remember that it is NEVER worth going into debt over material possessions.

Cheers to living within your means.  I wonder if I've said that enough to drive you crazy :)

xoxo, Jayy

Adult hot Minimalism & My Self-Esteem - lookmybody - lookmybody

For a lot of people, the move towards minimalist living is a trend that will pass when the next big thing comes along.  But for me, this is a serious (though VERY difficult) life change, because it will (1) help me save money and work towards my life goals, and (2) because having less means less stress in my opinion.

The thing is, minimalism is closely tied to my self esteem.  The need to have a lot of stuff comes from my own insecurities about my material possessions.  Growing up, I always had just enough (ironic that I am trying so hard to get back to my roots, isn't it!), whereas many of my peers had excess.  Lots of clothes, shoes, accessories ... and I wanted to be like them.  To fit in.  In trying to do so, I bought into the consumerist mindset and began to hoard items.  And that's how I ended up where I am now, trying desperately to create new, healthier habits.

Minimalism is tied to how we feel about our most basic selves - our personalities and our physical appearances, our lifestyles, our habits.  For a lot of people, minimalism is a vulnerable position.  It takes away the items we use as a shield from the outside world.  Who we when we're not hiding behind our stuff?  Are we comfortable enough to present ourselves to the outside world without hoarding an abundance of material items?

Minimalism means that we have to stop thinking about how others will judge us based on our material possessions.  Repeat after me - I am not my stuff!  I am more than the clothes, shoes, accessories, Bath and Body Works products that I own!  I am more than a brand name or high end label.  Minimalism means that while you can enjoy and appreciate the material goods you own, you can still be yourself, and be happy with yourself, without those material possessions.

Minimalism means that you enjoy your items, even if it's not 'cool' or 'trendy' enough to do so.  If you put on a blouse and it makes you feel like the ruler of the world, wear that blouse as many times as you want!  Who said we can't repeat outfits!  Enjoy that blouse, and enjoy the way it makes you feel.  Wear it every day if you want to - at the end of the day it's not the blouse that matters.  It's the life you live while wearing that blouse that is important.

My minimalism journey has to coincide with my self-love journey.  While I work on owning less, I am also working on loving myself more.  I am working on ignoring the perceived judgement from peers, and instead focusing on living a life that makes me feel happy and fulfilled.

I went on a bit of a ramble here, so I'm going to end this post now.  I hope that something I said today resonated with you.

Cheers to minimalism, as it leads me on a journey of self love!

xoxo, Jayy

Adult hot Shop Early [#MoneySavingMondays] - lookmybody - lookmybody

This tip may seem counteractive, but hear me out!

I know my friends and family well.  Well enough to know exactly what they like when I see it in the store.  And when I see it on sale for a good price, I might just buy it for them, even if their birthday or Christmas is months away.  Why?  Because shopping in advance is the perfect way to save money.  Why buy an item for three times the regular price, when you can get the same thing for a fraction of the cost?

Now, this tip only works for people who won't be asking you for the newest or most in-style items.  If they're picky, it might be harder to buy what they're asking for in advance.  But for that friend who's willing to accept a nice item, even if it isn't fresh off the runway or out of the catalog, this tip is perfect!

Cheers to shopping early, and on a budget!

xoxo, Jayy

Adult hot Room Tour! - lookmybody - lookmybody

If you haven't already seen it, I've posted my Room Tour video on my YouTube channel!

Be sure to check it out, and be sure to send me feedback! :)

xoxo, Jayy

Adult hot The Golden Rule of Decluttering [#MinimalismMondays] - lookmybody - lookmybody

If you want to move towards minimalism, there is one simple principle you have to embrace:

The things you declutter do not need to be replaced.

I'm a poet and I didn't even know it.

Sure, you can replace the basic items you had to get rid of because they were tattered, torn, or didn't fit anymore.  Whenever I get rid of items like undergarments, jeans, and neutral pants/tops, I either already have purchased a replacement, or have plans to do so in the near future.  There are some items I just can't go without.  But the excess items I get rid of, like the handbags I let go of because I like the other 15 I have more, those don't need to be replaced.

Here's a simple challenge if you have trouble with this concept.  When you declutter your items, count how many of each item you have gotten rid of, and only replace HALF of the items you got rid of, including staple pieces.

For example, say you got rid of 2 pairs of shoes, 4 handbags, 20 blouses, and 10 pairs of pants.  Of those 36 items, 6 were absolute staples (neutral clothing/accessories).  Now, try not to replace more than HALF of what you got rid of.  So, that means you would replace 18 items at most, including the 6 staple items.  That allows you to purchase a maximum of 12 new items that you feel enhance your current wardrobe, and add value to your life!  

If you follow this rule, and avoid replacing more than half of the items you get rid of, your journey to minimalism will be much easier.

I hope this tip helped!  Cheers to getting rid of more, and keeping less!

xoxo, Jayy

Adult hot Meal Prep! [#MoneySavingMondays] - lookmybody - lookmybody

Next to buying clothes, buying food has to be my favourite thing to do. So, to avoid that daily hunt for lunch, I started meal prepping!  Nothing fancy, mostly snack and breakfast items, but it really has cut down my weekly food spending!  For me , the concept is simple.  I prepare a work week's worth of cut up fruits, veggies, yogurt, and granola, all neatly packed into easy-to-grab tupperware containers.  When I'm ready for breakfast or a quick snack, instead of driving by the Tim Horton's drive thru or reaching for that bag of chips, I simply reach into the fridge and grab something to eat!

Not only does this save you money in the long run (a bagel for $2.30? Seriously Tims?), but it also helps you eat healthier!

Cheers to being healthy while saving money!

xoxo, Jayy

Adult hot Slow It Down [#MoneySavingMondays] - lookmybody - lookmybody

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Clothing stores like Forever21, H&M, Romwe, Shein, Topshop, Sirens, Urban Planet etc. all have one thing in common - if you want the latest trends, shop here.  These places offer fashionable items of clothing at low, "affordable" prices.  They're the perfect place for the fashionista to shop, and are often referred to "fast fashion" stores for their ability to mass produce fashionable clothing quickly, and at low costs.

However there are a few things wrong with this picture.

 1. Fast fashion stores often sell clothing made of low quality.  Clothing from these stores are rarely meant to last more than a few washes without falling apart.  Needless to say, this is bad for your wallet.  

If that blouse you bought for $25.00 only lasts you 5 washes, you've paid $5.00 per wear for that item.  Now that doesn't sound too bad, but when you consider how many items of clothing you purchase from fast fashion stores, and how little you get to wear them, it begins to add up.  In comparison, a shirt you bought at a higher end store for $50.00 is well made, and can stand up to 100 washes.  You've paid $0.50 per wear of that item, making it a much more budget friendly purchase over time.  That $50.00 blouse will probably last you a few years, whereas that $25.00 fashionable blouse will last you a few months.  And even if that fast fashion blouse lasts you a little longer, it won't be something you want to continue wearing once the item goes out of style.

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2. Fast fashion is harmful for the environment.  Since many fast fashion items are too flimsy to stand up to multiple wears, often the clothing doesn't make it to thrift stores once the wearer is ready to let it go.  This means that more and more clothing items are ending up in landfills, and polluting the earth.

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To avoid this issue, try repurposing fast fashion items into rags, stuffing for pillows, kindling for fires, etc.  This will allow you to enjoy that item in another way, and cause less damage to the environment.

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3. Fast fashion contributes to unfair and unsafe working conditions.  Did you ever stop to think about how your brand new pair of $10.00 jeans were made?  You can be sure that no company could function if they were not making a profit off of their merchandise.  Fast fashion companies save money at the source, by underpaying the workers who make your clothing.  By paying workers pennies to make your clothes, and forcing them to work in unsafe factories and sweatshops, retailers are able to make profits while selling you items that are priced within your budget.

The only way to avoid this issue is to avoid fast fashion retailers.  Shop at stores that are committed to human rights and safe and equitably working conditions.  I know those stores can be pricey, so SAVE in order to buy high quality items that are worth the money.  Or, shop at thrift stores to put your money to good use.

This post was a little longer than usual, but I hope it was informative!

Cheers to slowing down our fashion choices, and making ethical choices.

I

xoxo, Jayy