Blogging can be a bit hard at times. Taking into consideration your budget, your time, and a whole lot of demand for fresh content which at times can make you go a bit – a la broke without a bottomless bank account. I have a full time job during the day and while I blog by night, I find that although new products are coming out literally almost daily, sticking to my budget can be super, super and I mean SUPER hard while tugging on my purse strings. A high end beauty launch here, and a must have limited edition collection launch here, topped with the famous drugstore launches that sell out quickly- blogging can get a bit costly. So in a ode to saving my pennies, here is a bit of a different post I like to call- Blogging on a Budget….
Don’t believe the hype- I am one who is super, super guilty of falling into this trap and literally running out and buying everything. Being an avid reader of beauty blogs daily, and seeing so many great products reviewed by ladies that I truly trust, makes it super hard to not run out and get that Anastasia, Laura or Phyrra enabled purchases. Being a super compulsive shopper also doesn’t help. However I have learned that every now and again, what works for one person, doesn’t always work for the other. And using my rule of thumb has really began to help a ton- ‘ If I am thinking about it by the time the weekend comes- then it lands into the must have list’. Which lets face it, if I am lusting for a product for over a week, it is inevitable that I will get it.
Stay Creative- This rule of thumb is way harder than it is easier, but after learning to become blog organized- I have found a way to come up with a new way to reintroduce old products. At one point in the past year with this here blog, I focused a lot on reviews of single products, but through the past year I have learned sometimes its a good, make that GREAT thing to ‘shop the stash’ or to come up with a new series to bring out old products. Coming up with a new way to bring out the once loved products helps both the mind stay creative and the checkbook happy. Double score!
Make the most of what you have- Now this is one thing I am learning to use. I have wayyyyyyyyy to many eyeshadows and mascaras that I literally am not sure in this lifetime I will use them all. I know that is so bad. So what I have started to do, is challenge myself with little things like ‘no buy months’ or telling myself I have to use up a certain product in order to buy something in the same category. Obviously if it is something that I think would look great on a friend or family member, I often will just hand it over to someone who I know will use it more than just letting it sit in the drawer- hoping to be selected in the next ‘Shopping the Stash’.
Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff– If are sitting at home wondering how the heck you are going to be able to pay your rent this month, thanks to that over priced purchase of the new Chanel foundation- then chances are your reader will be in the same boat. I follow many blogs who only use high end products, but in all honesty I know I can’t afford every Chanel nail polish or see spending $50 on a lip balm every time a new one comes out. Have I splurged on items before- of course, but will I ever continue to splurge knowing I wont be able to pay my bills if I splurge- NO! I learned along time ago, to just remain true to myself and buy what I can afford without putting myself into big time debt. Write what you know, stick with who you are and produce good content- blogging isn’t good because of your budget. Its good because of you! Some of the best posts are created while on a budget….
Do you have any helpful tips for blogging on a budget?
BeautyJudy says
Great tips for blogging on a budget. Readers really love posts that are more than just a review, but maybe a list of favorite lipsticks of a certain color. And all that can be found in your stash! Great post!
jamie @makeuplifelove says
Thanks Judy. I totally agree using things from the stash are great, especially realizing when you have so many things that were once loved and lost. lol
Brooke @ Blushing Noir says
It’s so hard not to shop all day long as a blogger… I’m a huge impulse buyer!
jamie @makeuplifelove says
ha ha ha,…. I am totally an impulse buyer and you are a huge enabler too that. lol… I am learning and trying so hard to not buy so much. lol.. especially since my checkbook hates me right now.
Cosmetics Aficionado says
This year is my year of blogging on a budget. I bought way too much last year, and plan to keep it simple this year. I have started a nail art and smoky eye series, which has me using what I already own.
jamie @makeuplifelove says
I love love love your nail and smoky eye series. Such a great way to have a consistent series of posts and ideas as well as maintain a budget. I am trying so hard to stay on a budget now. lol.. too much spending.
Cosmetic Sanctuary says
I impulse buy a lot, but I have been cutting back on expensive splurges this year!
jamie @makeuplifelove says
I impulse buy a ton, and I am trying soooo hard not to splurge. So far not doing too good. But this month I am trying to lock it down. lol
Laura says
Budget beauty is some of my favorite. I get more excited to find a great product on the cheap then buying something expensive
jamie @makeuplifelove says
Very true. I am loving budget beauty. You also have seriously found some of my favorite budget buys. lol
Anastasia says
Great tips, and thank you for the shoutout! <3 I have a set beauty budget, too, and sometimes the choices are too hard to make. We're talking about things like "should I buy 10 Milani products or that one pro brush", and the answer isn't always as obvious as it seems. I think it's about 50/50 for me, sometimes I am able to show some restraint, while other times I just run and buy stuff on a whim. Luckily [or UNluckily?], I literally can't spend more than what's loaded on my dedicated blogging debit card. If it was a credit card, I'm afraid I'd be too tempted to spend more.. Can you believe I'm not even a VIB at Sephora? I'm both ashamed and proud of that :)
jamie @makeuplifelove says
OMG I am sooo the same way. I am trying so hard to refrain. Oooh but a super smart way of a loaded debit card. I love that idea. Trust girl be happy you are not a VIB Rouge at Sephora. I have seriously spent wayyyyyy to much money so far. I am already Rouge for next year. :( #ashamed
beautybymissl says
Great tips! I used to impluse buy a lot, but since I am on a budget at the moment then I will do serious background check before I purchase anything new.
jamie @makeuplifelove says
I have started doing some serious research now. It definitely helps my budget. lol
Destany says
good tips :)
jamie @makeuplifelove says
Thanks Destany!!
Honeygirlk says
You are one in my heart… I have had a similar post like this in my drafts for a week now, adding bits and pieces to it till I feel I can release it. ;) I love these tips – definitely awesome.
jamie @makeuplifelove says
Thanks girl!!! Post that post, I cant wait to read it. I will take all the tips I can get. :) Great minds think alike.
Amber says
Jamie – I love your ideas!! This is a great post! I need to remind myself to shop my stash more often. (says after dropping WAAAAY too much on Sephora skincare today) Oh and that Bite Beauty Chianti lip gloss that *someone* “made” me buy… ;)
jamie @makeuplifelove says
OMG that lipgloss is amazing!!! I am thinking of a great post for next week Shopping the Stash. I am feeling a roundup coming up.. lol… We all have so much stash to shop too.
Norah Salazar says
I totally get you, blogging is hard. My best advice to do a monthly budget and a range of drugstore and high end that interests you. In my case, I am lucky because I get a professional discount on a lot of products because I am a makeup artist but still sometimes I wish I could do more skincare that is spa quality. Setting priorities is hugely important and your tips are excellent!
Eugenia says
Great post! I do admit I am an impulse buyer :/
erikatheicyone says
I am in a very tight budget and I buy 99%+ of the products I blog about so it can be a challenge. I do the best I can, with what I have. :D
jamie @makeuplifelove says
You do a great job. I am trying to be more budget conscience. It is so hard, because I am such a shopper. :( But I am trying.
erikatheicyone says
Oh, I could be a shopper… :D
Phyrra says
Aww great tips! I agree on not impulse buying. I hate when I do it myself! Thanks for the shoutout
jamie @makeuplifelove says
Always girl!! You are one of my enablers and I love the great new brands you introduce me too. Although I need to be better at my budget. ** as I am checking out your Hair Elixir online now** :)
EBBlogAshley says
Awesome tips! Great for beginning beauty bloggers.
jamie @makeuplifelove says
Thanks Ashley!! :)
Noelle says
This is such an awesome post! Sometimes I can’t help but get caught up in keepin’ up with the Joneses.
jamie @makeuplifelove says
ha ha ha.. You and me both. It is sooo hard. But I need to try. Glad you liked the post. ;)
Kelly R says
There are some great tips here! Thanks!
jamie @makeuplifelove says
Thanks Kelly! Glad you liked the post!!
jamie @makeuplifelove says
lol.. Me too. BIGTIME!!! I need to do better. :) And I really think we should go diving together.
jamie @makeuplifelove says
I would be soooo broke if I got millions of discounts. I am definitely working on a good budget. I need to buckle down and not be so impulsive. lol
Emily Hudspeth says
I love the “make the most of what you have” one, I like to challenge myself to shop in my own makeup bag or closet. It saves money and challenges your creativity to use what you have to create something new and fun. Its one of my favorite challenges.
Miranda Mendoza says
This is why I chose to be a budget beauty blog LOL I have an excuse not to run out and get the latest and greatest for Sephora because “well… that doesn’t fit in with my blog” :)
Kimmi @ The Plastic Diaries says
I totally run out and buy so many things I see on blogs. I try to now make a lust list and I have this rule that for every dollar I spend on ‘myself’ (on luxuries and wants, not necessities like food) I have to donate the same amount to charity. That way if something costs $20 I have to think long and hard about whether I actually have $40 I can part with.
Nidia Doherty says
This post could have been written by the Angel on my shoulder! lol. I have had this conversation with myself a lot. Some things, like the Hourglass Ambient Light powders, I thought about for weeks, read every blog I could find, and then finally bought some. Too many things, especially nail polishes, just fall into my checkout basket! I’m drowning in product now, though, and it’s time to shop the stash – great idea. Someone suggested doing a weekly post on a sample, and I keep meaning to do that – great way to make sure I use up at least one a week!
cindyprimebeauty says
Drugstore beauty has come a loooong way and some brands and products not rival the higher end brands!
Gabby says
Thank you for sharing this!!! I had stopped blogging for awhile because I realized I wasn’t showing any new items and didn’t think people would be interested in older products (like 2 months old in the beauty world lol) but it’s what I use and I realized I can still share those posts for those who want to know what I use and my thoughts on it. I’m glad I am not alone! I started my blog over a year ago and barely realizing everything you said in this post :)
FabZilla_Kath says
Perfection! I agree w/ you all in aspects. Some people think that beauty blogging is all glam and jazz but mind you, it’s fabulous-and-broke, that is if you can’t contain your impulsiveness. I’m like you, I have a day job and beauty blogging is more like a hobby, an expensive one at that. I have a monthly budget set aside to satisfy my lil caprices here and there. But at the end of the day, it’s all about priorities. What’s the use of high-end makeups if you’re swimming in debt, right?
Sheila Arkee says
How-to posts! They’re great for budgets and people love reading them.
Betzy Carmona says
I love the tips you shared with us ! I use to always stay on top of new collections and now that I let go of them I feel so much relief.
Ling says
Totally agree about the high end blogs. They probably get PR samples so that DEFINITELY helps with their wallets.
Amberly says
I love this! Thanks for the tips! :)