Saturday, January 8, 2011

Walking for Nail Polish

COMMENTS: 2010 was a year of excessive spending on nail polish for me. Of course, I already had a large collection, but I've been collecting nail polish for over 10 years, and in the last year I managed to acquire more than 5 times that amount, with only about 20% of them having been worn. I can't say I'll never buy nail polish again, sooo...

Enter my new incentive - Walking for nail polish.
I figured I could kill two birds with one stone - deal with my level of "unfitness" AND seriously curb the nail polish spending. For every mile I walk on the treadmill, I get $1 to spend on polish. Those of you who run probably think that's generous, but since I really dislike running, it makes sense for me. I started prior to Christmas and you can see my progress tracked in my spreadsheet.

As of this morning, my balance is $11.30 after spending $4.39 yesterday. I purchased two of the mini sets shown below - each was on clearance at Icing for $2.00.
(See how my stash multiplies? I just added five more - not counting the backup pack!)
I was tempted to jump in on the Zoya freebie and Barielle free shipping offers, but knowing I didn't have the miles at the moment, and that I already have $6 earmarked for an OPI DS that I want, I just couldn't.
I must now think before I buy, which I'm enjoying. I think after the OPI, I might aim for some more Nfu Oh flakies (I have only two now). At almost $13 each, I'll be walking for a while! Gotta put that money in the "bank" and get more active while I'm at it!

UP NEXT: Del Sol - Heartbreaker

20 comments:

  1. What a creative idea! Incentives for exercising are always nice...especially nail polish. :)

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  2. Sounds like a great idea!! lol dont think I could afford to give myself $10 a day!! lol I walk too much for that lol

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  3. This is a great idea! I might have to do something similar.

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  4. Yeah, I purchased so many polishes in 2010 and have to slow my roll for 2011. My philosphy is to buy only unique colors/textures and don't buy every whole new collection that is available. Happy walking to you :)

    Look at what you bought I'm sure you have these colors already. Lol!

    I promise to pull my weights back out and start pumping some iron. Lol!

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  5. That's a great idea...I might need to do something like that.

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  6. I like the idea ABOP. I have also started saving up for polish now too - with real money in a jar, lol!
    I have some baby weight to shift so I might try something similar too. Good luck!

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  7. Thanks for your comments! For those of you who want to do something similar, i encourage you to do so.

    @Rebekah: I don't usually walk a lot during my work days, but since I can't measure all walking, I'm using just my conscious efforts to exercise (i.e. treadmill) to keep track. If I find myself turning into a hamster, I'll cut back to $1/day of conscious exercise.

    @rmcandlelight: You're right, I probably have colors similar to or exactly like these. That's why I have to control my spending - I often buy a number of variations of colors I like. I do plan to wear these this week though (another rule for myself - when I buy, I will try soon after), and maybe I'll hunt for dupes at the same time.

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  8. OMG this is a GENIUS idea! I have really put running by the wayside while I've built up this blog after an injury sidelined me. This is a brilliant way to make me work it back into my life

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  9. This is an awesome idea!!
    My new year's resolutions also involve curbing my spending and losing weight, so I'm definitely gonna steal this idea from you.
    Thanks for sharing it!!

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  10. The spreadsheet is GENIUS! I do this for a few things but I like the NP concept... Hmmm?

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  11. This year I gave myself a weekly budget of $10 for any makeup/nail polish that is not basic foundation. I can eaither save for nice ones, blow it on others etc. I know that's a lot but I like the stuff dammit!

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  12. I think that this is a great idea! You would definitely just have to count your conscious miles, instead of clocking every single step you take in a day. I walk around a lot at my job, but I wouldn't consider that working out!

    I did something similar to this before. I acquired quite a foul mouth while I was in college, and decided to do something about it. I would keep a tally throughout the day and put money in the jar on my dresser for every time I cursed. If it just slipped out, it was less, but if I was consciously cursing around people I knew just to feel more comfortable around them, I put in a lot more money. Eventually I broke the habit, and had a pretty penny to put in the bank for a rainy day. :)

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  13. what ds are you saving up for?

    awesome idea!!! I actually have a 8k run in march..that I need to start training for..or at least start walking 8 k..im so unfit. I thought I could motivate myself to exercise by signing up for the run...but I think your method is a better motivation.

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  14. Incredibly good idea. And you've earned so much already. And I love how you are budgeting for what you want over impulse purchases because they look good in the moment. I can take a lesson from you (would love to own an eliptical machine and too icy/snowy to walk outside right now) but I'm keeping your idea in my head for when the weather breaks.

    Good luck!

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  15. what a fantastic idea! I'd have to do like 50 cents for every mile or i'd just be walking every second i got!

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  16. what an amazing idea! i wouldn't have thought to do it that way. it's way better then allowing urself to go on a full on spree, because u could easily over reward yourself. :)

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  17. That's a great idea! I think I'll start something similar - $5 for every pound I lose.

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