First Quarter Wrap-Up
I don’t know about you, but March seemed to drag on endlessly. Maybe it’s the anticipation of what lies ahead later this year that made each day feel like an eternity. But here we are, at the end of the first quarter, and I somehow stayed under budget. Wow, it was not easy.
How it’s Going
The second half of the month began with a mere $13 left in my budget, leaving little room for indulgence. However, Dromgoole’s stocked some amazing new stationery, and I couldn’t resist picking up a few last-minute items. It was hard to decide between all the goodies, but I picked up two new pieces for my journaling needs.
The first was a PanTown sticker sheet, filled with an array of croissants and baked goods. I had to resist buying the memo notes too, because they were so cute! I’ve had a croissant obsession lately, so these have already been put to use for journaling about my croissant adventures.
The second was the “What’s on my desk?” Artist BGM tape. It’s a lovely brown and features watercolors, art supplies and coffee. The color blends in so nicely with other tapes and adds a little pop of color to my spreads.
Using my Stuff
One of my major goals this month was to catch up in both my main journal and five-year watercolor journal. Despite transitioning to an undated notebook for my daily journaling with the hope to make it easier to stay current, I’ve still struggled to keep up. This has plagued me since the beginning of the year.
However, with my husband on a temporary night shift schedule, I’ve found myself with a decent bit of time to myself in the evenings. I’ve been attempting to use this time purposefully, focusing on streaming and being more productive. As a result, I am fully caught up in both journals for the first time in what feels like forever! My next goal is to establish a routine that I can consistently stick to.
I’ve also been challenging myself to collage more and use up my supplies and ephemera. I can sometimes get a little precious with things, especially with items that feel rare or irreplaceable. Just the other day, I used a sticker that had been sitting in my sticker book for nearly two years. I’d hesitated to use it in the past, waiting for the perfect spread. So instead of waiting any longer, I built a spread around that sticker so I would have a forever home for it in my journal!
Whenever I feel hesitant about using a sticker or piece of ephemera, I need to remind myself that the purpose is to use them, not hoard them. By putting them into my journals, they’re not gone forever. They become organized in my collection in a new, permanent way that I can revisit whenever I want.
Additionally, I did a notebook and sketchbook inventory, destashing some that I know I’ll never use. As for the unopened Field Notes from my previous quarterly subscription, I plan to either sell or donate them.
Temptations
Last week, I checked Instagram on a whim and saw a pen that had been on my “grail” list for over five years: the Pilot x Sankodo Decimo, specially made for Sankodo’s 90th Anniversary. Only 100 of these pens were made, and Sankodo never sold them online (because they don’t sell online). At the time of sale, these pens sold out quickly, mostly to locals in Nagoya, Japan.
Only twenty minutes had passed since Izumi posted the pen, so I was hopeful. In a frenzy, I messaged Izumi to see if the pen was still available. I have a provision in this no-spend that allows for the purchase of one pen outside my quarterly budgets, and I was fully prepared to use that allowance on this pen.
BUT IT WAS ALREADY SOLD. I was just a few minutes too late. Devastated.
What a disappointing Wednesday. I hope whoever got it knows how lucky they are!
As far as other temptations, the challenge has been largely the same. We had a journal club meetup at Little Craft Place and restrained myself, though I was mightily tempted to spend my last $5. I also wanted to buy more at Dromgoole’s during several visits, but I limited myself to the single sticker sheet and washi tape roll. I will admit, the allure of items like the new memo notes, stickers, and purple Mount Fuji eraser was undeniably strong.
What I’ve Learned so Far
One thing I’ve noticed as I continue this challenge is a newfound appreciation for every new acquisition. Before, I may have indulged in bulk orders or in-person impulse buys, rationalizing them as cost-effective or part of the experience. I came all this way, so I might as well make it work my trip. Only $20 more for free shipping, what a waste to pay for shipping when you can have more stationery! Yet more often than not, those items would end up neglected, sorted into sticker books, buried in piles, or forgotten entirely.
Now, every new acquisition carries weight. I meticulously track and justify each purchase. And because they are not only carefully chosen, but new and genuinely exciting, I’m motivated to use them. They breathe new life into my collection, sparking creativity and inspiration.
When we over-consume beyond our means to use the items or purchase things without purpose, we end up with a surplus of unused stationery. These items languish in our collections. We spend more money on storage to house all the items that we aren’t even using, then we’re overwhelmed with decision fatigue when it comes time to use them.
Even if you aren’t on a no-spend journey, I urge you to adopt a mindful approach to your consumption. I challenge you to spend the next quarter considering the purpose behind each purchase. Invest in items that you know you’ll use, rather than chasing trends or fleeting desires. It just might make you appreciate your purchases more.
Totals
The month is over, and the total spend from my allowance was $94.55. I get to roll over a whole $5.45! I feel like my replenishment spending was on the high side, though over half of it was printer ink. Let’s attempt to keep that much lower in the next quarter.
The new quarter starts with $105.45, and I already have most of it allocated to impending releases. And this second quarter includes my birthday month, so things are going to get interesting.
As always, you can monitor the tracker here, or copy it and use it yourself if you’d like!
Thanks for reading! If you’ve made it this far and you’re not a subscriber already, make sure you subscribe! All the no-spend updates are free!
I enjoy comments and feedback, so let me know what you think of my progress so far! If you’re also on a no-spend or low-spend, let me know how it’s going!
I also have a little tip jar! Any tips or paid subscriptions directly go into my “quit my job to write full-time someday” savings account.
Congrats on a successful first quarter! Currently my spending money goes into a seperate account but I'm tempted to write it up after seeing this! Maybe I'll do that in my Plotter 😀
I agree that careful purchases carry greater significance. I don't have the budget to buy too much, but even window-shopping less makes me appreciate what I have.