CHALLENGE: Use Your Stash

Challenge Start Date:
January 4, 2010

Challenge End Date:
March 4, 2010 (My sisters bday )

Goals:
1. Save money
2. Be able to find products under the sink
3. Use products long enough to know if my hair likes them or not
4. Get a regimen going
5. Only buy products when I need them


Shampoo(s):
ORS Uplifting Shampoo
Shikakai Poo Bar
Shea Care Shampoo
Giovanni Smooth As Silk Deep Moisturizing Shampoo
Dr. Bronners Almond Hemp Castille Soap
Jason Tea Tree Scalp Normalizing Shampoo

Co-Wash Conditioner(s)
HE Hello Hydration
HE Long Term Relationship
VO5 Tea Therapy(2)
Aussie Moist
Giovanni Tea Tree Triple Treat
Giovanni Smooth As Silk Deeper Moisturizing Conditioner
Giovanni 50:50


Deep Conditioner(s)/Hair Treatment(s)
Neutrogena Triple Moisture Daily Deep Conditoner
LeKair Cholesterol
LustraSilk Olive Oil Hair Mayonaise


Leave-in(s)
Elasta QP H-Two Leave In Moisture Sealing Conditioner
GF Leave in Conditioning Creme

Moisturizer(s)
Whipped Shea Butter
Raw Shea Butter
Aloe Vera Gel

Styler(s)
Lotta Body Setting Lotion
Samy's Big Curls


Oil(s)
Olive Oil
Coconut Oil(2)
Jojoba Oil
Grapeseed Oil
Peppermint Oil
Lavender Oil
Tea Tree Oil
Vatika Oil
Castor Oil

Misc
Cantu Shea Butter Grow Strong Strengthening Treatment

Ayurvedic Treatments
Henna(5)
Brahmi
Neem

Herbs
Chamomile
Horsetail
Lemon Balm

I didn't add products that I don't use AT ALL and I will be giving those things away to free up space. I am a beginner PJ as I just started really buying products "just because" last month. Before CN.com I was doing good. I can certainly get back on track.

We are planning to move in July so saving money is of great importance right now. Its looking like we might be renting again for a year and then purchasing a house(FOR THE FIRST TIME YAY!!) in 2011. [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] Help me stay on track ladies so I can be sending you pictures next year of our new home.

We are the same boat. Most of the products (90%) I have were purchased since I joined CN.

I will help you stay on track. Send me an email when the urge hits you. We can encourage each other to stay away from the stash.

I need to start saving for my 10yr anniversary next year. So we both have 2011 goals. I plan to do another wedding.

@ALatina: We'll definitely help you stay on track!!! I just keep trying to remind myself that there is no "miracle" product. And if there is, I can try it after I use up all this other stuff. You'll definitely have that home by 2011.

@Pinkrage: I just marked some things off my list too. I gave away some things to a recent BCer and finished up others. I just need to find a place to donate the items I boxed up.

I'm so glad I found this. I'm going home to make my list and post. I'm scared. LOL!

Thanks Pinkrage and Traveljunkie. I know I can do this.

I would like to join also. I definitely need more discipline

Challenge Start Date: January 4, 2010

Challenge End Date: April 4, 2010

Goals:
1. Save Money
2. Use Products long enough to know what my hair likes.
3. Only purchase products when I need them.

Shampoos:
Giovanni Tea Tree
Jason Aloe Vera
Chagrin Valley Ayuredic Shampoo Bar

Co-Wash Conditioners:
Suave Ocean Breeze
Organix Coconut milk
Organix Vanilla Soy
Trader Joes's Nourishing x4
Trader Joes's Tea Tree Tingle x2
GVP Conditioning Balm - 2
Nature's Gate Hemp - 2
Elasta QP Intense
Aussie Moist
Bed Head Moisture Maniac

Deep Conditioners:
CJ Hibiscus and Banana Deep Fix
CJ Rehab
Kenra Moisturizing Treatment
Giovanni Smooth as Silk
AOWC
AOHR

Leave-In Conditioners:
KCKT
Darcy's Botanical Daily Leave-In
Taliah Waajid Protective Mist Bodifer

Moisturizers:
Qhemet's Coco Tree Detangling Ghee
Jane Carter's hair Nourishing Cream

Stylers:
Qhemet's BRBC
Qhemet's AOHC
Jane Carter Twist n Lock
Afroveda Shea Amla

I think that's about everything [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

ok...so i don't have a list to put on here...but i do have a success story. I Bc'd in July 2007, a year later in july 2008 i had 2 shower racks ( you know the ones that go from the floor of the tub to the ceiling), the whole bottom of my sink and the top of my toilet ( you know the back part), filled with product, most of it unopened. I mean i had a PROBLEM yall!!!

I decided to stop buying stuff and just use what i got. I FINALLY used all my product (and gave a lot away) by November 2009....sad huh? lol...

That doesn't mean that i COMPLETELY stop buying product ( i did have to re-up on some things) but what i did learn was that everytime somebody mentioned a product i didn't have to go out and immediately buy it. I also was able to see what worked for me AND i stopped putting stuff in my hair that it didn't like which is a major plus.

sooooooo...hang in there hunnies... you may be scratching like a crack head at first, but trust it gets better in time

__

Thanks for sharing your success story YoungFlyy&Nappy!

Thanks for that youngflyy&nappy! There is a light at the end of the tunnel lol

It is so much worse than I thought...

Challenge Start Date:
January 5, 2010

Challenge End Date:
March 15, 2010

Goals:

1. Avoid/reduce clutter
2. Use products long enough to know if my hair likes them or not

My Stash :
Shampoos
- [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] Giovanni Tea Tree Triple Treat
- [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] Giovanni Smooth As Silk
-
Co-Wash Conditioners
- [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] Giovanni Tea Tree Triple Treat
- Suave Coconut (x2)* [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
- [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] Trader Joes Tea Tree Tingle


Deep Conditioners/Hair Treatments
- [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] Giovanni Smooth as Silk
- Pantene Relaxed and Natural Breakage Defense Hair Mask

Leave-Ins
- [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] Giovanni Direct Leave In
- Herbal Essence Hello Hydration(x2) (L)
- Herbal Essence Totally Twisted (x2) [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
- Garnier Fructis Sleek and Shine Leave-in Conditioning Cream
- Nexuss Humectress (haven't used since summer)

Oils
- EVOO
- Grapeseed
- [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] Virgin Coconut [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
- [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] Jojoba [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
- Castor

Moisturizers
- Veggie glycerin [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
- jar of shea butter and coconut oil mixed that my sister gave me

Stylers
- [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] Eco Styler Olive Oil Gel [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
- [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] Fantasia IC Olive Oil Gel (x2)
- Herbal Essence Set Me Up Gel (x2)
- Softee Aloe Vera Curl Activator (2 - 8oz, 1-32oz) [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
- Organic Root Stimulator Lock & Twist Gel (L) [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] *
- Lottabody
- Biosilk Silk Therapy
- Aloe Vera gel


[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] - Holy Grail , can't live without
(L) - used primarily on daughter - not so much me
* - may need to replenish before the end of the challenge
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] Summer staple - not currently in rotation - just bought in the last week!

Here's a survey of the damage...[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

At first I thought "this aint too bad". Everything I have, I use, but I must admit quite a bit I just got this week. I was on vaca and had been waiting until now to get my PJ fix! But I must also admit, I live for a bargain. I am a smart shopper, thrifty, coupon clipper, cheap - whatever you want to call it. I try my best not to pay full price for anything. All five of the giovanni products I bought this week and I paid a grand total of $17 for all. (would have been $40 full price) I got both the HE gels and the large bonus size of HE TT free because of a coupon. I always get my Suave coconut or Herbal Essence condishes at a discount because of a coupon. I have coupons right now for $1 off HE and aussie products and .50 off Suave. Then I wait til its on sale to buy it. Just today, when I went to Whole Foods I bought a 2 oz bottle of Jojoba oil for $6.49. Went to Trader Joes and they had the 4 o.z bottle of the same brand in the above pic for $6.99!! WT..!! I bought the 4 oz and after my Dr. appt took the 2 oz right back to Whole Foods an hour after I bought it (and it wasn't out of the way, so no gas lost). I can't STAND to pay more than I should. Every Sunday and monday I scan the newpapers and the circulars you get in the mail and make my list based on my budget. I do everything like that - its like a hobby, a game. A few weeks ago, I paid $2 for 5 boxes of Frosted Flakes. But anyway, I digress...

Then, ladies, I kept digging for the things I DONT use anymore - mainly relaxer days. I am appalled at myself. More than half this stuff is almost full bottles or cans. The more I pulled out the more I'm like WTH~!!!! I almost cussed when I took a look at it all (and I don't cuss!)This is ridiculous!! I have two bottles of Isoplus HOT HOT HOT curling spray that are FULL TO THE BRIM. I didn't use a whole lot of heat when I was relaxed so why do I have TWO??? This is just a hot mess. I am not even going to put some of this stuff back - I am so pitching it. I may hold on to some of it to donate, so if you find out a place Travel junkie - let me know! I'm not writing this stuff down but I took a picture of it!
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
This is almost MORE than what I currently use. I must have been an oil sheen ho. And the thing is - I never used it!! (I didn't use a lot of stuff in my hair when I was relaxed - I kept it simple and used a lot of rollers. ) Most of these containers have quite a bit in them. I may see if my relaxed friends want some!

Last thing - hubby walks in while I have all this stuff out on the counter. He looks at me and goes "what is this, a hair care commercial?" Then he walks over to it and starts holding his hand out, palm side up and slowly moving it in from of the products like Vanna White or something. Then he holds his hand beneath my mouth like a mike and asks for my testimonial. I just shook my head. I explained what I was doing. He didn't even make fun of me to bad - he just chuckled again. I married a comedian, he keeps me laughing all the time.

So that's it ladies, I am a (thrifty) PJ. But I can be saved! [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Can I just say that ChrsLvsBk and Cory just made me feel sooooo much better about my little addiction. ChrLvsBk...what a list!!!

Well Erica I am glad I made SOMEBODY feel better. I gotta go get a box out of the basement to put that old stuff in b4 I go to bed - its NOT going back!

ChrsLvsBk [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] - I see why your challenge is until your anniversary and my 1 year natural hair anniversary. Glad you joined the challenge. I am gonna have to keep checking on your to make sure you are doing ok.

*walking in...looking around...realizing I'm in the wrong room*

Ummm don't mind me...I'm in the wrong room!

*whispering*
Man! that could have been real bad for my PJism... [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

I've decided the products thread does NOT help me stay away from the stores! Stop talking about sales people. Somebody had the nerve to post the Walgreens has HH and Aussie Moist for $1.20! Now what am I supposed to do about that since there are 4 Walgreens within a 10 block radius?

The advantage of being overseas is there are no stores to go to. I am an online shopper. Good luck, Erica.

Walgreens - I need to check on that - I have coupons for both!! Oops - no I don't I will NOT go to Walgreens.

@Cory & Erica: Stay strong. Don't do it. By the time your challenge ends, another good sale will have rolled around again.

@Chrs: Glad you joined the challenge. I like how you organized your list. Not wanting to pass up a good deal and the convenience of online shopping have been my biggest weaknesses.

@krazy coils: Welcome to the challenge!

@YoungFlyy&Nappy: Thanks for posting your success story. That gives me hope!

$1.20 for Aussie Moist [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] . I need to go see if my bottle is at the halfway mark yet. LOL!!

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] at some of these list. I wish you all were closer I could borrow some thangs!! *gigglin & goin back 2 bed*

That's right sweetdrk1, get back in bed to rest. I know you have your iPod Touch nearby [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] .

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] yup, playin bejeweled!!