Blogging on a Budget

I know with Christmas and New Year gone now many bloggers have started making plans for their blog in 2015 and it may involve prudent and frugal ways to ensure their content is still relevant while their pockets doesn't get any leaner. It is important to understand how to blog on a budget especially this January when many people's finances are not as hefty as they were in the previous months. Most beauty bloggers, including myself, usually blog about beauty products which could span from product reviews to tutorials, to hauls, etc and many times pockets/bank accounts could potentially get leaner. Of course, some bloggers receive PR samples from brands but majority still spend money on items which makes blogging quite an expensive little hobby. However, there are ways around this and you can whirl out good quality posts without damaging your bank account. These are just tips that have worked for me and I have included some helpful post ideas to go with it. I am happy to learn more tips so please, leave your comments below..

Shop your stash: This is a no-brainer and I am sure many people already do this. Once or twice a month, I usually just go through my makeup to rearrange and clean it out. I always find a new product which I may have neglected in the past and my love will be rekindled. When you shop your stash, you make "new" discoveries and write even more passionate posts because you have an informed view of a product as it has been used for a longer time. Most times, some people actually want to read a review of a product that's not a new launch and one that has been tested and trusted. If you are stuck with blog post ideas, shopping your stash can prompt the following blog posts: “Rediscovering Old Loves” “Shopping my stash”, “Products that were almost forgotten”, "Forever Repurchased".

Make a Budget: I know budgeting could be the most boring thing ever. I always have a budget every month and plan ahead taking out all the important bills, rent and savings. When you have a budget, and a tight one for that matter, you may have no other choice than to blog on a budget. Budgeting allows you understand your finances better and gives you better control over your finances both in your head and in your emotions. We all know how your head tells you that you have way too many polishes but your emotions say that shade of blue is rare; it’s exactly like a duck egg blue....that’s your emotions there, don’t listen!! With budgeting, you know how much money you have left for treats and you can spread that across the month or a week and it can help you decide what products deserve to be bought as treats. If you are stuck for blog posts, you can write about “Budgeting Tips for Beauty Bloggers”, “How I make my Budget”, Benefits of Budgeting as a Beauty Blogger”, “Why you should budget as a Beauty Blogger”, the list is endless.

Differentiating between Wants and Needs: Ohhhh ohhhh, did I hit a raw nerve there? Many people, including myself (until recently), find it really hard to differentiate between a want and a need. I have a list somewhere for my needs vs. wants which I make alongside my budget. If I have some money set aside for treats then I sit down and think about what I want to buy. Why do I want this product? Is it just a hype? Am I buying it because the packaging is pretty? (very guilty). Most importantly, do I need it? While I know many people do not need makeup, I know some people need a few items. E.g. I always need to have a brow pencil simply because my brows are really light and sparse and I can look like an alien if I don’t draw/shape/fill them in. So, for me, it is a need and I always make sure I have a brow pencil but never more than 2 at a time. Separating your wants from your needs is a continuous process and you have to keep trying and you will get better with practice. Sometimes, I am like whatever, "I need that foundation" and I buy it even though I have an overflowing foundation stash...these things happen, forgive yourself and move on. Such is life!! Blog post ideas: “How to forgive yourself after overspending” (just kidding!!)

Write about something different: This is very obvious but many beauty bloggers prefer to write about beauty because they feel that's where their strength lies. While I am a firm believer in finding your niche in the blogging world, it is OKAY to branch out and write about anything else you fancy. In fact, I prefer to read about other aspects of life from my favourite bloggers as it gives me a chance to get to know them on a personal level. You may even discover a hidden talent you may have been hiding when you write about something else. However it is important to ensure you are writing about something you are passionate about because ain’t nobody gat time to read a lukewarm post. Blog post ideas if you are stuck “What I love or hate about living in London/New York/Lagos (insert city/town). That's it folks and I hope you have enjoyed this teeny post and I would see you in my next...x