My shopping addiction has been well documented over the years on this blog, as were my failed attempts at a no buy. I've succeeded in no buy months but I've never really kicked the shopping habit altogether.
As I've gotten older, my shopping has definitely improved. I'm less impulsive, I don't feel the need to buy something every single day, and I can let things sit in my cart for a while before I buy them. However, over the past year, I've seen the error of my ways.
This past year there was an adorable house for sale in my neighborhood. It was literally picture perfect for me and it was a reasonable price. I of course, didn't have the funds for a down payment. It was at that moment, at 31 years old, where I realized how much money I have wasted over the past ten years that I've been working.
I have thrown money away, lit it on fire, for the sake of a dopamine rush that lasted until the shipping box was thrown away. It's embarrassing and it's irritating; I've gotten mad at myself for my shopping problem before but this one lasted a little bit longer than usual.
Then, I started seeing everyone discussing the new Netflix documentary Buy Now which put our world's overconsumption problem on full display....plus highlighted the marketing games companies play to rope you in. Seeing everyone discuss underconsumption and how they were going to shop more mindfully really helped knock some sense into me.
That, plus the fact that after the election, I felt zero desire to shop due to the impending tariffs and anger at the country for putting us in this position again. Women make more than 85% of the purchases in this country and if we wanted to, we could tank the economy. I kind of want to do my part with that...so, the low buy year starts.
I know that it's unrealistic to think I won't shop at all and that kind of restriction doesn't help anyone but there are ways to improve your spending, or at least spend more mindfully.
I've also gotten overwhelmed by the amount of stuff I have, so a low buy might be a great solution. So, I've set some rules for myself to help keep me on track. I hope these rules inspire you to start your own low buy!
LOW BUY RULES FOR 2025
- No purchasing any new, trendy beauty products if I don't know if I'll like them/if I have something similar
- No new notebooks or planners -- use what I have! *I already did this. I needed a new journal for 2025 and the extra one I had in my desk drawer was unlined, but I forced myself to use it and not buy a lined one. Progress!
- No new books -- unless it's part of a series I already have or limited edition. I will take out from the library instead. This applies for ebooks as well; I don't need any more books added to my TBR. I *might* break this to start the Fourth Wing series but that's it!
- No new candles. I have an entire drawer of candles and wouldn't be able to use them all in 3 years let alone in one year.
- No new handbags or accessories & instead, save these larger purchases for a big occasion, like a birthday.
- I cannot buy something on sale if I didn't plan for it.
- Do not experiment with new food if you think there is a chance you won't like it. I buy so much food that I end up not liking because I convince myself I will like it. It's random but I waste so much money on wasted food.
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