No Buy Year

Rosa_Damascena

2 days in and I have managed just a single no spend day (yesterday).

I bit the bullet today and bought my combi microwave, a diary for £3 and a chazzer shop purchase for £2. On top of dental costs  . Am aiming for Wed-Fri as NSDs.

YORKSHIRELASS

Hi all

I need to do this.  I will confess straight off that I love buying stuff and have always struggled with the belief that having the "right" stuff will make me happier and more likeable.  Total nonsense of course, and one of the reasons that we are in debt.

So this year I have ambitious plans to only buy what I need and then to buy quality items either new or second hand that will actually serve a purpose.  Alongside this I will sell or gift to charity a big chunk of the stuff (mainly clothes and shoes) that I no longer need.

I know that staying off social media and away from the Internet generally will help with this  which is another 2024 goal.

I can't promise anything but I am going to try! 

ET22

Hi everyone,  I cut right back over the last three years and now find it much easier not to spend on things I don't need. I recently threw two pairs of trousers away, both 5 years old which I wore all the time. I cannot stand the exessive level of consumerism around christmas time, a lot ends up in the bin and the pressure on people to buy who cannot afford it isnt good.I dont buy my adult children any presents, they buy me one small one between them and I cut back on buying gifts for the grandkids too but thats all personal choice and family agreements.Once you adjust to it, it really changes the way you view material possessions and gifts.  I have to buy a few things I need now like gym clothes, so couldnt fully commit, but I'm going to keep track of what I do buy and will follow the thread x          

ChihiroSen

A good place to start (for me ) is not buying anything that isn’t essential. So for example you have to buy a major appliance because yours is broken it counts as essential, but if you just wanted one of a different style… not essential. Everyone’s circumstances are different, so flexibility in what is classed as essential should be allowed.

I have realised over the past few days how much of my time I spend window shopping on the internet. I can convince myself I need something quite easily, ( hello thermal cup) So that is the first habit I need to change if I am going to improve my spending habits.

Florenceem

I have just come home from my SA hall - bags of donations had been left outside - it has rained a lot today. Some of the bags contained new coats/clothes - probably bought as Christmas presents but not wanted - not the brand/style? 

ruby_eskimo

Florenceem said:

I have just come home from my SA hall - bags of donations had been left outside - it has rained a lot today. Some of the bags contained new coats/clothes - probably bought as Christmas presents but not wanted - not the brand/style? 

Or things that people have found in the back of the wardrobe and realised they've never even worn - I'm a little guilty of this I must admit!

I'm also jumping on the No Buy wagon here, and at the end of last year started tracking all the things coming in and out of the house (apart from food, toilet paper etc.) which I'm continuing into the new year.  It's amazing the amount of things I've managed to stop myself from buying just by taking a quick breath and thinking if it's something I really need.  

Have made my first purchase of the year this morning as my moisturiser started spluttering when I applied it, so have ordered a replacement.  Usually I would try and round up to get the free shipping and end up buying more things I didn't need, so just ordered the moisturiser and that's it, which is real progress for me.  Also shopped around and made sure I got cashback because every little bit does count.

London_1

Good Morning chums ,well day three of a brand new year  and people seem to be hopefully getting on board .I have an agent coming tomorrow afternoon to value my house as returning from the IoW on Monday we decided to bite the bullet and she how the market is at the moment DDs getting her house valued tomorrow as well Although she is an estate agent and property manager she doesn't want a conflict of interests so we will see what the independent chap say tomorrow . Apart from that I have no plans at the moment to buy anything ,in fact I'm decluttering to make less to take with me. 
 I am eating from the freezer and cupboards at the moment so haven need to go near a shop and my shopping list is empty at present time. So today will be 3 NSDs for me and my January food budget is intact .In fact I had a refund from my previous mobile provider this morning as I changed over just before Christmas so I had a nice little £12.99 drop into my bank account today and thats gone into my food budget account so feeling quite flush at the moment . I have a good few vouchers to use up as well when I do eventually go food shopping M&S, Nectar points and Tesco ones. So outlay this month fingers crossed will be low  

 JackieO xx

Indout96

I struggle with the concept of no spend as to what to include as essential cost and what is frivolous 
For example Trainers will need replacing at least twice in a year as we walk so much (2,300 miles in 2023) but that in turn saves a fortune in petrol so is it an essential or OK to spend on ?
We also dance 2/3 times a week so my dance trainers will also need replacing but Mrs Indout has a few pairs of dance shoes left from when we taught so will be fine.

kimwp

Indout96 said:

I struggle with the concept of no spend as to what to include as essential cost and what is frivolous 
For example Trainers will need replacing at least twice in a year as we walk so much (2,300 miles in 2023) but that in turn saves a fortune in petrol so is it an essential or OK to spend on ?
We also dance 2/3 times a week so my dance trainers will also need replacing but Mrs Indout has a few pairs of dance shoes left from when we taught so will be fine.

I too wonder what counts as essential. 
- replacing shoes that work but are tatty?
- new top for going out as I've changed size, when I have clothes that fit but aren't dressy?
- compost for growing veg which is is a healthy and fulfilling pastime but is more expensive than buying veg from the supermarket?
- activities with friends who aren't keen on no spend activities?

Rosa_Damascena

Florenceem said:

I have just come home from my SA hall - bags of donations had been left outside - it has rained a lot today. Some of the bags contained new coats/clothes - probably bought as Christmas presents but not wanted - not the brand/style? 

Yesterday was sooo wet - but it finally stopped around 5pm and I had a lovely blustery walk. I hope the clothes were not compromised? Am re-reading Marie Kondo and her piece on gifting new / unused stuff that you don't want yourself unwitting recipients - including younger siblings - and the pressure it puts on them to use it. The chazzer way is definitely preferable.

@Indout96 - your walking comes to around 4 miles per day, I tend to walk that at least every day for health reasons. I shan't lie, I buy trainers from the supermarket when cut price / clearance and wear them to death. Currently I'm using a pair of men's walking boots from Aldi that was reduced to £15, they are good steady things and I feel like Hermes with wings on my feet! If I have to replace them before the end of the year I shall be very disappointed.