Last week was still almost 500 bucks on delivery, so deleting the app clearly did nothing. I just moved to a different one. Anyone actually beat a habit like this? What did it, and how long has it lasted?

Hey everyone

I feel like i spend sooo much money on unneccessary things AGAIN!

i try to do the nobuy AGAIN.

this time for real...

🥺 I work and get money and i spend money and i dont know where the money goes!

I try to be frugal once again.

Reading my books, inviting my friends, use the groceries i have at home, no food delievery, no online shopping, no impulse purchases, no new books, no new clothes, NOTHING!

i am a sagittarius, so i often go on vacations & buy things there so i have a souvenir... But also i dont really need anything new....

It just feels like new energy. Can someone relate?

I have 33 unread books (20 of which I’ve purchased) on my bookshelf that I want to commit at least cutting in half before I buy more! I currently store the books I’ve already read separate from the ones i haven’t, so I’m very excited to watch this pile dwindle down!

Terms:

I have a BOTM and an aardvark membership. I missed the window to skip for this month, but I will only use those credits if one of the books is already on my TBR. If not, I will hold until I’m down to 15 books and skip next months.

I am allowed to accept any free books from publishers and/or gifts (although I should try to be more discerning on the former)

I can purchase a book from an author event or for a book club

This summer I had a couple successful months with no purchases beyond groceries and gas, then in Sept I travelled to see friends (someone was unwell) and my progress quickly unraveled.

I had been building momentum (paying off debt, catching up on savings) and I want to get back to that.

So I’m setting myself up for another six months of no-buy/low-buy with an aim to do a full year (I have done this before).. main wish is to pay off car loan and catch up on tax instalments.

Wish me luck and hope you reach your goals as well.

I’d like to use what I own and appreciate the belongings which are already available. Goal: Practice contentment vs scarcity. 😏

How is everyone's no-buy going so far? What day are you on?

I've been doing really good so far and my desire to go shopping is gone- for now. I will probably get the urge to shop soon but for now I'm feeling content with my belongings. Maybe it's the excitement of starting a new challenge that is keeping me accountable too.

I got an oil change today... $181! I usually do my own oil changes and they cost me $90 but I figured since it's getting colder here, I would pay for convenience. Double the cost is not worth the convenience for me.

I don't count this as failing my no-buy since it's necessary for the health of my car.

So, I am barely on a low buy already ( I do still buy things not so occasionally, just wayyy more intentional and way less) but this week, I have gon crazy. I just wanted to get 3 things and instead I got like 10 and I still havent bought the thing I actually wanted. It was because my bf was feeling like spoiling me and I have bought products that will surely work for me. Still I feel horrible and as a result, I want to buy more to cope with the stress... what do I do? I have already cleared my wishlist except 3 products (I want to get them as a first paycheck gift for myself and they are things I am good at panning) but I am still stressed. My project pan and semi-low-buy was going so well...

This is day 9 of my no-buy and I haven't purchased anything outside of my exceptions (listed below). The urge to go out shopping is basically gone already!

I used to go to the mall when I was bored. I wouldn't have the intention of purchasing anything but I always would end up buying stuff. The problem with that is that I am always bored.

There are still things I want to purchase but I keep them on a list and I'll ask for them for Christmas. I can wait a couple of months for these items.

Rules and Exceptions:

-no takeaway coffees

-the occasional coffee shop is fine if used only for social reasons

-make my coffee at home

-no new beauty products until I finish what I already own

-use my art supplies and don't just buy new ones

-no new clothing for my 30 day challenge

-no uneccessary purchases (that aren't gas, grocery, bills.)

-I can buy my partner the occasional coffee as a treat for him but nothing for me

Just finished my first no-buy month and I'm honestly really proud of myself.

Getting to the end of my savings. As the title suggests, I’m doing a no buy for the rest of the year. Let’s see how we do!

I’m only buying gas and groceries. Groceries have been a $45-$60 biweekly shopping trip. That might not seem like a lot but I’ve been sneaking the $5 coffee and energy drink snack run here and there and it adds up FAST.

I have not been tempted to buy makeup in a long time (like, 2 years now) since I rarely even wear it anymore. Excluding concealer and a bit of powder under my eyes, I only wear it on special occasions. Until last night. I was walking around to finally enjoy the weather which dropped under 70⁰ for the first time in several months & I stopped by a Japanese grocery/beauty store. They have a powder i used to love but couldn't remember what shade I am, and no samples were out for me to be sure. I thought I would get one anyway...for $16. Then I remembered I have probably a year or two worth of powder still at home that I am working through VERY slowly. I still wrestled for a good 20 minutes about whether or not to purchase this powder.

Finally, I put it down. Im going on a lovely trip to NYC this weekend and can spend that money on my experiences there instead. It was surprisingly still difficult, but im glad I told myself no.

How did your no-buy or low-buy go this week?

Share your goals, progress and how your purchasing habits have changed since starting a no buy.

If you 'failed' this week, remember that it is just a stumble in a long journey. If you did well, inspire others and encourage them when they do well or get off track.

I am trying to pay down debt (from shopping!) and get my financial house in order. I have successfully stopped shopping at "regular" stores (Amazon, Target, Anthropologie Lol) but find myself hitting thrift stores about once a week.

I am very proud that I have reduced my inventory at home (light hoarding) and resist most impulse buys (for myself). My kids, on the other hand, always seem to need stuff - school supplies, Halloween costumes, new shoes- and I have turned to second hand shops to save money and reduce waste. I do feel, however, that my no buy/low buy ethos is really challenged by my kids constant needs/wants. I feel like I buy new kids water bottles once a month because they seem to disappear. Has anyone else successfully navigated these two, seemingly warring, needs (kids and low buy)?

I think realising this is the key. Don’t fall for the lies in your head. Life would be so easy if just buying some item would solve all your boredom and problems, but it doesn’t work that way. But it’s easy and convenient to believe, so we fall for it. The new shoes won’t make people think you’re cool, the new golf clubs aren’t going to improve your game, the 20th book you buy that you won’t read isn’t going to make people think you’re smart and cultured, The new car isn’t going to make you someone that goes on road trips or goes camping. None of these things you buy will ever bring you any real change, change has to come from within, these items are just pacifiers, they strip you from any goals and ambitions, as it tricks your brain into thinking you have accomplished something.

Mostly writing for myself but maybe it will help others.

💥

Does anyone else struggle with buying way too many groceries or ordering food more frequently than they want to? I think this is my main money issue. I’m ashamed at how much money I make versus how much money I can keep in my bank account. I honestly don’t really know where it goes, but I think my main problem is buying and wasting food. If anyone has any tips or tricks to share, I’d love to hear them.

So I just moved out for college. For context, I’ve had to live at my parents for two years after adult hood (18-20) due to my Anorexia that needed treatment. it takes about 7-10 years to recover from THAT addiction/disorder, but after 4 years of constant treatment I’m finally in outpatient. the issue, however, is that I realized that if I used a different bad habit, the eating disorder thoughts go away.

Now, this part I might get judged for and I beg to not judge because I’m struggling with the guilt and shame of it all— I have been using my mothers, grandmothers, grandfathers, and aunts debit cards to go online shopping. I don’t have one of my own, and my shopping addiction gives me a greater kick when it’s not my money. I’ve probably spent around 1000 dollars on online auctions and shopping apps which I will not disclose on here. they are completely oblivious and the guilt is killing me but I can’t stop or else my eating disorder will get loud again, and that’s something I really don’t want to do. So, I’ve gone on to Reddit because I’m desperate for anyone that could possibly relate or anyone that can help me figure out how to stop this before it gets even worse. (Excuse my grammar by the way, my structure for writing in this is not good but it is because I’m learning English)

How did your no-buy or low-buy go this week?

Share your goals, progress and how your purchasing habits have changed since starting a no buy.

If you 'failed' this week, remember that it is just a stumble in a long journey. If you did well, inspire others and encourage them when they do well or get off track.

someone can be looking at something pretty normally and then the page says only 2 left or sale ends tonight and suddenly the whole decision feels different even though literally nothing about the thing changed

you didn’t learn anything new about the quality, you didn’t suddenly need it more, there’s just now a clock attached to the decision and somehow “do i want this?” quietly turns into “am i about to miss this?”

idk i find that weird because the pressure is almost completely separate from the product itself, it’s just the possibility of losing the option that makes acting now feel more reasonable

This may sound a bit insensitive but I’ve actually been enjoying spending as little as possible, maybe because it’s not out of necessity. But there are so many things where in the past I would have spent 20 dollars here, 100 there, 40 here, yet now I am getting genuine joy from not spending. It’s like I’ve realised that I don’t need 90 percent of the junk I was buying, and when I do really need something, I buy the cheapest option that works, and it hasn’t caused any issues yet.

There are times when I have wanted certain things, I will admit that, but resisting the urges and then looking back on the success, is also bringing me so much relief and happiness. I get joy out of not having fallen for the traps.

And this may be different for other people, but a lot of the things I wanted we’re actually just upgrades of things I already had, but those upgrades would have really not made my life or situation any better. There really is a joy to be found in making do with what you have, kind of like the story/cliche of someone being able to be the best with the least amount of resources, letting your own self show your ability instead of the things you buy. And it maybe requires a mindset shift, but to anyone struggling I’d say to try and focus on your wins and the relief of not spending, instead of feeling like you are trying to survive a battle.

Does anyone else feel this way? I’d really like to hear if anyone has similar stories.

I have been wanting to do this for a while, but November includes a family holiday (I know I willl buy things), and December is Christmas month, which always means spending on gifts.

What rules do people usually use? I am thinking:

- no meals out or takeaway

- no drinks or coffees out

- no buying clothes, books, etc

- no buying any household items except to replace broken necessary items

- no buying plants or garden supplies

Obviously I'll still have to pay my bills, buy groceries and cleaning products, and cover any medical/dental expenses that arise.

I don't buy tend to buy expensive items, but I do buy far too many things I don't need, and it bleeds my bank account by a thousand little cuts.

Has it been people's experience that nobuy months help to reset patterns?

Just got back from vacation and first time there wasn’t a stack of packages waiting for me .. I am really focusing on logging into my bank accounts and seeing where my money is going each month .. Aug when I first started no but I dramatically cut my spending .. September I definitely spent more but we went on a 7 day vacation so makes sense there were more expenses .. now I’m back with no big vacations planned and refocused on no buy /low buy and no online shopping .. I have not made a purchase from Amazon since 7/26 - probably longest ever !

How did your no-buy or low-buy go this week?

Share your goals, progress and how your purchasing habits have changed since starting a no buy.

If you 'failed' this week, remember that it is just a stumble in a long journey. If you did well, inspire others and encourage them when they do well or get off track.

I missed last week, so here's my monthly update. I'm trying to cut back so I can save an additional $7k before moving out. MUCH better than August lol

Shopping at Aldi and meal prepping every Sunday has been a lifesaver.