“Sale” no longer means anything.

I received an email yesterday saying that a brand I use frequently’s Boxing Day sale was ending at midnight. I then received an email this morning saying their New Year sale is now on.

A shoe company I keep forgetting to unsubscribe from emailed me throughout the year with “sales” ranging from 10-30% off, some of them one after the other. One offered 15% off in their “end of Spring” sale, and the immediate weekend after it was a “Summer” 20% off sale. Friday to Saturday. “Spring” to “Summer”.

It used to be that if you missed out on a sale, you really missed out. The January Sales here in Scotland - and I imagine other places - was a whole Thing. My mum used to do a lot of shopping for the following Christmas, and save an absolute fortune. A lot of us will have grown up with that exact mentality. Now we save 15% in one sale, and go back and save 20% in the next because we feel like we missed out the first time. We’ve been conditioned to trust the word “sale”, and companies have just gone absolutely daft with it.

On top of it all - everything is all gumff. Fast fashion and convenience buying means these companies are happy to throw away overstock, seasonal dressing is a thing of the past and clothes are all made from crap they don’t care about taking a loss on. “Sale” is now a tool they use to capitalise on your FOMO or a way to get you to go back and spend more.

All this to say - please don’t be fooled by “sales” if you’re starting your no buy in January. There are no January sales anymore. Black Friday means nothing.

In the time it’s taken me to write this, I’ve had another “early access” January sale email, from a company who had a Boxing Day sale and a Christmas sale and a Cyber Monday sale and a Black Friday sale… you get the point!

I took inventory of my personal care and makeup items so I could get a clear idea of what I have starting my low buy and comparing it to the end of next year. Wow. The amount of candles and shower gels I have is embarrassing.

I nearly broke my self-imposed no-buy rule for December, all because of one top from Aritzia. I found myself mentally crafting excuses—holiday gatherings, wardrobe versatility, even the allure of a 'timeless piece.' But then I paused and asked the question that mattered: Is this fleeting desire worth compromising the commitment I made to myself? It wasn’t just about the top—it was about staying disciplined in a promise I made to prioritize intentionality over impulse. The answer was clear, and the top stayed where it belonged: in the store.

First post here! I’m 22 ftm living on my own with crazy impulsive and distractible ADHD. I’m an artist who transferred from art institution to art institution and would constantly burn myself out trying to live and study on my own dollar. The debt I’ve accumulated from studies that only seemed to drain my wallet and creative spirit has slammed me to rock bottom and I’m determined to get back up.

I’m paying off as much as I can while I commit to a no-buy year with the hopeful goal of moving to Philadelphia next year. My budget is layed out, and I’ve cancelled all of my subscriptions! I’m feeling hopeful

As I sit here at about 7am in the morning and have already spent $20 without even leaving my house, I can’t help but think how easy it used to be to not buy stuff before the internet. I’m 43 so do still remember a time before internet shopping being so ubiquitous. If you were at home you weren’t spending unless you were calling in to QVC or something, which was probably a pain and you had plenty of time to think about your purchase while calling in, instead of just clicking a “buy” button. You could flip through catalogs in your house and browse but you didn’t have every product all around the world available to buy at any time of day, and even then you had to call the order in and wait ages for it OR I do even remember as a teenager having to fill out a form and mail checks in, haha. If you were at work you weren’t spending either unless you were going to a store on lunch break or something. Now I spend while I am bored at work. When I’m at home and remember something I want to buy (this morning it was for a new shower door handle. So not totally useless but still) I feel like everything is against me doing this. Like you used to have to actually go out of your way to spend money.

I’ve removed credit cards from PayPal, Apple Pay, Amazon, anything else I can think of. I’m so over this. Like another post said, why should those rich assholes get my money? I know this no buy will be difficult and take an extreme amount of vigilance I don’t know if I actually have.

Is there a daily check in thread on this sub? I think it would help a lot to keep accountable! Or is there a “talk me out of this impulse buy” thread where people post what they have in their cart and want to buy and other posters try to talk them out of it?

Good luck to us all, I’m going to sit down this weekend and really nail down my rules. 2024 was a year of stagnancy for me and I’m determined to make 2025 different.

When I learned that Elon Musk makes about $40 million per day, an amount it would take me approximately 20 lifetimes to earn, I felt I had just had it. If billionaires are determined to wring every last cent out of me —for housing, for education, for healthcare, for groceries, and then demand that I work on increasing the Domestic Supply of Infants™—just no. I am going to withhold my money from your economy. If you insist I live in precarity, I'm taking you down with me.

I am obviously primarily using no-buy and low-buy to reach my own financial goals, like retirement and homeownership, but for some reason those seem increasingly out of reach.

This may seem like nothing to some of you but for me it’s a win and no one in my personal life “gets it”.

Had to waste some time today so my daughter and I ran into target. I’m a sucker for after holiday sales. My favorite hairbrush got eaten by the dog but I was specifically waiting for this to replace and using one that doesn’t work as well in my hair. One regular size brush is $18. They sold a holiday gift set that was $20 for the regular and travel size brush and I got it for half off.

Remember, I’m a big sucker for after holiday sales. I spent the $10 on the brush set. Bought 2 craft kits for my daughter for next year for $5 (total not each, I know they’ll have them on sale when they come out next year but they didn’t have these ones earlier in the season and there weren’t any my daughter would have been interested in when I shopped before so I grabbed in case there are no great options again). They had the Clorox wipes with holiday packaging half off so I got a few containers of those before they’re gone (I work in an elementary school and have to provide my own cleaning supplies so I go through them and I’ve been out). We just ran out of all my backup hand soap and I was able to get 4 bottles for $5. Fun bath stuff to save for my daughter’s Easter basket for $3. A half off dog toy for $7 (I told my daughter she could pick out a Christmas present for the dog but we never did and she reminded me).

I put back probably $40-$60 worth of stuff I was considering but ultimately decided we don’t truly need (makeup, shower scrubs, animal stuff, clothes- they actually didn’t have the size I needed, decorations, candles and on and on). For me, that’s a win and I wanted to share bc it keeps me motivated to continue on. Like I said, probably nothing to some people but as someone at the beginning stages of this, it’s big to me.

Added a cap for gifts.

Here are my Exceptions: Food / Drink Groceries Takeout 1x a week at most Coffee

Replacements Replacements if something breaks or is lost Replacements of skincare/makeup/body/personal hygiene products Replacements due to weight gain/loss (but no NEW items just because) Replacement socks or undergarments Replacement incense

Gift Cards Use for replacements when possible

Work related items/ Office Supplies Only if you run out

Special Event Outfits ONLY IF THINGS DO NOT FIT funerals/weddings/ work events/ concerts

Experiences Coffee shop adventures Takeout once a week at most Friend dates Tattoos/Piercings (only previously planned) Concert merch

Gifts Only for holidays- $75 max per person

Health/ safety items Replacement Sunscreen Gloves Glasses (if lost or broken) Tattoo/Piercing aftercare

Travel Bus passes Flights Travel items (replacements only) Lyfts

Grooming Pedicure Waxing appointments Haircuts

Notes Body lotion and body wash can be interchangeable Hair care and makeup are not interchangeable unless lower price

This is my low buy/replacement only for the remainder of this year and going into next year.

I have some planned purchases for next year; like a new desk, since I work from home and my current desk is too small. It's a yellow light because on my list because I know it can trigger the desire to buy new accessories and organizational things.

As a result of working from home, I don't leave the house much (except for the library as couple times a week or the grocery store to pick up snacks or something missed on the grocery list). My boyfriend and I don't eat out much (cheaper to cook at home) or go to the movies often (easier to wait for a copy at the library or use my student discount if we really want to see it in theatres). So coffee, dining out, and moviesare allowed next year.

I anticipate this to change over the course of the year as things come up. My ultimate goal with this is to be in control of my spending and teach myself not to rely on credit cards too much.

To help understand what I really have, I'll be making inventory lists of craft supplies (including patterns), books, lego sets, clothes, and beauty/hygiene items.

I started my no buy officially on December 22. I have followed all the rules since then. Today is day 5 and I can feel myself itching to buy something, especially after the holidays after seeing everyone get new stuff.

I can tell I’d buy anything right now for that dopamine hit: digital products, thrifted clothes, art supplies….It’s really sad to write that out. It’s just an urge for something new, it doesn’t even matter what it is. And it would bring no fulfillment once it arrives.

I’m really good at finding excuses for “just one last thing” too. Trying not to.

Good luck to everyone who’s starting now or whoever is starting Jan 1, you can do it!! But prep yourself for this annoying feeling.

Merry Christmas everyone!

I know we are all prepping for our 2025 no buy year, so I am curious what you all received for Christmas and how your gifts might affect your no buy year ahead.

I follow the “anti consumption” Reddit page and I noticed a negative attitude towards gifts and Christmas in general. I really enjoy Christmas and giving people thoughtful gifts, and I think everyone in my family does the same. We don’t really get things if we don’t think the other person will use them, so I refuse to put a negative spin on people’s thoughtfulness. Here’s what I got and how I’m looking at things:

I received lots of new clothes, which I will unpack throughout the year when I get the urge to have something new. I have already tried everything on and know it all fits me. I think this might help suppress the urge to spend!

I received some home decorations, and since I’m moving midway through the year, I will be saving these items till then.

The tricky one: I received lots of gift cards. I don’t think they expire, so I can wait to use them, but I might save them for when I want to spend some money and don’t want to use my own. I know some people are doing the no buy to consume less, and I am too, but my main reason for doing this is to save money. This means that using gift cards doesn’t go against my main goals.

Let me know what you got and how you’re utilizing your gifts in the comments!

Contemplating what to do. There’s a gym walking distance from me $50/month. Sign up fee is only like $20. Doesn’t sound too bad and might get me outa the house.

That will cost me $620 for the year, sounds much worse than $50/mo, and I might sign up and not go?

Or should I buy a small treadmill, dumbbells, and something for the home for half the price and keep it for years? Not sure what to do

I wanted to write this after Christmas Day had passed to give it respect. But I also didn’t want to forget my sentiments .

My bag of presents are in a pile by the tree, waiting for me to go through it again.

And as I wait to go through it I notice my life hasn’t improved or worsened not having that pile of stuff. In fact if I gave it all to a stranger it wouldn’t affect my life at all - except to free it from clutter.

As I move upstairs and look in the bonus room there’s a huge pile of the same Christmas presents that belong to my two kids.

And I cannot help but wonder how this stuff, albeit fun to open, is just sad pile right now.

Hmmmmm

Obviously I didn’t do a no buy 2024 and perhaps why I’m excited to try it for 2025.

How was your present giving experience?

Hello, My spending has really crept up and I am feeling like I want a low buy or a very mindful buy year. I have done few no buy months here and there but each time it has either been a case of buying too much before starting or ending the no buy and going on shopping binge.

The months of the no buy were spent browsing but not buying and earmarking things for buying. I’m currently going through some health issues and also not in a happy place work wise so sometimes the random 100s I drop on skincare and hair care and clothes and shoes really keep me going from day to day.

Any advice or how people avoid the feeling of being deprived during a no buy Thanks

My priority this year is self development and health over no spending, but I think I can tackle both at the same time. So I guess I’m technically doing a low buy instead of a no buy, because I’m going to let myself buy from my wishlist I go to the gym 10 times.

My wishlist has things on it like perfumes, makeup items, experiences, and jewelry items. Nothing is insanely priced and I’m limiting myself to $50-ish per 10 gym trips. If there’s an item that costs $150, for example, I have to go to the gym 30 times to justify it. Each gym trip has to be at least 30 minutes of active cardio/strength training/swimming.

If I only go to the gym twice a week, it will take me five weeks to get an item. If I go once a day, it’ll take me two weeks. Etc.

This way, if I want something, instead of impulsively purchasing it, I will add it to the list and revisit it when I’ve gone to the gym the appropriate amount of times.

I’m trying to learn how to take care of myself and reward myself with good, healthy things and not food. Plus, I think I will appreciate the items more if I “earn” them.

I’ll be tracking my workouts on my Habits app. I’d love your thoughts and advice on my plan!

I want to have it with me so I can pull it up if I get tempted to buy anything. I’m on day 7 right now so we’re doing alright so far but I kinda want something that proves my progress

Hello everyone! Apologies in advance for the long post.

I am preparing my no buy year by fleshing out some rules for myself and really understanding my why. I think the closest I've gone to a no buy year was from February to September when I was planning my wedding and simply could not afford anything, but some things have changed (I paid off a high interest student loan and I already got married) and will be changing this year (I am moving out of my overpriced apartment and into a cheaper one in September). Plus I recognize some of the things that was keeping me in the red.

Here are rules for my no buy year:

1. No food out- This was a huge chunk out of my budget in 2024! None of the food around me is worth having it delivered to my apartment and all of the food around me at work (NYC) is too expensive and not that good to rationalize paying $15 for a gentrified chop cheese.
2. No Amazon- I don't need fancy soaps or skincare because it doesn't stop the fact that I am too lazy and tired to do any of the skincare I buy.
3. No hair services- I can't cut my own hair so I still need a trim every 12 weeks, but I do not need to dye my hair or any hair treatments.
4. No new books
5. No new clothes unless I am specifically replacing something- I am much better about this now that I am older but I want to be much more intentional with my wardrobe going forward especially as I declutter my closet. I lost sight of this more recently especially with my wedding (as nontraditional as it was).
6. No workout classes- my workout routine is fairly simple. I weight lift and run. I am hoping to add rucking so I can start hiking when I move, but I do not need Orangetheory, F45, pilates, or even CrossFit. I can run outside for free, Planet Fitness has an adequate weight lifting section, and I have a kettlebell.

I devised these rules based on an analysis of my budget over the year and really deciding if any of what I spent was truly worth it. I am preparing for my no buy but utilizing gift cards on things I need to replace. A few of my tshirts are either horribly stained or have holes or both. I've bought a few merino wool tops that I can wear during both the summer and winter.

Other than that there hasn't been much preparation except for the mental challenge I've presented myself, but I think my whys are important:

1. I'm moving and need to afford the move itself, the deposit, and the first month's rent.
2. I need a new bed frame that does not trigger my allergies. My bed is currently upholstered and holds a ton of dust and it's becoming uncomfortable.
3. I need an emergency fund.
4. I want to pay of my credit card and student loan debt.
5. I want to start saving for a house and new car- my car is a 2018 Subaru Impreza that I bought brand new and has 81k miles on it. It's perfectly fine and I don't plan on buying a car anytime in the next 2-3 years or longer unless I absolutely have to, but I don't want a car payment when it is finally time to buy a new car so I want to start saving up for the next vehicle.

I hope this all makes sense. I mainly just wanted to write this to have something out there in the void for me to look back on when I experience moments of weakness. I am excited and terrified, but I hope I can save a decent chunk of money and learn a few lessons along the way.

Don't know if this fits here, but I'd like to ask for your advice. For Christmas, I received - among nice and useful presents I asked for - a sort of ornamental bell and two decorative bird figurines made of wood. They were given to me by my mum. Here's the thing: my mum and my boyfriend's mum constantly gift us decorations. Candleholders, ornaments, figurines etc. Most of them from some craft markets or craft shops, often pottery or woodwork. We live in an apartment and our furniture style is actually pretty classic. Most of the stuff they give us looks 'funny' or whimsical and doesn't fit our style at all.

We tried addressing this multiple times - separately with our mums - that we appreciate their thoughtfulness of giving us unique and handmade gifts, but that we really don't have any space for any more decorations. I also told my mum that I don't want her to spend her hard-earned money on this stuff or that she should, if she likes it, just buy it for herself as these things usually aren't exactly inexpensive. But their houses are already full of that kind of stuff, too. Or that - if they want to give us stuff - they could skip on gifts some years and support us when we will actually need (useful) stuff in the future as we plan to buy a home in a few years. But it's no use. How can I convince them not to give us this stuff all the time?

Edit: typos

How do you guys stay consistent with your nobuy. I am so motivated right now but I know myself. As soon as the hype in my head dies down I tend to stop projects like this because I get bored. I don't have a huge spending problem but I fail to save money. I can life very frugal but as soon as I have the money I will find a way to treat myself with it...

I spend a lot. It’s the thrill of having a new item. I rather get my serotonin a different way. I learned about no buy and project pan on TikTok. I’m trying this upcoming year to only buy replacements that are needed like skin care, vitamins, hygiene items. Should I try to track previous purchases to see how much I’ve spent or start now?

When replacing an item do you buy a mini or a regular size?