How to Make a Successful Year of Low-Buying and Non-Buying

Are you in credit card debt? Perhaps an emergency savings fund that's closer to zero than the recommended amount for six months' worth of expenses? Whatever your financial status, you can use a year of zero or low purchases as a way to jumpstart your financial journey.

Telling yourself you're going to cut back on spending often doesn't do much good. To actually spend less, most of us need some guidance, and that's where a year of zero or minimal purchases comes in.

If you follow the steps below, at the end of the year you'll be wondering where all that extra money came from (hint: it didn't come from shopping!).

Which year is better: not buying or buying a little? What is the difference?

Both the no-buy year and its cousin, the low-spending year, can be used to reduce excessive spending. A no-buy year requires you to commit to not buying anything new and to keeping only what you have. All Spend the whole year

The only things you need to buy are the essentials: food, toiletries and toothpaste. However, mascara will not be accepted.

The low-buying year is an alternative to the no-buying year. You don't have to cut back on spending. Instead, allow yourself to go shopping. Even though you create rules that you must follow, they allow for some flexibility.

For example, you might allow yourself to buy $100 worth of clothing or go on a month-long shopping spree during a slow shopping season. During a strict no-buy year, these purchases would not be allowed.

You might consider a zero-buy year or a low-buy year. If so, you'll need to set some rules. The no-buy rules are simple: don't buy anything you don't need. The low-buy year is a little more complicated, so let's talk about how to do it successfully.

We'll discuss how to create your own rules, arm you with some tips for success, and offer some alternatives for a low-buy year. If you're not ready to commit to a full year just yet, there are other ways to do a version of the low-buy year, which we'll cover as well.

Create your low buy rules

Once you've decided that you're going to have a low-shopping year, it's time to get down to business and create your rules. A key factor in having a successful low-shopping year is your ability to create your own rules. Here are some tips for creating rules that fit your life and that you can stick to:

1. Make a list of all your purchases

Start by taking stock of your current spending habits. Add up all of your expenses, including cash and credit card statements. Knowing where you spend money will help you see where you need to cut back.

You may want to put a limit on how often you order food. For others, ordering out may not be a spending issue, so a rule limiting it would not be very helpful.

You might be like me! These people can benefit from stricter clothing spending limits. Every person is different, so it will help to know what your spending habits are in order to create the best rules. You.

2. Choose your categories

Once you've figured out what you typically spend money on, decide which categories you'll create rules for. Do you want to limit clothing purchases, fashion purchases, delivery orders, and miscellaneous Target purchases, as well as makeup or beauty hauls?

Again, these categories will be different for each person, so it's best to have a clear idea of ​​your own spending so you can create your rules.

3. Anticipate future spending

This is a good place to start. You need to plan your upcoming expenses to ensure a low-spending year. You can grab your calendar and see what events and holidays are coming up.

What events involve spending money? There are many events, such as the Christmas, birthdays and weddings, which require some financial investment.

Whether it's a holiday gift or a new outfit for yourself, figure out all the events you plan to spend money on. Arming yourself with that information will help you create rules around those events.

If you buy Christmas gifts for your nieces and nephews every year but are on a tight budget, it may be a good idea to limit yourself to $10 per child.

You can also decide to send only handmade cards this year. You don't have to spend a lot of money on holidays or events. Think outside the box and be a little more inventive.

4. Create simple and clear rules

This is perhaps the most crucial step. If you want to have a successful year with few purchases, don't make any rules too complicated or confusing.

Make sure they are very clear and do not leave room for additional purchases. It is important to know exactly what your budget allows you to spend during the slow purchasing years.

Here are some rules that can help you start a year of low purchases

Now that you have an idea of ​​how to create your own low buy rules, it's time to put these tips into practice. These rules can be adapted to your needs. However, if you need some ideas, here are some great low buy rules that others have used successfully.

Clothing

There will be no new purchases throughout the year. Although this is a very strict rule, most people have enough clothes to last them a whole year.

If you want, you can limit your purchases to replacing certain items. You can also limit your clothing purchases to start the year with fewer purchases.

Beauty products

Commit to not buying any substitutes for your beauty or personal care products. You can even go further and promise not to buy any substitute products if yours isn't on a short (pre-approved) list. You can also try a minimal skincare routine.

Eat out

No more than one restaurant or takeout per month. No exceptions. That means apps (and tablets) must be deleted and any convenient restaurant menus you have stashed away in your kitchen drawers must be thrown out, too.

Give love

This year, make homemade cards and gifts. Use only the materials you have. Better yet, give your time instead of spending money.

There are many things you can do with your time: pet care, house sitting, babysitting, housework, business tasks, etc.

What can you do to make your year profitable?

With the rules in place, you're ready to start your year of low spending. At first, it's exciting to think about how much money you'll save.

It can be discouraging, though. What if it doesn't work out? You make mistakes or give up. Luckily, there are ways to ensure a successful year with few purchases, so don't worry, you've got this!

1. You have to decide what your reason is

First decide why you want to do this low shopping challenge. You'll need the motivation to get through the tough times when you want to give in and go shopping now.

Do you feel driven to pay off your debts and move into a better apartment? Are you worried that all the money you're spending on Fast fashion can be bad for your wallet and the environment the environment?

Whatever your reason, decide on your “why” for embarking on a year of low shopping and refer to it whenever you need a little motivation.

2. You can do it with your friend or partner

You can get a friend, companion, or ally on the board. A second person can help. hold yourself accountableIt will unite you and encourage you.

If your partner doesn't want to participate on their own, try to get them to agree to your rules. It's especially important to get your partner on board if you have low purchasing rules that require you to cut back on groceries or other household expenses.

3. Start a gratitude practice

If you don't already have one, develop a gratitude practice. A daily gratitude practice will help you remember all the good things in your life. Ir a you can find it here You will have less desire to shop and go out to satisfy yourself..

When you have a year with few purchases and your goal is to not spend too much, it is crucial to be grateful for everything you have.

4. Beware of temptation

You receive email after email from stores offering you discounts or the latest products. Unsubscribe from all of them if you do.

Don't worry, all of these places will still be around when your year of reduced shopping is over, so you can always re-subscribe then (but you may end up not feeling the need to shop online when the year is over!)

Also, don't commit your credit card number to memory. Ask for a new one. You can put up as many obstacles as you like to prevent you from buying unnecessary things.

You may find yourself watching video after video on social media. You may want to cut back There that you spend on social media and find more productive activities instead.

5. Spend your free time doing something else

Finally, remember what you like to do that doesn't involve shopping or spending money. We shop to satisfy a need, or to be in a hurry.

But there are plenty of things that are just as fun and don’t cost a thing. Reading, catching up with friends, baking, watching Netflix… all of these things are nearly free, and you can continue to enjoy them during your low-spending year.

There are alternatives to the years of low purchasing

You may find a year of low spending intimidating or too difficult to deal with. If this seems too far away or too daunting, you can start with a small quarter, month, or week of low spending.

Sometimes it's better to start small and build on that, especially if you're a big spender or To soothe your soul, you can turn to retail therapy.

Start with a low shopping week, a low shopping month, or a low shopping quarter. You can start spending less and you won't have to commit to a full year.

You can also revisit your rules and review them before continuing for another week, month, or quarter. You may be set for a full year of low shopping at the end of your short challenge!

Do you want to try a week, a month or a quarter with low purchases?

If a year without shopping (or a year without shopping, if you're really up for a challenge) sounds good to you and your wallet, why not give it another try?

Take out your pen and paper, spend some time thinking about your rules, and you'll be ready to start your journey in no time. Good luck!