Your Guide for a Successful No-Buy Year

Many of us are overcome with overconsumption and burdened by a bombardment of messages to buy, buy, buy. A no-buy year gives you a a much-needed break from impulse buys, trends, and overspending and gives you an opportunity to decenter spending, and when you do shop, to shop with intention.

There's more than one way to do a no-buy year, and you can pick the path that's best for you and your life. Think about the things you buy most often, or the impulse buys you typically regret — those are often great places to start. You can even start with a no-buy month, and adjust as you go. Here are a few different "rules" to consider for a no-buy year:

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• Limit or eliminate one type of item: For example, you could skip buying new clothes all year, or say that you're only going to buy one item per month.
• Nothing new: Another approach is to choose secondhand for everything you can — clothes, shoes, technology, appliances, etc.
• No big box stores: You could consider swearing off Amazon, Target, Walmart, and/or other big box stores that tempt you with convenience and impulse purchases.
• No non-essentials: This is the strictest type of no-buy challenge. You'd only spend on bills, food, and other necessary expenses.

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At the end of your no-buy year, you'll not only have saved a lot of money, you'll have developed mindful spending habits that will last a lifetime. You'll be able to better recognize and avoid impulse buys, you'll find it easier to ignore tempting marketing messages, you'll even get to know yourself a bit better and learn what kinds of purchases truly make you happy.

Whichever type of no-buy year you're starting, there are some things you can do to set yourself up for success.

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1. Remove temptation

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• Unsubscribe from promotional texts and emails. By decluttering your inbox, you not only create a more organized digital space but also significantly reduce the impulse to make unnecessary purchases driven by enticing offers.

• Unfollow influencers who fuel the incessant "buy, buy, buy" culture and stop engaging with consumerist content to reset your social media algorithms. What we see online matters. Curate a mindful feed that aligns with your values and interests, fostering an online environment that promotes conscious living rather than impulsive spending.

• Delete shopping apps and cancel subscriptions like Amazon Prime. This intentional act not only saves money, but also reduces the convenience of impulsive buying.‍
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• Declutter your home to remind yourself of what you already have. A clutter-free home is a powerful reminder of what you already own. Decluttering not only reduces the physical belongings around you but also helps in breaking the cycle of mindless consumption.

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2. Decenter spending

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• Invest in non-consumerist hobbies like birdwatching, museum-going, or visible mending. These activities not only divert your attention from the shopping aisle but also bring joy without contributing to unnecessary purchases.

• Avoid impulse-driven department stores. Department stores often leave you with more than you intended to buy. (Looking at you, Target.) If you need to buy something new, find it at a store where you won’t buy more than you came for.
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• Reach out to community first. When you find you need or want something, be it a book or a toaster, first consider how you might get it for free or secondhand from your community. This is a great way to keep items circular and live in reciprocity with your neighbors. Ask your local buy nothing group, check your local library, or find other free resources.

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3. Reflect On Your Progress

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• Review your monthly spending to see how much you’re saving by only buying necessities. Evaluate how much you're saving by abstaining from non-essential purchases and let those positive numbers reinforce your commitment. Use this time to celebrate your achievements and reflect on your evolving relationship with consumerism.

• Take note of your consumerist urges and reflect on them later on. As you navigate your resolution journey, keep a journal or use note-taking apps to document moments of consumerist temptation. Reflect on these instances later on, understanding the triggers and finding healthier alternatives to cope with stress or boredom. This self-awareness will be key to overcoming future challenges and maintaining a sustainable, no-buy lifestyle.

• Download financial tracking apps like Commons that show you purchase insights and trends. Take advantage of technology to gain deeper insights into your spending patterns. These tools not only streamline your financial management but also offer a visual representation of your progress, motivating you to stay on track with your "No Buy" resolution.

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Embarking on a "No Buy" New Year's resolution is not just about saving money; it's a holistic approach to redefining your relationship with consumerism. By changing your digital landscape, breaking tempting habits, and staying organized through tracking, you'll not only help the Earth, but you'll also discover a newfound sense of fulfillment and contentment in your life.