Buy nothing in 2025 challenge (or minimal purchasing!) - anyone want to join in!

[LuminousStar]

Hello! In the vein of the decluttering threads I've been thinking about doing a challenge where I buy as little as possible in 2025.

I realise buying "nothing" is impossible, especially as a parent. But as my life is endlessly complicated by clutter and junk and taking care of objects, as well as money (or a lack of) so I am going to try to buy as little unnecessary stuff as humanly possible in the coming year. Not to mention all the clutter sitting around making me feel guilty because I haven't used it / read it / sorted it! So I wondered if stopping the junk coming in as much as possible might change my mindset!

Instead what I will do is write down anything I am tempted to buy and hold out instead. If something becomes absolutely necessary I will allow it. But there are often other ways around problems that I am often inclined to ignore (mend, home made solutions etc) I will have to rely on more.

Obviously groceries and essentials are allowed, as are non-physical items or treats (holidays, events, e-books, subscriptions within reason). But I figure that even my grocery shopping could do with a bit of pruning! And if I need something that makes life infinitely easier, of course I will buy it.

And at the end of the year I am perhaps planning a little treat if I manage to do a good job - maybe a budget for some new clothes or something.

Would anyone like to join in?

@wholenutcadburys I am a bit like you but trying to be better. I don't think there's anything wrong with the occasional bargain or amazing quality piece that we really love. But I do think it is too easy to click and buy, or grab a handful of pieces in the charity shop that end up in the back of the drawer. Trying so hard to be better. But I will always look for second hand first for most purchases I need. I often buy ahead with clothes for my kid (e.g. trousers in the next size up in the charity shop to save for when he is bigger) - but sometimes that leads to overbuying - I once realised I had bought 11 pairs of jeans in the next size up (!!) so I definitely need to be more mindful here LOL. That was a few years ago though.

I do this for DS, I have had a look on Vinted for swim shorts and holiday bits but chances are he will grow by May time for our holiday.

It's almost like a burning money in the pocket situation and by May I might've wasted the money on god knows what.. he's kitted out for the summer though but definitely needs a few extra bits, will be holding off until nicer weather to buy what's needed though and ensure money is not wasted..
trying to do this for myself and DP too, looking to see what clothes we have and buying items to ensure it's a full outfit not just bits and bobs that are never worn..

It's a real change of mindset too and something that will continue even after our initial savings goals of buying a house x

Thanks for posting that article@LuminousStar I’ve had my eye on a bag on Vinted but I don’t need it, just want it. There are numerous bags in a storage box under my bed which can cover every occasion possible and I generally only use a couple of them regularly. Must practice mindful consumerism!

I’ve had a few complete no spend days, but today had to buy screen wash for my car. I do wish there would be some sort of level indicator so you know when you’re running low, rather than your screen getting dirty and THEN finding out you’re on the last dribble 😆 Anyway that was necessary and boring so no guilt there.

I’ve been browsing for a couple of things on my allowed list, but have moved them all to my “want to buy” tab group rather than purchasing anything yet because they are all wants and not needs.
Last year had a “fun spends” category in my budget which I will still transfer into that account, but I’ll probably wait for it to build up a little and then spend it on good quality and thought out purchases (from my allowed list), rather than cheap dopamine purchases like I have in the past.

In other news I agreed to the promotion today, so I’ll have some more money coming in each month. All the extra will be going into savings/increase in pension contributions. My savings currently have a higher interest rate than my mortgage, but if that changes then I’ll start overpaying my mortgage too.

@Floopdifloo Congratulations on your promotion. Drinks are on you!

@Snowmanscarf thank you! I am on a no spend year though…🤔😆

2026 then!

Congrats @Floopdifloo !

LSD here, just a few food bits (not entirely necessary tbh). Dishwasher repair chap finally came, stayed three minutes, told me I needed the exact part I'd told his office I needed on the phone practically a whole week ago. Now I have to wait for them to order it. On the plus side I have not yet had to shell out for the dishwasher.

yes @Floopdifloo in 2026 we're coming to yours for a beer :)

Keep forgetting to post on here, am at 9 NSDs so far for the year, and besides food my only spends have been nursery fees, the arrangement fee for new mortgage and money to solicitors for the searches for new house so all necessary.

Also on a mammoth declutter, half this stuff definitely doesn't deserve to come to the new house with us. One area I am struggling to get through is the baby things though, would like another DC but I'm not sure how much is worth keeping for that reason; I definitely overbought for my first. Any tips anyone?

@Sunshineandlollipop I would say do the Kondo method on the baby stuff. What sparks joy, what doesn't. Get it all in one place, make a big pile and see how much you have - it will likely give you the impetus to cut right back - then you can do the "spark joy" exercise and purge all the stuff you're not 100% sure about. Also remember that baby stuff often comes easily - people always looking to move on batches of clothes, playmats and so on - you might be able to easily get bulky stuff again free of charge.

You could also sell bits and bobs to turn it into cash. Might be more helpful in the short term.

I had a NSD yesterday but today (after developing a nasty cough) have ordered some special zinc throat spray. It tastes gross but works like magic, and gets rid of colds within a day or so - and having run out I was really disappointed because I can't shake my cold off without it! So an essential and worthwhile spend I say. 🤒

Well done, @Sunshineandlollipop, 9 NSDs is amazing!

@LuminousStar hope you're feeling better soon. Which zinc spray do you use?

NSD here so far, just about to pop to the shop for a couple of bits that should be in the single figures.

@Melancholiest Therazinc - from the US as you sadly can't get it over here but if you order two big ones it will last you forever and have free shipping. It is amazing stuff!

uk.iherb.com/pr/quantum-health-therazinc-immune-support-throat-spray-peppermint-4-fl-oz-118-ml/6719

NSD here 🥳

Saw a fab post for lent, decluttering 40 items (one per day) into a bag (or separates if mixture of clothing etc) which I thought was a good little challenge..
I've cleared out so much recently clothes, bags, shoes.. yet the clutter still looks awful and getting on top of us!

Hi all, I have been doing really well and haven’t bought anything frivolous. We had pizza takeaway Friday as dd was home for weekend. DH has been doing the shopping and we are keeping to the menu we prep on a Sunday am before he goes. I’m keeping away from m n s as long as I can as this is where I end up spending a fortune on ‘treats’! I have a £25 voucher just in case but I’m gonna hang on as long as possible.
I’m shopping from my wardrobe this year and am determined to save the extra salary from my promotion.
I’m also writing a list of nice things that I covet throughout the year and if I exceed my target I’ll treat myself but only if they are still coveted. I’ve always wanted a mulberry bag so might buy a preloved one. Hubby said I could have one a few years ago but I baulked at the price and I still might again! I mean we could have a weekend break for the same price.
I bought a colleague some flowers as a congratulations as she has just got married.
I’m not going to count the usual spends on necessities like food, toiletries, and doggy meds and food. I’m using up all the toiletries I have before I buy new and have bought cheap handwash instead of the fancy stuff.
I have narrowed my skin care down to a few things from beauty pie that I am happy to replace when empty, but I’m not going to be tempted by the latest Swiss skin cream for example.
I’ve been taking a tin of soup for my lunch at work and we’ve been cooking extra portions of meals for lunches too. I'm trying to avoid buying my lunch from the on site cafe as that’s 1/2 hours wages gone! I don’t really go to coffee shops much anyway so that’s not an issue for me.
I am allowing spends on experiences like shows, comedians, etc and paid for a ticket to moulin rouge (show) with friends.
I’m loving everyone’s tips and hearing what and how they are doing.

NSD yesterday. NSD today until about 8 pm when a friend invited me to an event in April. Since then I have booked a hotel room for the night. I'm not especially trying to save money, simply to stop buying stuff we don't need. So an "experience" type spend is ok by my interpretation of the challenge.

Big supermarket shop tomorrow but I have meal planned, made a list and will try to stick to it. Aiming for under £50 which is doable for two of us.

I'm doing quite well, I have bought a few bits like presents , hair and make up stuff that I use every day, one meal out with a friend. But I have not bought anything new or in the sales and nothing from Amazon at all. Nothing has gone on my credit card, debit card only, so I know exactly where i am

Also logging every spend in an app. Taking lunch and coffee into work every day . I've managed 8 no spend days in January.

Anything new that I like, I send myself a link and the urge is gone within 48 hours.

I kept only the really nice clothes from my first 2 children, at that point to offer to siblings who were likely to have kids in the future. I unexpectedly had a third last year and all the clothes are out-of season (he's a August baby and my other 2 are February, so exact opposites). Between gifts, clothes other friends have decluttered and charity shops/neatly new sales/vinted we've had to buy very little new stuff for him, and what new stuff we have got has come from Aldi/Lidl/Choice etc

Edit to add, the stuff he has outgown will be passed on to friends who are expecting, saved for family if still lovely after my 3 and 1 cousin have used them, donated to charity or binned.

I just saw this thread I am definitely down for doing the no buy this year we have so much stuff in our house I have two boys 2 and 5 the amount of presents they were given was crazy. If anyone has any suggestions on decluttering toys that would be fab but it's clothes I spend so much time washing and putting them away it gets me down:(
I have been doing chuck out Tuesday just to get rid of stuff once a week!

I shopped my toiletry hoard for some new cleanser. I'm sure I bought it in 2021 🤐.

I've bought some phone charging cables but they've been recharged to work so essentially free.

I'm really happy with our low spend this week. I'm frugal generally and know the cheapest places to buy what I need, don't mind shopping around for the best price. However my purchases have been a bit more impulsive, I need to get back into my mindful and minimalist brain.

@coolcahuna what app are you using please?

I'm trying to avoid buying my lunch from the on site cafe as that’s 1/2 hours wages gone!

I love this, thinking in terms of how many hours work something is! Now I'll be back at work soon I'm going to start doing this again!

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I simply cannot curb my spending even though I'm desperate to. I need help. Yesterday I woke up determined to have my first NSD of the year, went into Aldi for groceries and ended up buying fridge trays (£6) which I absolutely don't need- just why? Yes they look nice but what was the point? Then I took a bag of stuff to the charity shop, and couldn't resist picking up a jigsaw (£3) when I was literally decluttering jigsaws. Yes it looks nice but I have 2 waiting to be done already. Then I got an email from my favourite cross stitch website with 15% off their subscription box for this month so I clicked (£25). Yes it looks nice but I have 3 other cross stitch kits already waiting to be done.

You see my problem? No self control. Good intentions but bad in the moment. Just click/buy without thinking.

I need to get a grip.

@NNessaSmith it's called 'I save money'. You can set a budget each month with different buckets of money and record every spend into each bucket. I think I might have paid a one off fee for it which I know goes against the grain!

I've defo been spending money as self soothing and something to do. I have so much time now I'm not collecting parcels, returning parcels. I didn't expect this to happen but it's given me head space to think about what I want to do in my career etc, really liberating

Spends day with £34 spent in the food shop on random crap and £7 on coffee and pastry 🙃

Wanting a little leather backpack for the summer to put bits and bobs in for DS as hate juggling phone keys, cups etc but I'm holding off until nearer spring to use some birthday money.. undecided on off white/cream or very light pink 🥲