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?

@NessaSmith at least you recognise your issue, which is the first step. I think what has made me more aware of what I buy is all the crap in my house and my lack of time as a result (sorting, cleaning, buying, returning, shopping etc etc). When you declutter and enjoy the space more it is harder to want to fill it up again.

Have you watched some of the documentaries recommended on this thread? They might help you if you've not already. The Minimalists and so on.

Also as I think I said upthread, it is a bit like a muscle - the more you practice saying no, the better you will get.

None of us are perfect but if we can recognise when we are dopamine seeking to fulfil an emotion, rather than a genuine need, that is the first step.

Also I think mindfulness is helpful. Taking a few deep breaths to recentre before buying anything. And the "write it down" method seems very good - make a list of all your wanted purchases, give it a week or a month then come back. You will likely find your desire for them has gone.

I think just being on this thread is a start for all of us! Good luck, you're doing well!

Ugh, I’d been doing quite well with only spending on food, the very occasional coffee with friends and one blip which cost me £3.50. But today I’ve had to replace my aquarium heater which cost me nearly £80 but was necessary as the fish would die in cold water.

Weirdly they are ‘rescue’ fish and have so far cost me a fortune with a new tank and other bits and bobs. They don’t even do much!

I've had some good nsd since the New Year. Couple of sports charges then I went into hospital for day surgery but unfortunately ended up back in Saturday and only discharged last night. This has had a very positive effect on my spending 😂
I can't say the same for my partner who has paid a fortune for parking, but on a good note did have a Parking Charge Notice cancelled which was a £60 win 🏆

Crazy how much it costs to have any kind of pet these days! Still, needs must for a new heater. I am sure your fish are grateful!🐠

@PrincessofWells that is great news!

We have had a marginally spendy day or so - as we are ill. So lucozade, halls soothers and other little illness necessities had to be procured. 😅

No spend day here AND I got £24 refunded onto my card from an unneeded roll of wallpaper.

Just popping in to say I haven't even opened Vinted which is (embarrassingly!) such an achievement for me!

I've really tried to think about my spending and go for what will last etc . I've bought a proper top for yoga (after previously buying 3 on Vinted that didn't fit) in the BAM sale as that should withstand regular wear / washing.

I have bought some new spendy skincare, but it's on the advice of someone I trust who has worked with it for a long time. I've been in and out of Boots over the past year trying to find cleanser / moisturiser that doesn't irritate my skin. Frittering money.

I was looking at my mobile banking earlier and I've hardly used my credit card since Christmas. Normally I'm on Vinted regularly buying bits and bobs to give a little lift. But then of course the regular £5 spends add up and are a total waste when things don't fit etc.

It's helpful to read everyone else's posts, thanks all 🙂

My change to using cash as much as possible is going well, feel less stressed with it somehow - think it’s because I can see bank account details clearly when I check it and know the balance is accurate.
Haven’t bought anything but groceries and essential garden things all month (needed memorial bush, a dogwood, for my beloved girl) but have today had to replace my laptop. So that’s a big spend. Necessary so feel ok, though despondent about my savings but that’s life.

Two no-spend days this week so far! Might have another today as I feel super ropey so will probably just stay inside.

Sold about a tenner's worth of bits and bobs on Vinted.

I have a lot of big spends coming up. Treating the family to pizza for my son's birthday this weekend, then another birthday next weekend I've to get a present for, then meeting my friends for dinner the week after that.

I'm a SAHM atm but taking some work in the summer and the nursery fees mean I'm basically going to break even. Mentally preparing myself now but it's going to be painful...

@CCurbsideProphet I'm with you on vinted, I read your post nodding in agreement. Was in a terrible habit of just buying bits on there which then all add up and aren't always that great when they arrive.

I love preloved stuff and rarely buy new but am only going to look in charity shops for that now. Can actually see if it fits before I buy and not pay postage.

Vinted funds will be withdrawn straight into my bank account so I'm not tempted !!!

NSD - stuck at home ill, so kind of unsurprising. But good for the wallet nonetheless!

Running out of food and drink so will need to get out tomorrow at some point (feeling a little better thank goodness this eve).

@Ontherocksthisyear thanks for the helpful input. You're clearly a happy and helpful person.

Vinted people, try setting up a clothes swap with friends. Our neighbourhood group does one monthly, it is always well attended. Six thousand items got swapped last year.

Quick check in:

9 days with zero spending
6 days with necessary spending
5 days with allowed spending (some days have both ‘necessary’ and ‘allowed’)

Allowed purchases have been replacements for the things that I ordered in December and had to return (some of which were cheaper than the originals), restocking skincare, one item under the renovation category, and the best one is flights for a holiday in June ☀️

I know that in a couple of weeks I’ll be paying for a gardener who was supposed to come in December, but other than that i think the rest of the month will just be necessary purchases/no spend days.

Impressive, Floopdifloo. Wish I'd starting off recording proper stats but I'd have to fudge them back to Jan 1 if I started now.

Hope you are feeling better @LuminousStar.

Yesterday was just my food shopping, although I did buy myself tulips and didn't go totally frugal. On Fridays I often buy myself a nice wfh lunch from a bakery. Today I had a bacon, cheese and potato croissanty kind of thing and a creme egg.

Tomorrow I'll be taking DC to a bookshop but have vouchers, and to the cinema but have prepaid ticket voucher things.

@Melancholiest mostly better thank you! It's just that horrible time of year when it's freezing and illnesses floating about so I am looking forwards to spring!!

I bought some train tickets (£20ish) for an upcoming London theatre production yesterday. The theatre tickets were booked ages ago but I hadn't bought the train yet. And will also necessitate a new railcard too :(. Another annoying but necessary spend. We will take a packed lunch and I might put enough in the budget for a lime and soda and chips at a pub (even chips in the pub is wild these days!) but otherwise hoping for it to be a cheap day out! And it is a long overdue birthday treat for my lovely kid.

Otherwise hoping to have a low to zero spend week next week - actually might make that my goal!! Use up all old food and drink in order to offset some of the essential spends upcoming.

I have been feeling a bit better about limited spending this month.. until the tax return bill. Ouch..

I seem to have got into my head that I now want an exercise bike. This is my first real “challenge” - so far I haven’t really really wanted anything so it’s been pretty smooth sailing.

Old me would have bought it already. New me is waiting and seeing - it would be a great benefit as I think I’d really enjoy it, it would slot easily into my routine, and my cardiovascular health is pretty awful, but to get one that does what I want it’s a pretty hefty investment (not anywhere near peloton prices, but still pricey). I hate running, the weather is a huge barrier to me, other people are a huge barrier to me, I don’t like flinging myself around with HIIT stuff on YouTube, so a bike could be a good fit. I’m going to mull it over for a while and see how I feel next month.

@Floopdifloo writing it down is a good idea. that said, could you have a look for a second hand one? exercise bikes are ALWAYS going on FB marketplace. Might be worth a look as you might find something much cheaper, even some of the more specialist ones.

I hope this is ok to share on here, but I’m absolutely flabbergasted at how much doing this challenge is affecting my finances. Since I got married, I’ve pretty much buried my head in the sand with money, saying every now and then that we should save more but then going and buying some new clothes the next day, etc. I’ve never spent enough to actually get us into real bother, there’s no piles of credit card debt or anything, but we often ended up overdrawn.
Anyway, I’ve just asked my husband how much money we’ve got left in the current account before payday, and it’s loads. On the 20th Jan last year we were already overdrawn. Today, we’ve more than £2k. On one hand, I’m so thrilled that this is working, but on the other hand I feel sick at how much money I’ve wasted over the years. I feel like I’ve just been treating myself constantly and never really bothering to save and think of future security. It’s such a wake up call.

People near me are falling over themselves to give away exercise bikes on Marketplace.

@ThisHazelDog so pleased to hear it's making a difference for you! I don't think you should be focussing on what you've wasted - spilt milk and all that - except to influence your current behaviour in a positive way. Have you got any plans for the savings or will you just keep putting them away for future?

My week is going fairly chilled - it's so cold I can barely bear to leave my house! I have a few little things on later this week in town but going to avoid the shops as best I can.

I don't think I am too terrible day to day normally but what I am not missing is the annoying little stuff that used to come in the door and clutter up my house and slowly eat at my savings and money. I have a bit of a challenge at the moment - to spend nothing for the next month (or as close to zero as possible) even on groceries - we have a weekend away coming up and I am determined to save a decent amount for fun as much as anything else.

I agree @ThisHazelDog look forward to how much you can save rather than looking back. You must be pleased with yourself though.

I've made a none auth purchase but its something I'll need in the warmer weather and getting it now is better value.

My credit card bill is really low this month, my goal is to beat it every month if I can.

Thanks! Will try to look at it that way.
I completely agree with you on how fab it is not to have things arriving in the house and needing somewhere to go. I’ve got a free weekend coming up and I’m going to get my decluttering on the go!

It's been an expensive day, £105 down with nothing to show for it. Half on my dog's vaccination and half on a deluxe pedicure with a chiropodist. Although I do have nice soft feet and I will be able to claim that £50 back (thanks, health cash plan).