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?

Can I join please!?
I have done this throughout December because all my Xmas shopping was done by end of November (this was also very much scaled back)
I have had a lightbulb moment about how much shit I buy. Mainly clothes.
triggers are sales or % off codes being sent to me on email. Also had to unfollow any fashion influencers on social media as well, they just make money off idiots like me! Deleted all clothing shop apps.
It’s a boredom thing I think.
I thought I’d be a nightmare this past few days as being off work and Boxing Day sales but I think I’m finally DONE with being how I am.

ban on clothes for me
Only clothes what dd really needs
Strict food budget
I do sometimes buy unnecessary shite for the house too but not as bad as clothes so banning anything house hold like new bedding and stuff.

im in debt because of how I have been so wanting to clear that by September. Hopefully brain is reset to being normal responsible adult by then and I can start to save.

First thing on my buy-no-more list is hair products. I used every single hair product I had up over six months back in 2022 but now they have built up again. I will be gathering them all up to put in a box in the bathroom - it was quite satisfying last time to see the box gradually empty.

I'll join too.

Me, hubby and DD9 have agreed to only buy outside of groceries-
When it is a need. IE- when something breaks or if we have consumed it and it needs replacing.

We have a small pot each that things we want could come out of. We also have a small pot monthly for going out that we can save some so we can go for a trip later in the year. We are focusing on more enrichment rather than stuff this year.

We also started home education last term so have had to factor that in with its own pot and thinking of different ways to learn and gain access to that learning like the library

This is a great idea 💡
I need to sell some items on Vinted and eBay as I just keep buying things!
I have decided to reward myself with a new (used) laptop if I can stick to it. Maybe I will give myself goals and then can have little rewards!

@RabbitsRock @worriedgal @Daisiesanddaffodils24 @Katesam2016 @YesExactlyYes @Abiharwich @emmama2 welcome all.

So excited to have some people to do it with!! If I missed anyone, apologies - getting a bit lost with all the joinees! Welcome!

I'm planning a no buy 2025. I don't need toiletries and planning to seriously reduce alcohol. I may need clothes if I continue to lose weight but only a one in / one out situation and ONLY if needed. No meals out or takeaways unless we are on holiday.

Reading with interest and may decide to join you!
For those saying about coffee, one answer if you have octopus as your energy supplier is to use their one free coffee a week from Cafe Nero (or Greggs). Sometimes the offer is all used up, but I'm fairly reliably using it as a regular free treat.

I need to do this. I buy so much useless stuff just cos I am bored and scrolling.
I need to reset.

@LokiCroc @umberellaonesie @thanksamillion all welcome to the thread!

I have been offloading tea and other unused goodies via Olio and my kitchen and brain and kitchen is feeling much lighter / cleaner as a result.

Currently my "do not buy" list already has about 10 items on it! I know we're not officially in the NY but it's surprising how much the urge to buy takes over!!

I’m in, and I want to post on this thread as accountability. It feels really uncomfortable to commit to this which I think means I have to do it.

I’ve made a list of acceptable spends, and everything else is forbidden! Even for those acceptable purchases I’m going to try and add them to a basket but then wait before actually buying them - my brain is one that mostly forgets about things when I can’t see them so this would probably help me to only buy the things I have actually properly considered.

I know I’m going to struggle with this so thank you for making this thread, I’m sure I’ll need it!

Welcome @Floopdifloo , what kind of things are on your acceptable list? I'm struggling a bit on that one as it's so hard to predict what I will truly need.

I wonder if it would help to keep track of the cost of items you’ve decided not to purchase due to this. Then at the end of each month you can see how much you’ve saved.

I will be cutting back on spending in order to buy some big purchases. I aim to have no spend days so that I can afford to buy a new fridge freezer, sofa and new bed frames without having to think about budgeting.

I'm in! DH and I were talking about this today. We fritter so much money away every month on crap - takeaways are a particular bugbear, DH gets a coffee and a pastry most mornings on his way into work, nipping to the supermarket for milk/bread and spending £30-40 on nothing, etc. It's crazy how much money we waste.

I also have more than enough in the way of skincare/makeup/perfume/clothes etc. I genuinely don't need anything new. I have a Liberty subscription that I'll keep going because that gives me a nice sum at the end of each year to spend on xmas gifts for people, and gets me little skincare freebies etc during the year. But otherwise, books will only be bought in kindle version, clothes will be mended rather than chucked, etc. I'm going to stop buying Lottery tickets as well 😂

Obviously we'll still buy groceries/essentials etc! But we want to put more into savings this year for genuine 'treats' - holidays, days out, home improvements etc rather than just spending on meaningless, ephemeral crap.

Welcome @fromthevault @TwinkleLights24 @PerfumeCat

@fromthevault ooh lottery tickets is a good one. I buy once in a while but never win anything. It's too easy to just grab one at the supermarket so that will be a good one to cut out.

I definitely need to do this. I tried in 2024, made to mid March and then fell back on the consumerist bandwagon. However I have no money and no space and REALLY need to give it a proper go this year. I also need to stop hoarding and starting passing on / selling things. I’m aware it comes from stuff in childhood etc (eg going hungry lots back then so always have too much food in the cupboards now), but I want to start taking charge of my life. Plus my DD admitted she is too embarrassed of the state of the house to invite friends over, which was heartbreaking. I need to do better for her sake above all else.

Hi, I would love to join the no spend gang. I’ve signed up to mumsnet just for this as I’m hoping we can all motivate each other. I would like to save for retirement and pay towards DD wedding in 2026 so I have a while yet. Plus I’m starting a new job and don’t want to waste the extra salary I earn.
Thank you all and good luck.

You might guess from my name but I often buy perfumes that I don’t end up using because I’m too picky. This will definitely be good for that habit! However there is one I’ve been looking for for ages which is never available without ordering online so if I see it at TK Maxx for a bargain I’m getting it 😆 Hang on, should I even go to TK Maxx, it’s a dangerous place for me 😅

@LuminousStar my acceptable purchases are:

• experiences: I am definitely a stay at home kinda person so going out for meals/going to places with people isn’t a problem area for me, but I do enjoy it and should really get out more. This includes a family holiday and a trip to see a family member.
• perfume: I haven’t worn any for years, but after many years of poor mental health and not looking after myself I feel really scruffy so I’m trying to reverse that a bit next year by caring more about how I present myself
• ”proper” art (plus any necessary frames, hanging equipment): basically support artists I like by buying their stuff rather than mass produced items
• Anything needed to finish off a home project I already started
• Clothing: a bra top if I can find one, a good quality jumper or two, a black T-shirt, one or two items for the holiday, replacement socks as mine are getting holes in!
• one of those online blood health checks
• Hedging plants
• Dermatica (but I don’t use it every day so won’t be monthly)

It’s unlikely I will buy much (if any) art, or get round to doing the blood check or buying the hedging plants but I wanted them on the list in case I manage to somehow get my shit together 😁

I am most definitely in really need/want to do this in 2025

Welcome to all the new names, I'm losing track a bit here but you are all welcome!

@Floopdifloo your list is very restrained! And yes, important to have a few little treats on there I think especially if your goal is to look after yourself a bit more.

I'm thinking mine will be

• limited budget for holidays & days out (very much within reason)
• necessary kids clothing/shoes (preferably second hand)
• pair of shoes, boots or decent trainers for me
• possibly a gym membership for a few months (might necessitate some new gym clothes)
• possibly a new (second hand) coat but maybe that could wait until the end of the year!
• a new (second hand) phone with a better camera than my rubbish one - for work purposes

I hope that doesn't all sound too indulgent. But these things are mostly necessary. No doubt other little things will pop up as I go...

Fortunately my kid is old enough not to want or use toys and things and we can use the library for books etc.

Going to carefully consider cancelling all my subscriptions as well - netflix and so on. There are so many free movies online these days. And I don't have BBC or a TV license - I only use catch up on the other channels, so there's some less to prune there.

I've made a "cheat" purchase today of a couple of lampshades in the sale. They have been desperately needed for so long... that said it's not 1st jan yet!! So technically not cheating😅

I'll join. Had an expensive year this year with wedding and honeymoon. House hunting in 2025 so need all the funds we can get! Like a pp I will need to buy clothes for toddler DD but these are mostly vinted. Although I need to get better at only buying what she actually needs - sometimes my Vinted purchases are very much superfluous to actual requirements 🤦🏻‍♀️ TTC number 2 so might need a few maternity clothes but otherwise shouldn't need much for myself.

I’d like to join please. I’m a self diagnosed neurodivergent who works part time and has had a rough few years with various family stresses and illnesses. I’ve been dopamine seeking and purchasing things I don’t need for a lifestyle I don’t want. I plan to follow a no spend unless I need to replace something or gift something - even then I’m trying to prioritise experiences over material things. I’ve come off Instagram for now as I need less doomscrolling and avoidance. I also want to tackle my finances, reduce debt and feel less bogged down by things. So decluttering and cash stuffing and definitely in my future.I love the idea about writing things you want down and delaying buying them. I’m in x

I’m in! Have been diagnosed with some major health issues and don’t see me going back to work now, although this time last year, that was the plan. How life can change! Need to cut back and shop my own wardrobe. Not a big spender but keen on ‘little treats’ and seemingly lots of them 🫤

@Albusmum @AllTheChaos @Greengagesummer65 @rahlikeatiger @zebranotzeebra @littleHen84 welcome all!

Wishing us all a very happy and frugal new year ahead. I think it is going to be harder than it sounds!!😀