Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Original poster

No buy or low buy 2022

271 replies

GranolaHolmes · 31/12/2021 15:57

Ive just made my final purchase of 2021.
I want to have a "no buy" year with regards to clothes.
But I'm wondering if I should make it a "low buy" so I don't feel too restricted and then rebel against myself.
I could give myself a limit to the number of purchases for 2022 say 12 items maximum for the year?

Anybody done this and have tips for avoiding failure on the challenge.

OP posts:
Sooverthemill · 03/01/2022 16:44

I'm aiming for a low buy 2022. I may go for 22 for 22. I've bought a lot of clothes in the last 12 months and I don't 'need' many more. My 22 includes preloved as quite a lot of my purchases last year were preloved and I'm happy to do this.

I've already bought one item on my wish list from eBay yesterday and I bought things in the Boxing Day sales that have yet to arrive and I will I think include those in my 22. Also, one in one out.

Good luck everybody!

EducatingArti · 03/01/2022 16:47

Delurking to ask, what is 22 for 22?

Sooverthemill · 03/01/2022 16:52

You can buy 22 items in 2022 ( 22 for 22)

AColdDuncanGoodhew · 03/01/2022 16:53

I'm on a no buy, essentially it's a replacement only no buy and I'll only buy something when the product is finished and I have nothing I can use in its place (like concealers), or when clothes/shoes are entirely done and need replaced.

I need to stop with random purchases on Amazon, at Tesco, the work canteen etc.

I'm allowing coffee/lunch with friends and family and also books.

PiglingBlonde · 03/01/2022 16:54

I'm trying to do a 'no new buy' for 2022 so everything except undies and some
new Birkenstocks will be from eBay or Vinted.

My DCs are getting big and won't want to come in holiday with us for much longer so want to do some really good holidays over the next 2-3 years (depending on timing of exams etc which will be £££) and I'd rather do that than have another dress which is okay but not amazing.

PigeonPigPie · 03/01/2022 17:04

I'm pregnant so am putting £25 aside each month to do a 'wardrobe reset' when I'm a few months postpartum. Going to try to avoid buying any clothes outside of that unless I need undies etc. Am also being strict with other areas e.g £15 a month for coffees with friends, £10 for books (kindle deals or use the library!).

tinkywinkyshandbag · 03/01/2022 17:34

12 items a year is about my normal rate!! However I'm setting myself a challenge of only buying second hand using money I make from selling other stuff. Apart from shoes as I have issues with my feet and need proper support. So far so good I've sold quite a few bits on Vinted and bought myself a few nice bits for Christmas.

Hippywannabe · 03/01/2022 17:58

I like the idea of 22 for 22. I am 61lbs down out of the 100 I am going to lose but have clothes to wear till I get there.
I want to concentrate on more of a capsule wardrobe so that would help!

OddSocksSparklyDocsandDungaree · 03/01/2022 18:57

I'm a bit of a Charity Shop Queen and go in my local one most days Grin I definitely need to cut back!

riromay · 03/01/2022 18:59

I'd like to join the 12 items in 2022 as well. I'll write here for accountability Smile

PiddleOfPuppies · 03/01/2022 19:05

I'm going to try to do no new clothes this year, unless I lose weight! We have some lovely vintage and charity shops in town so I'll be supporting them, and will try to do a one-in, one-out policy. I've changed jobs and I'm wearing a uniform, so I only need clothes for weekends and holidays.

Original poster
GranolaHolmes · 03/01/2022 19:58

I know it's only day 3 or something but I've found I'm not overwhelmed with the craving to buy my first item. So that's good.
I'd love to delay the first purchase for as long as possible really.

OP posts:
Peridot1 · 04/01/2022 08:45

Wow @Hippywannabe - that’s amazing. Well done on that loss. You must feel so proud.

Peridot1 · 05/01/2022 11:45

I’ve succumbed. Already.

A coat. My day to day coat is now relegated to a dog walking coat and I needed something a bit smarter. It was in the sale so I went for it. So if I was to do one item a month that’s me for January.

MuesliNameChange · 05/01/2022 12:10

I'd like to join please! I'm aiming for no new clothing/shoes unless it is a replacement for something that has worn out. I did a huge buy towards the end of last year after I accepted that I was unlikely to lose the extra stone I've been carrying around for a decade... I've welcomed it into the waistline and bought a size up of various things. And then I got a bit keen and started buying way more things and was finding it hard to say no to myself when I saw something I liked. So on 31 Dec I thought I should try to aim for (very close to) no new additions in 2022.

Then on day 1 I put my finger through a new hole in the waistband of some pants so the exception policy has already been used... but I didn't buy myself a bunch of extra things while I was doing it AND I talked myself out of buying a second pair of my favourite summer shorts yesterday so I am giving myself a pat on the back already. Hope I can keep going!!

Best of luck to all of us!!!🤞🤞🤞

MuesliNameChange · 05/01/2022 12:12

That's ok Peridot! If you were going to buy one thing this month it was definitely better to buy something you actually needed AND that was on sale. Both very good features! And you are still on track for the 12 things so please enjoy your new coat Smile

Sooverthemill · 05/01/2022 14:49

I bought a pair of trainers in the sale today which are the same as my most worn pair but in a different colour. For me that feels right. It was a considered purchase. I sent back something I had ordered in December that arrived yesterday. So, I have 20 items left this year!

Daisy829 · 05/01/2022 16:39

Okay so I did buy a handbag but it’s a secondhand one so feel okay about that. I’m going out on sat night and thought I need to buy a new top to cover the Xmas weight gain but stopped myself and thought about what’s in my wardrobe and reckon I’m covered. I’m quite proud of myself!

slipperyeel · 05/01/2022 19:29

No but until June when I will assess if I need any summer clothes.
I absolutely must not buy any shoes or bags this year, I have loads!
A good rule for me is actually to never buy in the sales. I just buy loads of stuff I don’t need or want. If I pay full price I’m much more discriminating.

GorgeousGeorgiana · 05/01/2022 19:33

Yes, I'm doing this too. So far, so good!

GorgeousGeorgiana · 05/01/2022 19:35

Only exception for me is if something really, truly wears out and I can't live without it; eg a winter coat or pants or something. I'm avoiding secondhand too as I have a bad habit of over-buying on ebay or in charity shops.

OublietteBravo · 05/01/2022 19:40

So far, so good for me too. DH went shopping today. I stayed at home and washed my car!

raffegiraffe · 05/01/2022 20:33

Trying to do second hand only too. Looking forward to it tbh

ShangPie · 05/01/2022 21:46

Fail Blush

I cracked and bought a COS mustard colour wool jumper on Vinted yesterday. I’d favourite-d it before Xmas and then the seller reduced it. Curse those notifications

It’s not really a fail though. If I’m allowing 12 items, I have only used up my January allowance. It’s a duplicate of one I have in a different colour and love, plus it was second hand and paid for with £ from selling other unwanted items, so I don’t feel too bad Halo

Wow, reading back makes me see all my self-justifications… still, onwards and upwards!

Daisy829 · 05/01/2022 21:55

@ShangPie I think a reduced item on Vinted is justified. It wasn’t an impulse buy if you’ve been watching it for a while