No buy or low buy 2023

[TheOGCCL]

Starting a new thread for the new year. I really must do better. Pretty sure I am in need of nothing after my 2022 spending spree.

Ironically I think this board sets me off a bit.

I’m better with a blanket no spend but how dull. Still thinking about my ‘rules’, eg set a budget or an item limit.

I need to avoid the sales as many mistakes happen there.

All welcome who want to cut down for environmental or ethical or financial reasons, or simply the satisfaction of buying second hand, or the ease of getting dressed when you have less stuff.

I can recommend Lauren Bravo’s book How To Break Up With Fast Fashion.

Its a bit like eating meat, if we all collectively did it a bit less, the world would be a better place.

I'm trying to do this. It reached crisis point at New Year's Eve when I was struggling to decide which of my three, very similar black faux fur coats to wear. No one needs to own three black faux fur coats. Since then I have started winnowing out any item of clothing that I haven't worn in over two years. Also getting rid of of any shoes or boots that are even slightly uncomfortable because they're never going to get more comfy are they? Same with any jeans or jumpers that itch or rub or chafe a little bit or make me feel too hot. They've all gone to the charity shop.

The only thing I genuinely need is a black sweater with a v neck and is square at the hem. I have been looking and looking for months but no joy.

Update from me! I’m a bit embarrassed to say this (as it shows how much stuff I really have!) but I’ve sold about 30 items on eBay and made about £1200!! I have another 35 still listed, but those won’t sell for as much - I did the stuff I thought would sell best first. I’ve pretty much halved my wardrobe and now everything fits 😁 I’m pleased with myself, but also really shocked how much I’ve been over buying. I do not need so much stuff! It actually has made me feel a bit sick. It’s really helping change my mindset though and has made me confront my shopping habits.

@NeedWineNow if it helps, I tried that sequinned kimono on before Christmas and it was nowhere near as nice in real life as it looked on the model 😅

@Valkirie thank you, that's good to hear! Decision not to order vindicated!

"Update from me! I’m a bit embarrassed to say this (as it shows how much stuff I really have!) but I’ve sold about 30 items on eBay and made about £1200!! "

Well done @Wiennetta

My £58 is feeling a bit rubbish now. Only two items sold out of five, but it's a start.

I'm really tempted to try selling some of my good clothes on eBay. Is it very straight forward to set up a seller's account, and do you need a Paypal account?

Yes

Thank you @theatrical and well done on your sales too! I feel better selling stuff as hopefully it’s going to a good home and being worn, less wasteful.

@Bookist its pretty easy. It’s a bit tedious listing stuff if you have a lot but I’ve been doing a few at a time. I think you need a PayPal account but not sure (I use PayPal). I’d say it’s worth looking at what sells on eBay - some stuff sells really well and some it’s barely worth it. For example, I’ve sold a couple of jumpers from Sézane and they sell really well - bought for about £100 and sold for about £70 (worn). But a Uniqlo cashmere jumper bought for about £70 didn’t sell when I listed it for £12. Some brands are very sought after and others just aren’t, even if it’s pretty good quality.

Wow @theatrical.
Well done you.
I need to do the same. I've been selling perfume on there for years, but clothes seem to sell very slowly now.
I've been wearing all my coloured cashmere & scarves instead of defaulting to the easy black & navy. I've organised some outfits on this Whering app, so I don't have to think about it in the morning. Accordingly to this app I have 74 items of clothing & my wardrobe is worth ~ £3,250. I haven't added any summer items yet. But the good news is I wear 85% of my clothes.
I'm now going to attempt to shrink some crinkle cotton shirts as they're way too big on me now. I have several from last year in 4 different colours.
Yes, I buy multiples ..... ☺️
Another failing. Though to be fair I did wear them non-stop over the hot summer.

Hi @Bookist I started selling on eBay in the summer. I didn’t need Paypal. It’s all very straightforward once you get started. It’s a little bit time consuming - I think good photos including close ups in a good light makes all the difference but you speed up the more you do. I took the pressure off by listing just one item a day when I had time, that soon adds up over a week. I’ve now sold 70 items and not had a single problem.

I avoided bidding and offers - I set a sum I was happy with and one which felt fair. That’s worked for me

That's good to hear. Thank you.

Caved again with the cold weather and bought a pure wool coat, but it was £50 from the army surplus store so I don't mind that, it feels like I'm recycling.

I've just baged up 15 items for the charity shop, but have ordered 7 items in the john lewis sale, at least its half of whats going. I've also listed 20 items on ebay.

Hmm. I know this doesn't sound like I'm doing low buy because I have just ordered 2 items off my wish list - the denim jacket and black chelsea boots. However, I had more money than usual this month, and they are both replacements to old staples, so feel justified - they were also both in the sale. Both are on my wishlist and have been for months. I hope they fit.

Oddly I seem to get less satisfaction buying something functional which is a replacement than I do with buying something fun and whimsical - even though both the boots and jacket are something I use weekly.

Joining! Better a month late than never. I managed to avoid the January sales but I did buy a dress yesterday. It was on Depop for £60 in new condition when from the shop it would have cost £160. It’s a dress that I have had my eye on for 6 months so definitely a well thought purchase. I’m doing low buy rather than no buy. I definitely need a new pair of white trainers for the summer. I have my eye on a bag for summer. It’s £35 and I may buy it at the end of February if I stick to my budget. The style is one I’ve been after for a couple of years. I’ve just sold something on Depop and I have a few things to list/take to the charity shop

I nearly bought a dress in the Boden sale yesterday. It’s lovely, would probably have suited me, was already a great bargain with about 60% off. They had sent me an email telling me I could have an additional 10% off the sale, but after I put it in my basket, the extra 10% was not taken off (as it had shown earlier). I felt huffy, so left. This morning they offered me a 20% discount on sale and I just deleted the email and decided against it! It’s really nice and a great price, but I have loads of dresses 💪

I can hardly believe it’s the end of the month, and I haven’t bought any beauty/clothes/luxuries! Though I have been browsing and tempting myself everyday. My resolution for February is to stop browsing and do something more useful with the time!

I bought yoga clothes today. I need them though. New year's resolution. I wonder if I'll get through February without buying anything? I don't feel like I'm doing too well at this low buy business. Although I suppose if I compared it to my shopping habits last year 🤪 it is much improved

I went in our local charity shop today and bought a Boss silk shirt for a bargainous £4.50. All good until I tried it on and it's a bit tight so it's going back to be regifted unless they'll let me change it - they had a couple of nice jumpers that caught my eye.

sorely tempted to get some black boots in the sale. I've already got the same ones in tan so these aren't strictly speaking necessary, but I love my tan ones. Decisions decisions.

I am aiming for a no buy (on clothes and beauty) for the whole of February 🤞 I plan to delete inviting emails as they come in. It will be quite an accomplishment if I do it!

I did say no beauty products unless I run out, I've brought three items this month, a mini hair spray and hair cream, I thought it would be good for my holiday, tan drops , was watching a blogger who said how great they are, then looked at youtubers using them, they were around £20 on most sites, but managed to a set of three half price on the boot site so I paid £25 for three products, then qvc had Alpha H liquid gold on offer for good price, so hopefully I'll stop now as there is nothing I need.

I'm pretty happy with how Jan has gone. One pair of needed trainers and no beauty buys.

I'm planning to move house in the next few months and so I'm incentivised to use up what I have in the bathroom cupboards - so I don't have to pack it and move it.

I think I’ve done well. My other weakness besides clothes and shoes is yarn and I did sink £48 on yarn I absolutely do not need but will enjoy. I have cupboards full of yarn but this year I’m determined to up my game and have 5 crochet blankets planned so that should keep me busy and hopefully use the yarn.

My clothes tally has been a much needed waterproof coat in the sale and some super cheap t shirts. Nothing else needed so hoping February will be cheap.

This thread has definitely inspired me to explore my wardrobe more and I am wearing things I haven’t for ages!

I know it's not quite over yet, but I replaced a mascara this month and that's it. Pretty pleased with that.