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.

That’s a strong incentive!

@Doyouthinktheyknow I’m not prepared to count fabric 😂🤣 That said, I have bought several orders of fabric in January, so I’m aiming to ‘shop my stash’ now 😳

I bought a moisturiser in Aldi as I needed a richer cream due to cold weather and repidly drying skin - apart from that no style and beauty buys which is a record for me

Oh dear. I have not done well. Am aiming for low buy - one thing a month.

January's purchase: a black wool midi dress (worn several times already).

February's planned purchase: black wool trousers (to replace some very ratty ones from 15 years ago).

BUT then I went for a weekend away ith a friend and bought a white t-shirt (on my wishlist) and a black/white scarf in a charity shop.

AND yesterday I bought an evening coat (also on the wishlist but not a necessity).

So I am already at 5 items. Maybe I will just be very good until June...?

I needed new glasses (first pair of varifocals) and they were quite a big expense. But I like them and I only have a pair every other year.

I also had my engagement ring repaired. The claws had pretty much worn away and I was worried the stone would fall out. Again, quite an expense, but it looks like new, the diamond looks much bigger 😆😆 and I can't stop looking at it.

I've bought nothing in the sales and my liberty beauty drop box stopped me buying skin care etc.

I’ve bought two dresses. I’d only planned to buy one but had expected it to be an expensive purchase and ended up getting something much cheaper, so the two together cost much less than I’d expected and both will be really useful for going out without being full on party dresses which I rarely get chance to wear.

Have also ordered new running trainers but they’re a necessity.

February and March lists =
a new Longchamp
black work trousers
a ‘going out’ top or jumper to wear with a black satin skirt

Returned Michael Kors bag wasn't perfect.
Spent approx £40 on two work dresses and a blazer which are needed for my return to work I've decided to have a three day work so three rotating 'uniform' outfits as it'll make life a lot easier for me less stressful and probably cheaper.
Going to also buy myself two 'mum-iform' outfits too I am finding it quite stressful. Probably a total spend of £100 but that'll be me for a few months.

I've just ordered 2 Mac mini lipsticks & paid with my Boots points, as they were reduced. This satisfied my urge to indulge myself. Other than that i bought basic Cetaphil replacement skincare. I also bought a pair of faux leather trousers for £5.99 on the M&S sales remnants rail thats an exact copy of one i have already. I will put the pants away for next year.
The outfit i put together from my wardrobe yesterday, via the Whering App didnt quite work, as the proportions were all wrong. Wide trousers with a tonal slouchy cashmere sweater & a cocoon coat. Too much slouch & the colours were too sludgy 🤔 It would probably work brilliantly on someone tall.

Please someone talk me down, I have 3 of the new Snag dresses in my basket. I Do Not Need Them. However they are cotton, in my two favorite colours, and have pockets...

I really do not need them, I have several dresses in my wardrobe I've not worn in years.

@LivingDeadGirlUK first try and wear the dresses you have in the next couple of weeks to confirm if you do enjoy them. If not sell or charity shop. If you don’t keep them you could consider one of the snag dresses to see if that has a place in your wardrobe? Delay, delay, delay!

My aim was 12 things in 12 months.
29 th January bought a slouchy oversized cotton cardi at half price.. I already have 2 in different colours but this was a beautiful blue and they are the work horses of my summer wardrobe and last years .. so quite pleased with myself! A good thoughtful buy!

I have completely failed the low buy so far. I think my wishlist became a target rather then something to make me more mindful - but I've seen lots of things which fit the description of the items I wanted and so I've bought them. I got a new pair of trainers (although not in fun colourway like I had planned, more muted but still not completely white) and the denim jacket I ordered arrived and was just what I needed. I have also ordered black chelsea boots because the pair I had seen a while back were now half price. So I guess on the positive, I have stuck to my wish list without impulse additions, but I also clearly saw it as a goal rather than a leisurely activity to spread across the year. I suppose it means I'm pretty much done for the year now - only 2 items remain on my wish list for the entire year!

I'm in Australia so am going to be first to post my January results!

I bought NOTHING for myself - no clothes, accessories, makeup, or home decor things. The odd replacement of everyday toiletries was it.

After reading a suggestion upthread I kept a record of the things I googled or followed links to, and seriously tried to justify to myself, but didn't end up buying. AU$1060 worth! That's about 600 pounds. No wonder my credit cards are a mess.

I did fall over on my plan to avoid food delivery and ordered Uber Eats twice, but that's a LOT better than usual.

Overall, very pleased with myself and very grateful for the inspiration and motivation this thread has given me

Brilliant @StrawHatOnTheParcelShelf.

I’m only focusing on clothes/shoes/accessories. Because I have no space and no need. I bought a pair of knee high socks for £8 as it was so cold.

The further I go, the less I am going to want to break over something trivial. They also say habits start to form. I’m also really thinking about what it is I get most wear from and where my gaps are. But also what I might have that sort of fits the gap.

I’m starting to get into the challenge of spending as little as possible, very timely at the moment. So that’s reducing my make up and skincare spending too. I’ve probably spent about £250 less this month.

I’m not being tempted by anything at the moment. I think it’s a combination of endless winter and not seeing that much exciting around, certainly nothing nicer than I already have. Or it’s starting to look a bit spring like and it’s still far too cold for that. I’m watching YouTube stylists and reading threads on here but it all seems quite samey and uninspiring.

Pleased to have almost completed January and hoping things carry on into February.

The further I go, the less I am going to want to break over something trivial. They also say habits start to form. I’m also really thinking about what it is I get most wear from and where my gaps are. But also what I might have that sort of fits the gap.

I found that too @TheOGCCL , it's definitely getting easier and I'm working hard to make do with the (ridiculous amounts of) things I have. Eg. I've been lusting after leather joggers for ages and had a half price pair in the cart yesterday, then remembered I have a newish leather midi skirt I've worn once and could give me a similar look. It's not quite right so I might invest some of that money I've saved into having it altered.

Oops I meant to bold the quote above!

@StrawHatOnTheParcelShelf I am in NZ so will also draw January to a close.

I have managed to end January having spent not a cent on make up, cosmetics or clothes. So unusual for me, usually have a good spend in the sales. I just have so much stuff and I am determined to use the things I have.

We have just been away for the week-end and I almost bought new shoes which had been reduced. I always seem to come back with something after a trip away, so this was a definite change.

Reporting in on the last day of January. Compared to previous years this month has been incredibly freeing. I have bought a couple of bits from my wish list and my limited impulse buys have also been bought with an eye to gaps in my wardrobe (replacing things that had been finally binned for instance) but otherwise there has been no special sales shopping trips, I've deleted loads of sale emails and anything that was considered I've thought about it, looked at my wardrobe and realised I actually didn't need it.

I did get new day and night creams last week (Superdrug Vitamin E) and am using my existing ones up as body cream.

Onwards to February!

Checking in again as it’s the last day of the month. I’ve spent a lot less than usual this month. Bought one thing from my wish list, plus a ski jacket which I needed for a ski holiday (and it was a bargain on Vinted). I didn’t buy any hair/beauty stuff which is unusual for me!

I’ve had a massive clear out and sold almost 50 (!!!) items on eBay which has been great - both in terms of having some extra money but also reducing my wardrobe. Everything fits now and it’s easier to look through my remaining clothes and see what’s there, which is definitely helping me to use more from my wardrobe.

I’m still browsing clothes shops, which is a habit I want to reduce/stop as it’s what has led me to buying so much stuff in the first place. But I think I’m being more disciplined and not buying things.

I did think a good plan for me going forward is when I want to/need to buy something (I’m aiming for low rather than no buy) to go to the physical shops. I think I’m less likely to buy something in person than online (as I’m more critical if I can feel the fabric, try something on etc). And also less likely to make a mistake in person - I’ve definitely kept stuff I’ve bought online which is just ‘ok’.

Hello All
Checking in for January, I did pretty well, only things bought were 4 summer dresses which I don't feel too guilty about because they came from a dressmaker and are of beautiful quality for the price and should last many years. That is me sorted on the summer dress front though, no more now until next summer! (not UK our seasons are backwards).
Next month I will buy the sandals I need and then summer clothes shopping will be finished for the year.

I have bought no clothes. I think that's a first for me. I did buy 3 Aldi perfumes dupes today but less than £6 for the three

Phew. Made it to the end with just the 2 Roka bags and the Toms from Vinted.

I have a pack of 3 Rapanui t-shirts in my basket, having thrown all my old bobbly Matalan/Primark ones away. Don't think I need anything else before summer.

Still haven't brought any clothes this month, I had £170 cash for Christmas, so the clothes I brought in the sale,
Hush green printed dress
Hush sparkly top
m&s fur gila
pair levis
sequin bomber jacket
I do have a order from next to pick up tomorrow two more pairs of levis, ordered two sizes, and a hobbs coat from John lewis.

I need to have a sort out of what I've actually got but I'm worried I'll find gaps to fill or shabby old things I'll want to replace. I'll try and hang on until season change over.

I still put things in my basket several times this month. I just didn't go all the way to paying.

Consumerism is such an addiction!

This is what happened to me! I sorted out all my short-sleeved tops and was left with about 4 decent ones, which won't even hold me between laundry loads.