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.

So far so good this month for me my little girl however has far too much stuff I keep finding bargains and they are so cute I want to get that under control now though so I will say only essentials for her until her next size (for example, her coat breaks or she poonarmis and runs out of baby grows because NO WAY am I dealing with that 😂)
Next month will have to be my turn though as I'll be returning to work so need some bit.
Spent a lot more than usual on a hair cut this month my hair needed some TLC and it was very very worth it.

Little girls clothes are so irresistible @FirstTimeMum072022. But they do grow out of them so fast.
@Luna your clothes & shoe haul sounds so very considered & useful.
I've been digging around in my wardrobe & I've found an old chambray shirt. I saw one of the accounts I follow on Instagram pairing up slip skirts with a denim shirt & looking good. Everything denim appears to be very much in at the moment & I have two old slip skirts that I've hardly worn. I was eyeing up chambray shirts on eBay & I'm so pleased I can utilise the items in my wardrobe to look on trend.

I don't think I've bought a single item of clothing this year. However, I've been to the hairdresser this morning and decided to change colour. Which meant I also had to buy shampoo and conditioner. I do love the new colour though. Then there was a Liberty offer, but that came out of my beauty drop account so doesn't really count plus I sold some perfume on vinted at the weekend.

I was doing really well but now I have £50 burning a hole in my Vinted account. I Do Not Need Anything Else!

@LivingDeadGirlUK well done but move that money to your saving account to stop being tempted it really helps if you have to move money back and forwards it acts like a brake I think so anyway

I concur! If you don't need anything, then put that money somewhere you can't see it!

(Should have probably taken my own advice instead of spending my £15 birthday discount on a fav perfume today - I convinced myself that with inflation, it's better for me to stock up on it now...but at least it wasn't skincare, which I currently have far too much of!)

@Netcam @Cantonet Hi - I’ve read your comments and insights into what is involved operating a wardrobe app. I’m very tempted to give it a go but it does sound quite time consuming although I guess uploading photos etc can be done in stages. I’ve just finished having a wardrobe sort out/sale of unwanted items/purchase of new items to fill gaps so I think I’ll see how I get on styling my own outfits before dipping my toe into app territory. I now have a smaller wardrobe with better quality items and it was putting together outfit combinations to maximise wear and usage which appealed to me the most but as you point out this does not always work in reality. It is quite exciting - the whole process of my wardrobe revamp has taken me almost 9 months and has been a surprisingly intense experience - listing and selling unwanted items and trying to work out my style which has been buried for years has all proved more time consuming than I previously envisaged. I will know in a year or two whether my experiment with the goal of drastically reducing clothing consumption has worked. I find myself already coming up with the excuse to add to what I have already, a habit I need to learn to curtail.

It has definitely been an interesting exercise adding everything to the Whering App and I think it is pretty much all there and if I've missed anything it would only be the odd thing or two.

It wasn't too bad adding it all as I only shop online and keep all clothes shopping related emails in a folder. So I went through the emails, googled the item details and in most cases found a picture online I could upload which was very quick. I then added a description, the price and date bought. I could then add each item to lookbooks I named as years bought so I could quickly see what I bought when. I then looked through my wardrobe/chest of drawers, which I had extensively organised into sections so it is all visible, over Xmas, to check I hadn't missed anything.

I have included clothes, shoes, coats/jackets, base layers and accessories like tights, hats, scarves and gloves. But I have excluded bras, socks, pants, nightwear and old clothes I use for gardening/decorating etc as I am not going to catalogue and record those. Anything purchased before 2016 is also not recorded, apart from one pair of sheepskin gloves bought in 2002 from John Lewis and I still wear every winter. There are only a few bits and pieces in my wardrobe from pre 2016 that I have kept and very occasionally wear, but I have not recorded them. Here are the numbers of these items purchased each year.

2023 - 28 items
2022 - 47 items
2021 - 6 items
2020 - 19 items
2019 - 18 items
2018 - 4 items
2017 - 75 items
2016 - 21 items

The 2 main times I have bought an excessive amount of clothes were:

2017 - many things happened that year, my dad died after a long illness and my now DH moved in so I stopped being a single parent. For both these reasons I finally had some spare money I could use and did go a bit mad with buying clothes. Also, the previous year I had discovered merino and loved it, so started on a major wardrobe revamp, gradually getting rid of most of my cotton clothes and replacing most things such as t-shirts, long sleeved tops, hoodies, skirts and dresses with merino ones I found in sales.

Winter 2022/23 - due to energy bills increasing and the fact that we always had the house warmer than anyone other than me needed it to be, it seemed a good option to build up my wardrobe with more wool base layers and knitted wool jumpers for the long term. This has enabled me to find new ways of dressing that keep me warm enough that I am happy with and I am now used to the house being colder and have clothes that work with that.

It also says the total cost of everything I have bought in those years above is £12,702, so averages just over £2000 a year, which is quite a lot! But I really think I have most things I need now for quite a long time to come. I realise I will want some additional items from time to time but have decided DH can get them for me as Xmas/birthday presents and I can wait. If I see something I really desperately don't want to miss out on he can buy my present early and store it. And if I get tempted I can just look at the app and tell myself I don't need another merino hoodie, I already have 26!

I've bought zero in February. Going on holiday soon, I've got lots of holiday stuff already, no plans to buy any. I've got rid of a few items mostly worn out gym t-shirts also a dress I never wear. I love the space, definitely not going to fill it up again.
I don't need to save money but buying less means more money for days out and holidays.

personal spends for february £18, news subscription and 2 visits for coffee and cake, household £20 on fish and chips for 3 and £9 for 3 meal deals when out and about total excess £47 not too bad, all under budget I'm not counting DH's spends from his personal allowance we have an allowance each month for clothes toiletries not from supermarket shop, make up coffees magazines

Can I join the party ladies? I desperately need a low spend year. My weakness is clothes. I typically spend £200 a month on clothes for myself. I’d like to get this down to £50 a month overall.
it hasn’t helped that my weight has been fluctuating over the past 5 years, from a size 8-14 due to health reasons so I’ve found myself needing whole new wardrobes each season. I also shop to cheer myself up, as I’m sure most of us do.
I have a reasonably glamorous job and need to look good for work events. As I’ve got older I find it harder to look nice and find myself obsessing with looking good and comparing myself to how I used to look. Stupid I know. I am also in the habit of wearing quite fashionable pieces that I don’t wear many times before it goes out of fashion.

I know I need to reign in the clothes shopping as to be honest, I’d rather use the money for more experiences than things.

so far this year I have bought myself a couple of jumpers (with birthday money so I’m not sure that counts) and a skirt. I’d like to refrain from anymore clothes purchases until May when I know I’ll need some summer bits and bobs.

My main tip is to write down when you buy any clothes @Twobigsapphires

I find it too easy to think I haven't bought much so I need to keep a record.

I just put a photo, price, and a few details on a list in my Notes section on my phone and flick through when I think I haven't had anything new for aaaaages.

Checking in for the end of February. I didn’t buy the bag mentioned previously but I still really want it. I did but two new dresses but I listed a load of items on Vinted and sold two items almost straight away. I’ve decided to buy better quality items that I love rather than cheaper pieces (not that cheap exists any more). Whenever I’m tempted to buy something I ask myself “would i wear this in five years?” If the answer is no, I’ll reconsider.

Since my last post I have bought one pair flared jeans, 2 pairs mum jeans and one pair cropped jeans, with 4 jumpers and some really chunky trainers.

Overall I've got my spending down in February to half of January so I'm pleased.

I've stopped myself buying a hoodie that wasn't quite perfect, I don't want things for the sake of it any more I have to really love it. I've got enough so-so clothes already, that I'm aiming to get some use from over the next 6 months then declutter once they're past their best. I'm aiming to have a wardrobe where I love every single piece in it.

I'm trying to get into the mindset that even if I love it I can't necessarily have it, if there's no room.

I've managed a total no-buy on makeup, so that's something. Need to maintain that because I have tons.

Checking in as the end of February approaches and month two of my three month clothing spend ban. Definitely spending a lot less, no clothes bought, and pleased not to have frittered away money on basically nothing but it’s not coming naturally at the moment. Twice I have had to talk myself out of going to Oxford Street in search of things I don’t need.

Can’t really decide if accessories should be included and then I lost a glove and it’s still freezing so I bought some more. I also ordered a bag as that was on my list but I am not going to collect it, isn’t perfect, don’t really need it. I now have my eye on some new sunglasses instead though.

Picked some earrings for DH to buy me for my birthday but that’s just triggered endless online scrolling of earrings and wondering whether I’d made the best choice. Think I was better off blocking all thoughts of shopping from my mind. I don’t want to go back to this after the ban ends.

I think it’s so good to have some distance, to put things back, to spend some time thinking about stuff as I often either completely lose interest or more commonly my attention moves to something else instead. Clearly it’s only the things that can keep my interest that are worth buying and that’s not actually all that much.

The colder weather is helping as it seems the wrong time of year to buy warm clothes but nor do I have much interest in S/S clothes it’s too cold to wear. The change of season will be interesting.

@Twobigsapphires would you consider renting clothes for your work events? That way you'd get the feeling of wearing something current and fashionable without the annoyance of not getting much wear or value out of it.

Checking in on the last day of the month!

How is everyone doing?

I’ve completed my big wardrobe clear out and most of it has sold on eBay, but there’s still some stuff listed. I’ll see where it gets to by the end of March and anything that isn’t sold I think I’ll take to the charity shop. The money I’ve made I’ve used to pay off my credit card, which feels great.

I’m pleased with how I’ve done so far. I bought one item of clothing that I wanted in Jan, and then I’ve bought two things for a skiing trip (sort of non-negotiable as I definitely needed them). I don’t mind buying a bit, just want to keep it down to stuff I genuinely need or really love and will wear.

I’ve still got a wish list that I’m adding to - and sometimes removing stuff from. I’ve split it into spring/summer and autumn/winter. As the winter is ending I’ve noted a couple of things I’d like for next winter - things I felt were missing from my wardrobe and would get worn.

I’ve also put all jeans, trousers and jumpers on the StyleBook app. I’ve added a couple of jackets but need to do jackets, coats and tops as well as some going out stuff and summery stuff. I’ve been taking it slowly as trying each item on before I list it as a double check of whether I want to keep or get rid of everything. A couple of things have gone to the eBay pile. But I also had two things I thought I’d wear more with slight amendments so going to take those to the tailor. I decided that I’ll be brutal with anything that’s not being worn - I like the app can tell me how much I’m wearing things. If I’m not wearing it I’ll get rid.

Overall starting to feel like my habits have changed and I’m recovering from what was a shopping - and browsing for clothes - addiction.

I've bought nothing for me! Did get some trousers for my son and new wellies for him but they were needed.

Morning, another one checking in. I haven't done too bad this month. I did get a couple of bits in our local charity shop - Phase Eight dress, Wallis fur gilet and soft fur scarf in a mustard colour that has really lifted my black coat and black padded jacket. Total spend £15.

I needed some new foundation so got the Laura Geller TSV from QVC. It's just arrived so will see what that's like.

I'm going to the hospital tomorrow so am going on afterwards to our Asda at Home store who also do George clothing to check out their bras as recommended on another thread. I've had a sort out and could do with a couple of t-shirt bras but really don't want to spend £££ on them.

Pressed Post too quickly.

I meant to add that my next job is to have a sort out of my wardrobe. I have got things that need altering/remodelling but equally I have some bits that I could sell on. Has anyone used Vinted to sell? Is it easy to do?

Check in at the end of the month too.

I got a few replacements like I noted before - a new mascara as old one ran out, a cashmere beanie to replace a lost one, and a jumper from &other stories because my "dear" husband shrank 2 of my favourites!

After a long debate, I also bought a pair of dark blue Levi's 501s. I really wanted decent quality jeans, and my previous dark blue pair wore through and the cost of repair was ridiculous. Its also my only smart pair for work.

So everything this month was a replacement which I'm happy about - and I donated a few jumpers and tops to the charity shop so actually I have less clothing than in January. I spent £180 which isn't too terrible.

In March, the only thing on my shopping list is a wool or wool-blend blazer. It's been on the list for over a year so I'm not holding out too much hope in finding what I'm after but that's ok.

Declaring £120 spent in February on going back to work clothes

Checking in. My rule for 2023 was no spending on beauty, clothes, accessories or luxuries for myself.

January - spent nothing in these categories.

February - spent £30 on a scarf and £140 on a tennis racket.

No regrets, as these items are needed and bring me lots of joy. But going back to no spend in March and thereafter.

It’s the end of February and I’ve done it - one entire month of buying no clothes or cosmetics type items (including showers gels, face creams, hair products etc) 😀 The longer I did it, the easier it felt. I feel like I have broken the habit of buying clothes because they look nice and are a good price, when I don’t need them at all! I have bought fabric and haberdashery items. I make clothes (for myself and DH and other things). I don’t need more clothes, but that is my mindful, creative hobby. It’s my way of relaxing, so I think I can justify buying supplies for that. Thanks for starting this thread @TheOGCCL It’s been just what I needed/need. Now ready to take on March 💪

@NeedWineNow I’ve recently started using vinted. I find it very easy to use, takes moments to list items using the app. Personally I’ve found the whole experience much better than eBay