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.

[lindyloo57]

its a midi sequin dress, I was thinking of having it shortened to above the knee, I'm only 5ft 3 and wearing it on holiday.

[IndianSummer78]

I'm in. I spent far too much in 2022. I don't need anything else so anything I buy is on a want basis now. I did do well with more targeted buying in 2022 and I don't have a pile of things which I don't know how to wear or what to wear with. I mainly feel something is very wrong when I look forward to something being used up or worn out so I can declutter it guilt free.

In 2022 I made good progress getting through my beauty stash, although I didn't add more toiletries I did add more makeup that I totally didn't need . I need to continue with a no buy there, except replacements.

I don't think no buy for clothes is going to work for me. I have few pleasures in life and shopping is one of them. I do need to focus on finding new hobbies though.

I've invested in a cold weather wardrobe which will definitely last me until end of next winter at least. So my no buy rule for clothes is going to be winter woolies, jeans, boots and coats.

I'm going to steal an idea from another thread and when I feel the urge to shop I'm going to take a pre-determined amount of cash to a charity shop and splurge that way. I won't spend anywhere near the amount I usually do if I do it that way.

The idea of wearing something at least 30 times before discarding it has given me food for thought too. I thought 30x is nothing, surely 200x would be better. Then I worked out that 30x is approx 3x per week for a season, which realistically isn't going to happen and I realised why people find 30x a challenge.

This thread will help me be accountable.

[ZforZebra]

I’m in! I have way too many clothes, most I’m not wearing thanks to back to back pregnancies over the past 4 years. I plan to finally get back in shape this year so will use fitting back in my clothes as incentive. My rule is no buying new clothes except underwear (still in maternity bras!!!), one pair of trainers and one pair of leather flats (the only shoe staples I need to replace). Also no new bags as I have several for every conceivable occasion. Never done this sort of challenge so interested to see how I get on!

[Angeldelight81]

Honestly, I urge you if you buy inpractical stuff, get it back to the shops A.S.A.P. and get your money back.
I have size 10 skirt that I bought in 2015 with the tags still on them, hanging in the wardrobe that I’m going to slim into. I have a bloody wedding dress hanging in my wardrobe that I bought and didn’t get married but I can’t bear to part with it so it’s Saturday I mean it’s actually ridiculous. There’s probably some sort of psychology behind it that needs ironing out. But we really do’s need to start dressing for the job that we have in life. It’s so wasteful.

[Cyclingmummy1]

I read The No Spend Year by Michelle McGogh last week. Now this is extreme no spend, but definitely worth a read.

My main takeaways were buy less but better quality, and be willing to try new things.

[Pigtailsandall]

I'm going to join in too. 2022 I spent more than I thought, but it was all stuff I actually wore (lots of "elevated basics") and was very happy to get. I also decluttered more than twice as much as I bought and I still need to weed things out.

I'm aiming for low-buy, because realistically my style has changed a lot and I am slowly overhauling my wardrobe. But I'm going to operate a wishlist where I map the gaps in my wardrobe and buy with intention. I particularly need summer items, but I really want a few versatile, good quality items, not a huge haul of h&m cr*p.

For anyone buying "fantasy self" items for a lifestyle you don't lead, I also recommend returning them asap. A sequin dress sounds lovely, but if you wear it once on holiday for dinner for example, you're pretty much paying £10 per hour for it. Is there really no other dress that would do the job?

[MintyFreshOne]

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

Not for the actual people who make
the clothes, their wages depend on demand from the rest of the world: theveganreview.com/fast-fashion-in-bangladesh-why-boycotting-it-isnt-simple/

Instead of cutting back, why not use the same amount of money to support more
ethical or well-made products? Or companies that keep better track of the conditions offered by their subcontractors?

(of course if you cut back for financial reasons, that’s totally understandable)

[Allthegoodnamestakken]

Hello all, i'd like to join.
Never done this before but I racked up £400 of debt toward the end of last year and I really shouldn't have. I have lost quite a bit of weight this year and will hopefully continue that into next year so my plan currently is no new clothes at all until my weight is stable. I am terrible for going wild when I drop a dress size only to drop another one a couple of months later.
I like the idea of taking existing clothes to a tailor also I have so many things that now don't fit but are still in perfect condition so I think I will plan to do that.
On the allowed list is
1 new pair of smart winter boots (will try to get these second hand) and they won't be needed until june (backwards seasons to the UK)
a couple of new pairs of Jeans, jodhpurs and sports leggings once my weight goal is reached - for these i'd rather buy quality and know they will last years, I might put them on my birthday list
1 new pair of plain leather sandals (my current ones are falling apart) I need these pretty quickly, my budget is £50 as they are something I will wear a lot and from past experience cheap ones fall apart after a few weeks.
I have been through my wardrobe and that's it I don't need anything else, going to pick out my favorite summer dresses that look like they might be easy enough to alter and look into this. The final rules will be anything unplanned for that is needed e.g holiday clothes, weddings etc. I will buy second hand we have huge second hand markets here its ridiculous I buy anything new. And lastly no online shopping this is my complete downfall and I end up with so much that isn't quite right but I never get round to sending it back so its just a waste

[Rainmakerof69]

My rule will be, if there's space on the cc at the end of the month I can have a new treat then. Not ideal for the ebay purchases I make though.
I don't need any clothes or make up.
I've been tracking my spends for the last few years but need to try harder this year to keep it much lower. I did very well in December, only £19.

[Vilvahstore]

I’ve never done this before. But, I’ve plans to spend money in next year on skincare rather than a no buy I think

[LivingDeadGirlUK]

Having just purchased a new coat which is all I needed, I'm up for a no buy year. Lets see how it goes!

[Thesheerrelief]

Here we go! No buy 2023

[Notcontent]

I am not sure about a complete no spend 2023, but I am going to be a lot more careful about my purchases. I don’t buy huge amounts anyway, but I have along history of buying things - both new and second hand - that don’t necessarily suit or fit me well.

[CinnamonJellyBeans]

I was good last year and redid my whole wardrobe to match my actual lifestyle (as @Alienbigcat45 said). It's really nice to be able to see my whole wardrobe at a glance.

Most of my items were cheap high street brands. if I find this style works for me, I'll start substituting them for more durable, high end stuff as they wear out.

[Pigtailsandall]

Here it goes. I'm not sure if this counts as cheating, but few days ago I went charity-shop browsing with my mom who loves them, and bought a stripy turtleneck (which had been on my wishlist for ages and I was thrilled to find) a green turtleneck (which hadn't but was a glorious soft jersey and a deep jewel tone) and a velvet blazer. A blazer had been on my 2023 wishlist, albeit a wool one, but this fit so well and looked so good that I've decided to trial this out to see if I actually wear a blazer before splurging on a wool one.
Total spend was £14 which I'm pleased with

[DancingSober]

Morning all!

Sitting on my hands already

[Pigtailsandall]

Oh and I forgot to say - I now need to purge 3 items from my wardrobe with my one in, one out rule. In 2022 the overall number of items went down; I'm hoping to reduce it a bit further this year

[DancingSober]

I've just deleted the Vinted app from my phone. Although it isn't so bad in terms of carbon footprint, I do but shit on there and end up with too much stuff, so I think I'm going to try and restrict secondhand shopping as well as brand new shopping.

I am going to try to limit myself to 12 items, but I'm not counting make up and skin care. If I find that is getting out of control though, (it doesn't usually), I'll need to impose a make up limit too.

[MsDastardley]

I’d like to join too please. I’ve been thinking about doing this for a while. I lost a lot of weight a couple of years ago and have replaced my entire wardrobe. I have so much stuff now, don’t need anything for years to come. I think I’ve chosen quite carefully and have a lot of sustainable stuff, but a few duffs too.

I like Brora, and have bought a few pieces in John Lewis sale which I’m keeping. I’m going to try and not buy anything else until the summer sale. I don’t need any perfume, toiletries, makeup etc, got enough to last for years and will work through that.

I’m considering having a tummy tuck. This does seem self indulgent, but I could fund it with 6 months no spend.

[WhenisitmyturntobePM]

I’m in for being more mindful and intentional about purchases.

I am going to put myself in a 24 hour purgatory before I can buy something I like. Do research and make sure it’s the ‘best in class’ for quality and my personal needs. And keep a track of spending ever month and report back here for accountability (if nobody minds, don’t want to be insensitive).

[LivingDeadGirlUK]

I've talked myself out of a new pair of slippers, going to try and use my slipper-socks first.

[DancingSober]

*buy shit

[moimichme]

Well done to those sitting on their hands! I'm starting a strict no buy on everything this month, and thereafter will be mindful and aim for two out for each secondhand or new item in. I don't really need anything, especially skincare and makeup-wise. Need to use and appreciate what I have.

It's my birthday in February and I will ask for a new pair of slippers then, since my current ones are old and stretched out and sliding off my feet, grr.

[Thesheerrelief]

I'm a browser who tends to flick through Instagram clothing accounts and various websites while watching TV etc. So I am making a very concerted effort not to do that and to sit on my hands.

[Cottagecheeseisnotcheese]

@Thesheerrelief if you are serious about no buy low buy you need to unsubscribe, if you really need something you will be able to find them, it's too much temptation you can'y play with fire without getting burnt as they say