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.

@Cottagecheeseisnotcheese good point. I'll do the when I'm sitting down later

I've done a version of a capsule wardrobe for a while now.

A few rules ive set myself that have worked for me:

• I make sure everything I buy goes with most of everything else I own (there's odd exception). Lots of basic tees etc.

• I clear out every quarter (roughly). Unless I love love love it, if its not been worn in a year - it goes - usually in a charity bin.

• I tend to do a major shop twice a year (spring/summer & autumn/winter). Make a list of what I really want or need and take time to pick the right items. I don't even tend to look at clothes online or go shopping outwith these sprees now.

I would say I started all this after I had my DD and wanted to make it easier to put together outfits and know that everything i had I liked and/or fitted me so there was no messing about.

Well I failed on day one! 🤦My downfall was browsing the sales. In my defense I am totally in love with the outfit I've bought and it's casual for everyday wear. This is a big deal because I'm guilty of buying for my fantasy life and own some very impractical things. I did need something to match with a skirt which I love but it doesn't go with much else, so I've bought a couple of tops for that. One pair of trainers I totally didn't need, but they'll go with 90% of what I already own so I don't feel too bad about that. Overall I've spent less than half what I'd usually spend and I didn't buy anything just because it was a bargain. I feel like I should feel bad but I'm actually happy with what I got. I've also identified 3 items that are looking worn out so I'll get rid of those at the end of the season. I'll aim to not buy anything except food for the rest of the month now.

Signing up for a no-buy January to March and then low-buy April to October.

I tend to save some cash during the year for black Friday deals and then early sales so will try to only make considered purchases in November and December when there are good deals on.

I'm self employed and by its nature my work is more lucrative in the second half of the year so I try to do no-buy for at least the first three months of the year as there's not usually much spare cash. Last year, when work picked up in the second half of the year instead of being able to enjoy having some spare cash I ended up using a good chunk of it to clear credit card balances I had built up during the first half of the year which is just madness when it's for non-essential stuff...

My main weakness is skincare - I have an embarrassingly large stash from 2022s Black Friday deals/advent calendars which I need to use up. I'm hoping to be no-buy until Black Friday on this one unless I completely run out of a particular item e.g. cleanser or moisturiser, but I think this is unlikely.

Clothes are less of an issue but my wardrobe is bursting and I tend to binge so I won't buy anything for several months then spend several hundreds all in one go. I'm shooting for no buy for three months then low buy for the rest of the year. I also need a good de-clutter so I can easily see what I have got so may get started on that today.

I am starting off by doing this for January but my main issue is birthday money/bonuses/small payrises. I got a Christmas bonus and I am desperate to spend it on a Lulu Guiness teal crossbody bag but I do. Not. Need. It. The money could pay for most of my annual cinema membership. All I really use with a small child is wipe-clean Longchamps anyway!

I've been selling shoes on Vinted over Christmas, and I need to be selling bags rather than buying them.

I'm in
Made a list last night of what's missing in my wardrobe
So I will allow myself to buy them if I come across them
And replace skincare etc.
But no more random stuff

I'm also going to go through what I have and try and sell some on eBay

I’ve decided to go no buy on clothing for Jan to March. It’s going to be tough but It’s the only way for me. I’ve tried one item a month before and that just leads to ordering and returning lots as I decide what that item is going to be. Waste of time and carbon.

April and May are when I tend to think I need a few things to refresh my wardrobe for spring/summer (that’s the same for me as I don’t tend to wear very summery things, always cold). One mistake I make is seeing new stuff come out in Feb and March, when it’s stiil cold, and buying it ahead of time. I know that for an item to be successful I have to want (and be able) to wear it immediately. I should not want to take it off.

So I’m thinking to open up a window for a few weeks, then shut it again until late Sep/Oct when again I tend to want or even actually need a few winter things.

Quite frankly though I have more than enough clothes for a seven day week. I don’t even have any I don’t want to wear/don’t like. And lots of my clothes are nicer and better quality than what is out there at present. My issue is probably that a lot of it is quite samey in that I wear the same ‘uniform’ every day (but one I like). For example I don’t own any skirts. But I’m just going to have to find ways of making my existing things more interesting.

Then I can save all the money (and time) frittered away for something more meaningful.

Stating this here for accountability because it’s so easy to find/make excuses for ‘just one more thing’.

I’d like to join too… although I bought a number of things in the sales. But it’s never too late to join, is it?

My rules are to only fill the gaps in my capsule wardrobe, when needed.

I’d also like to reduce the clutter on my bathroom shelves, which means:

No buying lip balms
No buying body care products
No buying make up

(until I’ve used up what I already have)

I did no spend 2022 and will do the same in 2023.

I’m in. Not a no buy but much more considered buys. I need to stop buying ‘It’ll do’ stuff and only buy ‘’It’s perfect’ things.

I need some new work trousers and black T-shirts but really don’t need anything else until the summer.

If I can manage this across January and February then I’ll get a new Longchamp.

One of the things I ordered in 2022 (so it doesn't count!) is out of stock so that's a sizeable refund heading my way. I'm a bit disappointed, but I didn't need it so I'll consider this to be the universe helping me out here.

I'm in I retired last year so needed some more practical clothes which worked for our new life - young dog, lots of travel, lots of walking and cycling. All my old formal work clothes are packed away under the bed and I still jave 2 large wardrobes full of clothes.

I have too many jeans and sweatshirts, loads of summer dresses and tops and really don't need anything else. But I still managed to spend £3000 last year.

I'm in on a low buy basis. I have wardrobes full of clothes, bags and accessories for every occasion and I really do not need anything else. I retired last year so my requirements clothes-wise has changed a bit. I'm aiming to go through my wardrobe over the next couple of weeks to weed out work stuff that I really don't need and either sell or donate to the charity shop.

I got a couple of jumpers in the sale as I had gift voucher, have ordered a new travel bag in the Tripp sale for this year's holidays, and have new Onjenu dress which DH bought me for Christmas but am aiming not to get anything else unless it is absolutely needed. We're cruising a couple of times this year (one for a month) so was intending to get new black evening dress but instead got two classic velvet jumpsuits from Asda which will see me through for these and other evening events. Trouble is I'm a bit of a magpie and am drawn to a bit of sparkle!

I'm also going to go through Facebook and emails and unsubscribe to tempting sites.

Look through the makeup so a no-buy for that, have enough and seldom use it.
Definite need clothes last year only buy underwear, one looks-like Birkenstock and one nightdress/sleepwear.
At 62F is near impossible find online clothes just for medical app/hospital visits and homebound as CHF/PH/OA patient.
No-buy books magazines due to blurry vision from rx meds.
Low buy crafts and art supplies due to OA allover and stiff hands thumbs etc.
No-buy fabrics just used up part of stash in hand sewing pillowcases few years ago before hands function went less.
Using up leftovers craft supplies for making junk journals.

I'm no buy makeup and skincare as have stuff to use up. I have a lot of clothes but I do wear them all as I enjoy creating new outfits but no more wardrobe space so I have to stop now. Hopefully will save some money.

Facing my first test - got one of my favourite bras out of the drawer yesterday to put on only to find the material on one of the cups has almost completely come away rendering it pretty much unusable - must have happened in the wash and I didn't notice when putting it away. An M&S one and only a couple of years old too so most annoying although it does get worn at least once weekly.

Very tempted to replace it although do have enough not to necessarily need another. I only wear bras once before washing though (controversial on mumsnet I know) so it just means there'd be slightly more pressure on staying on top of the washing.

Might put one in my basket and leave it there for a couple of days and then decide for sure at the weekend.

Interesting because I’ve found I can always get a specific item of clothing at a good price eventually. If it doesn’t appear on eBay or Vinted, somewhere on the internet will find it. I have also been able to decide in advance what I want and find it in a charity shop. There is literally so much stuff out there.
I don’t think this was the case a decade or so ago.

I just added up how many buys last year, it was 45 items not including underwear or second hand, one more then last year, do I must try harder to buy less. I spent £100 more, but but that's probably because I'm trying to buy better quality and less fast fashion.

I've just bought a skirt from Onjenu which I had been looking at for a long while before Christmas. I wasn't going to get anything further in the salex but an email came through for 60% discount site wide so it made it a good buy even with their £5 delivery charge. It will go with so many things in my wardrobe and I can wear it all year round rather than leaving it just for certain seasons so I am pleased. It fits with my new ethic of buying much less and making what I buy work much harder.

I find myself wanting a new pair of trainers, as my gazelles are not great in the rain and cold of winter. In reality I have plenty of comfortable boots I can wear so I am going to try and stick it out.

I've been doing the low buy but better quality for years. No buy is not going to happen because I always see several things over the year that I just can't resist.
Meh items are a definite no, these days I only buy gorgeous must haves that will be worn to within an inch of their lives.

Well, I failed on day 4.
I had a day off yesterday and walked past COS - having successfully unsubscribed from sales emails, I saw the massive sales area and my feet walked in before my brain did anything. But, on the positive side, I was fairly focused - I had bought a pair of black corduroy trousers (at full price, which I rarely do) at the start of October and they might be my favourite trousers ever. I saw a pair in a forest green colour for half price and snatched them up.

I would feel guilty, but hard to feel guilty when I'm so happy about them. Trousers and jackets are hard for me, as I have big boobs, broad hips but fairly narrow waist, so they never fit quite right.

For the rest of the year, I am operating a wish list and am only allowed to buy from that. It's there to identify gaps in my wardrobe and keep me focused; currently it includes:

• new denim jacket (old one is 15 years old and finally looking ragged)
• new v-neck tee to replace a tatty one
• a pair of linen shorts
• a very lightweight cotton sundress for summer
• a very lightweight dressier top for summer, sleeveless

No more trousers in 2023!

So far I haven't bought anything...will have to resist the sales!

I'm doing low buy clothes and skincare etc as needed. I do get through mine and don't have a stockpile.

My low buy is going to be 12 items over the year (but not necessarily one a month).

I also am making a little wishlist. So far, it's:

• some new sandals for summer
• I wear a lot of dresses ATM, so I'll probably need some new ones here and there
• Next winter I might get a new parka

My main aim is to try and save money. I’ve already failed on my challenge as I’ve bought a wool jumper in a gorgeous colour. I wanted it before Christmas but when I noticed it was half price I bought it.

I suppose I shouldn’t do online shopping but the trouble is I wasn’t looking for me I was looking for my DD. Ah well, I suppose I can always return it.