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.

Need this thread so much, keep buying things I don't really need, Vinted and eBay are my temptation, determined after today it's do I need it or do I want it. Know it will be 99% want 1% need.

I'm in please. I've got into a "treat myself" mentality over the last couple of years, and honestly, I don't "need" any of it. I have two many of most make up items and a drawer size stash of skincare.

I also never run out of anything. I anyways have back ups.

So I'm going to try to fly by the seat of my pants and use things up, and let things run out.

Is it weird that I find that a bit scary?!

I've bought a new hairdryer on Vinted, admittedly with funds I have built up there but I do need one during winter and my old faithful has died after 20 years service, so I don't feel too bad about it.

it's not weird at all, I've spent the weekend clearing out the kitchen cupboards and there is space in there around the items. The urge to fill all the space up is bizarrely strong :/

I'm glad to know it's not just me @LivingDeadGirlUK

I'm not sure this counts but I'm including it anyway because I guess at least some of it counts. I've bought about £200 of Ben Sherman stuff as a gift for DPs birthday, he hates shopping and left to himself would walk around in Primark rags with holes and stains. I've bought leather shoes, cotton tees, jumper and hoodie. It's made me realise how much better and cheaper men's stuff is than women's, it took no time at all to find leather and cotton, no hunting through tons of polyester and acrylic.

I also got suckered in and bought jeans, jumper and gilet, plus checked trousers a top and a cardigan, all for me. I'm really hoping I can change my ways this year. This thread is certainly making me aware of how much I'm buying. We're not even halfway through January and I've shopped three times already.

Checking in and... well, let's just say I shopped pre-31 Dec with a 1 item per month for 2023 in mind. Sigh.

Bought in Dec:

1. one stunning bikini (to replace one I have had for 18 years and which isn't flattering any longer).
2. laptop bag/handbag (which I did need as my canvas bag really isn't doing the trick, esp as was recently promoted).
3. A sparkly long gown in the sales. Not really a need, as I have some gowns - though existing ones are all a bit too tight (thanks Covid lockdowns!). Have worn once already!
4. 1 double wrap belt, definitely not a need.
5. 1 silk satin blouse. Eyed it up all season and heavily discounted. A want, not a need.

Not sure I have ever bought so much in one month. But the sales were superb this year. Thinking my Jan purchase may be one long wool knit dress. Have to carefully consider though!

I’ve dyed my hair which has helped with a feeling of newness and finding things in my existing wardrobe that go with it better. Bit drastic maybe! Box dye so pretty cheap.

So the mint velvet sequin dresses didn't fit, the size10 was too small on the bust, and the size 12 was two big at the hips, the sequin bomber jackets is great, only £24 a bargain and fits good, the two pairs of jeans didn't fit, but the shirt lovely its from mango a black and Burgundy sparkly fabric, will look good with skinnie jeans or my pleather leggings, have ordered 4 pairs of levis from next sale, only need one pair, I ordered 2 sizes in 2 different styles.

I've bought a new bag (which I don't need!) and some flashing lights trainers for DC. I didn't buy all the other things on my wishlist. A £15 purchase is almost unheard of for me, so it's progress. One of the items I bought as a gift a few days ago was out of stock and I've been refunded. I'm going to stick with what I've got and not look for anything else.

Hello, another 2022 drop-out joining and trying again this year.

I get a lot of pleasure from researching and choosing things online. I've had a bit of success so far in going through that process - seeing inspiration, finding the product, shopping around for best price, reading the reviews, visualising using/wearing it with other items I own, deciding size/colour, popping it in the cart - then just clicking away before I check out and pay. Then I might rifle through what I already own that's pretty close, and think about how I can use that instead.

So my goals are - buy NOTHING except replacement of absolute essentials - WHEN they run out, no stockpiling or just-in-case buys!

And like so many of you, dropping a stone down to pre-covid weight would help unlock a whole old-but-new wardrobe.

Still haven't caved and bought anything, which is pretty good by my standards 😄.

I will buy things from my list, but they're mainly spring/summer things, so won't need them for months.

The other thing I might buy is an interview outfit (as I am moving on from my current job soon)

I haven’t bought anything for myself so far! Just a few small things for the kids and the home. Keep it up everyone.

I bought a Roka sample bag as I don't have a laptop bag, so that's my Christmas bonus gone on the Lulu Guiness (arriving today) and that.

I am still a no-buy on clothes and shoes. I very nearly caved and bought some star-embossed mom jeans in Tu the other day, half price. But didn't.

I've just been looking at handbags in the Michael Kors sale.

I've asked DH (very tongue in cheek) if he'd like to buy me an early birthday present - my birthday is in August. Reply unprintable.

He's probably right 😡

I haven’t bought any clothes/shoes/accessories. I’ve vowed nothing new until April (change of seasons). Almost half way through the first month so feeling it’s doable. I walked past the post office queue the other day and felt pleased not to be doing all the returns.

I have bought some beauty products but am giving a lot of thought to what I actually need. It is a bit of a balance as like a pp I enjoy researching products and there’ll be no joy left!

I returned a pair of jeans that were 140 and felt very pleased with myself. Today I went onto the brand website and saw them on sale for 90 and rebought them :( I don't even know if they are the same colour as the original ones I returned. If they are lighter, I will return them.

Other than that I bought a few things from Zara for the kids.

I am absolutely loving the idea of keeping track of the things I almost-but-didn't buy. I have a list going on my phone and it really is astonishing how much money I could have parted with already this year!

Thats a great idea!!! I'm going to do the same.

I am torn because i want to try this but I'm akdo seeing lots of bargains that are so tempting.
I have bought a coat & bag so far since Christmas but I've also returned a jacket that wasn't 100% so I'm pleased about that.
I have a list of things I need / want & I'm working from that - it includes a cashmere jumper & boots neither of which are in the sales so I'm resisting buying random stuff & am keeping my money to buy them.

Oh I can't take the credit for it, I read it upthread!

Ordered some things from Boden and anthropology sales absolutely bargains as I need a few new work bits when I go back so we will see when they arrive.

I ordered a Tripp travel bag in the sale which arrived but is larger than I thought it would be, even though I measured it. I've now ordered the smaller size and will decide whether to return the larger one or keep both as we can make good use of them (they're better than our existing old ones). They were both incredibly cheap as well so I don't feel I've overspent if I decide to keep both.

I had a look through my shoes and sandals yesterday as well and threw out loads that were worn to death. I've got space now and it's clearer to see what I've got.

I bought a book this week, but in my defence I did check the library first and they didn't have it - another branch did but they had a few holds on it.

I think it's quite telling that people feel so relieved/happy/pleased when the return stuff. Perhaps a clear indication we all have too much, or at least enough already? I boxed up some stuff for the loft just now, and I am hoping that opening them next autumn will be like getting new items. Maybe that will fill the need for something new and my autumn shopping will be curbed

I bought mascara. I needed it. Applying mascara with my old one is just going through the motions. I'm not sure any product is getting on my lashes. I guess it's dried up.