No/low buy January: S&B edition

[PinkDreamer]

Is anyone up for a no/low spend January? Couldn’t see a thread so thought I’d make one. I know in previous years there’s one thread throughout the year but people lose interest so I thought one thread per month would be better.
I’m planning on doing a complete no buy for January. Who’s joining me?

Oh, I'm in also!

This year has been very stressy and splurgy. I don't need anything and like the idea of progressing no/low buy approach monthly and only for intentional purchases.

I've been unsubscribing from promo emails and will delete shopping apps later today.

Welcome all! @Magpie50 don’t worry I did a last minute shopping trip for essentials but it’s all good as it’s not January yet. @Raineradrion try unsubscribing from marketing emails. It can take a while but will stop temptation

I ordered a nail buffer yesterday ( so it was still last year ) my nails are quite fragile from constant handwashing at work and the cold .
I cannot wear any nail products at work but I can buff them to smooth them a bit .

I am in, also doing dry January. Already have a lovely fashion colouring book to occupy me instead.

I did my nail buffering yesterday , just enough to smooth and shine .

I need to dig out some heavy duty hand cream, I know there's a tube of BodyShop Hemp somewhere ( it stinks but it does the job) my go-to is MoltonBrown Orange and Bergamot (got it in a kit with handwash and shower gel) .
I'll put the Hemp cream with cotton gloves overnight otherwise my poor hands are going to split .

I finished a Revitabrow ...but I have a replacement .
I have enough soap and showergel , I decided to take one of the bars I bought for DH , some olive oil and argan oil . Not glamorous but functional .

In years gone by I;d have looked at the Sales but now I;m too past ut to care

My people! I can't close my wardrobe, so I'm on a hard no buy for clothes, shoes and beauty is replacement only.

I actually feel a bit sick about how much stuff I've accumulated.

I feel the same way @allfurcoatnoknickers (most fabulous username!) - feel sick when I look at it all.

I'm starting to declutter and taking photos of each batch going to the charity shop / recycling centre as a reminder to myself.

I've been trying to use up beauty products over the last few months. I think (whispers) I can see some progress in the bathroom. More clear space. It's good to at last see the difference.

Started a bit of a clear out today on clothes and other bits. Got a few things listed on Vinted.
Clearing out reminds me of how much stuff I have and don't need to buy any more !

How did everyone get on during the first week?

I failed! I bought a pure wool jumper as it's been so cold. Didn't spend much though; less than £30 from John Lewis.
I need to switch off all the sale notifications.

Don’t feel so bad. That sounds like a necessity. Next week is a new week and any reduction is a good thing

I think I will actually use it. It's a neutral colour and warm. But could have done without...

No more shopping this month and hopefully February too. Winter's hard because I am not out and about as much as I am in spring or summer. Meant to go out today but it's been pouring rain.

Still hanging on in there.

I am decluttering at the moment so likely I will find some "gaps" in my wardrobe .

But my weakness is jumpers , this year I have been ok as I have a couple of nice winter (not Christmas) Fairisle type jumpers.

Late December I bought new bras and essential toiletries so I can batten down the hatches for January .

Haven't cracked yet although the Sale notifications and emails aren't helping. Nearly bought some joggers (from another thread), a coat (FB advert and one that I definitely don't need) and some slippers ('for me when my current ones wear out... ' 😂).

Have to keep reminding myself that there will still be shops and nice clothes when I am ready to buy some, I don't need to get them NOW!

My DD has just recycled some clothes so I can feel it in my water that I;ll be dragged to Bluewater as she'll need to "go to Uniqlo and buy a couple of nice things"

I;m ok with H&M, Urban Outfitters and Primark as I can resist them (H&M/Primark don't suit my body type ) . DD hates M&S with a passion .I hate Urban Outfitters .

But I quite like Uniqlo blouses so I'll need to just look at her clothes and not for me .

I didn't buy anything so I'm really pleased!

I need to sort through my wardrobe and identify gaps rather than wants. I'm successfully ignoring all the sale emails, god knows how.

I think this counts. I sold twenty items on VINTED and bought the most amazing Ganni jumper on there BNWT.

Ooh congrats! That’s amazing selling 20 items. And yes, definitely counts as you’re reducing unnecessary items in your wardrobe and replacing with one great item

I'd like to join please and am hoping I can buy the bare minimum for style and beauty all year. Has been a long time coming as have bought lots in the past three years. Finished December with some boots, trainers, leather skirt and dress in the sales. Probably have enough clothes for the next three years.
I have loads of products, lipstick, mousse etc
A real motivation for me is to save money for home improvements and for holidays.
I need to unsubscribe from the emails.

I’d like to join in please. Having moved last year to a place with amazing storage I swore I’d never be bogged down by too much stuff again. Well, I’ve used shopping as an emotional crutch/reward and filled it all up to the point I’m even more overwhelmed. A new kitchen is desperately needed (genuinely - cabinets coming off the walls, ancient leaky plumbing) so any non-shopping savings from avoiding clothes, make up and skincare will go towards that. I’m hoping the urgency will spur me on.

It didn’t on 3rd January when I accidentally bought a coat (second hand on HEWI so can’t even return it). Hopefully better next month or at least for the remainder of the first week!

I bought two large plastic boxes to aid wardrobe reorganisation. I'm classifying that in my head as household spend!

Otherwise, a couple of bits I bought in the sales arrived but no S&B purchases (and, interestingly, I seem to have cut down on the 'extras' when nipping into get a few bits of grocery shopping. This be not be linked or long lived!)

I've done ok this month. I have had ro buy 2 beauty items which are staple items for me. Managed to get both for £50 , hunting around for deals online and also got top cash back.
No other items purchased. Feels great

I bought a cream handbag. Id been looking for one I liked for a year and spotted one in the sale. It arrived yesterday and luckily I liked it. So that’s my piece for January.
Im finding it hard going. I’m still wanting new clothes and beauty products. I think I’m worse this time of year. I’m a bit bored with the Winter clothes I have as I’ve been wearing them a while and there’s the excitement of thinking about the season ahead and what I would want to wear then. So I think January and just before I go on
holiday are my worst times for wanting stuff.
I know the Sézane sale will be on in a weeks time which really ramps up the FOMO and I’m already trying to convince myself that I need another thick warm jumper. (I have 4)
Also I’ve realised that my subscription to the Liberty beauty drop will probably eat up all my allowance of new beauty products and I think I would be better off with choosing things I really want or need even if the beauty box is cheaper.

This morning ( before the shops opened ) I saw a new Rituals Shop and a new body products/ toiletries shop ( cannot think of the name , not one I'm familiar with )

I stuck to my resolve , and didn't wait till they opened .

Not bought anything since December , so far so good .

I bought my favourite lipstick on sale in duty free a few days ago but haven't been browsing or shopping online which is an improvement for me.
Some long coveted boots I bought in late December arrived but are going back as they aren't nice. This is annoying as would have loved new boots but need to wait until next year now 😂