I recently started watching YouTube again. I’m allowing their algorithm to prompt me new topics because I’m interested in fresh faces, voices & styles this era. One video that peaked my interest was prepping for a “No Buy Year”. Like what do you mean you’re not buying anything for a year???
Upon further investigation, it’s basically buying essentials only & a handful of exceptions like birthday gifts. Since we’ve shifted from a two to one income household, budgeting is essential. Our lifestyle before just simply cannot be maintained on a single income. We weren’t letting every ad or new release take up all of our money but we certainly weren’t keeping track of the fun money splurges. Now, I wasn’t overly ambitious. I just said let’s go for one month to see how it feels and where our money flows.
We committed to purchasing only essentials: groceries, hygiene, maintenance, etc. No bulk shopping, only buying more of something when we were very close to running out like a carton of almond milk at a time instead of a 3 pack from Costco. We have a personal budget and tried hard to not exceed in any category. And in the end we calculated everything dollar received and spent. So what did we learn?
Number 1.
Bulk shopping isn’t always helpful
Some things can be purchased in bulk, provide great savings & save time with running errands. However, bulk items take up a lot of precious storage in our home. We often overlook the bulk items to cook with. And as vegans, we buy mostly fresh foods so I’m not saving any trips to the grocery store by buying things in bulk. Ultimately, we now know what items we should get in bulk: toilet paper, seeds, almond butter, frozen organic triple berry mix, basmati rice, tofu, avocado oil, and oatmeal. Everything else can simply be purchased from a regular grocer weekly, it’s still affordable and we actually get through all the food.
Number 2.
There’s clarity on what is a want versus a need.
I’ll admit it, I have a love for candles. That love means I will buy new candles before burning through others first. Yes, it’s nice to have the house smelling like a fairytale gingerbread house but it’s not necessary. Yes, it’s nice to drink a strawberry vanilla Olipop daily but it’s not necessary. Yes, it’s nice to thrift preppy sweaters for our son but it’s not necessary (he has so many sweaters but looks so cute in them all!) Knowing I’ll have to account for those purchases at the end of the month made me stop and consider the need of any extra item. I’m not being restrictive, just more mindful. If I really wanted something, I just said I’ll buy it at the end of the month if there’s extra money. And honestly, I’d forget about most things I thought I wanted.
Not gonna lie, I was pretty hype when I finally ordered this beautiful green linen apron!
Number 3.
Affirmation in my life choices.
I went to school, worked, spent money wisely and saved some along the way. I know we wouldn’t be able to live this way had I not chosen the lifestyle I have. Being vegan, willing to wash dishes instead of buying single use items, not drinking alcohol, doing my own hair, paying off my car, etc. are all lifestyle choices that make things more affordable. I chose to be a stay at home mother and am very privileged to do so. We’re trying our best to have fun AND be as involved as possible in raising our son. To never worry about having enough resources. To not have to say no to things we really want to say yes to. My husband could work more but he’d never see his family. I could return to work but I’d miss this special time with our first & only child. We’re aware of ways to make more money but that means sacrificing time. And you can’t get time back once it’s lost.
In short, seeing that we can survive well on one income affirms that we aren’t living above our means and that feels like a big success. We’ve since continued the mindset of a no buy month and it still feels good. Again this isn’t punishment or restrictive, just a guideline for approaching consumerism & good financial health. Money is an energy that flows in and out, high and low. We’re just making sure the wavelengths are steady like a sweet melody.
Q&A:
Would you do a no buy month? Or even year?!
What’s your favorite fun beverage?
What’s a non-negotiable monthly expense for you? Mine is brow waxing.
Email me your answers at withcarrington@gmail.com or comment on Substack :)
We did a no-buy January as well! It’s a great way for us to audit our finances and really see where cash is flowing. And it’s any kind of matcha for meeeee. But I make them at home now, and I’m doing my own nails. The only thing I know from experience I can’t do myself is cut my hair 🫣 so I spend that every few months.
Love this reflection! I’m writing about something similar next week—something like what spring cleaning can teach us about ourselves and our consuming habits—and as I’ve been exploring it, a lot of similar observations and intentions. The tie between our values and what we spend our money/what fills our homes/bellies is such a valuable reflection (or at least it is to me). 🧡
Also on a more technical level, the part about what is better to get in bulk was a super helpful prompt for me. We have very little storage space in our home and my husband always side eyes me when I get things in bulk. I need to be more discerning 🫠