2025 buy nothing/less

[Anonymous]

My kids love to shop at goodwill. They’ve gotten some great stuff, but inevitably some clutter or things we ultimately need to get rid of. I always have a couple bags of random things to donate or put in those shoe and fabric recycling bins.

We recently moved, and I’ve been getting some furniture and decor on fb marketplace and occasionally at estate sales, though those have generally been very expensive in my experience. They also underscore how I want to leave far less behind when I go. I can’t resist some cheap lovely things through a picked up a lacquer music box, a Tony picture frame and an antique grass incense holder this wkd. It’s a hard habit to break…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sometime last year I started a mission to methodically declutter our entire house. I wouldn’t say we are going full minimalist, but definitely minimal-ish. Once you get going on decluttering, it’s pretty rewarding to see the results in certain area and it’s very motivating to not want to buy more things. I also follow a lot of people on YouTube who support this and believe similarly and it’s very motivating. I think I’m about halfway done decluttering and aim to finish by the end of summer. It has been proven study after study that more stuff does NOT make people happy, beyond their actual needs.

I am not opposed to having nice things or replacing things that get worn out/used up. But I don’t need 20 sweaters. I’m down to my 10 favorites and even that I should cull further. And I don’t need to buy more. Just for example.

Which YouTubers are you following? My 2024 goal was to declutter the house, I got halfway through by year end, which is a miracle. In autumn 2024, I had 4 sofas in the house (2 old and 2 new). I was so depressed to have to walk around them. It was the kick I needed to finally working on my 2024 goal LOL Now I only have the 2nd floor to go, I feel motivated.

After no/low spend January - I am going to do a Feb. declutter challenge. On Feb. 1 you de-clutter 1 thing, 2/2, 2 thing, etc. I think I got the idea here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYmbOM6VjS0

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:just trying to shop less. it's hard bc social media advertising has gotten so sophisticated--they know exactly what i want!

+1 it is absolutely crazy. And the ads follow me around until I capitulate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was never a big shopper. I haven't even worn all the clothes I already have.

You do see the contradiction here, right?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For some reason, it is always easy to not spend money in January. Maybe because we got everything we needed for Christmas or because we are tired of all the holiday eating out and are happy to cook and eat at home. I stocked up on clothes for my toddler for the next year already (just bought oversized last year) so I’m hoping this year we will spend less on baby things!

I think it's a spending hangover from the holidays. Even thought we have drastically reduced what we buy for Christmas, we still end up spending more than normal. I don't shop a lot, so when I do shop for others at Christmas I inevitably find something I need or want. Also there's more gatherings so I spend more on food, both home cooked and eating out.

By the time January rolls around I'm ready to stop spending!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We bought a home last summer and then had several very large, well-budgeted expenditures in late 2024. We just have naturally cut back without a vow or resolution and all, but one unbudgeted purchase so far this January was due to an emergency.

Our biggest impulse purchases were food related. Meal prepping ingredients that can be mixed and matched has helped reduce that. Also, making DIY versions of convenience foods. Yesterday, I made 10 egg/bacon/cheese breakfast sandwiches. 5 on biscuits and 5 on English muffins. They went in the freezer and only take 2 min to microwave. I also made 12 frozen pucks of cooked oatmeal flavored with nuts, seeds, fruit, etc. these also take just a few minutes to nuke. With these on hand, we have filling breakfasts even if we are running late. And they cost a fraction of commercially prepared items or fast food versions.

What did you buy for meal prep?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone trying to cut back in 2025? What have you done or are planning to do? I have not shopped any after Xmas sales and we have not eaten out yet in 2025. That's pretty good for us! I would love to stick better to a budget and to pay ourselves first. We do put $1,000 a month into 529s.

Nothing major. But am trying to pass up on the impulse and unnecessary buys (do I NEED another sweater or that cute Christmas decoration). Focusing more on experiences.

[Anonymous]

Most adults could EASILY go a year or more without buying a single article of clothing. Everyone should try it - its very eye opening. I also thinned my wardrobe by at least half and it means that I get to wear my favorites a lot more without feeling like all the clothes need a turn.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sometime last year I started a mission to methodically declutter our entire house. I wouldn’t say we are going full minimalist, but definitely minimal-ish. Once you get going on decluttering, it’s pretty rewarding to see the results in certain area and it’s very motivating to not want to buy more things. I also follow a lot of people on YouTube who support this and believe similarly and it’s very motivating. I think I’m about halfway done decluttering and aim to finish by the end of summer. It has been proven study after study that more stuff does NOT make people happy, beyond their actual needs.

I am not opposed to having nice things or replacing things that get worn out/used up. But I don’t need 20 sweaters. I’m down to my 10 favorites and even that I should cull further. And I don’t need to buy more. Just for example.

Which YouTubers are you following? My 2024 goal was to declutter the house, I got halfway through by year end, which is a miracle. In autumn 2024, I had 4 sofas in the house (2 old and 2 new). I was so depressed to have to walk around them. It was the kick I needed to finally working on my 2024 goal LOL Now I only have the 2nd floor to go, I feel motivated.

PP here. I think teaching styles are very personal and you have to find someone that speaks to you but my favorite is The Minimal Mom. She has a way of explaining it that just makes sense to me and sticks with me. She is more minimalist than I even want to be, but she isn’t preachy or judgy at all and still gives me the right way to think about things. She does have a business but she also isn’t constantly promoting it either.

Thanks, I like minimalism LOL

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sometime last year I started a mission to methodically declutter our entire house. I wouldn’t say we are going full minimalist, but definitely minimal-ish. Once you get going on decluttering, it’s pretty rewarding to see the results in certain area and it’s very motivating to not want to buy more things. I also follow a lot of people on YouTube who support this and believe similarly and it’s very motivating. I think I’m about halfway done decluttering and aim to finish by the end of summer. It has been proven study after study that more stuff does NOT make people happy, beyond their actual needs.

I am not opposed to having nice things or replacing things that get worn out/used up. But I don’t need 20 sweaters. I’m down to my 10 favorites and even that I should cull further. And I don’t need to buy more. Just for example.

Which YouTubers are you following? My 2024 goal was to declutter the house, I got halfway through by year end, which is a miracle. In autumn 2024, I had 4 sofas in the house (2 old and 2 new). I was so depressed to have to walk around them. It was the kick I needed to finally working on my 2024 goal LOL Now I only have the 2nd floor to go, I feel motivated.

I found Rita Wilkins on youtube. She's an older lady with an old-fashioned presentation style who is very encouraging to those in their decluttering journey.

Thanks. It is nice to watch a video on a day I don't feel motivated.

[Anonymous]

I find it very easy to not buy anything if I don't do online shopping.

In a shop, when I am physically holding the stuff and thinking: "where am I going to put it?", I usually put it down.

[Anonymous]

+1 on using up consumable goods this year before buying more. Over the holidays I helped my mom move pantry items ahead of some repairs and seeing all those 10+ years past food expiration dates scared me. Time flies as I get older and I could easily become that person hoarding 2006 jam in the cupboard.

[Anonymous]

No. I don't buy frivolously. I need to use my money to lower my stress.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was never a big shopper. I haven't even worn all the clothes I already have.

You do see the contradiction here, right?

Yes and no. I wore a uniform at every job I ever had. The clothes I haven't worn yet were bought over a decade+ and they fit into a studio apartment. I just never had a chance to wear them; work took over.
Again, I'm not a big shopper, but I do have clothes I haven't worn yet.
I did go through more uniforms than my own clothes. My work apron is from 2001 and only now falling apart.

[Anonymous]

Cancelled prime
Will not buy anything I don’t really need no wants.

Trump
Wants to crash the economy maga we are giving you your wish.

I will be as frugal as my grandmother during the depression and have no problem doing that