I cancelled Amazon Prime. I’m focusing on grocery spending only, and baking way more. If I eat too many cookies, at least they are not extra processed. Thrifting first too!

I'm not doing anything formal, but I know LY my random amazon purchases creeped up a lot. So I just want to be more mindful of my purchases and consumption. It's so easy to fall into the mindset "oh its just a few dollars" but it all adds up!

We are definitely working on buying essentials only, fixing more things ourselves, making do with what we have, and buying second hand. It’s not going to be perfect but it will at least be better.

Yes, in 2025 I plan on not purchasing any new make-up or skin care (have enough to last for awhile) toiletries will only be restocked when fully used, no perfume etc.
As far as clothing, I plan on only buying socks/underwear when necessary. No new actual clothing purchases. I have everything I need.
Also not buying anything from Instagram or social media ads.

Anonymous wrote:I was never a big shopper. I haven't even worn all the clothes I already have.
Very easy exercise/being active and personal finance are my go to activities. It wasn't always like that, but the two completely killed my need to shop.
I'm also learning to cook finally to lower grocery budget and eat whole foods.

What activities do you do for personal finance? I'd like to find mine more interesting.

Anonymous wrote:I just donated a truck full of clothes and nick knacks from my house. And didn’t thrift anything new which I’ve been known to do from time to time. I’m drowning in stuff and need nothing. I’m going to start selling things instead of buying them this year.

Op. I am getting rid of things on our local buy nothing group. The small amount of money from marketplace isn't worth the time and I just want things out!

I am working on this. Getting better each year.

We did buy a coffee table/ottoman the other day, but I bought it off of Facebook Marketplace for $80, solid wood. Our previous one was 19-20 years old, and an embarrassment to have in our home. There was no life or re-use left in it.

For the holidays we bought three small things for our late teens/YA kids, and then gave them cash, which they need. No gifts for each other or family members.

I have teens and they always seem to need something, so no. For myself, I am good: stopped eating out (other than on vacation) during the pandemic, never get coffee out, and I buy clothing when needed and second hand mostly.

I was never a big shopper. I haven't even worn all the clothes I already have.
Very easy exercise/being active and personal finance are my go to activities. It wasn't always like that, but the two completely killed my need to shop.
I'm also learning to cook finally to lower grocery budget and eat whole foods.

I've been shopping secondhand for clothes for several years now. Last new item I bought retail was a 3-pack of socks on a week-long trip when I forgot to pack them.

Eating in restaurants is way down. We pick up burritos and marginally healthy bowls but a place with tablecloths is a rarity now. Too expensive and we're trying to eat healthier.

DH has been fixing more stuff himself rather than call a handyman.

I just donated a truck full of clothes and nick knacks from my house. And didn’t thrift anything new which I’ve been known to do from time to time. I’m drowning in stuff and need nothing. I’m going to start selling things instead of buying them this year.

We haven't eaten out yet but you can see on the food forum that everyone is disappointed in restaurant food/service/price so that one will be easy to keep up.

I had just been doing it but now I'm going to make it intentional.

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

I’m a major shopaholic and for me, shopping is like second nature and not something I can easily quit. But the consumptions is hard to justify. So I’ve started using Facebook marketplace more to hunt for pieces/things we need, and that has significantly cut back on my spending while giving me a way to still “treasure hunt” when I’m idle.

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.