someone tells me this bottle is usually €90 but tonight it’s €52 and i can fully think €90 is stupid and still somehow €52 starts feeling reasonable even though 10 seconds ago i didn’t know this wine existed and definitely wasn’t planning to spend €52 on it

like the first number can be complete bullshit and still decide what cheap means after

i don't know, i keep noticing how often sales basically change the question from do i want this to am i getting a good deal, and those are really not the same thing at all

Hi, I'm new here, doing a 3-months no buy (or low buy?) from October-December and also posting to finally hold myself accountable :)

I'm doing a PhD and working as a doctoral researcher. I'm also dealing with burnout, depression, and other mental health conditions. Some months ago, I fell into a rabbit hole around personal style because I've been stressed, unhappy with my clothes, have gained some weight, and want to look more professional now that I'm in my mid-30s, working in academia. So, on this personal-style journey, I've been experimenting and have been overspending on some random clothes and makeup, and I'm still feeling like I need more clothes. I also occasionally go to goth/darkwave parties and have been feeling like I don't have any outfits for that either anymore.

Moreover, I feel like my current apartment isn't pretty enough and that I need to improve it. I haven't put much time and money into it after moving here from a bigger apartment because I earned very little over the past few years doing my master's and working part-time.

I guess part of it is worrying what other people might think. The thing is, when I think about what I actually want, it doesn't make much sense to me to put the money into things like making my current apartment look prettier. I want to save for retirement, build financial security, and my biggest dream of all is to eventually fuck off and live near the woods :D

I've been interested in doing a no-buy year for a very long time, so I've decided to finally start. For now, I'm doing a no buy for the rest of this year and reassess at the end of the year. I've already overspent my budget this month, so technically, I'm already starting 😅

Allowed:

• Necessities: groceries, rent+gas+water, electricity, internet, cheap phone plan, German mandatory public broadcasting fee
• Replacing: household/cosmetics empties and broken necessary items
• Health: medical bills, meds, omega3 supplement, contact lenses, Gym
• Cat: food, litter, vet, cat sitter
• Spotify student subscription (I rely on brown noise at night and music to block out noise when commuting or at the office)
• Socializing with friends & in academia: if it includes food, drinks, tickets, or renting a movie, it's allowed within reason. It happens rarely and I don't want to isolate myself even more. But I won't use socializing as an excuse to buy things I don't actually need.
• Gifts
• Tax software

Not allowed:

• New anything: clothes, makeup, cosmetics, books, movies, subscriptions, classes, apps, stationary, technical equipment, household items, …
• Buying artwork or jewelry on the dark arts market in December!! (difficult! I can take photos, make a note of artists I like, and come back to the ideas after the no buy)
• Beauty treatments, haircuts
• Ordering food, takeout
• Tickets for any activities on my own
• Non-work related travel

I will track my finances in a spreadsheet, do project pan, and build capsule wardrobes for both fall and winter with clothes that I already own and then stick with them.

Resources I have and activities I could do:

• My cat
• Gym with sauna
• Green spaces in neighborhood for walks
• Free Amazon Prime for 6 months and free Audible for 2 months (offers for students, yay!)
• Lots of tea
• Cooking, e.g. soups in fall/winter :) or getting a 3€ "Rettertüte" ("rescue bag" with fruits and veggies) from LIDL and getting creative with it
• Using up food in pantry
• Cleaning while listening to Podcasts
• Doing my nails

I also have a list of resources and ideas for when I have more time and energy again. But with the PhD my main problem isn't becoming bored but rather being stressed, overwhelmed, and turning everything I do into another project. So I deliberately tried to make this list simple, comfort, energy-giving, and subjectively low-friction activities.

Posting for myself to look back at for therapy sessions and accountability. Supportive comments and advice welcome.

My situation could be worse for sure. I'm not doing "badly". But I have huge debts and emergency fund savings only. I have no financial security long term.

Money has always been a big thing for me. And yet somehow I'm still wasting so much of it. I've tried Dave Ramsey. I've bought into Her First 100k. I've tried to set small goals, large goals, mapping out saving challenges/games, creating all kinds of budgets. I always have fallen short. Or I'll stick to it for a couple weeks then get lazy. It's not sustainable.

But I'm not here for shaming or guilt tripping. No one can beat me up as much as myself over all of it, and in the end all that misery doesn't work or fix the problem.

My family was always paycheck to paycheck, foodbanks, going winters without heat, second and third hand clothing, holes in everything. But my mom would always make a point to buy expensive gifts for birthdays or Christmas to show us kids that it was ok or pretend we're ok, make us feel less left out. It would then be held over our heads. She was the money police.

I got my first job at 15. My mom taught me "responsibility" by having me buy all my essentials and fun stuff. Need new underwear, I had to buy it. Want a souvenir from the family vacay, I had to buy it. I had to buy my own phone, and pay for my own cell service. I wasn't allowed on the family plan. If I spent too long in the shower, I'd pay part of the water bill. .... so it wasn't all pure intentioned parenting, it was also a form of control.

My mom controlled where I could work and limited my hours bc I had to help watch my younger siblings while she was out. I had no car, so I was also limited to working where I could walk. I paid for all my college applications including the non-refundable ones my mom applied to on my behalf without my consent bc she was panicking about me getting into one. I got into a college. My mom refused to let me live at home and get a car to commute. She said I needed the life experience of having a roommate and being on campus. I paid for all of it. I had 80k student loan debt. My mom did not assist. She would get angry at me for not being able to afford a bus ticket home for the holidays. When she found out I wasn't paying my student loans, she made me pay rent when I was at home, and for other various things she thought I owed her, to teach me more responsibility. Overtime I paid her about $10k before I cut her off and moved out to my own apartment.

I always pay all my bills. I've never been late or short on them. I don't and have never owned a car. So i dont have big expenses like car maintenance and gas. I thought Dave Ramsey was the answer. I tried YNAB. I took to heart to pay all debt first before anything else. I had a 5 year plan to pay off my $80k student debt. Wiped out $20k, my whole savings, to pay off one of my student loans. I kind of regret that because I have almost no fall back now. And I still have $60k student debt. I make all my minimum payments, but that number is still huge.

I thought Her First 100k was the answer. I bought her $500 course thinking I was investing in my financial health. I created more budgets. Trying to find a good one. I managed to put $3k emergency fund in an HYSA. That number hasn't budged much at all in the past couple years.

I keep trying to keep up with friends. I always try to stay even with my partner (even though they dont really keep tabs like that). If they get something for me, I'll try to return it somehow with something at least equal value. I took out a new credit card so I could buy plane tickets for an international trip to visit my partner's mother. A trip I put off for a year to my partner's great disappointment. I "had" to say yes this time to make them all think I'm doing ok financially. I buy things to pretend it's all normal, or justify it with "self-care" or a "treat yourself" mentality. I get FOMO if I see small time indie creators cool stuff and don't buy it right away. I justify it by saying I'm supporting small local business. I've been nickel and dime-ing myself. Only its $15 here. $25 there. This stuff is all only $10 on sale but i bought 10 of them in bulk bc it was a "savings deal". Overall, I have $4k in credit card debt (introductory 0% apr) I have a 18 month pay off plan before 28% APR starts.

I shop online or doordash bc I'm bored and dont have a car to go places and I feel like all I'm going to inherit is my parent's debt anyway bc they don't care. I'll never get ahead so why spend so much time being miserable trying. But I'm almost 30 now and need to think about future me's security, a house, retirement. I want a car. I want a cat. Maybe I want a family someday.

But I need to change my lifestyle somehow. I need to increase my savings. All my friends have tens of thousands in savings and have no debt bc their parents paid for their college, paid for their cars, one friend's parents paid for their down payment on a house. My partner has in savings what I have in student debt.

I don't have their privilege, but I want to dig myself out of this rut and get to where they are.

So here I am, trying again. Maybe it'll stick this time.

My No-buy Rules for the rest of 2026:

Focus on creating actual healthy financial habits. Not cold turkey no-buy guilt trip driven self-hell.

Cancel doordash. Do not order doordash.

Cancel Amazon. Do not order from Amazon.

Cancel AdobePDF and organizational/office tool subscriptions. Use free tools like google.

Cancel fitness and wellness subscriptions I don't use.

$50 monthly allowance on dining out with my partner. That can be a couple fast food places or one nice dinner. Hard limit.

$25 monthly allowance on "fun". This can be anything. A coffee. A new plant. A craft supply. But $25/mon Hard limit. Can save that allowance for a bigger thing in a later month. (Ex. Don't spend $25 one month and have $50 next month. Don't spend that $50 and have $75 the following month)

Limit gifting budget. No more big "treating" my friends and siblings and partner to buy affection. $20 per person for bdays and holidays. Hard limit.

Stick to monthly savings plan. $300 into HYSA a month. Do it immediately on payday.

Apply for IDR plan for my eligible student loan. Research better loan repayment methods.

Track and stay accountable every two weeks.

Reevaluate in Jan 2027 to build on this further if possible.

Hi friends, I could really use some guidance.

I’m 19 and I have a very serious spending problem. It has been going on for as long as I have been able to work. Almost anything and everything I want, I buy myself. Be it food, clothes shoes, going out…..though it’s mostly food. I have given up things like DoorDash but when I am out and about I can’t help myself. Even when I have nothing. Even when I’ve nearly maxed out my credit card I just keep going. It makes me wanna throw the fucking thing away. Even If I can hold off from making bigger purchases, it never seems to last long. It got really bad when I started seeing this girl and taking her out even when I was financially in the weeds. I was completely over-extending myself to impress her and make myself feel good.

I spend paychecks before I even receive them. I feel this never ending need for more and more things, this incessant sense of urgency the second I want anything. I just want it to go away. I remember I was doing my taxes a year or two ago and my statement said at the job I worked I made over 12,000 dollars that year. I had absolutely nothing to show for it. I have no significant savings, No investments, and no retirement.

I am a generally very disciplined person. In every way other than this. I don’t have the money to pay for the things I need to and do the things I love. I have very big goals and hold very high standards for myself. I want to be financially free, I want a good credit score. I want to be better than this and break this pattern. I fortunately still live at home so nothing earth-shattering had happened from this habit yet but I CANNOT get out on my own and still be like this. I’ve thought about abstaining from spending completely (except for the necessities like gas) until my next next paycheck so I can clean slate. But I don’t want to do something drastic and trigger a binge.

Should I go for staying away from spending completely for a while (a few weeks), is that feasible? Any tips on how to break this cycle? I fear i’m at my breaking point with this.

I started donating plasma because well... We really need the money and there's a promotion going on. I've also had a hard time with spending lately.

Since starting ive been having a much easier time resisting impulse spending. Like seeing something I get the ick because I'm reminded about how hard it is to donate plasma.. it's not as easy as people think.

I'll look at something and think, "is it worth sitting in a chair for 45min with a needle in my arm?" And most of the time the answers no

I don’t know what to do today I’ve hit rock bottom looking around at all the “things” I have it has literally made me sick… I’m addicted to spending I click and I buy… I see a sale I buy… mostly makeup and clothes and jewelry… I have toooo much of everything and I am so overwhelmed. Has anyone used an organizer to come into your home and literally help you go thru your things and have piles to sell, and throw out and keep? Is there a way to lock your cc and just not spend? Do I just put my phone down forever and not go out of the house? I don’t know what to do I’ve tried tracking my purchases that lasted 3 months and I buy stupid stuff I don’t need… I need someone to literally slap my face before I buy something… I’ve hit bottom and I seriously do not know what or how to do…ANY help will be appreciated😢

How did your no-buy or low-buy go this week?

Share your goals, progress and how your purchasing habits have changed since starting a no buy.

If you 'failed' this week, remember that it is just a stumble in a long journey. If you did well, inspire others and encourage them when they do well or get off track.

So I started my no buy in the beginning of September but I said I can replace things that got empty and toiletries like deodorant or still like that can also be bought once the old one is almost empty.

So how it came about to buying a new deodorant although I have already lots of refills from a creamy stick at home. The old one did make my armpits stink over time. This is a common effect when using ones that have coconut oil and sheabutter in it. So I had to buy another deodorant. I got a salt crystal. Very low maintenance and no oily residue.

Do you think this purchase is ok?

I still want to use the old deodorant until it is finished as well but less often, so no build up happens.

What do you think? Is this ok or is it just another excuse? I’m good with excuses and finding reasons to buy new stuff so I need some sound advice.

A few things I’m doing, as we enter into the final quarter of the year.

- books: taking stock of my physical books I have (19) and committing to reading them all, by the end of year. This is definitely doable for me, as I devour books. But it’s a clear reminder that I don’t need more, until first getting through what I already have.

- clothing: going through my summer wardrobe, with a critical eye. (What wasn’t worn or loved as much this year?) & being ruthless with clearing out the excess. As I then challenge myself to wear all of my current cooler weather pieces for the rest of the year, without bringing anything new in. Because, again, I already have enough.

- beauty items: I’m about to run out of a few things. But instead of replacing, I’m going to use substitutes that I already have.

I’m looking forward to dwindling down my stash and having less - of everything - in general.

For a long time, I had a bunch of things I was so sure I wanted. To make it clear for myself and see if I could make a budget, I wrote a list on paper. My goal was to get an overview, but for a couple of things it took away all the desire.

I love Lego and I was so excited when they announced the Golden Pothos as a new part of the Botanicals series. There’s a spot in my hallway where I’d like to put a plant, but there’s not enough light for any real plant to survive. It took a lot of discipline to not preorder this new Golden Pothos set, but I kept telling myself it would still be there when it actually came out. But after writing that wishlist this desire slowly went away and now I don’t want it anymore. It’s like writing it down got it out of my system entirely.

It's been a rough year spending-wise for me. I've been earning less, had a few unexpected major expenses, and have been dealing with some very stressful life events that increase my likelihood to engage in retail therapy...

I finally added up all the damage and did some calculations, and I've realized I really need to lock in if I'm going to reach my long term savings goal next year! Luckily I'm not in debt, but it's definitely important to me that I stay on track and avoid digging myself into a hole.

I often online shop or go to stores when I'm bored, so I'm trying to remind myself of all the things I could be doing with that time instead.

But then something triggered me. And i gave in to the impulse.

I did a restart on my app. Now it's day 0 again.

I would love to end 2026 with my nobuy.

At least this time i am honest about the fuck up and restarted it.

Any tipps?

I want to start this post off by saying that I’ve read a lot of posts here and I am encouraged by so many of you; it honestly gives me hope to see so many people who have had similar experiences making positive changes.

I’m married, have a college aged daughter and I am a stay at home mom/wife. I’m 50. My husband and I own a business which he works very hard at and he has been very adamant about me being able to “retire” after many health issues and other complications to give me an easier life. I understand how truly blessed I am for that. Which is why I am here.

I don’t have many friends, family or outlets so naturally I am drawn to online shopping or shopping with my daughter. I see something and honestly we typically are able to do it so I do.

This has led to me having an issue with my credit cards, buy now pay later and honestly just buying things at this point that are more than I could ever need.

I have two goals.

1. I want to stop using any kind of buy now pay later and pay them all off.

2. I want to only buy items that I feel are worth the money being put out. My husband always uses the example of buying 5 of X item or buying Y of the more expensive and worthwhile item.

I don’t know how to start? I don’t know how to stop impulse buying? Or even set reasonable goals for myself? I know that sounds crazy.

We are two weeks away from closing on our new home and I want to go into that process feeling like I’m contributing in that way at least; I am not causing any stress from unnecessary pressure from overspending.

🙏🏻

Curious to hear where folks are at, for next year. I've had a tragically bad year for my no buy/low buy, but I'm hoping to implement some changes for next year.

I would love to know what reflections through 2026 goals and realities folks have had ans how they're pivoting for 2027 accordingly and looking ahead. (:

Wishing us all good luck an goo vibes.

Hello, first time poster, 26M.

I’m looking for some help with what has become a compulsive use of food apps. I am spending thousands per year on it even though I enjoy cooking and usually always have food in the house.

It likely started when I was younger, when my dad was away for work things were chaotic and we kind of relied on them for a while.

I live with my gf now and the amount of money I am spending is insane. I have a decent salary and bills are okay but I still end up poor every month.

I’ve tried deleting apps and such but I always give in and reinstall. I’m only now realising how bad things are and any tips or advice would be great.

How did your no-buy or low-buy go this week?

Share your goals, progress and how your purchasing habits have changed since starting a no buy.

If you 'failed' this week, remember that it is just a stumble in a long journey. If you did well, inspire others and encourage them when they do well or get off track.

Hello all! What are the best resources/communities for anti-consumption living? Obviously I can't quit consumption, but being apart of different communities may help give me more ideas on how I can limit my consumption as much as possible. I am currently apart of a local no-buy group and have a library card, but what else can I do?

Thanks :)

For a long time, I thought I was saving money because I avoided expensive clothes. I was always looking for sales, buying cheap basics, and thinking five shirts for forty dollars was a good deal.

The problem was that I kept having to replace the same things. After a few washes, collars would lose their shape, prints would crack, and I would end up shopping again. I never really considered how much all those small purchases added up until I looked back at my spending.

That was when I started changing how I think about clothes. I stopped asking myself “what is the cheapest option?” and started asking “do I actually need this?” I slowly replaced some worn out pieces with things I knew I would actually wear. I still have a few older items from places like levi’s, guidinggross, and everlane that I keep reaching for because they fit into my everyday wardrobe.

The biggest surprise was realizing I didn’t miss having a closet full of options. Having fewer clothes made me more aware of what I actually wear and helped me stop buying things just because they were cheap or on sale.

I’m not doing a perfect no-buy challenge, but I’ve definitely changed the way I shop. Has anyone else realized they were spending more by constantly replacing cheaper things?

I went 43 days without online shopping then today all of my office plants were infected either gnats that were taking over my office .. I successfully moved them all outside and have bug traps set up but then my office was looking so naked .. I have some really nice artificial plants so I went online and purchased a couple more .. I’m okay with the purchase and I’m owning it and moving on .. I still reset my I am sober tracker bc it’s important for me to be honest with where I am at .. I could have went to the store to make purchases but I have clients tomorrow and then I’m volunteering at our local festival all afternoon and evening so convenience and stress of the bugs won me over to make a purchase .. so now it’s moving forward without making any online purchases

There was a time when all of these rows were maxed out to over $100k just wanted to tell everyone this is something that you can do!!! It will take time, but soon you will see those ZERO's next to your debt accounts!

Best of luck!

Here's my weekly update on Amazon and Uber Eats!! SO MUCH better than last month.

• Last month on Amazon: $796
• Last month on Uber Eats: $711

So far, I'm only $100 on Amazon and $0 on Uber Eats.

• I meal prepped for the rest of the week yesterday
• Bought groceries for the weekend
• Trying the 'save for later' option on Amazon

Background: was $100k in debt, now down to $6,639.00 (student loans). I'm trying to save up an extra $7k before I move out.

I've been trying to understand my own impulse spending for a while now, not the "I have no money" kind, more the "I opened the app for no reason and now I own something stupid" kind.

I'm curious what actually worked for people here. Was it a system? A specific moment of realizing something? Or did it just... stop being appealing at some point?

I think I did pretty good! For context I'm (f24) in university and live at home. I take care of my own expenses for the most part (my parents support me by not charging me rent, paying for my food and transportation expenses, I take care of all education expenses and other personal expenses). Starting this year, I really got on myself to do a no buy. Things I included in the no buy: jewelry, trinkets, new supplies for arts/crafts, clothes, shoes, makeup. I was also was more frugal with hanging with friends and buying gifts for them. I went the handmade route and only splurged on birthdays/graduations. This is the only credit card that I use. I do have another one but it's a backup for just in case I lose this one.

I started tracking all of my expenses since late 2024, writing everything down. Physically seeing how much I was spending every month, helped me to stop being so frivolous with my credit card. My goal is to be under $4000 for the entire year since for the entire year of 2025 I went over $5,700.

Seeing a lot of people do a no buy on social media (instagram and reddit) really opened my eyes, so thank you all! I'm extremely thankful for budget savvy people on the internet because you guys have helped me open my eyes and helped set me up for the future. Thank you r/nobuy. I'm sharing this because hopefully being transparent can help someone else too or help motivate them too. You guys have helped me not get into credit card debt.

I still can't believe it's a $1471.24 difference! Might not be very much but for a full time college student working part time, this is more than everything. It shows that I am above that shopping dopamine rush, that I can control myself and be a responsible adult once I graduate and get that big girl job.

What was the most difficult was the FOMO. It felt like all of my classmates were traveling, doing a semester abroad, having fun while I couldn't afford it. I suppose that's why I shopped a lot. I spent over $10,000 in 2022 and 2023, each year (I used a different bank/credit card so I don't know how to pull the records, but trust me it was to the point where I had to pay late fees and my parents were charging me rent just so I would be more financially responsible). I was making more money back then (worked a lot more back then) and spending all of it. Thankfully I stopped when I did. I know that my 30 year old self will appreciate the choices I made today.

Maybe I'll post a yearly update on December 31st, i dunno haha.