Need to do a no-buy year for some calendar year of my life. Unfortunately, am stuck in the “as soon as” pit fall of trying to “complete my wardrobe”. Haven’t been able to commit. Seeing your posts are mentally preparing me for that journey. So thank you !
I totally understand that mentality. I was in it for so long! Until I realized there’s no such thing as a “complete wardrobe” other than the one you already have!
Yes!!! I’m doing a low buy year this year but I’ve been feeling like I could take it a step farther with no buy. As I’ve been cleaning out my closet and our house this year, it’s just really hit me that I don’t NEED anything. I have enough and that’s something I’m trying to remind myself of every day.
I’m sure you’ve gotten this question A LOT but I’d love to hear your strategy for buying kid stuff (specifically clothes). I have three and while the baby can wear hand-me-downs, my older two will likely need some new clothes and shoes throughout the year. I buy most of their stuff secondhand but the lower price points can make it a slippery slope…
My kids are 4, 8 and 10. I love to thrift, but also find it to be very helpful to use a site like Poshmark when I need specific things. For instance, my 10 year old has special needs... she's super skinny, and will literally not notice if her pants are too big and fall down. I have found Athleta makes really slim leggings that fit her, but there's no way I'm paying full price. So I went to Poshmark, searched specifically for leggings, then did just AthletaGirl and her size. I sorted by price low to high, and ended up getting her about 4 new pairs. With shipping I probably averaged about $15 per pair, which rivals stores like Target or Old Navy, but also way higher quality!
I totally hear you on the kids thing. I found that my 4 year old got a lot of overwhelm and paralysis when she had too much stuff in her closet so that actually really helped me step back and slow down on constantly buying her clothing. She's very particular about what she likes so I find if we pick things out together it results in less stuff overall and more things she will actually wear! We have an amazing buy nothing group here where I've been lucky to get hand-me-downs as well. And to Erin's point below, when I'm shopping secondhand I look only when I need something specific for her instead of just browsing to buy stuff.
This is something really resonating with me! Just became a paid subscriber so I can dig in with you. I tried the Rule of 5 this year and ultimately failed after a few months. But still eager to keep persevering and making changes
I love this!! I just did a year of no new clothes and had some similar takeaways— the reduced screen time was quite a welcomed surprise. Ignoring sales and unsubscribing from emails took the lift of decision making off my shoulders— it was nice.
Excited for this. I’ve been examining my motivations for shopping and thinking a lot about things that have environmental impact that I can’t control; this is something I can control! Looking forward to it.
I tried to buy nothing this year, then I got pregnant and my need for maternity clothes overwhelmed my want to buy nothing. I need a redo! Going through my closet, I have too much stuff, too many clothes I barely wear. I definitely need to buy nothing, I’m up for the challenge!
I want to try! I’ve found that now that I have a baby (almost 10 months old) this is even more pressure to buy the cute outfit or the new exciting toy, but it’s A LOT (money and just accumulation of junk lol) and kids quickly outgrow their clothing and their interest in toys. So this will be a big challenge for me! However, there is SO much baby and kid stuff that can be purchased second hand due to the fact I just mentioned that it’s all outgrown so quickly! I’m going to do my best to look at my local buy nothing group or Facebook marketplace for baby/kids items when I decide we truly need something. Starting 2025 because I’m also a bit nervous and will probably honestly make a couple more splurges before the holidays… ugh!
I can totally relate to this. I spent so much money on stuff as a new mom. I also just felt like, spending and buying stuff would somehow "fix" or "solve" my problems/challenges of being a new parent. And I bought all the new cute outfits and all the toys and they would fit for a month or the fancy toys would never get touched. Now my 4 year old gets almost all her clothes either from hand-me-downs or second-hand. It's amazing what you can find in buy nothing groups!
It also feels sometimes like having new things for my baby shows others that I’m a “good mom”. But I need to tune all that nonsense out because who I really want to show I am good mom is my child! And one way of doing that is showing them I’m taking care of the planet they will inhabit long after I’m gone by being more sustainable, or by saving money for something for them like college or whatever their interest may be when they are older. That will be so much more valuable than money wasted on things that are long gone.
I have been gravitating towards this. When I look at stuff online, I ask myself, “why do I think I need this?” I am ready to make some changes in my consumption.
I think I'm ready for this. I have definitely gotten stuck in the cycle of thinking I'll do a shopping pause once I have everything I need, but in reality, I have everything I need; in fact, I have too much stuff. I'm tired of the endless cycle of shopping and returns and purging my stuff. If I really need something, I will know what that this is and I can make a plan to get it. I'm not creating a perfect home or wardrobe or life by accumulating more stuff. Quite the contrary, actually.
Looking forward to this buy nothing new group! Having accountability will hopefully help keep me motivated to follow through. I have more than enough to last me a lifetime and I already consider myself on the path to “minimalism” with my slow decluttering of our home, but books and thrifting seem to trip me up. Also, with a husband and 2 newly adult children under our roof I find sticking to no buy a challenge but one I’m really looking forward to achieving.
Need to do a no-buy year for some calendar year of my life. Unfortunately, am stuck in the “as soon as” pit fall of trying to “complete my wardrobe”. Haven’t been able to commit. Seeing your posts are mentally preparing me for that journey. So thank you !
I totally understand that mentality. I was in it for so long! Until I realized there’s no such thing as a “complete wardrobe” other than the one you already have!
If we want to participate, do we just subscribe? Or is there another step to be part of the group specifically?
All you have to do is be a subscriber. Paid subscribers will automatically get access to private chats, prompts, and more.
Yes!!! I’m doing a low buy year this year but I’ve been feeling like I could take it a step farther with no buy. As I’ve been cleaning out my closet and our house this year, it’s just really hit me that I don’t NEED anything. I have enough and that’s something I’m trying to remind myself of every day.
I’m sure you’ve gotten this question A LOT but I’d love to hear your strategy for buying kid stuff (specifically clothes). I have three and while the baby can wear hand-me-downs, my older two will likely need some new clothes and shoes throughout the year. I buy most of their stuff secondhand but the lower price points can make it a slippery slope…
Thanks Jess!
My kids are 4, 8 and 10. I love to thrift, but also find it to be very helpful to use a site like Poshmark when I need specific things. For instance, my 10 year old has special needs... she's super skinny, and will literally not notice if her pants are too big and fall down. I have found Athleta makes really slim leggings that fit her, but there's no way I'm paying full price. So I went to Poshmark, searched specifically for leggings, then did just AthletaGirl and her size. I sorted by price low to high, and ended up getting her about 4 new pairs. With shipping I probably averaged about $15 per pair, which rivals stores like Target or Old Navy, but also way higher quality!
Yes! This is exactly how I approach this too.
I totally hear you on the kids thing. I found that my 4 year old got a lot of overwhelm and paralysis when she had too much stuff in her closet so that actually really helped me step back and slow down on constantly buying her clothing. She's very particular about what she likes so I find if we pick things out together it results in less stuff overall and more things she will actually wear! We have an amazing buy nothing group here where I've been lucky to get hand-me-downs as well. And to Erin's point below, when I'm shopping secondhand I look only when I need something specific for her instead of just browsing to buy stuff.
This is something really resonating with me! Just became a paid subscriber so I can dig in with you. I tried the Rule of 5 this year and ultimately failed after a few months. But still eager to keep persevering and making changes
Yay! So glad you’re in.
I love this!! I just did a year of no new clothes and had some similar takeaways— the reduced screen time was quite a welcomed surprise. Ignoring sales and unsubscribing from emails took the lift of decision making off my shoulders— it was nice.
Completely agree. The unsubscribe thing is so powerful.
Can't wait to hear more about this--I think I'm going to join in!
Excited for this. I’ve been examining my motivations for shopping and thinking a lot about things that have environmental impact that I can’t control; this is something I can control! Looking forward to it.
Absolutely! Love to hear it.
I tried to buy nothing this year, then I got pregnant and my need for maternity clothes overwhelmed my want to buy nothing. I need a redo! Going through my closet, I have too much stuff, too many clothes I barely wear. I definitely need to buy nothing, I’m up for the challenge!
Love to hear it!
I want to try! I’ve found that now that I have a baby (almost 10 months old) this is even more pressure to buy the cute outfit or the new exciting toy, but it’s A LOT (money and just accumulation of junk lol) and kids quickly outgrow their clothing and their interest in toys. So this will be a big challenge for me! However, there is SO much baby and kid stuff that can be purchased second hand due to the fact I just mentioned that it’s all outgrown so quickly! I’m going to do my best to look at my local buy nothing group or Facebook marketplace for baby/kids items when I decide we truly need something. Starting 2025 because I’m also a bit nervous and will probably honestly make a couple more splurges before the holidays… ugh!
I can totally relate to this. I spent so much money on stuff as a new mom. I also just felt like, spending and buying stuff would somehow "fix" or "solve" my problems/challenges of being a new parent. And I bought all the new cute outfits and all the toys and they would fit for a month or the fancy toys would never get touched. Now my 4 year old gets almost all her clothes either from hand-me-downs or second-hand. It's amazing what you can find in buy nothing groups!
It also feels sometimes like having new things for my baby shows others that I’m a “good mom”. But I need to tune all that nonsense out because who I really want to show I am good mom is my child! And one way of doing that is showing them I’m taking care of the planet they will inhabit long after I’m gone by being more sustainable, or by saving money for something for them like college or whatever their interest may be when they are older. That will be so much more valuable than money wasted on things that are long gone.
Yes yes yes.
I have been gravitating towards this. When I look at stuff online, I ask myself, “why do I think I need this?” I am ready to make some changes in my consumption.
Not sure if I’m ready for buy NOTHING but I know I AM ready for buy LESS!
Dammit! I keep missing your sub sales! 🙈
Not to worry I’ll do another before end of year!
Shoot. No clue how I missed the yearly sale. 😩
I’ll do another one before the end of the year!
I got it!
I think I'm ready for this. I have definitely gotten stuck in the cycle of thinking I'll do a shopping pause once I have everything I need, but in reality, I have everything I need; in fact, I have too much stuff. I'm tired of the endless cycle of shopping and returns and purging my stuff. If I really need something, I will know what that this is and I can make a plan to get it. I'm not creating a perfect home or wardrobe or life by accumulating more stuff. Quite the contrary, actually.
Looking forward to this buy nothing new group! Having accountability will hopefully help keep me motivated to follow through. I have more than enough to last me a lifetime and I already consider myself on the path to “minimalism” with my slow decluttering of our home, but books and thrifting seem to trip me up. Also, with a husband and 2 newly adult children under our roof I find sticking to no buy a challenge but one I’m really looking forward to achieving.
I've enjoyed following your journey this past year!!