How to Successfully do a "No Buy Spending Month"

Some people called me crazy but I did a “No Buy November” spending plan. This meant buying no clothes, shoes, make-up, skin products or online purchases. NONE! The reason I did this was I was looking for where I could easily save money and cut back the easiest. Extra spending isn’t necessary to get by in a month and the random Target, TJ Maxx and online shopping adds up FAST!

Set Yourself Up For Success

Don’t tease yourself by going to Target to entertain yourself on a weekday night. If you’re going to commit to no extra spending for a month, keep yourself out of the aisles and online shopping. Whenever I saw something I wanted to buy whether it was a HomeGoods candle or new pair of sneakers. I thought to myself “Do I have something at home that serves the same purpose?” or “If I don’t purchase this today will I still be wanting it in a month?” and lastly “Is this a need or a want and why do I need it?”

Truthfully, when you begin to cut back and look at extra spending in a new light it becomes a little sickening. Seeing how many things, material things and swipes of the credit card in a month of extra spending solely just to fill that instant gratification spending itch you have or be “on trend” and buy something you won’t think about in a month. You begin to see the importance both sustainably and financially of living minimalistic.

Why to Save & Where to Put Your Spending Money

We are all trying to increase our income and decrease our expenses. This was the easiest way for me to do so. I tracked all my expenses for the entire month of November (I also track my expenses every month) and by the end of the month I saw my credit card was $500 less than it usually was. This obviously could have been also eating out, gym memberships, situational, etc. but a good couple hundred were anonymous expenses for things I didn’t need. I talk more about tracking your monthly expenses HERE.

I did allocate this money I usually would be spending and put it towards any loans, savings or Roth IRA accounts I had. Invest, save and grow your money! I promise you that $20 candle you bought can go much further in an APY Savings Account than sitting next to your other 5 candles in your home.

Set a goal for yourself during the month and aim to save that amount! I would suggest most people probably spend $200 on online shopping, Amazon orders, products or clothes. Take this money you’d normally spend and save, invest or pay off your debt!

What I Considered “No Buy November” Purchases

Don’t Buy:

  • No Amazon Orders (Unless it was toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, supplements)

  • No Online Shopping

  • No Home products (Candles, decor, blankets, pillows, etc.)

  • No Clothes or Shoes

  • No Jewelry

  • No Hobby/Activity purchases (New yoga mat, climbing gear, shoes, leggings)

  • No skin/facial or make-up products - nothing that is unnecessary

What I Bought in November:

  • Groceries

  • Necessary Hygiene products (Shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant)

  • Paid Rent & Bills

  • Supplements (Such as probiotics or pre-workout because I take these everyday - don’t let yourself cheat this way)!

  • Eating Out Meals

  • Any Travel Expenses

  • 1 pair of Lululemon leggings 50% Off - Totaling to $50 - This was cheating but a deal that was 24 hours from a friend and the 1 purchase that I let myself make for the month.

Surprise Yourself

You may surprise yourself at how easy this can be once you put your mind to it! I truthfully took a minimalistic approach to the material things I own and have been doing “No Buy ___” for November, December and January. Keeping the things you own to a minimum shows you the difference of want or needing things. Also, you become more aware when you want to purchase things beginning to have the mindset of “Is it a want or need?”

If you can’t go the whole month without buying something to splurge on, let yourself have one item and set an amount that you will let yourself splurge on. For example, my $50 lululemon purchase didn’t make me feel guilty knowing I would buy them for 50% more 2 weeks later. Reward yourself with one item you can purchase for the month and trust me you will be very selective with what you choose!

Goodluck! You got this!

Finance 1Zoey Berghoff