I woke up this morning and was going to buy a men’s wallet on Etsy. But then I thought it’s the 1st of January and my no buy challenge starts today. And I didn’t buy it. A good start to 2025.
I’m doing a low buy year. I’m solo and have a low income. I’m going to document it on my TH-cam channel. Nervous about it but I can only try. Thanks for the advice Cinzia ❤
I know you haven’t had the best year but I hope you know that even when you may feel awful, that your videos are making someone smile and feel better. I just wanted to let you know how much it makes my day every time you upload a video. I hope you have a good a New Year! I look forward to next year’s content. ❤
I’m doing what I’m calling a Slow Buy year. It’s based on your video about doing one new category each month, stacking them on top of each other. Doing cold turkey in the past hasn’t worked. I’ve already “failed” my first month BUT I learned a lesson each time. January is no makeup and now also no skincare. I’m excited! Looking forward to the couples one. Even though I’m single I don’t know that I’ve seen a couples No Buy video.
My library has an email list where they send you all the new additions for that week, mostly new releases, which you can immediately get on the hold list for. Very much satisfies the new book shopping urge. I almost never buy books thanks to my local public library and I read 120 - 160 books every year.
I'm starting a no buy challenge in 2025! I actually need to this year as I quit my full-time job, went back to retail, working casually, and trying to save for a holiday in Scotland for October.
I'm excited about this! The part about actually using all the things we've hoarded up is a big part of why I'm attempting a no buy. Growing savings and learning to entertain myself without spending money are big, big goals for 2025! (I'd like to eventually tie in a bit of a digital detox, but one thing at a time!)
You mainly discuss what is called variable costs. When I had to cut expenses a few years ago, I took a very hard look at my fixed costs. Like rent, insurance, media/tech subscriptions, car etc. These are all high cost items. Especially if you're not careful. I cancelled some things, eg subscription cable tv, and found cheaper alternatives for others (internet fee, mobile subscription etc etc).
I want to add that looking through all insurances and contracts every year can really help to find a better deal- just lowered my car insurance over 200 euros because I changed to a different provider (read the fine print obviously)
I came across your video from your main channel on quitting shopping and the last week I have been bingeing all your videos, especially the ones on no buy year and not using social media. I'm hooked. Thanks so much! You're one of the most articulate and intelligent people I've come across on TH-cam. I've deleted my instagram and haven't used since 23rd Dec and am planning a low buy (very low!) year for 2025. Thanks so much for your amazing content. I was thrilled to see this video in my feed :) Happy new year Cinzia :)
Oh, I am doing my first no-buy ever.. my problem areas are books, thrifted clothes and perfume. And make-up, as well, lately.. Right now I have made a new bank account to which I transfer the money I would have spent on an item I am tempted to buy. The money is gone from my main account but it is still with me. I want to see how much I would have spent on items I don't really need. Good luck on your no-buy! I love your videos and have been watching them for many, many years! 🥂 Happy New Year!
I won’t do a no buy year but I made a list of what I want to get this year and the total cannot be more than 600 reais (which is like less than 100 dollars). The reason I won’t be doing a no buy year is that I don’t think I could do it and seeing a goal fail even before February is going to drown me. So I will do a low buy year and make things more reachable for me
I feel like it's cheaper living with somebody else... when you're past the dating phase. You split rent, bills, food etc - all these essentials we have to pay for. The hobbies and extra you can't navigate together or individually
that may be true for some, it all depends I suppose on incomes and needs. I’ve found living alone cheaper than living with someone else, but it may be different another time
i'm not doing a low buy or no buy this year but i like watching these videos as inspiration of things i could examine in my spending habits/relationship with buying stuff. i do have a savings goal most years which motivates me to spend more carefully though :)
There are transparent post it notes you can use to write in margins in books that aren't yours, once you are done, you can take them out without damage to the book
Thank you for the inspiration. I’m putting my spending into perspective by recording everything I would be tempted to buy this year but didn’t and it will help me see how much money I would of spent but more importantly how much more I am saving on my low buy year!
You’ve inspired me to attempt my first no-buy year. My weaknesses are beauty products, clothing, home decor, aquariums, and unnecessary purchases for my children. I read constantly and have always favored borrowing over buying, but lately I’ve been too lazy to go to the library and have been paying for Kindle Unlimited, which is, on the whole, home to some of the worst and most worthless “writing” I’ve ever encountered. This is the year I will purchase no new clothing for myself or decor for my home. I’ll only replace beauty products that I use routinely as I run out of them. I’m won’t purchase unnecessary things for my children except for birthdays and Christmas; in the meanwhile, I will encourage them to rediscover and use what they already have. I’ll cancel Kindle Unlimited and force myself to go the library in search of more worthwhile reading material. I won’t expand or add to my current aquariums, unless I can find a free tank and then propagate/breed what I already have. I also have stashes of crafting supplies that I’ve used temporarily and then put away as I moved on to the next hobby. I’m going to revisit those in place of impulse-buying. Thank you for giving me the boost I needed to make this change!
Perfect timing as I too am starting a ‘No Buy Year’ (gulp). My weaknesses are books, magazines, Lattes and charity shops (I get more fun walking round a town centre, for example, than walking in nature) and food shopping, where I buy on spec rather than make a weekly list and sticking to it (and sadly I waste a lot too) but I’m going cold turkey (no Xmas pun intended) from 1 Jan and all your tips are very helpful, thanks so much. Happy New Year!
I have a very easy strategy to ensure a low-buy if not no-buy 2025 - shop a lot this year so I don't have to next year ;) Mostly books. Lots of books. Also I'm going to be starting a Master's degree this coming fall, so I'm going to have to spend a lot on textbooks, accommodation, food, transportation, moving, etc. So nothing will be spent purely on me for pleasure, that's for sure. Happy New Year, Cinzia!
I'm a silent watcher of your videos but "I just clicked" to your newest video to wish you a happy new year. It's weird when I say that but it's very special how you speak and I love how you use your words. Thanks for these wonderful and important topics this year. Have a great one and stay safe!.
We re doing a low/now buy this year. We are a family of five and we can’t to a strict now buy with 3 kids. We are minimalists since 2 1/2 years and we never want to go back to maximalism and now we want to our first now/ low buy year. 😊 happy new year and many greetings from Germany 🙋🏻♀️
I am in the middle of a low buy (with my husband as a buddy doing it with me) and I thought I was doing okay but WOW I added up my 2024 spending this morning and realized I am far less frugal than i thought. I am tightening up my exceptions and rules. I searched TH-cam for ideas and this was very very helpful. I am borrowing some of your ideas for a more successful year. Thank you, and good luck on your year too!
I think this is a really good idea. My weaknesses don't really include books. I stopped buying them a few years ago because I realised I had a lot that I hadn't read so I've been working through those and I donated others. I think my main weakness is buying hot chocolate in cafes because I like to go to cafes to journal or work to reduce being very isolated at home. It wasn't so bad when hot drinks were cheap but now they are quite expensive so it's tricky. There aren't many third spaces left. I do live near a library but unfortunately it's often full of screaming children or various clubs and groups, so there's not really anywhere to quietly work for free. I try to budget for about one hot chocolate a week, occasionally two. Maybe this is okay since I don't drink alcohol or smoke or go to the cinema and I rarely get takeaways. I'm already a low spender because I'm currently on a low income and frugal. It does get difficult to know what to do for fun, so I look forward to your video on that.
You make a good point about cafe's, I have stepped away from them since price rises made it too expensive. And, spot on with local libraries too! I am lucky to be able to go into a large, old, city library where plenty of nooks make it possible to find a quiet space ... but that requires a short train trip. You are right about the lonliness, my generally low spend habits mean less social engagment. My income can fluctuate so I need to be careful. This topic is reminding me of a book draft I put to the side about No Cost/Low Cost activities which I just might dust off and finish. Looking forward to the next video installment.
I’m doing a book buying ban until my birthday at the end of February (folks usually want to get me books or book certificates as a birthday gift, so that is my exception). I have so many books, and easy access to used books in my area has made me buy more than I can read. I love what you said about walking into the library to soak up the bookish atmosphere. And if there is anyone reading this who wants to try this without committing to a whole year, do it for a month! A week! A day! Until you meet some other goal, ie, not getting any new books until you’ve ready a certain number of those you have. Good luck, everyone!
I'm starting with a Low/No-Buy month and then taking it month by month. I have a compulsive shopping problem, I see errands and shopping as a hobby, and for a while I was doing well, then the US election started to really get to me mid-October AND my therapist was leaving, so I spiraled again. I have a new therapist now and I'm working on other things to do when my BP2 symptoms start acting up, and I feel better about going into this new year. I am also very much of a "I saw this and thought of you" kind of person as a way to show my affection and I really need to work on that as well. One of my accountability actions is my husband, every month that I don't break the rules I set for myself, he puts $50 aside in a tattoo find for me, which is very motivating because I miss getting tattoos. I am also coming up on my last semester in my graduate program, so I know I am going to be stressed, but hopefully I don't fall back into bad habits! Thank you for sharing!
Watching this and your no buy for another time!! I’m determined to do a good low buy/no buy this year. And I deleted all social media (besides TH-cam). Thank you so much for everything! ♥️ Happy New Year!!
I've done no buy years and low buy years but now instead I just set aside a very small monthly budget for buying whatever I want (that isn't food or bills or other non-essential expenses). It's like a mini savings account where I can save up to buy something bigger or just use the money to buy anything I want. Knowing that I COULD buy whatever I want (even if i have to save up for it for months or a year) feels nice but also having very limited funds for that makes me carefully consider if i want to buy something or not. It hasn't made me buy less stuff compared to no buy but it keeps the amount I spend restricted and under control. I don't let that budget go to 0 so there's usually some amount of money saved in case in the future I want to buy something. In that sense it also curbs my spending. I mostly tend to buy digital stuff like ebooks, music or games, but with anything physical I have a rule that I need to have a dedicated place (like on a bookshelf etc) before I buy it. Physical space is limited too so if I can't think where to put that thing I'm not buying it.
Yesterday I was scrolling on Medimops, seeing all these books I want for only a few euros each, but I DIDN'T GET ANY. I bought a lot of books last years that I am very happy to have, but many I have not read yet (I mostly only have the time to listen to audiobooks). So part of my "low-buy" plans for this year is NO MORE BOOKS until I have read everything on my shelf. I get you Cinzia. It's TOUGH for us (old) book lovers😅😩😂
As a person in a couple I do find keeping a budget is much more useful approach for me. I can keep my personal expenses low, and set budget on the others in discussions with my partner.
I saw one of your no-buy videos months ago, and it's inspired me to start my low-buy year in 2025. I just got a new job where I'll be earning more than I've ever have, and I want to avoid spending it all on frivolous stuff. I used to randomly buy clothes, cosmetics and hair products or other random things. My husband is the same, and now our apartment is filled with so much stuff!! This year, I want to declutter and stop adding more things. 🙏🙏
If there’s one book I think everyone should read this year, it’s keezano’s Your Life Your Game. It beautifully shows how connecting with God and building meaningful relationships can lead to spiritual growth, and success in both your personal and professional life. This book truly changed my life…a must-read. God bless!🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
A happy new year, may 2025 be so much better! For myself I am doing a low buy/do a good budget for a change year, but I do love seeing these video's they give me a ton of inspiration!
I have a no buy year starting now, me and my partner is saving up to buy a house and we already have more stuff than we need. So the year is about using the stuff we already have, since there are unused stuff all over the house and then also reducing. I have for example a few lego sets that is just in a drawer, built once, never displayed. I need to let them go. It's sooo easy to get stuck in collecting stuff, especially lego, retro games or similar when I get inspired when other people buy stuff and displays it. I have a few exceptions, for example stuff that we for sure need for the new house, for example power tools, those are for saving money when self-building.
Excited to see the couples video of how you’ll do this challenge together. Would be quite beneficial as me and my partner have been trying to cut back and would be lovely to see how you’ll do it considering you’ve already been successful yourself
I dont think a no buy year is for me but l will do a low, very low, buy year for my sewing room. I can always justify buying a new piece of fabric or notion but l dont actually sew as fast as l buy. This year l will aim to use what l have. Happy new year.
Awesome idea! Stuff in my private life are going to be changed and I would like to take full control of my finances again. I was already on it but I was not the only one who could decide about stuff but now I can. I have made a list which I am allowed to buy and which I am absolutely not allowed to buy. I am ready for this ride! Thanks for the inspiring words!
Have an amazing 2025 Cinzia🎉 Thank you so much for uploading a new video for us on New Year's Eve, super sweet and kind of you! ❤️ I am so grateful for you and look forward to using your strategies for a No Buy Year in this New Year!
I'm not doing low buy or no buy, but I would like to stick to 1 in 1 out rule for skincare and haircare since I last year I spent most in those categories. I don't have problem with buying clothes, I rarely find anything I like more than what I already own.
Definitely would love a video on what to do instead while not buying stuff... obviously using the craft supplies I have and reading books I already have but fresh ideas would be great! It's like a hobby to browse stuff online and there's no way I can do that on no buy haha
thanks for this great video. Focussing on using and using up the stuff you have, can make you feel empowered because you gain more control over your direct environment (home). This happens to me: the more I use the stuff I already have, the easier it is to look around relaxed in my home because all I see I know and touch and use. There are no „black holes“ anymore.
I will subscribe because I plan to do a low buy and I need the feeling of doing it together with like-minded people. Time to add to my Emergency Fund so I'm able to stop my job when I'm over it.
You can buy really appreciated presents without spending a lot. I like putting a lot of thought into things like finding a great second hand book they will like. Or framing a lovely postcard they will like from an art gallery or wherever.
I am also starting a low buy but no buy January just to ease myself in. My one aim for this year is a mini break but considering the last time I was on a plane my daughter was 1 and she's now 12 I think that might be a little bit ok. I'm a single mom so life can be tough but I am determined to have a little nest egg I'm not in any debt which is such a relief. I also instill in my kids the value of saving
I would love your point of view on this. The way I see it, I reward myself through experiences. Of course, I work to afford to live in a basic way, but I personally don’t see a reason to work if I can’t enjoy the fruits of my labor. So planning a fun weekend, exploring a new area, trying new food, and traveling make life worth living and working for. What’s the point of slaving away if you don’t provide yourself and buy yourself the life you want? I’d love your point of view. Also your voice is always a delight to hear!! It’s very sophisticated and genuine.
I've decided to do a no buy January as i tried a whole year before and got cold feet. So we're doing one month at a time! Also going to try being t-toal this year
Im starting with a low buy month starting today. Staying off Amazon and out of thrift stores. Used books are a weakness as I look at my bookshelves crammed with unread books.
I love this video and I'm trying this this year. Being a book content creator it is so easy to overspend in books, so I may set myself an allowance of one book every two months or so so that I cn focus in reading my never ending TBR but also have some margin if my favorite authors release a book :)
I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your videos, and have been for years. I have had a hard year as well, and have spent way too much money on books and clothes (mostly second hand, but still). I want to stop this, so I really appreciate this video and am going on this journey as well :) I also am delving deeper in sustainability (I eat mostly vegan, but still some cheese here and there, etc), so really looking forward to it.
love your content this was perfect to hear today not no buy in the plans for my upcoming year but just the general consciousness about where, how, and why you buy is lovely to have reminders of to limit consumption plus always love the tips and love that veganism is part of the picture-- i always feel this way of viewing consumption as so linked to my veganism but its often not the case for others 😌💜 happy new years thanks for the video
In a couple of hours I am also starting my low buy year. Living in the US is stressing me out right now with the change of power in less than 3 weeks. I am worried for the environment and all the regular people. We might be in for some rough years. For the most part I will be doing the low buy for environmental reasons. Use what I have or go without. Just get what is absolutely necessary. Also grow more food myself, fix things and barter.
The change in power is an illusion of propaganda. The richest people in the world run things and that will remain so for the foreseeable future. You're right on with growing food and becoming more self sustainable either way!
Happy New Year! Such an interesting and timely topic. I’m going to dive into your previous videos and figure out what my version of no buy means. I’m looking forward to see your next videos as well. Thanks for your insight 🌼
I am not committing to a no buy year, but I am going to do this month by month. Looking carefully at the month ahead, seeing what is happening, and planning accordingly. I know, for example, that I am going on holiday with my friend in July ( we are staying in a National Trust property on the Hardwick House estate. I am thrilled and can hardly wait because Tudor history is the period that fascinates me and Bess of Hardwick is my favourite personality from that time. She kept extensive house ledgers, for example. So July will not be a no spend month but I should like to have monies saved such that holiday spending will be guilt free, as such. I am very blessed that I have systematically lowered all 'ordinary' expenses to the point that I think anyone would find it hard to lower them further. My frivolous spending is on luxury foodstuffs but since I am also trying to loose a stone in weight this year, that frivolity takes care of itself! 😊 Thank you for your approach to no buy and I look forward to the video concerning free activities to do on a no buy year!
Naked books for a full year, I could never. I draw and write and highlight and stuff memorable bits in every book I touch. They're like naked creatures until I cloth them in thought until their spines and pages look like old people who survived with full lives. I am your librarian's worst nightmare. So, although I don't borrow from the library, I often look for books in pubs (when I want something new). They frequently have books as decorative items, allowing you to take a few for free because other patrons will donate them to pubs instead of charity shops. Actually, charity shoppes will often give the books to pubs so they don't go into the trash when they have too many. Good luck with your no-buy and I hope this helps your margin habits.
hoping to partake in a low-buy year, at least! living in a suburban american town, takeout and coffee shops are incredibly accessible and it has been my spending issue! best of luck to all of us! :)
Ps- plus, if you hate writing down all your expenses, online there are a lot of free apps sooo cute. Mine for example has cats everywhere 😻 so I'm not extremely scared or annoyed or bored when I have to take a track of where money goes, because I open the app and... Meow! 🐈😻
I am doing sort of a low buy challenge. I'm not super restricting myself, per se, but since we're planning a huge move, I'm focusing on whether I want to purchase more junk that will need to get moved. The answer is pretty much always "no."
Starting with a no buy in January and will try a low buy during the next months as much as possible. Convinced my partner to do a no alcohol January and hopefully a low spend year too. We have to move out to a new apartment so most of our expenses will go towards the moving & new furniture costs as we will be moving together.
I'm considering a low-buy and while I still need to figure out the exact rules I want to follow, one thing I know for sure if that I'm getting rid of Amazon Prime. It's frankly embarrassing how much money I've spent on there and while there are some exceptions for essentials, most of it was simply not necessary or could've been found in my local area - if I ever did truly need something from Amazon I think waiting to get to the $35 limit for free shipping or paying the shipping would limit my spending anyway. I keep trying to tell myself there was, in fact, a time before it existed and I can survive without it again
I really enjoyed this video, thank you, looking forward to the one with your partner. I'm doing a mini version of this - had a big sort out this week and have made a list of things DO NOT NEED, unsurpringly this consists of things I will idly browse and buy, books, stationery, games, skin care. I will spend money on experiences as I'm trying to get out more haha. Happy NYE🎉
I woke up this morning and was going to buy a men’s wallet on Etsy. But then I thought it’s the 1st of January and my no buy challenge starts today. And I didn’t buy it. A good start to 2025.
I’m doing a low buy year. I’m solo and have a low income. I’m going to document it on my TH-cam channel. Nervous about it but I can only try. Thanks for the advice Cinzia ❤
Cheering you on 💚
You have got this!
Just suscribed to your channel, I'm going no buy again this year
Yes, that's all we can do is try. I think looking at the money we're saving might be a great motivator to keep going.
I will watch!
I know you haven’t had the best year but I hope you know that even when you may feel awful, that your videos are making someone smile and feel better. I just wanted to let you know how much it makes my day every time you upload a video. I hope you have a good a New Year! I look forward to next year’s content. ❤
thank you so so much, Charlotte. Happy new year!!
I hope next year will be more kind to us, keep going !
I’m doing what I’m calling a Slow Buy year. It’s based on your video about doing one new category each month, stacking them on top of each other. Doing cold turkey in the past hasn’t worked. I’ve already “failed” my first month BUT I learned a lesson each time. January is no makeup and now also no skincare. I’m excited! Looking forward to the couples one. Even though I’m single I don’t know that I’ve seen a couples No Buy video.
This sounds like a good idea!
I like that concept...January...NO PANTS
I'm doing a slow buy year, too. January: no new/used books, no coesmetics. I'll just delve into what I already have, which is plenty right now.
@ my TBR is probably as tall as I am.
My library has an email list where they send you all the new additions for that week, mostly new releases, which you can immediately get on the hold list for. Very much satisfies the new book shopping urge. I almost never buy books thanks to my local public library and I read 120 - 160 books every year.
The temptation of a sprayed edge is overwhelming. I plan to do a No Buy for 2025, thank you for your inspiration!
I'm starting a no buy challenge in 2025! I actually need to this year as I quit my full-time job, went back to retail, working casually, and trying to save for a holiday in Scotland for October.
I'm excited about this! The part about actually using all the things we've hoarded up is a big part of why I'm attempting a no buy. Growing savings and learning to entertain myself without spending money are big, big goals for 2025! (I'd like to eventually tie in a bit of a digital detox, but one thing at a time!)
You have just saved my NYE, thank you. Hope you are more than well.
Glad I could help! Happy new year
The LAST PART. As a gig worker, I totally relate to what you are saying. Putting money away for saving has been so difficult!
I love that you are doing your no buy together. It is very hard when you are not on the same page when it comes to finance.
Books, plants, & gifts.
I feel this with every molecule of my being.
Happy New Year from the Pacific Northwest 🌲🌊💚
You mainly discuss what is called variable costs. When I had to cut expenses a few years ago, I took a very hard look at my fixed costs. Like rent, insurance, media/tech subscriptions, car etc. These are all high cost items. Especially if you're not careful. I cancelled some things, eg subscription cable tv, and found cheaper alternatives for others (internet fee, mobile subscription etc etc).
I want to add that looking through all insurances and contracts every year can really help to find a better deal- just lowered my car insurance over 200 euros because I changed to a different provider (read the fine print obviously)
I came across your video from your main channel on quitting shopping and the last week I have been bingeing all your videos, especially the ones on no buy year and not using social media. I'm hooked. Thanks so much! You're one of the most articulate and intelligent people I've come across on TH-cam. I've deleted my instagram and haven't used since 23rd Dec and am planning a low buy (very low!) year for 2025. Thanks so much for your amazing content. I was thrilled to see this video in my feed :) Happy new year Cinzia :)
that’s incredibly kind of you to say, thank you so much! have a wonderful new year and best of luck with your low buy!
@@passionspotatoes9182 💯
Oh, I am doing my first no-buy ever.. my problem areas are books, thrifted clothes and perfume. And make-up, as well, lately.. Right now I have made a new bank account to which I transfer the money I would have spent on an item I am tempted to buy. The money is gone from my main account but it is still with me. I want to see how much I would have spent on items I don't really need.
Good luck on your no-buy! I love your videos and have been watching them for many, many years! 🥂 Happy New Year!
I won’t do a no buy year but I made a list of what I want to get this year and the total cannot be more than 600 reais (which is like less than 100 dollars). The reason I won’t be doing a no buy year is that I don’t think I could do it and seeing a goal fail even before February is going to drown me. So I will do a low buy year and make things more reachable for me
I feel like it's cheaper living with somebody else... when you're past the dating phase. You split rent, bills, food etc - all these essentials we have to pay for. The hobbies and extra you can't navigate together or individually
that may be true for some, it all depends I suppose on incomes and needs. I’ve found living alone cheaper than living with someone else, but it may be different another time
i'm not doing a low buy or no buy this year but i like watching these videos as inspiration of things i could examine in my spending habits/relationship with buying stuff. i do have a savings goal most years which motivates me to spend more carefully though :)
There are transparent post it notes you can use to write in margins in books that aren't yours, once you are done, you can take them out without damage to the book
Yay! Looking forward to your future videos on this subject! Somehow you manage to never repeat yourself and I always learn a new tip or two!
I love this. Finding value in the things you already have.
About to go on my 4th no buy year as well 🙌 Paying off the rest of my college debt this year!
🎯👏👏👏👏
Thank you for the inspiration. I’m putting my spending into perspective by recording everything I would be tempted to buy this year but didn’t and it will help me see how much money I would of spent but more importantly how much more I am saving on my low buy year!
You’ve inspired me to attempt my first no-buy year. My weaknesses are beauty products, clothing, home decor, aquariums, and unnecessary purchases for my children. I read constantly and have always favored borrowing over buying, but lately I’ve been too lazy to go to the library and have been paying for Kindle Unlimited, which is, on the whole, home to some of the worst and most worthless “writing” I’ve ever encountered. This is the year I will purchase no new clothing for myself or decor for my home. I’ll only replace beauty products that I use routinely as I run out of them. I’m won’t purchase unnecessary things for my children except for birthdays and Christmas; in the meanwhile, I will encourage them to rediscover and use what they already have. I’ll cancel Kindle Unlimited and force myself to go the library in search of more worthwhile reading material. I won’t expand or add to my current aquariums, unless I can find a free tank and then propagate/breed what I already have. I also have stashes of crafting supplies that I’ve used temporarily and then put away as I moved on to the next hobby. I’m going to revisit those in place of impulse-buying. Thank you for giving me the boost I needed to make this change!
If you're in the UK. The library has an app called BorrowBox. It's for ebooks and audiobooks!
Perfect timing as I too am starting a ‘No Buy Year’ (gulp). My weaknesses are books, magazines, Lattes and charity shops (I get more fun walking round a town centre, for example, than walking in nature) and food shopping, where I buy on spec rather than make a weekly list and sticking to it (and sadly I waste a lot too) but I’m going cold turkey (no Xmas pun intended) from 1 Jan and all your tips are very helpful, thanks so much. Happy New Year!
Wishing you a very happy and prosperous new year. I am looking forward to how you set up the couple's no buy year.
Same to you! Happy new year
Happy no buy New Year! I hope to be this strong like you one day Cinzia!
Happy new year!! same to you
I have a very easy strategy to ensure a low-buy if not no-buy 2025 - shop a lot this year so I don't have to next year ;)
Mostly books. Lots of books.
Also I'm going to be starting a Master's degree this coming fall, so I'm going to have to spend a lot on textbooks, accommodation, food, transportation, moving, etc. So nothing will be spent purely on me for pleasure, that's for sure.
Happy New Year, Cinzia!
best of luck with your masters! happy new year to you too
I'm a silent watcher of your videos but "I just clicked" to your newest video to wish you a happy new year. It's weird when I say that but it's very special how you speak and I love how you use your words. Thanks for these wonderful and important topics this year. Have a great one and stay safe!.
You seem like a very kind and bubbly person. Very loveable! I enjoy watching your videos.
We re doing a low/now buy this year. We are a family of five and we can’t to a strict now buy with 3 kids. We are minimalists since 2 1/2 years and we never want to go back to maximalism and now we want to our first now/ low buy year. 😊 happy new year and many greetings from Germany 🙋🏻♀️
I am in the middle of a low buy (with my husband as a buddy doing it with me) and I thought I was doing okay but WOW I added up my 2024 spending this morning and realized I am far less frugal than i thought. I am tightening up my exceptions and rules. I searched TH-cam for ideas and this was very very helpful. I am borrowing some of your ideas for a more successful year. Thank you, and good luck on your year too!
I think this is a really good idea. My weaknesses don't really include books. I stopped buying them a few years ago because I realised I had a lot that I hadn't read so I've been working through those and I donated others. I think my main weakness is buying hot chocolate in cafes because I like to go to cafes to journal or work to reduce being very isolated at home. It wasn't so bad when hot drinks were cheap but now they are quite expensive so it's tricky. There aren't many third spaces left. I do live near a library but unfortunately it's often full of screaming children or various clubs and groups, so there's not really anywhere to quietly work for free. I try to budget for about one hot chocolate a week, occasionally two. Maybe this is okay since I don't drink alcohol or smoke or go to the cinema and I rarely get takeaways. I'm already a low spender because I'm currently on a low income and frugal. It does get difficult to know what to do for fun, so I look forward to your video on that.
You make a good point about cafe's, I have stepped away from them since price rises made it too expensive. And, spot on with local libraries too! I am lucky to be able to go into a large, old, city library where plenty of nooks make it possible to find a quiet space ... but that requires a short train trip. You are right about the lonliness, my generally low spend habits mean less social engagment. My income can fluctuate so I need to be careful. This topic is reminding me of a book draft I put to the side about No Cost/Low Cost activities which I just might dust off and finish. Looking forward to the next video installment.
I’m doing a book buying ban until my birthday at the end of February (folks usually want to get me books or book certificates as a birthday gift, so that is my exception). I have so many books, and easy access to used books in my area has made me buy more than I can read. I love what you said about walking into the library to soak up the bookish atmosphere. And if there is anyone reading this who wants to try this without committing to a whole year, do it for a month! A week! A day! Until you meet some other goal, ie, not getting any new books until you’ve ready a certain number of those you have. Good luck, everyone!
I'm starting with a Low/No-Buy month and then taking it month by month. I have a compulsive shopping problem, I see errands and shopping as a hobby, and for a while I was doing well, then the US election started to really get to me mid-October AND my therapist was leaving, so I spiraled again. I have a new therapist now and I'm working on other things to do when my BP2 symptoms start acting up, and I feel better about going into this new year. I am also very much of a "I saw this and thought of you" kind of person as a way to show my affection and I really need to work on that as well. One of my accountability actions is my husband, every month that I don't break the rules I set for myself, he puts $50 aside in a tattoo find for me, which is very motivating because I miss getting tattoos. I am also coming up on my last semester in my graduate program, so I know I am going to be stressed, but hopefully I don't fall back into bad habits! Thank you for sharing!
I'm excited for my no buy year so far. I am looking forward to getting creative with the things i already have and adding to my savings
Yes!! I am so glad I found you! Quitting shopping for the year. Maybe forever.
Thank you Cinzia. Wishing you a Happy New Year 🎊🕛
thank you! happy new year to you too!
Watching this and your no buy for another time!! I’m determined to do a good low buy/no buy this year. And I deleted all social media (besides TH-cam). Thank you so much for everything! ♥️ Happy New Year!!
I've done no buy years and low buy years but now instead I just set aside a very small monthly budget for buying whatever I want (that isn't food or bills or other non-essential expenses). It's like a mini savings account where I can save up to buy something bigger or just use the money to buy anything I want. Knowing that I COULD buy whatever I want (even if i have to save up for it for months or a year) feels nice but also having very limited funds for that makes me carefully consider if i want to buy something or not. It hasn't made me buy less stuff compared to no buy but it keeps the amount I spend restricted and under control. I don't let that budget go to 0 so there's usually some amount of money saved in case in the future I want to buy something. In that sense it also curbs my spending. I mostly tend to buy digital stuff like ebooks, music or games, but with anything physical I have a rule that I need to have a dedicated place (like on a bookshelf etc) before I buy it. Physical space is limited too so if I can't think where to put that thing I'm not buying it.
I love your no-buy content so much! Thank you for this
You are so welcome!
Thank you Cinzia! Your videos are always so helpful and a joy to watch. ✨
Yesterday I was scrolling on Medimops, seeing all these books I want for only a few euros each, but I DIDN'T GET ANY. I bought a lot of books last years that I am very happy to have, but many I have not read yet (I mostly only have the time to listen to audiobooks). So part of my "low-buy" plans for this year is NO MORE BOOKS until I have read everything on my shelf. I get you Cinzia. It's TOUGH for us (old) book lovers😅😩😂
As a person in a couple I do find keeping a budget is much more useful approach for me. I can keep my personal expenses low, and set budget on the others in discussions with my partner.
Thanks to encouraging me to be more conscious about my money this year ❤
I saw one of your no-buy videos months ago, and it's inspired me to start my low-buy year in 2025. I just got a new job where I'll be earning more than I've ever have, and I want to avoid spending it all on frivolous stuff. I used to randomly buy clothes, cosmetics and hair products or other random things. My husband is the same, and now our apartment is filled with so much stuff!! This year, I want to declutter and stop adding more things. 🙏🙏
If there’s one book I think everyone should read this year, it’s keezano’s Your Life Your Game. It beautifully shows how connecting with God and building meaningful relationships can lead to spiritual growth, and success in both your personal and professional life. This book truly changed my life…a must-read. God bless!🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
@@Alessia.Giovanni thankss
I love your no buy content, you are one of the few who has multi year experience and it shows!
A happy new year, may 2025 be so much better! For myself I am doing a low buy/do a good budget for a change year, but I do love seeing these video's they give me a ton of inspiration!
I like the accountability strategy, especially working with your partner. Good luck to both of you and Happy New Year!
I have a no buy year starting now, me and my partner is saving up to buy a house and we already have more stuff than we need. So the year is about using the stuff we already have, since there are unused stuff all over the house and then also reducing. I have for example a few lego sets that is just in a drawer, built once, never displayed. I need to let them go. It's sooo easy to get stuck in collecting stuff, especially lego, retro games or similar when I get inspired when other people buy stuff and displays it. I have a few exceptions, for example stuff that we for sure need for the new house, for example power tools, those are for saving money when self-building.
Bookshelf tour! Bookshelf tour🤩
Excited to see the couples video of how you’ll do this challenge together. Would be quite beneficial as me and my partner have been trying to cut back and would be lovely to see how you’ll do it considering you’ve already been successful yourself
I dont think a no buy year is for me but l will do a low, very low, buy year for my sewing room. I can always justify buying a new piece of fabric or notion but l dont actually sew as fast as l buy. This year l will aim to use what l have. Happy new year.
Awesome idea! Stuff in my private life are going to be changed and I would like to take full control of my finances again. I was already on it but I was not the only one who could decide about stuff but now I can. I have made a list which I am allowed to buy and which I am absolutely not allowed to buy. I am ready for this ride! Thanks for the inspiring words!
Happy new year, Cinzia! Looking forward to following this side of your life journey. Hope the phd-ing is going well!
Have an amazing 2025 Cinzia🎉 Thank you so much for uploading a new video for us on New Year's Eve, super sweet and kind of you! ❤️ I am so grateful for you and look forward to using your strategies for a No Buy Year in this New Year!
You are so welcome! Have a wonderful 2025 ♥️
I watched some of your videos from a few months ago, and I'm very glad you seem to have sorted out your background chaos. Growth.
I'm not doing low buy or no buy, but I would like to stick to 1 in 1 out rule for skincare and haircare since I last year I spent most in those categories. I don't have problem with buying clothes, I rarely find anything I like more than what I already own.
Definitely would love a video on what to do instead while not buying stuff... obviously using the craft supplies I have and reading books I already have but fresh ideas would be great! It's like a hobby to browse stuff online and there's no way I can do that on no buy haha
A nye upload. Thank you queen.
Hope you enjoyed it!
Good advice! Have a great New Year!
thanks for this great video. Focussing on using and using up the stuff you have, can make you feel empowered because you gain more control over your direct environment (home). This happens to me: the more I use the stuff I already have, the easier it is to look around relaxed in my home because all I see I know and touch and use. There are no „black holes“ anymore.
Happy New Year, Cinzia. Looking forward to your upcoming videos. 😊
I will subscribe because I plan to do a low buy and I need the feeling of doing it together with like-minded people. Time to add to my Emergency Fund so I'm able to stop my job when I'm over it.
really keen for the upcoming videos! I really value your content so much, so thank you Cinzia!
I filled my pantry, freezers, and gas tank yesterday. My no buy 2025 starts today and is definitely going until April and hopefully beyond.
Happy New Year!!
Happy new year!
You can buy really appreciated presents without spending a lot. I like putting a lot of thought into things like finding a great second hand book they will like. Or framing a lovely postcard they will like from an art gallery or wherever.
I am also starting a low buy but no buy January just to ease myself in. My one aim for this year is a mini break but considering the last time I was on a plane my daughter was 1 and she's now 12 I think that might be a little bit ok. I'm a single mom so life can be tough but I am determined to have a little nest egg I'm not in any debt which is such a relief. I also instill in my kids the value of saving
Thanks for this wonderful video Cinzia!
You're so welcome! Happy new year
I would love your point of view on this. The way I see it, I reward myself through experiences. Of course, I work to afford to live in a basic way, but I personally don’t see a reason to work if I can’t enjoy the fruits of my labor. So planning a fun weekend, exploring a new area, trying new food, and traveling make life worth living and working for. What’s the point of slaving away if you don’t provide yourself and buy yourself the life you want? I’d love your point of view.
Also your voice is always a delight to hear!! It’s very sophisticated and genuine.
I've decided to do a no buy January as i tried a whole year before and got cold feet. So we're doing one month at a time! Also going to try being t-toal this year
I am planning a low buy this year and I’m excited to reduce overspending on frivolous things I just don’t need.
Hey really enjoy this video got me wanting to get my creative juices flow and keep up with the great work and stay positive on this TH-cam journey
Im starting with a low buy month starting today. Staying off Amazon and out of thrift stores. Used books are a weakness as I look at my bookshelves crammed with unread books.
I love this video and I'm trying this this year. Being a book content creator it is so easy to overspend in books, so I may set myself an allowance of one book every two months or so so that I cn focus in reading my never ending TBR but also have some margin if my favorite authors release a book :)
I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your videos, and have been for years. I have had a hard year as well, and have spent way too much money on books and clothes (mostly second hand, but still). I want to stop this, so I really appreciate this video and am going on this journey as well :) I also am delving deeper in sustainability (I eat mostly vegan, but still some cheese here and there, etc), so really looking forward to it.
love your content this was perfect to hear today
not no buy in the plans for my upcoming year but just the general consciousness about where, how, and why you buy is lovely to have reminders of to limit consumption
plus always love the tips and love that veganism is part of the picture-- i always feel this way of viewing consumption as so linked to my veganism but its often not the case for others 😌💜
happy new years thanks for the video
In a couple of hours I am also starting my low buy year. Living in the US is stressing me out right now with the change of power in less than 3 weeks. I am worried for the environment and all the regular people. We might be in for some rough years. For the most part I will be doing the low buy for environmental reasons. Use what I have or go without. Just get what is absolutely necessary. Also grow more food myself, fix things and barter.
The change in power is an illusion of propaganda. The richest people in the world run things and that will remain so for the foreseeable future. You're right on with growing food and becoming more self sustainable either way!
Happy New Year! Such an interesting and timely topic. I’m going to dive into your previous videos and figure out what my version of no buy means. I’m looking forward to see your next videos as well. Thanks for your insight 🌼
Happy New Year HUN XX UK LONDON.🤩 Yes taking Coffee n Tea n food around save's cash . I am getting a grip cash this year.
I am not committing to a no buy year, but I am going to do this month by month. Looking carefully at the month ahead, seeing what is happening, and planning accordingly. I know, for example, that I am going on holiday with my friend in July ( we are staying in a National Trust property on the Hardwick House estate. I am thrilled and can hardly wait because Tudor history is the period that fascinates me and Bess of Hardwick is my favourite personality from that time. She kept extensive house ledgers, for example. So July will not be a no spend month but I should like to have monies saved such that holiday spending will be guilt free, as such. I am very blessed that I have systematically lowered all 'ordinary' expenses to the point that I think anyone would find it hard to lower them further. My frivolous spending is on luxury foodstuffs but since I am also trying to loose a stone in weight this year, that frivolity takes care of itself! 😊
Thank you for your approach to no buy and I look forward to the video concerning free activities to do on a no buy year!
Naked books for a full year, I could never.
I draw and write and highlight and stuff memorable bits in every book I touch. They're like naked creatures until I cloth them in thought until their spines and pages look like old people who survived with full lives. I am your librarian's worst nightmare.
So, although I don't borrow from the library, I often look for books in pubs (when I want something new). They frequently have books as decorative items, allowing you to take a few for free because other patrons will donate them to pubs instead of charity shops. Actually, charity shoppes will often give the books to pubs so they don't go into the trash when they have too many.
Good luck with your no-buy and I hope this helps your margin habits.
i’m on a clothing and craft supply buying ban this year! really hopeful that it will help me get some savings and reset my relationship with shopping
hoping to partake in a low-buy year, at least!
living in a suburban american town, takeout and coffee shops are incredibly accessible and it has been my spending issue!
best of luck to all of us! :)
Couple? How did i miss this? That is gonna be so cute seeing the couple video🥰
Thank you so much for a no buy year video, have been looking forward to them
Ps- plus, if you hate writing down all your expenses, online there are a lot of free apps sooo cute. Mine for example has cats everywhere 😻 so I'm not extremely scared or annoyed or bored when I have to take a track of where money goes, because I open the app and... Meow! 🐈😻
I am doing sort of a low buy challenge. I'm not super restricting myself, per se, but since we're planning a huge move, I'm focusing on whether I want to purchase more junk that will need to get moved. The answer is pretty much always "no."
Starting with a no buy in January and will try a low buy during the next months as much as possible. Convinced my partner to do a no alcohol January and hopefully a low spend year too. We have to move out to a new apartment so most of our expenses will go towards the moving & new furniture costs as we will be moving together.
Thanks, Cinzia, very useful video!
Great video! I have finally got around to taking the dive into doing a no buy this year. I am excited to see how you track on
I used to be subscribed to you and I quit but i'm glad that I started again. I'm looking forward to hearing more.
❤🌈 Thank You for this important & helpful video 🥰
I'm considering a low-buy and while I still need to figure out the exact rules I want to follow, one thing I know for sure if that I'm getting rid of Amazon Prime. It's frankly embarrassing how much money I've spent on there and while there are some exceptions for essentials, most of it was simply not necessary or could've been found in my local area - if I ever did truly need something from Amazon I think waiting to get to the $35 limit for free shipping or paying the shipping would limit my spending anyway. I keep trying to tell myself there was, in fact, a time before it existed and I can survive without it again
I really enjoyed this video, thank you, looking forward to the one with your partner. I'm doing a mini version of this - had a big sort out this week and have made a list of things DO NOT NEED, unsurpringly this consists of things I will idly browse and buy, books, stationery, games, skin care. I will spend money on experiences as I'm trying to get out more haha. Happy NYE🎉
I hope you enjoy it too, thank you so much for your kindness. happy new year to you too!
Happy New Year ❤❤❤
Thank you
We have sales of stock in the state libraries 😀 not so safe, at least second hand and low prices