I recently shared my intention to enjoy a low spend year. I had been planning it since my no-spend November and I was pleasantly surprised to see so many people online planning the same for the new year. I still plan on buying things in the new year. The essentials like food and hygiene product replacements and even travel and some items for our home, but I am working on being even more intentional with my spending this year. I’m trying to save up to buy a home (possibly the one we are renting!) and we have some other future goals.
Lists are the ultimate way for me to get organized. It is one of my favorite ways to stay organized and also stick to my goals. Lists help me visualize and stay focused. The act of writing things down aids in my retention and helps me achieve my goals. If writing does not work for you in the same way, perhaps a digital planner does. That being said, I also enjoy writing out lists. If you’re like me and planning a low-buy year (or even a no-buy 2025) a list is essential to keep on track, especially for the first three months. You don’t have to hand write yours, you can list in it your digital calendar or by using another method.
Making Your List
Start with a list of hard no’s that you will not spend on, hot spending places to avoid (your favorite fast food place, a certain store, online sites, etc), items you will buy only as needed, and a wish list of allowances you will make for yourself this year. I will happily share mine. I’m hoping that by sharing my own list it will not only encourage or inspire you to make your own, but will also help me to remain accountable throughout the year.
My list may look completely different than yours. I do not go to coffee shops or buy fast food so these are items I am not cutting out or limiting because I don’t use them. I don’t drink energy drinks or use items with chemicals for cleaning. There are items you may wish to cut out of your spending that I have not even thought about. And that’s great. Our lists will look different. Things that I may be allowing you might cut out completely. You may wish to be more strict with your alliances than I am. There may be items on my list that you don’t ever use or need to add to your own list. Or maybe some of my items might inspire your list.
I will start with my allowances (items I will allow for myself this year).
Allowances
Refills for important products as needed such as food, deodorant and other hygiene essentials.
Tickets to museums, theater shows, events, fairs, etc. within reason. This is an area I do not spend in very much, but would like to increase in the new year instead of limit. My joy and learning is always worth investing in.
Travel expenses (within budget). Travel is essential to enjoyment and learning. I would like to prioritize experiences over things. Our travel is always determined by our budget, but this is an area that I will make almost endless allowances for (within reason!). Life is short and I want to focus on experiences and learning over things. I have a very limited amount of vacation time so this is an area I know I will not overspend in.
Craft supplies on an as-needed basis only. For example, fabric for a quilt I am making, paper refills or replacement items for glue, paint, sewing supplies, etc. only as needed. No new art supplies.
Educational books for learning new skills. (I’m learning how to improve my quilting and gardening skills this year).
Monthly copies of my favorite magazine: UK edition of Country Living and seasonal copies of Bella Grace magazine and In Her Garden magazine.
Bi-monthly trips to Trader Joes to stock up on cooking supplies like olive oil, etc.
Replacing worn out items of clothing or shoes as needed.
Seasonal clothes shopping only as needed.
A bathing suit that fits properly. (I need a new bikini that has a top that fits me as I have outgrown all my bikini tops.) Other than that, no new bathing suits or beach wear.
If I need something, I will thrift first and buy new second.
Home furniture or items I’m allowing: frames for paintings I’ve made or my photos to hang up, a shoe storage solution for by the front door, a tilt top tea table, curtains for downstairs and our bedroom, rug for the living room, wicker storage chest and shelves for the kitchen wall.
A badminton net. I have the rackets but no net to play with. I would like to play this summer.
Repair items such as bicycle tire tubes, roller skate wheels and the like are allowed.
A butter churn and crock. I would like to start making my own butter.
Canning supplies as needed.
A tent for camping with friends (if it falls within budget).
A small travel beach chair.
Frendly tv app. This is the only app I pay for. We do not have cable.
Notebooks and stationary as needed.
My editing software (like Adobe and Canva) for my small business.
The Hard Nos
These are items I will not buy this year:
New shoes, only replacements as needed. With one exception: I do need walkable flats I can wear on a trip we’re going on this year. I’m looking for a pair of comfortable Mary Janes. But no other shoes!
Coats/jackets. I have plenty!
Clothing from Amazon or other fast fashion sites.
Sweaters. I have far too many sweaters already…. I’m going to love what I already have.
No new beauty products, only replacements/refills as needed.
No new hygiene products except to replace what I use up.
Bottled body wash or bottled soaps/dish soaps. I will use solid dish soap and solid body soaps instead.
Dryer sheets (I already avoid them. I use dryer balls instead).
Bottled laundry detergent. I use solid natural washer sheets.
Garden supplies that are not necessitates.
Plastic garden pots or tools.
Pre-grown plants with the exception of vegetables or fruit varieties I cannot get seeds for.
No new cooking supplies unless to replace broken gear.
Tea cups and fun porcelain items. Use what I have or thrift as needed.
Cleaning chemicals. I already do not use chemicals, but I do buy pre-made cleaning supplies. This year I will make my own out of baking soda and vinegar.
Hobbie supplies except to replace used up items or materials needed for important projects.
Camera gear for work unless needed to replace.
Sports gear except to replace worn out items.
Unnecessary tv apps or phone apps/games.
Online browsing for clothes/things I do not need.
High Spend Areas To Avoid
Avoid frequent visits to bookstores (this is where I go over budget).
Limit trips to stores like Old Navy, Micheal’s Crafts and Homegoods. This are places that I tend to buy more than I went in for. I will not go to any of these places unless I am getting a replacement for a specific item. No browsing.
Avoid browsing websites for shopping.
Frequent restaurant visits. Limit to special occasions, outings with friends and occasional date nights. I will make more meals at home and host more gatherings with loved ones.
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