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General Discussion => Throw Down the Gauntlet => Topic started by: meadow lark on March 08, 2021, 07:11:53 AM

Title: Low Buy Year / No Buy Year 2021
Post by: meadow lark on March 08, 2021, 07:11:53 AM
I have decided to do a low buy year and hope others will join me!  These things are much more fun with friends. 
First off - what is your why?
My why is that I buy way too much shit.  Especially on Amazon.  The fantasy me is a minimalist, the real me (right now) is not.  So I want a more minimalist house, I want to decluttering and not keep adding, and I want to break my Amazon habit, which is really just an instant gratification habit.
Title: Re: Low Buy Year / No Buy Year 2021
Post by: meadow lark on March 08, 2021, 08:18:22 PM
Today I wanted to buy a house, so I almost failed on my 2nd day.  🙂. It’s under contract as of this afternoon so I was saved by my realtor’s inability to take me to see it this morning.  Other than that I did spend some money on a burrito, groceries and my personal trainer, but those I am okay with.  It is just the physical goods I am trying to not buy.
Title: Re: Low Buy Year / No Buy Year 2021
Post by: oneday on March 08, 2021, 10:54:12 PM
ML, thanks for starting this thread! I've noticed that even though I *feel* like I don't spend a lot, I own a lot of stuff. So my why is to stop adding to that pile and get lean and ready to take whatever opportunity presents itself next.

This is not really a recent trend, as I've not really increased the pile during the pandemic, but I've hoarded a bunch of things for the last year that I've not needed and now I'm having to pare down to fit into a new living space. But I don't want to go back to old ways once the pandemic restrictions are lifted.

Plus it always seems my answer to any problem is to buy something. I'd prefer to settle for "good enough" more often, or use ingenuity and creativity.

I'll also focus on physical possessions, as I'm doing a pretty good job on reducing monthly bills, but I don't want to forget to shop around auto insurance, etc. That particular bill hasn't been challenged for over 2 years.
Title: Re: Low Buy Year / No Buy Year 2021
Post by: Serendip on March 09, 2021, 04:33:55 PM
I'm already on the no-clothes thread but am trying to keep my unnecessary buying on the low-side this year. I was really getting carried away with random, online things and ordering books through our local bookstore. I'm also aiming to lose another 5-10lbs so that all my older but still great clothes fit again (5 lbs already gone and it's a funny motivation but is really working for me!)

I won't be No-buy since I have some outdoor gear I'd like to replace before some big adventures (hiking boots, etc)..but am aiming to end the superfluous spending.
Title: Re: Low Buy Year / No Buy Year 2021
Post by: meadow lark on March 09, 2021, 05:17:32 PM
One day - nothing like moving to make you realize how much you have!  I should shop my bills, too.  Eventually!

Serendip - the no clothes thread is a good idea.  I should get on there too.

I think the 4th was the last day I bought something other than a consumable.  It feels like every day I think of something else I need to go buy.  I want to get out of that habit.

I am going to go visit my 10 month old grandson for Easter ( we’re a few states away).  Today a friend told me I needed to get him an Easter basket.  Then I started  thinking I needed to buy him a toy and my brain started spinning.  So I changed my thinking -  This year I am going to just give his mom a little money.  She can handle what to get a 10 month old!  She certainly knows better than we do.

Title: Re: Low Buy Year / No Buy Year 2021
Post by: meadow lark on March 10, 2021, 03:56:53 PM
The Thing Of The Day I Needed To Buy - TTOTDINTB  for short - cuz there is usually something, was Pyrex containers.  I am meal prepping (first time in a year at least) and I realized I needed individual glass containers to store my food in.  Obviously needed to run to Walmart ASAP.
 Then I remembered I have 13,000 glass jars in my closet.  So now I have 12,996 jars in my closet and 4 in the fridge.
Title: Re: Low Buy Year / No Buy Year 2021
Post by: oneday on March 11, 2021, 02:50:25 PM
TTOTDINTB: something to hang on the wall or shower wall or maybe edge of the toilet tank to hook my shower shoes on so they can dry out between showers and avoid mold. There *may* actually be a product out there that fits this description, but it's very specific so I'm not really sure it even exists. 
Title: Re: Low Buy Year / No Buy Year 2021
Post by: meadow lark on March 13, 2021, 01:41:54 PM
Like this?
https://www.instructables.com/DIY-Flip-Flop-Hanger/

I’ve seen them with instructions on Pinterest, too.  If you don’t have a wire hanger I am betting one of your friends will happily give you one.
Title: Re: Low Buy Year / No Buy Year 2021
Post by: meadow lark on March 13, 2021, 04:28:32 PM
ttotdintb: A she shed.  I feel like I really need one.  It seems like some kind of horrible injustice that I have to share with 1 other person a 3 bedroom 2 bath house.  I got on Pinterest and decided I could probably build one from scratch.  Please note I have 2 bookcases in my house that I refuse to put together because “that sounds like a lot of work.”
ttotdintb#2: a hot tub.  Because why have a she shed if you can’t put the hot tub next to it?
Title: Re: Low Buy Year / No Buy Year 2021
Post by: oneday on March 14, 2021, 10:36:27 AM
@meadow lark I should have known that there was a product out there for me. Humans are so ingenious! I don't have a wire hanger, but this has sparked my thoughts and I'm sure I'll come up with something.

You are suffering less Injustice than others. I share a 1 bed  1 bath with another person.

I went on a long hike yesterday which was good for not buying anything yesterday. But I'm also very tired today and I think it will help me not buy anything today, too.
Title: Re: Low Buy Year / No Buy Year 2021
Post by: meadow lark on March 14, 2021, 10:55:28 AM
   A long hike sounds lovely.  I am currently at work in a tiny cold office with no windows, trying desperately not to fall asleep.
   I know the horrible injustice of my life is ridiculously luxurious.  I read the statistic that until the Industrial Revolution 19 out of 20 humans lived on the current equivalent of $2/day or less.  And now 1/10 humans do.  Amazing that change!
Title: Re: Low Buy Year / No Buy Year 2021
Post by: oneday on March 14, 2021, 11:23:30 PM
Geez! $2 per day? Wow, just not sure how that works. well, maybe an inkling. I just finished Barbara Ehrenreich's Nickled and Dimed. And also Adam Shepard's Scratch Beginnings. While I don't recommend the latter as quality reading material, it does give a first-hand account of living in a homeless shelter. (Both from the library, BTW) Anyway, $2/day is a bleak existence.

I sure hope you are able to ward off sleep while in the office! That could get awkward.


As predicted, I didn't have any expensive desires today, being worn out from yesterday. I cleaned and unpacked half heartedly and chatted with several friends via phone and web meeting. It seems to help to be not only tired, but also distracted from spending opportunities. Well, I did offer to buy my sister a DVD, but not until the fall, for her birthday. That is something I would allow in my low-spend year anyway, though.
Title: Re: Low Buy Year / No Buy Year 2021
Post by: meadow lark on March 15, 2021, 09:25:25 AM
I think the 1/10th of people that currently live on <$2/day tend to be mostly in Asia and Africa.  As sad and full of holes as the US social safety net is, we don’t have very much of that level of poverty.

If you find this kind of stuff interesting, and want a reminder to feel grateful:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_percentage_of_population_living_in_poverty

I read Nickled and Dimed several years ago.  And I have worked with a lot of CNA’s and Psych techs.  $10-11/hr is pretty common, and a lot of these are single moms with several children.  It looks like a rough life.  I’ve been poor - as a child and a young adult, but I was a tourist.
Title: Re: Low Buy Year / No Buy Year 2021
Post by: meadow lark on March 15, 2021, 10:24:31 AM
TTOTDINTB:  noise cancelling headphones.  Maybe I won’t need a she shed or a bigger house if I have these.  I am very auditory - noise is hard for me to ignore, and I get overstimulated by too much In the back ground.  Going to put them on my birthday list for my wife to buy.  My birthday is 4 months away so by then we will see if I have lost interest.
Title: Re: Low Buy Year / No Buy Year 2021
Post by: oneday on March 15, 2021, 07:18:30 PM
TTOTDINTB:  noise cancelling headphones.  Maybe I won’t need a she shed or a bigger house if I have these.  I am very auditory - noise is hard for me to ignore, and I get overstimulated by too much In the back ground.  Going to put them on my birthday list for my wife to buy.  My birthday is 4 months away so by then we will see if I have lost interest.

If in 4 months you still want them, you should have them! I am also sensitive to mouse, unless I'm in a flow state. Then I'm deaf.

Today I removed the showerhead installed by the landlord to replace it with the fancy one I got a couple years ago for like $60 from Costco. There was so much sediment in the pipe and on the tiny screen the covered the opening to the old showerhead! Makes me think there's a breach in the incoming line somewhere. Anyway, the point is that my fancy showerhead was worth every penny. I've been dreading showers here because of the poor pressure and long wait for hot water. Not anymore! Money well spent. I wish it was easy to know ahead of time when a splurge would turn out to have such high utility.
Title: Re: Low Buy Year / No Buy Year 2021
Post by: meadow lark on March 15, 2021, 08:09:08 PM
I replace shower heads when I move, too!  Although yours sounds nicer than mine.
I agree - it would be great to know ahead of time what is worth the money to upgrade and what isn’t.

I’m going on 2 trips this month, to Minnesota and Wisconsin.  I live in Louisiana and my heaviest ‘coat’ is a shawl for when it gets down to the 50’s.  (It gets colder, but not often)  Tomorrow it will be 80 here - I am not prepared for Minnesota!  I called a friend (who wears the same size as I do) and she is going to let me borrow a coat.  Coat shopping averted!
Title: Re: Low Buy Year / No Buy Year 2021
Post by: oneday on March 16, 2021, 07:00:57 PM
Good save!!

I was in Louisiana in Feb 2020 for Mardi Gras...extraordinary weather! I say this as a resident of California!

No desire for anything large today, but I did buy a few things at Target. Mostly replacing consumables, but bought a packet of picture hanging hardware for $4. BF has so much art to hang and not all the frames are in good condition. Plus we are running out of nails. Unfortunately, neither of us own any kind of hardware that will be "good enough". At least we did check.

The hardware will allow more artwork to take its rightful place on the wall and not sit in the back of a closet. And the leftover hardware can go into the tool box, not taking up more space. So I think this is a purchase that fits my goals of trying to avoid stockpiling objects and avoiding perfection.
Title: Re: Low Buy Year / No Buy Year 2021
Post by: meadow lark on March 16, 2021, 07:56:46 PM
TTOTDINTB: a hanging mobile.  With colored glass or birds.

I think hardware is very reasonable!

I got the coat today.  Very excited my friend is letting me borrow it.  Just a little worried I’ll damage it ( I get anxious whenever I borrow things).
Title: Re: Low Buy Year / No Buy Year 2021
Post by: calimom on March 16, 2021, 08:13:56 PM
Are you OK, OP?

I'm serious. You sound like you need assistance. You're either broke and can't afford the things you desire, or financially solvent and denying the things you desire. Saving money/being environmentally responsible is one thing. And then there's another thing.
Title: Re: Low Buy Year / No Buy Year 2021
Post by: meadow lark on March 16, 2021, 09:47:29 PM
   Am I ok?  Not really.  2020/2021 has been very rough.  All the usual reasons plus several other reasons I talk about in my journal. 
  What kind of assistance do you think I need?  (I need several kinds on a regular basis).
  What don’t you like?  That I talk about wanting things and don’t buy them?
Title: Re: Low Buy Year / No Buy Year 2021
Post by: oneday on March 25, 2021, 11:19:11 PM
I guess low/no buy is out of fashion, even around here. I'm still doing it, though. I don't think I made it as far as you, @meadow lark on the no-buy portion. Today I bought a power strip. It's sorta necessary to be able to plug in electronics while keeping everything grounded. Plus keeping cords out of walkways. Not quite sure why more of them are needed in our combined household than what we each had in our separate abodes. [shrug]

Doing OK even with that. Not the greatest, but OK. Spending about $250/month on entertainment/dining out. Negligible amounts on clothing, gifts and household folderol. It will accumulate over the course of the year, though. Especially gifts...birthday season is later in the year in my family.
Title: Re: Low Buy Year / No Buy Year 2021
Post by: meadow lark on March 26, 2021, 05:01:01 AM
I think I got embarrassed after that comment, and didn’t want to keep writing.  Which I know is the whole point of trolling behavior, so I shouldn’t respond that way, but what do you do.  I’m sensitive at the best of times, and I am certainly not in the best of times.  So @oneday thank you for writing.

The point of this for me is to be super aware of buying things.  And only buy things when I have closely considered other possibilities.  I bought a $20 picture frame for a paint by numbers picture of a yellow lab that looks just like my Daisy June Dagger Paws.   I searched Pinterest for ideas for homemade frames, I considered making a backing of cardboard, etc.  Eventually I decided I wanted to buy a frame.

I am debating buying an over the toilet storage thing.  Picture below bc I don’t really know what it’s called.  ($17.86) I have a minuscule bathroom with very little storage.  My house in general has very little storage, so having something like this would open up room in the other places I store things...
Title: Re: Low Buy Year / No Buy Year 2021
Post by: Serendip on March 26, 2021, 12:31:41 PM
I've been doing pretty well with the no/low-buying. Still haven't purchased any clothes, and haven't been indulging my book habit--lots of trips to the library help quell that one.

Basically I spend money on food & alcohol right now (both my SO & I enjoy cooking so we do spend quite a bit on groceries, plus I live in an area with only small grocery stores so you pay a premium) But I am content with this spending, feel it adds to our quality of life..

Doing a spring cleaning will help too--I love putting away winter gear and bringing out the summer stuff. Feels like a re-set :)
Title: Re: Low Buy Year / No Buy Year 2021
Post by: oneday on March 26, 2021, 06:01:53 PM
ml, you're welcome. I will be honest. I struggled with how to bring the thread back alive/on topic.

I have seen those things called étagère. Which has a broader meaning than just that kind of shelving, but it might help the internet searches?


Quote
The point of this for me is to be super aware of buying things.  And only buy things when I have closely considered other possibilities.

Yep! Same.

@Serendip I'm the same with food. Until I can return to my prior shopping habits, I'm beholden to the whims of the grocery delivery deities. Sometimes they make substitutions I wouldn't have, like more expensive berries of the same type when the sale berries are not available. I would have switched to a different sale fruit. So that's kinds yuck, but it won't be long now. My BF is in the group who can be vaccinated starting 4/15. Probably half the year will be more expensive groceries and half lower cost. But I had an expensive year last year, so I'll still consider it "low buy"! :)
Title: Re: Low Buy Year / No Buy Year 2021
Post by: Serendip on March 27, 2021, 06:19:09 PM
I find that reading a book about debt (The Spender's Guide to Debt-Free Living) is really helping me not spend money (I don't have debt currently but when I was paying off student loans I was really good about limiting my purchases). It becomes a bit of a game for me.

It's a creative pursuit as well isn't it?
 To live beautifully with what we already have and cultivate appreciation for simple things like the returning sunshine and such ..

I almost bought a few things this week, but thankfully it all easily lost interest to me :)
Title: Re: Low Buy Year / No Buy Year 2021
Post by: oneday on March 27, 2021, 11:40:46 PM
I want a screen door closer, but decided today that I would wait a little while longer and just use the stick to prop open the door when I want it open, and be careful to close it when I'm trying to keep the cat in. It won't be long until I am comfortable letting him out unsupervised, and the door closer will be moot.
Title: Re: Low Buy Year / No Buy Year 2021
Post by: Cassie on March 29, 2021, 10:26:32 AM
The older I get the less I buy. Also when I am shopping I ask myself if in a few years I will be taking this crap to the thrift store and that’s often enough to not want to buy.
Title: Re: Low Buy Year / No Buy Year 2021
Post by: oneday on March 29, 2021, 06:21:13 PM
@Cassie that's a great way to look at it!

In the case of the door closer, I would install it on the door and leave it there when I move out of this rental. Not being able to benefit from it's whole life span (whether abandoned or given away) is part of the decision process for me, too.
Title: Re: Low Buy Year / No Buy Year 2021
Post by: meadow lark on April 04, 2021, 07:29:36 PM
I am on vacation to visit my 10 month old grandson.  I bought an Easter Basket, a book, a box of diapers, wipes and a T-shirt for him.  I am fine with gifts during my low buy year. 

I did have something I decided I absolutely needed to buy immediately.  I can’t remember what it was now.  I checked Amazon to make sure I hadn’t bought it, and nope.  I do remember it being very important.  :-)

It’s been about a month since I started the Low buy year.  I have drastically changed how I buy!  Very excited.  At this point, I got presents for my grandson and a frame for my Paint by numbers picture.  Oh, my wife bought me the headphones I told her I wanted in July.  So turns out I can not tell her what I want for my birthday early.  But compared to how I was buying things, this is an excellent drop!
 
I added the over the toilet storage thing to my Walmart list for my next grocery delivery butI just removed it.  I may change my mind later.
Title: Re: Low Buy Year / No Buy Year 2021
Post by: oneday on April 04, 2021, 11:01:19 PM
Got busy at work and didn't have any desires to buy. Actually, I probably did have some things, but forgot to log them. With still keeping away from physical stores in order to keep BF safe from contagion, if I've forgotten what I want for a day or so, it doesn't get bought.

I did buy some sandpaper for a specific project, Command hook refills of the sticky part, and potting soil for the jade plant clipping that was a gift (so, not really free). No more buying until the sandpaper project is done, that's my rule right now. And I didn't work on that project this weekend, so likely will have another spend-proof week. Not bad.
Title: Re: Low Buy Year / No Buy Year 2021
Post by: meadow lark on April 05, 2021, 10:07:07 AM
Trying to buy less plastic:
I bought bar shampoo at Trader Joe’s. ( I live in a town without TJ’s and Aldi’s so I try to go there when I travel.)    I’ve been wanting to try it, and it was $3.99.  I’ve seen it before and it was always $7 or $8 (could be bigger size) but I bought it bc it seemed a reasonable price. 
 I am also going to change to bar soap instead of liquid hand soap.  This is a big deal for me.  My mom taught me as a little kid that bar soap was dirty and full of germs, and I should only use liquid hand soap.  But what I am reading says that even though there is bacteria on the soap, it does not transfer to you when you use it.  We already have bar soap, so I don’t need to buy it, but I don’t have and soap dishes!  Will have to be creative with that.
Title: Re: Low Buy Year / No Buy Year 2021
Post by: Cassie on April 05, 2021, 11:15:04 AM
I am interested on how you like the bar shampoo. Because my ex and I are splitting all the stuff I am having to buy some things. For instance he is keeping the sleep number bed so I am buying one and they are expensive.
Title: Re: Low Buy Year / No Buy Year 2021
Post by: Serendip on April 05, 2021, 12:48:28 PM
I purchased two bras (supporting a small business and myself at the same time :) )
and a wide-brim sunhat (lost my old one a few years ago and I am sun sensitive)

Feeling fine with these purchases even though I had been on a no-buying roll..these are quality items that will be used frequently/daily and hopefully for a long while.

Resisted purchasing some lovely earrings. . I get restless for beauty at this time of year..must go gather some pussy willows or something to quell the urge.

Am going to the eye doctor today to see about turning some frames I already own into sunglasses.
I guess I am in the mood for summer even though we just had a snowfall two days ago!
Title: Re: Low Buy Year / No Buy Year 2021
Post by: mspym on April 05, 2021, 04:21:40 PM
Clothing is one of my few spendy categories left and I am in the no-clothes buying thread so it didn't occur to me to join this one but I do like the idea of the thing I wanted to buy today
:)

This last week, I noticed a new crack on my phone screen. I've been researching and for the size of phone I want my options are the Google Pixel or the iPhone mini or the phone I have (Sony Xperia ZX2 Compact), which is exactly the same as last time I was researching and how I ended up with this phone. At this point, I am just holding off on handing even more of my life over to Google vs having to learn a new phone OS. Or put my SIM in my ancient Samsung Galaxy 6 and see if that still works. I reckon I can ride this one out for at least a few more months, probably 12.
Title: Re: Low Buy Year / No Buy Year 2021
Post by: oneday on April 05, 2021, 11:04:08 PM
I wanted to pay the toll and get in the express lane, but instead slogged through the traffic. Was patting myself on the back for sticking to principles, when all of a sudden there was a street sweeper convention in the slow lane, forcing non-express traffic into fewer lanes and making congestion pretty cruddy. The highway was red on Google Maps.

There was no longer an entrance to the express lane available, so this no-purchase decision was out of my hands. 🤷‍♀️
Title: Re: Low Buy Year / No Buy Year 2021
Post by: Morning Glory on April 05, 2021, 11:43:52 PM
Does the bar shampoo have sulfates? My hair looks much nicer now that I'm avoiding sulfates and silicone.  So much less frizz. I wash less frequently and use a lot less product too. Took me almost 40 years to figure out something that worked. Donated three boxes of hair products from my couponing horde after that.

I remember going to the UK in the early 2000s and public restrooms still had bar soap and those roll towels.  I grew up with bar soap, never had liquid until I worked at the hospital. I also used to skinny dip in the lake so my immune system is pretty good lol.

I am interested in more sustainable ways to live.

Title: Re: Low Buy Year / No Buy Year 2021
Post by: meadow lark on April 06, 2021, 07:18:23 PM
I don’t know about sulfates - I already threw away the cardboard package.  I know, I know - our area has crappy, crappy recycling.  I used it yesterday and my hair looks good today.  So far so good.

Decided to go look for a soap dish at the thrift store.  Really was a bit down and trying to get out of my house.  I went to 2 and neither had one I wanted.  So I made this - a plastic jar lid with sea shells in it to give it space for air movement.  If I hate it I just put the shells and lid back I where they go!  The soap is from a hotel I just stayed at.
Title: Re: Low Buy Year / No Buy Year 2021
Post by: Morning Glory on April 06, 2021, 07:37:15 PM
Hooray for good-looking hair!!!! I just donated a little bowl to the animal shelter that would have been a great soap dish. I could have mailed it to you.
Title: Re: Low Buy Year / No Buy Year 2021
Post by: meadow lark on April 07, 2021, 07:46:14 PM
That would have been fun!
I didn’t shop today and I have nothing I want to buy.  It’s like they are related somehow.
Title: Re: Low Buy Year / No Buy Year 2021
Post by: oneday on April 07, 2021, 09:17:51 PM
That would have been fun!
I didn’t shop today and I have nothing I want to buy.  It’s like they are related somehow.

You are funny!

Maybe you'd be better off playing games on your phone than browsing/shopping.

I'm plotting a way to not-buy a roll of packing tape. It would involve an hour of driving, washing beer bottles and probably stopping at Starbucks (although I should have a free drink by then). Not quite sure what is the better option...competing priorities.
Title: Re: Low Buy Year / No Buy Year 2021
Post by: mspym on April 08, 2021, 01:56:08 AM
I was wildly responsible with my credit card points and used them for dept store vouchers which I then used to buy much needed sports bras. I can now get rid of the old too-big/too-smelly ones that have >6 years of running on them.
Title: Re: Low Buy Year / No Buy Year 2021
Post by: lazycow on April 08, 2021, 04:56:51 AM
Popping over here to join in if I may, and cheering everyone on, as IRL everyone thinks I am slightly insane for doing this!

Have been doing a low buy year since January and am obsessed with the No Buy subReddit (it is highly addictive and the posters are very supportive). January was excellent in that the only 'stuff' I bought were 3 op shopped t-shirts for my teen son. Feb and March were a bit more spendy, as I took my daughter to the big smoke for an Ikea run and treated her to a new doona cover and some clothes storage as a reward for her completely decluttering her bedroom. Also bought a 2nd hand vintage wicker washing basket for myself as I had it on my wishlist for years (they are usually sooo expensive new). Also purchased $100 worth of perennials for our huge garden, with the plan to propagate them to fill in more spaces.

So far April has gone well with 5 completely no spend days out of 8 (the other 3 days only buying groceries and contact lens solution and 1 coffee out). My lovely husband did find me a vintage Yamaha piano stool for $4 as I had been on the search for one for months, and had been making do with a kitchen stool I picked up of the side of the road!
Title: Re: Low Buy Year / No Buy Year 2021
Post by: oneday on April 08, 2021, 10:57:53 PM
@mspym well done being responsible!

@lazycow you've had a great year so far! Reddit intimidates me; it's so high volume. I'm glad for you to bring any good vibes into this community, though.

No desire to buy anything today other than a whole new clothes washer and dryer. I found out the dryer we have cools down the clothes before it releases them back to you. One of my joys in life is warm clothes fresh from the dryer, and that is now being denied to me. I may not survive. ;)
Title: Re: Low Buy Year / No Buy Year 2021
Post by: Serendip on April 09, 2021, 09:10:25 AM
Good work everyone!
Have had two more days of no-spending..(i highlight them in my calendar as I'm trying to have 10-15/month)

Sewed a t-shirt out out of a long sleeve that I wasn't wearing and have another repurposing sewing project on the go.
 Will try to make it through the weekend with no purchases at all (even comb the freezer/pantry for creative dinner ideas :) )

I do have to pay the optometrist for putting lenses into my frames however..
Title: Re: Low Buy Year / No Buy Year 2021
Post by: meadow lark on April 09, 2021, 08:47:30 PM
Getting off Facebook has really reduced my volume of ads seen!  And I almost never shop.  I get my groceries delivered and it’s so good for me to not even walk into the store!
Title: Re: Low Buy Year / No Buy Year 2021
Post by: oneday on April 09, 2021, 10:04:53 PM
Confession:

Spoiler: show
I am going to buy something. I've been thinking about it for the month and a half that I've lived here, and it's clear that it's necessary.

I've been avoiding washing my hair frequently enough* because there isn't a shower curtain liner. Only a shower curtain, which is water repellent, but not water proof. I need waterproof. I just do. Tomorrow I will get one at the dollar store.


*I wait until after I've developed an itchy "hot spot" on my head. If I wash enough, this doesn't happen.
Title: Re: Low Buy Year / No Buy Year 2021
Post by: mspym on April 09, 2021, 10:36:56 PM
Contemplating replacing uncomfortable thin leather backpack straps with more comfortable webbing straps and even found a cute one on etsy for $60 that the shop owner would make to the length I want, and then I tried changing how I looped the existing strap and may have solved the problem without spending a cent. [I reserve the right to buy the straps if the problem resurfaces on my next commute+laptop]
Title: Re: Low Buy Year / No Buy Year 2021
Post by: meadow lark on April 10, 2021, 08:04:00 AM
  One day, I think a shower curtain liner is a reasonable expenditure.  I personally prefer the water repellant cloth shower curtains, but bathing should be a delight, not a misery!  I’m a bubble bath, essential oils type.  Bad days are often denoted by the number of baths I take, as in ‘this was a 4 bath day.’   I believe in the old adage, ‘when children are crabby, put them in water.’  In this case I am children.

Ms Pym, I hope your hack works! 

I still haven’t ordered that bathroom storage thing.  Maybe I don’t need it.  I would still like some shelves or something above my toilet, but maybe I should just let it be.  My main storage desire is more TP in my bathroom.  It’s a tiny bathroom and zero for space for a TP holder.
Title: Re: Low Buy Year / No Buy Year 2021
Post by: Cassie on April 10, 2021, 06:42:50 PM
Could you put a basket with TP on top of your toilet tank? I have a small garbage bin there because since Maltese love paper they will dump and shred it if on the floor.
Title: Re: Low Buy Year / No Buy Year 2021
Post by: lazycow on April 10, 2021, 07:42:22 PM
My toilet is tiny too and the top of the tank slopes so can't store tp there. I keep spare rolls in a drawer in the adjacent entry/mudroom.

No buy 6 out of 11 days (and 4 out of those 5 days were juat groceries, yay). Off to a fortnightly crafternoon with friends. We take turns hosting, so free fun. We often bring stuff we are decluttering/plant cuttings/jams we have made/excess fruit we grow and everyone takes what they want. Substituting doing fun things for shopping brings me great joy.
Title: Re: Low Buy Year / No Buy Year 2021
Post by: oneday on April 11, 2021, 02:49:22 PM
Contemplating replacing uncomfortable thin leather backpack straps with more comfortable webbing straps and even found a cute one on etsy for $60 that the shop owner would make to the length I want, and then I tried changing how I looped the existing strap and may have solved the problem without spending a cent. [I reserve the right to buy the straps if the problem resurfaces on my next commute+laptop]

Once I turned a messenger bag into a backpack with a dual chamber carabier (https://www.niteize.com/product/S-Biner-Dual-Carabiner-Aluminum.asp). So for just a few bucks I was able to solve the problem rather than get a whole new bag. I hope your re-looped strap creatively solves your problem!


@meadow lark that is a lot of baths! I am a shower person, but you are right, it shouldn't be misery. The shower here is/was really bad - low pressure, long time to get hot water, dirty. I've systematically solved these problems or adjusted my routine to make them not-problems without spending any money, so I think $1.09 is OK to get the place in good order for me.

I like @Cassie 's suggestion of a basket or box on the toilet tank, if all you want is a bit more TP.

@lazycow you are killing it!
Title: Re: Low Buy Year / No Buy Year 2021
Post by: oneday on April 15, 2021, 11:54:12 PM
It's been a few days and I haven't had the desire to buy anything. Instead, I've been experiencing a bit of extra energy, which I used to take a few walks and repot a few plants and do some cooking. I did buy the potting soil recently, but for some reason I didn't have any thought of holding back on that for the low-buy year. It's just hard to keep it in mind at all times.
Title: Re: Low Buy Year / No Buy Year 2021
Post by: meadow lark on April 16, 2021, 10:06:38 AM
Well, the point isn’t to never buy things.  I think the point is joy.  And to carefully evaluate if each purchase really brings joy, or if there is another creative way.  At least that’s my goal.  To move the automatic to the conscious.
I bought a step ladder.   I nearly killed myself by standing on a chair and falling off it.  I’m happy with my purchase.

I have a basket on the back of my toilet tank.  I have essential oils in it, and it can fit 2 rolls of TP.  Maybe that’s enough.
Title: Re: Low Buy Year / No Buy Year 2021
Post by: SunnyDays on April 16, 2021, 03:51:24 PM
What has helped me make decisions on buying things is Thoreau’s directive:  Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity.  It doesn’t mean I never buy anything, but it means I ask myself “will this purchase make my life simpler or more complicated?”  Minimalism, to me, is more about the look, while simplicity is more about the function.  Sometimes it takes more of something to make life simpler, ironically enough.
Title: Re: Low Buy Year / No Buy Year 2021
Post by: lazycow on April 16, 2021, 04:31:08 PM
@SunnyDays I love that! I bought a beautiful glazed bowl yesterday at the local op shop for $5. I had intended to just drop off a box of donations but was lured in by the $1 bags of passionfruit at the entrance (they often sell cheap seasonal produce people donate.)
 It will be our dedicated salad bowl as we didn't have one. Usually we use a not-quite big enough pasta bowl and it irritated me for years. I am also on the lookout for a 2nd pair of kitchen tongs, and recently added a 2nd wooden spoon to my kitchen utensils. Minimalism can be taken too far, especially with 4 adults all using the kitchen 2-3 times a day!
Title: Re: Low Buy Year / No Buy Year 2021
Post by: oneday on April 16, 2021, 11:26:01 PM
Good points, @meadow lark and @SunnyDays ! It would make me happy to keep these plants alive, but it does complicate my life a bit as they all seem to want different care and conditions.

I'm now looking at the potting soil as an experiment, which in itself is joyful. I can grow pothos, but many other plants have withered under my care. Currently I have 11 plants. This is crazy amounts of plants; usually I only have 1 pothos. But I only bought a mint ($4.99 with a $5 off coupon) and one bag of potting soil, much was given to me as housewarming gifts. We'll see if anything survives, and if not, I'll finally once and for all know I'm not a plant person and not to buy pots, plants or soil again (except for the pothos that gets new soil every couple years).

@meadow lark 2 rolls could be enough. Once you get down to 1 roll in the basket, you can replenish from wherever you store the rest. And you don't even have to do it right away, since that second backup roll is there. I had 2 rolls in a basket on the tank for many years. It worked well. I *feel* like only 1 backup roll *should* be needed, but in actuality, my anxiety likes 2 rolls better.

@lazycow the right number of kitchen implements/dishes is a beautiful thing!
Title: Re: Low Buy Year / No Buy Year 2021
Post by: SunnyDays on April 17, 2021, 11:05:51 AM
Hah.  I had only one plant for years, a snake plant that I could totally ignore for weeks at a time and it still looked the same.  But I didn't take my own advice, and caved to the cute little plants at the hardware store, and now I have 7 that all have different requirements.  Plus, I'm not home for a stretch of 10 days a month.  What was I thinking?  I do like them though, and I'm hoping that as they get bigger they'll require less care, because the soil won't dry out as fast.  But is definitely not simple.

It's impossible to kill a mint.  Those things will survive nuclear war.  Just don't plant it outside if you don't want it invading the whole yard.
Title: Re: Low Buy Year / No Buy Year 2021
Post by: oneday on April 17, 2021, 12:35:27 PM
Hah.  I had only one plant for years, a snake plant that I could totally ignore for weeks at a time and it still looked the same.  But I didn't take my own advice, and caved to the cute little plants at the hardware store, and now I have 7 that all have different requirements.  Plus, I'm not home for a stretch of 10 days a month.  What was I thinking?  I do like them though, and I'm hoping that as they get bigger they'll require less care, because the soil won't dry out as fast.  But is definitely not simple.

It's impossible to kill a mint.  Those things will survive nuclear war.  Just don't plant it outside if you don't want it invading the whole yard.

The mint is in a pot outdoors. Do you think it could "jump" into the ground? Or is this safe?
Title: Re: Low Buy Year / No Buy Year 2021
Post by: mspym on April 17, 2021, 03:04:07 PM
I *wish* my mint was unkillable! Somehow I have killed multiples. The current bat h lloked like it was going well then a possum or something decided to eat more of the leaves.
@oneday pot outside is the normal protocol, you should be safe.
Title: Re: Low Buy Year / No Buy Year 2021
Post by: oneday on April 17, 2021, 03:31:42 PM
Thank you mspym!
Title: Re: Low Buy Year / No Buy Year 2021
Post by: SunnyDays on April 17, 2021, 04:48:03 PM
Well, it depends on what kind of mint you have.  If it has runners, it’s possible for it to send ones out that will attach to dirt.  But likely it will be okay.  I had a chocolate mint that started out a little thing in a pot, but once planted into the ground, grew into a shrub in 3 years.  I loved the smell, but it started sprouting between patio blocks, so I had to take it out.  And this was with -35C winters.
Title: Re: Low Buy Year / No Buy Year 2021
Post by: Serendip on April 17, 2021, 06:53:49 PM
On the subject of gardens--I also had to replant mint as mine died..

I live in a townhouse (no yard) so everything has to live in pots/containers on the front & back patios (we do have access to herbs at our community garden plot..but it's 4 km away so I also like to keep things nearby which I use on the regular).

However chives (also pretty indestructible) somehow found their way into my hanging basket--so now I am set for chives this summer :)

I did buy some gardening supplies this week, seeds, flower snips, etc. It's my main hobby (besides hiking and lake jumping) in the summer and we grow a lot of food so I don't mind putting out $50 now (I am starting some flowers such as lavender & nasturtium as well..I love making our home a haven for pollinators)

I am in total agreement about keeping things simple but not necessarily making minimalism the end goal..it's become a bit of a cultural obsession but I find having the proper tools for the activities I want to accomplish is equally important.
Title: Re: Low Buy Year / No Buy Year 2021
Post by: oneday on April 18, 2021, 02:13:32 PM
Well, it depends on what kind of mint you have.  If it has runners, it’s possible for it to send ones out that will attach to dirt.  But likely it will be okay.  I had a chocolate mint that started out a little thing in a pot, but once planted into the ground, grew into a shrub in 3 years.  I loved the smell, but it started sprouting between patio blocks, so I had to take it out.  And this was with -35C winters.

Good to know. I have it in a spot near sorry [ETA: that's supposed to be "dirt"], so I'll either move it or keep a close eye on it.
Title: Re: Low Buy Year / No Buy Year 2021
Post by: lazycow on April 18, 2021, 11:53:48 PM
It is interesting to me that changing my mindset regarding spending money can have an effect so quickly. The days I set out to spend Zero dollars I am not remotely tempted by stuff, but once I have spent money on anything, even groceries, my grip on it loosens. That is okay though, because often I deny myself simple things (see above, kitchen tongs) that make life easier, and now I am giving myself permission to buy the damn thing, especially if it is on my List. This weekend it was the purchase of a pair of small secateurs for pruning. My husband has 2 pairs which are too big for my little hands, and these new ones (made in Germany, ergonomically sound) feel just wonderful. I waited 10 years to buy them, what an idiot!!

This morning I drifted aimlessly around a couple of op shops (I'd already bought my son a new pair of school trousers at the uniform shop so...) before I snapped myself out of it. I currently need nothing and the time would be better spent knitting a new pair of socks, reading one of the half-finished books lying around the house and having a nap.
Title: Re: Low Buy Year / No Buy Year 2021
Post by: Serendip on April 20, 2021, 03:46:02 PM
Our patio receives brutal heat/direct sunshine all afternoon. I was browsing patio umbrellas and decided to try to make a triangular sun shade curtain.

It's a bit of a big project but I have a big sheet and am stitching it all together, will need to buy some screws with eyes for the edges of the patio and maybe some type of hooking attachment for the curtain.
Title: Re: Low Buy Year / No Buy Year 2021
Post by: Weisass on April 20, 2021, 07:50:45 PM
It is interesting to me that changing my mindset regarding spending money can have an effect so quickly. The days I set out to spend Zero dollars I am not remotely tempted by stuff, but once I have spent money on anything, even groceries, my grip on it loosens. That is okay though, because often I deny myself simple things (see above, kitchen tongs) that make life easier, and now I am giving myself permission to buy the damn thing, especially if it is on my List. This weekend it was the purchase of a pair of small secateurs for pruning. My husband has 2 pairs which are too big for my little hands, and these new ones (made in Germany, ergonomically sound) feel just wonderful. I waited 10 years to buy them, what an idiot!!

This morning I drifted aimlessly around a couple of op shops (I'd already bought my son a new pair of school trousers at the uniform shop so...) before I snapped myself out of it. I currently need nothing and the time would be better spent knitting a new pair of socks, reading one of the half-finished books lying around the house and having a nap.
I hear you. It’s amazing how much my resolve loosens after an initial purchase, and how much easier it is to control spending when I don’t buy anything.
Title: Re: Low Buy Year / No Buy Year 2021
Post by: oneday on April 22, 2021, 02:27:54 PM
It is interesting to me that changing my mindset regarding spending money can have an effect so quickly. The days I set out to spend Zero dollars I am not remotely tempted by stuff, but once I have spent money on anything, even groceries, my grip on it loosens. That is okay though, because often I deny myself simple things (see above, kitchen tongs) that make life easier, and now I am giving myself permission to buy the damn thing, especially if it is on my List. This weekend it was the purchase of a pair of small secateurs for pruning. My husband has 2 pairs which are too big for my little hands, and these new ones (made in Germany, ergonomically sound) feel just wonderful. I waited 10 years to buy them, what an idiot!!

This morning I drifted aimlessly around a couple of op shops (I'd already bought my son a new pair of school trousers at the uniform shop so...) before I snapped myself out of it. I currently need nothing and the time would be better spent knitting a new pair of socks, reading one of the half-finished books lying around the house and having a nap.
I hear you. It’s amazing how much my resolve loosens after an initial purchase, and how much easier it is to control spending when I don’t buy anything.

+1

That's why this thread is so valuable; to help get back to the low-spend value system when the rest of the world makes it tough.
Title: Re: Low Buy Year / No Buy Year 2021
Post by: meadow lark on April 30, 2021, 09:07:21 PM
I’m helping a friend move today and tomorrow.  She is not a minimalist.  I think she has more stuff in her kitchen than I have in my whole house!
April was definitely more of a low buy for me than a no buy month, but that’s okay.  Bought an Easter gift for my grandson, a birthday gift for my wife, some craft supplies - around $13 for 2 fairy doors and a new wreath, a stepladder and a pitcher for ice tea.  Maybe 1-2 other things I’ve forgotten. 

My new task/goal/project is that I don’t like my dining room table.  Refinish?  But another?  Get a tablecloth?  Working on it.
Title: Re: Low Buy Year / No Buy Year 2021
Post by: oneday on May 02, 2021, 10:48:38 PM
ML, good luck on that move. Let us know what you come up with for the table.

If we're doing month end wrap ups: the only tangible thing I bought that was totally unnecessary was special potting soil for cacti/succulents. I could have used the regular potting soil, I guess. But a friend volunteered a cutting from her jade plant and I wanted to give it the best chance of survival. I do not have a green thumb.
Title: Re: Low Buy Year / No Buy Year 2021
Post by: Prairie Gal on May 24, 2021, 09:18:11 AM
Ml, what about making a hanging shelf for the bathroom? That would way it would be both decorative and functional. I was thinking something similar to this, but there are other ideas on Pinterest. (https://i.pinimg.com/564x/87/d6/4d/87d64d84df7779c13e3583551baaf624.jpg)

Going back to what someone said about knowing in advance if something will be worth it, a couple of years ago I bought a small mirrorless camera for travel. Travel and photography, those are two of the things that bring me joy. However, I didn't trust it to take good photos, especially at night, so I ended up hauling my big camera along with me too, which is what I wanted to avoid. So now, I am looking for a better mirrorless camera, and I will sell the little one. I have come to think of it as my toy camera. Oh well, it was a good learning experience. I am also trying to sell some other stuff to fund it. I think of it as trading in stuff I don't need/want for stuff I do need/want.

Clearly I don't belong on this thread. Lol.
Title: Re: Low Buy Year / No Buy Year 2021
Post by: meadow lark on June 01, 2021, 08:40:29 PM
   Not sure if I belong here either!  My city flooded 2 weeks ago and everything touching the floor was destroyed.  Including the kitchen, the flooring, the bathroom vanities, etc. 
So far we haven’t bought that much  (4 dehumidifiers, insulation to replace what we cut out, anti-mold chemicals.)
   We did order a mattress, which was a mistake, but at the time we thought we needed it to move back in the house.  We ended up borrowing some surprisingly comfy old mattresses from our in-laws.  I would have rather bought a new one after we finished sheet rocking and painting.
Title: Re: Low Buy Year / No Buy Year 2021
Post by: Morning Glory on June 01, 2021, 09:19:04 PM
   Not sure if I belong here either!  My city flooded 2 weeks ago and everything touching the floor was destroyed.  Including the kitchen, the flooring, the bathroom vanities, etc. 
So far we haven’t bought that much  (4 dehumidifiers, insulation to replace what we cut out, anti-mold chemicals.)
   We did order a mattress, which was a mistake, but at the time we thought we needed it to move back in the house.  We ended up borrowing some surprisingly comfy old mattresses from our in-laws.  I would have rather bought a new one after we finished sheet rocking and painting.

If you lost more than you bought then you are negative on buying for the year. You are a badass!!!
Title: Re: Low Buy Year / No Buy Year 2021
Post by: meadow lark on June 02, 2021, 12:33:20 PM
Haha!  I love it!