No Buy Year Completed! - (Buying Nothing for a Year was Life Changing!)

For the last 12 months I've bought absolutely nothing but essentials, sometimes referred to as a No Buy Year or a No Spend Year. I did this in a bid to save the most money I possibly could, so that not only would this help with my financial goals, but that should the worst happen through this weird time, I'd be ok financially. Through completing a year long no buy (along with other money saving methods) I managed to save more than 50% of my take home salary which is both mind boggling and life changing. I'm fairly certain I will have changed my relationship with money forever.

Whilst completing this no buy year, I also bought no clothing for two years, and I've shared my experience on my channel. If you are looking to do a no buy year, or a smaller goal of a no buy month, be sure to check out my other videos as you may find tips and insights that might help you. Doing a no buy challenge isn't easy, and I don't recommend as a permanent lifestyle, but it certainly has its benefits. You might want to take a slightly less extreme approach and try a low buy year or a low buy month instead - you'll still find plenty of tips here on my channel.

I placed one order for personal care items in the last 12 months and in the interest of transparency, this is what I ordered:
3 x Caudalie Shower Gel (all now used up)
2 x Caudalie Facial Wash (one empty, one still in use)
3 x Caudalie Lip Balms (two empty, one still in use)
2 x Kerastase Shampoo (one empty, one still in use)
2 x Kerastase Conditioner (one empty, one still in use)

Over the last few years, I've come to the realisation that whilst a certain level of material things do add to your life, more stuff will not necessarily make you happier. This realisation hit me when I looked around my home that was filled with stuff (so much so I felt I needed a bigger house) and couldn't say I was particularly happier than when I lived in Spain (in 2008) when everything I had with me fit in one large drawer and a very small wardrobe.

These days I prefer to adopt a buy less, buy better approach, with a focus on quality over quantity, removing the clutter, and utilising my money in the best way possible.

WHERE ELSE TO FIND ME:

MAKE UP WORN:
MAC Warm Neutrals Palette
Too Faced Damn Girl Mascara
Freedom Brow Pomade (on its very last legs now!)
Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation
Tarte Shape Tape Concealer
Laura Mercier Translucent Powder
Nude By Nature Sheer Light Illuminator
MAC SkinFinish in Medium Deep (As Bronzer)
MAC Blush in Mocha
MAC Lipliner in Soar
MAC Lipstick in Faux

NAILS:
Chanel Le Vernis Nail Polish in Washed Denim

CLOTHING:
Cardigan - Karen Millen but about 6 years old!

LIGHTING:
I use natural light (i.e. I sit in front of a window) supported by a ring light on darker days.

DISCLAIMER:
All products were purchased with my own money and this video is in no way sponsored. Should a video ever be sponsored, or should I receive goods for free to review I will always aim to disclose this either in the video or in the video description. My views will always remain honest and my own.
Items marked with an asterisk were received as a gift or as PR.
I do sometimes use affiliate links in my description, these links do not cost you any more to purchase, often you will receive a discount, but I may earn money from these links.

[myfavoritethings]

I remember my mother sharing this with me years ago. “Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without!”

[tarat]

I started to put away £500 a month. I was planning on leaving my job as I was being bullied. Although I was earning quite a lot it gave me great satisfaction to say "I'm out of here. Do it yourself". I had been leading up to this for maybe 10 years. My health was declining due to workload etc. I also had 3 miscarriages whilst working. I decided to give my body a break and walked out. Everyone thought I was mad. However a year after I managed to have my son who is now 2 and I wouldn't want it any other way. Doing a no buy and pay yourself first was the best thing I have ever done for myself.

[athenaabarnes]

I did a no buy year and it was great! Saved a ton of money and changed my relationship with shopping for the better. Good job on saving so much of your income! 💪💪💪

[seeseebee]

I bought one thing in an entire year. It was an indoor plant which was all I needed to keep me happy for an entire year! It did wonders in so many ways!

[madalinasarbu]

I loved the part "feelings cannot be fixed with things".. a lesson I learned the "expensive" way, I still work at that aspect..

[KieraJo]

I did a 6-month no buy during Spring and Summer last year! My husband and I were, like you said, “aggressively saving, ” which we called “financial lockdown.” We were able to pay off both of our cars, and we’re now basically debt-free, which feels amazing. We’ve loosened our budget a bit again, but not buying anything extra for a while has changed us, too!

[lalagonegaga]

I'm seeing ads for Boots. Not today, Satan.

[prettyinpink]

Sometimes I just put stuff in my cart on Amazon when I feel like shopping. Leave it there. Then later on in the week I move it to save for later. If I haven’t needed it in a month it just stays there and I don’t buy anything impulsive anymore. I have been doing this for about 2 years. Saved a lot:-) hope this helps someone

[tennysoneffie]

The buzz one gets from seeing your bank balance grow far outweighs that momentary buzz from buying something that’s not entirely necessary. Well done for sharing your experience.

[lisaculver]

I saved 60% of our salary too this past year! The weird part is “surprise” money came our way too-it was like the universe noticed what we were doing and decided to play along…savings=feeling safer AND more opportunities-

[SlapHappySewing]

I'm finding having no mortgage and savings behind me has allowed me to assert myself at work in ways I could not have imagined before

[journeywithnichole]

I have done more of a re-directing of my finances. Living in the heart of Phoenix, I would spend approximately $40 a day eating out my meals & coffee. A year ago, I decided to take that same money & make/eat homemade food. Obviously, I had an enormous amount of food I was purchasing. So I learned how to dehydrate, & can & freeze meals. I now have a fully stocked pantry, freezer, and long term supply for emergencies. Last year at this time, I had about 2 day’s of food in my house. Feels so good knowing it didn’t cost me any extra and now in an emergency, I will be fine for several months. Thanks for this video!!

[deesong]

As I was decluttering my closet, I realized how many clothing items I bought but never wore. Some didn’t fit. I bought them because emotionally I wanted it but it served no purpose. This coming year, I will do a “no buy” and see how it will affect me. This video is very helpful! Thank you for sharing!

[sarahmc]

I have done this as a single parent and bought myself nothing for two years - it was eye opening because when I did have a wage - stuff doesn’t didn’t interest me as much anymore although I did need a few things like socks, underware and rain coat and a hair cut as was 4 years by that stage 😂 but it really made me look at what I have and use what I had and what I REALLY needed . I now am trying to save for my first home as a single working mom 👊🏻👊🏻 No buy year for myself again and feels easier because if these lockdowns !

[louiseleite]

I'm a very lonely person due to mental illness. I buy stuff (mainly fragrances) to make myself feel good. I've spent tons of money feel lonely. I really need stop buying things I don't need. Thanks for this video, it has inspired me.

[TOOTIELUV]

I totally agree about the cutting out the social media. We may not notice it, but at times I do feel we compare ourselves to others. It was such a freeing experience being off social media the past year. I don’t think twice about it. ❤️

[tezzmvx]

my dad went into hospital some years ago and i had to take changes of clothes for him. i discovered his underwear were full of holes 🙄. i had to chuck them out as they were grubby beyond repair 🤣. i knew dad was always stressing out my extravagance, or being ocd about every drop of water used in the kitchen!

recently, my dad needed help with his finances and i was totally shocked at his savings! despite his meagre income, he had managed to save a decent pot through years of penny pinching!

i guess dad’s attitude was because he couldn’t control his income, then he would control his expenses.

[cathydavis]

The pandemic has really opened my eyes to the frivolous habits I'd developed over the last decades. My house is full of duplicate items purchased on a whim in the moment. No more of that. I've changed my perspective of what is priority. Thanks for your video, it offers clarity.

[biancahicks]

Thank you! I have decided to do a No Buy year starting today and I came across your video. I hope to pay off my student loans and I will need all the encouragement I can get because I love to shop! So, I will be watching posts like this video to help me stay the course. Thank you for your honesty!

[Jen-zkse]

I love this video! I started a no buy skin care and personal care products a little over a year ago… I thought it would be a few months, I’m still working my way through everything I previously purchased. 🤦‍♀️