My No Buy Year | Quitting Spending Money for a Year

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WHO AM I?
Hey there, I’m Cinzia DuBois. I’m a part-time, self-funded PhD student and YouTuber, Podcaster and writer. I’ve been creating videos for over thirteen years. I discuss productivity, personal development, PhD, academia and mental well-being on this channel. On my main channel, I talk about all things dark and ancient history, literature and folklore.

[winslow]

I do this every other month! Every other month I go on a "spending freeze." If I have something I really want, I put it in my online cart, then wait till my spending freeze is up. Most of the time, I don't even want the thing anymore, and when I do, it's an especially good pleasure to reward myself.

[Sherlika_Gregori]

Get yourself a cup of coffee . Just a treat.

[KatieJane]

I could see myself not buying material things (for me, hobby stuff, clothes, shoes, random household gadgets), but I feel like I would be missing out on experiences with my family if I didn’t go on trips, visit family, go to the zoo with my kids, etc. Missing out on making memories. But I totally agree with the material unnecessary purchases.

[debmacie]

I have been a huge fan for many years. I did your no buy year in 2020 and when I cut out the many unneeded extras I learned I could afford to buy a house. Which I did, and I love my little place. Now I am embarking on my next no buy challenge. If I buckle down, live frugally and make extra payments I can pay off my house early and retire without a mortgage payment. You have made such an impact on my life. Thank you so much for the wisdom to make these great financial decisions.

[elsitacacahuete]

Those “free” activities that you mentioned, basically, summarised my late teens and twenties social life. Looking back, those were my best times with friends. All the rest “spending money” times were also good but not as memorable.

[heyhey]

I'm unemployed right now and living solely on extremely meager savings. It's more and more apparent to me that I spend so much money on things I truly don't need little by little. When I get back to having a small income I hope I never forget and adopt this as a permanent lifestyle.

[brunaguerra]

this is exactly what I needed to watch right now. I keep spending money mindlessly and my excuse is always that I deserve to treat myself after working and studying so much but that leads me to live paycheck to paycheck 🤡

[daisy]

I'm not doing a no-buy but I have been cutting back on impulse purchases after putting myself into debt in my early 20s. One trick I use now is writing down the fun but unnecessary things I really want in a list. If I come into some money later, I can go back to this list of fun things and see if there's anything I still want to get

[TheDanishGuyReviews]

I've been cutting down on my excess purchases this year. Keeping a list of the books I've bought has helped a lot. I'll never do an out-right no-buy, I like treating myself too much for that. But listing the titles have helped me actually read the books I've bought.

[mykki.d]

You kind of glossed over this, but it saddens me that you had to go through a breakup during a no-buy year while working on both your phd and youtube channel - and that it had drastic financial consequences as well. Going from sharing rent/bills to not is so costly. You show much resilience. Hang in there. ❤ Your savings will return with time.

[yesjoeri]

this is basically how i grew up and how i have been living for 27 years and it's been great. I managed to buy a house at 25 alone when no one in my age range is even near buying a house. downside is i dont really know how to spend money

[charlotteandersen]

I have just found you again here on youtube but around 3 years ago your no buy videos helped me so much and for the first time in my life I started saving my money instead of spending it all and it has completely changed my life. I feel inspired to do a no buy year as well now and I look forward to following your journey. Good luck with your no buy and thanks for all the inspiration ❤

[bewareogre]

I'm glad I'm finding more and more videos about no-buy or low-buy years. I'm officially starting in January but I'm trying now already to fine-tune my rules. My first year I wanna do a low-buy challenge, and then see where it takes me. I'm tired of consumerism and wanna be more mindful of what I have.

[desireesbooksandcoffee]

As a recovering shopping addict, I'm soooo tempted to join you in this challenge! I spent the last year decluttering my house!

[finonna]

Starting a no buy in the middle of the year propably is more intentional way than new years resolutions. This was a great wake up call, I too study and work part time and need to cut my costs momentarily and we do live in a time of plenty so I think it's doable and propably even healthy!

[laceyjo]

Earlier this year, I had a health situation that depleted most of my savings. I had started my 3rd no buy year and was doing well until that situation. Seeing the money i had saved disappear so quickly was really demoralizing and i became more and more lenient with myself on the rules, even though i should be tightening them because i was so discouraged seeing my hard work undone. Your video was helpful in energizing me to get back on track, so thank you.

[RoyalOui]

I admire your self-discipline and the quality of your channel, Cinzia! Good wishes always....

[sharonlugone]

I, too, live on a low income and a tasty pastry lover. My compromise is to make a homemade dessert each week. Cookies, cakes, fruit crisps, and my favorite lemon bars. Once a month I treat myself to a very special chocolate croissant at a favorite coffee shop. I take my journal and sip my coffee, munch my pastry, and fill the pages of my journal with deep and profound ruminations. Because I only indulge once a month, I savor every bite, every sip, and the sheer pleasure of putting my thoughts to paper. ❤

[phoebebaker]

“With [the Holidays] coming up, Capitalism will be at full power.” I imagine an eerie glow behind a Marvel silhouette.

[tempestholmes]

I'm also inspired. I'm going to try a no-buy month for September. I need to start really small because I am pretty set in my ways. My first victory has been ordering the essentialism book through my library rather than buying it. Books are most likely load bearing structures in my home, my definite downfall.