Low buy year...my priorities have already changed

In today's video I give you a 3 week update on my low buy year 2025. It's safe to say that my priorities have changed and i'm truly rethinking everything in my life. From my career choice and social media, to sponsorships and the future of my working life. I hope you enjoy the check in and the little tutorial on how to make a savings tracker at the end!

Chapters:
00:00 intro
01:27 Low Buy journal & colour tracking
02:30 Number of no spend days, expected spend days etc
03:39 week 1 spending
03:50 week 2 spending
04:56 week 3 spending
06:48 Daily low buy journaling
10:30 It's really challenging me...
11:56 January 2024 adsense vs January 2025 earnings
12:40 The impact of cancelling subscriptions
15:14 How to create a savings goal tracker

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so I've been thinking about my consumption, my spending, where my value lie and I think I want to do a low buy year next year so here are some of my thoughts, and how I'm going about planning for it...

[lisapoulsen]

I like to have a running total of money I didn’t spend. If I’m getting groceries or at a store and I look at something and decide not to purchase it, I put it in my notes app. At the end of the month I look at it and see what I did not buy and it really helps with the mentality of saving and how it isn’t just about what you’ve spent but also what you haven’t. Thanks for the Excel refresher course🥰🥰🥰

[sophiechurchill]

Omg I need Immy to keep teaching me how to use Excel for my job 😅😅 that was so lovely to watch/listen to

[FlorenceHorncastle-in]

Please please please do some more videos on knitting! I would love to see all the projects you’ve completed and are working on. I’ve also recently started knitting and it’s been so fun watching your progress, could you do a video about how you started, what tools you find invaluable, what’s been your biggest lessons etc. I absolutely love all your content by the way

[Ladybean]

I love that you've inspired people to use Libby. I'd also recommend for people to actually check out what other resources their local library might have. Mine partners with a tool library which allows you to check out actual craft or home project tools for free. Also we have a whole corner of the library devoted to a MakerSpace which has open-lab time for people to come in and work on whatever project with the libraries craft tools(sewing machine, yarn winder, cricket machine etc.) That way you can try your hand at so many different craft hobbies, meet people and not spend any money.

[milknosugarta]

Out of leftfield channel recommendation - (it may not be your thing) - Maximus Ironthumper is an off grid blacksmith living in Bristol doing all sorts of varied things like installing Solar, Rebuilding an old Land Rover from the chassis up, growing wheat to make his own bread, Making tents to 1950s plans.

Hope your low buy year goes well!

[chrisl]

Hi Emmy, smart to think about finances early. You don't know what unexpected expenses will happen. My Dad used to say, "The difference between an emergency and an inconvenience is often a savings account."

[egleeim]

Sell the hat NOT just for the cost of yarn!!! Value your time, effort and skill. You are worth to get paid.

[eatwithafia]

This is such a good idea; I think I have kind of slipped into a low-buy season because I hate the amount of clutter I have, especially all the food and spices I have accumulated over the last year. I was really inspired by your last video to make pantry meals like dahl and curry. I will definitely try and journal about my overspending. Also, I would love to hear more about your thought around your career path and being a creator.

[hannahsoumis]

I cannot tell you have appreciative I am for the end of this video. I have been trying to find a tracking system like this forever but don't personally have the skills to make one without instruction. Thank you so much!

[kalliemj]

i'm doing an unintensional low buy year. I became a product reviewer so I am able to get things I need, charitable donations for local pet shelters, and gifts for my family at little to no cost to me. And I was also given a free trip so my yearly vacation will be severely discounted. The cruise, hotel, meals, and alcohol are all free but I do have to pay for flights and excursions but its a significant savings and is to a location I've never been but always wanted to go.

With all of these things I'm trying to be very mindful of what I choose to get for my product reviews because I really don't want to clutter up my space or request unnessisary items. And I'm trying not to be selfish and hoard all of this good fortune for myself. My trip to Alaska included a free guest so I asked my sister if she wanted to go and many of the review items I've been requesting are for her future baby since she is planning to have a child in the next year and I know how expensive things can get (I was shocked when I found out a box of diapers was $45 and it maybe lasts you 2 weeks! insane!).

[EmmaRyan-cw]

Thank you! I found your channel only a few days ago...I'm self employed and dont earn very much money, interested in minimalism but surrounded by chaos, pescatarian (was vegan for a decade), love cooking, have a vegetable garden, love lists...and so your channel is very aligned with my values and you have completely inspired me!! Will be starting to budget, aim for low ish buy year, encourage my husband to watch your bread making videos (he's much more of a baker than I am). I would love to knit but find anything other than scarves or squares completely overwhelming!Thank you very much for your content- you have a very soothing manner and have totally motivated me.

[MindyPileDance]

I’m doing a no buy too! Just to reduce my consumerism.
I’d be interested to see your exact numbers of how much you’ve saved and how much you’ve put into each of your buckets (and why you chose that amount). I also would love to hear more about how you resist buying things. I’m feeling similar to you for January and February (these months are easier to avoid buying things), but I’m worried come March… 😬

[mayrimbas]

I loved this! Quick storytime, late last year I kept looking at these pretty budget spreadsheets and trying to convince myself to get a new one that had a goals sheet even though I already had a perfectly serviceable spreadsheet... So I decided to make one myself instead, which cost me $0 and I got to use pretty colours and feel accomplished for doing it. Buut actually that pie chart design looks great and your tutorial was dead useful! Gonna change some things about mine now. Thank you so much, Immy❤ I'm also doing low buy this year, so I get truly excited when I see you've uploaded

[kirlynz]

I am loving this video series so much, it is perfectly timed for the sabbatical that I am on (because I'm on a restricted budget as well)! I have to agree that the cold weather is definitely helpful for keeping me at home and spending less too 😂. But I am looking forward to finding free/low cost things to do as the weather warms up, like going to (free) museums, spending more time outdoors, picnics at the park instead of eating out, etc! And I too am considering a career change once my sabbatical is over, so I'm glad to have the space to figure out what is next. Good luck with whatever you decide, but I (selfishly) hope you are able to keep creating content as a hobby, even if you stop doing it as a job (or maybe it can just be a side gig to bring in extra money for your savings goals?)

[thisisfelicity]

I recently discovered Rewilding Jude on YT and I love his videos - on living in the Scottish countryside, renovating his 150 year old cottage and of course, his garden/ gardening plans for his future homestead.

[JenniferL-CDN]

My husband and I both use excel. We have separate finances except for housing, car, cable, etc costs. So we have an excel sheet for joint finances, I have one for my personal finances and I know he has one for his finances. Highly recommend as it really shows you where your money is going especially if you use charts/ graphs. Love your savings tracking, I’m totally going to incorporate this! We are also trying to pay off our mortgage as soon as possible so hopefully we can retire early (we may be a bit older than you 😊)

[ChelseaFuss]

That sweater is amazing! I love knowing the details of your low buy weeks. It's very inspiring.

[jezziies]

I love watching vids like this because it makes me realize saving and budgeting is easy on paper, but the fact I can see others experience (budget tracking and no-buy) the same/similar as me keeps me motivated and less in my head about it. Currently paying off 6.3k debt this year so I am full force alongside everyone :D

[ananyasharma]

I find Rhiannon Ashlee's videos are great to have on in the back as she potters around the house or in town, cooks, and does home renovations.

[carryjeanwing]

I liked the chart lesson. That is not my forte. I definitely learned. Your kind way of discussing money and the difficulties surrounding it is refreshing.
I want to track my spending too. I was railroaded by sickness but as I’m recovering I’m getting back on track