How to Prep for a 'Low-Buy Year' | minimalism + saving money

Are you planning a no-buy or low-buy challenge? Do you want to buy less, be more frugal, and/or save money in 2025? If so, then you'll love this video on how to prep for a low-buy year (or even a no-buy year) in a few simple steps. We'll touch on low-buy rules and guidelines, tips on how to stop spending money, what things to stop buying, and more. Let's dive into planning a low-buy year that's a huge success for you (no matter what your goals are!)

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Do you have trouble budgeting? Are you tired of watching your hard-earned money fly out the window? The cost of living is going up, so it's now more important than ever to spend less and save more. If saving money is one of your top goals for 2025, then you'll love this minimalist budget planner bundle, with 50 pages of downloadable no-spend challenges, meal planning templates, budgeting trackers, and more!

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► 🧠 TERMS TO KNOW:
» HYSA = High-yield savings account. A HYSA is a savings account that pays a higher interest rate than traditional savings accounts. This rate often is 10 to 20 times greater than the national average for savings accounts.
» APY = Annual percentage yield. The annual percentage yield (APY) is the real rate of return earned on an investment, taking into account the effect of compounding interest.

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ABOUT A TO ZEN LIFE
Along my journey to let go of 30 years of clutter, I accidentally became a minimalist and it was life-changing.

Before, I was an emotional hoarder with nothing but the clutter from lost loved ones — and $25,000 of debt — to my name. Now I have a beautiful home in Europe, a happy family, live debt-free, and — best of all — wake up to a life that I’m EXCITED to live every day.

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[Justheremyfmly]

On my 3rd year of no buy. It has helped me recover from a shopping addiction. It was very hard at first! Now lm working on decluttering allll those things I compulsively bought. Coincidence or not, I've also decluttered 35 lbs of excess weight.

[tinah]

We have been doing a low buy for a little over 5 years now with the goal of paying off our mortgage! We plan to pay it off in 2025!!! SO ready for this!!

[JayJr.]

I am not planning for that in 2025, because I have already been doing a "low-buy decade." Once you start to move money to your savings/investment account, it becomes addictive, in a good way, and you don't want to stop. ☺

[flonotflow]

I'm doing a low buy year, but not for the goal of saving more money. We just don't need anything else in our house. We need to use what we have.

[subarashiiai]

I'm doing a stash busting year! I haven't been using my craft supplies as much as I would like, so my goal is to use as much of my stash as I can without buying more supplies. In order to finish projects, I am allowed to buy SPECIFIC notions such as buttons, studs, grommets, zippers, etc. for intended projects.

I have SO much craft stuff, so I am excited to get creative

[maddy-zzz]

The past two years were low buy for me because I focused on paying off 40k in student loans. Now I'm hoping to hit my house savings goal of 25k by end of February 🤞

[lozkelly]

I’ve ruthlessly declutterred our house over the past 6 months and now I’m doing a no buy for 2025….just essentials for me. I want to pay off more of our mortgage so I don’t need to work full time…life’s too short 🥰🤓

[rachellestivers]

Thanks for the library shout out! I'm a librarian and adventurous cook. And I find that getting cookbooks from the library, rather than buying them, makes me much more adventurous! I can checkout, literally, other cuisines more, again literally.

[shirleygermain]

I saved every SocSec check this past year. Since I wasn't used to receiving my benefits during my first year, putting the money in my savings seemed easy. My husband and I live on very little. We have no debts, own our home, and don't really need anything. My most significant spending is in spring when I garden, but I have even lowered that cost. I love to garden, and it fills me to no end. I always stop to smell my roses! 😄

[kriskrossas]

We are downsizing now that we are empty nesters. Im a collector, my husband is a bit of a hoarder. I am doing a one item a day destash and will continue that throughout 2025. I am doing a low buy through 2025. We would like to sell our 4 bedroom, 3 bath home and purchase a small 2 bedroom home. This has incentivized my husband to start destashing his things as well.

[quoththeraven]

I’m so excited for this video! I am planning a low-buy year, too. ☺️ I want to save $10, 000 with my low-buy 2025.

[craftingafamilydinner]

Planning a low buy goal. Saving all we can this year to be able to retire earlier and pay off the little debt we still have. This video was just what I needed.

[Emilyak]

My husband and I did a low buy back in 2023 with a goal of saving up for a home in a specific neighborhood. Fast forward to Dec 2024 we did it!! But now the savings replenishment goal is back on the table. Looking forward to seeing how our low buy goes this year!!

[mimibatman]

No buy for the first quarter (Jan, Feb, March) will enable us to have a wonderful state-side vacation in June. Thanks for doing what you do! I love your content!

[carolinerambles]

My husband and I have agreed to do a low buy year and found ways we can be more eco-friendly/less wasteful whilst still doing and getting things we love and bring us joy❤

I do not need more clothes...I do not need more clothes.. I do not need more clothes... 😂

[rabayl]

As a 37yo male and father of three and a fairly high income family since my wife and I both work, one temptation i tell myself is to be satisfied with the three men's watches I have. Watch collection is a thing and spending $1k to even $30k watch is mind boggling. All in all, the 3 watches combined are worth less than $700 new and they are all funtional!

[dialmstyle]

I am inspired by these comments! I am paying off my car one year early and I’m looking forward to an emergency fund and vacation fund, along with increased investing!

[fuzzycat]

I've been doing No Buy February for a couple of years, but I think I'm just going to go low-buy this year and only buy specific things that are budgeted & planned. No more casual thrift store shopping, which is going to be hard for me! Thanks for the tips, I am going to write out my rules now.

[jandabest]

Thanks for sharing! I did a no buy for 2024, and I will be repeating it in 2025. It was much easier than I thought. My value system has been completely flipped. I was always a saver and investor, but it’s been supercharged since I’ve decluttered my life.

[judyharris]

Starting a low buy year, with the emphasis on clothing. When I see what you purchased in clothes this past year it makes me really think. I’m retired so I don’t need to buy new clothes. I spent last year as a transitional year for my wardrobe. Now I’m switched over to mostly casual clothes and I’m good to go. I love your videos and look forward to them every Sunday.