Buying Ban
I'm speaking a bit about this on my newsletter coming out next week (I would suggest signing up if you're not signed up already, I only send out 2 emails a month! Once in the beginning and once in the middle of the month), but I think I would feel more accountable if I also shared it on here. I put myself on a buying ban at the beginning of the month.
The list of rules I made for myself are:
- Buying groceries don't count
- I can spend money on going to a restaurant once a week
- Buying restocks of necessities don't count
- Birthday gifts don't count
- I can splurge on my birthday weekend (not on shopping! More so when we go out to eat and stuff)
I always been a person where if I wanted something and it was currently something I could afford, I would buy it. That has never really been a problem for me, but when I realized I wasn't saving very much on a month to month basis recently (or worse, taking from my savings), I knew I had to make some changes.
We live in such a materialistic time, where you're constantly blasted by "things you need to have". And while I don't always succumb to all of those videos, there are definitely moments when I watch a TikTok and can't help myself.
Maybe we're not meant to have things as easily accessible as they are now. The idea that we can order almost anything with the click of a button, and it'll be at your door in about a week or less. I even order my groceries some weeks!
Me and J are really buckling down when it comes to saving money in the next year so we can try and buy a property, and the only way that's going to happen is if we keep saving and stop money on things that aren't necessary (and I say we, but J doesn't really shop to the extent that I do).
At the end or the beginning of every month, I'm going to post a rundown on how I did with my book buying ban. I also love seeing when people post a what I spend in a week/month video/post, so hopefully it would be interesting to someone to read mine!
Have any of you guys been on a spending ban? Any tips for me? Let me know!
I think it's so easy to get caught up in the cycle of buying things we don't really need, especially with the convenience of online shopping. Your buying ban sounds like a great way to refocus on saving for bigger goals like buying a property. Can't wait to hear how it goes! xx
Lenne | lennezulkiflly.com
I tried spending ban for one month last year. It went great but once new month rolled in, I went ham and shopped like I haven't shopped before. Kinda defeat the purpose, though, but it was fun doing the ban. Right now since I'm a housewife with no monthly salary, I leave my cart for at least a week before checking out (if I still think about it, that is.)
erin @ herlittleplans.com
lol! I did really well last month. While there are definitely things I spent money on, I was a lot more conscious of my spending, and was less impulsive on purchases. I'll definitely be posting an update sometime this month!
It can be very difficult to resist being enticed by what seem to be bargains!
Even if our parents brought us up to be frugal with admonitions to "use it up, wear it out, make it do, do without" and to remember those who were starving and homeless.
In the past I spent more on outfit pieces than I normally would have for the sole purpose of wearing it in selfie photos and videos to post on my fashion blog and on my YouTube channel
... but more recently I have been trying to resolve to make room for any new purchases by throwing out or giving away anything I will never wear again or that is totally worn out.
As for books, I have no room for the ones I have - all my bookshelves are jam-packed full of books I will probably never read again.. my sentimentality is hard to overcome...
You have what sounds like an excellent plan... best wishes with it!
Books are my weakness too! But I also have also allowed myself to not have much self-control. I've been doing much better this month, and it was definitely eye opening. I can't wait to post my update
This is such a sensible idea and approach to the challenge! I’ve been on a book-buying ban throughout 2024 and it’s drastically improved my finances. Like you, I’m saving for a property and trying to get really serious about it. I might try and do something similar to this for the remainder of the year.
Good luck! I think it's a good way to lower spending without being super duper strict. I can't wait to post my update 🙂 x
Wishing you all the luck on this buying ban! Just think how worth it it'll be when you're able to move into your own home with J, what an exciting time. I'm looking forward to seeing how you get on, I love a good: 'what I spend', post too haha! xx
Hannah | https://luxuryblush.co.uk/
I'm planning on writing an update either this week or next week! I think I did pretty well, but there were still a few slip ups!