Decluttering and saving money go hand in hand. While watching decluttering and minimalism YouTube videos, I learned about the no-buy list. Some people buy nothing for a specific period, and others have a list of things they won’t purchase.
I decided to try this by choosing ten items I won’t buy between January and July. This list was easier to make than I thought. Because I’ve been decluttering for a while, I know what I have a lot of. For example, I have more T-shirts than fit in my drawer, so I decided I wouldn’t buy anymore, no matter how awesome they were.
Using what I have in the house instead of buying exactly what I need has made me more creative. When I do a cross-stitch project, I use the DMC thread I already have that is close to the actual color instead of buying more. It’s a lot of fun.
I’m not depriving myself of anything. I can put books on my birthday list or eat a treat that someone else gives me. All I’m doing is avoiding the book or candy aisle when I go to Walmart and enjoying all the books and treats I have at home already.
I still send out a lot of birthday cards, too. I just make them myself instead of buying them from Walmart. That is what’s great about this challenge. It’s not about deprivation. It’s about innovation.
I’m surprised at how much I enjoy NOT buying things. It goes along with my decluttering goals. What is the point of getting rid of stuff if I replace it with more stuff?
I encourage you to make your own list. It can be as long or short as you want and can have anything on it. See if it improves your bank account and your home like it has mine.
My 2021 No-Buy list
- Store-bought salads
- Office supplies (except printer ink)
- Greeting cards and wrapping paper
- Disney/Marvel/Star Wars items
- T-shirts
- Treat foods (buying, not eating)
- Craft supplies
- Paper books and magazines
- Socks
- Electronic accessories