A Committed January

For the second year in a row now, I have done a no-buy January. I can’t quite remember why it stemmed into being last year, but I’m sure it had to do with the gluttony of spending we did in November and December, on top of having a new baby (+ hospital bills) and a small kitchen remodel. Once Christmas came and went, my wallet was begging for a break! So I started a self-imposed “No-Buy” for the month. The first 7-10 days were rough. I was seeing sales everywhere and totally had the itch to “click to purchase.” But once the first 10 days went by, it got a lot easier. And soon I started seeing my money go to our savings account, rather than to pay off purchases. Yes I still bought groceries. And in 2017 I would occasionally still buy lunch at work, and coffee in the morning. But no personal spending or shopping. 

I felt so inspired and happy with the results, I actually did it again in a summer month of 2017. This fall, we removed all the carpet from our house and installed hardwood. Even though Matt (with a little help from his dad) completed the install, it was still a big expense. We also took a vacation in the fall, so wallets were hurting. When I got my Commit30 planner for my birthday, I knew I had to do another no-buy for my first month in 2018. Over the course of last year, and especially during that week between Christmas and New Year’s, I went through my emails and unsubscribed from SO many. Some stores were sending emails once a day, and if I didn’t see the sales, I knew I wouldn’t be so tempted. So far it’s been a little easier this time than the last two. However, I added an extra layer this time. No personal spending, including coffee and lunches while at work. Now THAT has been my biggest challenge this first week. We have a perfectly good espresso machine at home but I buy coffee almost every day that I go to work (#lovemymonorailgirls). I also typically buy lunch once or twice a week. While they seem like small purchases, those all add up and it is still one more thing I’m spending money on. So, the 2018 no-buy packs a little more punch.

It’s amazing what a small goal like this can do to change your thinking. One of the side benefits from a challenge like this, is that I really get a chance to use what I have. I tend to buy backups for things when I’m not even close to needing it. Face wash half empty? Time to restock. Shampoo half empty? Time for the backup. Had my socks for a while? Get a new pack from Costco, just in case mine start wearing thin. I don’t even want to talk about the dooms-day supply of food in the garage. What this thought process has led to, is a lot of extra stuff. And in my life that I’m trying to simplify, extra stuff isn’t conducive. We all know that if you run out of something, Amazon can get it to you in two days max, not to mention I’m within 1.5 miles of two stores that I pass every day on my way home from work. So there’s no need to have extra and extra and extra. When I’m not using homemade body butter, I have a big jug of lotion that I use. It only has about 1/4 left. I’m pretty sure it will last me the rest of the month, and even if it doesn’t, I have two smaller lotions under my sink. But seeing it so low and not buying another one is a big struggle for me! In the back of my mind, I almost hope it does run out, so I can see that the world won’t end if I don’t have a backup.

I like to present little challenges like this to myself. It isn’t long term, so I know it will end eventually, no matter how hard. But it’s fun to see how I react, and what things I notice and learn along the way. I know that I’ll do another no-buy this year because I’ve had so much success with it, and it helps me focus my thoughts and spending habits. In a world that is so consumer driven, I like to stop and take a step back from all that every once in a while. Adding some extra savings to the bank doesn’t hurt either!