Your Helpful Guide to a Low-Buy Year
Discover how to embrace a low-buy year with this step-by-step guide. Learn to save money, reduce clutter, and live more intentionally by cutting unnecessary spending. Perfect for anyone seeking financial freedom, sustainability, or a simpler lifestyle.
Dear Spirited Earthling,
As the cost of living rises and overconsumption becomes increasingly prevalent, many people are seeking ways to break free from the cycle of consumerism. Enter the low-buy year – a mindful approach to spending that helps you focus on what truly matters. Whether you're inspired by a desire to save money, live more sustainably, or simply declutter your life, a low-buy year is a powerful way to reset your habits and prioritise your goals.
A low-buy year isn’t about deprivation; it’s about intentional living. It’s an opportunity to step back from impulse buys, appreciate what you already have, and make room for the things that bring you genuine joy.
Whether you’re starting in January or jumping in later in the year, this guide will help you create a personalised low-buy plan that works for your lifestyle, spending habits, and goals.
No-Buy Year vs Low-Buy Year: What’s the Difference?
No-Buy Year: This is a strict challenge where you only spend money on absolute necessities like groceries, toiletries, and transportation. Non-essential purchases - think clothing, electronics, or home decor - are off-limits (unless something needs to be replaced due to theft or breakage). It’s a great way to reset your spending habits, but it requires serious discipline and may not be sustainable for everyone.
Low-Buy Year: A more flexible approach, where you limit spending in specific categories (like clothing, dining out, subscriptions) while still allowing yourself some room for occasional indulgences. It’s about being intentional with your purchases and reducing unnecessary consumption without feeling restricted. It is also a fantastic way to reset your spending habits, but gives you more leeway than the no-buy year.
Both approaches can help you save money, reduce clutter, and become more mindful of your consumption habits. The key is to choose the one that aligns with your goals and lifestyle. Many people start with a low-buy year and progress to a no-buy year if they want to be stricter.
Related read: Why and How to Start Value-Based Spending
Your Step-by-Step Guide to a Low-Buy Year
This guide requires time to reflect and review your spending. Don’t buy anything until you have a better overview of your financials and have worked through steps 1-3 so that you have direction in your spending. Have a pen and paper (or digital device) to make notes. This step-by-step low-buy year guide can be easily customised to your goals and desired lifestyle.
1. Define Your Financially Related Goals
Start by asking yourself why you want to embark on a low-buy year. Your goals will shape your plan and keep you motivated. Consider both financial and emotional objectives:
Do you want to save for a big purchase, like a house, car, or dream holiday?
Are you looking to pay off debt or build an emergency fund?
Do you want to live more sustainably and reduce your environmental impact?
Are you striving for a more minimalist or intentional lifestyle?
Do you want to break the cycle of retail therapy and focus on gratitude for what you already have?
Write down your goals and revisit them often to stay on track.
|| “Friendly reminder: Lack of awareness in self turns into lack of awareness in spending.” ~ Alexis (@financiallybrave) ||
2. Review your Spending
To cut back on unnecessary spending, you need to know where your money is going. If you already have a budget, review it to identify areas where you tend to overspend (e.g., takeout, online shopping, or subscriptions). If you don’t have a budget, go through your bank statements from the past few months to spot trends.
|| “Chasing higher salaries instead of chasing better spending habits 🚩🚩🚩” ~ Alexis (@financiallybrave) ||
Recommended product: Subscription Tracker
3. Choose your Low-Buy Spending Categories
Decide which spending categories you want to limit. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Clothing: No new clothes for the year, or set a small annual budget. Only replace items that are worn out or no longer fit.
Eating Out/Takeaways: Limit dining out to once a month, or switch to homemade versions of your favourite meals.
Subscriptions: Audit your streaming services, apps, and memberships. Cancel anything you don’t use regularly.
Personal Care Products: Use what you already have and only replace essentials. Avoid experimenting with new products unless they’re truly necessary.
Home Decor: No new purchases unless something needs replacing. Get creative with what you already own.
Gifts: Set a budget for gifts or opt for homemade, experience-based, or charitable alternatives.
Tell family and friends that you don’t want gifts for the sake of receiving a gift. Instead, tell them about your plans and ask for what resonates most with you. Maybe it’s a gift card (you can make conscious choices about what enters your home) or money (to pay off debts or put towards savings goals). It could be to simply spend time with that person. Or maybe it’s doing something with that person and sharing an experience. If you don’t want to receive anything, but they insist - they can make a donation to a charity you love in your honour.
|| “‘Wanting’ wealth is not enough ‘build’ wealth. Be willing to put action behind your desires.” ~ Alexis (@financiallybrave) ||
4. Remove Temptations
Out of sight, out of mind! Unsubscribe from promotional emails, delete shopping apps, and avoid browsing online stores. If you’re tempted to shop, remind yourself of your goals and the bigger picture. Have a vision board and look at that for continued motivation.
5. Start a Budget and Use It
A budget is your best friend during a low-buy year. Track your spending and compare it to your projections regularly. Use tools like spreadsheets, budgeting apps, or even a simple notebook to stay organised. To get started, look at this useful product from the Spirited Earthling Shop:
6. Practice Mindful Spending
Before making a purchase, ask yourself:
Do I really need this?
Will it add value to my life?
Can I wait a week (or a month) before buying it?
Delaying purchases (think of it as purchasing with patience) helps curb impulse buying and encourages more thoughtful consumption. By doing this, you will continue to purchase with purpose, aligning with your spending categories and remembering your reasons for doing this.
7. Embrace Gratitude
Start a gratitude journal to remind yourself of all the things you already have. Shifting your focus from what you lack to what you possess can reduce the urge to shop and help you feel more content.
8. Find Alternatives to Shopping
Replace shopping with activities that bring joy without costing money:
Spend time outdoors or explore free local events.
Cook new recipes at home and turn mealtime into an adventure.
Declutter your space and rediscover items you forgot you owned.
Host a swap party with friends to exchange clothes, books, or household items.
9. Say No to Fomo - Say Yes to Jomo
Use your low-buy year as an excuse to skip social engagements or activities that don’t align with your priorities. Embrace JOMO (Joy of Missing Out) and focus on what truly matters to you.
|| “Your ‘lack of knowledge’ isn’t preventing you from building wealth. Your spending habits are.” ~ Alexis (@financiallybrave) ||
10. Start Small if Needed
If a full year feels overwhelming, start with shorter time frames:
Try a low-buy month or quarter.
Focus on one category at a time (e.g., no new clothes for six months).
Gradually build on your habits and expand to other categories.
|| “Just a reminder that a well-managed $2500 paycheck will take you a lot further than a poorly managed $8000 paycheck.” ~ Alexis (@financiallybrave) ||
Why Commit to a Low-Buy Year?
A low-buy year isn’t about financial hardship or extreme minimalism; rather, it’s about living intentionally. It’s a chance to break free from consumerism, focus on your priorities, and create space for what truly matters. Whether it’s saving for the future, spending more time with loved ones, or simply enjoying the abundance you already have, a low-buy year is a powerful way to reset and recharge. Will you join the movement? Let me know in the comments. Let’s embrace mindful spending, gratitude, and abundance together.
Spirited Earthling is more than just a blog – it's a gathering place for kindred spirits drawn by an interest in self-discovery, the appeal of self-care, and a desire for a deeper connection to themselves and the world. It is written and created for curious minds and spiritual hearts seeking meaning in everyday life. This blog aims to help you curate your wholesome personal growth with free weekly ideas and affordable resources for sale.
As you navigate your personal growth journey using the words and ideas shared here, consider sharing this blog with someone looking for inspiration or motivation on their own journey. We are all spirited earthlings, and can lift each other together with mindful, connected living. I deeply appreciate every read, share, and purchase.
Thank you for being part of this community.
Best wishes, warmest regards
Jordan
[Updated in 2025] The information provided in this post is for educational and inspirational purposes only. It is not intended as financial, legal, or professional advice. Consult a qualified financial advisor or professional before making any significant changes to your finances. You are responsible for your own financial decisions.
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