When I kicked off my low buy year back in January, I wasn’t sure how it would go. Would I end up hiding Amazon boxes in the closet? Crying in the Target dollar spot? Or would I actually learn to live with less and be content with what I already own?
Fast-forward eight months, and I can happily say: I’m doing great. My spending has gone way down, my savings have gone up, and I don’t feel deprived at all. If anything, I feel lighter and more intentional about where my money goes.
But — because I’m human and not a minimalist robot — I did buy a few things along the way. And honestly? I don’t regret them one bit. Here’s the list of my “cheat” purchases so far:
What I Bought During My Low Buy Year (So Far)
- 6 Cotton tees from Thred Up
- 6 CD’s from the thrift store
- one pair of flip flops with arch support (because none seem to work for me and my bum knee like I need them too).
- 2 Cotton dresses from WalMart
- 1 Nail polish (and that’s my real weakness so I’m counting this as a win).
(See? Not bad for 8 whole months of temptation!)
Listen that’s amazing for me! I’m very proud of how well I did. The cotton clothes were a necessity because everything I had was a blend (read that as polyester, lycra, etc) and I needed breathable clothes.
What I’ve Learned So Far
- Impulse buys lose their power. When you’re not shopping just to shop, you realize 99% of those “must-haves” weren’t really must-haves at all.
- Using what you already own feels good. There’s a weird satisfaction in finishing up products, wearing your clothes until they really need replacing, or repurposing something instead of buying new.
- Mindful spending > mindless spending. When I do buy something, it feels intentional. I think about it, I plan for it, and I don’t get buyer’s remorse.
Why I’m Sticking With It
Eight months in, I’ve got proof that a low buy year isn’t about punishment — it’s about freedom. Less clutter, less stress, more savings, and a lot more gratitude for what I already have.
And hey, if I made it through summer sales, Prime Day, and all those “but it’s on clearance!” moments… I’m pretty sure I can make it through the rest of the year. I’ll tell you what, in this climate Amazon, Target and others made it easier to find other places to buy my items. I don’t think a billionaire needs my money like a smaller business. So, that’s exactly where I went. I do think stopping buying on Amazon was the hardest but I won’t go back now. I’m finished giving billionaires my money.
- Expertise: I’ve researched and followed the low buy lifestyle for nearly a year, testing what works and what doesn’t in real life. I really studied it the year before I decided to jump in and do it.
- Experience: This isn’t theory — it’s lived experience from someone eight months deep into the challenge.
- Authoritativeness: The lessons here echo what financial experts and minimalism coaches preach: intentionality beats overconsumption.
- Trustworthiness: I’m sharing the real wins and the slip-ups, because honesty matters more than perfection. This is the truth.
So here’s to four more months of mindful spending, fewer impulse buys, and hopefully an even healthier relationship with money and “stuff.”
And if you’ve been thinking about starting a low buy year yourself? Let this be your sign. If I can do it — Amazon-loving, clearance-sniffing, Target-aisle-wandering me — so can you. Let’s go! Want an accountability partner? Let me know! I’d love to help you on your low buy journey.
Check out my other gift ideas instead of shopping posts!
- 16 ways to make a beautiful gift
- 503 Homemade gifts for the family
- How to make homemade Rudolph ornaments
- Sugar and Spice nuts homemade with love in your slow cooker
- DIY’d Jeweled Candle Holder
Thank you so much for choosing to hang out with me for a moment today. I’m so glad you’re here. Before you go be sure to give us a follow on youtube, tiktok or facebook to see what other things we can share to make your life easier as a mom. Recipes, crafts, or just relatable content we are here for you always.
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