My February Low Buy

So let's talk about money, who doesn't love to talk about that? Me..nothing in my life has been more anxiety inducing, stress creating, and flat out emotionally draining (but my guess is this is the case for the majority of us). Digging a little deeper into my reasoning, I have a really hard time using budget tracking apps and used to avoid just looking at my bank account for weeks at a time. About a year ago, I decided I needed to be more aware of my spending and downloaded the budget tracker app Mint. I remember feeling so motivated that day, connected it to all of my bank accounts and two credit cards and away I went. About a week in, I started receiving emails of my spending. My habits didn't change. Then I got emails the next week and the next until I panicked, deleted it, and never looked back. That is until now.

I didn't actually want to see or know what I was spending. You see, I knew I was spending well beyond my means on a regular basis. Not that I'm reckless, just human, Youtube obsessed, with a love of makeup and fashion. Trapped in a world and cycle that somehow convinces you to believe that every month you need new things even if you haven't really used the things you already have.

Now, let's flash forward a bit to two weeks ago. I was having somewhat of a blue day, do you know the kind of day I'm talking about? The type of day where you feel a bit emotionally off, you aren't sure why and unsure of how to fix it. I retreated to what I know and love, shopping online. I ordered a few sweaters from a brand I've had my eye on for years & Other Stories.

I remember consoling myself and telling myself that the purchase made me feel better, that somehow having those sweaters made me feel more complete. Here's how that story ended, a week later I got the sweaters I ordered, excited to feel complete and be satisfied I opened each one, tried them on, but I didn't quite feel the way I had expected. They didn't add any more joy to my life than I already had, I contemplated sending them all back (to be honest I still haven't finalized what I'm keeping and what I'm not). I had a huge break through moment.


Buying material things doesn't inherently bring you joy. Only you can bring you joy. 

In that moment something sparked, I knew I had to do something to break that cycle of buying buying, and buying. I want to appreciate and learn to love and get the most use out of everything I have right now. It is enough, I have enough. So, in comes my February Low Buy!

What is a "low buy" you ask? Well, it can be whatever you define it to be. I decided I wanted a challenge and be quite strict with myself. For the next month, I have a budget of $50 to spend on non-essential items (be it anything from something for my room, clothes, makeup, etc).  I also decided to attempt and control my grocery spending week to week and get a but more thrifty with the things I have in my pantry and kitchen so for this I'm limiting myself to $150 for the month. Now, I know this seems limiting and semi-torturous but I've got a habit to kick and I'm motivated to see how I feel the end of this month! I still allow myself to go out to eat with my friends every now and again and don't track that too religiously (because it really doesn't happen all that often). Well see how this goes and who knows maybe I'll extend it into March if I love what it's doing for me. I'm only on day five of my no buy and it hasn't been easy but here are some tips if you want to give it a try:

• Look at your bank account and make a budget that works for you and your life
• Follow/watch YouTubers that inspire you to look at your closet in a new and exciting way
• THIS has seriously gotten me through the past few days. I highly recommend this. Also, keep the haul watching to a minimum. It feels like torture. 
• Start a list, when you want to buy something write it down 
• Im only on day 5 of my "low buy" and here is how shockingly long mine is

• Marie Kondo your closet/makeup/all your belongings (assess what belongings truly bring you joy)
• IF you seriously haven't seen Marie Kondo's show on Netflix absolutely get started! She is inspiring, calming, and a wonderful resource to teach you how to organize and minimize. 
• Plan activities/start hobbies/hangout with your friends and fill your time with things that truly inspire you and make you happy. 
• In the beginning this may involve avoiding the mall...or any shopping scenarios. 

As always, I'll keep you posted about how this goes.