Low Buy 2021 | Rules for Saving Money, Minimalism, and Sustainability

I started a low buy year! In this video, I want to share my rules and thought for this low buy 2021 in order to save money, live a minimalist life, and also consume sustainably. Coming from the background of living minimalism for many years, this challenge will not change my shopping habits a lot. But I am very excited to track my purchases and spending to establish a good financial foundation.
Instagram: ecofriend.lia
#minimalism #lowbuy #nobuy

[@nikkijones9713]

It's so hard saying no to stuff that you are offered for free! Especially when it comes from a good friend who thought you would like it, so emotion and sentiment become involved. I'm trying to be very meticulous about what stuff comes into my home, because I try and de-clutter in a responsible way, it's actually a lot of work.

[@Antistylestyleclub]

One thing a month is a beautiful solution, because you don't feel restricted and the one thing really feels like a gift to yourself :)

[@ecofriendlia]

Yes I really hope it will be this way :) We will see how it goes...

[@katiek.982]

I'm definitely doing a low-buy this year! My goals are to use up what I have, to add to my savings, and to break my dependence on shopping for an emotional boost (especially this last one, to be honest). Also, I'm planning on moving later in the year, so it would be VERY nice to not have as much stuff!

[@ecofriendlia]

That sounds amazing! Yes, moving with less stuff is definitely so much easier! I wish you luck and I think the low buy will really help with the emotional boost issue!

[@AnaCosta-sq7lo]

You are an inspiration. I wish I had your mindset when I was your age. I am on a low buy. A hardcore no buy would be too restrictive. The main thing I do is to budget, have saving goals for the year, and transfer money immediately to specific saving accounts as soon as I get paid. I track all my expenses on a app. This year, I am allowed to buy things needed for my work: e.g. specialty books, technical clothing/ shoes. Regarding the wardrobe / home items, I am allowed to buy replacements (first checking the used market) or pay for repairs. I keep pinterest albums as reference for high-quality items I like, in case I need to replace something. The idea is to replace with fewer items of higher quality (less items, less space, less weight). I cannot buy physical books not-related to my work, stationary before I use out everything I have laying around, decorative items for my home (permanent ones, once in a blue moon when I get a few flowers is ok). I have a wishlist for items I want, but do not really need (e.g., I am thinking of getting an e-reader, but I will only consider that purchase when I am done reading all the books I have). By writing down on a wishlist, I can free my mind from thinking about these items, and I can check later if something was just a passing thought or something that I keep thinking about. I intend end this year with fewer things than I started, and I am considering to simplify my life even further by moving to a shared apartment, instead of living alone...

[@Go-zi1py]

I love your thought process and I'd love to see your wish list!

[@gourmetgeek6918]

I agree! That wish list would be so interesting.

[@ecofriendlia]

noted, then I will most likely do the wishlist video :)

[@gourmetgeek6918]

I never really comment, but I wanted to this time because I've been watching you for a while and your content is so lovely and calming. You do so well!

[@ecofriendlia]

thank you so much! I am glad you like my content :)

[@jaclynbennett3368]

I loved this and we're totally on the same page! I've started a note on my phone with all of my spending under these titles: Date Item Net Price Reason Category I also made a wishlist with dates, item and reason. I'm finding it helpful to keep the rules high up on the note. These are mine 1. Only replace worn out clothing, broken or empty products 2. Dine out or buy coffee only with others 3. Max 2 takeaways a month 4. Wait 7 days before purchasing a new item 5. Exceptions for gift giving and receiving 6. Allowed to purchase and invest in appreciating assets 7. Food doesn’t need to be accounted for I'd love to see an update on how you're doing in a few months, looking at your rules, what came onto and fell off your wishlist, and how you prepared. I took the following steps: 1. Remove temptations 1. Unfollow 2. Unsubscribe 3. Don’t bring wallet out 4. Skip the shops How are you going to succeed? 1. Accountability 2. Logging everything here 3. Comparing spending to previous years You're going to to amazingly well, obviously :)

[@user-ff1qm8sx1x]

Think everyone might be doing a low buy year, due to the Covid story. I plan to only buy things that are only necessary. Being a pensioner now I actually need very few clothes. Especially where I live in Zurich, Sundays and Mondays are free wash days. It is really convenient. So it is very easy to keep things fresh and clean. Great tips covered Lia. Much love to you and your partner and dear young son. Bless you all.

[@ecofriendlia]

Yes, I think so too, many people are cutting down their spending out of necessity and because they want to. Thank you and all the best to you in Zurich! I am looking forward to visiting Switzerland again hopefully this year ☺

[@paulinaowczarek5667]

Many youtubers doing no buy/ low buy and I am doing too! 😉 To break my bad habbits and to feel good with myself without new things. I don’t have wish list. I would like to go for holiday and I have to change my car.

[@TheYoungMinimalist]

It’s nice to see how you are aware of what you want and are determined and passionate about it! So inspiring🤩❤️

[@ecofriendlia]

Thank you! I really try to learn more and more about myself to make conscious decisions when it comes to bringing new things into my life ☺

[@madalenacasalribeiro6430]

Well I started the year with the firm purpose of a no buy year just for me because my daughter and house are separate things. I just broke that because I purchased something for me to help a friends business in this time. So I'm counting as a semi failure because I would feel really bad not having helped when I could. But I don't give up and keep with the initial purpose. 🤗🤗

[@KikisAdventures]

I plan to do a low buy this year! I think I’m going to limit myself to only 5 items! We’ll see how that goes! Last year I bought around 20 items, but a lot of those items were more sustainable clothing items to create my capsule wardrobe.

[@maytelopez6073]

I will do a month, thank you for inspiring me, I am putting just a month in order not to put so much pressure on myself, but I will re-evaluate after this month to see how I want to continue and maybe have a bit stricter rules moving forward

[@sd.092]

Yes, make wishlist video!

[@ecofriendlia]

I think I will ☺️

[@pamelamyers9634]

Also, I wanted to say that the opening photo on this video presents the essence of you.

[@RoadtoFIRE]

I am all for this! Working towards doing this soon.

[@jayhorrell]

I’m at one item too! A replacement lamp because the one I had was massive (a floor lamp) and really impeded on my limited living space. I now have a smaller wall-mounted lamp. Not essential whatsoever but I feel calmer in my living area!

[@ecofriendlia]

that is great! I can totally understand that you wanted to buy this lamp! And last year I realized that it is so important to sometimes just add something to make your home feel so much better... after all your home has a big impact on you and your feelings since you spend so much time there... And as long as we think carefully about what we buy I think that is a great way to go :)

[@jayhorrell]

@@ecofriendlia Absolutely! This past year (of being stuck at home!) has really proved to me just how vital it is to be happy and calm in your space. Definitely a purchase I don't regret :D

[@pmatthew74]

The thought process is really good.

[@candyn4349]

Really looking forward to seeing how your low-buy challenge goes! Please keep us updated :)

[@ecofriendlia]

I just filmed an update video today, it will go live next Thursday! ☺

[@mairialexopoulou5367]

Yes! I am also doing a low buy, mostly because covid created an emotional dependence on shopping, especially clothes. And, yes, pls share your wish list. Thank you for this video.

[@ecofriendlia]

I will do a wishlist video! I can totally understand that covid had so many negative effects for many people... I wish you luck! ☺

[@lifewithemily5584]

Going to try to do a low buy year. You are so inspiring

[@asisqueezylovediary6474]

I have pretty much no buy. I'm poor at the moment and my minimal mind blocking me from buying. I am very into finishing products now and buy only replacements if need and waiting corons to be over.. I can't save any money now even with no buy. Being minimalist is very helpful for environment and for my future once I earn more I'll be saving and be able to travel and enjoy

[@ecofriendlia]

You are right this is very sustainable but not fun if you have to do it because there is no money... I hope your financial situation becomes easier soon! And yes, travel is one of the things I have never regretted spending money on! ☺

[@asisqueezylovediary6474]

@@ecofriendlia I'll keep doing it also when I have money. :) minimalism changed my life mentally

[@EmilyDowgialo]

I love how you're letting yourself buy one thing a month. I feel like totally restricting yourself would be really tough and just not fun so I love your solution!

[@ecofriendlia]

Yes I hope this helps keeping everything possible and kind of fun ☺

[@stephboilard]

I would love to watch a wishlist video and see an update of how things are going! I started January intending to do a no-buy and it quickly went downhill... Perhaps it was too restrictive. But I do want to pick myself up and get back to reducing my spending on things I don't truly need. I love your videos. Can't wait to see more!

[@juliereads]

I'm doing a low-buy year too!! I'm excited to save some money and be intentional about what comes into my life.

[@ecofriendlia]

Yes! That is the great thing about low buys I think. We don't actually lose something but gain knowledge about ourselves, save money and live more sustainably ☺

[@suzonlange6410]

I love your video, your voice is so calming I just watch every video you put on KZbin♥️♥️♥️

[@ecofriendlia]

oh, thank you! That really helps this channel out and I am glad you like the videos :)

[@alonaasher855]

I really enjoy listening to you :) Good luck with your low-buy year!

[@ecofriendlia]

Thank you! I am glad you liked the video ☺

[@suzonlange6410]

Wish list video seems a really good idea !!!

[@ecofriendlia]

Coming soon! A lot of people seem to be interested in a vieo like that! Thanks for letting me know :)

[@avbeasley]

I'd love to see a wish list video.

[@ecofriendlia]

Noted! I think I'll do one soon :)

[@nannarintakorpi9344]

YES, I´m doing it with you! I only started at the beginning of Feb, though.

[@ecofriendlia]

Yessss! Good luck! ☺️

[@OdrySoutherland]

I want to see the wishlist!! And recommendations how to keep your wishlist minimal too :) thank you!

[@ecofriendlia]

I am going to film the wishlist video soon! ☺

[@joielives1131]

I relate to your content 😌 thank you 😊

[@ecofriendlia]

I am glad you liked it☺

[@verenamonika602]

Wish list video wäre super :)

[@ecofriendlia]

mach ich!

[@FinanzKreativ]

Ich habe auch die Regel ein Artikel pro Monat 😀 bisher klappt es ganz gut 😊

[@ecofriendlia]

Ja ich glaube das ist eine Regel die möglich ist, aber trotzdem nicht sehr viel...Ich bin gespannt wich ich Ende 2021 sarüber denke :)

[@claires2096]

I’m hoping to do a low-buy year as well (for the first time) I kind of decided late though so I’ve already bought two things 🙈 let’s see how it goes!

[@ecofriendlia]

It is my firt time too and I took until the end of january to decide... I mean you could also do February 2021-February 2022 but I think two things is also not so much... I wish you luck! :)

[@sarahpulver9978]

Thx youuuu

[@adrianasb4213]

could you consider sharing ur experience on saving money?

[@pamelamyers9634]

I'm always low buy, due to the fact that right now I need nothing. HOWever, if my underwear drawer goes up in flames, I will buy new.

[@user-qe4tq5fk5e]

i'd love to see you go through your wishlist! it'd also be nice if you explained your process: how long do items stay on the list? do you put all categories of items in the same list or do you have multiple lists?

[@ecofriendlia]

I think I will make a video about it! I don't do it very strictly so until now it was a very loose concept to visualize my wishes over time... Sometimes I still bought things right away or they dropped off the list at some point when I realized they were not that important after all... But now with the low buy, I try to come up with a good concept and some "rules"... ☺

[@alonememe]

5:52 Please, make video about these 10 thing, I would listen more about them and substitution you want to make.

[@ecofriendlia]

I think I will many people seem to be interested in that video ☺ so stay tuned, it is coming sometime in the next weeks!

[@marijastefanovic8090]

Yes, make a wish list video ☺️ Do you buy second hand clotes online?

[@ecofriendlia]

Coming soon! :)

[@ecofriendlia]

and yes, I do buy secondhand clothes online even though sometimes they don't fit... but because we don't have open stores and not so many good secondhand stores in general I du buy them onlone and if they don't fit I just declutter them again. But I like shoppinng in thrift stores better jut because then I can make sure things actually fit...

[@marijastefanovic8090]

Same for me...

[@bit7149]

Ich bin auch gerade im Low Buy Year. Das einzige Problem was ich habe sind die Leckerlis für meine Hündin. Sie bekommt viele verschiedene Leckerlis und ich muss andauernd neue kaufen xD

[@ecofriendlia]

Hm... Ich verstehe. Aber das ist ja vielleicht eine berechtigte Ausnahme. Das spart dann zwar kein Geld aber wenns um bewussten Konsum geht kann das ja auch herade euch beiden Freude machen ☺

[@bit7149]

@@ecofriendlia ja das stimmt. Das meiste kaufen wir unverpackt oder plastikfrei. Aber 2-3 Sorten frisst sie soo gerne. Da gibts dann mal die Plastikverpackung. Leider 🐶