Low Buy Year Survival Guide

[@natashaelliot5930]

The boredom conundrum is SO true! I found myself going to Home Bargains most weekends for something to do...and spending £50-60 each week...on nothing! I'm doing a low spend 2025 so this is perfect inspo

[@vivianthong5656]

I created a list that is titled “Things to do when I am bored that is not Shopping.” On that list is go to the gym, cook, and other hobbies like crochet, sew, paint, and draw

[@CarrieLovesLife.]

I am doing a ‘no buy’ January, followed by a ‘low buy’ for the rest of the year. Rather than set my rules for the entire year, I plan to review my rules at the beginning of each month. Different seasons bring different needs… my garden for example, and home maintenance & home improvement projects. By reviewing my rules at the beginning of each month, I can decide ‘THIS MONTH I am going to tackle a certain project, and I will allow myself to spend/buy (blank) for this project.’

[@TheMummyBubble]

That is such a fantastic idea, I think making it all or nothing and rigid just does not work for a lot of people! Love what you say about different seasons and different needs, such a good point ❤️

[@watchmethriving]

oh I like that!

[@sagenozko9317]

It is only 1/5 and I already wanted to buy cloths when I was upset the other day. Caught my behavior and did not buy the cloths. Being aware is half the battle! I thought will I wear it today (it was a skirt for spring and it is winter) and the answer was no so I did not buy it. It is sooo hard!! I find cleaning out every drawer in the house helps too. I take everything, vacuum, wipe down and then take stock of what I have. And finding new ways to make outfits with the same cloths but laying them out in many different ways to wear them on my bed. And of fresh air and prayer.

[@TheMummyBubble]

Well done for resisting! You're totally right, awareness is half the battle. I love the idea of trying to style clothes in different ways - I have found Pinterest is great for getting inspiration on this.

[@james01-b8v]

This video is a game-changer! So much helpful information packed into one clip. I personally don't like promoting anything in comments, but I simply have to share with you a book called The Gilded Nexus of Prosperity, that book changed my approach to money, the methods in that book are impressive

[@john01kn]

I used some techniques from that book to make money, and I can truly say I'm earning more now

[@BigCat-z4k]

I'll buy you dinner for this recommendation

[@earthdestroyer-v8w]

I know about that book, my father told me about it

[@gillharris-g6w]

You can teach yourself to knit via KZbin videos, whilst needles and wool can be bought cheaply from charity shops. Not only is it creative, it gives your hands something to do, it’s good for stress and ultimately you are making something to wear.

[@TheMummyBubble]

Such a great tip, I used to knit when I was a child as my mum taught me. Maybe I need to take this up again!

[@debbiejohnson3723]

I watched buy it now, I wasn’t a person who shopped often at fast fashion brands anyways but what an eye opener that show is, def recommend it, on Netflix! I am doing no buy January then hopefully continue it with a low buy year for the rest of the time. I have done well so far; went shopping yesterday but it was more window shopping and tbh right after Christmas I don’t feel any of us really need anything ! X

[@TheMummyBubble]

Yes it was so good and some of the stats were shocking. The images of abandoned clothes on the beach were just awful. All the best with your no buy Jan! I so agree, I really do not feel the need to add any more stuff to what I’m already trying to manage at home right now x

[@jerlinthangam1040]

This was really good, now I.understand why.i.keep.wanting.stuff😅 I am.bored and.need new.hobbies.

[@TheMummyBubble]

I definitely think boredom is a massive trigger for online shopping. Someone just suggested knitting as a low cost hobby which I think is a great idea!

[@LauraN-do2of]

Great tips! Having a set amount each month is helpful for preventing feeling too deprived. I have a 50$ “shopping” budget and 100$ for miscellaneous each month. I try to ensure these are needs and not overly impulsive.

[@TheMummyBubble]

I definitely think it helps to give yourself a little room for treats. Thanks so much for watching ❤️

[@TaheerahA]

I did a no-low buy year last year and am continuing this year, it really helped to overturn my spending habits. I went cold turkey and was strict on pretty much all non-essential spend, but I did allow myself mistakes/occasional rule breaks when I felt I could afford it or if it was to help my partner's mental health. My tips would be to make conscious, considered choices when deciding to purchase an amber or red item - don't do it on impulse, do see what you can 'trade-off' to allow the spend, and do make sure it won't have a detrimental effect on your overall budget!! If you can get the purchase to meet all three criteria then you can justify it - as long as you don't let it become a habit :)

[@TheMummyBubble]

Thank you so much for your tips. These are all fantastic, just goes to show what committing to a year can do for switching up your spending habits 🙌

[@Thesimplelife3905]

Great video, as always! Such a reminder to stay conscious and content with the things I already own

[@mysustainabilityjourney9321]

In the uk the minimum wage is going up in april. Business managers will not take a cut so prices will go up. Maybe buy now as everything will go up? Just a thought. I hope I am wrong.

[@suebee1540]

I am doing a No Buy January, and this morning without thinking I made a donation to a go fund me for a little boy in my area who needs a liver transplant. I am glad I did it before remembering I was doing a no spend. I am going to put a red X on today's date with the amount and purpose and move on.

[@Nate1975]

Yeh it’s very easy isn’t it. I went to do something similar today and had to stop

[@TheMummyBubble]

Maybe donations could go on your allowed list? It’s ok to make changes if you realise you’ve not accounted for a part of your budget.

[@aisoconcranberriesu2as]

Surely helping people is ok

[@Baiyoubai]

Great tips. I do low buy AND high earn all the time, as I found that the more time I spend on working, the less time I spend on buying stuff 😁 Afterall, for us frugal people, the room for cutting back on spending is very limited, but there are always opportunities to bring in more income.

[@TheMummyBubble]

Yes I think this is such an important tip, if you can earn more then this will all become easier. However it's also finding the time and the right method to bring in the extra cash - for most people the easiest way will be career progression or a raise.

[@cm-ft8wd]

Started my low buy January, did a food shop and even with meal planning etc and checking deals in the supermarket before I went, still ended up spending €90 😢hoping to make that food last maybe 2-3 weeks but I’m just finding it so hard to stick to food budget

[@TheMummyBubble]

Honestly grocery prices are insane, we try really hard to keep our grocery spend down but it's really tough even when you're shopping for the offers and with a meal plan.

[@draugno7]

I limited my monthly spending to 8 euros on unnecessary items online, beauty products and clothes. Already spent 25 on a sweater, so I can't buy anything else of the likes of it for 3 months. Oh, well! I cope with this by making myself flavoured tea, gum, lighting candles, listening to and playing music, listening to audiobooks, and making my wishlist so the next thing I buy will be really needed

[@TheMummyBubble]

A wish list really works for me! I have a list of links to stuff I think I want to buy, and when I review it I typically find I can easily talk myself out of it at the end of the month. Just slowing down how you shop can work wonders.

[@draugno7]

@@TheMummyBubble yeah, a lot of it proves to be an 'impulse wish'

[@80sgirlygirl]

What do you all do about birthday parties and showers??? In my circle, they are frequent and derail my low-buy/buy nothing new plans.

[@mae12183]

Just out of curiosity, what is a costume in England? In America it's what we wear for a play or Halloween, but it seems like you need a lot of them during the year for your girls. Maybe they're in a lot of plays, but I'm thinking it's something else... And congrats on 20,000 subscribers!

[@TheMummyBubble]

So here it would be for a play or Halloween, but also for themed days at school such as Egyptian Day or history day focused on World War 2 and child evacuees for example. Thanks so much, hard to believe I've hit 20k. So grateful for the support.

[@mae12183]

@TheMummyBubble Ah, ok-- it is the same then. I'm blanking on if we'd call those themed days costumes or not. I guess we would! Thanks for replying. :)

[@adoptedscot]

Happy to do without clothes, makeup, dining out etc but monthly visit to hairdresser is non negotiable as I hate my grey hair with obsession !

[@TheMummyBubble]

I totally understand, we’ve all got a slightly different list!

[@kimkirksey562]

I'm letting my hair go grey...I have been watching videos on the transition of some beautiful heads of grey hair...

[@kimkirksey562]

But I still go to the hairdresser...I'm going to groom...I need to stop buying clothes

[@HYWAVE01]

Great video! BTW do you need a video editor or a thumbnail designer?

[@Nana-mr5bl]

I've already failed this year. Is there any hope for me?

[@willow9790]

How do you get 8% interest ?

[@TheMummyBubble]

A regular savings account wouldn't deliver this much but investing has the potential to do this over a long period of time.

[@Nate1975]

We don’t have 20 years and 8% interest does not exist in the UK 😂

[@TheMummyBubble]

It’s certainly not on offer from any savings account but could be achieved from investing

[@olaf.anders1108]

8% annual interest rate for saving in the UK... Unbelievable. How bad is the inflation over there?

[@Nate1975]

8%? More like below 4% if u r lucky

[@TheMummyBubble]

It certainly isn’t on offer from any savings account but could be achievable with investing

[@lemonteapot1061]

Omg but I’ve been a sucker for buying loads of Christmas discounted sweets/treats from m&s, Waitrose and the garden centre then wonder why I bought them, just because they were cheap! I’m kicking myself- what an idiot. I’m giving most of it away 😩🤣

[@TheMummyBubble]

It is so hard to resist though isn’t it? That’s why they place these things right by the checkout!

[@lemonteapot1061]

No I was walking all around and searching them 😂 out - it’s like a dopamine hit - the bargains!!

[@kimkirksey562]

I will groom...but I must stop buying clothing....my concentration is to take the 40 pair of new pants I own to get tailored...I'm short...

[@TheMummyBubble]

Best of luck with resisting the new clothes. Definitely get those that you own to work for you first.