I feel like when the pressure is on to not buy anything, suddenly the urge is even stronger to buy stuff 😂 thank you for sharing your roadblocks, I can definitely relate!
I love the idea of a low-buy year and love it even more that your goal is to pay off debt. While I absolutely respect your approach to doing better, hearing you beat yourself up or justifying every purchase is kind of tough. Life is meant to be enjoyed and as long as when you get paid, you prioritize setting a certain amount of money towards paying debt, and allocate a certain amount of “fun” money that you wouldn’t feel guilty over spending. I think it’s good to be intentional about the way you’re spending money, and finding a method that doesn’t feel restrictive is the key to being sustainable for the rest of the year or even longer run.
Hi Elizabeth!! Thank you for your thoughtful comment. I admit the whole “beating myself up” thing is a bad habit I’m working on breaking, but I guess that’s what progress is all about right? Appreciate you being honest and encouraging me!! 🫶🏽
I'm totally the same with the excitement (dopamine hit) of buying and actually shocked at how automatic spending can be for me. I received a necklace from my mother and IMMEDIATELY went about getting a longer chain for the pendant. Thankfully the one I picked out didn't accommodate the size of the clasp and I had to return it. Afterwards I had the aha moment and realized it wasn't something I had to do right away. Scary really at the lack of control I became aware of in myself. So conditioned to spend.
Oh Haley, so our biggest impulse purchase was a spa and gazebo for our deck back at a former house. We thought 'pool party' only just in spa form (hot tub or Jacuzzi depending on your region). Our friends didn't want to hang out in it, because 'gross' I guess... it was a pain to maintain, got boring rather quickly, cost extra to reinforce the deck... so that was just $15,000 for the purchase, plus the engineering upgrades. I wish we'd gotten an espresso machine instead, lol.
Hi Rebecca! Thanks for sharing your experience - it definitely makes mine feel minor haha. I hope you've been able to get some use out of it still - or perhaps successfully sold it?
About those Adidas shoes, I find it helps to make blanket decisions about whole categories of things. About 20 years ago, I decided that I find sneakers, any kind of them, trainers, sports shoes... whatever they happen to be called at the place and moment you are, well, ugly. So I made a blanket decision that regardless of trends and fashions, I would never buy any unless I really needed them for the technical purpose of doing sports, and then I would either buy ethically sourced made in Europe ones (where I live), or just the cheapest I could find, depending on my budget at the time. I have stuck to that. Sometimes I was tempted. Sometimes I wanted the comfortable side of them, and it forced me to find other kinds of shoes that are equally comfortable. But I have stuck to it. And it has probably saved me a few thousand € over the years.
I needed to hear that about the sambas. I have kind of been obsessed about wanting a pair but trying to make a decision on a few different colors. I took pictures and look at them over and over trying to decide,knowing I do not need them. I have plenty of good tennis shoes but they are so on trend and I really like the look😄I heard one other person say the same as you so I was still debating. I am officially deleting those pictures and moving on. I do not need them and I am trying to take care of finances and enjoy fun things in life. Thank you 😊I still love the look. It’s tough!
My daughter & her hubby love their expensive coffee machine! I’ve learned now that if I start to feel an urgency to buy something (that’s a want, not a need) I have to take a step back & say hold on, what’s really happening here in this moment. Because I want to be calmly buying and not in a frenzy lol
Glad to hear we’re not the only ones! 🤭Pausing is definitely important, I’m *trying* to get into that habit but it is certainly easier said than done. I think calm purchases are much more satisfying in the long run haha
Also for the Debt, I tried paying double the payments to pay mine off faster. You could at least pay double for one. Or maybe you already are. I'd love updates of your debt paying journey. That was one of my first big goals and was such a life-changing experience for me.
Congrats btw for paying off all your debt, that must feel so freeing. Most months we are certainly putting as much as possible towards our debt - rather than a set limit each time. Good to know that you’re interested in hearing about this, I’ll consider including more of my experience in future videos ☺️
I think the more u stay conscientious about spending, each month that goes by will get easier. Makeup is my weakness & I’ve gone on a low buy for that. If it’s not unique to my collection & really wows me, I try really hard not to purchase it. I also have a 5 year old & I have definitely slowed down buying her toys & just sticking with the items she needs, which still costs an arm & a leg. I would also suggest when u do make a purchase to buy the highest quality that u can afford, bc it will last longer. As far as clothes go, w/children I feel like I’m always having to purchase clothes and shoes but most everyone has a washer & dryer, so I purchase quality items but I just wash and reuse the same outfits over & over again. I hope this advise helps u out. Great video. I’m glad I just found your channel bc I really like it. Thanks.
Hi Amber, thank you for your comment and sharing your experience. I definitely feel that it’s gotten easier since posting this video, and I’m trying to be kinder to myself if/when I do take a step backwards. I agree with buying quality when we do need something - I always find it’s much more worthwhile. Thanks for your support ❤
I'm glad you got the coffee machine. I failed my no buy by buying expensive hand sanitizer and tinted lip balm. I started my no buy year over and I'm no longer watching luxury hauls. 🤦♀️ thanks for the great video
I usually do a low-buy in January to February when I participate in certain fasts with my churches. For the last few yes, I also have been working to have at least 2-5 no $pend days every week. I concentrate my spending/bill paying to 1-3 days per wk.
Love this! I was just trying a low buy month. I had a similar experience. It has made me just start feeling bad about spending, and it's already hard for me to spend money. I was just doing the challenge to have a less cluttered home. We don't have debt anymore and have built up our savings so we have some room for spending. It's just like you said, though...it's nice to be more intentional on what we buy. I was wondering if you were from Canada because the amounts seemed higher than I'm used to. 😅 It's so fun paying off debt! Do you have a simple chart to show your progress? That can be fun to fill in as you get closer to your goal to make that more addictive and a dopamine hit like the shopping. 😊🥳 Good luck!
Nice to know I’m not the only one! It’s definitely making me very aware of my tendencies when it comes to buying stuff - but I’m hoping the negative feelings around spending money will subside soon. Yes, I live in Vancouver, Canada! Haha I track our debt payment progress in a boring excel sheet but I LOVE the idea of making it an exciting thing to check off for that dopamine boost!! I think I’ll make something up on Notion for that 🙌🏽😍 Thanks for the awesome suggestion!
I really appreciated hearing you reflect on your purchases and your spending/shopping habits. I think it gets easier and easier as we get used to thinking more about it instead of just buying mindlessly (the way capitalism wants/needs us to). I will admit I'm pretty safe from buying a fancy coffee machine even though I like the idea of being a person who owns one, mostly because I think I would need to drink coffee before being functional enough to make my fancy coffee! Haha maybe the kind of fancy coffee maker I need is one that grinds and brews the coffee for me... Anyway, I'm also doing a low-buy this year and it's been going well, except earlier this month I took a short trip and of course ate out a lot while I was away, then I came back and didn't want to cook so I continued the eating out trend... going to have to curb that impulse!
Thank you for watching and sharing your thoughts. Your comment about the coffee machine made me laugh haha! I feel your pain about being stuck in the take-out cycle, it's just too convenient sometimes. Sounds like you've identified a key impulse category, and I think since you're aware of it you'll be less likely to get into that habit again - good luck with your low buy! ☺️
The trend of those trainers is so funny to me, I recently chucked mine out since I walked through ungravelled roads with them and they were not messed up. I bought Veja's as a replacement, again, for walking. Social media is truly the worst, its tough to know what you ACTUALLY like vs what you've been Influenced to like. Ie. I was debating getting the Hermes belt, but its so silly because I truly don't care about the 'label' of the belt, I just wanted a cute brown belt - went for Massimo Dutti instead. I put the price different towards something else I actually cared about.
Hi there! Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I've worn my Vejas so much/for so long that there's now a hole in the back of one of the heels! Great shoes in my opinion. It is pretty insane how seeing specific items so many times makes us think we need/like them. Massimo Dutti has some great pieces - I bet your belt is even better than the Hermes 😉
No the moral of the story is you said you didn’t need shoes already and you had a lot of pairs. And you bought some new ones anyway. I have so so many dresses. I love them but when I go to the thrift shop I want to get more. Instead of realizing I can just keep enjoying the ones I have now.
Straight up 🥲 Glad I'm being open about this though because you are certainly holding me accountable, thank you! So many things are easier said than done right?
@@HaleyVillena oh my gosh yes, because I tell myself I have coffee and home and I’m still going to Starbucks (which usually leaves me disappointed anyway) so i definitely understand! Let’s just keep trying to do our best!!
The adidas samba are such a rip off! The gazelle are more comfy. I actually had a pair of gazelles I bought in 2013 at aritzia when the soccer shoe trend was hot. So happy I kept them in storage because now they’re trendy 😅
Haha I am seriously so happy I’m not the only one who thinks this!! The gazelles do look like they have much more padding on the insole 😂 good for you girl 🤭
Hi, it's me once more.... we do not do gifts, but holiday money towards the end of the year. The key point here (for us) is to spend it frivolously on our-self. We save during the year so if something you want goes on sale, you can take (set amount of money out)... and spend it. Some of the kids save it, some spend it. I hope that might help you out on your journey to low buy. Also, when in the market to purchase a *new* thing on your list, let the emotions go over you. go online and get that energy out by terms of *research* go into the stores (if you can) and FEEL as though you are going to purchase it, see it, feel it, look at it. Use all of your senses on it. exhaust everything when looking at it. Locate pros and cons on it. This works with clothing, furniture, major purchases, or upgrades. Take. your. time. So once the purchase has been made, you have EXHAUSTED everything you could put your eyes, hands and energy into before a purchase. Delayed gratification is a good thing. Sometimes, you just have to walk away if one is pushing a sale onto you in which you are not ready. Remember, YOU are the one to say yes or no.
One word for comment is mentally problems… I mean rush for some cup?😅 I don’t even know what for cup is, and most importantly why anyone would wanted to have something what others have? I never have anything the same like other in school or university, even if i liked it didn’t wanted to be the same. I’m really sorry for people today with all wrong “influence” that effect them in life and overspending things what you didn’t need at all. All marketing to brain wash people mind and earn money is really sad… They have classes for how to get costumers… say enough. So my advice is don’t get attached to material things and don’t look apps and stores. Know what you need and buy spend money but not because someone say so or think you need. Today in world where we live this is biggest danger marketing and overspending for everything that point where you always feel that you need something and again something.
Are you trying to cut back on shopping this year? 🛍
I feel like when the pressure is on to not buy anything, suddenly the urge is even stronger to buy stuff 😂 thank you for sharing your roadblocks, I can definitely relate!
This is sooo true! Thanks for watching 🤗
I love the idea of a low-buy year and love it even more that your goal is to pay off debt. While I absolutely respect your approach to doing better, hearing you beat yourself up or justifying every purchase is kind of tough. Life is meant to be enjoyed and as long as when you get paid, you prioritize setting a certain amount of money towards paying debt, and allocate a certain amount of “fun” money that you wouldn’t feel guilty over spending. I think it’s good to be intentional about the way you’re spending money, and finding a method that doesn’t feel restrictive is the key to being sustainable for the rest of the year or even longer run.
Hi Elizabeth!! Thank you for your thoughtful comment. I admit the whole “beating myself up” thing is a bad habit I’m working on breaking, but I guess that’s what progress is all about right? Appreciate you being honest and encouraging me!! 🫶🏽
I'm totally the same with the excitement (dopamine hit) of buying and actually shocked at how automatic spending can be for me. I received a necklace from my mother and IMMEDIATELY went about getting a longer chain for the pendant. Thankfully the one I picked out didn't accommodate the size of the clasp and I had to return it. Afterwards I had the aha moment and realized it wasn't something I had to do right away. Scary really at the lack of control I became aware of in myself. So conditioned to spend.
Conditioned to spend is so very true. At least there's awareness!
Oh Haley, so our biggest impulse purchase was a spa and gazebo for our deck back at a former house. We thought 'pool party' only just in spa form (hot tub or Jacuzzi depending on your region). Our friends didn't want to hang out in it, because 'gross' I guess... it was a pain to maintain, got boring rather quickly, cost extra to reinforce the deck... so that was just $15,000 for the purchase, plus the engineering upgrades. I wish we'd gotten an espresso machine instead, lol.
Hi Rebecca! Thanks for sharing your experience - it definitely makes mine feel minor haha. I hope you've been able to get some use out of it still - or perhaps successfully sold it?
About those Adidas shoes, I find it helps to make blanket decisions about whole categories of things. About 20 years ago, I decided that I find sneakers, any kind of them, trainers, sports shoes... whatever they happen to be called at the place and moment you are, well, ugly. So I made a blanket decision that regardless of trends and fashions, I would never buy any unless I really needed them for the technical purpose of doing sports, and then I would either buy ethically sourced made in Europe ones (where I live), or just the cheapest I could find, depending on my budget at the time. I have stuck to that. Sometimes I was tempted. Sometimes I wanted the comfortable side of them, and it forced me to find other kinds of shoes that are equally comfortable. But I have stuck to it. And it has probably saved me a few thousand € over the years.
The sambas fully look like bowling shoes my bf told me this and now I can never unsee it 🤣
Omg…… 🙂↕️😳
@@HaleyVillena I’m very glad I didn’t get them now hahah new balance girlie for life 🫶🏻
@@katemiller7874 he’s got more style than me 🤣
I needed to hear that about the sambas. I have kind of been obsessed about wanting a pair but trying to make a decision on a few different colors. I took pictures and look at them over and over trying to decide,knowing I do not need them. I have plenty of good tennis shoes but they are so on trend and I really like the look😄I heard one other person say the same as you so I was still debating. I am officially deleting those pictures and moving on. I do not need them and I am trying to take care of finances and enjoy fun things in life. Thank you 😊I still love the look. It’s tough!
I'm glad this resonated with you! And good for you for moving on! I wish you the best 🫶🏽
My daughter & her hubby love their expensive coffee machine! I’ve learned now that if I start to feel an urgency to buy something (that’s a want, not a need) I have to take a step back & say hold on, what’s really happening here in this moment. Because I want to be calmly buying and not in a frenzy lol
Glad to hear we’re not the only ones! 🤭Pausing is definitely important, I’m *trying* to get into that habit but it is certainly easier said than done. I think calm purchases are much more satisfying in the long run haha
Also for the Debt, I tried paying double the payments to pay mine off faster. You could at least pay double for one. Or maybe you already are. I'd love updates of your debt paying journey. That was one of my first big goals and was such a life-changing experience for me.
Congrats btw for paying off all your debt, that must feel so freeing. Most months we are certainly putting as much as possible towards our debt - rather than a set limit each time. Good to know that you’re interested in hearing about this, I’ll consider including more of my experience in future videos ☺️
I think the more u stay conscientious about spending, each month that goes by will get easier. Makeup is my weakness & I’ve gone on a low buy for that. If it’s not unique to my collection & really wows me, I try really hard not to purchase it. I also have a 5 year old & I have definitely slowed down buying her toys & just sticking with the items she needs, which still costs an arm & a leg. I would also suggest when u do make a purchase to buy the highest quality that u can afford, bc it will last longer. As far as clothes go, w/children I feel like I’m always having to purchase clothes and shoes but most everyone has a washer & dryer, so I purchase quality items but I just wash and reuse the same outfits over & over again. I hope this advise helps u out. Great video. I’m glad I just found your channel bc I really like it. Thanks.
Hi Amber, thank you for your comment and sharing your experience. I definitely feel that it’s gotten easier since posting this video, and I’m trying to be kinder to myself if/when I do take a step backwards. I agree with buying quality when we do need something - I always find it’s much more worthwhile. Thanks for your support ❤
@@HaleyVillena You’re so very welcome ☺️
I'm glad you got the coffee machine. I failed my no buy by buying expensive hand sanitizer and tinted lip balm. I started my no buy year over and I'm no longer watching luxury hauls. 🤦♀️ thanks for the great video
I’m very glad I got it as well. Such a joy every morning! You’ve got this 🤗
I usually do a low-buy in January to February when I participate in certain fasts with my churches. For the last few yes, I also have been working to have at least 2-5 no $pend days every week. I concentrate my spending/bill paying to 1-3 days per wk.
Thanks for sharing your ways! Love the idea of no spend days every week.
Love this! I was just trying a low buy month. I had a similar experience. It has made me just start feeling bad about spending, and it's already hard for me to spend money. I was just doing the challenge to have a less cluttered home. We don't have debt anymore and have built up our savings so we have some room for spending. It's just like you said, though...it's nice to be more intentional on what we buy.
I was wondering if you were from Canada because the amounts seemed higher than I'm used to. 😅
It's so fun paying off debt! Do you have a simple chart to show your progress? That can be fun to fill in as you get closer to your goal to make that more addictive and a dopamine hit like the shopping. 😊🥳 Good luck!
Nice to know I’m not the only one! It’s definitely making me very aware of my tendencies when it comes to buying stuff - but I’m hoping the negative feelings around spending money will subside soon.
Yes, I live in Vancouver, Canada! Haha
I track our debt payment progress in a boring excel sheet but I LOVE the idea of making it an exciting thing to check off for that dopamine boost!! I think I’ll make something up on Notion for that 🙌🏽😍 Thanks for the awesome suggestion!
I really appreciated hearing you reflect on your purchases and your spending/shopping habits. I think it gets easier and easier as we get used to thinking more about it instead of just buying mindlessly (the way capitalism wants/needs us to). I will admit I'm pretty safe from buying a fancy coffee machine even though I like the idea of being a person who owns one, mostly because I think I would need to drink coffee before being functional enough to make my fancy coffee! Haha maybe the kind of fancy coffee maker I need is one that grinds and brews the coffee for me... Anyway, I'm also doing a low-buy this year and it's been going well, except earlier this month I took a short trip and of course ate out a lot while I was away, then I came back and didn't want to cook so I continued the eating out trend... going to have to curb that impulse!
Thank you for watching and sharing your thoughts. Your comment about the coffee machine made me laugh haha! I feel your pain about being stuck in the take-out cycle, it's just too convenient sometimes. Sounds like you've identified a key impulse category, and I think since you're aware of it you'll be less likely to get into that habit again - good luck with your low buy! ☺️
The trend of those trainers is so funny to me, I recently chucked mine out since I walked through ungravelled roads with them and they were not messed up. I bought Veja's as a replacement, again, for walking. Social media is truly the worst, its tough to know what you ACTUALLY like vs what you've been Influenced to like. Ie. I was debating getting the Hermes belt, but its so silly because I truly don't care about the 'label' of the belt, I just wanted a cute brown belt - went for Massimo Dutti instead. I put the price different towards something else I actually cared about.
Hi there! Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I've worn my Vejas so much/for so long that there's now a hole in the back of one of the heels! Great shoes in my opinion. It is pretty insane how seeing specific items so many times makes us think we need/like them. Massimo Dutti has some great pieces - I bet your belt is even better than the Hermes 😉
No the moral of the story is you said you didn’t need shoes already and you had a lot of pairs. And you bought some new ones anyway.
I have so so many dresses. I love them but when I go to the thrift shop I want to get more. Instead of realizing I can just keep enjoying the ones I have now.
Straight up 🥲 Glad I'm being open about this though because you are certainly holding me accountable, thank you! So many things are easier said than done right?
@@HaleyVillena oh my gosh yes, because I tell myself I have coffee and home and I’m still going to Starbucks (which usually leaves me disappointed anyway) so i definitely understand! Let’s just keep trying to do our best!!
We got this 😉
The adidas samba are such a rip off! The gazelle are more comfy. I actually had a pair of gazelles I bought in 2013 at aritzia when the soccer shoe trend was hot. So happy I kept them in storage because now they’re trendy 😅
Haha I am seriously so happy I’m not the only one who thinks this!! The gazelles do look like they have much more padding on the insole 😂 good for you girl 🤭
Hi, it's me once more....
we do not do gifts, but holiday money towards the end of the year. The key point here (for us) is to spend it frivolously on our-self. We save during the year so if something you want goes on sale, you can take (set amount of money out)... and spend it. Some of the kids save it, some spend it.
I hope that might help you out on your journey to low buy.
Also, when in the market to purchase a *new* thing on your list, let the emotions go over you. go online and get that energy out by terms of *research* go into the stores (if you can) and FEEL as though you are going to purchase it, see it, feel it, look at it. Use all of your senses on it. exhaust everything when looking at it. Locate pros and cons on it. This works with clothing, furniture, major purchases, or upgrades. Take. your. time. So once the purchase has been made, you have EXHAUSTED everything you could put your eyes, hands and energy into before a purchase. Delayed gratification is a good thing. Sometimes, you just have to walk away if one is pushing a sale onto you in which you are not ready.
Remember, YOU are the one to say yes or no.
Hi! I appreciate you sharing your tips, thank you.
One word for comment is mentally problems… I mean rush for some cup?😅 I don’t even know what for cup is, and most importantly why anyone would wanted to have something what others have? I never have anything the same like other in school or university, even if i liked it didn’t wanted to be the same.
I’m really sorry for people today with all wrong “influence” that effect them in life and overspending things what you didn’t need at all. All marketing to brain wash people mind and earn money is really sad…
They have classes for how to get costumers… say enough.
So my advice is don’t get attached to material things and don’t look apps and stores. Know what you need and buy spend money but not because someone say so or think you need.
Today in world where we live this is biggest danger marketing and overspending for everything that point where you always feel that you need something and again something.
Marketing is extremely powerful now! Great advice, thank you for sharing 🙌🏽
So you failed.
😆
@katemiller7874 Fact stater. Truth hurts sometimes, but that doesn't make truth evil.