You are so kind! I appreciate it SOOO much! But part of my no spend is not to rely on others generosity. I pray you understand!! I LOVE your sentiment so much. Thanks for being here!
Love this so much Joy. I have come to slowly realize that I buy things online when I feel lonely/sad, etc. This year my goal is to not turn to shopping to fill these feelings but instead to feel them with Jesus.
AMEN!!! I love that you are aware of what is going on behind the scenes and want to fill that need with Jesus. ME TOO!! I am SO glad we are in this together!
You’re very refreshing ❤️ Please keep posting for us! I need to hear this message as I am constantly thinking the next thing that will ‘complete’ me.... God bless you!
Contentment is my word for this year 2022. All of these things are my goal. I am a shopping addict as well, and had to unfollow a ton of people for this same reason.
What's been working for me so far is to take the money I would've spent on something frivolous and put it directly in savings. Seeing it grow helps me realize how much money I waste.
I have never been a shopper. But, in trying to be frugal I would actually waste money on items that would "almost" fit the bill, but not quite. And we would have to replace them over time anyway. Alot of it was thrift shopping in trying to find EXACTLY what I needed for our family. But with the quarantine and our state locking down over and over since the second week of March, everything would be closed almost all year long. Which forced me to have to order alot of our essentials for our 3 growing babies online. There was a time that our amazon order for shoes was delayed 4 weeks due to the high amount of orders. So our littles went without shoes in that time. Luckily we were safe at home and they weren't a necessity yet. All that to say, that it truly opened my eyes that instead of wasting all that time running back and forth at the thrift stores with three littles and finding the "kinda" works stuff wasn't helping our family at all. Now with amazon and other used item shops online I can review and return items without leaving the house and truly find what I'm looking for. And we have actually spent ALOT LESS because we are buying the one item as we need it, better quality at a better price (our thrift stores cost same or more than like Ross). I was truly surprised. And all these years I thought I was doing my family a service. When in reality we spent more in items that didnt work, sometimes couldn't return (so we'd lose on that money) and meals on those long days out, not to mention little treasures the kids or I would find. We are very simple living, minimalist minded, and frugal family. And this year has truly changed my eyes in our spending habits. Also what makes me buy is fear. Fear of my kids not having a winter coat when they need it, rain boots for the rainy months coming, my kids going without necessities... you name it... that's what motivates my shopping. But, I have tried to reign that in and trust in my Lord. But also move with obedience when the Holy Spirit impresses upon me when we need to be prepared. God bless you Joy!
I love all of these thoughts! I am different than you in that Ive just wasted a ton of money for no good reason other than selfishness. Ugh. I admire your heart in serving your family and I love your insight in how to do it better moving forward. :)
I only recently discovered your encouraging videos. Is there a playlist of all your videos in chronological order? Yes, I’m new to RUclips podcasts. ;)
What tribe is your hubby from and where did you live in Uganda? We live in Kampala, in Makindye. :) SO nice to meet you and excited to check out your channel.
Eek! So glad you are back!!! I recognized that dress immediately because I also searched online and found one because I loved it also. Let me just say, God blesses you greatly because I have never seen it at such a low price as what you got it for! So excited to hear about your low spend year and your other videos!
Honestly, I'm still in shock that I EVEN found the dress on Thredup, much more for the price I paid!! I haven't even seen the dress for sale since then!! I for sure feel blessed. PS I'm kind of a stalker ofyour videos. Hope that isn't creepy!!
It was so nice to see you! This was perfect & right on time for me whereas I’m on a being content with what I have journey & a little to no no buy as well. Congratulations to Sanyu sweet baby getting her citizenship 🙏🏽(I just watched all about the dress video which is so inspiring). Continue to enjoy your time in the US & have a safe trip back home ❤️
Happy New Year! I love your spirit. I’m trying a low buy year, for a number of reasons, some of which you mentioned. Your video timing was perfect for reinforcing my plan! Thank you. 🙏🤗🙏
I am not a shopper but my husband can spend like crazy! It physically pains me to spend money. I’m praying I can get him on board for this no buy year. I love Converse but I’m unwilling to buy the new. I spent several weeks looking at different thrift stores for a pair that fit. One day my friend posted a pair she bought for her daughter that didn’t fit. She gave them to me! I was so excited because I normally get plain black but these have flowers on them. 😂
What a great video to start the New Year! Having suffered through 2 hurricanes and currently living in an apartment while the house is being repaired, we have a minimal of our belongings with us. No we really don't need all that stuff and are surviving without it. Packing up the house and moving everything out made us realize how much stuff we have accumulated!! When we finally move back home we will have a major purging of items. It's been a no buy season and will continue.
First of all, wow. So sorry that you have been through 2 hurricanes. That is just awful. I love that you can see what you have learned through your trials. God bless you!
@@JoyForney Thank you for your kindness! So many people are still suffering here and worse off than us...people with no insurance, some who lost everything, some who are told by insurance that their house is livable even though it's full of mold, some living in tents,etc. So yes we are grateful to God and we know that this too shall pass for 'the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.'
@@marieegypt7091 Oh man. That is just.so.hard. Sigh. Praying for you and others. I cannot imagine having to stay somehwere full of mold or having no insurance. I am privileged for sure. And it breaks my heart to hear about others suffering.
I’m so glad I found your channel. This is exactly what I needed! God has been talking to me about doing a no buy year and I committed to doing it for 2021. The word He gave me for the year is “contentment” and I have been journaling on that concept and looking up scripture to go with it. i live in Vermont so I have a several season wardrobe and I LOVE to buy clothes. Zullily, app has been deleated🙌🏻🙌🏻 Excited for more videos, thank you and God bless!
I LOVE that your word for the year is contentment!!! YESSSS!! And you know your limits, like me, and deleted that app!! well done! Here's to checking in with each other and choosing contentment!
Yes! There is not going to be that perfect thing. Contentment is really big. It helps with savings and our spirituality. At first when I started a no spend year two years ago, it was to stop shopping and start saving. Today, I have found contentment through learning to do other things apart from shopping. The best part of it is finding fun without spending which is spending time with family at home.
Sounds good! We are in a changing life situation - my husband just retired from the Navy and we moved back to the States and bought a house. We just spent the past two weeks unpacking - stuff we haven’t seen in 4.5 months, plus stuff we haven’t seen in 4.5 years! - and I have been thinking a LOT about belongings, shopping habits, and contentment. I don’t know if I can practically do a no-buy, since we do need to do some things to work on our house and might even move again, but I have already changed my shopping habits so much. I need to think about exactly how this should look for us. It’s always good to see you on here and IG and hear your thoughts again!
I love he idea of spending less to give more. And your saying you’re working towards contentment in your wardrobe etc was so good to hear. We moved to a more affluent area and I go to church and think “these people would never want to talk to me. They’re so beautiful” the clothes, the hair. I just feel so inadequate. It makes church hard! But that’s something I need to work on also!!
I can imagine how difficult that situation must be. I also struggle amongst people who have amazing clothes, homes, boats, all the things. I don't have a trite thing to make it all better, but just to say, that people can be AMAZING friends even though they seem to be perfect and have everything. SO much love to you sister. :)
Hello- I’ve missed your videos and was excited to watch this one. I haven’t done a no spend year, but have moving toward just being intentional about my purchases. This has been very successful for me.
You’re not crazy, you’re inspiring! I’m moving next week and I will purchase just the bare minimum and just decorate with nature...pine cones, branches, flowers, etc... These are crazy times and now is definitely the time to save our pennies. God bless you, Joy! 🕊
How long did it take your family to notice that you were wearing the same dress every day? And with money, I tend to not shop for clothes etc when I have a goal that I need to save for....like car tires or a new washing machine. Setting a goal might help others, too.
Everyone in my family follows me on Instagram so they knew what was coming. ;) But if they are tired of seeing me in the same thing, they haven't said so. Ha! I like the idea of saving for a specific goal that's a need and you want to cash flow. Great thoughts!
Just seeing you back encourages me so much! I am also attempting a no buy year this year as my hubby and I just bought our first house and need to adjust to being home owners and learning all this stuff!
Very enjoyable to join this conversation. I also really get led to do a No Spend Year and have a few friends I’m messaging each Monday along with a Prayer Group. My word for the year is Humility and this intention is helping so much to keep my life simple and focused on Loving people. Thank you!!!
Hi Joy! I've been following along on Instagram for awhile, and just subscribed to your channel here! I want to do a no-buy or low-buy year; thanks for the inspiration! The only question I had was this: what are your recommendations of must-haves for moving to Africa? We are moving to Kenya this summer (Lord willing and pandemic allowing), and I was wondering if you have any suggestions of things to take along in our move. Thanks for sharing! You have a beautiful spirit, and it's so great finding women of God to follow here on RUclips!
Hi Joy! As always, love your videos and Instagram encouragement. We were missionaries in Croatia until just recently, and this past spring went through some crazy earthquakes before coming home on furlough due to Covid. The earthquakes really put into perspective how temporary and fleeting our material things are, and the brain space used to chase them. However, when all our stuff (and we were already minimalists) was crashing down and breaking all around us during the earthquakes, I could care less about all of it. All that mattered in those moments was that my husband and two babies were safe, and that we had the Lord as our everything no matter what happened. And afterwards I felt so foolish and almost disgusted for having spent so much time, money, energy on our stuff that was so fleeting and so much less important than the Lord and our family! I still love beautiful things, but I look at them differently now, and see how little value they really have!
Hi Joy!!! Happy New Year! Yes!! I want to do a no buy year. I already 'try' to be frugal, but I can definitely do better. We are on the final year of paying off our mortgage 🙌, and we have some credit card debt that got away from us due to medical bills, and real life, (no shopping sprees.) Anyway, I want to be extra frugal to get that paid off as well. And, as you say, be thankful, grateful to the Lord for what we have already. Also, I feel the responsibility to do my best from the home side, as I don't work outside it, while my dear husband goes out and fights the world each day to provide. And I mean that literally...he's in law enforcement. Thank you so much for the inspiration and encouragement, and I am interested in more on the clothing discussion. ❤
First of all, thank your husband for his service. Second, well done for nearly paying off your mortgage! Hopefully we can encourage each other this year in living frugally and mindfully for His glory!
Hi Joy, great to see you again☺ we're planning to move back to Indonesia hopefully soon in the future, so I try not to buy so much this year and start simplifying so we don't have too much to get rid of when we do move
Yeah, thanks for the idea! I should have said in the video, but I want to make sure that they are comfy enough...I'm getting too old to wear uncomfortable shoes. Thanks for being here!!
You perfectly stated everything that I have been pondering. Thank you for being obedient to Him and posting this video. This is exactly the direction I want to go. I am so excited to watch your year and the other pearls of knowledge that you share!! Now it's time to get out my journal and pray over my why and my how. Appreciate You!!
I love your videos! Me and my husband are doing a no buy month for January, but I'm thinking we could really benefit doing a no buy year. That would be hard for me but I see where it can help save us money for our goal of saving for a down payment for our forever house/homestead. Thank you for doing these videos, I love hearing your thoughts and being encouraged through scripture & faith. God bless you & your family this year!
Thank you so much for sharing! I am definitely IN for doing a no buy year. Before I do the no buy I do need one skirt and a comfortable pair of shoes. I am a stay at home wife and my husband and I are trying to save for a second hand vechile. I am also learning to be more content with what The Lord has already provided. Thanks for the encouragement!
Hi Joy. I appreciate your channel and heart. I have never attempted a No-Buy year. Quite honestly, I find that I shy away from what seems to be the latest trend (as in the Marie Kondo fixation, latest tips on health and fitness, etc...). I want to ask you how you (we as believers) reconcile the idea of taking drastic measures to deal with an area of sin or weakness verses understanding that heart transformation (and hence our actions) comes through surrender to the Lord in our inner being. Does putting greater restrictions and "don'ts" on ourselves necessarily conquer the inner challenges? I understand that we are called to resist temptations by using the armour of God and that can mean taking serious measures. In a day and age where it seems that even Christians run to the newest 5 step program or the latest self-help book, can you share some of your thoughts on your path choice and how you have been able to avoid [asceticism for lack of a better term]. I know you've been on this journey a while, so it's not some trend for you - I'm just curious from your perspective how you keep your goals from becoming a duty and more of a heart yearning. I know you're busy. Thanks!!
I honestly LOVE this comment. Thank you. So much for keeping it honest and real. And I agree, I am also sort of a "trend bucker" for lack of a better term. And yes to everything you said. I honestly cannot tell you if my motives are truly for Christ change in me or another plan. I will have to dig deep on that one. But since I read the book, The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer and also have steeped myself in the New Testament, I *think* my motives are pure in that I want to clear out the "clutter" and make room for HIM to do HIS work in me. To take away my idols to focus wholly on HIM. I can't honestly say that it's the right way, but for me, it seems like the right choice before the Lord right now. Does that make sense or help at all? I'd love to continue this conversation!!! THank you for grace!
@@JoyForney I feel honored that we can have this conversation. It's not my place to question your motives, but I was more curious to hear your thoughts and personal journey. I grew up as an MK and I think the fact that we lived with much less (yet always had enough) has stuck with me. I struggle in our very materialistic world; one that feels the need to constantly "treat" ourselves. Yet I also know that God has given us the freedom to enjoy items that we don't actually need and in my mind, I have a lot of those "no need" items. My husband tells me I'm too cheap and frugal :) and that as long as we are giving faithfully and generously, we should not feel guilt about buying ourselves items we find pleasure in. So I suppose I wrestle with the enjoyment of all things and the satisfaction in Christ alone. And, being honest, I question whether we find satisfaction in Jesus alone simply by not buying certain items rather than asking Him to be our heart's desire even as we enjoy material things. Would love your thoughts. Thanks again.
I’d love to do a no buy year. I think I’ll give this a try. This year I’m also really wanting to declutter & minimize so this fits in really well. I am definitely a spender though so I know I need to get this under control.
I really like that dress, and it is very flattering on you. I also follow Jennifer Scott & do the 10 item wardrobe. As another American living overseas, I can relate to a lot of what you are saying. It made me more minimalist, though, because I'm always restricted on space. The area where I have tended to do more impulse buys is Kindle books, especially with the deals. I felt like if I was going to read it, I had to buy it while it was on sale. I was having them emailed to me, and I stopped that. Now I will occasionally buy Kindle books, but I have certain limitations on what I buy. We can also borrow digital books and audiobooks from our library in the US, so that gives me plenty to read.
😂😂 sorry for laughing, but you are Not crazy!!😄❤ So when you say nothing for the house..would/Do you buy candles? And maybe you don't burn them much in Uganda. This gives me much to think about. I like the idea of asking "why" do i want to buy this! Thank you and Blessings!
Hahah! Thanks for saying I'm not crazy! But I *do* think you and I and so many others here fall into the category of crazy compared to the world!! ;) I don't buy candles anymore. I stopped using them about 4 years ago. Although I have been gifted 2 that I've used last month and this month!! Love you friend!
What a bold and great idea. It's probably going to grow contentment in your life. I'm not sure I'm ready for that since I've got a baby that needs a few items (cloth diapers, high chair...) But really going to try at least one month without expenses and see how it goes
Can’t wait to see more videos from you! I am in a low spend year. My whys, Learn contentment and be able to model that for my children, work on getting out of debt, be able to happily support my husband in his self employment journey (meaning we have a lower income than we are used to)
I LOVE everything about your intentions going forward!! Every single statement is So powerful! You need to write these out and hang them up somewhere! I am actually writing your words down in my journal. :)
Hi Joy! I feel like I am a lot like you were about wanting the next thing and then I’ll be content, I’m really bad about it with homeschool stuff or right now we are house hunting bc we sold our house and are in an apartment now and just thinking oh when we get our “forever” house then I’ll be content and then I’ll be the mom I want to be, my kids will listen when we have some land. Idk so hard.
I’m curious how this works within your marriage. What about things like eating out? Is your husband also doing a no-buy year, or is this more just your own personal purchases? Thanks for the video for the video today, it is the third message I have received this year where I feel like God is wanting me to question where my fulfillment is coming from/what or who am I abiding in.
Great questions! So my husband is already only an "essential spender" so he has bascially been doing a no buy our entire marriage! :) We don't eat out really ever except for 3 exceptions: 1. christmas we always treat our kids to a nice meal 2.if it's your birthday you get to choose the food and if it's a restaurant, then we do that. 3. we always allow ourselves to celebrate others' bdays when were are invited. Where we live in Uganda, usually the birthday thing is to go out to eat. So we make sure that we honor our friends by joining in their bdays, although we will buy the cheapest thing on the menu and chip in to pay for the bday person's meal. :) Does that explain it?
I did a no-buy 2019 and a low-buy 2020. I am doing a no-buy 2021, so I will be buying essentials only. So I will spend on utilities, insurance, fuel for the car, pet essentials, basic hygiene and groceries. That's it.
Joy, I love this opportunity to have some encouragement. I am starting a 3 month contentment challenge through nancyray.com. this for me will be a challenge because I seem to be shopping online every day even if I don't buy something. I love the questions I get to ask myself so I can be more intentional. I want more connection with Jesus and with others. Can't wait to see how God will use this time! Blessings to you and your family.
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I’m super excited to see you on RUclips again!! You have always been such an encouragement to me and my walk with the Lord.
Thank you Lori! I am humbled by your comment and praise the Lord that we can encourage each other. :)
Your honesty is so refreshing! God bless!
I think this is a great idea and the point behind it even more valuable.
What type sandal are you looking for? What size? Maybe someone would like to bless you. ❤️
You are so kind! I appreciate it SOOO much! But part of my no spend is not to rely on others generosity. I pray you understand!! I LOVE your sentiment so much. Thanks for being here!
Oh Joy I am so glad to see that you are back doing videos again. Love your wisdom and sweet spirit as you seek to live for Jesus!
You are so kind. Thank you. It does feel really good to be back in this space. Anything you see that's good is ALL HIM!!!!
Love this so much Joy. I have come to slowly realize that I buy things online when I feel lonely/sad, etc. This year my goal is to not turn to shopping to fill these feelings but instead to feel them with Jesus.
AMEN!!! I love that you are aware of what is going on behind the scenes and want to fill that need with Jesus. ME TOO!! I am SO glad we are in this together!
You’re very refreshing ❤️ Please keep posting for us! I need to hear this message as I am constantly thinking the next thing that will ‘complete’ me.... God bless you!
What is your skincare, haircare and makeup routines?
Yay! Joy is back! Was worried after deleting IG to lose touch. Great topic. Considering what category I might try this with.
I was wondering where you went! I tried to message you on Insta but to no avail! I have missed you a TON! And you haven't missed much over on IG! :)
Contentment is my word for this year 2022. All of these things are my goal. I am a shopping addict as well, and had to unfollow a ton of people for this same reason.
What's been working for me so far is to take the money I would've spent on something frivolous and put it directly in savings. Seeing it grow helps me realize how much money I waste.
This is an amazing idea! I love it!! That would help me too. I need to think about how to incorporate this into my life!
I have never been a shopper. But, in trying to be frugal I would actually waste money on items that would "almost" fit the bill, but not quite. And we would have to replace them over time anyway. Alot of it was thrift shopping in trying to find EXACTLY what I needed for our family. But with the quarantine and our state locking down over and over since the second week of March, everything would be closed almost all year long. Which forced me to have to order alot of our essentials for our 3 growing babies online. There was a time that our amazon order for shoes was delayed 4 weeks due to the high amount of orders. So our littles went without shoes in that time. Luckily we were safe at home and they weren't a necessity yet. All that to say, that it truly opened my eyes that instead of wasting all that time running back and forth at the thrift stores with three littles and finding the "kinda" works stuff wasn't helping our family at all. Now with amazon and other used item shops online I can review and return items without leaving the house and truly find what I'm looking for. And we have actually spent ALOT LESS because we are buying the one item as we need it, better quality at a better price (our thrift stores cost same or more than like Ross). I was truly surprised. And all these years I thought I was doing my family a service. When in reality we spent more in items that didnt work, sometimes couldn't return (so we'd lose on that money) and meals on those long days out, not to mention little treasures the kids or I would find. We are very simple living, minimalist minded, and frugal family. And this year has truly changed my eyes in our spending habits. Also what makes me buy is fear. Fear of my kids not having a winter coat when they need it, rain boots for the rainy months coming, my kids going without necessities... you name it... that's what motivates my shopping. But, I have tried to reign that in and trust in my Lord. But also move with obedience when the Holy Spirit impresses upon me when we need to be prepared. God bless you Joy!
I love all of these thoughts! I am different than you in that Ive just wasted a ton of money for no good reason other than selfishness. Ugh. I admire your heart in serving your family and I love your insight in how to do it better moving forward. :)
I only recently discovered your encouraging videos. Is there a playlist of all your videos in chronological order? Yes, I’m new to RUclips podcasts. ;)
What a treat to see this video from you this morning!! I am IN on a no buy year!
Love you girl! So glad you are gonna join me!! Yay!
Just found your channel. My husband is from Uganda and we were there last year - pre Covid. Love what you are doing here
What tribe is your hubby from and where did you live in Uganda? We live in Kampala, in Makindye. :)
SO nice to meet you and excited to check out your channel.
Yes! I started this year as well!! So excited that we’re both doing this!
I can't wait to watch your no spend video! I am so excited to be in this with you. :)
Eek! So glad you are back!!! I recognized that dress immediately because I also searched online and found one because I loved it also. Let me just say, God blesses you greatly because I have never seen it at such a low price as what you got it for! So excited to hear about your low spend year and your other videos!
Honestly, I'm still in shock that I EVEN found the dress on Thredup, much more for the price I paid!! I haven't even seen the dress for sale since then!! I for sure feel blessed. PS I'm kind of a stalker ofyour videos. Hope that isn't creepy!!
It was so nice to see you! This was perfect & right on time for me whereas I’m on a being content with what I have journey & a little to no no buy as well. Congratulations to Sanyu sweet baby getting her citizenship 🙏🏽(I just watched all about the dress video which is so inspiring). Continue to enjoy your time in the US & have a safe trip back home ❤️
Happy New Year! I love your spirit. I’m trying a low buy year, for a number of reasons, some of which you mentioned. Your video timing was perfect for reinforcing my plan! Thank you. 🙏🤗🙏
I'm so happy that this video met you where you are at! I would love to hear more about your low buy year, so we can encourage each other. :)
I am not a shopper but my husband can spend like crazy! It physically pains me to spend money. I’m praying I can get him on board for this no buy year. I love Converse but I’m unwilling to buy the new. I spent several weeks looking at different thrift stores for a pair that fit. One day my friend posted a pair she bought for her daughter that didn’t fit. She gave them to me! I was so excited because I normally get plain black but these have flowers on them. 😂
What a great video to start the New Year! Having suffered through 2 hurricanes and currently living in an apartment while the house is being repaired, we have a minimal of our belongings with us. No we really don't need all that stuff and are surviving without it. Packing up the house and moving everything out made us realize how much stuff we have accumulated!! When we finally move back home we will have a major purging of items. It's been a no buy season and will continue.
First of all, wow. So sorry that you have been through 2 hurricanes. That is just awful. I love that you can see what you have learned through your trials. God bless you!
@@JoyForney Thank you for your kindness! So many people are still suffering here and worse off than us...people with no insurance, some who lost everything, some who are told by insurance that their house is livable even though it's full of mold, some living in tents,etc. So yes we are grateful to God and we know that this too shall pass for 'the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.'
@@marieegypt7091 Oh man. That is just.so.hard. Sigh. Praying for you and others. I cannot imagine having to stay somehwere full of mold or having no insurance. I am privileged for sure. And it breaks my heart to hear about others suffering.
I have missed your videos so much! Good to see you!
Aw! Thank you! Good to see you too!!
Thankful for your wisdom and being transparent, This explains me to a T. I’m in! Praying for you❤️
My heart feels so light and happy when I see a new video from you.
Wishing you and your family a blessed year.
That is so kind. Thank you for being here with me!
I’m so glad I found your channel. This is exactly what I needed! God has been talking to me about doing a no buy year and I committed to doing it for 2021. The word He gave me for the year is “contentment” and I have been journaling on that concept and looking up scripture to go with it. i live in Vermont so I have a several season wardrobe and I LOVE to buy clothes. Zullily, app has been deleated🙌🏻🙌🏻
Excited for more videos, thank you and God bless!
I LOVE that your word for the year is contentment!!! YESSSS!! And you know your limits, like me, and deleted that app!! well done! Here's to checking in with each other and choosing contentment!
Yes! There is not going to be that perfect thing. Contentment is really big. It helps with savings and our spirituality. At first when I started a no spend year two years ago, it was to stop shopping and start saving. Today, I have found contentment through learning to do other things apart from shopping. The best part of it is finding fun without spending which is spending time with family at home.
Sounds good! We are in a changing life situation - my husband just retired from the Navy and we moved back to the States and bought a house. We just spent the past two weeks unpacking - stuff we haven’t seen in 4.5 months, plus stuff we haven’t seen in 4.5 years! - and I have been thinking a LOT about belongings, shopping habits, and contentment. I don’t know if I can practically do a no-buy, since we do need to do some things to work on our house and might even move again, but I have already changed my shopping habits so much. I need to think about exactly how this should look for us. It’s always good to see you on here and IG and hear your thoughts again!
I love he idea of spending less to give more. And your saying you’re working towards contentment in your wardrobe etc was so good to hear. We moved to a more affluent area and I go to church and think “these people would never want to talk to me. They’re so beautiful” the clothes, the hair. I just feel so inadequate. It makes church hard! But that’s something I need to work on also!!
I can imagine how difficult that situation must be. I also struggle amongst people who have amazing clothes, homes, boats, all the things. I don't have a trite thing to make it all better, but just to say, that people can be AMAZING friends even though they seem to be perfect and have everything. SO much love to you sister. :)
Hello- I’ve missed your videos and was excited to watch this one. I haven’t done a no spend year, but have moving toward just being intentional about my purchases. This has been very successful for me.
I love your intentionality! And I say if it ain't broke don't fix it!! ;)
You’re not crazy, you’re inspiring! I’m moving next week and I will purchase just the bare minimum and just decorate with nature...pine cones, branches, flowers, etc... These are crazy times and now is definitely the time to save our pennies. God bless you, Joy! 🕊
I absolutely LOVE decorating with nature. Not only is it free, it is so beautiful and satisfying!! Thank you for reminding me of this!
How long did it take your family to notice that you were wearing the same dress every day? And with money, I tend to not shop for clothes etc when I have a goal that I need to save for....like car tires or a new washing machine. Setting a goal might help others, too.
Everyone in my family follows me on Instagram so they knew what was coming. ;) But if they are tired of seeing me in the same thing, they haven't said so. Ha! I like the idea of saving for a specific goal that's a need and you want to cash flow. Great thoughts!
Thanks joy lovely to watch you again such a gentle inspiration ❤️❤️❤️
Just seeing you back encourages me so much! I am also attempting a no buy year this year as my hubby and I just bought our first house and need to adjust to being home owners and learning all this stuff!
Congrats on the new house!! How exciting!!! And it's a great purpose and goal to save money so you can have everything to throw at the house!
Very enjoyable to join this conversation. I also really get led to do a No Spend Year and have a few friends I’m messaging each Monday along with a Prayer Group. My word for the year is Humility and this intention is helping so much to keep my life simple and focused on Loving people. Thank you!!!
Can't wait for the video about wearing the dress all month! And all your thoughts on clothing and being content with what you have xx
Thank you! I'm excited to make it and share it with you. Thank you for being here with all of us, Caroline!!
Hi Joy! I've been following along on Instagram for awhile, and just subscribed to your channel here! I want to do a no-buy or low-buy year; thanks for the inspiration! The only question I had was this: what are your recommendations of must-haves for moving to Africa? We are moving to Kenya this summer (Lord willing and pandemic allowing), and I was wondering if you have any suggestions of things to take along in our move.
Thanks for sharing! You have a beautiful spirit, and it's so great finding women of God to follow here on RUclips!
Happy new year and nice to see you posting again! Blessings to your family.
I appreciate your encouragement toward contentment! And I look forward to your video about your one-dress experience. 😊
Hi Joy! As always, love your videos and Instagram encouragement. We were missionaries in Croatia until just recently, and this past spring went through some crazy earthquakes before coming home on furlough due to Covid. The earthquakes really put into perspective how temporary and fleeting our material things are, and the brain space used to chase them. However, when all our stuff (and we were already minimalists) was crashing down and breaking all around us during the earthquakes, I could care less about all of it. All that mattered in those moments was that my husband and two babies were safe, and that we had the Lord as our everything no matter what happened. And afterwards I felt so foolish and almost disgusted for having spent so much time, money, energy on our stuff that was so fleeting and so much less important than the Lord and our family! I still love beautiful things, but I look at them differently now, and see how little value they really have!
Hi Joy!!! Happy New Year! Yes!! I want to do a no buy year. I already 'try' to be frugal, but I can definitely do better. We are on the final year of paying off our mortgage 🙌, and we have some credit card debt that got away from us due to medical bills, and real life, (no shopping sprees.) Anyway, I want to be extra frugal to get that paid off as well. And, as you say, be thankful, grateful to the Lord for what we have already. Also, I feel the responsibility to do my best from the home side, as I don't work outside it, while my dear husband goes out and fights the world each day to provide. And I mean that literally...he's in law enforcement. Thank you so much for the inspiration and encouragement, and I am interested in more on the clothing discussion. ❤
First of all, thank your husband for his service. Second, well done for nearly paying off your mortgage! Hopefully we can encourage each other this year in living frugally and mindfully for His glory!
Hi Joy, great to see you again☺ we're planning to move back to Indonesia hopefully soon in the future, so I try not to buy so much this year and start simplifying so we don't have too much to get rid of when we do move
Jealous that you are heading back to Indo. And what a great perspective to have that you don't want to lug all the stuff around the world. ;)
Hi Joy! I missed you! I love your inspirational content. xx
You are so kind. Thank you for your encouragement. Glad to have you here with all of us. :)
You are so lovely, please keep filming your no buy year! God bless you ❤
Thank you! I plan to do regular updates!!
This is so refreshing and exactly what I needed to hear. Please make more update videos! So awesome!
Hold me accountable! I want to make lots of videos on this topic, to keep myself and this community accountable!
I am so happy to see you and that you’re sharing such an amazing journey. Please share more, I’ve missed you!
Thank you! I would love to share more and plan to, Lord willing. Thank you for being here with all of us Marissa!!!
I so appreciate your honesty 😌
Before you mentioned getting the dress from ThredUp, I was going to suggest you check there for sandals.
Yeah, thanks for the idea! I should have said in the video, but I want to make sure that they are comfy enough...I'm getting too old to wear uncomfortable shoes. Thanks for being here!!
Joy, you are such an inspiration!
Thank you! I am a hot mess but I'm so happy to be an encouragment! :)
You perfectly stated everything that I have been pondering. Thank you for being obedient to Him and posting this video. This is exactly the direction I want to go. I am so excited to watch your year and the other pearls of knowledge that you share!! Now it's time to get out my journal and pray over my why and my how. Appreciate You!!
Come back and let me know how the journaling went and what you feel led to do!! :) Much love,
Joy
Love to hear from you again, Joy!
I love your videos! Me and my husband are doing a no buy month for January, but I'm thinking we could really benefit doing a no buy year. That would be hard for me but I see where it can help save us money for our goal of saving for a down payment for our forever house/homestead. Thank you for doing these videos, I love hearing your thoughts and being encouraged through scripture & faith. God bless you & your family this year!
Thank you so much for sharing! I am definitely IN for doing a no buy year.
Before I do the no buy I do need one skirt and a comfortable pair of shoes.
I am a stay at home wife and my husband and I are trying to save for a second hand vechile.
I am also learning to be more content with what The Lord has already provided.
Thanks for the encouragement!
I am so glad to see you!
I'm so glad to see YOU!!! Thank you!
So good to see you again! On a no spend year this year too, did last one in 2018
Hi Joy. I appreciate your channel and heart. I have never attempted a No-Buy year. Quite honestly, I find that I shy away from what seems to be the latest trend (as in the Marie Kondo fixation, latest tips on health and fitness, etc...). I want to ask you how you (we as believers) reconcile the idea of taking drastic measures to deal with an area of sin or weakness verses understanding that heart transformation (and hence our actions) comes through surrender to the Lord in our inner being. Does putting greater restrictions and "don'ts" on ourselves necessarily conquer the inner challenges? I understand that we are called to resist temptations by using the armour of God and that can mean taking serious measures. In a day and age where it seems that even Christians run to the newest 5 step program or the latest self-help book, can you share some of your thoughts on your path choice and how you have been able to avoid [asceticism for lack of a better term]. I know you've been on this journey a while, so it's not some trend for you - I'm just curious from your perspective how you keep your goals from becoming a duty and more of a heart yearning. I know you're busy. Thanks!!
I honestly LOVE this comment. Thank you. So much for keeping it honest and real. And I agree, I am also sort of a "trend bucker" for lack of a better term. And yes to everything you said. I honestly cannot tell you if my motives are truly for Christ change in me or another plan. I will have to dig deep on that one. But since I read the book, The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer and also have steeped myself in the New Testament, I *think* my motives are pure in that I want to clear out the "clutter" and make room for HIM to do HIS work in me. To take away my idols to focus wholly on HIM. I can't honestly say that it's the right way, but for me, it seems like the right choice before the Lord right now. Does that make sense or help at all? I'd love to continue this conversation!!! THank you for grace!
@@JoyForney I feel honored that we can have this conversation. It's not my place to question your motives, but I was more curious to hear your thoughts and personal journey. I grew up as an MK and I think the fact that we lived with much less (yet always had enough) has stuck with me. I struggle in our very materialistic world; one that feels the need to constantly "treat" ourselves. Yet I also know that God has given us the freedom to enjoy items that we don't actually need and in my mind, I have a lot of those "no need" items. My husband tells me I'm too cheap and frugal :) and that as long as we are giving faithfully and generously, we should not feel guilt about buying ourselves items we find pleasure in. So I suppose I wrestle with the enjoyment of all things and the satisfaction in Christ alone. And, being honest, I question whether we find satisfaction in Jesus alone simply by not buying certain items rather than asking Him to be our heart's desire even as we enjoy material things. Would love your thoughts. Thanks again.
I’d love to do a no buy year. I think I’ll give this a try. This year I’m also really wanting to declutter & minimize so this fits in really well. I am definitely a spender though so I know I need to get this under control.
Your very inspiring. Thank you for sharing your ideas.👍
I'm so glad to have you here with me!!! Thank you for your kindness!
I'm so happy to see again !
I really like that dress, and it is very flattering on you. I also follow Jennifer Scott & do the 10 item wardrobe. As another American living overseas, I can relate to a lot of what you are saying. It made me more minimalist, though, because I'm always restricted on space. The area where I have tended to do more impulse buys is Kindle books, especially with the deals. I felt like if I was going to read it, I had to buy it while it was on sale. I was having them emailed to me, and I stopped that. Now I will occasionally buy Kindle books, but I have certain limitations on what I buy. We can also borrow digital books and audiobooks from our library in the US, so that gives me plenty to read.
😂😂 sorry for laughing, but you are Not crazy!!😄❤
So when you say nothing for the house..would/Do you buy candles? And maybe you don't burn them much in Uganda.
This gives me much to think about. I like the idea of asking "why" do i want to buy this! Thank you and Blessings!
Hahah! Thanks for saying I'm not crazy! But I *do* think you and I and so many others here fall into the category of crazy compared to the world!! ;) I don't buy candles anymore. I stopped using them about 4 years ago. Although I have been gifted 2 that I've used last month and this month!! Love you friend!
I’m excited to see you on RUclips since I’m not on any social media.
So good hearing from you again. 🥰
Thank you so much! It's fun to be here!!
What a bold and great idea. It's probably going to grow contentment in your life. I'm not sure I'm ready for that since I've got a baby that needs a few items (cloth diapers, high chair...) But really going to try at least one month without expenses and see how it goes
Can’t wait to see more videos from you! I am in a low spend year. My whys, Learn contentment and be able to model that for my children, work on getting out of debt, be able to happily support my husband in his self employment journey (meaning we have a lower income than we are used to)
I LOVE everything about your intentions going forward!! Every single statement is So powerful! You need to write these out and hang them up somewhere! I am actually writing your words down in my journal. :)
Hi joy!!! So glad to see you here again :)
Thank you!! You are so kind. It is fun to be making videos again. :) Looking forward to hearing more from you.
Hi Joy! I feel like I am a lot like you were about wanting the next thing and then I’ll be content, I’m really bad about it with homeschool stuff or right now we are house hunting bc we sold our house and are in an apartment now and just thinking oh when we get our “forever” house then I’ll be content and then I’ll be the mom I want to be, my kids will listen when we have some land. Idk so hard.
I’m curious how this works within your marriage. What about things like eating out? Is your husband also doing a no-buy year, or is this more just your own personal purchases? Thanks for the video for the video today, it is the third message I have received this year where I feel like God is wanting me to question where my fulfillment is coming from/what or who am I abiding in.
Great questions! So my husband is already only an "essential spender" so he has bascially been doing a no buy our entire marriage! :) We don't eat out really ever except for 3 exceptions: 1. christmas we always treat our kids to a nice meal 2.if it's your birthday you get to choose the food and if it's a restaurant, then we do that. 3. we always allow ourselves to celebrate others' bdays when were are invited. Where we live in Uganda, usually the birthday thing is to go out to eat. So we make sure that we honor our friends by joining in their bdays, although we will buy the cheapest thing on the menu and chip in to pay for the bday person's meal. :) Does that explain it?
I did a no-buy 2019 and a low-buy 2020. I am doing a no-buy 2021, so I will be buying essentials only. So I will spend on utilities, insurance, fuel for the car, pet essentials, basic hygiene and groceries. That's it.
I will be doing another one in March and September this year.
Joy, I love this opportunity to have some encouragement. I am starting a 3 month contentment challenge through nancyray.com. this for me will be a challenge because I seem to be shopping online every day even if I don't buy something. I love the questions I get to ask myself so I can be more intentional. I want more connection with Jesus and with others. Can't wait to see how God will use this time! Blessings to you and your family.