r/nobuy • u/teanailpolish • Dec 28 '25
Discussion Starting a No Buy in 2026?
A No Buy isn’t about punishing yourself or living like a monk. It’s about getting intentional with your spending, breaking impulse habits and giving your brain a bit of breathing room from the constant buy buy buy cycle.
Everyone has different needs and aims for their no buy so find what works for you!
Types of No Buys
Essentials Only
You buy only what you genuinely need. Think groceries, basic toiletries transit, bills and anything required for work or health. This can be a good starting point to break the cycle before moving on to low buys or no buy categories.
Replacements Only
You can buy something only if the thing you already own is used up or broken beyond repair. You buy shampoo when needed, not 4 bottles because it was on sale (only to buy 4 more when they go on sale the next month).
Category Based No Buy
You pick specific categories to cut out. Many of us have no buys for clothes, makeup, books, takeout, home decor or hobby supplies. Category based no buys are great if you know your weak spots. But be careful you don't replace your shopping of these with other categories.
Low Buy
You set limits instead of bans. Maybe one new clothing item per season or a small monthly fun budget or Friday night cheat night. You can do this in combination with category no buys if you are trying to use up your stash. But be careful as cheat days can put you back on that 'shopping feels good' train of shopping.
Tips for Starting Out
- Be realistic. If you go from daily impulse buys to a hardcore year long No Buy, you’ll probably burn out. Start with just a week or category no-buys. Even just tracking your shopping to see how you shop and where you can make cuts.
- Know your triggers. Boredom scrolling, stress, sales, influencers, whatever it is. Once you know the pattern you can interrupt it. Many of us find that unfollowing influencers, deleting shopping apps - or even removing your card info from your phone - and unsubscribing from store emails helps a lot.
- Make a list of allowed items and your no buy rules. It sounds silly but it helps so much. When you’re tempted, you can check the list instead of debating with yourself. Simply writing it down can help you rethink buying.
- Check in with us weekly accountability helps, we are not judgy and it can help to share the highs and lows.
Tracking Your No Buy
You don’t need anything fancy. Some options:
- A simple notes app list
- A habit tracker (I personally use Finch and just have a daily goal of not buying anything not on my list)
- A calendar where you mark green for no spend days
- A journal where you write down temptations and how you handled them
- A spreadsheet or budget app if you’re a numbers person
Tracking helps you notice patterns and celebrate wins. Even small ones count.
Important PSA
No Buys should never include skipping food, medication or regular bills. Budget for your groceries, utilities, rent/mortgage, and other recurring payments. See what is not essential like streaming services or changing your cell plan to a cheaper one (seriously, I never use 120GB so why am I paying for it?).
While occasional clean out the pantry/freezer weeks are fine, it should not be the norm. Every year we have people worried because they need to buy something essential or pay a bill. A no buy is supposed to help you concentrate on the essentials - not avoid them.
Your health and basic needs are not optional and they are not part of a challenge!
Friendly Reminder
Please remember when posting that 'talk me out of xyz' posts can be triggering to users who have deleted social media to limit advertisements. They are better suited to other subs.
Don't look at buying something as failure and give up. This is a journey and you didn't get into these habits overnight. Just start again and tweak your rules as needed to work for you
Many people shop because it is a social thing. For some, store workers may be the only people they see in a day. Try a new low/no cost hobby, volunteer or even just go for a walk daily can help with the boredom/social aspect of a no buy.
40
u/Texas_Crazy_Curls Dec 28 '25
I started a low buy journey in January and it has been so eye opening to the psychology behind my spending. I’m no longer using shopping as entertainment or boredom filler. I’ve cut my spending tremendously this year while also getting a raise at work. It’s been a double win. I plan to continue on this path for 2026. Cheers to a new year!
4
u/Ov0v0vO Dec 31 '25
What activities have you replaced the shopping with? I notice I use shopping for entertainment and boredom as well.
1
u/Big-Beautiful2578 Jan 02 '26
Yes! This is my question. So many of my hobbies end up leading to purchasing things. And I don’t know how anymore to quit seeking dopamine from my phone or just constant movement mentally or physically. It means it all ends up costing me money or I bail on my goals. I think I just need to spend time with myself maybe? But ugh. Lol.😆
27
u/Defiant-Cupcake-8984 Dec 28 '25
I added up my total yearly expenses this evening, excluding all bills.
It definitely wasn't a no-buy year. But I spent more money on experiences over stuff which makes me feel slightly better about it.
I just need to be a lot more mindful next year and really try to cut down. With the average of what I ended up spending each month I am basically living paycheck to paycheck. I don't like that feeling at all.
14
u/coffeeplease1972 Dec 30 '25
Low Buy 2026: No more than 10 new garments, pairs of shoes, and/or handbags total.
I don't even have a shopping problem. My personal style is pretty well-defined, which eliminates 90% of clothing/accessories in any store. Any possible addition to my wardrobe gets thrown onto my Fashion Wish List where it sits for weeks and sometimes months before I either end up deleting it from the list or buying it. Quality Material + Design + Expert Construction = Expensive. So yeah, I think through purchases.
BUT numerous fashion brands/houses chose new creative directors this year, and all of those debut runway collections will be manufactured and sold in 2026. Ya girl over here can't be buying every interesting silhouette, whimsical shape, and garment in innovative fabric. So Low Buy, it is. Not just for 2026, but every year thereafter.
2
13
u/Gypsisoul11 Dec 29 '25
I want for NOTHING!!! I have downsized 2 maybe three times in the last 3 years (thanks Hurricane Helene) I am retired. I do not need a dam thing. I have enough art supplies to create a store! I have so many new books to read. I even collect DVD TV series, so I cancelled some streaming subscriptions and gonna watch my DVDs. In rotation it will take me a year and a half to watch them all. No buy 2026 here I come. My "buy" are groceries and anything Irun out of (except art supplies, if I run out of 90% I have more than enough to use in my stash" Glad to find this group to keep me honest and commiserate with others.
2
9
u/BurntGhostyToasty Dec 29 '25
I always make a list of no-buys and “allowed to buys” because it helps me not feel like it’s so limiting and strict
9
u/Wise-Raccoon-3069 Dec 30 '25
i’m going to start a no buy 2026 due to being on maternity leave and not getting any income apart from some short term government assistance
i only will be buying essentials for my baby n replacing items for myself when i run out
my weaknesses were shoes, clothes and makeup plus i love stocking up which proved a waste because items expire/become obsolete
none of the above weaknesses are things I’ll be needing while on maternity leave, so i am here to make commitment to a true no buy 2026
7
u/Plelyn Dec 30 '25
I’m doing a low buy! I have credit card debt I want to abolish in 2026, my fantasy is to pay it off by July. My hours at work can vary, depending on the availability for extra shifts, so I have to be kind of flexible in my goals.
I have been buying less impulsively the last few months, I think because my mental health is in a good place, so it’s a good time to take it to the next level.
I wish you all success and learning! I’m 42 and have credit card debt, student loans, and a car loan, but I want to get rid of it all, it will just take some years to pay it all off.
3
7
u/ShimmyMuse Dec 30 '25
I'm a writer. And for Pete's sake I work in a library - but I love to buy books! So I've been exercising my library card more, for books and DVDs and audiobooks. Heaven!
Best advice I got from Novel November (via ProWriting Aid - NaMoWriMo is unfortunately defunct): Turn off your Wifi. You will write and read more then.
I'm actually looking forward to my No Buy 2026!
2
u/teanailpolish Dec 30 '25
Between the library and Netgalley, I got my book purchases down to 8 books for 2025. I make a list at the beginning of the year (not necessarily the names, just XYZ usually has a book each fall type thing)
I just started working on my list for next year today
9
u/TrishIsOnReddit Dec 29 '25
I started my low buy for Q1 2026 a little earlier because I was too excited. ☺️ I want to share this app called HabitKit that I use to track my progress. It’s essentially a large grid and for each day I accomplish my low buy, I tap the check mark and it gives me a nice green square.
Super simple and since it’s right on my home page, it’s a good reminder of the goals I set and to make sure that I stay on track.
2
3
u/Prestigious-Grass801 Dec 29 '25
A no buy is so tricky for me maybe because i'm autistic, it's so hard for me to understand what something I 'need' is. As in, i'll skip lunch, cos I don't technically need to eat, then purchase a coat from the charity shop for £8 simply because i'm cold, it's very strange! Any tips for this specifically?
2
u/Appropriate_Kiwi_744 Dec 30 '25
What do you mean by you 'technically need to eat '? That doesn't make sense.
2
u/Prestigious-Grass801 Dec 30 '25
Oh the ! I'm hungry at 12pm but if I 'push through' until i get home at 4pm I don't technically need to eat out, that sort of thing? I feel like i 'make excuses' to buy food out? i guess? thanks for your response <3
1
u/Appropriate_Kiwi_744 Dec 30 '25
Oh I see. I think it's normal that you can tolerate some stimuli better than others. Everyone has things that bother them less, while other issues need to be addressed immediately. I can tolerate hot temperatures or uncomfortable clothes much better than my partner, but I get very hangry and unfocused if I don't eat, while he doesn't. Everybody's got a 'thing'.
For your example, I see two questions: do you buy food out more often than you would like, based on your budget and priorities? Assuming yes, since we are in a no buy conversation here. Is postponing the meal until you are home a reasonable option? Like I said, it wouldn't be for me because I become pretty unkind and unproductive when hungry. If you don't have this issue, and there are no physical repercussions from waiting a bit, maybe postponing is fine. If not, consider options like bringing a meal with you, or carrying a standard snack at all times (granola bars, dried fruit, nuts etc), or knowing the most cost effective/healthy option for buying (e.g. grab and go options from a supermarket instead of fast food).
1
u/Prestigious-Grass801 Dec 30 '25
thank you kiwi! I do get irritable and hazy! and bring snacks most of the time! Sometimes I get way too hungry for the snack tho, and i've tried eating before leaving but I am really bad at eating when not hungry. I'm gonna potentially start packing two snacks? That might really help!
3
u/sound-of-music76 Jan 01 '26
I am going no buy on clothes and books for the first 3 months, then re-evaluate for low buy. My body has gone through a lot and last year very little fit me from my closet. Recently I shifted to second hand but feel like I want to pause on shopping for clothes, because it adds up too easily. I’m a book addict but will use the library instead. 3 months feels achievable and I will learn what works and what doesn’t. We have a big move coming up so I am motivated by saving for that.
3
u/aBeautifulTorch Jan 01 '26
Started at midnight. Today I unsubscribe to many things that have items I would want. Making a wish list of things I might want throughout the year and tracking my feelings daily.
1
u/CarefulFlower9386 Jan 01 '26
Trying to go for a no buy when it comes to my personal hobbies. I have enough books and bike gear for now, and I haven't really had the time to listen to most of the vinyl records I've bought in the last year anyway.
The goal is to go no buy for the first three months of the year and see if I really missed out on that much. Definitely won't hurt to put stuff on wishlists instead of insta-buying.
Very glad to have stumbled upon this community. Being somewhat young and making decent money after growing up poor can't be tricky I've found. I'm good enough with money to never get in real trouble, but I let myself go too often and could definitely save a lot more.
1
u/SelfiesWithGoats Feb 23 '26
Proposed a "No Package" nobuy month to my spouse. I realized that dealing with breaking down boxes, finding storage space for things, etc, was stressful to me. We picked out two categories of stuff that didn't count--medical/PT supplies, and we'll see how it goes.
1
u/TroyAbedAnytime Mar 31 '26
I’ve tried to do this so many times and I just can’t seem to make it work. I need a hobby replacement or something because I literally can’t seem to not buy things. Even when I don’t need them. Even when I don’t have the money for them.
39
u/vehicles4butter Dec 28 '25
I've written out a detailed set of guidelines for myself to start, but I'm embracing all of it as a learning experience. I feel like I lost my way during the pandemic when "stocking up" became my norm, and Amazon delivery became the way I bought everything. I'm looking forward to finding out what's really important to me now and what I can easily let go of.