{"id":181320,"date":"2025-01-15T11:23:00","date_gmt":"2025-01-15T18:23:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/?p=181320"},"modified":"2025-03-03T16:24:14","modified_gmt":"2025-03-03T23:24:14","slug":"im-committing-to-a-low-buy-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/im-committing-to-a-low-buy-year","title":{"rendered":"I’m Committing to a “Low-Buy” Year\u2014Here’s What That Actually Looks Like For My Personal Finances"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Many of you may have seen the<\/span> low-buy year<\/span><\/strong>\u2014or even no-buy year\u2014trend on social media. I\u2019m jumping on the bandwagon and setting some ground rules for myself as I embark on my first low-buy year. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is a Low-Buy Year? <\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It is when you actively avoid buying anything new, aside from what you deem <\/span>a necessity<\/span> or \u201capproved\u201d (you get to set the ground rules!) <\/span>to<\/span> help you achieve your goals. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maybe your low-buy year is to save money for your first or next deal, or <\/span>maybe<\/span> it\u2019s paying off debt. It might also be about decluttering and organizing your home to be more intentional about what you\u2019re bringing in and lessen your environmental impact with choices as a consumer. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Am I Doing This?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Well, frankly, I\u2019ve gotten into some bad money habits recently. There\u2019s lifestyle creep, where I can afford more <\/span>things<\/span> than I could 10 years ago, and the occasional indulgences have turned into regular occurrences. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m also a convenience buyer. <\/span>With a toddler at home, the ease of Amazon Prime has crept <\/span>its way<\/span> into my life in a big way that is not only adding to our household expenses but <\/span>it\u2019s<\/span> terrible for the environment.<\/span> My low-buy year <\/span>is meant<\/span> to make me rethink <\/span>how I look at spending and my<\/span> finances<\/span>,<\/span> while still investing in what\u2019s important to me.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Are My Ground Rules and Considerations?<\/span> <\/span><\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Yours might look <\/span>totally<\/span> different, and that\u2019s OK.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I took the Amazon app off my <\/span>phone<\/span> <\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This<\/span> might seem <\/span>like a small thing<\/span>, but the convenience factor made it out of control. I still use Amazon occasionally, but only for hard-to-find items, and I have to order on my laptop, which is a small but meaningful extra step to encourage me not to use it as often. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

No new clothes for myself<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If something is worn out and cannot <\/span>be mended<\/span>, I can replace it, but ideally, it should be <\/span>something<\/span> thrifted or secondhand. I\u2019m also planning <\/span>ahead<\/span>, knowing that I need a <\/span>special<\/span> occasion gown for a charity event in March, so I\u2019ve already started looking for one secondhand, and if that fails, I\u2019ll rent one from Nuuly or Rent the Runway. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This<\/span> isn\u2019t just about saving money\u2014it\u2019s also about being more environmentally conscious of my habits as a consumer. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fewer new clothes for my family<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m proud to say that 90% of my son\u2019s clothing <\/span>is thrifted<\/span>; however, he\u2019s getting to an age where that\u2019s harder to accomplish. If he needs something, I\u2019ll <\/span>first<\/span> try to buy it secondhand, but if that fails or I\u2019m in a pinch, I\u2019ll get him what he needs. <\/span>This guideline <\/span>is <\/span>mostly<\/span> to cut<\/span> down on my impulse purchases at Target because sometimes the baby section is <\/span>just<\/span> too cute to resist (IYKYK).<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Intentional meal planning<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019ve gone through meal prep and cooking in spurts in the <\/span>past,<\/span> but gotten a little lazy with it since having a child. This year, we\u2019re focusing more on grocery shopping and meal planning to encourage us to eat at home more while also considering our weekly schedule to reduce unwanted food waste. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cutting back on restaurants and convenience meals<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Unless it\u2019s a special occasion, <\/span>only<\/span> one dinner, <\/span>one lunch, and one<\/span> coffee out a week. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some people might say, \u201cWhy not cut this out completely?\u201d <\/span>The purpose of this is<\/span> to tailor this low-buy year to our life and goals.<\/span> For example, I enjoy our morning walks as a family and grabbing a coffee and pastry to share with my husband and toddler. My husband and son also have a Wednesday night ritual of going to a local spot where kids eat for free. These are <\/span>nice<\/span> moments for us as a family that we don\u2019t want to give up, but at the same time, we need to cut back on our much-too-frequent $15 sandwich habit from the local deli. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

No new beauty, skincare, or haircare products<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The goal here is to use up what I have and only replace what I need. <\/span>For some people,<\/span> this isn\u2019t a big deal, and honestly, I\u2019m one of them.<\/span> I rarely buy new products and don\u2019t usually fall prey to influencer purchases on social media, but <\/span>for some people,<\/span> this can be hard to resist.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This year, I\u2019m focusing on only replacing what I currently use, and <\/span>only<\/span><\/em> when it\u2019s almost empty, so I don\u2019t accidentally stockpile products like I\u2019ve done in the past. Also, I\u2019m rethinking the brands that I use. Do I <\/span>really<\/span><\/em> need $60 shampoo? Debatable\u2014but that\u2019s for me to decide when it runs out. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A \u201cdo I <\/span>really<\/span> <\/em>want it\u201d mindset? <\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m a consumer. <\/span>Period.<\/span> The dopamine hit I get from buying something is painfully <\/span>strong<\/span> and something I\u2019ve acknowledged so I can work on. My husband doesn\u2019t relate to this, and I know some others may not either, but for me, the spark of dopamine can be a reason why I swipe my card in the first place. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To help with this, when considering anything nonessential, I need to wait a week before <\/span>I buy<\/span> it to make sure I <\/span>really,<\/span> really<\/span> <\/em>want it.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Everyone Is Different When Planning A Low-Buy Year <\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re considering jumping on this trend with me and others, here are a few things I think you should still consider adding to your approved spending list. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Things that make you feel good and bring you joy<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

For me, it\u2019s quarterly facials and massages. Knowing this is important to me, <\/span>in order to<\/span> save a little on the cost, I prepaid for a year of facials during a holiday promotion, so I got a discount.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maybe mini-spa days aren\u2019t your thing, but everyone has <\/span>something that is<\/span> a little luxury they deserve to keep in their life, even when having a low-spend year. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Education <\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m investing in audiobooks and events that give me tools to reach my personal goals. There are plenty of free resources, but sometimes investing in your education financially can propel you forward in a big way. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m not planning to drop $10,000 on a course anytime soon (or probably ever, if we\u2019re being honest)<\/span>, but in-person<\/span> experiences and education are extremely valuable, and I plan to continue that. BiggerPockets is famous for its free and low-cost resources like books and our annual Pro membership, which has <\/span>tons of<\/span> perks. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are also bigger events to invest in, like the annual BiggerPockets Conference<\/a> and the new virtual summit, Momentum 2025<\/a>, to kick off your year with a virtual learning experience. Events like these mean a financial investment, but investing in yourself to boost your potential, reach your goals, and close more deals is invaluable.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Travel and experiences<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

We travel relatively frugally and fly every few months to see my family. <\/span>This<\/span> is something<\/span> I\u2019m unwilling to cut back on because it\u2019s <\/span>extremely meaningful<\/span> to me.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the travel and experiences category might look different <\/span>for you, <\/span>I believe that<\/span> you should enjoy your life and time with loved ones.<\/span> Maybe it\u2019s not out-of-state travel like it is for me, and instead, it\u2019s taking your family to a local water park, having a staycation with your significant other, or splurging on great seats to see your favorite band. Life\u2019s short, so enjoy the experiences and company while you can. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Final Thoughts<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Ultimately, a low-buy year isn\u2019t about deprivation\u2014it\u2019s about being intentional. It\u2019s about recognizing the difference between mindless spending and meaningful purchases, cutting out the excess, and making room for what truly matters. <\/span>For me,<\/span> that means shifting my habits to align with my financial goals, reducing waste, and being more thoughtful about how I consume.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This journey will look different for everyone, and that\u2019s the beauty of it. <\/span>Whether you\u2019re doing this to save for your next real estate deal, declutter your life, or <\/span>simply<\/span> break free from impulse spending, the key is setting rules that work for you.<\/span> It\u2019s not about being perfect; it\u2019s about progress.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re considering your <\/span>own<\/span> low-buy year, I encourage you to start small, be flexible, and focus on what brings value to your life. <\/span>At the end of the day,<\/span> it\u2019s not just about saving money\u2014it\u2019s about creating a more intentional and fulfilling way of living.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Many of you may have seen the low-buy year\u2014or even no-buy year\u2014trend on social media. I\u2019m jumping on the bandwagon and setting some ground rules for myself as I embark […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":207217,"featured_media":154529,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7396],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-181320","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-budgeting"],"acf":[],"comment_count":0,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/181320","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/207217"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=181320"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/181320\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/154529"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=181320"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=181320"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=181320"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}