After reading a New York Times article ‘My Year of No Shopping‘ I’ve been inspired to attempt my own ‘Year of No Shopping’. The main aim of this is, of course, to cut down on costs, but it is also to cut down on waste, cut down the amount of stuff I have and increase what I give to charity.
This is my plan:
Things I am not allowed at buy
• Clothes
• Shoes
• Electronics
• Books (unless for my MA)
• Jewellery
• Perfume
• Presents
• Scarves
• Bags
• Take away food
Things I can only buy when what I have runs out
• Food
• Shampoo, shower gel, etc.
• Cleaning products
• Wine, spirits, etc.
Things I can spend money on
• Travel
• MA resources (essential only)
• Eating out – once a week &/or special occasions
This means that any presents I want to give people this year will either be something I bought before 1st January, something I will make or a promise for time together doing something particular. I would be really grateful if my friends and family support me in this endeavour and do the same for me when it comes to my birthday or Christmas.
I’m also going to have a proper sort out of my clothes, shoes and stuff in general when I get home, and donate anything I haven’t used or worn for over a year to charity. In the grounds of my apartment complex is a container for donating clothes, shoes, bags and bedding, so I can put most things I don’t need in there. If there’s anything else, I will find a way to donate it!
So what do you think? Can I do it? Want to join me? Let me know in the comments!
Wow! This sounds like a great idea.
I think I’d struggle with the no take aways and no presents.
Good luck 🍀
Thank you! I’ll see how it goes!
Good work! I’ve done 1 year of no new clothes challenge once. And now I only buy from online second hand shops, flea market and clothes swapping events ( except lingeries lol) with a limit of less than 5 pieces/year. I’ve changed few other things in my life to do my best in being a minimalist and producing less trash 😉 it truly makes me feel happier. I admire your decision and hope it helps you to be happier too!
Thank you!
That’s very impressive, and I’m pleased to hear that you feel happier for it. Hopefully I will too!
You go girl 😃
I’ve been doing something similar for the past couple of years, and by the end of 2018, I’ve set a goal for myself to go full minimalist, as in having less than a 100 items (socks might be counted as a pair, yes). But takeaway disposables are the most difficult for me actually 😀
Thanks! That’s very ambitious. Good luck with it! 😁