With just a couple of days left in February, I’m taking a moment to look back at my “No-Buy Year” progress. It has been a fascinating journey so far. Between December and January, I spent a total of $182—but as I look at my tracker for February, I’m thrilled to see not a single entry.
The last six weeks have brought about a major shift. Surprisingly, I just don’t feel the urge to buy anything anymore. If you’re struggling with impulse spending, here is what I’ve learned three months into this commitment.
Identifying the Boredom Trigger
The biggest revelation was recognizing my triggers. With my kids grown and a steady work schedule, I realized I was turning to online shopping simply because I was bored.
I would go online, browse, and convince myself I “needed” things that, in reality, I didn’t. Once I identified that shopping was just a way to fill time, the power it had over me started to fade. I’ve discovered that I am perfectly happy with exactly what I already own.
Hospitality on a Budget
One of the highlights of this month was proving that you don’t need a big budget (or a big house) to be a great host. I had four guests over recently, and even though my home is only 740 square feet, it worked out beautifully.
Instead of a pricey dinner out, we went to the grocery store where we spent just $20. I cooked pork steaks, vegetables, and cut up some fruit, and we had a wonderful meal together. For entertainment, I used my annual zoo pass and spent the afternoon window-shopping downtown. I didn’t buy a thing, yet I had a grand time just enjoying the company.
My New “Shopping Cart” Rules
I’ve realized a simple truth: If I don’t enter a store or open a shopping app, I never knew I “needed” that stuff in the first place. To keep this momentum going, I’ve implemented two main rules:
- The 48-Hour Pause: If I truly think I need something, it goes into the cart and stays there for 24 to 48 hours. This cooling-off period ensures that if I do eventually buy it, it’s with intention and thought, not impulse.
- Out of Sight, Out of Mind: By staying off shopping sites, the temptation to “discover” new needs disappears.
Staying the Course
I am officially three months into a journey that started on December 1st, and I am fully committed to seeing this through until next November. My tracking page for February is currently empty, and I’m hopeful it stays that way!
If you’re on a similar journey, remember:
- Find your triggers. Is it boredom? Stress? Social media?
- Give yourself grace. If you make a mistake, you can return the item or simply acknowledge it and resolve to do better next time.
- Stay on track. The goal is within reach.
Let’s keep meeting our goals together.
Peppermint Paper 