My "No Buy" Plan for 2025

Why No Buy

To keep it simple, a dozen eggs are now 12.99 at my local grocery store. This issue of prices increasing will only get worse with the tariffs being put in place. While there is no way to budget out of poverty, we can take actions to help ourselves out. My personal reasons for not buying unneeded purchases are the following:

• Saving money (obviously)

• Not utilizing items I already own

• Ethical concerns

• Needing to fill emergency fund

You can have other reasons as to why you aren't buying big, but it is good to list them out so you can be reminded of them throughout the year.

What Am I Not Buying in 2025

I do have some exceptions to items on this list, but it is for replacing items that I am in need for at the moment I am buying it. So, here is my list of no buys for next year:

• Beauty

  
  

  I own a lot of beauty products already. I will not be buying any beauty products like makeup or skincare, unless I have run out of every other product that does the same thing. For example, I will not buy red lipstick until I am completely out of all my other red lipsticks. Same concept applies for skincare, haircare, etc. I do have colored hair, which I do at home, but I am going to try and schedule it out and cut my own hair to cut down cost. Another exception is for products expiring. It is very easy to get infections from using too old of makeup. I have a bit of an issue with buying makeup, so this will be a challenge. It will also challenge me to be more creative with my makeup looks. Celebrating the empty products that were 100% used.

  
  

• Technology

  
  

  There is no technology I have to replace as of right now. I am wanting to get refurbished or used if I do need to buy tech. This isn't just for No Buy reasons, but ethical reasons as well. The minerals used in computer chips are mined using the labor of enslaved people, many of whom are children (1). The easiest way to protest the use of slave labor in technology is to not buy from the companies that utilize it. I don't need the new matcha green kindle, I have a perfectly working one that will last me probably a decade.

  
  

• Fashion

  
  

  Over the years, my wardrobe has grown too large for me to be purchasing more clothing, jewelry, or fragrances. I have some good investment pieces already. I don't need to buy more fashion items unless I need something for a particular event, but I love a good rewearable outfit. Again, there are ethical issues with fast fashion. There is an environmental impact, but again, the utilization of unethical labor practices(2). I also have a good quality sewing machine. I can learn to fix my clothing and even try to make my own.

  
  

• Home

  
  

  Home decor is something I never really paid attention to. I am too broke to even really consider this a big category for me. Plants are something that I occasionally buy, but lately it has been vegetable scraps to try and grow. I can make my own wall art, rearrange my furniture for a fresh feel, cycle decor I already own so it seems new.

  
  

• Office

  
  

  Stationary is going to be a challenge not to buy, but I own too many pens and too many sticky notes to justify buying more. I really don't buy office stuff, luckily I have collected a good amount of stuff over the years. The only thing I would buy that is in this category would be tape.

  
  

• Online

  
  

  Starting in 2025, I am going to have a general rule that I need to buy something in person if I am actually buying it. This is impossible for some things, but it is possible for others. I need to continue buying masks, air filters, and water filters. This includes postmates and instacart. I broke the habit of constantly getting takeout this past year. I want to continue that same practice this year.

  
  

• Arts and Crafts

  
  

  There is a basket of yarn and another of scrap fabric I need to get into before I go and buy more stuff. No new hobbies next year, but continuing hobbies I already know and have invested in a while ago. The excepts to this will be if I am in need of supplies for a current project and don't have enough. I will also recycle old projects, use clothing that doesn't fit for sewing, and buy used materials where I can. There is a shop in Portland that specializes in scrap craft material, so that is an option I have.

What Am I Still Buying?

• Food (obviously)

• Air filters/Water filters

• Masks for Covid prevention

• Pet care products

• Transportation (gas, bus/train tickets, the VERY occasional uber if needed and no transportation is available)

• Menstrual products

• Concert tickets (limiting myself to only once a month or every other month)

• I am debating getting the Regal Movie Pass month to month because of how much I love watching movies in the theatre

I currently have little to no way to have reusable options for these items. Though I am trying to get some more FloMask filters so it is a bit less intense every few months to get another batch of KN95s (walking to my mailbox is tiresome).

How Am I Going to Do it

• Preparing

  
  

  Before I "can't" buy, I am preparing by purchasing all the larger items I would need now. I am buying my water filters, air filters, and everything that I would need to routinely replace, I am hoping that it will over all keep the amount I purchase down. I have some auto savings set up for my paycheck, I am setting aside a certain amount each month to put into my high yields saving account. This will be going towards my emergency funds and sinking funds for the purchases I will be making in 2025.

  
  

• Keeping Accountable

  
  

  My boyfriend is going to be doing a similar challenge for himself. I am going to cook some meals for the both of us, where I can. We can do low cost/free dates that include our pets (our children). We can save our money for special occasions and learn to be frugal where appropriate.

  
  

• Tracking Expenses

  Tracking your expenses is quite easy now. When any card is used, I get notified. Having the visual reminder that I spent money will motivate me to not spend. Handling the largest bills immediately will help with the anxiety of owing money. I try to always pay off any credit card debit I have after I pay my rent. This not only keeps the amount owed low due to it not gaining interest, but also helps your credit score by showing you pay the full balance each month. This is not an option for many though. Pay what you can. These systems are designed to fail us, do not blame yourself.

  
  

• "Shopping" My Closet

  I (un)fortunately have a tendency to hoard things like clothes and makeup. This causes me to rotate my style frequently. Now, this works a lot better if you don't have a varying body size (so virtually no one) because a lot of my clothes are too small, but I don't want to scrap them for fabric. Some pieces are quality pieces that are considered vintage, I hope to fit into them again or give them to someone who does.

  
  

• Finding Free/Low Cost Activities

  This is quite easy, but can be a challenge these days. I recently got a library card. I have been collecting physical media in the form of VHS tapes for years now, so that is an option for older movie watching. Getting back into hiking would be nice, but the weather does make it a challenge. Having a third space to exist that doesn't require money or being intoxicated is hard in this late stage capitalist world. We can try to make the best of what we have available though.

Ending Thoughts and MA Promotion

There are many things that could change with this plan, this is a small effort in trying to make things easier on individual people. I will share my empties for makeup and how my No Buy goal for 2025 is going, hopefully it will encourage others to do the same. A great form of protest is focusing your money elsewhere, such as mutual aid. Consider donating to my friend, Eslam. She is caring for her nephews in Egypt while the rest of her family is in Gaza. There has been an ongoing genocide in the Gaza Strip for over a year now. Food and clean water is scarce, the weather is cold and wet, and everyone needs help. Her campaign can be found here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-soma-support-her-family-trapped-in-gaza

Enjoy the holiday season, please stay safe, ask for help when you need it, and stay bready.