Have you ever felt that your money disappeared the moment you paid? Maybe you have an emergency fund that increases your credit card debt or riskily low. If you want to control your finances, break the cycle of overexpenditure and build lasting financial stability, a low-buy year can be a perfect reset.
Many people try to cut their spending, but they struggle to stick to it. Without clear guidelines and accountability, those small “once” purchases begin to sum up, and your financial goals are pushed aside before you know it.
That’s where the low year comes. This structured approach helps you make less money, save more money and deliberately, without feeling unlucky.
I had a low year myself and let me tell you – it was life-changing. At first I was worried that I might feel there were limitations, but instead I felt empowered. I realized how much money I wasted on impulse purchases. By the end of the year, I had a new perspective on what really saved me a lot, had less financial stress, and really added value to my life.
Follow the steps in this guide to finish your low year wondering where all this extra money came from (hint: not shopping!).
No-Buy Year vs Low-Buy Year? What is the difference?
Although both years with fewer views focus on reducing unnecessary spending in unfair years, there are important differences.
No-Buy year
No-By Year is the most extreme version. We promise to buy only one year’s essentials. This means there are no new clothes, gadgets, books, or takeouts. This is only essential items such as food, rent, hygiene products.
Low shipping year
Low acquisition years are more flexible. Set specific spending limits and rules to allow purchases while controlling your spending.
For example, in No-Buy year, you won’t buy new clothes. A low-buy year may allow a clothing budget of $100 per year, or one new item per season.
Personally, I found that low buying years are more sustainable for me. It helped me to keep my spending down without feeling like I was completely taking myself away from it.
So let’s set your low rules and work on how to actually make this challenge a success.
Create rules for low years
OA Low-Buy years work best when adjusting rules to suit your lifestyle. The more personalized and realistic guidelines you have, the more likely you are to succeed. Here’s how to set up a low shipping rule:
1. Take stock of spending
Start by checking your spending habits. Take a look at the last 3-6 months of your bank and credit card statement to see where your money goes.
For me, I discovered that food delivery and random Amazon purchases were my biggest spending issues. I justified them by saying they were “convenient”, but in reality I was careful and swiping through the cards.
Your Turn: Are you using too much clothing, beauty products, coffee, takeout, or technology gadgets? Whatever it is, identify it. This will help you decide where to cut.
2. Select your spending category
Now that you know where your money is heading, you’ll decide which categories to limit. Some common areas people will cut during low years are:
- clothes: There are no new clothes other than absolute necessities (e.g., replacing worn shoes).
- Beauty products: There is no new makeup/skincare unless you run out of what you use regularly.
- Takeout and meals: Set monthly limits or eliminate them completely.
- Entertainment and Impulse Shopping: No unnecessary Amazon/target purchases.
- Subscription Services: Cancel any items that are not actively used.
Personal tip: I made one exception in a low shipping year. I allowed one takeaway meal a month. This made me feel the challenge was sustainable, while significantly reducing my spending.
3. Predict future costs
Think ahead of your birthday, holidays, and any special events you may want to spend. Instead of waiting until the very end and breaking the low shipping rules, plan ahead.
for example:
- Instead of purchasing expensive holiday gifts, you can have a homemade gift or gift experience such as babysitting, pet sitting, and home cooking.
- Usually, if you are buying new clothes for a wedding or event, consider renting, borrowing, or restauranting what you already own.
I spent hundreds of dollars on Christmas gifts each year, but during my low buying years, I made the rules: homemade gifts only. Not only did I save money, but my family actually loved thoughtful and personalized presents.
4. Create simple and clear rules
This is the most important step in all. If you want to do a successful low shipping year, don’t overly complicated or confuse your rules.
Make sure they are transparent and transparent and leave no room for wiggling for additional purchases. You want to go to your low year knowing exactly what you can and cannot spend your money on.
How to succeed during your low years
With your rules laid out, you are ready to start your low buying year now! At first, it’s exciting to think about how much money you can save.
But that could also be a little scary. What happens if things don’t work? What if you ruin it or give up? Luckily there is a way to guarantee a successful low shipping year, so don’t worry, you have this!
1. Determine your “why”
First, decide why you want to do this low b-challenge. You need to have the motivation to overcome the tough times when you want to enter a cave and go shopping already.
Are you very motivated to get out of debt so you can move into a new apartment? Are you worried that all the money you spend on fast fashion is damaging your environment, not just your wallet?
Whatever the reason, decide your “why” to embark on a low-buy year and look at it whenever you need a little motivation. Then write down your reasons and place it somewhere you see.
My personal “why” wanted to build a financial cushion so I didn’t feel stressed every time I had unexpected expenses. With that goal in mind, it helped me resist impulse purchases.
2. Remove the temptation
Do you want to receive emails from your favorite stores and receive emails, offer discounts, and show the latest ones that hit the shelf? If so, unsubscribe from all of these. Sign up from Marketing Email, Unbrand on Social Media and Delete Shopping Apps from your mobile phone.
Don’t worry, all of these places are present when your low year ends, so you can always register again (but you may not feel the urge to shop online in another year!)
Similarly, if you remember your credit card number, cut it out and ask for a new one. Place as many obstacles as you can to prevent shopping for unnecessary things.
After the haar video on social media, you may find yourself watching the haar video. It may be time to limit the time you spend on social platforms and find other productive things.
When I removed Amazon and Sephora from my phone, I immediately stopped impulse shopping because I had to go through extra steps to buy.
3. Track your progress
Create monthly check-in to see how much money you saved. Watching those numbers grow will keep you motivated.
I continued to run counts using the money memo app I didn’t spend every month. At the end of the year, I saved over $6,000 just by reducing unnecessary purchases.
4. Please join with friends and partners
Come on board with your friend, roommate or partner. Others should hold you accountable, encourage you, and it will be fun to challenge you together.
If your partner doesn’t want to join themselves, try using your rules to put them on board. This is especially important when one of your low shipping rules involves reducing grocery expenditures or other joint household expenses.
5. Start practicing gratitude
If you don’t already have one, develop a thank you practice. Daily gratitude practice will remind you of everything do It’s less likely that you’ll need to go out and spend more to feel fulfilled.
Limiting this impulse by appreciating what you already have during years when your goal is less buying is a key element of success.
6. Fill in with other things
Finally, remember to yourself that shopping and spending money is not included. It’s also because they’re in a hurry to fill voids using shopping.
But there are many that are just as fun and cost nothing. Reading, catching up with friends, baking, watching Netflix – all of these are almost free.
Expert Tips: Use Low Purchases to clarify your value
A low year is not about deprivation, but about realizing your spending at your value. Removing Mindless expenditures creates space for things that are really important, whether it’s financial freedom, experience, and long-term security.
Alternatives for low shipping years
If a low shipping year sounds too daunting or intimidating to you, why not start small with a low shipping quarter, low shipping month, or even a low week?
It may be better to start small and build on top of it, especially if you’re a large spender or rely on retail therapy to calm yourself down.
Starting small in just a week, low shipping months, or low shipping quarter alone will allow you to soak your toes at less cost without having to commit completely to a year.
These alternatives also allow you to revisit the rules, modify them, or continue for a week, month, or quarter. Who knows, by the time you finish your first short challenge, you may be ready to all-in for the whole low-buy year!
Questions commonly asked about doing a low year
1. Can I still buy things in a low-buy year?
yes! A low year is not about reducing all your spending completely, but about being intentional about what you buy. Unlike non-buy years, which eliminates all non-essential purchases, low-buy years allow for some spending, but are within the prescribed limits.
The key is to set clear and realistic rules that align with your financial goals. For example, you can exchange worn-out essentials (such as shoes or winter coats), buy pre-planned items within a set budget (such as $100 new clothes in a year), or spend on experiences rather than material things (such as travel or special occasions). The goal is not to feel stolen, but to eliminate impulsive shopping and ensure that your money is being used in a way that truly benefits you.
2. How much money can you save in a low year?
The savings depend on current spending habits and how strict the rules of low shipping are. Some people save thousands of dollars by significantly reducing discretionary spending.
For example, if you typically spend $250 per month on takeout, then reverting it to just one meal a month will save you over $2,500 a year. Similarly, if you limit your purchase of clothing and only exchange items you need, you can easily save over $1,000 a year. By tracking your spending and sticking to the rules, you start seeing real economic progress and gain a new appreciation for mindful spending.
3. What happens if you break the rules?
No one is perfect and breaking the rules doesn’t mean you’ve failed. Low years are not about perfection, but about progress. If you notice that you are making an unplanned purchase, acknowledge it, evaluate why it happened, and adjust your approach to moving forward.
One useful strategy is to identify the triggers for spending. Have you shopped because you were bored? Was it an emotional purchase? Recognizing patterns helps you develop better habits. If you slip, don’t give up on the challenge – get back on track. Most importantly, you will make conscious financial decisions and learn from the process.
4. Can I do a shorter version instead of a year?
absolutely! If you feel the year is overwhelming, you can start with a low month, quarter, or six month challenge. A short time frame allows you to test your water and adjust the rules before committing to a year.
Many people start with a low month and extend that when they see how much money they save and how much spending thinking changes. You can also experiment with certain low shipping categories. For example, you could commit to new clothing rules for three months before expanding to other areas. By starting small things, you will see firsthand how building confidence and reducing unnecessary spending benefits your finances and overall well-being.
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Are you ready to try low shipping years (or week, month or quarter)?
A low shipping year is a powerful way to control spending and reset your fiscal habits. Whether you commit to a month, a year or somewhere in between, the key is to make a decision that will stay in mind about where your money is going. The more intentional you are, the greater your financial advances.