Update on my No-Buy 2024 pt. 2
Update on my No-Buy 2024 pt. 2 Introduction
Below is a continuation of last week’s article, in which I started updating readers on how I got on with my No-Buy challenge in 2024. I did mention that for balance, I wanted to update you on everything I hadn’t bought, might have purchased in the past, decluttered, used up, and not replaced. Before letting you in on the above, I want to ensure that no one sees the below as a finger-pointing exercise for anyone who doesn’t attempt a no-buy challenge or enjoys shopping.
Update on my No-Buy 2024 – What I hadn’t bought each month
JANUARY
In January, I decluttered or not replaced the following three items:
- Teaware
- Bathroom cleaner
- Kitchen towels
In January, I didn’t buy the following three items:
- Chairs
- Bench
- Box
I redecorated my study in January and turned it into a study/dining room. In the process, I bought a dining table but could have also purchased matching benches or extra chairs.
I wanted a wooden box to store staff away but held off due to the price (oh, and doing a No-Buy Challenge).
I decluttered some more teaware in January to make my tea shelf look less cluttered.
As both my kitchen towels and bathroom cleaner ran out, I did not replace them. As an eco-conscious person, I wanted to produce less waste and purchase fewer unnecessary items damaging the environment.
FEBRUARY
In February, I decluttered or not replaced the following items:
- Frying pan
- Books
In February, I didn’t buy the following four items:
- Shoes
- Winter Jumpers
- Teaware
- Stationary
I routinely review my books (Read about it here) and discard all the ones I don’t wish to re-read. So, in February, I did the first of several book declutters.
I also parted with one of my frying pans, as having four seemed excessive.
I had to discard my shoes and winter jumper as they came to the end of their lives. I tried having my shoes mended, but apparently, due to their design, that wasn’t possible. I didn’t replace either to save money and in the hope that spring would be upon us soon.
While mooching around Stoke Newington Church Street (Check it out if you’re ever in London), I saw two teapots I fancied and some lovely stationery. As I rarely make impulse purchases, I thought about it for a few days and decided to hold off as I ‘fancied’ but didn’t ‘need’ the items.
MARCH
In March, I decluttered or not replaced the following two items:
- T-shirt
- Tracksuit bottoms
In March, I didn’t buy the following items:
- Books
- Teacup
- Random present for Tess (Sorry, Tess!)
I got rid of all my white T-shirts so as not to have to do a separate whitewash (all my clothing is dark) and to reduce clutter and items of clothing that didn’t multifunction.
I travelled to Devon, and while there, I held off from buying souvenirs or random things I saw in the shops. As much as I like to support local businesses and artists, my desire for a minimalist home is stronger.
APRIL
In April, I decluttered or not replaced the following five items:
- iPod 1
- iPod 2
- Mobile
- Sofa bed
- Table
In April, I didn’t buy the following two items:
- Sofa bed/Mattress
- Chairs in Charity Shop
Some items were old and broken, and I took them to the recycling centre. Other items no longer served a purpose for me, but they were still in good condition, so I donated those to the British Heart Foundation.
In April, I held off from buying some green chairs in a charity shop and a new sofa bed/mattress for visitors. Making do with what I had again played into this.
MAY
In May, I decluttered or not replaced the following three items:
- Trainers
- Teaware
- iPod Docking Station
Removing these three items was a combination of discarding broken things and decluttering excess.
JUNE
In June, I decluttered or not replaced the following items:
- Summer trousers
In June, I didn’t buy the following items:
- Souvenirs from my various trips
There was not much to say; the trousers were torn.
JULY
In July, I decluttered or not replaced the following two items:
- Books
- Tent
After a failed camping trip, I donated my tent to avoid the temptation to camp again. Sorry, Shonagh and everyone else on the trip, you were all lovely! Not the tent sleeping in rainy Wales. There is a reason humans have invented Hotel rooms.
AUGUST
In August, I didn’t buy the following items:
- Souvenirs
- Agatha Christie Books
In August, I travelled more and held off from purchasing souvenirs.
SEPTEMBER
In September, I decluttered or not replaced the following three items:
- Suitcase
- Bed linen
- Camping Mat
In September, I didn’t buy the following items:
- Hiking boots
I don’t like my hiking boots much and have always been eyeing buying new ones. I saw several good ones in shops but decided to wear out the ones I have as they fit and serve their purpose.
There isn’t much to say about the items I recycled or donated.
The suitcase I had initially bought to transport the tent is now too big for me to use, so out it went.
OCTOBER
In October, I decluttered or not replaced the following four items:
- Kitchen items
- Books
- Fancy Shoes
- Handbag
In October, I didn’t buy the following four items:
- Agatha Christie Books
- Daphne DuMaurier Books
- Souvenirs
- Jewellery
The items I decluttered were all things that no longer served a purpose in my life and were taken to a charity shop.
In October, I went to Cornwall and held off buying books, souvenirs, and jewellery I had seen while there. Don’t need them, they serve no purpose.
NOVEMBER
In November, I decluttered or not replaced the following two items:
- Trainers
An old pair of trainers no longer served their purpose, and I took them to the clothes recycling bin.
DECEMBER
In December, I decluttered or not replaced the following two items:
- Hiking Trousers
- Desktop computer
In December, I didn’t buy the following items:
- Second teapot
- Fairness Jug
- Cool Trainers
I went round the teashops in Berlin and saw more lovely teaware than I needed. Despite wanting it, I held off as I didn’t think I needed it.
Conclusion on my No-Buy 2024 – What I hadn’t bought each month
My year-long experiment made me realise how much shopping is embedded into our culture and how difficult it is to truly not buy anything. There is temptation lurking everywhere, and companies don’t make stuff to last.
Further, it is interesting to realise how little we need to live quite well when trying not to consume endless junk. We think we need much more than we do. Advertising and socialisation play a big part in it.
We will continue the theme in the next two blog posts. I will remind readers why I did the No-Buy challenge and give a glimpse into my daily journal. In the journal, I have described how I felt throughout the year with my life and the no-buy challenge in general.
In a separate blog post, I will give a detailed verdict on how my year went and what I think of as no-buy challenges in general. Watch this space!