Announcing My Low Buy Month

A few posts ago when reviewing my goals for the new year, I noted that money is something I definitely need to work on my relationship with- and that is exactly what I plan to do. I have decided to deem the next four weeks a low buy month.¹

No Buy and Low Buy challenges have become increasingly common in the last few years. A “no buy” is a self-imposed challenge wherein a person commits to not purchasing anything other than truly essential items (for example, groceries, housing costs, and insurance) for a period of time. A “low buy” offers some flexibility for non-essentials depending on the rules that the participant sets. For instance, a person participating in a low buy might allow themself to buy takeout coffee once a week where a no buyer would insist on always making their own coffee at home.

There are many reasons why people participate in no buys and low buys; two of the most common being to save money and to break bad spending habits. Personally, I think the low buy will be helpful for me because I didn’t meet my financial goals in 2025. I think it’ll be good for me to keep a close eye on my spending and develop an awareness of where my money is going and how I can save more of it. 2026 is the year I turn thirty, which feels crazy- certainly a time when I need to take my personal finances seriously. This year, I want to improve my financial literacy, budget, start investing and make plans for saving for retirement and buying a home. I have a lot to learn. Depending on how my low buy goes, I may extend it or change some of its rules.

Speaking of rules, here are the ones I’ve decided to impose for my own low buy:

1. Track my finances every single day. I’m doing this in a physical notebook for the time being- I know a lot of budgeters track their expenses digitally in apps or spreadsheets. I’m hoping this turns into a habit I can keep up with moving forward.
2. Buy essentials. While I don’t plan to set limits on the amounts I spend on essentials, I am hoping to try to eventually reduce the costs of some of them- for example, by renegotiating insurance terms.
3. Do not buy physical non-essential items (including new clothing, homewear, books and hobby supplies). If something comes up that I want to buy, I will record it on a wishlist.
4. With respect to beauty or hygiene products, replace used up items. So, for example, I wouldn’t allow myself to buy a new tube of mascara unless I finish my old one. One further note about beauty expenses- I get my nails done once a month. I already have cash set aside to cover the cost of my nails this month, so I can still go to my nail appointment.
5. Do not purchase takeout food or dine in at restaurants unless one of three exceptions apply: (1) I am with another person and getting food is part of a social experience, (2) I am getting food after finishing a long run, or (3) I am out on a solo date (max once a week). Incidentally, one of my greatest pleasures in life is taking myself out for iced oat lattes at cafés- I don’t want to give this up!
6. Pay for existing monthly subscriptions, but when I’m charged, I will really consider whether I need to continue subscribing to the services at all. If not, I’ll unsubscribe.
7. Buy experiences– I will not limit myself when it comes to paying for experiences (such as admission costs to museums and parks or class fees).
8. Buy gifts– If I need to purchase any gifts this month, I can spend without a particular limit in mind.

Some of these rules might seem very permissive, however, my most problematic expenses tend to be nonessential physical items and takeout. As long as I have a plan for addressing those costs, I think the low buy will be worthwhile. Of course, I expect that there will undoubtedly be expenses that come up throughout the next few weeks that don’t neatly fit into any of the categories I listed. When they do, I am hoping to use my best judgement to determine whether or not to spend money on them, keeping the spirit of the low buy in mind.

To keep myself occupied throughout the month, I am hoping to do some early spring cleaning and decluttering around my apartment- the tidying bug came early for me this year. I am also hoping to post mini updates about how the low buy challenge is going to keep myself accountable.

See you in February!

Laura Kate

1. For clarity- I anticipate my low by to run from January 26 – February 22. I was originally going to make it the month of February, which is exactly 4 weeks long, but then I got excited and wanted to start the project sooner rather than later. ↩︎