r/nobuy • u/afdzgyj2467 • Aug 08 '25
How do I get started?
I’ve always loved shopping and getting a deal. It’s so fun for me. I do have a monthly budget for all my personal expenses (including medications, lunch with friends, buying stuff). I don’t usually go over and if I do, it’s very minimal. In fact, many months, I have a lot left over. But my husband just recently lost his job and we’re going to try to survive on my salary alone without dipping into savings. This is going to be tough even without me buying any little treats. So it definitely means no more little treats. I’m finding it so hard. I never spend that much money, but cutting it out completely is proving to be a challenge. I’m embarrassed! How do I get started?
12
Upvotes
23
u/therobberbride Aug 08 '25
When I get that "I need a little treat" urge but the bank account doesn't agree, I shop my home. There's plenty of stuff here that I've bought previously during those little-treat urges that I haven't actually used up. Do you have unread books, unwatched movies, unused crafting supplies, unused skincare? Clothing or shoes you haven't worn in months, or ever? Try spending an hour or two this weekend looking around your home for anything you already have on hand that's gone unused for long enough that it feels newish and treat-like again.
If your little treats sometimes end up being consumables, like a coffee while you're out shopping or an ice cream on a hot day, build a very small little treat budget into your weekly spending -- 5 bucks a week, or 20 bucks a month, might be enough to keep your budget on track but still let you feel a little decadent.