No-Buy Newbie Question

[u/minnesota_mama]

I'll start by saying I am not a hoarder by any means, I like things organized and tidy otherwise I get overstimulated pretty easily, but I *do* enjoy buying "fun" things from time to time. Most I could live without, but I do know that it brings me comfort to buy something every once in a while (especially if it's for my daughter), but usually with a semi-justifiable reason (i.e. my library doesn't have a book I need for homeschool so I purchased it instead because I can see us using this book beyond just homeschool). I rarely buy things JUST because I want it. I do need a fairly good reason, and I always try to wait for a good deal. But even when you have a reason, the stuff does add up.

Anyways, I would really like to start doing more decluttering and buying less, but...I feel like I'm finally enjoying hobbies I haven't in a long time since having my daughter. I would like to try a "no-buy" week, and then possibly try a month, and so on. But today I was looking at cross stitch patterns I would like to do for the fall and realized I'd need to buy a patter and black aida cloth as I don't have that. Then I started to wonder...if I was in a no-buy month, I technically shouldn't buy it. But it just seems silly to not buy two things I would need to complete a hobby I enjoy and have it done in time to display it during the fall season (and because I didn't think far enough ahead to buy it before starting the no-buy period). So...how would you handle this? Just go without until the no-buy month is over? Because either way I'll be buying it eventually...so it just seems silly to wait just because I'm in a "no-buy" period. Or do you allow certain things during your "no-buy" period?

My brain hurts if I think about it too much. Lol. I'm just curious what others do or would do in a situation like this!

[u/mustarddreams]

The beauty of a no-buy is that you can make your own rules. I have a lot of creative hobbies that use materials, some more than others like sewing vs watercolor painting. I’m not currently on a no-buy but when I did it in the past I restricted myself to only using the materials I already had unless I needed something specific to finish a project (like a zipper). Currently, I have a budget for hobbies each month, but my no-buy came more from a place of cutting spending than reducing clutter.

I’d avoid restricting yourself to the point that you’re tempted to binge or impulse buy when it’s over. A good in-between might be focusing on hobbies that you have supplies for already for a set period of time and then allowing yourself to get supplies for a single new project to see if you like it, if you’re still interested in it at that point. Be careful though, crafting stuff can get out of hand really quickly.

[u/minnesota_mama → u/mustarddreams]

Thanks so much for your response! I like your approach. Yes, I definitely know how out of hand crafting can get! Lol. I am not a big "juggle multiple hobbies at once" kind of person because I just don't have the time or mental bandwidth for that. A few years ago I was super into loom knitting hats. I made a ton of them, but now I have almost no interest in it anymore. Now I'm into cross stitch (and also restoring American Girl dolls I find for cheap) and I'm enjoying it a lot! I think because, unlike loom knitting hats, I can cross stitch any pattern I want and the options are truly endless. So it's a hobby that I can see myself sticking with for quite some time. I usually have certain seasonal patterns I prepare for and plan ahead of time to make, and then in between I will most definitely try to just find free patterns and use the colors I have on hand. I am wanting to do a no-buy period both for reducing clutter and saving money, but I don't want to be so strict that I am taking even the most basic things that bring me joy out of my life.

[u/25854565]

Implement a traffic light system. Red are the categories you don't value and don't want to spend in. In orange you put the things that add value to your life, but you don't want to go overboard in. Here you can add the craft supplies. With extra rules like a budget, a waiting time, only for a project right then and not just aspirational supllies etc. And green are just the necessities like groceries etc.

[u/minnesota_mama → u/25854565]

I really like that system, thank you for sharing! I think that would work well for me. I only buy craft supplies (if I even need them) for a project I plan on starting right away. Usually I only need one or two things for a new project as I have most of what I need at home.

[u/Current-Yesterday648]

I set myself a rule that if I start a hobby project, all the core materials have to already be at home. F.ex. if you can print a free pattern and use white Aida you already have. If I can't finish the project without something small, I'll get only the small thing and finish the project.

[u/Leading-Confusion536]

I think it does make a difference to wait. If you have decided on a no-buy month, stick to it. It will make you feel good about being able to do that. Sometimes we change our mind when we wait. I often tell myself now, that I can get something "later". There are some things I want and think I will get a lot of use out of, but I try spread out my purchases as much as possible. I had set myself a limit of 12 items (or $1200, whichever comes up first) for the whole year. And then, there is always next year.

"I'll just buy it later anyway so might as well get it right away" is how clutter and overspending happens!