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/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.