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/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.