How is no shop January going?

LJP

I was thinking about posting this next week! I'm on a no-buy January for everything - including food that isn't planned for . I'm happy to say that it's been much easier than I thought .Everytime something came to mind that I thought I needed from amazon (organizing things, kitchen and cleaning things etc) or from the drugstore, I remembered my vow and simply didn't buy it . It hasn't mattered one bit, and I can't even remember what it was I thought I needed to order now. I'm using up hair products that I don't want to rebuy and quite like the idea of winnowing everything down to what I love best. I've had zero interest in new clothes - I truly have enough for my needs right now and adding in something purely for the dopamine hit is exactly what I am trying NOT to do. I'm thinking of carrying this forward into February!

I love vintage cutlery too !

18 hours ago

MsMaven

Veteran

You mean sales month January? I didn't even try. Now I think I'll try it in February. I certainly have an ample supply of winter clothes to get me through the next few weeks.

Not buying cosmetics has been easy, although I looked in my drawer today and wondered just how old some of those make up products are.

I admire anyone who can resist all the end-of-season and New Year's sales. For those who succeeded: tell us how you did it!

17 hours ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I didn’t set out to do a no-buy January, but my only style-related purchase is a handbag that I ordered to try, which is on its way to me.

I’ve bought books, records, and some new sheets, plus a new chair, lamp, and storage bench for our bedroom, so I’ve been focused on a little home refresh.

I’ve actually freed up some space in my closet with some editing, and I’m not aiming to replace those items. I’m sure I’ll find something fun shopping in Japan this spring.

17 hours ago

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Well I didn't buy any first hand clothing does that count ? Just kidding, I was not on a no buy, but I rarely buy new wardrobe items all year long.

17 hours ago

Irina

Veteran

I failed. I bought a Marimekko dress on a substantial discount and a cashmere cardi. A cardigan was on my list (very short list these days), a bit dressy especially after I changed buttons. It’s hard to resist, both of these items are not easy to come by (for me).

I don’t have a No Buy for other items outside my wardrobe.

I’m going to try No Buy in February. Hope it will be easier with no sales to temp me. I’m planning to get on with alteration projects instead. And to add more of my older items to Poshmark.

17 hours ago

Sal

Veteran

Well done Lisa! That's awesome.

Ms Maven - I think easier for me in summer (although our summer has been atypical) where I have other distractions.

Janet - good work! I too like doing some shopping whilst travelling.

Jaime - haha!

Irina - those sound like good purchases. I love Marimekko although do not own any...

I am away for the first week of February and then have a couple of busy weeks with no chance to shop so I think it will be six weeks break total. I am trying to mostly shop in person now for new items unless they are a direct replacement or gear. I count the sports sneakers and hiking tee as different from fashion/style purchases - I don't know if that this is manipulating data or not!

16 hours ago

JAileen

Veteran

I failed, too. I was doing pretty good, but then I bought some turtleneck tops which I needed. And then yesterday I bought a charcoal wool coat. I’d been looking at it for months. It’s 90 percent wool unlike most “wool” coats at Macy’s, and it was 50 percent off. I thought I’ll give it a try.

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15 hours ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Sal, that's great! Good for you. The Brooks GHOST is a popular athletic sneaker with my clients. Fab that it comes in reasonable colours these days. We match them up to outfits - for travel capsules especially where there is a need for extra comfortable walking shoes. Glad they're working well for your feet!

January is usually a leaner month for us. Always feels good! We're not big on stocking up on things because we live in a loft! Space and storage is at a premium so we constantly have to watch what comes in and whether it can be stored. Bought presents for friends this month, which feels good too

15 hours ago

LJP

Veteran

As to MsMaven’s question : simple . Don’t browse and don’t go shopping ! I delete any email from a retailer and pass by ads on social media . Temptation doesn’t come in the form of a sale for me . If I don’t need it , it doesn’t matter if it’s on sale or not . There will always be clothes to buy I think I really hit the wall in December with consumer culture in general and am sufficiently disgusted with too much of anything .

15 hours ago

Bonnie

Veteran

I didn't even try a no buy January because I like a good sale. I got a dress, pair of pants, a warm sweater, and a vest on sale. I'm totally set for next year except for a summer weight topper and a grandmother of the bride outfit.

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15 hours ago

Sal

Veteran

JAileen - that sounds like a useful and good purchase!!

Angie - love getting sorted with gifts - such a good idea! I don't tend to stock up on much (reaction to having hoarders in the family) but I have my weak spots (the office, cleaning products). The Ghost is a great shoe - I have the all black ones (black sole and black upper) and then now a white and cream pair. With two pairs if I decide to wear them for long days walking at least I can coordinate with the outfit. At the moment they are "exercise" use only.

Lisa - I know the feeling. I have all retailer emails go to a special inbox so I don't see them unless I go into that folder.

Bonnie - lovely additions!

14 hours ago

Cookie

Veteran

Well, I didn’t set out specifically to not buy anything, but I haven’t bought anything that was new. Except a book I ordered. Because my brother wrote it

14 hours ago

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I didn’t plan on a no-buy January since I have tended to be low-buy all year. I have looked in my favourite small mall just for interest/inspiration and saw two beautiful items but have not pulled the trigger. There is a gorgeous Kelly Green coloured lacy top at Storm, and that is a colour I thought last year that I might be interested in in future as it is in my Clear Spring palette, I like it, and don’t have any. I wish I had your green shoes! But it is really much more expensive than I feel happy about paying. The other item is a lovely printed blouse from Liberty fabric at Max. This is a better price with some nice colours, in a very soft cotton. But then it would be good with some plain tan or bronze long pants which I do not have. There are not many online, so today after attending a house auction with my daughter I called into Shore City where there is, I thought, a JacquiE store with one the right colour. And the store has closed! So no luck there. I do want to buy stuff at op shops and went to 4 yesterday,looking,one pair perfect colour pants only $6 but alas size 14(US 10), one of my 2 sizes (my other size is 12, US 8) and too baggy plus too long Was thinking it’s worth finishing a no buy January off, almost there!

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12 hours ago

Helena

Veteran

I didn't have any particular plans but tend to be low-buy/intentional-buy. I did purchase a new winter coat which was a bigger purchase for me so that made it easy to not be tempted for more! I'm headed downtown for high tea and a shop around a big downtown store so I have one item on my maybe list - dark wash straight or dressy jeans - if the perfect pair is there, so those would squeak into January too.

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5 hours ago

Jules

Veteran

Well it’s birthday month for me, and I definitely have a pattern of buying myself something on sale, maybe even a few things This year has been no exception. In the clothing department, I ordered a Canadian made summer dress that I’ll be keeping. We went to Montreal this past weekend to visit my older daughter, which meant lots of time spent in ‘vintage’ (so much Y2K!) and regular retail, where I ended up with two more items. In terms of household, I purchased 3 used items off Facebook marketplace.
Looking at this list I’m glad only one item qualifies as a fast fashion impulse buy - a topper from ZARA. Nevertheless I’ve deleted Facebook and am not buying anything else for the house until I do significant organizing and decorating with stuff already acquired, lol! I may attempt a strict no buy February…

5 hours ago

RobinF

Veteran

I am not good at forbidding myself - I seem to want it even more. That said, I am trying to be very intentional and stick to actual needs and no browsing just for fun. I did order some workout gear from Old Navy and am deciding what to keep. This was badly needed even though I just workout at home. And from Poshmark I got a duplicate of some jeans I wear around the house, baggy, tie-waist very comfy.

4 hours ago

Dee

Veteran

I wasn’t exactly doing a no-buy January, but just wanted to cut back on buying stuff in general. I’m pleased to report that I only bought one pair of work out joggers for a fitness class I’d signed up for.

3 hours ago

Je Ne Sais Pas

Active Member

I did not commit to myself to a no buy january or any other shopping restriction for 2026. I did set a budget for jewellery and I keep track of new acquisitions in a notebook. So far in 2026:

- gifts (because Jan 6th is Epiphany): 2, a navy sweater from my mom, a black longsleeve T-shirt from my SIL.
- hand me downs: 3 pairs of earrings from my mom.
- bought new: 2, house shoes (need), summer trousers (more want than need, but on super sale because the boutique is closing down).
- bought second hand: 1, a sterling brooch on eBay (want).
- near misses: I almost bought the Coccinelle Elinor shoulder bag… decided not to because of the weight, which is quite average, but I am hoping to find a lighter bag.

So far: 8 new additions to my wardrobe. I feel grateful, and all 8 pieces are beautiful and match my lifestyle.

Adding pics of the bag and the house shoes.

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3 hours ago

Bijou

Veteran

January is not a 'no-buy' month for me because it is my birthday month and we also had holiday in Japan.... what I bought in Japan was a new wallet, the old one's clasp broke so I was holding it together with an elastic band and some boots - very light weight and comfy, and a couple of souvenir tees.

I also bought a pink tee and a sweatshirt (in Australia) because I could not resist the colour!

In Japan DS got some amazing fashion jeans and a vintage shirt as well as some tees. It is so fun shopping for him as everything looks great on him. DH bought some shoes that he had been wanting to get and was thrilled to find them in his size in Japan (he has a very popular size in Australia that sells out - in Japan he is a 'big foot').

February, March and April will be low buy months for me. I have a good stock of summer clothes to see me through. I will be buying a new moisturiser as I know my current one is running very low.

@Bonnie - what fabulous wardrobe additions that are so very you!

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3 hours ago

Star (Lise)

Veteran

I have had a no buy month and probably will not buy anything new until Spring when I may thrift a few pieces for a light refresh. The thing is I have finally dropped back to a size I was four years ago so I have a lot of older pieces I am looking forward to wearing so really won't need much at all. I've been sized out of most of my wardrobe for four years!

3 hours ago

cat2

Veteran

I don’t shop much full price. So my shopping is when we get to stacked discounts. January and August, I think. This year I am finding great accessories, so am using my budget mostly on belts, bags and shoes. And some brown pants. Boden, Lafayette 148 and Vince.

1 hour ago

The Cat

Veteran

Luckily, January is not a no-buy month for me. Last week, I finally succeeded to find an item I have been wanting for several years: A LIGHT GREY MIDI trenchcoat. At 40% discount. I also purchased a pretty pink shortsleeved top at 50% discount. Oh, and a wine-coloured warm hat at 70% off. So, 2 items for spring and summer and 1 for winter.

1 hour ago

AndiB

Veteran

Very badly. Very, very badly. I truly intended to scale way back but ended up with the following:

Lu Lu Lemon Day drift high rise wide

http://https//shop.lululemon.c.....one/_/prod

Madewell denim - Ultimate Wide Leg denim, very dark wash, fitted through hips and thighs + Long Line straight, button fly (didn't notice the button fly when I ordered on line, but the wash and stiff denim help me see past the button fly). I have come to really love Madewell denim.

Soft Grey button up Cardigan, wearing on repeat with either black turtleneck or white long sleeve crew tee. Rack

Bauble Bar big beaded necklaces, one grey, one Tiger Eye with a single gold bead I. Love. This. I am wearing it on repeat, and the grey one too https://www.baublebar.com/prod.....tigers-eye

BaubleBar small puffy heart.https://www.baublebar.com/prod.....24&am

TJ Maxx large, longer chain, puffy heart. I am always all-in to add trendy jewelry for a season or two, and while I thought this might skew young, I love both of the puffy hearts

TJ Maxx green beads, smaller than the bauble bar beads but gosh do I love this too

Shoes. https://www.vagabond.com/us/eida-5704-101-69/ edgy Mary Janes. I have been wanting these for a while, and they went on sale so I bit. Probably won't wear until spring but SO COMFY; I can't wait! I love Vagabond brand, have 3 pairs of booties, I think LisaP lifted up this brand here, and I go back again and again.

Calvin Klein short (hip length), wool, fur collared jacket, can't find a link, super chic.

Rack Michael Kors leopard coat. I love me some leopard
https://www.nordstromrack.com/.....n=keywords

Probably more. No Buy February, anyone?

1 hour ago

MsMary

Veteran

I'm doing well. Haven't bought any clothes or cosmetics. I did buy refills for my electric toothbrush because we were at Costco buying toilet paper and I saw them and thought I needed them. Turned out I didn't so I regret that purchase. I also bought a couple of souvenir refrigerator magnets while I was out of town for a week, but I figure that doesn't really count, right?

I'm enjoying not buying and plan to keep it up all year to the extent possible. My aspiration is to not buy any clothing except when I'm on vacation -- I love to buy clothes abroad! Wearable souvenirs!

53 minutes ago

elena

Active Member

I’m on an unintentional no-buy at the moment because my neighborhood/city is basically a sheet of ice, and probably will be until next week! I have an ever-growing list of items I want/need to order online but I don’t want anything shipped to me until we thaw out. It’s scary out there!
Earlier this month I did do some necessary shopping - trying a new brand of sports bras (Underoutfit! They’re great) and replacing socks - plus some less necessary - a couple of western-y leather belts from Lucky Brand on super sale and some new Adidas SL72s. I guess I can wait until Feb to fulfill my other current desires. Sigh.

12 minutes ago

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