If you like to use the start of the new year to set goals or build habits, you may have considered switching up your approach to your personal finances—whether that’s trying to commit to a budget (again) or ruthlessly cutting all non-essential spending for the entire year. Unfortunately, neither of those is easy (or even realistic), as your relationship with money is emotional and complex and you often need to dig much deeper to effect change.
That said, if you do have financial goals for 2025 and want to spend more intentionally in order to reach them, it’s worth considering implementing a “low-buy period.” Here’s where to start, and why low-buying can be better than trying to go cold turkey.
What is a “low-buy” period?
A low buy (or low spend) period generally involves cutting back on discretionary spending in certain areas without eliminating it completely. After covering all of your essentials—housing, groceries, transportation, healthcare, etc.—you look for ways to reprioritize and reduce spending on the fun (or extra or unnecessary) stuff, based on what matters most to you. This is different from no-buy/no-spend challenges, which typically restrict all discretionary purchases: no restaurants or takeout, no new clothes or personal items, no concert tickets, etc.
There is no single or rigid set of rules for low buying, since what matters to you is personal. For example, if you love dining out with friends, maybe you reduce the frequency of those outings from once a week to twice a month, and replace the remaining meals with a lower-cost alternative (like a potluck at someone’s home). Or if you are redecorating your home, maybe you set a limit on the number of items you purchase each month, or try to shop used or secondhand first.
The larger goal of a low-buy period is to spend more intentionally, which can also help you spend less on unnecessary things and work toward other financial goals, like paying off debt or saving for a big purchase.
How to try a low-buy approach
If you want to try a low-buy approach, start by identifying your reason for doing so. If you start cutting back on things you love (or spending habits you want to change) without a clear intention, you’ll likely get distracted or lose steam quickly. Your “why” could be anything from reducing credit card debt or increasing what you can save or invest to changing your relationship with impulse shopping or reducing overall consumption. You can also set a specific goal to repurpose your money, such as saving X amount to put toward your emergency fund or your retirement account.
Next, set a realistic timeframe. Start small—a week or a month—especially if you have never looked at your spending habits before. You can always extend your low-buy period for longer. Set milestones (like opportunities for tiny wins!) along the way to check in and assess how you’re doing.
Finally, identify what matters to you and how your money helps you align with those things. If you value experiences, don’t cut event tickets out completely—refocus on a select few that you’re most excited about, or purchase cheaper seats. If you love giving gifts, make them meaningful and for special occasions (like a birthday) rather than frequent and expensive. Focus on spending that is high-value and genuinely pleasurable rather than restricting for the sake of restricting.
Five strategies for a successful low-buy period
There are also a few common strategies for a successful low-buy period:
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Create an “order of operations” for your purchases. If you do have to shop, exhaust your free or low-cost options before buying new. Kara Perez of Bravely Go suggests shopping your own home first, then trying “buy nothing” groups, borrowing, trading, repairing, and thrifting.
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Make one-to-one replacements. Instead of adding toiletries or cleaning supplies to your collection, replace exactly what you have only once you have run out. This can reduce spending on disposables that end up half used (or unused).
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Keep track of your spending. If you get to the end of a low-buy period and don’t have any data, you won’t really know how it went. Use a spreadsheet to write down expenses (including date and amount) or subscribe to a budgeting app.
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Unsubscribe. As minimialist YouTuber Christina Mychas says, ignorance is bliss. Unsubscribe from email lists and reduce time spent watching influencer hauls so you aren’t bombarded with opportunities for mindless spending.
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Seek out support. tell the people you live, work, and spend time with about what you’re doing and how they can help you. You can also find communities (such as r/nobuy) where you can learn more.
