The “No-Buy” challenge trend is sweeping the country, and though it sounds like a hardship you may not wish upon your worst enemy, it could save you a ton of money. The rules are simple: Make up whatever rules you want.
Curious to know how you can get through a week, month, or more without buying anything unnecessary? Here are 10 tips.
Determine the Rules
Before you launch yourself into one of the hardest experiments a person can do in 2025, consider the plan. Make a list of what is and isn’t acceptable for your No-Buy stint. What kinds of foods are allowed? What other monthly expenses that can’t be skipped are allowed? Please, pay your rent, for Pete’s sake.
Be Flexible
Just because you set out a perfectly structured set of rules, you don’t have to stick to them. If things change, be like the reed, and go with the flow. You’ll be happier.
Choose the Right Time
There’s a right time and wrong time for this. You may not want to do this in December, for example, if you’ve got lots of gifts to buy. But January? After that hell storm of overspending? Take the month off.
Prep for Your Meals
You need to eat to live, so you’ll have to figure out how you’re going to go about this one. Are you going to give yourself a certain budget for food for the month? Are you going to shop for everything in advance and utilize your freezer and pantry to eat? Plan it out so you’re not hit with surprise expenses.
Tell People in Advance
Unless you enjoy saying “Sorry, I can’t, I’m doing that No-Buy thing until the end of the month” to every person you know every time they invite you to something, let them know you’re going to be a ghost for a while. Your FOMO will be less extreme.
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Pause Your Subscriptions
You may forget charges are coming this month, so think about your subscriptions and pause them until you’re ready to spend again.
Google Away
You’d be surprised how many free things are happening all the time; all you have to do is type in what you normally wanted to do that costs money, and add the word “free.”
Assess Your Pre-Save Inventory
It will help you prepare if you know what you already have. Check your pantry: It may finally be time to use that biscuit mix. Same with the hallway closet: Looks like you’ve got plenty of paper towels already, and you don’t need to stock up for the month.
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Maybe Stay Off Social Media, Too
Because Instagram and Facebook are primarily used for people to brag and deceive you about how great their lives are, it’s a no-brainer that people are going to post photos of things you’re not allowed to enjoy this month. Avoid the jealousy, and don’t look.
This Is Only a Challenge, Not a Legally Binding Contract
If there’s an emergency, please, spend. If you wind up in the hospital, spend. If your dog needs something for his health, spend. Nobody’s gonna throw you in jail for fudging the rules of your own challenge.
