My First 6-Month No Buy, Low Buy Challenge to Save Big Money

I’m doing my first no buy, low buy challenge.

This started because I’ve been looking at homes in my area and making it real. Matt and I have been talking about what we want long-term, especially with Chloe starting school in the coming years. We already know we don’t want to stay in the school zone we’re in now, so we’ve been thinking through what a future home could look like and what we’d need to make that happen.

We’ve started saving, but we didn’t really have a clear vision for how much we need or what the fine details are. So I called a financial adviser recently, and long story short, we want to save up for a house and make it more tangible.

That got me thinking, what can I do on my end to make this happen sooner?

Why I’m doing this now

2025 was kind of a whirlwind.

We traveled a lot. Chloe was in her second year of life, so I was busy in a whole different way. And I loosened the reins. I let more things in, and I definitely loosened the reins on spending.

I think I can accomplish a lot if I challenge myself to spend less and stop buying things I already know I don’t need.

Why I’m doing six months

I’ve seen people do a no buy month, and I’ve seen people do a no buy year.

A no buy month would be too short for me. It wouldn’t feel like enough time to make a real dent, and honestly it would be too easy.

A no buy year feels too long. A lot can change in a year, and I want something that feels more realistic and easier for me to grasp.

Six months feels doable. Then I can re-evaluate at the six-month mark and tailor the next part based on what actually makes sense for the second half of the year.

So my plan is six months.

I’m starting now, and I’m not ending until August 1st. This carries me through spring and summer, and then I’ll check in with myself in August. If the list still feels solid, I’ll commit to another six months.

The structure that helped me set rules

I spent some time learning from other people who’ve done this. I liked having structure because I’m the kind of person who does better with a framework.

The five things that really helped me think it through were:

• Decide what type: no buy or low buy

• Determine why you’re doing it

• Set your rules and exceptions

• Tailor your environment for success

• Make temptations invisible

The biggest shift for me was realizing I can have rules and exceptions.

Before, when I heard “no buy year,” I thought, you’re not buying anything for a year? That sounds impossible. But having rules and a few realistic caveats makes it feel way more doable. It also helps you avoid the spiral where you “mess up once” and then everything goes out the window.

My 6-month no buy list

Here’s what I’m not buying for the next six months.

Clothes

I bought a decent amount of clothes in 2025. Nothing wild, but probably around $250 across different items.

So I’m committing to no more clothes for six months.

Exception: if I truly need a couple of tanks or t-shirts for summer. We don’t have air conditioning, and I might be light on basics for hot weather.

We’ve also floated the idea of a cruise in late June or July. I’m still not buying a whole “vacation wardrobe.”

One extra caveat: I’m allowing myself one clothing item as a usable souvenir if I’m somewhere like Mexico and I find something I genuinely love and will wear.

Makeup

No makeup for six months.

Exception: replacements only if I run out of something. I’m using things to the very last drop.

I recently decluttered my makeup and got it down to a small set that fits in one little bag. It’s about 20 pieces total, including brushes and tools. That feels like plenty, and I want to keep it simple.

Facial products and skincare

This one is the same vibe. I’m not buying facial products.

Right now it’s a little worse because I got a lot of skincare for Christmas, and I’m going to use it up.

I like having space in my cabinets and drawers. When I have too many lotions and serums, it turns into another decision I don’t need in my day.

Exception: makeup remover. I’m almost out, and I know I’ll need to replace it.

Toys

For the love of God, no more toys for Chloe.

She got so much for Christmas, and I’m going to have to go through what she already has and weed some things out. I know this is the tricky part because kids change fast and their interests shift so quickly, but I really don’t think she needs more toys in the next six months.

Cookware, dinnerware, and kitchen appliances

No pots, pans, plates, bowls, or new appliances.

This is a challenge for me because we’re using a temporary dinnerware setup right now, and I can easily talk myself into upgrading it. But it doesn’t need to happen in the next six months. The wheat straw bowls and plates are working fine for now, even if they stain with saucy food.

We’ve also noticed small dings in one of our ceramic pans, and I already know we may switch to something more durable like stainless steel eventually. Just not now.

Linens and furniture

No linens. No furniture.

I already feel like I have a surplus of linens from gifts over the years. We have one extra set of sheets for our bed, which is enough. And with multiple beds in the house, we still don’t need a bunch of extras.

Furniture is the one where I can always find a reason. I could upgrade chairs, bedside tables, Matt’s chair, all of it. But I don’t need to.

This is where I’m challenging myself. Even upgrades cost money, and right now the priority is saving for a home.

My low buy rules: home improvement

Now for my low buy section.

The category is home improvement, because I’m excited about making the house feel better while we’re still in it. Decluttering is part of it, but so is fixing the spots I’ve ignored for a long time. Holes in the wall. Paint touch-ups. And especially the kitchen.

I don’t take photos in my kitchen because I hate the lighting. The cabinets feel dated. It’s not a terrible kitchen, but I want it to look lighter and airier, because that’s what I keep noticing in the houses I love.

Painting the cabinets and upgrading handles is a lot more affordable than buying a new house.

But I also know I could use “home improvement” as an excuse to spend and stop saving, so I’m giving myself a cap.

My cap

$250 per month max for home improvement.

That includes paint, supplies, shelves, handles, anything like that.

And it’s not a monthly bill. I’m not trying to spend $250 every month. I just want a ceiling so it stays intentional.

How I’ll evaluate this in August

I’m excited to see how I feel at the six-month mark.

Maybe I’ll realize six months was perfect. Maybe I’ll feel like I could keep going for the full year without an issue. Either way, August will be my checkpoint.

I’m also thinking about tracking this in a bullet journal, maybe even tracking how much I’m saving.

We’ll see how it goes.