What changes are you making this year?

[Grenouille]

I’m going to make big changes with regard to my pension and stop burying my head in the ground. Hopefully the me I’ll be in 30 years will be very grateful to the me I am now!

 

[Babyjane123]

I’m starting therapy again to deal with my anxiety.
Need to lose weight - I lost 2 stone but then my mum died so have unfortunately gained it all back!!
Also me and the hubby are saving for Florida and are hopefully going in 2021 fingers crossed!!

 

[Orange Creme]

As above, I'm losing weight, already doing well! Also going to enjoy my kids more and get outdoors more.

 

[DoodlePoodle]

Such an interesting thread! And they say Tattle is just a “troll site” pfffft!

My husband and I set a few goals for this year...

We switched our diet to 4 days veggie/3 days meat meals each week. We’ll never give up meat but felt that it’s healthier/better for the environment etc to cut it down. Now we also buy much better quality meat because we’re not having it all the time. And we’re losing weight! Bonus!

Adding to that I also set a goal of cooking a new meal every week that we’ve never had before. Especially with cooking more veggie food I wasn’t confident that we’d just end up with a veg curry constantly. We’ve found some amazing recipes and definitely fallen back in love with cooking again.

We did do a “no spend” January (except food/toiletries) and it really helps just be more mindful I suppose. As others have said I know it’s a bit of a thing right now but that doesn’t mean it’s bad. FTR I don’t watch any you tubers so didn’t know how much of a thing it is!

And this went on a lot longer than I planned! Sorry!

 

[coconochanel]

That's exactly what I found! It just gets easier and easier to enjoy what you already have.
This is why I ranted initially about the Youtube channels now trending with these no-buys: they all make out like it's an impossible challenge and there have to be all these complex 'rules for every eventuality'. I understand that they are doing it for content, but that approach creates an unhealthy relationship with money and material goods in the minds of their impressionable audience. These influenzas already have a lot to answer for in promoting mass consumerism and hauls that are destroying our planet.
But, I digress.
I'm glad you're on board and enjoying it. Thanks for posting an update.

The only change I have yet to implement from my list is less screen time. I'm still on sick leave and bored witless, so I keep browsing forums and watching nonsense on Youtube.

I find its better to use screen time to combat boredom then going shopping.

 

[Slummymummy]

To lose weight firstly
To believe I'm worth something secondly
To stop people pleasing so much
To stop caring about being liked
To get a handle on depression and start living instead of existing.

I could have written this myself.
I would just add find a job that I like too!

Good luck with everything!

 

[2xblended]

I just thought I would check in with a quick update. Last year every month when pay day came round I would go shopping and buy clothes and makeup that I didn't really need etc. This year so far my payday treats have been....

2 ikea storage jars for my cereal as I didn't have enough
2 pyrex dishes for leftover food
a packet of mint m&m's as ive never tried those before.

Thanks for the update and well done!
Ironically, whilst every other year has been an easy low-buy for me, this year went the other way.
I have bought 8 items that were not originally on my list. My excuse is that there was a designer warehouse sale (clearance sale on designer goods from several seasons ago) and I got everything at 90% off (each item came in under £25 and in absolutely perfect condition).
Each piece is a practical and fun addition to my wardrobe (2 pairs of jeans, 2 handbags, 3 tops and 1 pair of shoes), but I'm still quite cross with myself! I completely forgot about my low-buy in the excitement of that sale.
Now I've got to get back on track for the rest of the year....

Try and stay well out of workplace drama

That's a particularly good one!

 

[coconochanel]

I'm sooo sorry! *blushing profusely*
I didn't expect to write such a long response either lolol!
So glad you found it helpful

I'm loving everyone's replies. Isn't it amazing how many similarities we can see (no alcohol, fewer possessions, etc.)?

Thanks for explaining it through its a really good idea. I agree about the not buying anything could end up splurging the next year. I go for the Do I need it? Can I afford it? Will I use it? approach when thinking of buying something and that usually helps. I also write a wish list throughout the year and then if I still want it I put them on my Christmas list ( depending on the price) if someone is stuck what to buy me.

At the end of last year I checked through my wardrobe and realised I didn't need to buy any clothes or shoes as I had quite a lot still with tags on so I will be wearing those this year.

I think food can be a big waste if you don't meal plan and check what you have in the cupboards before you go shopping. Most of the time you will find you have things already in that you can make meals from.

Ive also stopped buying my weekly fashion mag and just read it online that's saved me £10 a month. As for books I use the library.

 

[LaurieLaurie]

I’m saving more - so far so good.

 

[under the ivy]

• Save more money for my home deposit
• Less spending on items I don't want/need
• De-clutter and be more minimal (goes with the above!)
• Get a hobby. I've started diamond painting and cross stitching and I really enjoy it. Helps my MH a lot.
• Less time on social media/phone / unfollow more accounts / people.
• Finish my PhD!
• Do more outdoor things. I enjoy hiking so I want to do this at least once a month.
• I want to start dancing again. I used to do tap, ballet and jazz as a kid. Looking at tap classes

Will keep checking in! Good luck to everyone

 

[Louisej3]

1. Save money
2. Get pregnant
3. Move to bigger house in a better area

 

[Skyeball]

I'm trying to really face my grief head on. My son died 4 years ago and I feel, in a way, that I haven't tried to deal with it as much as I should've done. I want to live again like a somewhat normal person. I have had therapy and have been diagnosed with PTSD but I've never put much effort into the therapy.

Also want to try and get back in shape. My son is 1 in a month and I haven't lost any baby weight at all but I really want to try and lose that and more. Not feeling so hot about myself since my split with my husband and I want to gain some confidence again and as my weight is one of my main issues with myself, I'm going to start there.

And I hope by the end of the year we live somewhere nicer. The small place I rent now isn't great and too small so I'm on the hunt for something nicer. I could do with a better job first, which is another change I hope happens soon. Also looking.

I wish you all the very best xx

 

[2xblended]

I must say this low buying is going quite well. Normally by now Id have bought some clothes/makeup things I don't really need but I haven't bought anything. I think once you get in the mindset of you don't need it and use what you've already got its quite easy.

That's exactly what I found! It just gets easier and easier to enjoy what you already have.
This is why I ranted initially about the Youtube channels now trending with these no-buys: they all make out like it's an impossible challenge and there have to be all these complex 'rules for every eventuality'. I understand that they are doing it for content, but that approach creates an unhealthy relationship with money and material goods in the minds of their impressionable audience. These influenzas already have a lot to answer for in promoting mass consumerism and hauls that are destroying our planet.
But, I digress.
I'm glad you're on board and enjoying it. Thanks for posting an update.

The only change I have yet to implement from my list is less screen time. I'm still on sick leave and bored witless, so I keep browsing forums and watching nonsense on Youtube.

 

[MaeveWiley]

I'm doing a combined registry in haematology and psychiatry and it's taking me years... and now I feel awful these past few months becsuse I want to change and I can't.

I regret not doing peatiatrics. Hopefully I can do something about it but for now goal is to somehow get into haemo and psych with kids lol

My goal is just my career. I've had 3 long term relationships from age 14 to now and now I just want to be alone and get my career sorted. It's always been more important than any fella I've dated.

 

[F the dust.]

I could have written this myself.
I would just add find a job that I like too!

Good luck with everything!

Thankyou! You too. Hope you find that job!

 

[Rosiepie]

I love the post just above mine... Didn't quote it because it's so long.

The word that stands out to me is Contentment.
It''s is a really underrated emotion. We are told we should always be pushing and striving for more.

I'm not quite where you are at in my buying habits but am working on it. I find that not going to the shops helps, then I can't see what I could buy.

I am happier in my garden or reading a book than shopping but so much of society is set up to get us shopping,

I really appreciate your advice.

I love this! I wear what I have, and the same applies to my family. I try not to go to the shops. I love really good coffee, so meeting a friend for a chat with good coffee makes me happy. I go to the library regularly and read books. I enjoy cooking for my family and walking the dog. Consumerism is rife, and on Instagram it is everywhere with swipe ups galore and influencers telling us we must buy whatever it is they have been paid to tell us to buy. I realise I don’t need more stuff in my life. I actually enjoy helping and giving to charities or people that need it more. We have definitely cut down our spending as a family and it’s better for us.

 

[2xblended]

I'm really interested in OP's low buy idea!

The ones I've settled on are:

* no drinking or smoking (things I only did socially anyway in the past)
* less screen time -- specifically as regards social media (I'm using an app to help with this)
* get down to pre-baby weight or just find confidence in my body (I just have to give birth first!). I've had a complicated pregnancy and I feel like my body has really failed me in many respects because I've had so many ailments. I can't wait to feel like I'm back in charge of my body and how it functions.

Do you have any specific questions about low-buy that you'd like to ask? I'm happy to discuss.

Also, I feel you on your body not behaving as you had expected. I've had an accident and a lot of surgeries/complications afterwards.
I literally went from super athletic and strong to feeble and frail. I cannot trust my body at all and there were days after the accident that I cried from frustration because my body couldn't function at even a basic level, so I was always on edge about the next time I may collapse or the next complication I would need surgery to correct. It's hard and frustrating.
I am working on regaining my strength and slowly learning to trust my body again. I think I'm learning, above all, that whilst the complications I suffered were rare and I hated my body for failing me, my body has actually proven really resilient. I am here, in spite of the complications, so perhaps my body hasn't failed me after all. Does that make sense?

I hope you have a safe delivery. And of course your baby will bring you boundless joy that will make it worthwhile. Just give yourself and your body some time after baby, allow yourself some grace, and trust that you will get to feel like yourself again in due course.

 

[2xblended]

I love the post just above mine... Didn't quote it because it's so long.

I'm sooo sorry! *blushing profusely*
I didn't expect to write such a long response either lolol!
So glad you found it helpful

I'm loving everyone's replies. Isn't it amazing how many similarities we can see (no alcohol, fewer possessions, etc.)?

 

[Liberty]

Less time on Social Media
Unfollow all influenceres/bloggers
Lunch plan, I tend to buy lunch out every day
Continue to make myself a priority
Keep my space clutter free

 

[Titntat]

Regarding cutting down with children I think car boots are good for toys, books and clothes. You can get some real bargains and the kids don't feel like they are messing out.

Its not the fact of them missing out. Its just my mum guilt. I buy them stuff they not only dont ask for but what they dont even need. I agree when people say they dont remember what they have, but who plays with them. But I just cant help my self.