That’s the best place to invest your money, in experiences!! 🙌

The more i learn about what makes a quality product and what suits me, the more i get tired of shopping because finding an item that meets both specifications is like trying to find a needle in a haystack. I end up with nice pieces now but only after a while of shopping, so now if it's not a need I'm getting tired of doing the whole shoping process for itz it's only satisfying when i actually need the item in my wardrobe.

@@lookingatdaisies9901 it has become increasingly difficult to find high quality now with so many brands competing for faster turnarounds and lower prices. I don’t blame you for getting tired of it x

Yes I can imagine that’s really tough to have such extreme seasons. I guess practicality always wins and if you need it, you need it! Definitely buying good quality at least means you don’t have to constantly shop x

Do you happen to live in Canada?

100%. In such climate you need to have basically 9 wardrobes - for winter, mid season and summer - nice pieces for work, basic pieces to walk around/vacation and something practical/ugly to walk a dog or work in the garden. I can not downsize that. Minimalism is just a joke in my climate )))

Nobody needs to own that many styles of clothing. No one on this earth needs to own a pair of heels or a pair of dressy boots. Nobody needs all those styles of shoes just for summer. I literally wear either Crocs or cheap jelly shoes in summer and my life hasn't ended. In winter all you need are sneakers and a pair of winter hiking boots. If you work in a professional environment then you need a pair of professional looking shoes but you can literally just slip into them when you get into work and they don't have to be heels or dressy flats, they can be orthopedic shoes or whatever and you can buy those used or at a discount. You can buy winter coats already used. You can buy knitwear already used. You can buy rain boots already used. You are a slave to patriarchal beauty standards for women. You feel like you have to wear all these different trending styles to be accepted. I used to feel this way despite never having the money and I still managed to be physically comfortable. I have lived in Bulgaria where the seasons are unbearable and women absolutely can't afford all those different clothes. The biggest scam is also the bra industry. I am technically a size 38J and I don't wear a bra anymore. I have never been more physically comfortable. Women are told that they need to lift, suck and pull everything in to be socially acceptable. They are told that how they already are when they don't buy all this expensive shit is ugly and unacceptable. It's fucking ridiculous. I'm not saying I don't have my own personal style, I live for sanrio and florals and ultra feminine, loose flowy, boho, oversized styles, but I don't buy clothes all the time and I refuse to spend a lot of money on anything and I don't care if I look a bit 'mis matched' and I'm not the pinnacle of fashion.

I live in such climate as well. Working from home is a blessing for me when it comes to my wardrobe. Nobody would give a f if I was sitting in my pyjamas all day (I don’t, but I mostly wear athleisure as I walk my son to the kindergarden). But even when I was working from office on daily basis, I didn’t need so many pairs of shoes. And regarding transition between seasons, I have the same set for winter -> spring and autumn -> winter also I have one set for spring -> summer -> autumn. But generally I have a base clothes I can wear the year round, and then some season specific, but they are in minority.

Buy

Absolutely!! ♥️

That’s amazing!! I think sometimes we need to be ready to make the change, I had been wanting to try a no buy year for a couple of years before I actually did it. Reading is definitely a much better way to spend your time. It’s so easy to be influenced to shop when constantly scrolling online. Xx

That’s great! Sometimes when we’re forced into it we think it’ll be harder but actually it’s just what we need to get started 😊 xx

Thank you so much Marthina! Patience is certainly key. Sounds like you have a great approach to your wardrobe x

It’s such a special thing to be able to make your own clothes, and for your family. Sewing is definitely a lost art that unfortunately isn’t being handed down from generations anymore. I plan to make clothes for my kids when the time comes. But I find sometimes the fabric that is available to me is almost as cheap as the clothes in the shop. X

@@gemmaamclean Some ways to save money, and have better quality fabrics: Look in your closet, to find clothes that you wouldn’t wear anymore, but where the fabric is still in good condition. These items are no longer clothing, but should be seen as pieces of fabric, to cut up and use again. Thrifting may also be a good source of fabrics. People give away clothing that no longer fits, or is out of style. The fabrics may still be in good condition, and from the recent era, when the quality was good. Some of the joyous items that were made for me as a child, were made from very wonderful fabrics, from used clothing that was remade for me.

@@sherylfetik4126 yeh I buy a lot second hand! Love finding some hidden gems x

Of course! ♥️ thank you for watching and commenting. I need this as a reminder to myself too x

So glad you liked it! I haven’t been doing mine perfectly either. I feel guilty getting items sent to me from brands. It’s not about doing it perfectly though but just trying in the first place. I’d say expect the hurdles along the way and if you fall, just get back up and keep going 😊 nobody’s perfect x

Get back on it! You can still do it and learn from the last month = not a failure 🧡🧡🧡

That sounds like you’re doing so well 🙌✨🎉 wel done x

Thank you Natalia. Ah we started around the same time! Sounds like you’re doing so well. Ha yes it always helps when the budget isn’t there to do a no-buy, I’m the same. My mortgage increase has taken what would have been my clothing budget anyway, it’s a good thing I’m doing a no buy 😂 although as I mentioned, past me would have spent the money anyway.

Yes absolutely! But then I feel like it’s not just a trend for you, it’s part of your style 😊

You’re welcome 😉 it’s also a reminder to myself x

Such a great idea keeping a list of what you buy. I wish I had kept track of anything new that entered my closet, as I’ve had some brands pieces come in, even if I haven’t ‘technically’ shopped. I think when my no buy is finished I’ll do a low-buy and keep track then. Maybe for the moment you can be happy with having more awareness around your spending, even if it hasn’t changed all that much yet. I think it will come with time. Xx

I do the same thing! I set a budget and keep the tally on my phone calendar along with the list of items I spent it on.

Thank you lovely ♥️

Yes my mortgage is impacting my spending too, I can’t even image in having the money for clothes so good thing I’m on a no-buy! Best of luck with your move , how exciting! X

Thanks so much Sophia ♥️ glad you enjoyed it x

Glad you enjoyed it! That’s great, sounds like you’re really getting to grips with your style and your shopping habits xx

Thanks so much Patricia, so glad you found it useful. So so easy!! It’s never been easier to spend money as is these days. All you need is your phone x

I LOVE this ideas of an ins and outs list! I’ll have to start one myself. You have some really great processes for tracking your success 😊🙌

Hi Caroline, That’s amazing!! Well done on your no buy month! 🙌 that’s great that you’ve been uncovering your triggers to shop, I think that’s where we get caught out hen we try not to shop and then put pops our trigger! Wishing you the best of luck with it 🙌 xx

@@gemmaamclean Thank you Gemma, I will be watching your progress on your no spend year ...you are doing really well so far! Keep up the good work!🤗

4 days is still a win 🏆 well done!

It sounds like you’re developing a great understanding of how you interact with shopping and browsing, which is amazing! I love you’re point on being conscious of everything you’re consuming, I’m working on that too x

I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for letting me know, I’ve updated that now ♥️

It’s so true!!! Advertising sucks us in to think our lives will be better for it.. yet it’s actually worse because we’re broke!!

That’s a great point, better quality a lot of the time means a better cut and fit. Yeh not into the Shein look myself 👀 I guess perfume and skincare is expensive too right?!

Of course, experimenting is so important! At any stage if you’re still trying to find your style. But within budget ideally 🤪 xx

That’s so lucky, I would love to live near quality fabric shops. I sometimes wonder if the fabric I buy is any better than buying fast fashion. But I low sewing as a slower approach to adding to my wardrobe, it’s a lovely skill to have. Xx

@@gemmaamclean I live in china and order fabric directly from the factory. You wouldn't believe the technology they have in these factories. They have a computerized machine for everything and they are able to mass produce so rapidly. I recently ordered 6 meters of calico cotton with a ditzy floral design and it was around £6 in UK money. Sellers order this in western countries plus shipping and they jack up the price to make a profit.

I guess some people can’t afford to pay off credit cards and end up in a pile of interest or debt. For me it was spending the money I had on clothing and then needing support for bills etc. I don’t think my spending got me a bf, he’s extremely frugal so wouldn’t have been that impressed by it 😂