No Buy Year: December, Christmas and 2024 Wrapped!

I can say that I royally failed my No Buy Year. 
December: what I bought, temptations, lessons I learnt, 2024 wrapped up and plans for 2025. 

 

> What I Bought:

We went to a Christmas food and wine market at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre early in December that I was lucky enough to get free tickets for. I ended up buying a bottle of Moscato ($12) from Just A Glass. Afterwards we went to the Monopoly Dream Cafe for lunch. I wanted some Monopoly-themed dinnerware but ended up walking away with nothing. I did good this day, plus food and drink purchases are allowed :) 

That same day, we ducked into David Jones as my Mum had a birthday voucher. I ended up using it on two Christmas baubles (around $10). While there though I saw a pinecone hanging on one of their display trees but couldn't see it for sale anywhere. I should have just asked if I could have that one, but we were somewhat in a hurry, so I didn't. But then I kept thinking about it, so I went online. They were no longer available for click and collect (I assumed this meant they had sold out instore) but you could order them with $10 delivery. 

I was heading instore two days later though and thought I'd best wait if I could find them instore instead (with the website just not listing it). If not, I would just end up then buying them online. The morning before I was heading instore, I saw that they had sold out online. I did some more googling and found they were only available online in the UK/Germany. The website didn't send to Australia though, so I emailed them in case. That night I went to David Jones and although it took a bit of searching, I found three pinecones instore and bought them. They were 40% off so they came down to $12 in total of which I put on a gift card*, so I got them for nothing. I also used the gift card to buy two further bowls from Savers ($2.99) - the ones I've mentioned before. 

*I still have over $1 left on two separate gift cards. I was also given a $140 gift card mid-December that I have almost used up. I used it to buy one reindeer ornament ($4.19), a Boost Juice ($9.88), cinema tickets mentioned below, replacement sandals of the ones I threw out when I was in the USA ($32) and two sets of Dusk goblet glasses ($25.60). I had my $20 Dusk birthday voucher to spend but needed to spend $40 minimum, so, with one set costing $22.80, it made sense to get a second one for the same price. And besides, I knew I wanted them from the beginning. I also have a couple of Woolworths vouchers and one Coles voucher. I used the Coles one to buy toothpaste, and the Woolies one to buy bananas. I will buy food with them as I need to.

Total: $0 (well, all on gift cards anyway...) 

I went to the theatre twice - Love Actually? The Musical Parody (ticket was $69) and School of Rock (ticket was $50 and programme was $10). I went to the cinema once and saw Better Man (around $54). 

I got a John Wick 4 pop vinyl, John Farnham book, grinch ornament, wine, scratchies (I won $3!), money, a gingerbread house, a gummy lolly house and a haircare curl kit for Christmas.

> Temptations:

I had such a clear goal for December and that REALLY helped with my lack of spending. A lot of stuff was moved back into my room as we're renovating so it's likely that living amongst a tonne of boxes also had some kind of effect on me. It's not junk though, I swear. It's mainly plates, pillows and empty boxes. 

I didn't do a lot of instore shopping either - and I think that's key to me not spending. I can't say that I didn't browse online but there isn't anything that tempted me enough that I considered buying. I did like some clothing at Oliver Bonas and a LOT of artwork that I couldn't possibly afford (like thousands of $$s) however. 

I also really liked the Christmas Grizzo jellycat! 

I definitely had a day where I felt like I wanted to treat myself. I followed the Deliberation Station Combo Kit (read more here) and all signs told me it was okay to buy, but I knew deep down that it wasn't the right thing.

As a side note, remember in past month/s I was saying how badly I wanted to buy a Christmas tree? Well, I didn't buy one, but my parents had a spare tree that they wanted to get rid of. It's not my ideal frosty look I was going for, but it felt like a good opportunity to get the vision I have out of my head. So, for the first time in my life, I decorated my own Christmas tree. I love it SO much! It's not perfect and it could use more decorations and lights, but I'm obsessed with how it looks! Keen eyes will see the pinecones and baubles I got from David Jones which I mentioned above. The rest I stole from my Mum's collection. Also, can you spot Maverick?

Between Boxing Day and New Years Eve, I did a TONNE of instore shopping. Everything I bought I mentioned above. But the Christmas tree I originally wanted is on sale for $32 which is HUGE! But I talked myself out of buying it because it makes no sense - I can just get it another year if I need it and besides, I love the look of the one above against the white ornaments. So, as much as I love it, I'm not in a hurry to get one as yet.

> What I Learnt:

A big part of what drove me to not spend is that I've committed to buying a glass art piece next year. It's around $1300 and currently on display in a gallery so I won't get it (nor need to pay it off) until mid 2025. But having that in the back of my mind it was really easy to think if I wanted x item over this art piece - and the answer was always no. This is a dream come true artist piece for me, and I am so happy to have it in my collection. 

If you average the cost out over six months, it's $216 per month spent for this one piece but I'd rather have that one special piece at a high price than a bunch of items that will mean nothing to me in the long run. Each to their own, of course, and I'm not shaming anyone. But to me it's worth the cost.

I think it's interesting looking at my 2024 recap because at the beginning of the year I said that I generally don't spend a lot but then I crack and buy a lot in a short span of time - and January and July were my biggest spends so that checks out. But, by knowing this, I can help to change it in 2025. I can actually feel it chipping away in me now. I have an itch to buy. I'm resisting buuuuuut... January is near! 

I am ashamed by how much I spent in 2024. But I can't dwell on it. I can only aim to do better.

> 2024 Recap:

Here's what happened to everything I bought this year. Both good and bad. 

January

1. Dress – worn and will again, but I prefer the one I got to replace it
2. Blue's Clues earrings – haven't worn since the party
3. Peter Alexander shorts – worn and will again
4. Lenni romper – worn and will again
5. Black Dress – still haven’t worn
6. Lobster plate – in storage
7. Drinking glasses – in storage
8. White Fox loungewear – sold both pieces
9. Noel Fielding t-shirt – in storage 

February

1. Novo Shoes – worn and will again
2. Scorpio Necklace – worn and will again 
3. ASOS Dress – worn and will again
4. Video Game – played, played and will play again
5. Jumper – in storage

March

1. Jumper – donated

April 

1. Plate – in storage
2. Bruce Campbell sneakers – worn and will again

May

1. Planet lamp – love, love, love it. It sits beside my bed
2. 3D printed dinosaur – in storage
3. Sherpa jacket – worn and will again

June (when I was overseas)

1. Mugs – in storage
2. Blanket – in storage
3. Boots – worn and will again
4. T-shirt – in storage
5. Earrings – worn and will again
6. PJ Pants – worn and will again

July 

1. Boots – worn and will again
2. Savers finds – worn and will again
3. Cotton On skirt – worn and will again
4. Ceramics – one on display/one in storage
5. Bird earrings – worn and will again
6. Savers earrings – I have yet to wear
7. Candle – in storage
8. Merch t-shirt – in storage
9. Merch jumper – in storage
10. Orange cardigan – worn and will again
11. Big W haul – worn all and will again
12. Jumper – worn and will again
13. Artwork – one is in storage and the other is framed
14. Pants – in storage and still needs tailoring

August

1. Work dress – worn and will again
2. Dress – worn and will again
3. More art – two on display/two in storage
4. Cat ceramic – on display
5. Killer Klowns tiki mug – in storage

October

1. Pumpkins – used all Halloween, currently in storage
2. Earrings – worn and will again

November

1. Boots – worn and will again

> Plans for 2025:

I have decided for 2025 that I want to do a Low Buy Year. I've realised that having a restriction on myself only makes things worse. So, by having it be a Low Buy Year I know that if I spend a little, I won't be breaking any rules. But at the same time, I also know that I don't have to purchase. I will keep everyone updated.   

Have a good new year everyone! x