Low Buy Year: August 2025

August 2025. All my debts have been paid!

> What I Bought:

Zip pay has been an absolute god save over the past couple of months. I believe one month I explained how Buy Now Pay Later services can leave people in debt, but I always pay mine off before accruing any fees and I budget beforehand to make sure I will have the money when I do need to pay it off. At the beginning of July, I put my car registration and phone credit on zip pay to pay off at the end of August. I had also put tickets for Hadestown on zip pay (see July). I was going to try to get rush tickets but when I saw how quickly the tickets were selling, I jumped on solo tickets as they popped back. I'm glad I did too because the last week completely sold out. 

Additionally, I zip payed the Thomas Sabo x Haribo Bead Bracelet with Black Goldbear but it was too big for me, so I sadly returned it (ideally, I'd need a 15cm or even smaller as I have small wrists). So, I then bought the Connect Charm Goldbear in black ($94.05) instead. I love it and have worn most days, including now.

More on this at the bottom, but I ended up finding the perfect replacement boot at Myer. I wanted pointy toe, suede-like fabric, non-leather of course, a manageable heel, under the knee and tight (because it's easy to find loose boots but I hate the look of them). I originally bought the Kendall Black Stretch Suede Boots by Sandler for $199.95 but then decided I wanted to try a smaller size. They sadly didn't have my size instore, so I tried on the leather version and the fit was better, so I ended up ordering the boots in the stretch suede online instead. And, because of the Afterpay Day sales as well as knowing someone who works there, I ended up paying $118.97. 

Now, I'm not going to say girl math meant that I now had $80.98 of "free" money to spend. I don't think it works like that, but I was going to use that money to go to the theatre. However, I changed my mind after listening to the soundtrack and then seeing that the Killer Klowns From Outer Space Chibi Fleece Hoodie by Middle of Beyond was down from $102 to $38. I've been wanting it for months and that discount was just too good to pass up. And no, I don't need three - but I do live in my oodies, including now, so here's me justifying again...

I also love the new travel range from The Reject Shop, and I ended up buying the World Cities Glass Smoothie Cup ($5.50) as I went in to get some shampoo, conditioner and lemonade. My Mum has the zodiac ones. And I finally got a slug with teeth ($30) when I was at the Rose Street Market again post-Affordable Art Fair.

And yes, I know I have bought too many pairs of boots lately. It's a problem. But three out of four pairs have been replacements so it's not too bad... right? I'd only now buy a red pair if I found the perfect replacement.

Total: $286.52

I went to the theatre for Kimberly Akimbo ($26 ticket) and Tarzan (free ticket and $30 programme).
I went to the cinema for Freakier Friday ($75 ticket, which included food and drinks).

> Temptations:

I, again, was tempted by some art but I don't want to put myself on another payment plan and go back in debt.  I also liked many art pieces at the Affordable Art Fair but only one I'd consider buying. It's cheap though. 

The day I exchanged my boots, I tried on Dangerfield's Blessing Cardi as it is on sale, but I resisted. I don't remember being tempted by anything else even though I thought I might buy some new clothes had I liked any. 

I actually did quite a bit of shopping this month and didn't find myself tempted by much. I'm unsure if it's because spring/summer clothing is instores now or not. I generally prefer winter clothing. Halloween decorations have arrived instores too. I have no interest in buying anything new (as explained last year), but I do like looking.

> What I Learnt:

I just wanted to say that I'm feeling really proud of myself. I know I've spent a sh*t tonne on art lately but apart from that, I feel like I've done well with my spending. I've really tried to focus on making smarter decisions overall. I don't always get it right but I'm learning. Especially comparing my failed No Buy Year to this Low Buy Year. I remember saying that I don't like restricting myself, so this was clearly the better thing for me to do. 

I've gotten to that point where I can look at something, accept that I love it and put it back on the shelf. And it feels empowering. Another change is that I have switched to using cash as well as trying to buy instore as much as possible. Obviously, I'm not always able (like with Thomas Sabo) but I use other methods as a last resort. 

Last month, when I was looking for a specific type of boot, none were perfect. In the past I probably would have settled for close but then I would have just continued looking for perfect anyway. I thought about buying some online but it's difficult with sizes/fit at the best of times so I'm glad I decided to wait and try/buy instore. 

The 30-Day Minimalism game also had a positive effect on me. It's really made me think more intentionally with my purchases and the items I own. It might also have to do with the fact that I borrowed a bunch of financial books from the library that I've been reading but I feel like I've learnt a lot. 

It's made me decide that, going forward, I'm only allowed to buy something using the money in my account. No more credit. Although I am allowing myself to use BNPL for theatre and concert tickets, because I'd rather buy now with credit for a good seat than missing out or paying for a sh*tty seat outright closer to the event date.  

> Let's Talk Zip Pay:

I wanted to talk too about my zip pay purchases. There's no doubt that I've used it a lot recently. Like I've said, I always pay it off before incurring any fees but that doesn't mean that it hasn't been stressful. Because sometimes you go out to a restaurant and you're craving a coke but you know you're on a water budget. I made a very stupid financial decision back to February and I've been dealing with those consequences ever since. And, without the use of zip pay, I wouldn't have been able to afford anything including essentials. So I thought it would be fun to look back over my zip purchases this year and see if I made good decisions or not.

April:

• Vinyl record - I told myself to wait but I didn't. And it was a really stupid move.
• Theatre tickets - I never regret theatre tickets even though I always have to factor in money for the train ticket as well as buying a programme so a $30 ticket can easily turn into a $60+ night out.
• Drive-in ticket - I had been so meticulously trying to save money at this point that I had had enough and just wanted to treat myself. I couldn't afford to buy the ticket outright so I splurged in zip paying my ticket and two food vouchers so I could have a full drive-in experience.
• Peach schnapps - It's not like I needed alcohol but getting such a big discount made sense as I would be saving money in the long run. But at the same time, I needed the money in the present so it was a little silly to buy three bottles. In hindsight I should have just gotten one bottle and hoped for future discounts but I'm still only part way through the first bottle so it is lasting me at least.
• Printed programmes - Again, I told myself to wait but didn't. A stupid move.

July:

• Theatre ticket - I have actually yet to see this show and won't until later in the year. I purchased in July because I wanted a good seat (and it's now sold out) so I don't regret buying early.

August

• Car registration - This I HAD to pay for and zip was the only way I could.
• Phone credit - This I also HAD to pay for and zip was the only way I could.
• Theatre tickets x2 - Arguably I didn't need to see Hadestown a further two times and it did take a lot of convincing to purchase the tickets. It came down to different factors but again, I never regret theatre tickets because it's an experience I'd rather have and deal with the consequences later. It's not often I love a show so much that I want to see it multiple times so it's a complex topic.
• Thomas Sabo x Haribo pendant - I've wanted it since March so I gave it a lot of thought. Granted that I could have waited longer but I was so keen at the time!

I've realised that May was the month that really screwed me over. Not only did I have over $400 to pay off on zip pay, I went to the theatre seven times and made more purchases than any other previous month (with the most expensive items being the crystal bird for $375, Hadestown hoodie for $110 and paying off the second artwork with a final payment of $1500 compared to the usual $1000). This had rollover effect on the following months.

June had me buy my Noel Fielding artwork. I split this payment up into four on PayPal and, because I didn't want it to sell out (as others I liked already had), I purchased it the day before my pay cheque was due which meant I had to do two payments back to back before getting more money to pay it off. Basically, I had to pay over $400 in the first week as well as the delivery fee. And, at that time, I was saving for the glass artwork as well.

I can't even remember how I managed to save enough for the glass artwork for July to be honest but somehow I did it. I remember being very stressed and carefully saving every penny. Now being debt free, I've kind of been treating myself to going out a little more. Nothing crazy but allowing myself to get a $20 meal instead of a $10 combo if I choose to. I have been using my taste test gift voucher mostly on food which has been good too.

The artist - Tom Moore - actually has a new art show coming up in Sydney and the prices are much more than I paid for anything so I'm glad I got what I got when I did. It brings me joy every single day. It was a struggle to get it paid but it was worth every penny. And I think when you know something is right... especially waiting.

August has been able saving up again and I'm already there. Here's to things looking up!

Until next month!

x