Low Buy Year: November 2025

It's my birthday month and I'll cry if I want to.

> What I Bought:

Gosh, this month was tough! I REALLY struggled with having to keep to a budget. Not because I wanted to spend money, but being mine and my mum's birthday month meant lots of social events that I couldn't afford. The struggle was real, but I did as well as I could keeping costs low, borrowing or zip paying as needed.

But when I heard Famous Footwear was closing, I knew I HAD to stock up on my favourite sandals. I have foot issues and the Everyday sandals (which according to the blog I've been wearing since at least 2017) are the only ones that don't hurt my feet. I've replaced them many times, so it made sense to get them ($56^ for two pairs). And actually, they've now been taken off the website (did they sell out?) so I'm glad I got them when I could.

I also sold some funko pop vinyls this month. I've been trying to downsize my collection for a while now. Not that I think I have a lot, but I certainly don't need as many as I have. I plan on keeping all my Keanu Reeves figurines, maybe my Killer Klowns From Outer Space ones (or at least my favourites) and my unboxed ones. I made $100 so I spent it on a mug ($30) from Harry Potter: The Exhibition and the rest on my mum's expensive birthday dinner.

Obviously being my birthday on November 15, it meant a month of freebies and discounts. My general rule of thumb is that if it's going to cost me extra then I won't use it. For example, I got a free cold drink from Donut King, $15 at Nandos (and I spent just that) and the $10 I get from JB HiFi I use on something at or below that limit. But this year, I fell in love with the Creature From The Black Lagoon T-Shirt ($24.95 minus $10 =$14.95). It was the colours mostly, and usually I buy a new t-shirt (although every other year has been under $10). Everything else was free, including food. I think those 'get $50 with minimum spend $150' are a scam haha.

In a moment of weakness, I got the Duke Kaboom (played by Keanu Reeves) mini vinyl figure ($5) from Zing. I had cash and he was on sale. I now keep him in my car where I keep some other fun trinkets. 

I bought some Christmas ornaments. My tree comes in three pieces and last year I only used the two smallest parts against a wall. This year I'm using all three and you can walk around it, so it was lacking in decorations. I zip pay-ed the Hanging Petal Christmas Decoration 3 Pack from Harris Scarfe ($8.99^ at 40% off), which I click and collect-ed for a $5 voucher to get the Sparkling White Christmas Baubles 6 Pack (also $8.99, but $3.99 with the voucher). I also got the Christmas Baubles White 4cm 12pk from the Reject Shop for $3 for contrasting sizes and a $3 pack from a local discount store for some added texture. My tree is still rather bare, but unless I find something I absolutely love for an unbelievable price, I think my tree is now complete for this year. 

I also bought an elf decoration ($18.75) from Panda Mart on sale for Black Friday. I love him. 

Total: $78.69 ($64.99 on zip pay^)  

I went to the theatre for Blanc de Blanc Encore (gifted) and Trial By Jury ($25 ticket). I went to the cinema for Good Fortune ($20), Hamilton (gifted) and Wicked ($30) and the drive-in for Now You See Me 3 (gifted).

> Temptations:

Westlife has announced a new greatest hits album to celebrate their 25 years of success. I was waiting for my $10 JB Hi-fi birthday voucher to come through so I could pre-order, as it's not out until February. But it turns out you can't use it on pre-orders anyway. So, as difficult as it is, I've decided to wait and see what other vouchers I can get before it's released. Ideally, I'd like to only pay $20 max for the vinyl and the rest with vouchers.

There was a lot of nice things for sale at the Harry Potter: The Exhibition too.

And, again, more art. Always more art.

There were some Black Friday temptations. I mean, it was difficult to avoid the hype in general. Red Bubble especially with their huge sitewide discount was tempting, but I really don't need any more t-shirts.

> What I Learnt:

I'm considering doing another No Buy Year next year, but it'll most likely just turn into an unofficial Low Buy Year because I definitely feel like I've grown as a person by analysing my shopping weaknesses/habits.

I am ending the month with $30 in my bank account which I have to live on for a week. But it's the last month of citizenship part payments so I'm glad that I shouldn't be as tight/stressed about money moving forward.

x