My No-Buy mid-year update

I shared with you at the beginning of the year that I would be taking the Declutter 2022 items in 2022 Challenge. And, I also embarked upon my first No-Buy Year.

Writing about these challenges helps me hold myself accountable to you. I’m not perfect, that’s for sure, and we humans can sometimes stray from our intended path, especially when it comes to long-term goals and resolutions.

It’s half way through 2022 and I’m happy to report that I am on track to meet my goal of 2022 decluttered items by December 31. At the end of June my official count was 1198. Woo Hoo!

Now – to report on my No-Buy Year…

Here are the 14 things that I challenged myself to NOT buy in 2022, and a status report on each:

Extra Kitchen Panty Items – Purchased None.
Small Kitchen Appliances – None.
Jewelry – Purchased 1 pair of earrings – only because my sterling silver plated hoops (that I wear about 60% of the time) are past the point of being able to polish. So I had to replace them.
Extra Cosmetics – None.
Pants & Most Clothing – I purchased 2 comfy t-shirt dresses at a great price – I just could not resist! (Remember, I said I’m not perfect.)
Purses or Billfolds – None
Accessories: belts and scarves – None.
Shoes – NONE. This is HUGE for me!
Craft Supplies – None. (In fact, I just donated about 150 items.)
Greeting Cards – Purchased 1 as I ran out of time to make one.
Home Decor – None.
Paper/Plastic Plates, Cups, Bowls – None.
Christmas Decorations – None.
Additional Streaming Services – None.

So – I purchased 4 items on this list in 6 months. Not too bad. We’ll see how the next 6 months go.

To be clear: My No-Buy Year does not mean that I won’t be buying “anything”. I will continue to replenish the items that I use for daily living, (personal care items, home maintenance, etc. … and food, of course), but I won’t be buying additional items in several categories. I explain the concept in this short video.

My No-Buy List does NOT include Experiences, like an adventure with my husband or special trip to see family or friends.
My main focus is to bring FEWER ITEMS into our home.

You know… YOU DON’T HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL JANUARY TO BEGIN YOUR OWN NO-BUY or DECLUTTERING CHALLENGE! Start it now for any time period of time!

Start Small if you wish. You might choose to:

Not Buy any junk food 21 days.
Not Buy any clothes for 2 months.
Not Buy any knick-knacks for 6 months.

Start your Decluttering Tally sheet and set a goal to Declutter 100 Items in 100 days.

The Decluttering challenge is a great activity to do as a family. Mark a tally for each item that leaves your house: either by donation, recycle or trash.

Different family members could use different colors markers Make it a fun contest and treat your family to something extra fun when your goal is achieved. (A pedicure or massage is my favorite treat…. ahhh…. )

Keep your tally sheet in a place where everyone can see it. I keep ours on the refrigerator. You’ll find that it helps to keep you motivated to continually declutter around your house.

You can count the mail that’s been piling up on your kitchen counter as 1 pile, or 25 pieces – you decide!
Go through your pantry and get rid of outdated foods.
Clean out your medicine cabinet – there are probably outdated items in there, too
Declutter your kitchen utensils – how many wooden spoons and pot holders do you really need?

Grab a Pen and Paper And Join Me! And then – let me know how you are doing!