No Buy July

Image Credit: Image by Pabitra Kaity

Whether you want to cut down on spending or to stop clutter entering your house, a set period of time where you commit to not buying any non-essentials can help you cut your spending, reduce clutter and reset your relationship with your money. You can choose any time to stop spending, maybe a week month or even a year

No Buy July is a month to reduce your consumption, avoid consumerism and change your spending habits. So why not choose July to have a no-spend month – the name does make a cute rhyme?!

You can use it as an opportunity to boost your savings, or to help you declutter. You can consider a protest about mindless consumption in general or against a particular retailer.

How Do I Take Part In No Buy July?

The first thing that you need to know is that there are no rules - you can do No Buy July in whatever way suits you.

Of course you can still buy food, pay for your transport to work or study and pay the bills. If you have a medical need or a vital piece of equipment breaks down you can pay to have it repaired or to replace it

The No-buy bit is all about being mindful of your discretionary spending. How hardcore you decide to go is up to you.

You could try:

Spending Nothing
Decide to only buy food, pay bills, make medical purchases and necessary transport costs. You won’t buy any physical items, spend money on going out, entertainment or unnecessary travel.
Clutter-Free Option
Or you might decide to just not buy any physical items at all, but allow entertainment such as cinema or theatre tickets or entry to a museum or sports centre.
Use It Up, Wear It Out
You may decide to take the opportunity to only replace finished up consumables or to only crucial replace broken items.
What's Your Vice?
Some people choose to just focus on not buying one type of item such as clothing or books whatever is your particular weakness.

How Does This Help The Environment?

If you have committed to not buy anything in July, you will have to get creative if you want something.

Using something you already own, or realising that you can do without uses less of the planet’s resources, and sends a message to retailers that you don’t want to buy a new gadget to solve every problem.

Nothing To Wear?
If you are going to an event, re-wear an outfit that you already have. Or can you borrow something from a friend?
What About Consumables
Use up any half-used bottles of toiletries such as shampoo, shower gel, and cream and body lotion rather than buying something new. Finish off those random bottles of cleaning supplies hiding under the sink.
For Book Addicts
Read all those books that you bought years ago and haven’t got around to opening yet. If you are very disciplined and don’t have a TBR, go to your local library and borrow something.

Your library may be able to reserve books for you (some charge a fee, many do not) if there is a particular one that you just have to read.

Spending Mindfully

Take the opportunity to be more mindful about what you spend.

Track your spending for the month and see exactly where your money goes. You may be shocked at how much you are spending on things that you regard as necessities.

Keep a list of all the things you want to buy when your No Buy July is over. When you look at that list at the end of the month, do you still want those things?

No Buy July is just one of the many important environmental days in July which also include plastic-free July, Earth Overshoot Day and Shark Awareness Day.

No Buy July

How Do I Take Part In No Buy July?

How Does This Help The Environment?

Spending Mindfully

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