No Buy Year: September Update

Previous Update: August Update

This will be a quick update, because I did well in September!

No hiccup, no any particular want, I’m actually kinda on an auto-pilot mode now.

Oh my goodness now that I said that, I just realized something… it took me 9 months, NINE, to be at peace with my decision! 9 freaking months. It’s like I’m making babies here.

Hm so what did I do differently in September that I no longer have to rely on sheer willpower to stop myself from clicking “buy” or paywaving my card.

I think here’s why.

1. I know what I need

Before this, I didn’t put any attention to the necessities that I usually get every month. I would buy whatever that’s finished at home, or I would be walking down every aisle in the store and picked up whatever that I felt I needed. So my brain was always on the lookout mode – what to buy, what to get, what I need, what I want, what is finished.

This whole year I’ve been making the unconscious effort to figure out what I actually need and use on a daily basis. Now I have mental notes of everything I need for every category – frozen foods (my cooking skill is non-existent), produce, cleaners, skincare, makeup, and personal goods.

I think last month was when I became quite certain of what I actually need and the brands that I use. For instance, I just came to the realization that I don’t really do biscuits. I have been throwing out biscuits every now and then, but I kept buying biscuits every month because I thought that’s an adult thing to buy. Guess not.

2. I focus on other areas of my life

I’m on a personal development journey as well this year. I’m trying to improve every part of my life, besides my financial life. And so far, it’s going quite well. Not to that level that I want but I can see mini progress.

And for months, I’ve been learning a new skill too. If you’ve been following me from the start, you’d be surprised of this new thing I’m into. Oh man, I’m surprised too. I will share more on this.

So all this learning new stuff stage really takes my mind off my no-buy year.

3. I see progress

I read back my previous posts when I started figuringgitout and I can see that I’m actually making progress today. It doesn’t feel like it most days but hey – I have savings in my bank now! That’s a huge achievement for me.

And it all started with this whole figuringgitout and no-buy year journey of mine.

So I guess we shall just perservere through this.

Not a quick update after all

Because I end up dissecting the reasons behind my quick no fuss update lol.

If you’re somehow here because you’re also considering to do a no-buy year, I really hope what I share helps you and you don’t have to wait 9 freaking months to be at peace with your decision.

Let’s figuringgitout.

Next Update: October Update