In light of a new year, which for many means a new start, influencers are spreading the message “No buy 2025” to inspire followers to cut back on excessive shopping. Many trendsetters with big followings on social media are challenging others online to only buy what they deem absolutely necessary. This usually includes rent/mortgage, toiletries, groceries and medical care/health care items at the very least, but each person participating can decide for themselves how strict or loose they wish to interpret the challenge.
When a person decides they want to take part in the trend, they usually will start by writing rules of what they will allow themselves to buy and what they won’t. Some also come up with budgets for themselves.
What are most cutting out?
Even though it varies from person to person, most of the categories that people are avoiding include,
-Clothing
-Accessories + Jewelry
-Make up + Skincare
-Furniture + Home Decor
-Books + Electronics
-Subscriptions
-Eating out excessively
Low Buy V. No Buy
You don’t have to turn away every luxury to fully commit to the trend, many who have kids who still want toys, still want to go out to eat with friends and family, or just want to go day to day without extra hassle have instead vowed to a low buy year. Instead of buying nothing, they’ll go to secondhand stores or small business so they’re still not supporting harmful brands but can continue to live comfortably.
Benefits
Even though the thought of buying nothing to very little for a whole year seems daunting, there’s a multitude of benefits to such an intense challenge. The most obvious reason of course, it saves enormous loads of money, but it also leads to more sustainable living as you’re more intentional of where your money is going. It can also greatly reduce your carbon footprint and can even increase gratitude and mindfulness. So even if you don’t want to jump to quite as extreme measures, there’s no harm in reducing overconsumption patterns in 2025.