This year, let’s challenge ourselves to buy less.
Maybe it’s just the algorithm, but “Low Buy” and “No Buy” seem to be everywhere lately, as more people grow tired of the modern consumer-or-bust lifestyle, start saying, “no, I don’t need that” and take back a little control over their money, time, and space.
A Low Buy Challenge is simply about cutting back on (at least one area of) consumption for a set amount of time.
In 2026, we are inviting you to engage in this consumption experiment with us:
What happens if we reduce unnecessary spending?
Do we experience less decision fatigue?
Do we have less trash each week?
Do we start appreciating what we already own a little more?
We’ll certainly save money, and with rising costs everywhere you look, that could be reason enough.
You don’t have to deprive yourself, or pressure yourself to be perfect to be successful with a no- or low-buy. It’s more about challenging your resourcefulness, and realizing how consumption shows up in your life and what you want that to look like.
Getting Started:
Step 1: Finding your WHY
Overconsumption has become so normalized, that we don’t even realize how constant the marketing pressure is. We’ve gone from being exposed to about 500 ads per day in the 1970s, to as many as 5,000 per day today. So in order to fight the constant barrage of advertisements, ignore the influencers, and relearn how to value what you already have, you’re going to need some motivation.
Before taking on the challenge of effectively reinventing your spending habits, it helps to understand why you want to try.
Ask yourself:
Do I want to save money or reduce financial stress?
Does clutter overwhelm me or make my space harder to enjoy?
Am I interested in reducing waste or living more intentionally?
Your why gives you something to fall back on when old habits start to seem like the better option.
Step 2: Track your consumption
There are different ways you could track your consumption. You will gain a lot of insight by looking at your budget, the things around your home, or even what’s ending up in your trash.
For example, maybe your budget reveals that takeout is taking a larger chunk of your budget than you realize, or that fashion is your kryptonite.
Step 3: Make your rules
The #1 rule is that you get to make all the rules and fully customize this challenge!
For example:
You could go essentials only and only spend money on bills and groceries.
You could commit to buying secondhand only, for clothing or home goods.
You could decide to wait 3 days to purchase anything, to reduce impulse buys.
Also, set yourself up for success by planning ahead for known needs, like a wedding outfit or birthday gifts, and consider your options for these special occasions. Can you rent, borrow, thrift, or make something instead of buying something new?
Step 4: Make it easier!
We live in a consumerist world and creating new habits is hard, so while it may seem counterintuitive, changing bits of your routine and creating small road blocks that make it harder to consume mindlessly, will actually make it easier to consume with intention.
Try these small adjustments:
Delete shopping apps from your phone
You can obviously still go to the website when you need a certain item, but we want to make browsing less automatic and purchasing (as necessary) more intentional.
Reduce ads where you can
Install an adblocker, reduce your screentime, unfollow influencers that are doing hauls/unboxing/selling products, and mute the tv when commericals are playing.
Delete saved payment info
Sometimes, it’s just too easy. By making online purchases take just a little bit more work, you could reduce a good chunk of impulse buys.
Replace “retail therapy” with..
There are plenty of ways to make life exciting and fulfilling without creating waste or feeding the corporate machine!
Challenge yourself to wear the clothes you don’t usually reach for
Rearrange your furniture
Go to the library and borrow a book
Plan a trip, even if it’s just to the next town over
Try something new, like a new recipe
Get outside, go for a walk and talk to the trees
Remember, this is an experiment, meant to challenge your resourcefulness and teach you new things! If certain rules feel too restrictive, that’s still good info. Learning what doesn’t work for you is still progress. And progress over perfection is our thing!
We’ll continue to share low-buy tips and reflections throughout the year. Follow along on Instagram (@unplasticgnv) and check back on the Eco Chat for future posts.