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Happy BuyNothing Day

justbuynothing.com

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Re: Happy BuyNothing Day

#51

Post by Shadowmist »

deadbabe wrote: post #35
Cerium wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Similarly, I have a "no same day buy" rule. Usually I wait at least a few days and most of the time by then I don't need the item anymore.

One thing I would always buy right away is book recommendations. If someone recommends a book and it sounds interesting I just buy it right away even if I’m not sure that I want to commit to reading it or not. This helps keep my bookshelf filled with interesting stuff that I could still potentially read someday.

You'd probably enjoy "Modernist Cuisine: The Art and Science of Cooking", which has beautiful photography and possibly goes deeper into cooking than any other book. The main author was CTO at Microsoft back in the day, and another author founded a company that makes a thermometer with some pretty neat tech.

Re: Happy BuyNothing Day

#53

Post by nicbou »

What about buying used?

I have this unofficial policy of buying used for frivolous purchases. The extra effort of browsing classifieds and arranging the purchase means that I must really want something before I get it. It also means that nothing gets extracted from nature and shipped around the world to satisfy a weak desire.

I've also been much more selective about which objects I allow into my home. I'm older now and I realise how long these objects stay in my life, so they might as well spark joy every time. Again, the long process of acquiring something means I avoid a lot of impulse purchases, and end up with fewer, better objects.

Re: Happy BuyNothing Day

#54

Post by ron_k »

Cerium wrote: post #23
redhale wrote: post #9

I have found that adding things to a todo (Todist) list called "want-to-buy" gives me the little endorphin boost / anxiety relief without spending any money. I periodically go through and delete stuff from this list after time has passed, and I'm always glad I didn't go through with the purchases. Rarely I will come across something I truly do still want, and will purchase it.

Similarly, I have a "no same day buy" rule. Usually I wait at least a few days and most of the time by then I don't need the item anymore.

I have a 10€/day rule: if I want to buy something that costs 120€, I have to be sure of wanting it for 12 straight days.

That doesn’t apply to emergencies, of course.

Re: Happy BuyNothing Day

#55

Post by sokoloff »

deadbabe wrote: post #35
Cerium wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Similarly, I have a "no same day buy" rule. Usually I wait at least a few days and most of the time by then I don't need the item anymore.

One thing I would always buy right away is book recommendations. If someone recommends a book and it sounds interesting I just buy it right away even if I’m not sure that I want to commit to reading it or not. This helps keep my bookshelf filled with interesting stuff that I could still potentially read someday.

You should buy the Codex Leicester containing many of Da Vince’s thoughts, designs, drawings, etc.

;)

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Codex_Leicester

Re: Happy BuyNothing Day

#56

Post by thefz »

mgkimsal wrote: post #6

Worked in a mall in the 90s and thought a store that let people 'shop' but not actually pay money for things might be fun/useful. Or... sort of like a membership. $10/month, come in to some luxury type store - browse, test out stuff, etc. Go through a 'checkout' step with your 'store card', just... leave the items in the store as you leave. For some folks, the leaving and driving away is the 'high', but for a lot of…

I do this all the time with online shops: fill the cart with things, come back later or after a couple of days and I don't check out because I feel I was dumb for wanting that stuff.

Re: Happy BuyNothing Day

#57

Post by drivingmenuts »

thefz wrote: post #56
mgkimsal wrote: post #6

Worked in a mall in the 90s and thought a store that let people 'shop' but not actually pay money for things might be fun/useful. Or... sort of like a membership. $10/month, come in to some luxury type store - browse, test out stuff, etc. Go through a 'checkout' step with your 'store card', just... leave the items in the store as you leave. For some folks, the leaving and driving away is the 'high', but for a lot of…

I do this all the time with online shops: fill the cart with things, come back later or after a couple of days and I don't check out because I feel I was dumb for wanting that stuff.

That's how I do my online grocery shopping - I fill the cart with things that are interesting, needed, etc., and when I'm ready to actually buy, I empty the cart and fill it with the things I actually need. Many times, what seemed like a good idea was, in later reflection, not such a good idea.

Re: Happy BuyNothing Day

#58

Post by JohnFen »

rs186 wrote: post #22
RyanOD wrote: post #16

I resist buying many things by thinking about my kids having to (some day) deal with it when I kick the bucket.

I know people who live in an apartment resist purchases by thinking "it's going to be a liability for my next move" which works quite well.

Living in an apartment definitely limits my purchasing. I'm not thinking about things being a liability for the next move, though. I'm thinking about now. I have limited space, so part of the purchasing decision is "what am I willing to get rid of to make room for this?". Often the answer is "nothing" and the purchase doesn't happen.

Re: Happy BuyNothing Day

#59

Post by mritterhoff »

nicbou wrote: post #53

What about buying used? I have this unofficial policy of buying used for frivolous purchases. The extra effort of browsing classifieds and arranging the purchase means that I must really want something before I get it. It also means that nothing gets extracted from nature and shipped around the world to satisfy a weak desire. I've also been much more selective about which objects I allow into my home. I'm older now a…

My favorite thing to buy used is books! If it was written more than a year ago, odds are good you can find it for half the price of what it's selling for on Amazon. My go to is https://www.betterworldbooks.com

Re: Happy BuyNothing Day

#60

Post by cabaalis »

redhale wrote: post #9

I have found that adding things to a todo (Todist) list called "want-to-buy" gives me the little endorphin boost / anxiety relief without spending any money. I periodically go through and delete stuff from this list after time has passed, and I'm always glad I didn't go through with the purchases. Rarely I will come across something I truly do still want, and will purchase it.

I feel the exact same way about Amazon lists and that's what I use them for. I wonder if that's why the "Add to List" button is somewhat hard to find, and if they regret the feature.
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