No Buy ✨Challenge✨
Because 2025 is the time to lock it in and I want to finish the year finally being able to say I have some disposable income 😭
I'm using the 50/20/30 rule as a basis to save money, and making some simple rules to follow from there:
50% for NEEDS - (essential) groceries, mortgage, utilities, gas, etc.
30% for SAVINGS - because life has taught me emergency funds are VITAL, and my toddler will be off to college before I know it.
20% for WANTS - you can still budget and enjoy life. We don't want excessive constraints and restrictions.
Cutting out little things here and there may not seem that effective, but TRUST me, they add up. Just think about every time you make a "quick market run," and end up at at the register with an $89 total 😤 It's about saving consistently over time.
✍ ️✍️NO BUY RULES✍️✍️
🙅♀️ 1. Amazon, Target, Starbucks (this is where ALLLLL my money goes. I have zero self-control the second I get anywhere near one of these. So it's time to eliminate that temptation).
🙅♀️ 2. BOOKS (I am guilty of overspending on books from Amazon. Kindle unlimited has thousands of free books. There's also a free archive here with free ebooks:
https://annas-archive.org/
🙅♀️ 3. Movie theater 🎭 I drag my hubby or my baby girl to the movies at least twice a month, and when you add up the tickets, drinks, and snacks each time, the price is sickening. I'll be switching to movies/shows I can watch for FREE at home. Free streaming platforms: Tubi, Pluto TV, Roku. It's also so much fun to have movie dates at home with simple homemade snacks. You can even share a subs with family to save $$
🙅♀️ 4. NO fast food. We have food at home, and it's still okay to have 1️⃣ dinner date out each month.
🙅♀️ 5. Essential Grocery Runs: Do we really need the 8 boxes of Lucky Charms, Cosmic Brownies, Little Debbie's, Eggos, and Nutty Buddy bars? I don't think so. Take a look through your pantry, I guarantee you have more food than you think, and making your own bread/croutons/jam/waffles/muffins/cookies/granola bars is incredibly easy. Not to mention much better for you.
🙅♀️ 6. Cozy Hobbies: at home rather than going out and spending. I've fallen in love with writing, adult coloring books, my kindle (free ebooks), baking, book nook kits, my Nintendo switch games, puzzles, rearranging spaces/furniture we already have 📖🕯️ 🧩✍️👩🍳
🙅♀️ 7. Exercise. No more money on gym/fitness memberships. My walking pad, yoga mat, free YouTube Pilates videos, and secondhand weights are all I need to get daily movements in.
What's on your "NO BUY" list for this year?
#savingtips #savingmoney #budget #nobuy2025 #lemon8challenge
If you're like me—a practical value seeker in your mid-50s looking to stretch your dollars—there are even more ways to make your money go further while maintaining comfort and convenience. One focus is on using products that balance affordability, ease of use, and effectiveness, especially when it comes to everyday essentials. For example, when it comes to eye care, I found that choosing contact lens solutions and rewetting drops that are both gentle and economical is key. Products like Biotrue offer formulas suited for sensitive eyes, providing lasting hydration and relief from dryness without breaking the bank. They don’t require complicated use—just follow simple soaking times for your lenses to stay comfortable all day. Incorporating homemade alternatives into your routine also helped me reduce expenses without sacrificing quality. Baking your own bread, making homemade jams, or preparing snacks not only saved money but gave me a rewarding sense of accomplishment. Using free streaming platforms for entertainment replaced frequent movie theater visits, saving substantial costs while still allowing family movie nights. Exercise doesn’t have to mean pricey memberships; free online Pilates videos and affordable equipment like walking pads can keep you active without extra spending. Embracing cozy indoor hobbies like writing, puzzles, or adult coloring books enriched my days and helped me avoid impulse buys. Ultimately, the goal is consistent, small changes that add up—whether it’s cutting fast food outings to one dinner a month or managing impulse purchases from stores like Target. Sharing my journey and practical strategies has helped me build an emergency fund and enjoy life more, proving that thoughtful budgeting can be empowering and enjoyable. What practical swaps or smart product choices have helped you save without feeling deprived?
Everything you make looks delicious!! 😍