24 Things I'm Not Buying in 2024 | saving money + minimalism

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In 2024 I plan on doing a no buy year. No buying material things.

Im letting my grey hair show now too. I’m 46. Why the heck do we, women, feel like we need to cover up all signs of aging. We should be proud and grateful for our beautiful bodies.

As a 5th grade teacher, I absolutely applaud your decision to not give your kids cell phones. I've been teaching for 29 years, and I have definitely seen an increase in disregulated behaviors in my students. The research you quoted is spot on!

1. a tiny house 2. large plots of land 3. grey home decor 4. cushions and throw pillows 5. short-term decor and storage 6. weight scale 7. diet products 8. hair dye 9. hair tools 10. rubber bands 11. pets 12. smartphones for kids 13. dollar store goods 14. chairs with upholstery 15. jewlery 16. cardboard boxes 17. water bottles 18. cable tv 19. impulsive thrift store finds 20. soft pillows and mattresses 21. physical books 22. candles or air fresheners 23. craft or hobby supplie s 24. coffee

My 48 year old husband had a heart attack yesterday afternoon. Thankfully he’s okay atm. It’s put everything in our life in perspective though. I’m doing a low/no buy next year. Life is precious, spending unnecessarily isn’t worth the stress.

As a person with MCS I'm so happy to see "air fresheners" and candles being discussed as harmful to health.

You would love my Grandson! He’s starting High School this and his Mom decided it was time he had a cellphone. He said,”Thanks but no thanks. A cellphone would be way too much pressure for me and I don’t need that kind of pressure

I’m in a place in life where the thought of even entering a retail space seems bizarre and foreign. I wish for everyone to get there with me in 2024. 🤗

Years ago before I even thought about minimalism my husband and I moved into our second home which was quite a bit bigger. My friends and work colleagues asked why when it was just my husband and myself. Of course we didn’t need a bigger home but we planned on having a family and more importantly it was for investment purposes. There aren’t too many things in this world that will make you as much money as real estate will. We moved again after that and our current home has more than quadrupled in price. I couldn’t work a lifetime and make that much money. You can still have a big home and keep it minimal. That’s what I’m working on now.

One of the best places to get boxes is liquor stores. My stepdad told me this years ago and I always go there to get them. They are extra sturdy because they have to hold glass bottles so they won’t fall apart.

Decor in a short-term housing situation: I've lived all my life in rental properties and move frequently. I've been able to make every house feel like home just with the items I bring with me. I've found that items in natural materials and/or neutral tones tend to fit in everywhere, and a few loved houseplants and books make a place feel like home overnight!

100% agree with "no younger than 16"! I so appreciate you sharing your pediatrician's wisdom on that. 🎯

I have 14 acres and chickens and I absolutely love it! I’ll never give up my chickens. But definitely need a community to make it work. For example my neighbour bales the hay for us and helps us with projects that requires big equipment. In exchange he takes the hay for his cows. Some years he keeps livestock here. I have three kids under 3 and my husband works a 9-5 office job. My oldest loves visiting the calves and piglets. It’s so reassuring knowing I can count on my neighbours and they can count on me.

Being real with yourself when buying a house is so important. When I bought a home, I went with a townhouse rather than a condo because "I want a garden!" Spoiler alert: 20 years later and grumble every time I have to mow my (tiny) lawn.

Regarding "large blocks of land" - in the 1990s, "Lifestyle Blocks" were the biggest thing in New Zealand real estate. Many people living in NZ cities wanted and bought them ... until it became apparent that the "Lifestyle Blocks" were way too large for self-sustainment (the chickens, goats, vegetable patches you talked about) but were too small to be commercially viable farms. Also, agricultural work sounds rewarding and wholesome ... but it is long, repetitive and physically demanding. Chickens are easy to keep, but once you start protecting them from foxes, cats or ferrets - prepare to spend a lot of time and money building and maintaining enclosures ... and so on.

For kids and smart phones, here’s what I’m doing: they are getting kid’s smart watches. Mostly for gps and emergency use. No camera. Pre written texts. Preloaded contacts. All managed by me. No social media. They are 7 and 9. If all goes well, I see them staying with smart watches until late teens (I hope). We’ll see 🤞🏽

My husband is very picky about thick firm pillows, and after not being able to find what he wanted, I took some old clothes and folded them up and put them inside his pillow. (Thankfully his pillows are the kind that can unzip). He's been happy with it so far 😊

Oh my goodness as I decluttering I have discovered a mountain of storage solutions. Every time I get rid of another cabinet or shelf or container. It’s absolutely wonderful.

I completely agree with the study you found on Smartphones and the advice from your pediatrician…I work in an American elementary school, and I am shocked by some of the behaviors I see now compared to just 10 years ago. The increase in small children having smartphones at school is alarming. I applaud you for holding off on giving your children smartphones…pretty sure they are not the best thing for us as adults either (distracted driving, parenting, and existing)😮