Low buy year

Scientist, mum, bad gardener, on a budget

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Week 10 low buy.

Got a brother scan and cut from my husband for Christmas. Amazing present. But it did then require purchasing the bits and bobs that make it work. So blew the budget on it. And on snacks.

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Christmas is full of joy and also a lot of work.

Weeks 7, 8 and 9 low buy

Bought new shoes for work.

Made a delightful set of floral overalls. Which I don't know if I'm counting in my clothing purchases for the year. Because it was purchased as sheets from an op shop, but I did then turn it into clothes. I think it counts. Total new clothing for this year is now at 4.

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Week 06 low buy

It's extremely dumb that I considered lying about my spending in a year I made the rules for.

I bought Bea Bellingham mugs on her amazing seconds sale. We went to a wedding with a catered next day brunch so I spent more on drinks (and then road trip snacks) than I normally would have.

I bought a bed set I didn't need but is going to be delightful in the spare room. And it was from the op shop which makes it very easy to justify

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Week 05 low buy

I'm once again thinking about how expensive it is to be poor. Spent $18 on a kilo of walnuts because we can afford that expense, 500g was $25/kg. Being able to buy in bulk is a luxury. Being able to buy tinned apples grown in Australia and cream from an Australian dairy co-op is a luxury. Being able to buy pre-made puff pastry is both a huge convenience and a luxury.

I'm making some Christmas presents for my niece and nephew, something expensive in materials and time, and relies on me having a working sewing machine. Yes it's cheaper than buying them the bags from the original artist, but it's only cheaper because I do have the space and time and energy to make them. That is a luxury.

The kids and I made Christmas cards to send out, which was actually a fun crafting activity. We cut up old Christmas cards and collaged them into new ones. But they fit into a C5 envelope, so what we saved in cards we spent on envelopes and postage.

I took my 4 year old shopping for her brother for Christmas and his birthday. My husband will take the 6 year old shopping for the same. The follies of December and January babies.

I debated including the money that we spend on charity, it is an expense, but we are incredibly fortunate so we can justify the expense. Again a luxury.

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Week 04 low buy

Absolutely blew through the budget. Completely shattered it. Broke my one outfit per season rule. The average Australian buys 56 pieces of clothing a year (The Australian Institute, 2024). I'd like to be at 10 pieces for the entire year. Including buying from op shops and second hand markets. A lot of clothes buying for me isn't because it's a piece I love and need, but because it's a bit cute and scratches that dopamine itch.

Next week is a new week.

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Week 03 low buy

It was a bad week to be a budget.

But I do rate the audiobook of This Princess Kills Monsters by Ry Herman. And mostly drinking coffee at home. And mangos. All great reasons to blow a budget.

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Things I didn't buy week 02

Most notably a village of spice containers. Absolutely delightful but my husband does the majority of the cooking and his spice organisation is more functional and less twee

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Low buy week 02

Last week I spent on me $87, so current total is $136.50. Aiming this week to spend $13.50 to come back on budget.

For kids last week I spent $55, current total is $63. So this week I can spend $12 on treats specifically for them.

This week my brother bought a hungry jacks large meal and got a butterfly glass, in a fit of jealousy I declared that I must also possess one. So I had a cute lunch date with my husband and got myself my own butterfly glass. They have more glasses being released and whilst a full set would be delightful and bring me so much joy, it is not worth 3 large meals.

Point of privilege: I travel for work, and get a meal allowance. That does help my threshold for treats to stay lowish, as I'm generally getting lunch paid for once or twice a fortnight. I did an overnight trip this week, so dinner was paid for, but I ended up getting a drink separately.

My son has been playing Pokemon snap on the Nintendo Switch. The $1 spent on the Pokemon guide book was the best money spent this week. He has every bookmark in the house in the guide marking all his favourite pokemons.

Captain Underpants with toilet jokes and flip-o-ramas is very popular with both the 6 year old and 4 year old. If you're needing a series to encourage independent reading this is an excellent choice. As a bonus Dav Pilkey talks about his ADHD in his author biography, which is a great way to talk about neurodivergence and what it can look like.

Not included in this week was the $16 I spent on postage to send packages to my nieces and nephew.

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Secret witches hat

A sun hat that turns into a witch, or wizard's hat. The best sewing project I've made this year, which to be fair there hasn't been much sewing this year. But of all the sewing projects, including the amazing fish and bird bags, this is my favourite. So quick, so straightforward. Absolutely delightful

Secret Witch Hat Tutorial | Keiko Lynn

How to make a reversible, secret witch hat using any bucket hat pattern and a slight modification. Wear all year and reverse it for Hallowee

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Things I didn't buy week 01

A paper buttery fly kit from Beastie and Bone. These paper cut out kits are a delight, and I think are going on my Christmas wish list

A canteen scarf, which was a targeted ad from Instagram. When I see someone selling them at the shops I will definitely be getting one.

Bea Bellingham makes the best mugs and hair clips. I have a pigeon and fairy bread hair clips and they bring me so much joy. Her giant mugs are high on my wish list.

Here's some neat stuff

Bea Bellingham - weird things made with love and mild panic

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low buy week 01

I'm making collages to track my spending

Rules

$50 treat money a week

$50 treat money for kids a fortnight

1 new outfit per season

So far it is going... poorly