My Low Buy Month on Amazon | March
I can’t start today’s blog without acknowledging YOU and your thoughtful, encouraging comments, emails and DMs on yesterday’s Things are Changing post. I felt strongly in my heart that this is the direction I need to move toward, but having your support gives me the courage to keep going. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
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My Low Buy Month on Amazon
Last month, I shared all the things I bought on Amazon that weren’t clothes, and since y’all enjoyed that peek into my Amazon orders, I’m sharing what I bought on Amazon again today.
The difference this time is that I was trying to be very intentional about the things I bought and do a “low buy” month on Amazon. My goal was simply to consider every purchase and stick mostly to necessities. I did end up with some ‘wants’ though.
Have you ever done a ‘low buy’ or ‘no buy’ experiment? It’s very eye opening and can help you save quite a bit of money. Maybe we can do a ‘no buy’ together in the future, let me know if you want to try that!
I shared how I reduce expenses here if you want to check that out.
What I Bought on Amazon | March
Let’s get into the nitty gritty and I’ll share the necessities, wants, and things I bought for the pool and a holiday, Easter.
1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9 • 10 • 11 • 12
Necessities
I ordered several things I was out of, but I’m not stocking up with multiples, just enough for what we need to live. Those necessities included :
Toothbrush heads, kleenex, allergy pills, lens wipes, pencil sharpener, food gloves, toilet paper (gotta get the kind with the scallop edge!), trash bags, dog food, and cat food.
I’m not sure the food gloves are a “necessity” but for me they are because I like to use them when I’m preparing meat or fish, which is often.
Also, the lens wipes are my preferred way to clean my glasses – I like them better than the cloth, the wipes seem to do a better job.
We had an electric pencil sharpener that pooped out, so I just replaced it with this old school one. Turns out, it works really well and takes up way less space in our utility drawer.
Wants
Y’all! This has been such a FANTASTIC addition to my life! Our fridge doesn’t have a water filter, so since I moved into our home two years ago, I’ve been using a portable water filter. I’d have to fill it up every day, put it in the fridge if I wanted it cold, or leave it on the counter which I didn’t like the sight of. And, I’d have to replace the filter every so often. Another down side is that, if we kept the water filter in the fridge (where my son preferred it), you have to keep the door open to fill your water bottle or cup and it doesn’t pour that fast.
So . . . I told Elliott I’d really love to have an under the sink filter that would simply filter the tap water. He researched around and found this one. It wasn’t expensive and doesn’t take up too much room under the sink. He was able to install it in 10 minutes and we LOVE IT!!!!
Filtered water straight from the tap! Yay!! And you guessed it, I donated that old water filter and the extra filter cartridge.
I’ve been curious about this book for awhile and read it in just a few days. The premise is that we’re addicted to our devices and it’s really harming us as individuals and as a society. The part about our kids was very scary. They are the first generation to never know a life without cell phones. I didn’t get my first cell phone until I was in my late 20s and even then, it was gifted to me.
The book encourages a digital fast for 30 days, which I didn’t do – but I took note of the principals and greatly reduced my screen time.
Resisting the urge to fill every ‘spare’ minute with a screen or podcast or tv has given me a sense of calm that I haven’t felt in a long time. It’s definitely a challenge to not reach for your phone to fill those gaps of time, especially when the habit has become so engrained.
If it’s hard for us, it’s got to be hard for our kids. But we can start modeling by example.
I bought these elbow length garden gloves to protect my arms when I was pruning my rose bushes. Those stems have such sharp thorns and I’ve cut myself on more than one occasion. Unfortunately, I ended up returning the gloves because they felt too stiff and bulky, probably a little too large for my small hands and short arms.
Now that I’m back to working out 4-5 days a week, I needed more of my favorite ankle tab socks so that I always have a clean pair. I only do laundry once a week, usually on Saturday.
I love this lip mask and use it every single night before bed. It’s so luxe in the glass pot and feels wonderful on your lips. I used all of it up (which took a long time), so it was time to reorder. I also got it on sale!
For the Pool
I’m slowly but surely working on completing our backyard. Buying a couch and two side chairs was a big purchase, but there are still other things I want to furnish it with. It’s a work in progress.
I bought two storage boxes for the pool. One houses all the chemicals and tools, the second one is for pool towels, sunscreen, pool toys, goggles, etc.
I ordered a tall cabinet from Wayfair for the pool towels and things, but when it arrived, the “natural” color was way too yellow and the wood was unfinished, which wasn’t what I was expecting, so I returned it and opted for that second storage box.
These are the pool sundeck chairs that sit in the water. I looked around a lot before deciding on these, which I’m very happy with. I feel like I got a good deal because these chairs can be so expensive. We’ve already been enjoying the heck out of them!
Elliott is helping me keep the pool clean as opposed to hiring someone. We bought a big container of chlorine tablets that should last a long time.
Easter Basket Fillers
I didn’t want to buy a lot of candy for Easter basket fillers, or just a bunch of “junk” so I just got the kids each one small chocolate bunny and a couple things they can use.
In addition to the items, I also filled the plastic eggs with dollar bills and hid them in their rooms. That way, they could pick out something they’ve had their eye on.
I thought this would be a fun project for Jordan and I. It’s petite and comes in a cute galvanized container. We are in week one of the grow phase, fingers crossed!
Something practical, they both prefer the stick suncreen for their face so I got my son this one and my daughter this one. Jordan loves hers because it goes on clear and smells like bubblegum. 🙂
My son really likes the cirkul water bottle, so I got him some cartridges in his favorite flavors. Oops! I just remembered I got this at Walmart, not Amazon. They were way overpriced on Amazon!
Jordan loves me to put her hair in braids all over her head, and we needed more small hair ties. She likes a colorful variety. But did you know it’s SO hard to find a pack of just 10 or 15, heck, even 25. There’s no way we need 120, so I’ll be donating some of them.
Reflections on a Low Spend Month
Turns out, I’m very glad I did the low spend month because at the end of the month, I had to repair my car’s radiator that had suddenly sprung a leak.
And, I had another expensive car repair to remove the air suspension system. If you happen to have a Jeep Grand Cherokee, it seems that they can have a problem that occurs around the 65,000 mile mark where the air suspension system (that raises and lowers the vehicle) malfunctions.
In my case, the car went into OFF ROAD 2 mode and wouldn’t lower, which makes it unsafe to drive on the freeway.
After repairing the upper control arms in January and having to fix the front air suspension in February, it malfunctioned AGAIN in March so we removed the air suspension system altogether. I had to buy a kit and then paid a mechanic to install it.
Thankfully, my car is driving perfectly now. Even though I had to spend a lot of money in repairs in the last few months, it’s still WAYYYYYY less than just going out and buying a new car.
Hopefully, I’ll be done with car repairs for the foreseeable future after this! My car is only 8 years old (65,000 miles) and I hope to keep it for many years to come!
Have you done a no-spend or low spend month? One of my best tips is to add things to a wishlist or even your shopping cart, but wait to check out. Sometimes, you find you forget about the item, or don’t really want it anymore.
Let me hear your thoughts!
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Have a fantastic day friend!
What a refreshing post! Thank you.
Purchased stuff from using some of your links above- to help a sister out. All the best and you are inspiring and a good human. Keep up the great work. I enjoy your blog so much and I know it takes a TON of work behind the scenes and you basically offer it all to us for free. The least we can do is support you by using links, subscribing, etc. Have a super fun day.
It really does help Kelly and I appreciate that so much! Thank you!!
If it’s a known fault with your car make I’m surprised the manufacturer does not cover the cost of the repair.
I don’t know that the manufacturer acknowledges it as a known fault, but car owners do. I’m surprised they keep making these cars this way.
I just had a chance to read yesterday’s blog post! I totally understand where you’re coming from. My husband and I have just reached the empty nest phase of our lives but having said that our home is full of visiting grown children and two precious granddaughters! Our son also named James gets married next month! His soon to be wife as he describes her is a minimalist .. I didn’t think there were many young women in their 20’s fitting this category. Needless to say with things changing at home for us I have started that declutterring stage the past few years and will continue too! It really does make me feel lighter and more organized which makes me less stressed and happy! This stage of life is about being present in the moment creating new memories and at 57 being the best Nana to my two granddaughters and hopefully waiting for more! I have become more intentional about purchases and still need work in this area as at the end of it all it’s just stuff we’ve accumulated along our path of life!
Thank you for your honesty and transparency in this space! And for following your heart in your new journey 💕
Wow! Sooooo cool to be such a young mom and Nana! This is really going to be a fun stage for you and you get to call the shots! That’s awesome James’ wife is a minimalist, he won’t have to worry about her needlessly spending hard earned money!
I hope to do a low spend month soon. I imagine if I kept better track, I am wasting way more money than I can afford to and this will help build my savings account for those times (and they always come), when an unexpected expense comes up. That would become less stressful then. Thank you for the inspiration.
Having that financial cushion reduces the low level anxiety we live with. It almost feels normal because that’s what we’re used to.
Our family has been doing this, too. One thing that we’ve really enjoyed is using our local library more. It was my New Year’s resolution to figure out the hold system so I could put on hold books I really want to read. I can put books on hold, also get digital books and audio books. Huge fan.
Related, I signed up to get emails from Brightly (https://www.readbrightly.com/) about books for the ages my kids are or are about to be. Then, I take the lists they send and put those books on hold at the library. My kids get huge book haul every 6 weeks or so and love reading all the books. Completely free and the books go back to the library! Win-win.
THANK you for sharing that. My daughter loves to read so that would be really good for her.
I’ve spent the last 24 hours thinking about yesterday’s post. I’m 62 and financially responsible. I like clothes to last but I also like to buy a few trendy items. I’m not a “house” person simply because decorating isn’t my gift but I appreciate a well appointed home. Having said all of that, the service you provide to shorter girls who want to look cute, etc. is a valuable service. Just because you show an item, doesn’t mean everyone needs to or should buy it. It only means you’ve done the work to find the product (just like a personal shopper) and it’s up to the shopper to decide whether or not to pull the trigger. To me, it’s no different than you showing an item I really love but it’s in a color I wouldn’t or couldn’t wear. I hope you find the happy medium that suits you. Good luck!
Very thoughtful Lisa, thank you. I hope my fashion posts are useful, I don’t plan to discontinue them:)
I LOVE the low spend month. I have been trying NO spend month. Not buying anything extra. I write my budget out every month on paper. At the top of the budget I have been writing NO SPEND…You don’t need anything. Thank you for sharing all the pool/backyard things. I have had a pool for 4 years and slowing adding things. I find myself wanting to change things out. I am trying to be more conscious of the purchases. Trying to make sure I love them not just fill the space because I know by the next summer, I will want something different.
Being intentional and setting a goal is the first step to achieving it. I knew when I got a pool, there’d be a period afterward of buying things for it, so I have budgeted for it. I’m also carefully considering each and every purchase. So far, I’m really pleased with everything and it’s also an investment in quality time because we now spend a part of everyday outside.
I love the new blog shift and am so glad you’ve embraced it! I actually emailed you last week to say how much I appreciated one of your posts and how my favorite content of yours was always more along the lines of your fitness, self-improvement, etc. This new minimalism-ish content is great! I too made a similar shift in reducing the things around our home years ago and am constantly culling and honing. I have recently stepped back from socials and am trying to figure out how I can navigate and create a successful business without socials (I’m a real estate agent). The content there had become so fast paced and consumer-centric! I simplified my own wardrobe years ago, and I would much rather invest in a few key new pieces each season than a ton of cheap, fast fashion. I’ve been wanting to read Digital Minimalism for awhile and am waiting for it to show up on Libby. This Amazon post is awesome!!! I love the everyday relatable items. I will try to be more diligent in ordering from your less-frequent-but-more-intentional links. 💗I have followed you for 14 years at least (we have boys the same age), and I also have a little girl who is a similar age. This is a long, rambling comment, all to say thank you. I love it!
You’ve been here since the beginning Victoria! I agree about how draining it can be when social media is part of your business. I’m also constantly reevaluating the things in my own, it’s not a ‘one and done’ thing.
About 15 years ago, I did a no-spend year on books. Meaning I could only read the books I already owned (this was before Libby and I have always been a germaphobe about library books). It was an amazing year! I read so many books I wouldn’t have read otherwise (if you’re a big reader and book buyer, you know what I mean about buying too many books!).
I also did a social media detox last year for Lent and it truly opened up eyes to how much time I spent scrolling. Now I’m much more intentional about social media.
I JUST went through and decluttered my books again AND set aside books I haven’t read! Now, I have MANY I can read before buying more! And how do I not know about Libby- others have mentioned it too.
Love the changes and appreciate your honest feedback on what you sent back. Its refreshing that you want your blog to be more than just a link dump. I’m more likely to click on stuff that I know you actually bought, kept and love! Love the shift to being intentional and focus on happiness and well being, not just “stuff”. Long time reader and I just subscribed!
Thank you for subscribing Patricia. I hope you’ll enjoy my future posts too!
Refreshing read on your journey yesterday – commented how we downsized and how freeing it is! I, like others, rarely purchase a book. The library has Hoopla, Libby, and now Flipster with magazine. A savings and no magazines piling up! We tried for a no buy January and were pretty good. I do like to shop, but I am a fanatic about bargain shopping and getting the most for my money. Amazon is great, but not always the best price. Like you, I put things in my cart and think about it for a bit. Interested in that lip mask…will have to check it out !
I need to make use of my local library more. But, I like to highlight in my books.
I gave up social media and retail therapy for Lent . The social media was easy (sorry*L*) the retail not so much…true be told I DID slip a bit there. But no $700 Amazon bill!
Good for you Carol. It can add up quick!
I love this post. Maybe I’ll try a low spend month and then a no spend. I’ll have to ease myself into it. I really need to use up what I have before buying something new. I think your new shift is helping me be more mindful of what I am buying.
Oh I’m into that too- use it up! I have several skincare and hair items to use up before buying more.
Amazon savings tip – keep things you buy often in your cart’s save for later section. You can easily check the top of your cart page for price changes and buy when they are on sale.
Good tip Sara!
I am loving all of this inspiration as I have felt the need for a ‘shift’ as well! I have a really good feeling that, with your help and inspiration – not to mention the awesome tips you share- I will be on the road to a freer and less stressful life as well!
Thank you Megan!
Working with pc in the office a digital detox is impossible,but in the weekend I tend to use less storage box is great and I’m looking for one in my garden. I moved 3 years ago but I’m still finishing with garden. However I am having a sort of spending review so I can understand you,but the water filter for me is a necessity and not a wants!!!