Top 11 'Buy-Nothing-Year' Vlogs to watch at home for reprogramming your relationship with spending. - Goh Ling Yong
Have you ever stared into a closet packed with clothes and felt like you had absolutely nothing to wear? Or experienced that fleeting high of an online purchase, only to be met with a pang of guilt when the credit card statement arrives? You’re not alone. In a world that constantly screams “buy more, be more,” it’s easy to get caught in a cycle of mindless consumption, accumulating things we don’t need with money we might not have.
This cycle of consumerism can leave us feeling overwhelmed, cluttered, and financially strained. But what if there was a way to press the reset button? Enter the 'Buy-Nothing Year' (or its less intense cousin, the 'Low-Buy Year'). It’s a radical challenge where you commit to not buying any new items for a full 12 months, with exceptions for essentials like groceries and toiletries. It’s not about deprivation; it’s about discovery. It's a journey to untangle your self-worth from your possessions and reprogram your relationship with spending from the ground up.
Embarking on such a journey can feel daunting, but thankfully, you don’t have to do it alone. A wealth of inspiration, guidance, and raw, honest documentation exists on YouTube. Watching others navigate their own no-buy challenges can provide the motivation, practical tips, and sense of community you need to succeed. So grab a cup of tea, settle in, and get ready to be inspired. Here are the top 11 'Buy-Nothing-Year' vlogs that can help you transform your financial life.
1. Hannah Louise Poston
If you're in the world of beauty, fashion, or any hobby that encourages collecting, Hannah's channel is your starting point. She famously documented her 2018 "no-buy year" for makeup and clothing while working as a beauty writer. Her vlogs are incredibly articulate, introspective, and analytical, making them feel like a conversation with a very wise and self-aware friend.
Hannah doesn't just show you what she isn't buying; she dives deep into the why. She explores the emotional triggers behind her desire to shop, from boredom and anxiety to the quest for a new identity. Her monthly check-ins are a masterclass in self-reflection, as she meticulously tracks her temptations, slip-ups, and evolving mindset. She proves that a no-buy year is less about the stuff and more about understanding the complex emotional landscape that drives our consumption.
- Key Takeaway: You’ll learn to identify and dissect your personal spending triggers with incredible clarity.
- Try This Tip: Adopt her "wish farm" or "Pants Roster" concept. Instead of buying something, write it down on a list. This simple act acknowledges the desire without acting on it, and you'll be amazed how many "must-haves" lose their appeal after a few weeks on the list.
2. The Fairly Local Family
Taking on a no-buy challenge is one thing; doing it with a partner and kids is a whole other level. Amber and her family at The Fairly Local Family share their journey towards a debt-free life, with their no-buy and low-spend challenges playing a huge role. Their content is down-to-earth, practical, and incredibly relatable for anyone trying to manage family finances.
What makes their channel so valuable is its focus on teamwork and shared goals. They navigate everything from kids' birthday parties and holiday seasons to unexpected expenses, all while staying committed to their financial plan. Their vlogs are filled with practical tips for saving money on groceries, finding free family activities, and communicating about finances with a partner. It’s a refreshing look at how intentional living can strengthen not just your bank account, but your family bond.
- Key Takeaway: Learn how to implement low-buy or no-buy principles within a family unit, fostering communication and shared goals.
- Try This Tip: Start a "pantry challenge" as they often do. Before your next grocery trip, try to create meals using only what you already have. It reduces food waste and saves a surprising amount of money.
3. Christina Mychas (The Content Bug)
Christina’s approach is perfect for those who feel intimidated by a strict, year-long ban. She champions the concept of "mindful spending" and low-buy years, which offer more flexibility and focus on intention rather than rigid rules. Her videos are beautifully shot, calming, and packed with actionable advice for creating a budget you can actually stick to.
She excels at breaking down complex financial concepts into simple, manageable steps. From creating a "values-based budget" (where your spending aligns with what you truly care about) to crafting your own personalized low-buy rules, Christina empowers you to create a system that works for your life. She reminds us that this journey is about progress, not perfection.
- Key Takeaway: This is your go-to for building a sustainable, long-term healthy relationship with money, rather than a short-term, all-or-nothing challenge.
- Try This Tip: Define your personal low-buy rules. Instead of a blanket "no shopping," maybe your rule is "no new clothes unless one is worn out" or "only one book purchase per month."
4. Heal Your Living
For a dose of pure, unadulterated honesty, look no further than Heal Your Living. The creator, Youheum, is a certified KonMari consultant and minimalist whose no-buy journey is deeply intertwined with her philosophies on simple living, wellness, and environmentalism. Her vlogs are calm, thoughtful, and often feel like a therapeutic session.
Youheum is incredibly transparent about her own struggles with compulsive shopping in the past, which makes her insights all the more powerful. She talks about the real challenges of a no-buy year—the boredom, the social pressure, and the moments of weakness. Her content offers fantastic alternatives to shopping, focusing on "shopping your own closet," repairing what you own, and finding joy in non-material experiences.
- Key Takeaway: A no-buy year is a powerful tool for healing your relationship with consumerism and finding contentment with what you already have.
- Try This Tip: When you feel the urge to shop, spend 30 minutes "shopping your home." Go through your closet, pantry, or bookshelves and rediscover items you forgot you had. Style an old outfit in a new way or finally read that book you bought last year.
5. Use Less
Signe, the creator behind Use Less, brings a strong sustainability and low-waste perspective to the no-buy concept. Based in Denmark, her videos have a chic, Scandinavian minimalist aesthetic, but her message is powerful and universal. She connects the dots between our personal consumption habits and their broader environmental impact.
Watching Signe's channel will inspire you to not only buy less but also to care for what you already own. She shares wonderful tips on mending clothes, properly caring for fabrics to make them last longer, and building a timeless, sustainable wardrobe. Her approach is gentle and non-judgmental, making sustainability feel accessible and empowering rather than overwhelming.
- Key Takeaway: Mindful consumption isn't just good for your wallet; it's a critical part of living a more sustainable and eco-conscious life.
- Try This Tip: Before discarding a piece of clothing with a small hole or loose button, spend 15 minutes on YouTube learning a basic mending technique. It's a surprisingly satisfying and money-saving skill.
6. Brogan Tate
Brogan’s channel is a breath of fresh air. A UK-based lifestyle vlogger, her low-buy journey is documented with incredible honesty and a great sense of humor. She doesn't pretend to be a perfect minimalist; she’s a regular person trying to curb her love for online shopping, and her relatability is off the charts.
She is fantastic at documenting the day-to-day reality of a low-buy. You'll see her temptations, hear about her slip-ups, and celebrate her victories right alongside her. She provides detailed budget breakdowns and shares the exact amount she's saving, which is incredibly motivating. Her vlogs feel like catching up with a friend who is on the same journey as you, making the whole process feel less isolating.
- Key Takeaway: It’s okay to not be perfect. A slip-up doesn’t mean failure; it’s an opportunity to learn and get back on track.
- Try This Tip: Create a visual savings tracker. Whether it's coloring in a square for every £10 saved or moving money into a specific savings pot on your banking app, making your progress visible is a huge motivator.
7. Style Apotheca
For the fashion lover, the idea of a no-buy year can feel like a creative death sentence. Enter Style Apotheca. Christina's channel is dedicated to conscious consumerism specifically within the realm of fashion. Her no-buy and low-buy series are a goldmine for anyone who wants to stop shopping but still loves personal style.
Christina provides brilliant, practical advice on how to fall back in love with your current wardrobe. She creates styling videos showing you how to wear one item multiple ways, guides on how to properly declutter your closet, and thoughtful discussions on trends versus personal style. She proves that you don't need a constant influx of newness to feel stylish and confident. This is the kind of content that many people, including us here at the Goh Ling Yong blog, believe is essential for sustainable financial and personal well-being.
- Key Takeaway: A shopping ban can be the single best thing you do for your personal style, forcing you to become more creative and resourceful.
- Try This Tip: Try a "10x10 challenge." Choose 10 items of clothing from your wardrobe (excluding underwear, accessories, and outerwear) and create 10 different outfits for the next 10 days.
8. Frugal Fit Mom
Christine, the Frugal Fit Mom, is a powerhouse of positivity and practicality. Her channel covers a wide range of topics, from extreme grocery budgeting and debt-payoff updates to fitness and family life. Her no-spend challenges are legendary for their intensity and incredible results.
What sets Christine apart is her no-nonsense, high-energy approach. She shares every single penny she spends, offering a level of transparency that is both inspiring and educational. She'll show you how to feed a family of six on a shoestring budget and make frugality feel like a fun, empowering game rather than a chore. If you need a kick of motivation and proof that radical savings are possible, her channel is a must-watch.
- Key Takeaway: Frugality can be a fun and empowering lifestyle choice that accelerates your journey to financial freedom.
- Try This Tip: Challenge yourself to a "no-spend weekend." From Friday evening to Monday morning, spend absolutely no money. This forces you to get creative with meals, entertainment, and activities.
9. Simply Frugal
This channel does exactly what its name promises: it provides simple, straightforward advice on frugal living. The creator's low-buy and no-buy vlogs are perfect for beginners who are just starting to get a handle on their finances. The content is accessible, clear, and focused on making a real impact on your bottom line.
Simply Frugal offers great videos on the "rules" you should set for your own no-buy year, how to handle gifts, and what to do when you feel like giving up. It’s less about deep emotional dives and more about the brass tacks of planning and executing a successful challenge. It's a fantastic resource for the logistical side of reprogramming your spending.
- Key Takeaway: A successful no-buy year starts with a clear plan and a well-defined set of rules.
- Try This Tip: Write down your "Why." Why are you doing this? To pay off debt? To save for a down payment? To live more sustainably? Put this reason somewhere you’ll see it every day, like on your bathroom mirror or as your phone's lock screen.
10. Abundantly Minimal
Allison from Abundantly Minimal frames the no-buy challenge through the lens of minimalism. For her, buying less isn't just a temporary challenge; it's a permanent shift toward a more intentional life with less stuff. Her videos are calm, encouraging, and full of practical tips for decluttering and simplifying.
She offers a unique perspective by often focusing on what you gain when you stop shopping: more time, more mental clarity, more financial peace, and more space. She has excellent videos on dealing with the "scarcity mindset" that can crop up during a no-buy year and how to successfully transition out of the challenge without reverting to old habits. It’s a great reminder, similar to the principles Goh Ling Yong often discusses, that true wealth isn’t about having more, but wanting less.
- Key Takeaway: Minimalism and no-buy challenges are tools to help you create a life that is rich in experiences, not things.
- Try This Tip: Pick one small, cluttered area of your home—a single drawer or a shelf—and spend 15 minutes decluttering it. The small win will give you the momentum to tackle bigger areas.
11. Valeria Lipovetsky
While not a traditional "no-buy" vlogger, Valeria's content is an essential watch for anyone on this journey. As a model, entrepreneur, and mother, she has a deep understanding of the fashion and beauty industries. However, her message is one of conscious consumption and utilizing what you already own to its fullest potential.
Her videos on "shopping your closet," re-styling basic pieces, and defining your personal style are invaluable. She teaches you how to look and feel amazing without constantly buying new things. Watching her channel is like having a personal stylist show you the hidden potential in your own wardrobe. It’s the perfect content to watch when you’re feeling the urge to shop for a "pick-me-up" and need a reminder that you already have everything you need to feel great.
- Key Takeaway: True style comes from creativity and confidence, not from a credit card.
- Try This Tip: The next time you feel you have "nothing to wear" for an event, find a photo of an outfit you love on Pinterest or Instagram. Then, challenge yourself to recreate it using only items you already own.
Your Journey Starts Now
A 'Buy-Nothing Year' is more than just a financial challenge; it's a transformative journey of self-discovery. It's about breaking free from the consumer-driven script and writing a new story for yourself—one defined by intention, freedom, and contentment.
These 11 creators offer a roadmap, a support system, and endless inspiration for your journey. They show us, in real-time, that it's possible to change our habits, clear our clutter, and build a more meaningful life with less.
So, which channel will you watch first? Do you have another favorite no-buy vlogger that we missed? Share your thoughts and recommendations in the comments below! Let's build a community of conscious consumers together.
About the Author
Goh Ling Yong is a content creator and digital strategist sharing insights across various topics. Connect and follow for more content:
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