The Low-Buy Challenge: Month 1

I can’t believe I’m already 25 days into my low-buy challenge—officially a third of the way through!

This month has been a whirlwind of thrifting adventures, wardrobe edits, and a few unexpected expenses, but I’m proud to say I haven’t shopped at a regular store all month. I’ve been sticking to my clothing wish list, tracking every purchase, and doing my best to keep our family spending in check.

While I didn’t quite hit my 50% savings goal this month, I’m learning a lot about my habits, what I actually need, and how to adjust for next month.

Here’s a look at what I bought, what I learned, and my goals for the next 25 days!

Monthly Reflections

It’s wild to think I’m already a third of the way through my low-buy challenge! Honestly, I’m proud of how far I’ve come, but I’d be lying if I said it’s been easy. The first 25 days have been a mix of excitement, temptation, and a lot of self-reflection. I’ve discovered that thrifting can be just as thrilling (if not more so) than shopping at regular stores, and I love the unique pieces I’ve found for myself and my family.

What’s surprised me most is how much more intentional I’m becoming with my purchases. I’m thinking twice before bringing something home, asking myself if it really fills a gap or if I’m just caught up in the thrill of the find. I’ve also realized that sticking to a wish list is harder than it sounds—especially when you stumble across a great deal or something unexpected that catches your eye.

There have definitely been moments where I’ve wanted to impulse buy or go overboard at a sale (looking at you, 50% off MLK Day), but overall, I’m learning to balance fun with discipline. I didn’t quite hit my 50% savings goal this month, but I’m not discouraged. Instead, I’m using it as motivation to adjust my habits and aim even higher for next month.

I’m excited to see how the next 25 days go—what I’ll find, what I’ll learn, and how much more I can save as I keep working toward a more mindful, intentional approach to shopping.

Personal Thrifted Finds

One of the most fun (and sometimes challenging) parts of this low-buy journey has been thrifting for myself. I’ve found some amazing pieces, learned a lot about my style, and even caught myself making a few impulse buys. Here’s what I brought home in the last 25 days—and what I’m thinking about each one:

• Navy/Royal Blue Blazer ($7.74): I’m not 100% sure why I bought this, honestly. I always have high hopes for blazers but rarely reach for them. Still, it’s a beautiful piece and was 50% off, so I’m hoping this challenge will push me to actually wear it.
• Blue/White Dotted Skirt ($14.29): Another impulse buy. It’s gorgeous and I can see myself wearing it… but when? I’m such a jeans girl. On the plus side, it matches perfectly with the blazer, so maybe I’ll style them together and see how it feels.
• Green Lauren Conrad Shawl ($12.91): I fell in love with the color, drape, and tassels. I’ve never owned a poncho or shawl before, so this is a new styling adventure for me. No idea where I’ll wear it, but I’m excited to try.
• Cotton Old Navy Sweater ($7.99): Beige/gold with sequins and 50% cotton—this fits perfectly into my goal of building a more sustainable wardrobe. Even though it’s Old Navy, the quality and feel won me over.
• Black Wool Midi-Length Coat ($10.49): This was a gasp-and-grab moment. 78% wool, perfect for Texas winters, and fits like a glove. I’d love an ankle-length version, but for $10, this knee-length beauty is a win.
• Long Brown Wool Coat ($13.49): Another gasp moment—100% wool, union tag, and the perfect length for my upcoming NYC trip. The color isn’t exactly what I was looking for, but the material and fit are spot on. Plus, I got a discount at the register!
• White AE Sweater ($5.39): Not the most sustainable choice (polyester/acrylic), but I desperately needed a casual white sweater. The fit and cut are great, and it’ll last me a while.
• Nuuds Long Sleeve Tee ($3.99): I grabbed this as a basic layering piece, and when I saw the brand, I knew it was a keeper (hello $68 retail!). The beige color will go with everything, and it’s coming to NYC with me next month.
• Leather Jacket ($19.99): At first, I thought it was faux, but after checking the tag, it’s 100% leather and barely worn. With a little conditioner, it’ll soften up and be a staple in my closet.
• Quince Pink Cashmere Sweater ($7.46): The soft pink caught my eye, and when I saw it was 100% cashmere from Quince, I couldn’t leave it behind. It fits like a medium (even though it’s tagged XL), probably due to a wash-and-shrink situation. For $7, it’s a steal.
• Brown Faux Fur Gloves ($12.99): A little pricey for thrift, but I love them and hope they’ll match my new brown wool coat for NYC. They’re not super warm, but I usually keep my hands in my pockets anyway.

Each of these finds has a story, and I’m excited to see how I style them over the next few months. I’m also learning to pause and really consider whether a piece fits my needs and style before buying—though I’ll admit, the thrill of a good find is still hard to resist!

Family Thrifted Finds

This month, thrifting wasn’t just about me—I also focused on finding great pieces for my husband and kids. It feels good to know I can upgrade everyone’s wardrobe without blowing our budget or resorting to fast fashion.

For my husband:

• Leather Bomber Jacket ($17.46): Originally listed at $34, but I scored it for half off! The leather is buttery soft and the color is perfect for his closet. Since he started a new job that requires dressing up a bit more, I’m slowly helping him build a more professional wardrobe.
• Brown Cotton Sweater ($8.99): A nice, soft staple to add some variety to his sweater collection.
• Blue Cotton Sweater ($9.99) & Blue Cotton Sweater ($7.46): Two navy sweaters in slightly different shades and patterns. They’ll be great for layering and mixing with his existing pieces.

Now I just need to keep an eye out for better jeans and some blazers or suit jackets to round out his workwear.

For the kids:

I took the kids thrifting with me and picked up a bunch of things they needed—especially during the 50% off MLK Day sale. I may have spent a little more than planned, but my teenager genuinely needed new clothes, and I feel good knowing I was able to get her what she needed without shopping at a regular store.

Overall, I’m proud that all our clothing purchases for the month were thrifted. It’s a great feeling to stick to our low-buy goals as a family, and I love knowing we’re making more sustainable choices together.

Budget Recap

Here’s how things shook out for the first 25 days of my low-buy challenge:

Category	Amount Spent	Notes
Personal Thrifting	$116.73	Does not include kids/husband; just my own thrifted finds
Family Purchases (2026)	$361.97	Includes all personal & household purchases for the family
Family Purchases (2025)	$638.81	Same period last year for comparison
Savings	43%	Didn’t hit 50% goal, but progress!

Unexpected Expenses:

• New washer and dryer (financed over 12 months at 0% interest, not included in the purchase budget)
• Replacement ice maker bucket for the fridge: $82.05
• New robot vacuum (old one died, but we returned it and used the credit for the new one, so not reflected in the budget)

While I didn’t quite hit my 50% savings goal this month, I’m not discouraged. Instead, I’m rolling that extra 7% into next month’s goal—so my new target is a 57% savings rate for the next 25 days. I’m determined to get back on track and make up the difference, and I’ll be tracking every purchase even more closely to help reach that goal.

Lessons Learned

Twenty-five days into this low-buy challenge, I’ve already learned so much about my habits, my triggers, and what really matters to me when it comes to shopping and spending.

First, I’ve realized that thrifting can be just as tempting as shopping at regular stores—maybe even more so when there’s a big sale or I’m out with my teenager. It’s easy to get caught up in the thrill of a good deal, but I’m learning to pause and ask myself if I really need the item or if it’s just the excitement talking.

I’ve also learned that sticking to a wish list is harder than it sounds, but it’s so helpful for keeping me focused. When I do find something on my list—like that cashmere sweater for $7—it feels like a true win. I’m also getting better at letting go of impulse buys or things that don’t quite fit my style or needs, even if they were a bargain.

Another big lesson is that it’s okay to not be perfect. I didn’t hit my 50% savings goal this month, but I know exactly why and how to adjust for next time. Rolling that extra 7% into next month’s goal gives me a clear target and a renewed sense of motivation.

Finally, I’m learning that this challenge is about progress, not perfection. Every small step—whether it’s skipping a sale, sticking to my budget, or making a thoughtful purchase—adds up. I’m excited to see how much more I can save and how my mindset continues to shift as the year goes on.

Goals for Next Month

With the first 25 days behind me, I’m ready to take what I’ve learned and set some clear goals for the next month of my low-buy challenge:

• Hit my 57% savings goal. Since I didn’t quite reach my 50% target this month, I’m rolling that extra 7% into February. I’ll be tracking every purchase even more closely and making sure I’m only buying what’s truly needed.
• Limit thrifting trips to twice a week. I went a little hard on thrifting this month, partly because it’s a new hobby and partly because of all the post-holiday closet cleanouts. Next month, I want to be more intentional and limit my trips to just two per week.
• Stick to my clothing wish list. I want to focus on finding quality pieces that fill real gaps in my wardrobe, rather than getting caught up in the excitement of a good deal or an impulse buy.
• Plan for NYC—without blowing the budget. I know I’ll need to buy a wool base layer for my trip to New York, but that’s the only regular store purchase I want to make. I’m determined to stick to my plan and not let travel derail my progress.
• Keep the whole family on track. I want to continue upgrading my husband’s and kids’ wardrobes with thoughtful thrifted finds, while staying within our overall household budget.

I’m excited to see what the next month brings and to keep building better habits—one thoughtful purchase at a time!

Looking Ahead

As I move into the next phase of my low-buy challenge, I’m feeling both motivated and curious about what the rest of the year will bring. I know there will be temptations, unexpected expenses, and moments where I’ll want to splurge, but I’m determined to keep my goals front and center.

I’m excited to see how my mindset continues to shift as I focus on quality over quantity, and how sticking to my wish list will shape my wardrobe. I’m also looking forward to seeing how limiting my thrifting trips changes my habits—and if I can really hit that 58% savings goal next month.

With a trip to NYC coming up, I know I’ll be tested, but I’m ready to make thoughtful choices and prove to myself that I can stick to this challenge. I’m also eager to keep sharing my progress, wins, and lessons learned with you all—so stay tuned for next month’s update!