Month 3 of the low-buy challenge is officially in the books, and with it, the end of the initial 75-day stretch! This last set of 25 days brought a mix of travel prep, spring shopping, and some honest moments of reflection about what I really need—and what I can live without. March was a tough month to stick to a savings goal, especially with two trips planned and a much lower spending baseline from last year, but I’m proud of how far I’ve come.
This month, I found myself focusing even more on intentional purchases, sticking to my “thrifting only twice a week” rule, and resisting the urge to shop in regular stores (with just one exception for a friend outing). I also faced a few moments of temptation—like finally caving and buying a new bag and two pairs of jeans on mega sale—but I’m learning to be more thoughtful about what actually gets worn and what’s just a passing want.
As I look back on these 75 days, I’m realizing that progress isn’t always linear, but every small win adds up. Here’s how month 3 of the low-buy challenge unfolded!
Monthly Reflections
March was a reality check in so many ways. With two trips to plan for and a much lower spending baseline from last year, sticking to a savings goal felt nearly impossible. Only having $345 to work with (compared to last year’s spending) made every purchase feel like a big decision, and I quickly realized that short-term comparisons don’t tell the whole story. Our family’s spending always trends higher in the middle and end of the year, so I’m learning to look at the bigger picture and not get discouraged by a single month.
I’m genuinely proud of myself for sticking to my thrifting rule—only twice a week—and for not shopping in regular stores for clothing (except for one friend outing). I even skipped thrifting entirely for a week after coming back from NYC, which is a huge win for me. I also resisted buying a pair of jeans I really wanted, reminding myself that I don’t need more just because I’m feeling a little “groundhog day” with my current rotation.
This month, I also faced some sticker shock when shopping retail for the first time in a while. After months of thrifting, everything feels more expensive, and I’m much more aware of what’s truly worth bringing home. I’m proud that I have plans to wear everything I bought, and nothing feels like a wasted purchase. Even with a few splurges, I’m still under budget for the year as a whole, and that’s what matters most.
Personal Thrifted Finds
This month, I focused on finding pieces that would be both practical for our upcoming Florida trip and versatile enough to wear all spring and summer. I stuck to my twice-a-week thrifting rule and made sure every item I brought home filled a real gap in my closet—whether it was a layering piece, a fun color, or a much-needed accessory.
- Knit tank ($7.99): Picked this up for our upcoming Florida trip—can’t wait to pair it with cutoff shorts and sandals.
- Braided Belt ($4.99): Much-needed belt that actually fits; the braided detail adds dimension to any outfit.
- Woven Purse ($6.99): Looks just like a larger one I own but never use—this one will be perfect for Florida.
- White sweater tee ($5.99): No tag, but it’s soft with a cute shape. Trying to branch out from plain tees and jeans for spring.
- Purple sweater tee ($1.99): Great cut and fit, 50% cotton, and perfect for cool spring mornings—definitely coming to Florida.
- Green long sleeve tee ($6.99): 96% cotton and a muted green—building up my long sleeve tee collection.
- White silk tank ($3.99): 100% silk, off-white, and super versatile. Another Florida trip staple.
- White cotton sweater/knit tee ($11.99): 96% cotton, oversized, and love the striping—easy to throw on with shorts or jeans.
- Maroon sweater tee ($2.74): Beautiful color and a great alternative to a basic tee.
- Black lace tee ($5.49): Oversized and perfect for layering over tanks or colorful tops.
- Snake print blouse ($8.99): Regretted not buying this from Express years ago—so happy to find it thrifted!
- Blue Madewell slouchy tee ($2.50): Cute, comfy, and perfect with jean shorts for Florida.
- Short sleeve button down ($2.99): Will be cute with shorts and sandals on vacation.
Total Spent on Personal Thrifted Finds: $73.54
I’m really happy with this month’s finds—each piece feels intentional and ready to be put to use, especially as we head into warmer weather. It’s a good feeling to know that everything I bought has a purpose and a place in my wardrobe, and I can’t wait to style these pieces on our trip and beyond.
Budget Recap
March was a challenging month for budgeting, with two trips to plan for and a much lower spending baseline from last year. Every purchase felt more significant, and I was much more aware of where the money was going. Here’s a breakdown of what I spent this month:
| Category | Amount ($) |
|---|---|
| Total Thrifted | $73.54 |
| Other Purchases | $272.97 |
| Unexpected Expense | $0.00 |
| Total Family Purchases in 2026 | $1,346.58 |
| Total Family Purchases in 2025 | $345.41 |
| Savings | 0% |
Note: “Total Family Purchases” includes all spending for the household, not just personal or clothing-related purchases.
Even though it looks like we spent a lot this month, we’re still under budget for the year when looking at the bigger picture. I’m learning to focus less on short-term comparisons and more on long-term progress.
Lessons Learned
This month was a reminder that progress isn’t always linear, and that real life doesn’t always fit neatly into a budget spreadsheet. Planning for two trips and working with a much lower spending baseline from last year made it tough to hit my savings goal, but it also forced me to be more intentional and honest about every purchase.
I learned that sticking to my thrifting rule (only twice a week) really does help curb impulse buys, and that skipping regular retail shopping for clothing is totally doable—even when I’m tempted by new arrivals. I also realized that it’s okay to cave on something special (like the blue suede purse or new jeans) if it’s a thoughtful, planned purchase that fills a real need or brings genuine excitement.
Sticker shock at the register was a wake-up call—after months of thrifting, I’m much more aware of what’s truly worth the price. I’m proud that everything I bought this month has a purpose and a place in my wardrobe, and nothing feels wasted. Most importantly, I’m learning to look at the bigger picture: even if one month doesn’t go perfectly, I’m still making progress toward my yearly goals and building better habits for the long run.
Goals for Next Month
As I look ahead to the next month of the low-buy challenge, I want to keep building on the progress I’ve made and continue making thoughtful, intentional choices. With spring here and a family trip coming up, it’s the perfect time to refocus on what matters most—enjoying what I have, sticking to my goals, and making every purchase count.
- Stick to a $1,000 monthly budget for our family and continue tracking every purchase.
- Limit thrifting to twice a week (or less), and avoid regular retail shopping for clothing unless it’s a true need and planned for.
- Focus on wearing and enjoying what I already have, especially as spring arrives.
- Be intentional about adding color and variety to my wardrobe, and keep editing out anything that doesn’t fit, flatter, or make me feel good.
- Only make purchases that I’m genuinely excited about and know I’ll wear.
- Consider a “no spend” month soon to reset, challenge myself, and get creative with what’s already in my closet.
- Keep working toward the $12,000 yearly spending target and feel good about every decision along the way.
I know there will be challenges, but I’m excited to see how much more I can learn and grow in the months ahead. Here’s to another month of mindful spending, closet edits, and celebrating every small win!
Looking Ahead
As I move into the next phase of this challenge, I’m feeling both motivated and realistic. I know there will be months that are harder than others, but I’m committed to staying intentional and flexible with my spending. With spring here and a Florida trip on the horizon, I’m excited to put my new thrifted finds to use and see how my style continues to evolve.
I’m also looking forward to more closet edits, experimenting with color and pattern, and maybe even taking on a “no spend” month to really test my habits. Most of all, I want to keep focusing on progress over perfection—celebrating the small wins, learning from the slip-ups, and building a wardrobe (and a budget) that truly works for me and my family.
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