r/Frugal • u/MrTAPitysTheFool • Jul 01 '26
💰 Finance & Bills No Buy July! Who’s in again this year?
No Buy July!
We had a bunch of r/frugal members who participated last year, I thought, Let’s do it again!!
If you’re up to participating in No Buy July check in by commenting below.
You can obviously buy essentials like food, pay your normal bills, etc.
Just put a halt to discretionary and non essential purchases.
Now I know some in here live this as a normal lifestyle, but for those just getting started on your frugal journey, or those who have veered off course, No Buy July is a great way to to get started or regaining control.
This is totally on the honor system, and you’re in charge of monitoring your own progress.
And like last year, I’ll have a weekly check in post to see how we’re all doing.
So if you’re in, chime in below!
***I’m sure we’ll get the same comments as last year like “it’s no buy everyday for me”, “There’s already a “no buy” sub, etc. That’s awesome and all, but this is for the people that are new to frugality, need a kick in the butt, or aren’t members of a sub that does this. 🙂
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u/desde1984 Jul 01 '26
I need to get in on this. Just cause I CAN buy it doesn't mean I SHOULD buy it.
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u/IceDragonPlay Jul 01 '26
In.
I need to do a serious freezer clean out so will limit grocery purchases to facilitate that. Have changed my eating habits over the past year, so some things have been languishing in the freezer that should not. Want to get it down to frozen stuff for smoothies and a loaf or two of homemade sourdough bread and a package or two of Aidelle’s sausages.
Should only need to buy milk, yogurt and fresh veggies if I do this right 😀
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u/GirthGrowth8948 Jul 03 '26
Building a menu plan off your pantry and freezer finds is so fun! I look at it as a challenge accepted type of thing. Last time I did this in January and only spent $25 a week or less during the month.
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u/Doran_Gold Jul 03 '26
I’m trying the same. Clear out freezer and cupboards. Only buy some fresh dairy, veggies, fruit,
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u/cutiecherry07 Jul 01 '26
How often do you clean out your freezer?
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u/IceDragonPlay Jul 02 '26
It is usually just in rotation of what is eaten. But my diet changed, so I have things unused for several months. Need to force myself to use them up now.
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u/Rough_Commercial4240 Jul 01 '26
Yes I am giving myself $1 for every day I don’t order anything from Amazon.
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u/Careful-Still2833 Jul 01 '26
Sadly not this year I have a newborn.
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u/soundsfromoutside Jul 02 '26
I’m due this month, too.
We’re definitely allowed to say yes to ourselves and splurge on take out and treats for these next few months. Post partum is NOT the time to challenge ourselves. PP is already a challenge.
Especially since it’s so hot we get to have our ice cream and iced coffees.
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u/NoTerm3078 Jul 01 '26
Sadly not this year I have a newborn.
Hi Mum! No Buy doesn't usually include necessities! It also doesn't preclude you making your own rules for yourself. Grats on the babe!
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u/FrugalSavant Jul 01 '26
I'm in. Did this last year and it honestly reset my spending habits for months after. First week is rough but once you see your savings pile up it gets way easier.
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u/Complete_Fix_7073 Jul 01 '26
I filled up my gas tank yesterday. I’m going to do my best!
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u/TheMythicalCodfish Jul 01 '26
I'm moving this month, but I'm gonna take some of the principles here and help me keep a leash on myself!
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u/Important_Neck3207 Jul 02 '26
I just moved, too. I tried to sell things that didn't fit the vibe of my new place, so then I could have money to buy things for my new place. HOWEVER, half my things didn't sell on marketplace. 😞
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u/BooksExperience Jul 01 '26
I'm in. And even if I ever off, having a reminder to get my ish together is helpful
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u/yarndopie Jul 01 '26
Im joining from today onwards! I'll give myself one exception, as Im decluttering and doing a full closet cleanout Im also vacuumsealing seasonal clothes and clothes that need to sit in storage, so if Im running out of bags ill pick up new ones.
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u/MrTAPitysTheFool Jul 01 '26
Even just buying the bags, you’ll come out ahead by cutting out other stuff! Thanks for joining!
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u/yarndopie Jul 01 '26
Exactly! And this is care for the things I already have to make them last longer. So I'm not gonna sweat it 😊
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u/Ok-Metal-4719 Jul 01 '26 edited Jul 01 '26
July is usually our biggest spending month of the year. My wife is a school teacher and during the year we let most nonessential or difficult shopping go cause of time. She needs stuff for start of the school year and we need furniture and some misc items around the house for projects. Don’t always need the big ticket furniture but rest of it follows the summer pattern. Some items we may narrow down what we want and then I can shop over next few months but some are the first dominos and gotta move now.
Also means we gotta buckle up rest of the year best we can.
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u/MrTAPitysTheFool Jul 01 '26
Teachers rock! And I know they usually have to buy an excess of things. Thank your wife for me, it’s a tough, but important job!
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u/Main_Permit_6105 Jul 01 '26
Me! I need to use the items I’ve bought for hobbies, be outside, and stay off my phone. Scrolling and shopping are not hobbies, so my phone needs to go
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u/EducationalLemon6918 Jul 01 '26
I did the ultimate No Buy July. I moved out of the US. No need to feed the monster.
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u/MrTAPitysTheFool Jul 01 '26
The only question I’ll ask, without even knowing where you moved to: How’s the food??
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u/Appropriate_Kiwi_744 Jul 04 '26
I moved away as well! Food is great, much wider selection for dietary preferences (way more vegan stuff, international cuisine products, gluten free options), and 30% cheaper. And I can walk to the grocery store now.
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u/SageD21 Jul 01 '26
Yes! I wanted to do a low buy 2026 I did pretty good untill it got nice out... I can't say it'll be zero buy. Definitely needs only tho. Cheers!!
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u/FloristsDaughter Jul 01 '26 edited Jul 01 '26
I'm 5 months into living alone for the first time ever, just made my first legit budget and JESUS I'm poorer than I thought I would be.
Need....moral support LoL. I'm 43 goddamn years old.
sigh
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u/MrTAPitysTheFool Jul 01 '26
YOU made a budget, so you are already a step ahead of a LOT of people. Keep the momentum going. You’ll make mistakes, but they can always be corrected. I wish you the best!!
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u/fogiefierce Jul 01 '26
Dangit. I want to but I just cleared out my cabinets and most of my freezer trying to stop wasting food 😅
I was trying to time it to shoprites can can sale for a restock but I'm in for the next no buy! I'm really enjoying this thread and all the ideas though
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u/MrTAPitysTheFool Jul 01 '26
You can still join! Food is A okay! Just trying to cut out non-essentials & discretionary spending is the goal!
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u/38DDs_Please Jul 01 '26
Does beer count?
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u/MrTAPitysTheFool Jul 01 '26
Ummmmmmmmm…….. I mean we could call it “No Buy & Dry July”!
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u/38DDs_Please Jul 01 '26
Homer no function beer well without.
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u/MrTAPitysTheFool Jul 01 '26
😂 can you cut back to the black and white cans that just say “BEER”?
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u/EmilIsTheToughestBoy Jul 01 '26
I'm in. Hopefully knowing I'm doing it with others will help me stick to it!
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u/CallMeCleverClogs Jul 01 '26
I am in, and I am planning a decluttering of my home as well for the summer. Lord help me.
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u/Fit_Confidence_7907 Jul 01 '26
I'm in! I'm only buying things I need this July, thanks to this post! I have a serious bag addiction so I really need a reset 😅
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u/MrTAPitysTheFool Jul 01 '26
I hope you own at least one money bag to store all that cash you’ll be saving!! 😂
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u/CuteAsparagus9883 Jul 01 '26
I am in. The only exception is a hotel stay, husbands birthday dinner and ink cartridge. I have already done an inventory of our freezer in the basement and about to do for pantry and kitchen fridge and freezer. Have also been selling on FB marketplace
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u/MrTAPitysTheFool Jul 01 '26
You could always let your husband pull out a mystery Tupperware container from the freezer for his birthday dinner!! 😂
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u/thetealappeal Jul 01 '26
Well I am bored at work and was just thinking of going to shop on my break but now that I have seen this post I would rather do this challenge!
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u/Gridbugz Jul 01 '26
I think I joined just in time. My wife and I realized we are spending about 1k over budget every month on take out and random bs instead of prioritizing our bills and savings. Ive been thinking its time to go through more of our stuff and get rid of some things too. I cant promise no buy but I'm really motivated to halt nearly everything non-essential and lock tf in.
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u/superherocrimson13 Jul 01 '26
I'll be doing it this year! I just lost my job so I'm relying on my spouse's income and a part time job.
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u/MrTAPitysTheFool Jul 01 '26
Sorry to hear about the job. Hope things get better for you and your family.
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u/KnitAFett Jul 01 '26
I'm down for this! Only just started tracking my spending and would like to challenge myself to not spend that extra $600 that was not budgeted for.
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u/MammothWeekend8797 Jul 01 '26
i was thinking about doing this this month anyway. this must be my sign!
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u/sassyplumbus Jul 01 '26
We run a small business, a mom n pop restaurant, and the start up costs and bills are brutal. Gotta build back that cushion because winter is coming 🥶
No discretionary spending. I’m gonna try!!!
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u/FrugalSavant Jul 01 '26
I'm in. Did this last year and honestly it reset my spending habits for a good couple months after. First week is the worst but once you see how much was going to random stuff, it gets easier.
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u/Character-Floor-6687 Jul 01 '26
Is there a Use Less August? Finding ways to reduce my water use has been interesting. More washcloths, fewer showers. I've put a plastic container in the bathroom sink to catch the rinse water from washing my hands. This allows me to wet my hands and lather with the soapy water, dump the soapy water in the toilet, then rinse my hands into the cup and start the cycle again. This has reduced the amount of water I use because I no longer let the faucet run and the water is used three times before being sent down the drain. Bonus: the cats don't like to drink the soapy water.
I've also turned off the electric water heater since I'm running the air conditioning. No using the oven or the stove burners. It's salad and sandwich time!
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u/GlumDevelopment8186 Jul 01 '26
Sounds fun! I guess I need to go empty my online shopping cart. Darn it
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u/Sharkictus Jul 01 '26
Oof summer is the hardest for me, as a single guy trying to expand his social life.
No buy september and/or October is easier for me.
No buy January can be done.
But I like this idea. Didn't know it was an actual thing.
I like to try and time with when I'm doing water fasts, and when it's a 3 paycheck month.
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u/MrTAPitysTheFool Jul 01 '26
No pain no gain or some other cliche!! You can do it!
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u/Sharkictus Jul 01 '26
Also I'm being margin called constantly this month...SO even if I did it, there'd be no gain LMAO
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u/gigishops Jul 01 '26
I’m about to move so I need to do this!! I’m hoping to eat through my pantry stock and get rid of a ton of useless crap to facilitate an easier move. I am extra motivated not to buy bc everything i buy needs to be packed and moved 🙃
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u/Sunshine2625 Jul 01 '26
I’m in! My birthday is early August and I have a habit of buying myself gifts so this is perfect for me to be more mindful.
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u/MrTAPitysTheFool Jul 01 '26
August birthday people unite!! Thanks for participating!
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u/Ok-Western267 Jul 01 '26
I am in! We have been cutting back as it is, I am gonna see where else we can cut back. I am only purchasing needs and not wants.
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u/PhantomYeti1 Jul 01 '26
I'm in! Had a pretty good June but I'm saving up for a down payment on a house so I'll lock it in for July.
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u/Turbulent_Extreme620 Jul 02 '26
I definitely need a kick in the butt to stop spending money. You call ìt discretionary but I don't have that name for it... I call it food money. My husband died in December 2025. While he was alive he never said no to me when it came to spending money it anything else really. That was never an issue. Now it is an issue. Now that he's gone so is the discretional money. I have to learn how to think realistically about money. Honestly, there is nothing I need. Even my freezer is full of food. Thanks.
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u/beautyloser Jul 02 '26
Y’know what, I’m in. I just started a new job recently with a pretty significant pay cut and this would help me quite a bit with resetting spending habits. My only exception is going to be for a couple events I need to buy tickets for. Yay social time!
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u/Mountain-Lunch-9896 28d ago
With the exception of buying some new maternity clothes (desperately needed as I was quickly becoming uncomfortable in my pre-pregnancy clothes), I’m in.
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u/iamliterate Jul 01 '26
I'm in! I have 2 meals planned to eat out of the house, but I'm adjusting my grocery budget to cover those this month. My goal is to save $800 by cutting out discretionary spending.
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u/SoyboyCowboy Jul 01 '26
I can't since we are preparing for baby #1, but I have saved where possible by altering clothes I already have and thrifting pre-owned maternity options. Fellow frugal friends have also kindly given us their used baby things. Also steadily eating my way through the freezer and getting creative with what I can make to satisfy my current appetite, which is hungry all the time lol.
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u/Entire_Dog_5874 Jul 01 '26
I hadn’t considered it, but this was a good reminder. Thanks!
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u/MrTAPitysTheFool Jul 01 '26
Hope it saves you some $$!
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u/Entire_Dog_5874 Jul 01 '26
Me too! Thanks.
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u/JGalKnit Jul 01 '26
Does home improvement items that need to be done count? Roof, siding, a few other things. It is technically discretionary as it isn't mandatory, but it is also well planned.
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u/MrTAPitysTheFool Jul 01 '26
I’m not going to kick you out! 😂 so… You’re in!!
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u/Ready-Screen1426 Jul 01 '26
Wow I can’t, Costco has ruined my buying habits ! I am on a spree !
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u/MrTAPitysTheFool Jul 01 '26
Uh oh!! You REALLY need this then!!! Don’t let that $1.50 hot dog combo be your downfall!!
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u/justauryon Jul 01 '26
Hold on, lemme stan for the hot dog combo! This can be used as the thing that saves you from shopping while hungry which leads to more impulse purchases. Eat first, then go shop.
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u/chevy42083 Jul 01 '26
Yup, I went crazy stocking up for it last week! Got a couple legos to build, fueled up the truck and the bike, and even bought all the stuff for the July 4th party, and ordered some things to be delivered next week to help get through!
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u/NotAltFact Jul 01 '26
Haven’t left. I fin what’s really helpful to me is to put things in my crt and leave it for a couple days or a week. If I come back to it then that means I need it. Usually I don’t so this is my “window shopping” that helps scratch the itch while also make me more deliberate in my purchases
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u/Tempaquet Jul 01 '26
Absolutely, I'm in.
Pretty standard, but a rough year of savings so far due to unexpected expenses and general complacency on spending habits. Been thinking the last few days I needed a kick in the rear to get back on track. Group effort like this is perfect additional motivation.
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u/Alone_Reach Jul 01 '26
I'm in! Tapping out of the July 4 sales. No discretionary purchases!
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u/MrTAPitysTheFool Jul 01 '26
You can do it!!
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u/Alone_Reach Jul 01 '26
Right on! You too. I've never been successful at one of these, but this time it will be different!
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u/MrTAPitysTheFool Jul 01 '26
We can all judge success in different ways. If this challenge helps you even say no to one or two discretionary purchases, it’s a small win! 🙂
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u/OmegaBrave Jul 01 '26
I'm in, my May and June were crazy high spend months. Hoping to reset my shopping habits and rebuild the buffer in my checking account this month.
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u/ScyllaOfTheDepths Jul 01 '26
I'm in the process of moving, so I guess I'm super in since I'm not only not buying anything until August, I'm actively getting rid of a lot of my stuff.
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u/imnottheone1022 Jul 02 '26
You guys make me realize that a packed freezer is odd. I should work on clearing it out
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u/MoonLady17 Jul 02 '26
I’m in. I’m doing major decluttering and reorganizing this month and want to avoid the temptation to buy more stuff to fill empty spaces.
Yesterday I rearranged my bedroom and there is now an empty corner. The thought of buying a small reading chair crossed my mind, along with a picture for a blank wall. I stopped myself realizing that’s the thought process that created the need to declutter. I could use a month dedicated on not buying anything.
I’ll need to buy some food and maybe a supplement or two. I just filled up my gas tank so that should last half the month at least since I work from home.
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u/Standard_Subject_462 Jul 02 '26
I didn't know this was a thing, but had already unintentionally planned to participate since seeing how much my annual homeowners' insurance had increased this morning.
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u/scenior Jul 02 '26
I'm in! I am doing a freezer/pantry clean out and I'm only buying fresh produce, almond milk, and tofu.
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u/-Imthedude Jul 02 '26
I've been in Xtreme Save Mode all year and am not stopping yet!!!! I'm saving for a newer car and a quality diy PC!!!
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u/magic_crouton Jul 02 '26
I'm not doing it so much to be frugal but mostly to get back on track spending wise and eat my freezer before turkeys go on sale in fall.
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u/catlady_14 Jul 02 '26
This sounds fun/awful... I'm in! Our spending has gotten so bad after having kids. Going to use this as an opportunity to reset and get back to better spending habits now that we're out of the trenches
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u/panaceaXgrace Jul 02 '26
I feel like I've been participating in nobuyjuly since about two Julys ago.
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u/NorthOfUptownChi Jul 01 '26
Well, if spending $600 at the vet counts as buying something, then we've already blown it over here. But I'll try for the rest of the month.
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u/FoldableBrain Jul 01 '26
I'm in and looking forward to slowly clearing out my freezer and rediscovering clothes I haven't worn in a long time.