Happy New Years pocket friends!

A year ago, I began microblogging about my #NoBuyYear2025 where my family made a commitment to reduce our consumption of non-essentials. I definitely can say I am so happy we did this. It has totally changed the way I think about #shopping and #money and #consumerism.

We thought of it as a traffic light system. We had a ‘green list’ which was what we decided was essential and we were allowed to buy. Then we had an ‘orange list’ which meant we looked second-hand first and only elevated it to buying new if we had to, then, well, red for non-essentials is a bit self explanitory isn’t it? Each person also got an allowance that was exempt from these rules.

At first, I thought of posting about all the things I bought each month. I stopped that after February because I realised that the idea was more about what I wasn’t buying and about changing my relationship with consumerism.

In this year, I learned that I can be much happier with much less, and I stopped feeling constant anxiety and stress over money; even when my income dipped to the lowest it’s ever been for a few months in 2025.

Gonna have another post in the next few days about my intentions for the next year.

So, what are your aspirations for the coming year?

Happy New Years pocket friends!

A year ago, I began microblogging about my #NoBuyYear2025 where my family made a commitment to reduce our consumption of non-essentials. I definitely can say I am so happy we did this. It has totally changed the way I think about #shopping and #money and #consumerism.

We thought of it as a traffic light system. We had a ‘green list’ which was what we decided was essential and we were allowed to buy. Then we had an ‘orange list’ which meant we looked second-hand first and only elevated it to buying new if we had to, then, well, red for non-essentials is a bit self explanitory isn’t it? Each person also got an allowance that was exempt from these rules.

At first, I thought of posting about all the things I bought each month. I stopped that after February because I realised that the idea was more about what I wasn’t buying and about changing my relationship with consumerism.

In this year, I learned that I can be much happier with much less, and I stopped feeling constant anxiety and stress over money; even when my income dipped to the lowest it’s ever been for a few months in 2025.

Gonna have another post in the next few days about my intentions for the next year.

So, what are your aspirations for the coming year?

12 months ago, I realised that I was not living out my own values. As a whānau, we committed to a #nobuyyear2025 where we only bought essentials.

A year ago, I had a 3 year old who was almost impossible to take shopping because she would beg for every random toy and throw a tantrum. This month we asked her what she wanted for her birthday and she said ‘A kiss’ ‘a hug’ ‘a flower’. She received a used bike, goggles, a watch, a real life tea set, a mug and socks. The bike cost us $5 to buy and $30 to repair and is her most prized possession.

Today I asked miss 4 what her friend would want for a birthday gift. My daughter said ‘She’ll like anything, because she’s my friend’. She proceeded to ask if she could give her friend a piece of lettuce from our garden. We redirected her to making a bouquet of lavender and putting aside a ripe strawberry. She’s also going out with her dad to choose a toy from a second hand shop.

Sure, she’s gotten more mature because she’s now 4 and not 3, but I’m so pleased I stopped modelling a consumerism mindset and taught her that a kiss, a hug, a flower, a strawberry, and sometimes a used bike can be the best gifts.

#Permaculture

12 months ago, I realised that I was not living out my own values. As a whānau, we committed to a #nobuyyear2025 where we only bought essentials.

A year ago, I had a 3 year old who was almost impossible to take shopping because she would beg for every random toy and throw a tantrum. This month we asked her what she wanted for her birthday and she said ‘A kiss’ ‘a hug’ ‘a flower’. She received a used bike, goggles, a watch, a real life tea set, a mug and socks. The bike cost us $5 to buy and $30 to repair and is her most prized possession.

Today I asked miss 4 what her friend would want for a birthday gift. My daughter said ‘She’ll like anything, because she’s my friend’. She proceeded to ask if she could give her friend a piece of lettuce from our garden. We redirected her to making a bouquet of lavender and putting aside a ripe strawberry. She’s also going out with her dad to choose a toy from a second hand shop.

Sure, she’s gotten more mature because she’s now 4 and not 3, but I’m so pleased I stopped modelling a consumerism mindset and taught her that a kiss, a hug, a flower, a strawberry, and sometimes a used bike can be the best gifts.

#Permaculture